The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
A Glance at its Past, Present and
Future.
THE PAST


The coming of Methodism into North
Carolina was not so much the result Of
process of propagandism as the de-
yelopment of principle which lies at
the very heart of Wesleyanism. A dis
satisfaction with the policy of building
on another mans foundation" and a
deep yearning to preach the Gospel ''in
the regions beyond" are the natural con-
cOmitants of the faith of the people
called AIethodists." Coke, Asbury and
others could not avow this faith and be
content 10 remain On the other side of
the Atlantic. After setting up the
standard of jesus Christ in the New
World, they were not content with the
intensive system of evangelZation, but,
obedient to the divine impulse of ex-
pansion, they climbed the mountains,
threaded the rivers, pierced the wilder
nesses, and traversed the plains, preach
ing free salvation, and plenty of it.
They went into new territory TO fight
sin, not the Church Of England, the
Baptists, the Presbyterians and the
Quakers, who, for years had been occupy
ing the territory. They went, not to
spread Methodism, primarily, but those
eternal truths as interpreted by the fol-
lowers of John Wesley as conducive to
the best interests of the world.
Joseph Pilmoor was the first man to
preach Il Methodist sermon in North
Carolina This was in 1772. The next
year ,Robert Williams organized the
first North Carolina.
In 1876, North Carolina became cir
cult. 1t claimed 93S members, and was
ridden" by those three valiant soldiers
of the LAUNDERING Legion"-John Dick
ems, Leroy Cole and Edward Pride
They had to ride from Norfolk to New
bern, and from Salisbury to Edenton. A
history of the times when North Carolina
was circuit would make interesting
reading in these days when half Il county
is considered an immense field by the
circuit rider. When CORVALLIS surTen-
dered at Yorktown, there. were few
over ten thousand Methodists in North
Carolina. 1t will not be surprising to
those who are i'll the habit of claiming
great things for the old State to learn
that nearly two thousand of the ten in
the Old North State Methodism made
great progress during those days.
In 1875, the first Methodist Confer
ence was held in North Carolina. This
was III the house of Green Hill, true
and tried Wesleyan, some of whose
descendants help to form today the bone
and sinew of the Church in the State.
The old house is still standing, and we
trust that it will ever be preserved as a
relic. The whole Conference of twenty
or more slept under its roof.
In 1900, North Carolina, formerly a
'jPrlIif bonatna Dic+r;nt ~
fifteen circuits. They were Morganton,
Swannanoa, Salisbury, Haw River, Gull.
ford, Franklin, Caswell, Tar River, New
bern, Goshen, Wilmington, COntentnea.
Pamlico, Roanoke, Mattamuskeet and
Banks. Francis Poythress, one of the
truest souls in early Mcthodism, was
Presiding Elder. Suffice it to say, that
he was not able to give each preaching
place the much coveted Sunday appoint
ment
The first quarter of the present century
was marked by wonderful growth in
the Methodist Church The evangelistic
spirit was deep and strong, and there
were not lacking men and women to do
and care for Christ. a very fine type Of
heroism was displayed in those days
Perhaps this was the romantic period Of
early Methodist history. The camp
meeting was an important feature, and
was the occasion Of bringing thousands
into the fold of Christ. The sweetest
memories OF many Of the saints Of the
present day are those clustering around
the old camp-ground.
In 1887, the North Carolina Conference
was set off from the Virginia Confer