USA > Delaware > Historical and biographical encyclopaedia of Delaware. V 1 > Part 22
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house, heart and hands were ever open to the Methodist preachers, and to the cause he rep- resented. Near this town in 1805, was -held the first Camp-meeting on the Peninsula. It commenced on the 25th of July, and was the beginning of a series that were greatly honored of God, and instrumental in spreading the flame of revival in scores, if not hundreds, of congregations. It was held in a beautiful grove three miles south of Smyrna, on Far- son's hill, near a chapel called Farson's, and was attended by thousands from Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia. It was introduced by Rev. Jesse Lee, who also preached the opening sermon. The following description of the meeting, from the pen of an eye witness, furnishes the only authentic account we have of this great meeting. Says the writer :
"The camp was formed in a beautiful piece of woods, as if nature had prepared it for the purpose. The trees were large and so nigh together that their foliage extended to each other and formed a natural bower sufficient to shade more than fifty thousand persons. Under those trees it was clear of under-brush, also level and agreeable ; on the side was a brook, and several living springs to supply both man and beast with water. There were seats pre- pared for about 4000 people, and a stand erected for the preachers in the most eligible place and manner. Around these seats at a suitable distance were about 200 tents erected for the people to sleep and live in. There were about 1000 carriages of different descrip- tions. The meeting continued four days and nights with very little intermission. There were 29 traveling and 34 local preachers be- sides the official characters, exhorters, leaders etc., and there were supposed to be from eight to ten thousand people. Here I am at a loss to give a description of the work. The divine presence, grace and power made the place truly awful, wonderful and astonishing. Such a time my eyes never beheld. It far exceeded any idea I had formed of the American Camp- meetings, although I had heard and read wonderful accounts of them in the Magazines. The power and grace of God were so conspic- uous in the conviction and conversion of sin- ners, and in the sanctifying of believers that light and glory appeared to fill the camp both day and night.
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The order of proceedings from day to day | was as follows : At five o'clock in the morning two trumpets blew as a signal for morning prayer ; at 8 o'clock preaching ; at 3 o'clock preaching ; and at 8 o'clock p. m., preaching. Signals for each were given by the blasts of trumpets. The intermediate times were taken up in praying, singing, and other religious exercises in the camp and tents. The camp was illuminated all night with lamps or candles.
I presume that no one can form a correct idea of the grandeur and solemnity of the scene who was not an eye-witness. I candidly confess that I have not language to depict it in its full and august appearance. From time to time scores were struck to the ground, some ap- pearing lifeless, others, again, crying, with the most lamentable anguish, to God for mercy, others finding peace and shouting praises and glory to God, while happy believers in ecsta- cies of joy and gladness were mingling their tears and voices in praises and hallelujahs to God and the Lamb. In the course of the four days, the preachers calculated from three to four hundred who were converted to God, be- side the numbers who were awakened and left the place without finding peace. To give a minute detail of the whole meeting would make a volume. It was very remarkable that in such a concourse of people of all descrip- tions, there was the greatest order and gov- ernment. However, for the purpose of keep- every thing in proper order, there were seven justices of the peace, and seven constables, and two sheriffs, together with a large guard of men constantly on the ground, so that any person or persons who might have been dis- posed to disturb, or breed disorder were kept in awe and terror. Men of the first respecta- bility gave their constant attendance, some of whom were as much engaged in the work as any on the ground. Especially, I could but remark, in a particular manner, the Hon. Richard Bassett, Esq., who had filled a num- ber of the first offices of State, and was lately Governor of the State where the meeting was held ; this gentleman appeared like an humble child among God's people, singing, praying, exhorting, etc., etc., and Abraham Ridgley, Esq., late Secretary of State, and brother to the present Chancellor, was remarkably zealous and headed the civil authority to keep good order, and suppress any who might at-
tempt to interrupt or disturb the meeting. This meeting closed at 7 o'clock on the morn- ing of the 29th of July, and a most affecting scene it was. After blowing trumpets round the camp, the preachers collected at the stand before all the assembly. They fell on each others necks and wept, and then dismissed a weeping congregation. O, my God ! what a scene ! the impressions it made upon my heart and soul are indelible."
The writer of the above was an English- man, on a visit to the United States, who on his return East, prepared the description, for the Wesleyan Magazine.
Three months later, October 25th, was be- gun at Moore's Chapel in Sussex county, the sec- ond camp meeting, which like its predecessor was a season of revival, the influence of which was felt in all parts of the Peninsula. From this time they became fixed seasons in the work of the church, and for many years an- nual gatherings were held at places, such as Red Lion, Concord, etc., which have become famous in this respect. In 1806, the vestry of Christ's Church (Episcopal) invited the Meth- odists to hold a camp meeting on the grounds of that church. It was in Broad Creek Hun- dred, about two miles from Laurel, and such was the power attendant upon the exercises that Methodism received new impulse, and fields hitherto unopened were made accessi- ble. The increase in membership during the year was not less than one thousand.
While the church was rejoicing over the vic- tories won for the Lord, she was called to drop tears of affection over the departure of some of her most efficient workers. In Octo- ber, 1804, the Rev. Wilson Lee, a native of Sussex County, was called to his eternal re- ward. He had attained to great distinction in the ministry, and was noted for the correct- ness of his life, the affability of his manners, the fervency of his spirit, the energy of his ministry, and his power of adapting his dis- courses to the condition and character of his hearers.
On the 5th of July, 1806, at the residence of the venerable Richard Bassett, Esq., in Dover, the beloved Bishop Whatcoat gave his soul to God and his body to the dust. His remains were deposited under the altar of Wesley Chapel, Dover. He was as the venerable Henry Boehm tells us, " As a man most re-
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markable, for in him was blended a dignity | Joseph Wyatt, John McCloskey and J. Polhe . that commanded reverence, and a humility mus, of the M. E. Church. The controversy on "Shouting" began in August, 1805, and was continued for several months, until the subject had stirred up much animosity against the Methodists, on the part of their opponents, and decided spiritual independence on the part of the Methodists themselves. These stric- tures served to draw the lines between the de- nominations very closely ; and soon the es- trangement between the P. E. Church and the M. E. Church was so marked, that the churches of the former Body ceased to be opened to the latter. It was not so prior to the introduction of the controversies above mentioned, except in a few rare instances. and sweetness that inspired affection." His first Episcopal service was rendered in the State where lie his remains. As a bishop he was skillful in presiding, safe in council, and wise in judgment. As a preacher, few ex- celled him in melting and moulding an audi- ence to perfect sympathy with his theme. As a christian he walked in the light of God, and had tenderest fellowship with his brethren. His knowledge of the Bible was so extensive and accurate that he was regarded as a " walk- ing concordance." His virtues were celebrated, known and honored, and though his career in the episcopacy was short, he inspired all who knew him with the deepest respect, and ad- miration for him as an officer, a christian, and a man.
In 1806, Methodism on Dover Circuit was greatly advanced by means of two camp-meet- ings, one held in June, at which there were eleven hundred conversions, and one in July, near Dover, at which there were one thousand three hundred and twenty conversions. The additions to the church within the bounds of the State were about fifteen hundred. In the latter part of the year, another of the veteran itinerants, a native of New Castle County, was called to his reward, the Rev. James Lattomus. He was a man of delicate constitution, but had a vigorous mind, and was upright in his walk, and demeanor.
During this year the spirit of controversy disturbed, as it did in following years, the whole Peninsula. There were two subjects on which the disputants were engaged, viz : "The validity of Methodist Episcopacy," and "Shouting." The controversy on the first sub- ject was begun in the "Easton Star," March 25th, 1806, and continued till Nov. 18th, 1806. It is questionable whether in any age of the church a more exhaustive treatment of the mat- ter discussed was ever had. The strong men of both the Protestant Episcopal, and Metho- dist Episcopal Churches were called out, both clerical and lay, all of whom displayed culti- vation and research, as well as a delicacy of expression so essential to gentlemen. Among the clergy who were known to be engaged in the controversy were the Rev. Simon Wilmer, Dr. Kemp and Bishop White, of Pennsylvania, on the part of the P. E. Church, and Revs.
Notwithstanding these controversies, the Methodist Episcopal Church continued to prosper and develop her power in great re- ligious revivais, in church building and in pre- paring the way for the firm establishment of the Kingdom of Christ throughout the entire State. From year to year new classes were formed in new places for preaching ; and though there was no numerical increase in the aggregate, the status of the Church bore the same relative relation to the population that it had hitherto gained. Says Bishop Simpson, (Cyc. of Methodism, p. 283), "In no State in the Union has Methodism a larger member- ship in proportion to the population than in Delaware." For more than a quarter of a cen- tury the population of the State was but slightly increased, and for the same period there was only a maintenance, on the part of the Church, of her numerical strength. An approximative estimate may be seen by the following comparison : In 1810 the member- ship of the M. E. Church in the State was nearly 6,000 ; in 1820, 7,000; in 1830, less than 6,000, the deficiency through the latter decade being almost wholly confined to the diminution of colored members. There were, however, many churches erected, and the gen- eral spirituality maintained, while those who were called away by death bore the testimony in the hour of departure that filled all hearts with gladness. Of these, two must be men- tioned,at least,because of their official relation to the Church in Delaware; the Honorable Richard Bassett and the Rev. Bishop Francis Asbury. The former died in the summer of 1815.
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
Of Bishop Asbury, it is eminently proper tants of this town, that their Conference visits that mention be made, herein, because he was have been more frequent than to any other a citizen of Delaware, having adopted it as borough in the State. The following histori- his state during the stormy days of the Ameri- cal record will furnish a cause for their devo- can Revolution, and having traveled uninter- ruptedly through other States under a pass issued by the governor of his adopted State. attentions were wanting to render the preach- (See Biographical Department for both.)
On the 2d day of July, 1818, another of Del- aware's favorite sons, the Rev. Daniel Moore, the uncle of the late Chancellor of Delaware, Daniel Moore Bates, who bore his name, a descendant of the family in whose house Methodism first began in Sussex County. He was a "good minister of Jesus Christ," and though physically frail, was spiritually strong, lived a life of purity and devotion to God and his works, and died in the possession of uninter- rupted peace of soul, and the strongest confi- dence in God. His character was deserving of the high encomiums it received, and his life was worthy of that spirit of imitation which his relatives and others sought to im- press upon their children.
While, during this decade, the M. E. Church made not its usual progress, in the State, the apathy was upon other denominations also, an illustration of which may be seen by an ex- tract from the report of the Peninsular Con- vention of the P. E. Church, held in Cam- bridge, Md., October 13th, 1819. From that report it will be seen that of the thirteen churches of that denomination in the diocese of Delaware, there were but four parish minis- ters; one in Sussex county, one in Kent, and two in New Castle.
In 1816, the African Methodist Episcopal Church was formed, and was composed of members who withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church. (See African Methodist Episcopal Church.) This caused a diminution of colored members from year to year, until in 1854, the Delaware Conference was organ- ized, when they ceased to be reported in the minutes of our Peninsular clergymen as un- der the charge of white pastors. (See Dela- ware Conference of M. E. Church, colored.)
The Philadelphia Annual Conference of 1820 was held in Smyrna, and in 1821, in Milford, Del. In 1827, the Body again met in Smyrna ; and, as has been seen, such was the favor with which the preachers looked upon the inhabi-
tion to this part of the State. Says a writer : "On the part of the inhabitants of Smyrna no ers comfortable and happy. The members of this Conference will long retain in grateful and pleasing remembrance the kindness and hospi- tality of their Smyrna friends.
"The labors of the preachers in Smyrna was called to his reward in Heaven. He was seem to have been blessed. The word of reconciliation administered by them was made the power of God unto the salvation of many, and a number of souls gave evidence that they were savingly converted to God. Many more, after the rising of the Conference, remained with the arrows of the Almighty sticking fast in their consciences, and groaning the publican's prayer, God be merciful to me a sinner.'"
There was much controversy during the de- cade from 1820 to 1830, on the subject of an elective presiding-eldership. Memorials were sent to the General Conference from time to time, asking for a change, and the petitioners, failing in their prayer, took steps toward the organization of an independent church. This was consummated in 1830, and, by it, the nu- merical strength of the elder church was less- ened, in Delaware, and on the whole Penin- sula. Moore's Chapel, the first chapel built in Sussex County, was turned over into the hands of the new denomination, until, by the recovery of the original deed, the property was proved to belong legitimately to the Methodist Episcopal Church, and thereafter was held without disputation. (See History of Methodist Protestant Church.)
In April, 1828, Rev. Jacob Moore, father of Hon. D. M. Bates, fell asleep in Jesus at the house of his beloved friend, Dr. Bates, in Dover. He was born in Sussex County in the year 1791. In 1815 he entered the itinerancy in the Philadelphia Conference. His minis- terial labors were chiefly in New Jersey and in the Peninsula, composed of the State of Dela- ware and the Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia. "He was an exemplary christian, and an able minister of the gospel. His appli- cation to study was intense, and his proficiency great. But he had an extremely feeble body
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and was several times, during the course of his ministry, brought to the verge of the grave. and almost miraculously raised up again, to pursue his sacred vocation. He gave the most satisfactory assurances, (when brought to his death sickness,) that he was dying in the Lord." (See An. Conf. Minutes, 1829, p. 41.)
Methodism in Wilmington, Del., during these years made considerable progress, as the following figures will show : In ISto the mem- bershipin the one church, Asbury, was, whites, 132 ; colored, 134. In 1829 it was, of whites, 347 ; colored, 90.
In 1832, the first session of the Annual Con- ference in Wilmington was held; Bishops McKendree and Hedding presiding, and Rev. George G. Cookman acting as secretary. Mr. Cookman, after the close of the conference, made a report to the Christian Advocate, an abstract from which is here given. He said : "The preachers are all agreed in affirming that this has been one of the most delightful seasons they recollect. The romantic situa- tion of this pleasant town, the hospitality of our friends, the general harmony of sentiment and feeling, and above all, the gracious pres- ence of the great Head of the Church, in all the services connected with the Conference, leave upon our minds a delightful retrospect as we go forth to fields of future labor."
reader when it is considered that the many thrilling historical facts all through the State are familiar to the citizens and may be learned in conversation in many households. The period for these tables is herein set forth in two forms, the first extending from 1832 to 1869, the time of the organization of the Wil- mington Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the second, from the latter date to the year 1882. The figures for 1832 are necessarily meagre because there was not at that time the same scrupulous care to publish the statistical facts of the work of the church, as afterward obtained. The facts for that year will be, therefore, limited :
Charges.
Church Members.
Churches and Parsonag's
Value.
S. Schools
Scholars.
1832 1869
5
37
6, 100 10,898
123
$602,200.00
137
11,752
The number of church members in 1869, while showing a large increase, would have been greater, had the colored members been included as in 1832 ; but they had withdrawn after 1854, and ceased to be reported except in their own Conference records.
While in 1832, there were five charges in the State, only one of these, Wilmington, was a station. During the interval between that year and 1869, the four circuits had been con- verted into thirty-six charges of which the The progress of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Wilmington, though during the first thirty years of its existence tardy, began now to spread with rapidity, as a brief review of its history will show. In 1845, under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Kennedy, St. Paul's M. E. Church was begun ; in 1848, the Orange Street Church, afterward called Union, started out from Asbury. In 1866 the old property was sold, and a beautiful church was erected at the corner of Fifth and Washington streets. Scott Church was organized in 1854 ; following were stations : Mount Salem, New- port, New Castle, Delaware City, Port Penn, Smyrna, Middletown, Odessa, Dover, Felton, Milford, Seaford and Laurel; while from the Wil- mington charge, had grown, St. Paul's Union, Scott, Grace and Brandywine. In the State, outside of these stations, the following circuits had been formed: Newark, St. George's and Summit, Christiana, Smyrna circuit, Camden, Fredericka and Barrett's Chapel, Willow Grove, Harrington, Leipsic and Raymond's, Bridgeville, Bethesda and Bethlehem, Frank- Brandywine in 1856, and Grace Church, one of ford, Millsborough, Lewes, Milton, George-
the finest specimens of church architecture in the United States, was built in 1866, as a cen- tenary offering.
town, Lincoln City and Gumborough. In 1832, the whole church in the State was served by eleven ministers ; in 1869, the number had been increased to forty-nine. The number of local preachers scattered throughout the State had grown to forty-seven, and these with the many official members were capable of exert- ing an influence in every direction, that has
To follow out in detail the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Delaware, would swell this article into a volume ; it is, therefore, necessary to omit much that might be given, and chiefly to embrace the history of the last half century in tabulated state- proved vital to the maintenance of the most ments. This course will be acceptable to the influential denomination in the State.
HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
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Of the period between the years 1869, and ' give them colored ministers, and conferences, 1882, a fuller exhibit may be furnished, as will be seen in the following table.
Year.
Charges.
Ministers.
Members.
Churches.
Value.
Parsonages.
Value.
S. Schools.
Scholars.
Raised for Ministerial
Support.
1869: 37 49 10,893; IC8 $551,600 00 15 $50,600 :21 11,752 $28,956.39
1882, 50 53 13,820 115 !
635, 500.00 | 24
53,600 137 13,294 42,082.00
If this table be compared with the popula- tion of the State in 1880, it will be perceived that the ratio of increase within the church, has been equivalent to that within the State as compared with the previous decade.
The educational and benevolent work of the Church may be mentioned with grateful thought. and with cherished regard for the noble spirits that have given their attention and means in this direction. The Wilmington Conference Academy, located at Dover, is a monument of the enterprise and talent of men some of whom have entered into the Church Triumphant in Heaven, while the vigorous pursuits of methods to spread our Holy Chris- tianity show that the Methodist Episcopal Church in Delaware, is fulfilling her mission with equal earnestness and assiduity, and Proportionate responsibility with the sister churches in the State.
DELAWARE CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST EFISCOPAL CHURCH. (COLORED.)
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HEN freedom was proclaimed "through- out all the land to all the inhabitants thereof," and from its baptism of blood and fire, the American Nation rose to the actual of that ideal furnished and taught in her Declaration of Independence, simul- taneously there rose new conditions for the colored people of the United States, in eccle- siastical, as well as in civil matters. From Mason and Dixon's Line, Southward, and up as high as the boundary Northward of the Delaware State Line, colored members of the Methodist Episcopal Church were counted in Conference and Statistical reports with the Conference returns of the white membership, under the general cognomen of colored mem- bers. Believing that a separation which would
and churches, and sunday schools, would oc- casion the development of self-reliance, in- telligence, and a larger enthusiasm in church work, such separate but not independent organization occurred by direction and pro- vision of the General Conference, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held in May, 1864. In that year Bishop Edmund S. Janes, of blessed memory, organized the Delaware Conference. The first session was called together in Philadelphia, and the success of the separate organization of the colored members into churches of their own, demonstrated this as a wise measure in the present churchi.
The geographical bounds of the Delaware Conference are not indicated by its name, but its territory embraces portions of Mary- land and Virginia on the South, of Pennsyl- vania on the North, and of New Jersey on the East. It has twelve distinct pastoral charges in the State of Delaware ; and members in every hundred, in the several counties of the state. The names of the charges are as follows : Dover, Milford, Ezion Wilmington, Wilming- ton Circuit, New Castle, Odessa, Middletown, Smyrna, Townsend, Bridgeville, Laurel, Lewes, and Dover Circuit. There are thirteen pas- tors, (traveling preachers,) and thirty-seven churches, two thousand eight hundred mem- bers, and thirty (30) local preachers, with 34 Sunday Schools, and 1849 scholars.
THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCO- PAL CHURCH.
REV T. G. STEWARD, D. D.
HE African Methodist Episcopal Church was formally organized in Philadelphia, Pa. on the 9th day of April 1816, by a convention composed of the following named delegates, to wit : Richard Allen, Jacob Tapsico, Clayton Durham, James Champion, and Thomas Webster of Philadelphia ; Daniel Coker, Richard Williams, Henry Harden, Stephen Hill, Edward Williamson and Nicho- las Gailliard of Baltimore, Md ; Peter Spencer of Wilmington, Del ; Jacob Marsh, Edward
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HISTORY OF DELAWARE.
Jackson and William Andrew of Attleborough, | important towns. and country settlements. Pa ; and Peter Cuff of Salem, New Jersey.
Richard Allen was chosen first bishop and set apart for that office on the II of April 1816. The present bishops of the church are Daniel A. Payne, D. D., LL.D., Alexander W. Way- man, D. D., Jabez P. Campbell, D. D, LL.D., James A. Shorter, Thomas M. D. Ward, D. D., John M. Brown, D. D., Henry M. Turner, D. D., William F. Dickerson, D. D., and Richard H. Cain, D. D.
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