USA > Maryland > Centenary pictorial album, being contributions of the early history of Methodism in the state of Maryland > Part 1
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Gc 975.2 R54 c 1369500
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
7 L
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02243 7450
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/centenarypictori00robe
CENTENARY PICTORIAL ALBUM
CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE FARIY HISTORY OF METHODISM BEING
in the State of Maryland BY
George C.M.Roberts, M.D.D.D. Baltimore.
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Printed by J. W.Woods 1866.
EMBELLISHMENTS AND CONTENTS. 1369500
PAGE.
TITLE.
THE BISHOPS' MONUMENT, 9
REV. FRANCIS ASBURY, 15
ELIZABETH ASBURY,
20
ROBERT STRAWBRIDGE, 27
TABLE USED BY ROBT. STRAWBRIDGE AS A PULPIT.
THE LOG CHAPEL, (STRAWBRIDGE CHURCH, ) .
33
THE HOUSE WHERE ROBERT STRAWBRIDGE DIED, 37
ROBERT STRAWBRIDGE'S GRAVE, 41
REV. HENRY WILLIS, 45
REV. HENRY WILLIS' GRAVE.
MRS. ANN WILLIS,
53
STONE CHAPEL, . 59
THE CASSELL HOUSE, . 63
JACOB CASSELL'S HOUSE, BUILT 1753.
JESSE DURBIN'S HOUSE, 67
LOVELY LANE MEETING HOUSE, 71
FIRST LIGHT STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 75
OLD PARSONAGE HOUSE, LIGHT STREET, 81
OLD CONFERENCE ROOM, 85
CONFERENCE ROOM, PRESENT APPEARANCE.
REV. GEORGE ROBERTS, M. D. . 89
ALEXANDER WARFIELD'S HOUSE, 109
JOHN EVANS' HOUSE,
113
1
PREFACE.
IN preparing this work for publication, the author has no intention of writing a his- tory of Methodism in the State of Maryland. This would require more" time than he has at command to allot to it, and much more ability than he possesses. Maryland to us is classic ground. Here Methodism had its origin in 1760, simultaneously with New York. Here Strawbridge lived and labored extensively at that early period, when men's souls were tried greatly in the pursuit of the object they had in view, viz. the salvation of the people. The Church in these latter days of her triumphs, has almost entirely neglected to yield him the credit that was his due, legitimately, in giving rise in this country to what Wesley and those cotemporaneous with him originated in the old world. In so far as we, his sons and descendants are concerned, we are disposed no longer to remain silent. Whilst we are perfectly willing to give to others what is due them, and in some particulars more than their friends themselves claim for them, at the same time we maintain the right of Strawbridge in full as being among the very first, and perfectly coeval with them, in origi- nating in this country, in the providence of God, this heaven-born system. There are others yet spared to us, who, if rumor be correct, will yet give to the world what they know on this subject. We have not been disposed in this work to do more than appears on the faco of it. The object of the author is simply to give the facts stated such prominence as will render them worthy of preservation, and of being handed down to our children's children. Of the individuals named, he has been desirous of stating, not so much what is known generally, as what has never been brought to light concerning then. So also of the sev- eral places designated.
These men have literally been pioneers in their spheres in the great work that has spread over these lands, and brought to thousands of hearts on earth and thousands in heaven
"A peace to sensual minds unknown."
PREFACE.
All that can be gathered of them should be done before it is lost to the church and world in entire oblivion, by the death of those having cognizance of the facts.
The plates with which it is embellished have all been prepared through the very valu- able assistance of Mr. Thomas C. Ruckle, an eminent artist of Baltimore, without which this work would not have appeared in its present form. They have been mostly obtained under my own supervision, and chiefly by visiting the spots in company with Mr. R.
The portrait of the Rev. Robert Strawbridge was taken from the personal recollection of him by a warm and intimate friend, who has long since entered into rest.
That of the late Dr. Roberts was prepared from the recollection of the artist of him, after many years, and is a most excellent one.
The view of Lovely Lane Church, in the city of Baltimore, is not from the actual ob- servation of any now living. All those who were familiar with its appearance have, like the structure itself, passed for ever away. We have been enabled to furnish it from the recollection of what is known by some still living, who gathered their information from their forefathers.
The work is committed to the press with the earnest prayer that it may be the means of doing good to those who are living, as well as those who are yet unborn.
Hereafter, let the names of Embury and Strawbridge be associated together, and alike honored as they should be as instruments in the hands of the Divine Being-the one in New York, and the other in Maryland-in giving origin to the work which, at the present, is so widely diffused throughout the country. Being local preachers, their brethren in this land should unite, in some measure, that will perpetuate their memory. And we trust such measures will be taken by the National Association of Local Preachers, at its ensu- ing Convention, as will effectually secure this object.
The author is indebted to Mrs. Georgianna H. McLeod, of Baltimore, for the poetical effusions which precede the several articles, and to those individuals who assisted him most materially by transcribing his almost illegible manuscripts, and preparing them for the press.
G. C. M. R.
BALTIMORE, July 13, 1866.
Bentenary
Ade.
From Albion's isle across the sea, A hundred changeful years gone by, This, our fair land her port to be, With sails all set a ship drew nigh, A band of Wesleyans she bore, Rare seed upon this Western shore They sowed, "a hundred years gone by."
In Jesus' name the work was done, With prayer, that what was thus begun, Beneath God's smile might grow, And be to children's children blest, When they were gathered to their rest, Who worked, "a hundred years ago."
It sprang to light a timid flower, Nurtured 'mid storms, by sun and shower, No earth blight could it know- And "Methodism" was its name, A mark full oft for scorn and shame, It seemed, "a hundred years ago."
'Twas trampled on and oft reviled, But meekly like the undefiled,
It raised the head laid low, And shed its fragrance all around, On lowly or on lofty ground,
"A hundred changeful years ago."
It grew in beauty and in grace,
And springing up in some new place, Transplanted by some faithful hand For God, as witness pure to stand, It grew, "a hundred years ago."
First came the buds, then the fair flower, Now like to forest trees they tower, Sheltered by them, new plants will grow, Their branches spread from land to land, Fruit of the seed, our fathers' hand Scattered, "a hundred years ago."
Father Almighty, source of good,
Teach us to praise thee as we should, No will but thine to know, That with people we may stand, All crowned with those at thy right hand, Who slept "a hundred years ago."
2
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T. C. Ruckle
THE BISHOP'S MONUMENT Mi. Olivet Cemetery.
1.ith. hy A.Hocn & Co. Ballo
The Bishops' Monument.
We know that they are happy now, In the light of the spirit world, And the holy banner of love and peace, O'er each white robed form's unfurled. They are happy now, earth's ransomed ones, And on the "shining shore ;" Their home is in their father's house, They are ours-they are ours, no more !
10
BISHOPS MONUMENT.
In Memory of
REV. FRANCIS ASBURY. REV .. ENOCH GEORGE,
REV. JOHN EMORY, D. D. REV. BEVERLY WAUGH, D. D. BISHOPS OF THE .
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
On the north side of the base is the inscription to Bishops ASBURY and GEORGE, as follows :
REV. FRANCIS ASBURY,
BORN IN ENGLAND, AUGUST 20, 1745; ENTERED THE MINISTRY AT THE AGE OF 17; CAME A MISSIONARY TO AMERICA, 1774; ORDAINED BISHOP IN BALTIMORE, DEC. 27, 1784; ANNUALLY VISITED THE CONFERENCES IN THE UNITED STATES; WITH MUCH ZEAL CONTINUED TO PREACH THIE WORD FOR MORE THAN HALF A CENTURY, AND ENDED HIS LABORS WITH HIS LIFE, NEAR FREDERICKSBURG, VA., IN THE FULL TRIUMPH OF FAITH.
March 31, 1816, Ætatis 71.
HIS REMAINS WERE DEPOSITED IN THE VAULT OF THE EUTAW STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, MAY 10, 1816, BY THE GENERAL CONFERENCE, THEN IN SESSION ; AND REMOVED TO THIS SPOT JUNE 16, 1854. HIS JOURNALS WILL EXHIBIT TO POSTERITY HIS LABORS
AND SUFFERINGS-HIS LOVE TO GOD AND MAN.
11
BISHOPS MONUMENT.
REV. ENOCH GEORGE.
BORN IN LANCASTER COUNTY, VA., IN 1747 OR 1748, ADMITTED INTO THE ITINERANT CONNECTION 1790, AND FULFILLED HIS MINISTRY TO THE END. AT THE GENERAL CONFERENCE HELD IN BALTIMORE, MAY, 1816, WAS ELECTED AND OR- DAINED BISHOP; DIED AT STAUNTON, VA., AUGUST 23, 1828, IN THE PEACE AND TRIUMPH OF GOSPEL FAITH, AND WITH HIS LATEST BREATH GIVING "GLORY TO GOD." IIIS REMAINS WERE REMOV- ED TO THIS SPOT JUNE 16, 1854. A MAN OF DEEP PIETY, OF GREAT SIMPLICITY OF MANNERS; A VERY PATHETIC, POWERFUL AND SUCCESSFUL PREACHER, GREATLY BELOVED IN LIFE, AND EXTENSIVELY LAMENTED IN DEATII. "A FAITHFUL MAN AND FEARED GOD ABOVE MANY." NEH. VII, 2.
On the south side appears those to Bishops EMORY and WAUGH.
REV. JOHN EMORY, D. D.
BORN APRIL 12, 1789, EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND; THROWN FROM HIS CARRIAGE ON THE MORNING OF DEC. 16, 1835, AND DIED ON THE EVENING OF THE SAME DAY. AGED 46 YEARS, 8 MONTHS AND 4 DAYS. HE WAS CONVERTED TO GOD IN THE 17TH YEAR OF HIS AGE, BEING AT THE TIME A STUDENT OF LAW ; ENTERED THE ITIN- ERANT MINISTRY, 1810; IN 1820 WENT AS A REPRESENTATIVE TO THE WESLEYAN METHODIST CONFERENCE IN GREAT BRITAIN; IN 1824 WAS ELECTED ASSISTANT EDITOR OF THE METHODIST BOOK CONCERN IN NEW YORK; EDITOR IN 1828; ELECTED AND ORDAINED BISHOP IN 1832. DISTINGUISHED ALIKE FOR HIS GREAT TALENTS, HIS PIETY AND USEFULNESS. HE WAS THUS PREMATURELY CUT DOWN IN THE MYSTERIOUS DISPENSA- TION OF AN ALL-WISE PROVIDENCE.
REV. BEVERLY WAUGH. D. D.
BORN IN FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA, OCTOBER 25, 1789; ENTERED THE MINISTRY IN THE BALTIMORE CONFERENCE 1809; BOOK AGENT 1828-1836; CHOSEN AND SET APART BISHOP 1836; SENIOR SUPERINTENDENT 1852-1858; DIED FEBRUARY 9, 1858. HE WAS TRUE TO EVERY TRUST COMMITTED TO HIM BY THE CHURCH; IN HER PULPITS, EARNEST AND EFFECTIVE; AS HER BOOK AGENT, ACCURATE AND LABORIOUS; AS HER CHIEF MINISTER, DIGNIFIED, WISE, AND WITHOUT PARTI- ALITY. HIS REMAINS LIE A FEW FEET SOUTH OF THIS SPOT.
12
BISHOPS MONUMENT.
Immediately in the rear of the monument is the grave of Bishop Asbury. On the north side of him lie the remains of Bishop George. On the south side of Bishop Asbury is buried Bishop Emory, who so tragically came to his end by being thrown from his carriage on the Reisterstown road, on December 16th, 1835, when on his way to Balti- more on business connected with the Church.
Bishop Waugh, at the request of his late widow, is buried a few feet south of Bishop Emory. The graves are all neatly finished with large foot-stones, bearing the names of the Bishops.
Immediately to the north of Bishop George is buried the Rev. Henry Smith, of Pilgrim's Rest, who, at the time of his death, was the oldest itinerant preacher living. He had sustained the superannuated relation to the Conference many years prior to his death.
The trustees of the Baltimore City Station have thus done for the remains of these noble men of God what they could; long may this memorial of their value to the Church and the estimate in which their memories are held remain to perpetuate their names, their labors and their virtues. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."
T.C. Ruckle
Ldl Iny A Rinen &l'o. Balin.
BISHOP ASBURY
Bishop shury.
How beautiful comes back his life now before us, Adorning the doctrines of Jesus for aye, With Him at His coming we'll seek thine appearing, Arrayed in His glory, enthroned upon high. There midst the host who had past on before thee,
Thou art singing the praise of the Lord of the sky, While our voices feebly the soft anthems are swelling,
To Him who hath loved us and gone up on high!
Mrs. Asbury.
Oh mother of the good and great, Illustrious as a crowned queen,
Thy name with woman's graces sweet, Upon Fame's records still is seen. Mother of him whose virtues live, And must, thro' long years yet to come, Let every mother seek to gain Such honor thro' an honored son,
No prouder name than ASBURY's By knightly deeds was ever won.
4
Rev. Francis Asbury
WAS born in England, near Hampstead Bridge, in the parish of Handsworth, near Bir- mingham, in Staffordshire, on the 20th August, 1745. His parents were in common life, remarkable for their industry and honesty. In so far as this world is concerned, they were well to do, and were possessed of a sufficiency of things necessary to comfort in this life. They had but two children, the eldest of whom, Sarah Asbury, died in her child- hood, and consequently Francis was left, an only child. After spending about nine years in the local and itinerant ministry in England, he volunteered to come to America as a missionary.
He landed at Philadelphia, on the 27th October, 1771, and immediately entered upon his work. At what is commonly called the Christmas Conference, of 1784, he was elected Bishop, and ordained by Dr. Thos. Coke, who was deputed by Mr. Wesley to come to America for the purpose of organizing the Church. His course, from that to the end of · life, was ever onward, constantly traveling from one end of the country to the other in the prosecution of his arduous labors. During his ministry, it is computed, that he preach- ed at least 18,000 sermons, presided at more than 200 conferences, traveled about 150,000 miles, and ordained more ministers than any other man ever did.
He possessed good natural abilities, which he had cultivated extensively. He read the Holy Scriptures in the original languages, and was acquainted with several branches of polite learning, which, however, he appeared to conceal studiously.
By his long, deep and uniform piety he secured the esteem and confidence of the people generally. He possessed a zeal and diligence that few in his day possessed, and none ever exceeded. For half a century did this extraordinary man travel over this vast continent, in the heat of summer and the extreme cold of winter. Though contending with infirmities and sickness, his zeal knew no bounds, and led him to.travel and preach until he had to be carried to the pulpit, but a few days prior to his dissolution. He literally ceased at once to work and live, and stepped from the scene of his continued af-
16
REV. FRANCIS ASBURY.
fiction and toil to his reward iu Heaven, where the "weary are forever at rest." There doubtless, his happy spirit was greeted by his sainted father and mother, and welcomed by the tens of thousands of the heavenly hierarchy.
He preached his last discourse in Richmond, Va., in the Old Methodist Church, at 3 o'clock, on Sabbath, March 24th, 1816, from Rom. ix, 28. . "For he will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness : Because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth." A fit and. appropriate text wherewith to close up his ministry upon earth. He spake with much feeling for nearly an hour. He was taken back to the carriage from the pulpit, as he had been carried from it to the pulpit, and finally to his lodgings.
On Tuesday he left Richmond for Fredericksburg, Va., going by the residence of his old and esteemed friend, Mr. George Arnold. The weather proved exceedingly inclement, and wholly unfit for traveling. He stopped with Mr. Arnold, and there, in the bosom of his family, he closed his long and eventful life on the Sabbath following. On the Sabbath of his death, he requested that the family should be called together ; when the Rev. J. W. Bond, his traveling companion, discoursed in the room of the dying man from the twenty- first chapter of the book of Revelations. Throughout the delivery of the discourse he ap- peared deeply engaged. Soon after, he began to fail; drink was offered him, but he could not swallow it, having lost the power of deglutition ; this was very speedily succeeded by the loss of speech. Observing the distress of Mr. Bond, as well as the whole family that were present, he raised his hand and looked upon them with a smile. He was asked if he felt the Lord Jesus to be precious to his soul ? in token of the final victory through the blood of the Lamb; he raised both his hands, and soon fell asleep in Jesus. This occur- red on Sabbath, 31st of March, 1816. He died sitting in his chair, with his head leaning on the hand of Bro. Bond, and in the 71st year of his age. Thus passed away the Rev. Francis Asbury. God took him, for the world was not worthy of him. We shall never look upon his like again.
urtrait of Bishop Ashury
The circumstances under which the Bishop was induced to sit for this, the first por- trait that was ever taken of him, were singular in a remarkable degree. The manner in which his scruples were overcome, strongly indicate the character of the man. Whatever afflicted his brethren in the ministry afflicted him. His mind was always on the alert for their accommodation in everything lawful. After one of his Southern tours, he came to Baltimore and put up with James McCannon, a merchant tailor of this city, who was a
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REV. FRANCIS ASBURY.
warm-hearted and zealous member of the church. One day on coming home from Confer- ence, Mr. Asbury said to Mr. MeC., "James, I am in trouble about my boys, (as he famil- iarly called the preachers,) who are sadly in need of some clothes, and I know not how they can get them." Mr. McC. said, in reply, "Mr. Asbury, I have just received a piece of good velvet, from which I will consent to make each of your boys a vest, provided you will promise me to do what I wish greatly to be done." "Well, James, what is it you wish me to do ?" "That," replied Mr. McC., "I cannot tell you before you have given me your promise to do what I wish." Mr. Asbury answered, "That I cannot consent to do. It is too hard a bargain for me to make. Your views and mine on the subject might be at variance. If you tell me what it is, and I can consistently do it, I will then promise you it shall be done."
Mr. McCannon, who well knew the man, thought if he did not insist upon keeping the ground he had taken, he would fail altogether of attaining the object he had in view, said to him, "Well, Bishop, if you are unwilling to trust me in the matter, there must be an end of it, I cannot consent to do it." There the conversation ended for the time being.
Some days after, Mr. Asbury, who had been deeply pondering in his mind the sub- ject, said to him, "James, I have been thinking much of the proposition you made me some short time since. I have come to the conclusion you would not, as a good man, re- quire of me anything unreasonable, and which I could not conscientiously do. Therefore, in that view of the case, I will say to you now, that I am ready to fall in with your wishes, and do what you may request me to do."
Mr. McCannon found he had the thing in his own hands, and said to him, "Mr. As- bury as you have promised to do what I required of you, I will certainly fulfil my part of the obligation. I wish you at the first moment which you can devote to it to go with me to an artist, and have your portrait taken at my expense. Your boys shall have the vests." Mr. Asbury was surprised at this announcement, but yielded his assent to it, and these were the circumstances which gave origin to the first picture taken of him.
The reader will observe that he is represented as being dressed in blue. It was his favorite color, because of some supposed comfort that it afforded him from the extreme heat to which he was exposed on passing through the South. The suit was made of blue Virginia cloth, that had been given to him as he passed through that commonwealth, on his way to Baltimore, and was woven for him by the fair hands of Virginia's daughters.
The picture had become lost to the church for a great number of years. After a most earnest search for it, I providentially fell on its track and eventually found it. It was in the possession of a descendant of the old family servant of Mr. McCannon. I could never
5
Elizabeth Jabury.
MRS. ASBURY was descended paternally from a Welsh family by the name of Rogers. Her family was an ancient one, and very highly respectable. Of her early history, noth- ing is known to us, nor is the time and circumstances connected with her marriage to Mr. Asbury. She lived out of Christ, and was given up to the world until it pleased the Lord to afflict her seriously by taking away the eldest of the only two children she had. She was called Sarah Asbury, and was taken from this world in very early life. Her mother was deeply afflicted by the trouble which had thus overtaken her; she sighed and wept sorely on account of the death of this, her only daughter, and refused to be comforted. She often spoke of the sweetness of her temper, and the loveliness of the child, and in her suffering grief was led to weigh well her sad bereavement. The spirit of God used this event as an instrument in his hands of her awakening, and finally her pardon, through faith in the merit of Christ Jesus, her Saviour. When under awakenings, and as a wretched sinner, she sought the society of those who could instruct her in the things of God and point out to her the way of life. Alas ! in those days, such persons were but few and far between, and consequently she spent much of her time in reading the word of God and in praying. Indeed, she formed a taste for the Bible which she never lost, and which made that her constant companion through all her days, and was the means of mak- ing her so conspicuous for the study of it in all her after life. Such a course on her part finally led her to the feet of Jesus, where she found pardon and peace to her soul. After this the whole current of her life was changed, and she became noted for her piety. For fifty years she devoted herself with untiring industry to the promotion of Christ's king- dom in the earth. Her hands, her heart and her house were open to receive and entertain the servants of the Most High. Frequently beneath her roof did the weary itinerant find repose, and strengthened thereby would go forth again to proclaim the "unsearchable riches of Christ" to a world of sinners. In this and other ways was she used by the Head of the Church in a great work of Divine Grace in Great Barre, noted for its darkness and sinfulness, perhaps more so than any other part of Great Britain.
T. C. Ruckle.
Liik by A loen & Co Bajar.
ELIZABETH ASBURY Aged 87years, Mother of Dr. Francis AAsbury.
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ELIZABETH ASBURY.
Although she was subject to great bodily affliction, she was nevertheless very active, the powers of both body and mind were consecrated alike to God. Her mind was very masculine in its character, and not unfrequently displayed itself in this and kindred traits to those around her. By this was she lead to train for extreme usefulness in this new world, her noble son-giving him to this work as none but such a Christian mother could. So genially did all the elements of a true Christian shine conspicuously in her, that she was always ready to "weep with those who wept," and mingle her kindest sympathies with the stricken ones of earth. Greatly was her heart gladdened at the return of sinners to the Saviour of mankind. More would she rejoice over such than if she had won great spoils.
As a woman, she was remarkably chaste, and of most modest demeanor, and indeed unblamable in her character. As a mother, she was affectionately kind, and well suited to bring up her son in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. As a mother in Israel, few, very few, exceeded her in a holy walk before the world around her. She seemed always ready to bestow her personal labors in the support and spread of that Gospel which had brought peace and salvation to her own soul. So frequently did she engage in the most menial offices for the sake of Christ's kingdom in the earth, that she might almost literally be said to have "washed the Saints' feet." Generous, true and constant was she in all the instincts of her nature, purified as that nature was by the precious blood of the Saviour, the world's, and hers.
She died in great peace with God and all mankind, on January 6th, 1802, in the eighty-eighth year of her age. Whilst in Baltimore, on April 5th, the Bishop received the intelligence of her death just two months after she passed from earth to heaven.
Her portrait occupies a conspicuous place beside the Bishop's in our Museum. I heard, providentially, that it was to be seen in a neighboring city, and was greatly led to think that I could get it by visiting the lady who had possession of it. With this object in view, I undertook the journey ; after some little trouble, I found her residence ; the fam- ily were all at the time in the country, save a lady who admitted me. On mentioning my name and business she promptly replied, that there was such a picture in the bed room above stairs ; she volunteered very kindly to show it to me. I accompanied her to the room where it was kept, in company with one of the Bishop's, and several other wor- thies of the church. The Bishop's likeness I found to be of much later date than the one we possessed already. It seems that the Bishop had this likeness of his mother brought out from England, for his own satisfaction; he deposited it with the forefathers of the family, who have long since passed away. Whenever he could in liis annual tours of
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