USA > Maryland > Centenary pictorial album, being contributions of the early history of Methodism in the state of Maryland > Part 2
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ELIZABETH ASBURY.
duty around the country, he came to the place where it was kept, and was in the habit of putting up with this excellent family. Every day on which he tarried with them he used to go to the room where it was kept, and remain for some time, doubtless for the purpose of prayer, and likewise gazing upon the features of his loved mother, and living over again the years he had spent with her who was near to him as life itself, and whose living form he was destined to behold no more in the flesh.
The portrait is much smaller in size than that of the Bishop. It appears to have been taken when she was in advanced life, and represents her as being engaged in reading the Holy Scriptures, which lie open before her, her attention at the time being attracted by something at which she seems to be gazing with intense interest ; all the features are well formed and indicative of great nerve and firmness. Subsequently and before, I en- deavored by all means in my power to obtain this picture in order to give it a place in our archives with that of the Bishop himself. It was however in vain. The possessor of it could not be induced on any account to give it up. My only alternative then was to take a copy of it, to which the family readily consented. Our artist, Mr. Thomas C. Ruckle, applied himself to the work and soon reproduced it in a masterly manner. The picture is a much finer one than the original, the only thing that mars the pleasure of our possessing this very fine painting is, that it is not the original one, though supe- rior to it in an artistic point of view.
I subjoin, as a matter that will be of great interest to every Methodist, what is sup- posed to be her last letter to her beloved son. It was dictated by her from her death bed, to one of the preachers, who took it down for her. I hope it will afford to all the same amount of pleasure that I myself had in looking upon the original document, of which we have become possessed, It is to us a valuable relic of bygone days, that have long since passed away forever. It was written out for her by the Rev. Samuel Bardsley, at that time one of the stationed preachers in the place where she resided.
MY VERY DEAR SON :
GREAT BARR, April 29, 1800.
May Israel's God (whose you are and whom you serve) bless you in your body, soul and labors. Your welcome letter from Charleston, South Carolina, dated January 21, came duly to hand, and found me very poorly, my legs and feet swelled much, and I was very sick and faint, and I began to think my Heavenly Father was about to call me home, and I bless his holy name, I was quite resigned to his blessed will to go, unless he saw that by staying a little longer I could promote his glory. However,
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ELIZABETH ASBURY.
through mercy, I am now much better; I can wear my own shoes, and go about again ; only the affliction has left me weaker than I was, but I trust I shall get a little more strength. I rejoice that the Lord has supported you, as he has these many years. It is not to be wondered at that you find some infirmities after so much and so long labor and fatigue. However, you are still in good hands, and the great Head of the Church will dis- pose of you to his glory. Should you see your native land before I am removed, you may well think I shall rejoice to embrace you, but this I leave with him who cannot err. 1 sincerely thank you for your care towards me ; what you sent for my support the last year came duly to hand. Your Aunt Sarah Rogers has been dead for some time. I am glad the good work is going on in that New World. You began to meet the people at Sutton's in July, 1764. You was born in August, 1745. I am glad that Joseph Perkins is doing well in temporals, may he be more earnest for salvation. Edward Jordan and his wife are well, and desire their most affectionate love to Mr. Henry Foxall and his wife, (if alive,) they are very glad to hear of his welfare of body and soul, and would esteem it a singular favor to receive a letter from him soon. His brother John is gone into Wales, and does exceeding well, both in spirituals and temporals. He still continues to receive
the preachers. His brother Benjamin (at the Wren's Nest) has a concern for his soul, and earnestly wishes to get the preachers at his house. James Stokes is very poorly in- deed, he has been for a year very low in his mind and past business. His mother desires that his uncle will pray for him, and that he will not fail to write; we have had some re- vivals in Walsall, where our preachers met with some kind friends. I live in Richard Longmore's house, and have lived there about 20 years. Eleanor Rogers has been dead about a year, John is well, but not married again. Phebe Smith is alive and her husband, they are now old people. Sarah Weston has been dead some years, and her husband also. We are going on pretty well at Barr, the congregations are pretty good. Samuel Bards- ley, our preacher, who writes this, desires his most affectionate love to you and Brother Whatcoat. I remain, dear son, your affectionate mother,
ELIZA ASBURY.
Thus ends her last letter to her beloved son. None can tell how poignantly he felt the stroke when he heard at Baltimore of her death. Mr. Asbury says of her : "As a woman and a wife, she was chaste, modest, blameless. As a mother, (above all the women in the world would I claim her for my own,) ardently affectionate. As a mother in Israel, few of her sex have done more by a holy walk to live, and by personal labor to support, the Gospel, and to wash the Saints' feet. As a friend, she was generous, true and con-
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ELIZABETH ASBURY.
stant." Peace be to her memory, and peace to the memory of her beloved son, they have long since met in that world of light and glory, where they shall, uninterruptedly, rest for- ever. Destined to be long separated in the order of Divine Providence in earth, he in the new, and she in the old world, now their weary spirits are at rest-"Forever with the Lord."
None will wonder, after reading the estimate he placed upon her whole character, at his turning aside to this room after the toils of his laborious life, for an hour every day, when sufficiently near, to look upon the only representation he could then have of her, and to hold communion with her sainted spirit, and bow in worship before God.
Lik in Alleen & Co Ballo
T C. Ruckle
REY ROBE STRAWBRIDGE
Strawbridge's Portrait.
Thine image meets the earnest gaze, But life is wanting there ; Wanting, that depth of kindly thought Which thou, methinks, should'st wear ; Thy deeds of fame, the records old Of history, may not tell, But they are written on some hearts That love thy memory well. Thy name, with heroes' is not seen, But where thine earthly home has been, As pilgrims to an honored shrine Come with meet homage in all time, So come the good, to honor thine.
...
Robert Strawbridge.
ROBERT STRAWBRIDGE was born in Ireland, at Drumsnagh. in the county of Leitrim. Of his early life and history no record, as far as I have been able to ascertain, has been preserved, and, consequently. we know but little. We are first introduced to an acquaint- ance with him after his conversion. Soon after turning from the error of his way, and giving his heart to God, he moved from Drumsnagh to the county of Sligo. He was led to this purpose in part, if not altogether in whole, because of the storm of persecution which followed on his attempting to preach Christ and Him crucified. In this place which he had chosen for his home, he met a people much more congenial to his feelings, and who gave heed to his word of exhortation, which was greatly blessed.
Subsequently, he married a young lady of Terryhugan, emigrated to America in 1760, and settled upon Sam's creek, in Frederick county, Maryland. He opened his house for preaching as soon as he could get his family arranged, and commenced his labors in this, to him, new world. His work was owned by the great Head of the Church. and it resulted in the formation in his dwelling of his first class-meeting. The Lord crowned his efforts with great success, and they were extended to several places in that and other neighborhoods: He very soon built what is commonly known as the "Log Meeting House," a short distance from his dwelling. It was indeed a "Log House," and when compared with those built for the worship of God, in our day, was a rude structure.
It, however, then answered all the purposes for which it had been erected ; it was the place where his class met, and where the people were congregated to hear the Word of Life at his lips. His labors were acknowledged of God, in the conversion of the people. A rumor has gone forth that this house never was finished, having neither doors, windows. or even a floor. I cannot trace this rumor to any point whatever, and therefore conclude that it was not authentic. Indeed, what is left of it gives the most indubitable proof to the contrary. He found appointments in other places, and became in fact an itinerant, preaching the Gospel in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania and Virginia, in each of which States his footsteps as an Evangelist can be traced.
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ROBERT STRAWBRIDGE.
With reference to the labors of this most excellent and useful servant of God, our knowledge is by no means conjectural. From letters, still extant, written by different in- dividuals, at different times, at a distance from each other, and without any concert what- ever on the part of the writers, we gather some highly interesting facts.
Mr. Michael Laird, who subsequently settled in Philadelphia, was born April 30th, 1770. He obtained from his father a knowledge of all the facts in relation to Mr. Straw- bridge, with whom he was intimate, and therefore fully conversant with the truths stated in his letters. He says, Mr. Strawbridge came to America in 1760, with his family, and settled on Sam's creek. He opened his house for Divine worship at once, and continued preaching therein regularly. These efforts soon after resulted in the awakening and con- version of several, who attended. His congregations were large, many of whom came to see and hear the man who was reported to preach and pray extemporaneously.
In another communication it is stated, that Henry Maynard was baptized by Straw- bridge, when he was but four or five years of age. It is well known that he did not hes- itate to administer the ordinances, although not authorized by Mr. Wesley so to do. At the time named, Mr. S. was engaged in preaching regularly at the house of John Maynard, the half brother of Henry. He was present with his father on one of these occasions, when Mr. S. baptized him at the spring, which was near at hand, a few hundred yards from the dwelling.
Henry Maynard was born August 12, 1757, and died in 1839, aged 82 years. This fixes his baptism as early as 1762. Ephraim Maynard, who is still living on Sam's creek, Carroll county, Maryland, in a statement made to Mr. Thomas C. Ruckle, our artist, on the 17th of May, 1866, says, that he was perfectly familiar with the baptism of Henry Maynard ; that it was at the spring near the house, where Mr. Strawbridge had taken the boy, but four or five years of age. He dipped up with his hand some water, and poured it upon his head, in the name of the Holy Trinity. The conversion, afterwards, of Henry Maynard, did not take place until he was a young man. His father was an Episcopalian, and his mother a Quakeress. Mrs. Maynard was accustomed, on the Sabbath day, to go out on the farm, for the purpose of worshiping God as she felt would be acceptable to Him, and there, under an apple tree, for an hour, offer silently to Him the worship of her heart. She was a woman known for her sweetness of temper. On one occasion, her son, Henry, was preparing to go to a ball, and while engaged in powdering his hair, his mother came into the room; she looked upon him so meekly and reprovingly, that he at once threw aside all preparation, and concluded to reform his life. From that time he no longer frequented the ball room, and set about saving his soul in earnest.
T.C. Ruckle.
Table used by Rev. R. Strawbridge as a Pulpit,
Lith. by A.Hoen & Co.Balto.
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ROBERT STRAW BRIDGE.
The house in which he afterwards lived upwards of forty-eight years, and then died, still remains. John Dykes, John Norris, John Maynard and Jacob Toogood were all con- verts under Robert Strawbridge, their names are held in the greatest estimation, even at this day, by those who have heard of their piety.
Old Jacob Toogood was a slave of Mr. Maynard, he had permission to preach to the colored people and often was engaged in this work in his cabin. His master would fre- quently go to hear him ; he would take the precaution to sit where Jacob could not see him, for fear of embarrassing him, and listen to the word of life, as in great simplicity the old man would give it to his hearers.
John Maynard, the proprietor of the house, was a Methodist, and it is known that he was a convert of Mr. Strawbridge for some considerable time before the baptism of this boy. All these things make it certain that he had been engaged in preaching for some time prior to 1762, and fully corroborates the statement contained in Mr. Laird's letter aforementioned, viz. that he commenced his labors immediately after his settlement in Maryland. Bishop Asbury, after holding in 1801 a Conference at Henry Willis', on Pipe creek, in the immediate vicinity of Mr. Strawbridge's dwelling, says, in his journal, "Here Mr. Strawbridge formed the first Society in Maryland and in America," (Journal, vol. iii, page 27.) This was written after the reception of information on the ground itself. By reference to his Journal it will be found that he dined on April 30th, 1801, at Alexander Warfield's, on Sam's creek, and from there went to Henry Willis', on Pipe creek, where he proposed to hold the Conference, at which there were present about forty preachers. From the relation of the Warfield family to the "Log Meeting House," and from the full knowledge of Henry Willis himself concerning it, it is rendered indubitable that the Bishop here received more correct information than he had previously, and was induced to write in his Journal what he did.
I have dwelt more at large on this interesting subject, for the purpose of giving, in as short a space as possible, the facts of the case, mooted as we know the question to have been for many years. The first American preacher was Richard Owen, who performed the melancholy duty of consigning to the grave the remains of his spiritual father. The first native itinerant preacher was William Walters, both of whom were Marylanders. And we believe firmly, and here record our opinion, as being in accordance with that of Mr. Asbury, that the first chapel built in America was in Maryland. This statement is made not to elicit any controversy whatever, but simply for the purpose of putting, in this more permanent and tangible form, the facts that have been brought to light on the ques- tion. The General Conference, the highest judicatory of our church, has fixed upon the
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30°
ROBERT STRAWBRIDGE.
present year as the centennial year of our existence, and it is everyway meet and right that all should receive it as such, and unite in celebrating the event in the manner that has been indicated. We say, sincerely, a truce to all controversy now upon the subject.
Mr. Strawbridge was always poor, devoting himself mostly to the labor of preaching the Gospel far and near. He was eloquent as a preacher, and a fine singer. The Society at the house of Daniel Evans, near Baltimore, was among the first in which he labored and formed a class. The first chapel in Baltimore county was erected by the Society wor- shiping in this house. In huis itinerant labors in this and Harford county, he was emi- nently successful in winning souls for Christ. Several individuals, through his instrumen- tality, became preachers of the Gospel, and shone conspicuous in their day.
No likeness is known to exist at present of Mr. Strawbridge. The one which appears at the commencement of this communication, was drawn from the personal recollection of one of his converts and admirers, who has long since entered into rest.
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'E. C. Ruckle
STRAWBRIDGE CHURCH Sams Creek, Maryland. Built in 176 +
Lith by A Hoen & Co. Ballo
The Lag Meeting House.
"Where two or three are gathered Together in my name, There am I ;" this sweet promise To Christians long since came. And now as then, to God in heaven His children's prayers ascend, Where the prayerful voices In hut or palace blend.
Within this humble temple Once met the sainted ones, Who to the house not made with hands Have gone from earthly homes.
The Chapel DU.
THE labors of Mr. Strawbridge were greatly blessed in the conversion of the people, whom he immediately gathered into classes, according to the custom of Mr. Wesley, and his colaborers in the ministry. Several of those were subsequently authorized to preach the Gospel, and in turn were instrumental in extending the work very largely; four or five at least from Sam's creek were thus engaged. Richard Owings, a man of very pre- cious memory, was prominently useful in the little band as a local preacher of his day. He preached far and wide, and opened the way for the formation of regular circuit work for the itinerant ministry. He outlived Strawbridge, and eventually was called upon to preach on the occasion of his death.
The picture is a representation of the Log Chapel, reconstructed by our artist, Mr. Thomas C. Ruckle, himself a descendant of the Ruckles, who emigrated with Mr. Em- bury, they being his uncles. At present, the spot on which it was originally built, was, when we visited it, in culture as a field of grain. We ascertained the precise place where it was located, and its general appearance, from a gentleman, who happened to be there on our arrival, and who had assisted in taking it down and removing the logs therein con- tained to another location, not far distant, and building a barn of them. We also visited the remains of this barn, and found by actual observation and measurement of the timber still remaining, that it could be very readily reconstructed again, on paper, as it originally appeared. The marks of places where the door and windows were in the church still re- mained upon them. By the actual measurement we took of these logs, we found that the church was twenty-four feet by twenty-four feet three inches. The plate represents it as it originally existed. The dwelling in the sketch represents the house of Mr. Strawbridge, where he first engaged in his hallowed work of preaching the gospel in 1760, and where he continued to preach until the erection of this chapel. Could we now be made acquaint- ed with what transpired in these two houses, of the numbers therein converted through his instrumentality, of their devoted lives whilst in connection with this chapel, and of their peaceful and triumphant deaths, rich and glorious would be the treat. They and their im-
D
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THE LOG CHAPEL.
mediate descendants have all passed away, and they now live and worship in the house "not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Let us take courage and prosecute dili- gently our work, and we shall die in the faith, and soon. overtake them above, To God be all the glory, both now and forever,
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Lith. by A.Hoen & Co.Baltu.
T.C. Buckle, . The House where Rev. R.Strawbridge died, and from the yard, of which his Funeral took place
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1369500
The House where Robert Strawbridge Died.
Homes where good men have lived and died Seem sacred evermore, ' A radiance seems to linger there As from the shining shore. We stand where their last hour was told, Then reverently bend To ask that our lives be like their's, Like their's our blissful end.
The house where Robert Strawbridge Died.
AFTER finishing our visit to the grave, and cutting several sticks from the immediate site of it, which we intended to use as canes, we turned to the dwelling house, a short dis- tance from the grave yard.
Mr. Strawbridge resided sixteen years at his dwelling on Sam's creek. He then re- moved to Long Green, Baltimore county, Maryland, and located himself on a farm given him, during his life, by Capt. Charles Ridgely, who held him in very high estimation, and who was very frequently an attendant upon his ministry. It was while living on this farm, in the immediate vicinity of "Hampton," he determined on one of his visits to his spiritual children. He was taken sick at this house, then belonging to Mr. John Wheeler. This occurred in the summer or fall of 1781, and proved to be his death illness. The room in which he died has a single window opening into it from the porch of the house, nearly opposite the steps and next on the left hand to the front door. I believe the room was much smaller at the time of his death than at the present, another small one on the right of the entrance from the parlor or sitting room having been thrown into it by the re- moval of the partition that was between the two. In this place, far away from his home, this man of God yielded up his spirit into the hands of God who gave it. Just before the interment the coffin containing the body was placed under an immense walnut tree, which stands in the yard of the dwelling, and Richard Owings, one of his first converts, and the first American preacher raised up in this country, preached over the remains a funeral dis- course, from Rev. xiv, 13. "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, 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."
The funeral was attended by a great many of his devoted friends, some of whom came a considerable distance for the purpose. After the discourse was finished, the coffin was borne on the shoulders of four persons, to the graveyard in the orchard, south of the dwell- ing, and perhaps one or two hundred yards from it. The people were engaged in singing, as they solemnly moved along, that inimitable hymn of Charles Wesley, found in our present collection, page 653.
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THE HOUSE WHERE ROBERT STRAWBRIDGE DIED.
How blest is our brother, bereft Of all that could burden his mind !
How easy the soul that has left This wearisome body behind ! This earth is affected no more With sickness, or shaken with pain ;
The war in the members is o'er, And never shall vex him again.
This languishing head is at rest ; Its thinking and aching are o'er ;
This quiet, immovable breast Is heaved by affliction no more.
There they buried him, amid the tears and sympathies of the crowd that attended. They wept, as children bereft of a spiritual father ; they wept, sorrowing, because they should see his face no more, nor hear his voice again in the sweet strains of music they had been accustomed to hear from his lips ; they wept, because they should never again hear him preach, extemporaneously, the Gospel of God, his Saviour.
They turned from the grave of their beloved chief, and silently wended their way to their dwellings.
Standing on this spot, and looking to the southward, some six or eight miles distant, you can behold, at the present day, the city where he once labored, and where for more than eighty years his descendants have been pressing the battle to the gate, and where victories for Immanuel, innumerable, have been won. Strange as it may seem, up to the present time nothing has marked the spot but two pieces of unhewn granite, upon which not even the name of Strawbridge and his excellent wife appear. IT SHALL BE SO NO LONGER.
The plate, as drawn by our artist, Mr. Ruckle, gives a perfect view of the dwelling house in which he died ; with the congregation assembled under the old tree to hear the ser- mon delivered by his spiritual son in the Gospel.
He scorned his feeble flesh to spare, Regardless of its swift decline, His single aim, his ceaseless prayer, To spread the righteousness Divine.
He truly triumphs in the cross, Its marks as on his body showed,
P i
Lavish of life for Jesus' cause, Whose blood for all so freely flowed.
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T. C. Ruckle.
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Lith by A.tloen & Co. Balto.
A VISIT TO REY R. STRAWBRIDGES GRAVE Baltimore County, August 23 1861
Strawbridge's F uneral.
Toll, ye bells, for a spirit gone, The good man true and brave, Let tears of love all gently fall Upon the Christian's grave. Solemnly he was laid to rest With emblems meet of grief, Nor chided those sad mourner's tears, For all had cause to weep. The kind, the true, the good old man, They bore unto his rest, But the mem'ry of his deeds will live In many a Christian's breast.
His Grave.
"He giveth his beloved sleep" When faint and weary grown, He wins them gently from the earth" To the dear rest of home. The God of Israel was thy God, Oh spirit glorified, The Saviour was thy strength and hope, For thee the Lamb had died. And in His own good time He bade Thine eyes forget to weep, And dimming earth-tears wiped away, Gave "His beloved sleep."
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