USA > Maryland > Centenary pictorial album, being contributions of the early history of Methodism in the state of Maryland > Part 5
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Many anecdotes are told of this place in those years, which we believe to be authen- tic. Among others, that the proprietors of this Ball Room, were in the habit of holding their assemblies, on the same nights in which the Methodists were accustomed to hold their week night meetings, hoping that this might prove so annoying to them as to make it necessary for them to alter in some way, they did not care how, their field of labor. But this manœuvre on their part, proved to have the very opposite effect intended by them. The houses being so close together became a blessing ; God seeing not as man seeth. When they were both in the field of operations, the one dancing and the other en- gaged in preaching and praying, those engaged in dancing would frequently go to the windows and look into the church where preaching was then being held, and singing the songs of Zion, and prayer was being made. Many of those people were so influenced by what they heard and saw on those occasions, as to become weary of dancing, and ceased to at- tend at once. Some of them turned their steps toward the house of God, and were even- tually brought into the fold of Christ.
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OLD PARSONAGE HOUSE.
This Ball Room was finally abandoned and burnt down. The Methodists possessed themselves of the lot for their new church, and turned the dressing room into a parsonage for their preachers. Eventually the garret rooms were thrown into one, by the removal of the partitions, and by supporting the roof by large pillars. After the destruction of Cokes- bury College at Abingdon, by a similar catastrophe, the school was removed to Baltimore, and located in this room. It was after this occupied as the Male Free School of Baltimore, under the Rev. D. E. Reese as Principal. This school was originated at the time the yellow fever first scourged this city, by the late Rev. George Roberts, who had remained at his post throughout the whole of the time the epidemic prevailed. So many children were cast out upon the world by the death of their parents, that the Doctor's heart was moved within him to found this school for the melioration of their condition. It was sup- ported by the contributions of the generous of every denominational persuasion. At the present time that school occupies a building on Courtland street, and has been enlarged by adding a department for female pupils. Because of the legacy left the trustees, by the late Miss Rachel Colvin, of $10,000, it has been placed on a more permanent footing, and is not dependent at present upon public collections. It still remains one of the noblest monu- ments that grace this Monumental City.
The old parsonage, in so far as the entrance to it is concerned, has been modernized. Within a few years the front door has been made to enter on the side of the house, and what was originally the preachers' office, now forms a passage to the dwelling. Many are the reminiscences of this old house, which if narrated would tell a history of deepest inter- est to the Methodists of Baltimore, but we forbear. In it is the identical room, adjoining the Bishops,' where the late Rev. Nicholas Snethen wrote his memorable defence of Bish- op Asbury, in reply to the pamphlet issued by Rev. James O'Kelly.
Here, too, the Bishop rested for awhile in liis visits to Baltimore, in the years which followed. From the church adjoining, his remains were borne to the tomb, during the ses- sion of the General Conference of 1816, attended by the Conference and a vast con- course of citizens, who were deeply affected by the loss they had sustained. They were buried beneath the pulpit of Eutaw Street Church, in a vault prepared for the purpose, by the trustees of the station. The chief mourners on this occasion, were the Rev. Henry Bohm, for many years his traveling companion, and the Rev. Jolin W. Bond, who fulfilled that mission at the time of the Bishop's death. The former of these still lingers on this side Jordan, and has now numbered more than 91 years; the latter of the two named, has gone to his rest and reward in heaven.
1
Lith. by A.Hoen & Co.Ballo.
T. C. Ruckle
CONFERENCE ROOM Light Street, Baltimore.
-
1. C. Rirckle.
CONFERENCE ROOM Light Street, Baltimore.
Lith . by A.Hoen & Co. Baltu.
Ald Conference Room.
"These were the living lights : Shall shine afar, Till they who name the name
Of Methodism, toward the flame Come, as the Magi came, Toward Bethlehem's star. These were the great of earth-
Great, not by kingly birth,
Great in their well proved worth- Firm hearts and true."
Present Appearance of the Conference Room.
"Gone are those great and good, Who here in peril stood And raised their hymn. Peace to the reverend dead ! The light that on their head A hundred years have shed, Shall ne'er grow dim.
"Ye temples, that to God
Rise where our fathers trod, Guard well your trust ; The faith that dared the sea ; The truth that made them free ; Their cherished purity ; Their garnered dust."
Old Conference Ươm
WHEN the school ceased to be held in this room, it was used exclusively for the pur- pose of holding all the official meetings of the church in the City Station, and likewise as the place of sitting of the Baltimore Annual Conference ; hence its appellation of the Old Conference Room. Indeed it was the place where the Baltimore Annual Conference was held, until the desire was fostered of holding it in some of the churches ; then followed the practice of making the sessions public, before which, they were private. A custom by the way, which would be more honored in the breach than in the observance. Many, if not all of the matters brought to the notice of the Conference should be considered with closed doors. Business we are convinced would be better and more rapidly done, and the Confer- ence itself be held in higher estimate.
The room is approached by a flight of steps, which have been erected outside of the building, entirely separated from all the domestic arrangements of the family. From time almost immemorial has this building, in so far as the Conference Room is concerned, been the observed of all observers ; here everything that in anywise tended to the interests of the church, in the form of business, has been transacted; in this room, again and again, have subjects fraught with good to the church been the subject of discussion. In this place were our fathers accustomed to meet regularly from time to time, on weekly and quarterly occasions.
So intimate are we with all concerned, that we can, at the present day, point out the exact places occupied by many of them. Our fathers, where are they ? They have gone to their eternal home in heaven ; they "have fought the good fight," they "have kept the faith," and have received from the hands of God "a crown of eternal life." How far their sons are treading in their footsteps it is not meet that we should say. They occupy, in the church of God, their places, let that be enough said. May they never tarnish the fair escutcheon that has been transmitted to them.
The plate represents this room as it used to be in the early days of the church; an Annual Conference being in session, with Bishop Asbury in the chair.
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T ( Ruckle
REV DE GEO. ROBERTS,
Rec. Hr. George Roberts.
BY REV. MR. HAMILTON.
Fully ripe, like the ear of the reaper, He met the pale messenger's word, Oh sweet is the sleep of the sleeper, Who rests in the name of the Lord.
He slumbers at length with his fathers, Secure from the tempests of time, For the storm that on earth often gathers, Is unknown in that heavenly clime.
They have placed the cold earth on his ashes, They have given him up to the tomb), But the light of his virtue still flashes,
The pathway of truth to illume.
He is dead, but his memory still liveth, He is gone, his example is here, And the lustre and fragrance it giveth, Shall linger for many a year.
He stood in the might of his weakness,
The snows of long years on his head, And sublime with a Patriarch's meekness, The gospel of Jesus he spread.
The path of the faithful he noted, The way of the liumble he trod. And his life was with ardor devoted, To the cause of religion and God.
Like the sun of a midsummer even, When unclouded it sinks in the west, His departure was brightened from heaven, With a cheering assurance of rest.
Calm, and soft, and serene was the slumber Preluding his glorious rise, And free from all cares that encumber The moment he winged to the skies.
Rev. George Roberts,
OF the early history of the late Dr. Roberts but little, comparatively, is known. So studiously did he avoid committing anything to paper with reference to himself, that after his death not a dozen lines could be found among all his papers on the subject. What was written by him many years prior to his death concerning his eventful life, at the earnest solicitation of one of his intimate friends, was only done on the express condition that it should be destroyed after he had gratified himself in the perusal of it. This is the more to be lamented, when we reflect how intimately connected his life was with the early establishment and propagation of Methodism in many parts of the country, more especially the New England States. The author of these recollections is necessarily compelled, then, to depend upon what was gathered in the numerous opportunities of conversation with him with which he was favored during his life, and also from what can be obtained from his friends in different parts of the country. It is with no small degree of diffidence he approaches the subject, under all these disadvantages, and nothing short of an intense de- sire to rescue from oblivion, as far as may be possible, what is so interesting to the church and world, would ever have enabled him to obtain his own consent to grapple with these difficulties.
The parents of Dr. Roberts early emigrated to this country from England, and settled themselves finally in Talbot county, State of Maryland, in the neighborhood of Easton, in what is called the Chapel District. It is not certainly known whether my father was born there, or whether, when very young, he made up a part of the emigrating party. It is believed, however, that he was not born until after his parents had settled themselves in this country. At present there is not a member of his family, or any of their descendants in existence from whom to gather information on this subject. His parents and three sis- ters were called from earth away before him, and lastly, he himself, the only surviving member, has fallen beneath the feet of the "Pale Horse and his rider," leaving behind him no written statements of this interesting part of his life.
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REV. GEORGE ROBERTS, M. D.
His father was a practical farmer, and consequently, the early part of my father's life was spent in the like vocation. The place of his residence was small, and not more than sufficient to maintain his family in the most humble manner, so that their circum- stances, though comfortable, were greatly contracted, so much so that my father was often employed by others in the neighborhoed to assist them in the labors connected with the tillage of their farms. So amiable and kind was he to all, that he became proverbial for his gentleness and goodness ; sometimes shown by filling with fruit the boxes of the car- riages of those who came to the humble dwelling of his parents for the purpose of employ- ing his mother in the weaving of apparel for themselves and others, and always by every attention to them personally. In this he was doubtless influenced by the mild and ami- able disposition of his mother, who was a member of the church, together with his sister, and who was looked upon by those who knew her as a most excellent woman. Thus straitened in his temporal circumstances it must be supposed, as was the fact, that his op- portunities for improvement and education were few and far between. What was obtained by him was chiefly by dint of persevering application after the labors of the day were over, and during those seasons when more time was afforded. So ardent was he in the pursuit of knowledge, that he has been heard to say to his children, as an incentive to ex- ertion, that when but a boy he used frequently to read such books as he could then obtain by the light of the fire in the chimney place, the circumstances of his parents not justify- ing the use of candles.
After the death of his father, which occurred when he was but a mere youth, the management of the little place, on the account of his mother, fell to him. This he contin- ued to attend to until he entered the itinerant connection of the Methodist Episcopal Church. When but a boy, his mind became deeply exercised on the subject of his per- sonal salvation, through what instrumentality is not known at present ; most probably, however, the reflections of his own mind, under the reading of the Word of God, influenced by the teachings and guidance of the Divine Spirit, led to his awakenings and subsequent conversion. Often was he known, at this time, to spend hours in the fields in prayer and reading the Holy Scriptures. Doubtless, to his early and continued attachment to the Bible may be attributed his great success in after life in wielding its Divine precepts and promises to the discomfiture of Satan and the furtherance of the cause of God, in the salva- tion of precious and immortal souls. Many of his spiritual children yet live to testify their grateful recollection of his labors and virtues, and many more, doubtless, are now mingling, with him, their ascriptions of praise "to Him that loved them, and washed them from their sins in his own blood, and made them kings and priests unto God and His Father."
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REV. GEORGE ROBERTS, M. D.
Equally manifest was his attachment to the means of grace. Often has he been known, after the toils of the field were over for the day, to walk miles to attend a meeting for prayer, and afterward to be after midnight before he had an opportunity to lie down, in order to take what rest could be obtained in four or five hours sleep, to prepare him again for the duties of the ensuing day. Oh, that in these latter days there was manifest among all our young people such fervent attachment to our excellent means of grace, both public and private ! Then, indeed, would their after years be more fruitful to themselves and the church of God at large.
It was not very long after his awakening, that through hearty repentance and strong faith in the precious blood of Christ, he was brought to a saving acquaintance with the Redeemer, in the direct witness of the Spirit, to the pardon of all his sins.
Subsequently, from that period his attachment to the means of grace continued to in- crease, and a burning zeal for the salvation of his fellow men was daily manifesting itself, acceptably to some of his associates in the church, which zeal led him to yield to the so- licitations of others to exhortation as well as prayer in their different meetings. He re- ceived license to exhort at a Quarterly Meeting, held at the Trappe, Talbot county, Mary- land, signed by the Rev. James White, at that time the preacher in charge of the circuit. About two years after, he was called by the Rev. Joseph Everett to a circuit in the State of Delaware. As might be expected, because of the very slender opportunities afforded him for mental improvement, his first efforts at public speaking were not generally re- ceived so favorably. Indeed, it was through much opposition, that at this period of his life he was permitted to speak at all. His burning zeal, however, led him onward, and back- ed by his unexceptionable walk, disposed some to notice him, among whom was the ven- erable and now sainted Asbury. This Apostle of Methodism in this country then doubt- less saw in him the first fruits of what he believed to be a rich harvest. Subsequent de- velopments prove conclusively that he erred not in his judgment. Until the day of his death, this excellent servant of God and the church, entertained for my father the most ardent attachment, and placed in him the most unlimited confidence. This was shown by his often placing him in the most responsible stations as a preacher, in the church, and by his extensive epistolary correspondence with him.
The early difficulties thrown in his own way, impressed him until the day of his death favorably on the behalf of young men, exercised with reference to preaching the Gospel. This led him, where other circumstances gave signs of usefulness in the vineyard of the Lord, to aid and advocate the cause of all those, even where a deficiency of opportunities for mental culture was greatly manifest. On one occasion during his subsequent life,
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REV. GEORGE
ROBERTS, M. D.
when in the Providence of God he was led to great influence in the official body to which he was attached, whilst advocating the cause of one who was somewhat deficient in his knowledge of grammar and correct pronunciation, he closed his appeal by stating to the meeting that he once knew a preacher, similarly circumstanced, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, who was manifestly owned of God as the instrument of correcting a most pro- voking evil Those living on a certain water course, where oysters were abundant, were accustomed at leisure times to go out and collect them for depositing in beds in the water more convenient to their dwellings, where they could be had when wanted, without much labor, especially on occasions when much time could not be appropriated to this purpose. There were some, however, in their neighborhood who used privately to visit those beds, and rob them of the best of their deposits. Great clamoring about the robberies was of course the consequence. It came to the ears of the preacher, who on one occasion when visiting their neighborhood, in the performance of his ministerial duties, chose for his text, Luke xix, 21, "For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man; thou takest up that thou laidest not down, and reapest that thou didst not sow." Being rather deficient him- self in the correct pronunciation of words, he read his text "Thou art an oyster man ; thou takest up that thou laidest not down, etc." However foreign from the true spirit and design of the text, he, under God, delivered them such a homily on stealing oysters, that, said the Doctor, they stole their neighbors' oysters no more. This simple and amusing anecdote was related with much gravity and force, and had the desired effect, in turning aside the gathering opposition to the individual whose cause he was pleading.
It is to be feared, even in our day, in these times of excitement on the subject of education, that unless great prudence and caution be constantly observed, some, whose op- portunities have been but slender, may be effectually turned aside from a work to which God has manifestly called them. It ought not to be forgotten that God sends "by whom He will send," and in our day, as in the day of the prophet, may build His altars of stones, upon which the chisel and the square has never been placed. Far be it from me to utter one word which may be instrumental in retarding in the most distant manner the gracious work of education. None in the community hail with greater pleasure the efforts in our Zion now making to promote it; but, notwithstanding all this, it is to be feared that in some instances the desire for an educated ministry, manifestly increasing among us, inay lead to the suppression of more humble laborers. The Lord avert it.
Authority being thus given to exhort, and subsequently as a local preacher, he con- stantly used them whenever opportunity afforded, which authority was afterwards used to the satisfaction and edification of the church, and to the convincing and conversion of pre-
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REV. GEORGE ROBERTS, M. D.
cious souls. All of those who were his companions and associates in these labors of love, in their earliest developments, have long since been called to sleep in Christ, until the morning of the resurrection. Some few yet remain who recollect, and with comfort speak of his early efforts in preaching Christ-in private houses, in the rude and ungarnished temples of those times, as well as in the open air, beneath the shadows of their lofty and wide-spread oaks. His first efforts at preaching were made when he was about nineteen years of age. His zeal for God in the salvation of souls, led him often, though but a local preacher, to travel considerably through the country, to spread the savor of the Redeemer's name and knowledge. His youth and unpretending appearance led many, even in those piping days of opposition to Methodism, to go out to hear him ; with what effect shall never be fully known, until that day when "the dead, small and great, stand before God," to be "judged out of those things written in the books according to their works." On one such occasion he visited Oxford, Talbot county, and preached to the great acceptance of those who crowded to the private dwelling to hear him, notwithstanding in the eyes of some he might have been somewhat conspicuous by his homely country dress and old woolen hat, with its crown kept in place by stitches of white country thread, here and there ap- pearing.
His was a more noble and commanding work than that of the toilette, especially as he had but little time to devote to it, and much less means. Souls was his object; for souls he labored. His own personal appearance, and what people thought of it, troubled him but little. He could not come down from his high and holy work to devote much time to the one, or to notice the other, to his hindrance, in the pursuit of his object. To God be all the praise, that even under all such circumstances he was instrumental in "win- ning souls for Christ."
In his twenty-third year he was united in matrimony to a lady of the Eastern Shore, whose name is unknown to us. He was permitted to enjoy the holy sweets of such a state for only seven months. After a severe affliction, she was called to close up her earthly career, and thus was broken up the sweetest associations, and the prospect of a long and happy union with a beloved companion on earth dashed forever. Severe as this visitation of affliction was, and heavy as my father felt it to be, he nevertheless bowed before the chastening rod and acknowledged the hand of God in it. Doubtless it contributed to frus- trate other purposes which would have necessarily followed in the train of a married life, and perhaps have hindered the development of a talent which the Divine Being intended to use for future usefulness, in a vastly more extended sphere. Such was the light in which he viewed it, and under it his chastened spirit was evidently prepared to yield to a
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REV. GEORGE ROBERTS, M. D.
separation forever from his humble homestead, the kindred spirits with whom he had taken counsel in the church, and the more circumscribed field of labor of a local preacher. Sell- ing what little he possessed of his own, and what was brought into his hands by the fulfil- ment of his first matrimonial engagement, he was furnished with sufficient means to equip himself comfortably, though not expensively, for an .itinerant life, as a minister of Christ, for which calling the Great Head of the church had been gradually preparing him, and into which he was finally thrust, contrary as it was to his former purpose and inclination.
Whether his beloved mother was still living at this time, or whether she too had been called to unite with the spirits of the just made perfect, is not now known. I think, how- ever, that before his departure from home, the whole of his immediate family was most probably dead, with the exception of one sister who was married to Mr. James Rue, of Easton, with whom she was permitted to live, until a few years prior to my father's death, when, after a painful illness, she also closed up her earthly career, leaving the subject of this memoir as the sole survivor of his family. I had the exalted privilege of being pres- ent at the last interview he ever had with this only remaining sister. Her extreme ill- ness, and the prospect of her speedy dissolution, made it necessary for him, for some days at least, to lay aside the duties of the medical profession, in which at the time he was en- gaged in the city of Baltimore, in order to visit her. After spending some days with her, during which time he was privileged to preach on several occasions, to large assemblies, he was reluctantly compelled, by his pressing arrangements at home, to take his final leave of her he loved. A melting scene indeed it was; the mingling of their tears, and sympathies, for the last time upon earth, was touching in the extreme.
He thus gave the earlier part, and likewise the prime of his life, to the church of God. His history is identified with the rise and progress of Methodism in this country, and he was, when before the public, a man known and read of all men. After his location and settling in this city as a physician, he entered with all his soul into everything that was calculated to give permanency and stability to the church of his choice. He was long the tried friend of Bishop Asbury, who in turn loved him as a son in the Gospel, and was ready to use him any where and in every place where his known talents could be made available. For nine successive years in the New England States, and then in New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Annapolis and elsewhere, did he labor strenuously to "build the house of God.". Indeed his name was associated with the giant men of that day, every- where he went, and he was considered to be equal with the best of them. Some in differ- ent parts of our country still live who knew him well, and speak of him in terms of the highest veneration. In this city, though most of those who were his colleagues in the
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