USA > Maryland > Dorchester County > History of Dorchester County, Maryland > Part 9
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As the Methodist societies multiplied in numbers and in- creased in membership, under the preaching of Mr. Asbury, Freeborn Garrettson and other itinerant ministers, Mr. Wes- ley sent over Dr. Thomas Coke, who arrived in New York, November 3, 1784, from England, with plans to be adopted for regulating their church government. On November 14 Dr. Coke first met Rev. Francis Asbury at Barrett's Chapel, Delaware. There they formed the plan for calling the Christ- mas Conference which resulted in the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This Conference was held in Baltimore, December 25, 1784, and Francis Asbury was ordained Bishop.
John Dickens, then ordained a deacon, seleced the title for the church, "Methodist Episcopal Church," which was unanimously adopted.
The devout Methodist missionaries sent over to America and some home-made ministers in the States, made profound
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impressions on the people by their earnest and self-sacrificing work of preaching a religion without ecclesiastical formality, and so practical that many who came to disturb and scoff were convicted of sin and converted to Methodism.
Freeborn Garrettson, one of the first itinerant ministers who came to Dorchester County, in possession of the Wes- leyan doctrine of Christian faith, reflected the new light of an old religion with such great power and influence, that the spiritual fires he then kindled were never extinguished, but continued to grow greater and brighter, until to-day they have become a confluent flame of progressive christianity of unexcelled magnitude.
Every true Methodist in Dorchester County will find Mr. Garrettson's Journal of missionary work and travels there, interesting history of pioneer labor, so faithfully done towards the establishment of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Fol- lowing are extracts from Garrettson's Journal, "Section 7:"
AN ACCOUNT OF MY TRAVELS AFTER I WAS RELEASED FROM PRISON.
After preaching at many places in the Jerseys and Penn- sylvania, with great freedom; in the fall of 1779 I returned to the Peninsula (which was my second visit) and we had a blessed quarterly meeting at Mr. W.'s.1 I traveled largely through this country all the winter, and many were gathered into the fold. I would say something here of the beginning and progress of the work of God in Dorset County-a place where they were generally of the Church of England, and universally enemies to the life and power of religion. The work began by the means of a young woman who was niece to, and sometimes lived with, Judge E.2 of Dorset; her sister was the wife to the honorable Mr. B.' I am not certain whether it was on a visit to Queen Anne's or Dover, that she fell in with the Methodists, by whose means she was con- vinced and converted, and afterwards became a pious follower
1 Thos. Ware. ' Henry Ennalls.
"Honorable Richard Basset, of Delaware.
.
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of the blessed Jesus. When she returned to her uncle's in Dorset, they began to think she was beside herself; however, the Lord blessed her endeavors in favor of her sister Polly, and a few others. Her sister was soon set at liberty in a ·powerful manner, and had as great a zeal for God as her sister Catherine. Shortly after, their sister B. became as blessed a woman as ever I saw, and I have not a doubt but that she lived and died a bright witness of sanctification.
Mr. B. was brought into the faith, with two young lawyers who were studying under him, and several others of the family, who were the fruits of the labors of these pious, I may say blessed, women. To return, some time after Mary's con- version, she went to visit H. A. Esq.1 who was a relation of hers. As he was a man of fashion, and an entire stranger to inward religion, he was much afraid she would drive his wife out of her senses. He undertook to show his visitor that the Methodists were not in the right way, and for this pur- pose he chose an old book written by a Puritan divine an hundred and fifty years ago; but he had not read many min- utes before conviction seized him, and the tears flowed from his eyes. He withdrew and read, till he thought he must go among the Methodists with his book. and compare it with theirs. He did so, and found the Methodist publications to agree in substance with that. On this occasion I first met with him at Mr. W.'s.2 After he had labored some time under distress of soul, the Lord gave him rest-he felt the burden of guilt removed-and now expressed an anxious desire that I should come to the county where he resided, being deter- mined to stand by the cause as long as he lived.
Thursday, February 10, 1780, I arose very early in the morning, and addressed the throne of grace. My dear Master wonderfully refreshed my soul, and I felt a willingness to suffer anything, whatever the Lord might permit to come upon me, for his work's sake. I opened my mind to Mr. F. A.' who was at Mr. W.'s (Rev. Thos. Ware), and he seemed very desirous I should accept the invitation. He
1Henry Airey, Esq. 'Rev. Thos. Ware. 'Rev. Francis Asbury.
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then commended me to the Lord in prayer, and I set out in good spirits with a strong hope that good would be donc. The first day I got half way, and had a comfortable night. February II was a day of deep exercise. Are others dis- tressed in the way that I have been? I traveled on seem- ingly with the weight of a mill-stone. I wept bitterly as 1 passed along, and several times stopped my horse, intend- ing to turn back, but was still urged on my way. I got to my dear friend Mr. A.'s sometime before night, and the bur- den which I felt all the way left me at his door. The dismis- sion of it was perceptible, for my spirit did rejoice in God my Saviour. I was conducted into a private room, where the Lord let me know that I was in the very place he would have me to be.
In the evening the family were gathered together for prayer; I shall never forget the time; I suppose about twelve white and black were present. The power of the Lord came among us. Mrs. A. was so filled with the new wine of Christ's kingdom, that she sank on the floor, blessing and praising the Lord. And many of the blacks were much wrought upon. This night was a time of great refreshment to me.
Saturday, 12. About thirty of the neighbors were called together, and the Word seemed to melt their hearts. I had not the least doubt, but the Lord had called me to this place.
Sunday. 13. Near an hundred gathered; the field though in the winter seemed ripe for harvest, and my gracious God wrought wonderfully in the hearts of the people; so that some who were enemies before acknowledged it to be the truth.
Monday, 14. Accompanied by my friend I went to the other part of the county. The field is ripe. One man was deeply affected only by seeing us. I preached at Colonel V.'s, a clever man, who afterwards became a great friend to us and himself, too. The fields are white for harvest. The devil is angry. The wicked rage, and invent lies and mischief. The county court was sitting, and some of the heads of it were determined, by some means or other, to clear the place of such a troublesome fellow. For a cloak they charged me
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with toryism, and I was informed, gave a very wicked man leave, and promised to bear him out in taking my life; and for this purpose he was to lay in wait for me the next day. It providentially reached my ears that night before I went to bed, and as the wicked seemed thus inclined, I thought it expedient to withdraw to Mr. A.'s, where I staid two days; but being pressed in spirit, I could stay no longer; I went to another part of the county. Many came out to hear, and the Word was still attended with power; for they began to enquire the way to heaven.
I had a most remarkable vision of the night. And in that vision it was revealed to me what I was to suffer; and that the Lord would stand by me, so that my enemies should not injure me. Hundreds flocked out to hear the word, on one side sinners were enquiring what they should do to be saved; and those on the other side, how they should manage in order to banish me from the place.
Monday, 21. I had great satisfaction in reading a piece that treated on the human soul. I had much freedom in the word in public, and a blessed family meeting at my good friend A.'s, but sorely tempted of the devil. Shortly after (shall I speak the truth? I will without the fear of man, though these things may appear strange to some people) I went to bed, the devil made his appearance upon it; first he felt like a cat, he then got hold of my pillow; I now believed it to be the fiend, and was not alarmed; I took hold of the pillow and both pulled at it; I cried out, get behind me, Satan. And immediately he vanished. I went downstairs in the morning intending not to speak of what had passed; but brother A. enquired if I had not been down in the night; I told him I had not; "why," said he, "shortly after you went up, I came into the hall, and was at prayer, when I heard some one walk downstairs, and seemed to be standing in the door; as I knew there was none above but yourself, I con- cluded that it must be you that wished to go out; I thereby went and opened the door, but saw nobody, and certainly it was the devil." This was about the precise time he left
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my bed. Poor devil, you are afraid of your kingdom. I then mentioned what had passed in my chamber. The little daughter was under some concern of soul, and getting up one night, awoke her parents, and told them she was afraid the devil would carry her away. The soul spirit was wonder- fully roused, and very bitter against this dear family.
February 24. I had a sweet and powerful time. After I went to rest, I was strangely exercised in my sleep; I thought I saw an innocent creature chased almost to death, by a company of dreadful beings; after a while I saw a cloud about the size of my hand rising in the West, which grew blacker and darker till it appeared to cover the earth; I thought now, most surely the world is to be at an end. I saw after a while those cruel beings turn pale as death. I saw a person come up to the innocent creature, which they were chasing and receive it. I awoke rejoicing, but knew not how to interpret this dream.
Saturday, 25. My spirit was solemn and weighty; expect- ing something uncommon would turn up, I withdrew to the woods, and spent much time before the Lord. I preached with freedom to a weeping flock, my friend A. accompanying me to the place. In the evening we were repairing to his house, being about to preach there the next day, but a parcel of men embodied themselves and waylaid me, with an inten- tion to take me to gaol. About sunset they surrounded us, and called me their prisoner. They beat my horse, cursed and swore, but did not strike me. Some time after night they took me to a magistrate who was as much my enemy as any of them. When I was judged, and condemned for preaching the gospel, the keeper of the peace, who sat in his great chair, immediately wrote a mittimus and ordered me to gaol. I asked him if he had never heard of an affair in Talbot County. Brother I. H. was committed to gaol for the same crime, that of preaching the gospel; soon after the magistrate was taken sick unto death, and sent for this same preacher out of confinement to pray for him. He then made this confession: "When I sent you to gaol," said he, "I was
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fighting against God, and now I am about to leave the world, pray for me." His family were called, and he said to his wife: "This is a servant of God, and when I die, I request he may preach at my funeral. You need not think I have not my senses; this is the true faith." He then gave Brother I. H. charge of his family, and desired them to embrace that profession. Now, said I, I beseech you to think seriously of what you have done, and prepare to meet God. Be you assured, I am not ashamed of the cross of Christ, for I con- sider it an honor to be imprisoned for the gospel of my dear Lord. My horse was brought, and about twelve of the com- pany were to attend me to gaol. They were all around me, and two, one on each side holding my horse's bridle. The night was very dark; and before we got a mile from the house, on a sudden there was an uncommon flash of lightning, and in less than a minute all my foes were dispersed; my friend A. was a little before the company. How, or where, I know not, but I was left alone. I was reminded of that place in scripture, where our dear Lord's enemies fell to the ground, and then, this portion of scripture came to me, Stand still and see the salvation of God. It was a very dark cloudy night, and had rained a little. I sat on my horse alone, and though I called several times, there was no answer. I went on, but I had not got far before I met my friend Mr. A. returning to look for me. He had accompanied me through- out the whole of this affair. We rode on talking of the good- ness of God, till we came to a little cottage by the roadside, where we found two of my guards almost scared out of their wits. I told them if I was to go to gaol that night, we ought to be on our way, for it was getting late .- "Oh! no," said one of them, "let us stay until the morning." My friend and I rode on, and it was not long ere we had a beautiful clear night. We had not rode far, before the company had gathered, from whence I know not. However, they appeared to be amazingly intimidated, and the foreman of the company rode alongside of me, and said, "Sir do you think the affair happened on our account?" I told him I would have him
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judge for himself; reminding him of the awfulness of the day of judgement, and the necessity there was of preparing to meet the judge of the whole world. One of the company swore an oath, and another immediately reproved him, say- ing, "How can you swear at such a time as this?" At length the company stopped and one said, "We had better give him up for the present;" so they turned their horses and went back. My friend and I pursued our way. True it is, the wicked are like the troubled sea whose water casts up mire and dirt. We had not gone far before they pursued us again and said, "We cannot give him up." They accompanied us for a few minutes, and again left us, and we saw no more of them that night. A little before midnight we got safe to my friend's house. And blessed be God, the dear waiting family were looking out, and received us with joy. And a precious sweet family meeting we had. I retired to my room as humble as a little child, praising my dear Deliverer.
During the remaining part of the night, though dead in sleep, I was transported with the visions which passed through my mind. And had a confidence in the morning, that my beloved Lord would support me. I saw in the vis- ions of the night, many sharp and terrible weapons formed against me; but none could penetrate, or hurt me, for as soon as they came near me they were turned into feathers, and brushed by me as soft as down.
Sunday, 27. At eleven o'clock, many came out to hear the Word, and it was expected my enemies would be upon me; and I was informed, not a few brought short clubs under their cloaks, to defend me in case of an attack; for many had just about religion enough to fight for it. As I was giving out the hymn, standing between the hall and room doors, about twenty of my persecutors came up in a body (I was amazed to see one of them, who was an old man, and his head as white as a sheet) these were under the appellation of gentle- men. The ring leader rushed forward, with a pistol pre- sented, and laid hold of me, putting the pistol to my breast. Blest be God ! my confidence was so strong in him, that this
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was with me, as well as all their other weapons, like feathers, as was represented to me in the vision of the night. Some of the audience, who stood next to me, gave me a sudden jerk; I was presently in the room, and the door shut. As soon as I could I opened it, and beckoning to my friends, desired they would not injure my enemies; that I did not want to keep from them, but was willing to go to gaol. If I had not spoke in this manner, I believe much blood would have been shed. I began to exhort, and almost the whole congrega- tion was in tears, and in a particular manner the women were amazingly agitated. I desired my horse to be got, and I was accompanied to Cambridge, where I was kept in a tavern from twelve o'clock to near sunset, surrounded by the wicked; and it was a great mercy of God that my life was preserved.
A little before night I was thrust into prison, and my ene- mies took away the key, that none might administer to my necessities. I had a dirty floor for my bed, my saddle-bags for my pillow, and two large windows open with the cold East wind blowing upon me, but I had great consolation in my dear Lord, and could say, "Thy will be done." During my confinment here, I was much drawn out in prayer, read- ing, writing, and meditation. I believe I had the prayers of my good friend Mr. F. Asbury; and the book which he sent me (Mr. Ruthford's letters during his confinement) to- gether with the soul comforting and strengthening letters which I received from my pious friends was rendered a great blessing to me. The Lord was remarkably good to me, so that I experienced a prison to be a mere paradise; and I had a heart to pray for and wish my worst enemies well. My soul was so exceedingly happy, I scarcely knew how my days and nights passed away. The Bible was never sweeter to me. I never had a greater love to God's dear children. I never saw myself more unworthy. I never saw a greater duty ia the cross of my dear Lord; for I thought I could, if required, go cheerfully to the stake in so good a cause. I was not at all surprised at the cheerfulness of the ancient martyrs, who were able in the flames to clap their glad hands. Sweet
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moments I had with my dear friends, who came to the prison window.
Happy the man who finds the grace, The blessing of God's chosen race, The wisdom coming from above, The faith which sweetly works by love.
Many, both friends and strangers, came to visit me from far and near, and I really believe I never was the means of doing more good for the time; for the county seemed to be much alarmed, and the Methodists among whom I had labored, were much stirred up to pray; for I had written many epistles to the brethren. I shall never forget the kind- ness I received from dear brother and sister A. They suf- fered much for the cause of God in Dorset County, for which (if faithful) they will be amply compensated in a better world.
My crime of preaching the gospel was so great, that no common court could try my cause. There appeared to be a probability of my staying in gaol till a general court, which was near twelve months. My good friend Mr. A. went io the Governor of Maryland, and he befriended me; had I been his brother, he could not have done more for me. The man- ner in which he proceeded to relieve me is this: I was an inhabitant of Maryland by birth and property; I could like- wise claim a right in the Delaware State, which State was more favorable to such pestilent fellows. I was carried before the Governor of Delaware. This gentleman was a friend to our society. He met me at the door, and welcomed me in, assuring me he would do anything he could to help me. A recommendatory letter was immediately dispatched to the Governor of Maryland, and I was entirely at liberty. O! how wonderfully did the people of Dorset rage,-but the word of the Lord spread all through that county, and hundreds, both white and black, have experienced the love of Jesus. Since that time I have preached to more than three thousand in one congregation, not far from the place where I was impris- oned; and many of my worst enemies have bowed to the scep- ter of our Sovereign Lord. The labors of C. P. and O. were
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much blessed in this place, in the first reviving and spreading of the work.
After I left my confinement, I was more than ever deter- mined to be for God, and none else. I traveled extensively, and my dear Lord was with me daily, and my spirit did rejoice in God my Saviour. In visiting the young societies, after I left gaol, we had blessed hours; for many came to hear- sinners cried for mercy, and God's dear people rejoiced.
Friday, 24. Was a solemn fast, being good Friday, the day on which my dear Redeemer gave up his precious life. Three days after, being in a blessed family, I had great sweetness both in public and private; and before I laid down to rest, I was very desirous of being lost and swallowed up in the love of my dear Redeemer, and feeling the witness of perfect love. After I laid down to rest, I was in a kind of visionary way for several hours. About one I awoke very happy, arose from my bed, and addressed the throne of grace. I then lighted a candle, and spent near two hours in writing the exer- cises of the night. I saw myself traveling through a dismal place, encompassed with many dangers; I saw the devil, who appeared very furious; he came near to me and declared with bitterness he would be the death of me; for said he, you have done my kingdom much harm; thus saying he began pelting me with stones, and bedaubing me with dirt, till I felt wounded almost to death, and began to fear I should fall by the hand of my enemy. But in the height of my distress, my dear Saviour appeared to me; I thought him the most beauti- ful person that ever my eyes beheld: "I am your friend," said he, "and will support you in your journey; fear not, for your enemy is chained." I seemed to receive much strength, and the power of the enemy was so broken, that he could not move one foot after me; all he could do was to throw out threats, which he did loudly, till I got out of his hearing. Being safe from these difficulties, I looked forward and saw a very high hill which I was to ascend; and began to fear 1 never should be able to reach the top; I entered on my jour- ney, and got about half-way up, so fatigued that I thought
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every moment I must sink to the earth; laid down to rest myself a little, and seemed to fall into a kind of doze; but I had not laid long, before the person who met me in the valley passed by, and smote me on the side, saying, "Rise up, and begone, there is no rest for you there." With that I received strength, and got to the top of the hill. I then looked back, and saw my enemy at a great distance; I was greatly surprised when I saw the place through which I had come; for on every hand there appeared to be pits, holes, and quagmires in abundance. I was much wounded, and all be- spattered with dirt, but looked around to see if I could find any house, and at a distance, I espied a little cottage, and made up to it; when I got near the door, two angels met me and said, "Come in, come in, thou blessed of the Lord, here is entertainment for weary travelers." I thought within ap- peared to be the most beautiful place I had ever seen. After I went in, I thought.it was heaven filled with blessed saints and angels. One and another broke out, "Glory, glory," etc., till the place was filled with praises. One spake to me and said, "This is not heaven, as you suppose, neither are we angels, but sanctified Christians; and this is the second rest. And it is your privilege and the privilege of all the children of God." With that I thought I had faith to believe, and in a moment my spotted garments were gone, and a white robe was given me; I had the language and appearance of one of this blessed society; I then awoke.
Before this I had an ardent desire truly to know my state, and to sink deep into God. When I awoke I seemed all taken up with divine things; and spent part of the remainder of the night in writing, prayer, and praises; and had a strong witness of union with my dear Lord. My brother T. from Baltimore side came to see me, and traveled several weeks with me; and blessed times we had together; for I believe it was on this visit he felt a witness of pardoning love to his soul.
Upon a certain occasion, I was wonderfully led to think of the place called hell, and was severely buffeted by the
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devil. "Hell," said he, "is not so bad a place as you repre- sent it; how can God be a merciful being, as you set him forth, if he sends people to such a dismal place, for a few sins, to be tormented forever?" I was earnestly desirous to know what kind of a place it was. And the Lord condescended to satisfy me in the dead season of the night. After I fell into a deep sleep, I seemed to enter through a narrow gate into eternity, and was met by a person who conducted me to a place called hell; but I had a very imperfect view of it; I requested to be taken where I could see it better, if that could be done; I was then conveyed to a spot where I had a full view of it. It appeared as large as the sea, and I saw myriads of damned souls, in every posture that miserable beings could get into. This sight exceeded anything of the kind that ever had entered into my mind. But it was not for me to know any of them. Was I to attempt to describe the place as it was represented to me, I could not do it. Had I the pen of ready writer, an angelic wisdom, I should fall short. I cried out to my guide, it is enough. With that he brought me to the place he first met me. I then desired a discovery of heaven; my guide said, "Not now, return; you have seen sufficient for once; and be more faithful in warning sinners, and have no more doubt about the reality of hell." Then I instantly awoke.
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