USA > New Jersey > Memorials of Methodism in New Jersey : from the foundation of the first society in the state in 1770, to the completion of the first twenty years of its history > Part 16
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* Obituary notice in Christian Adv. and Jour., March 7, 1828.
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by her husband and others, she was urged to relinquish Methodism. About this time she was taken seriously ill. It was supposed she must die. But one day, as her husband came to her bedside, addressing him, she said, 'Monroe, I am impressed with the thought, that if you will cheerfully allow me to continue a Methodist, the Lord will restore me to health. I believe he will do it.' Recognizing the probable cause of her sickness, he answered, ' Woman, I have nothing more to say. Do as you please.' In a few hours her fever abated, she was restored to health, and lived and died a worthy member of the Church of her choice.
" There was no place in the neighborhood where a Methodist preacher could find entertainment; conse- quently they had to ride a distance of seven miles after preaching, in order to find a stopping place. At this period the Rev. Mr. Bostwick* was one of the circuit preachers. While holding meeting on one occasion, his horse being hitched a short distance from the Church, and near the residence of Mr. Monroe, the latter con- cluded that he would take pity on the horse and give him something to eat, not intending, however, to invite the preacher. He put the animal in the stable and fed him,
* Mr. Bostwick travelled Flanders circuit in I794. It is probable, therefore, that the fact mentioned by Mr. Adams occurred in that year.
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sending word to the minister where he might find his horse. Upon further meditation, he concluded that for once he would ask the preacher himself to come and take something to eat; which invitation was gladly ac- cepted. When the other preacher* came round, Mr. M. thought he would not show partiality, so he invited him in like manner. But the early Methodist itinerants un- derstood human nature, and knew how to improve a providential opening. Accordingly, when Mr. Bostwick came round again, he at once came to Mr. Monroe's, who subsequently became a valuable member of the M. E. Church, and for fifty years furnished a comfortable home for Methodist traveling preachers.
" At this same time there was living in the place a man of considerable means, who was a member of the Methodist Church, but refused to take in the preachers, fearing it would be too heavy a burden. Some time after this he sold out, and moved to Sussex, and there purchased considerable property. But it seemed as though the hand of God was upon him. His family was much afflicted, and finally he disposed of his pos- sessions there at a sacrifice, came back to Flanders, paid an advanced price for his former property, and ulti- mately died in limited circumstances.
* According to the minutes, Samuel Coate was the colleague of Mr. Bostwick.
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" Col. - was a man of note, and of large means in this neighborhood. Hearing that Mr. Monroe had in- vited the Methodist preachers to his house, he came to advise him on the subject. Among other things, he said, ' If you tolerate these Methodist preachers on your premises, they will ride you to death.' This man ran through all his property, and died in abject poverty. On the other hand, Judge Monroe declared that from the time he took in the Methodist preachers, God seemed to prosper him in every respect. After a long life of lib- erality and usefulness, he died in affluent circumstances, and even now his name is as 'ointment poured forth.'"
The old Church in Flanders, in which so many of the early Methodists of East Jersey worshiped, and so many of the early heroes of Methodism proclaimed the gospel, and which was honored as the spiritual birth-place of many now in glory, stood until 1857, when, through the skilful management and indefatigable efforts of the Rev. J. B. Heward and Rev. M. Force it was substituted by a new and beautiful house of worship, with a spire and bell, which is an ornament to the village, and a credit to Flanders Methodists.
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CHAPTER XV.
SKETCHES OF PREACHERS.
THE name of SAMUEL ROWE is first on the list of those who were appointed to labor in East Jersey in the year 1783. He was admitted on trial at the Confer- ence of 1779, and appointed to Amelia, Virginia. His appointment in 1780 is not designated in the minutes, but on the 12th of November of that year, Asbury writes : "I am kept in peace of soul; expecting my ministering brethren, that we may consult about the work of God. Samuel Roe is going to Sussex-one that has happily escaped the separating spirit and party in Vir- ginia, and the snares laid for his feet." In 1781 he was sent to Pennsylvania; 1782, Dorchester, Md .; 1783, East Jersey ; 1784, West Jersey. In 1785 he located.
Speaking of the location of ministers, the Rev. Thomas Ware says, " The first on this list, after the or- ganization of the Church in 1784 was Samuel Row .*
* The orthography of the name is not uniform. In the minutes it is spelled Rowe ; by Asbury, Roe; and by Ware, Lee, and Bangs, Row.
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He had traveled five years. Three desisted from traveling in 1785; but Row was the most conspicuous of the number. He was, while with us, a man of amia- ble and dignified manners, both as a Christian and a minister. He had the most tenacious and retentive memory of any man I ever knew; and the use he made of this noble faculty evinced that the bent of his youth- ful mind had been toward piety. He thought, as he used sometimes to say, if the Bible were lost, he could replace by his memory the four Evangelists, the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistle to the Romans, and the greater part of the Epistle to the Hebrews. He was a great ad- mirer of Young's Night Thoughts, and never did I hear any person repeat them with such effect. He was much admired by many as a preacher ; but some believed he dealt too much in flowers and in other men's thoughts."
JAMES THOMAS stands in the minutes as continued on trial, in 1783, and was appointed to East Jersey ; his appointment for 1784 is not ascertained; in 1785 he was appointed to Philadelphia, which was his last ap- pointment. Before the next Conference he had finished his course. He was an amiable and sprightly young man, and esteemed as a good preacher. The obituary notice of him in the minutes is as follows: "James Thomas,-a pious young man, of good gifts, useful and
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, acceptable, blameless in his life, and much resigned in his death."
FRANCIS SPRY was received on trial at the Conference of 1783, and appointed to East Jersey; his appoint- ments for 1784-5-6 are not given in the minutes; in 1787 he was appointed to Caroline, Md .; in 1788 he was appointed to Baltimore with Ezekiel Cooper. Dur- ing this Conference year he finished his labors. It is said of him, in the obituary notice of him in the minutes, that he was "skillful and lively in his preaching, sound in judgment, holy in his life, placid in his mind; of un- shaken confidence and patience in his death."
, The name of WILLIAM .RINGOLD appears on the min- utés of 1783 for the first time. In 1784 he was ap- pointed to Somerset, Md .; in 1785, to Frederick, Md .; in 1786 he located. We regret that we have no further knowledge concerning him.
WOOLMAN HICKSON was received on trial at the Con- ference of 1782 and appointed to Somerset, Md., but was afterward changed, there is reason to believe, to East Jersey ; in 1783 he was appointed to West Jersey ; in 1784, to Orange, Virginia; in 1785, Georgetown ; in 1786, Baltimore. On the 24th of December of this year he was ordained elder by Bishop Asbury. His ap- pointment for 1787 is not given in the minutes, but we learn from Rev. J. B. Wakeley's "Lost Chapters" that
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he labored in the city of New York that year. Mr. Wakeley says that Baltimore was the last station to which he was regularly appointed, and in consequence of failing health he was left without an appointment in 1787, but one of the preachers appointed to New York failing to fill his appointment, Mr. Hickson labored there in his place.
While in New Jersey, Mr. Hickson enjoyed the ac- quaintance and friendship of the Rev. Uzal Ogden, and corresponded with him. He appears to have stood high in Mr. Ogden's confidence and regards. In a letter bearing date of 25th April, 1783, addressed to Mr. Hickson, Mr. Ogden says: "Your kind letter I have received by Mr. Mair, and it is with pleasure I now de- vote a moment in this way, to converse with you.
" Believe me, Mr. Hickson, I have a most affectionate regard for you. Your many good and engaging quali- ties attach you to me very sensibly ; and, 'though absent in body, I shall often be present with you in spirit;' and, I hope, not unmindful of you in my addresses to our heavenly Father. And, O ! Sir, let me be so happy as to be favored and that continually, with an interest in your petitions at the throne of Divine grace !
"I cannot but admire your zeal in forsaking all earthly considerations, all worldly connections and prospects, for Jesus ! and that too in the flower of youth !
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The sacrifice, on your part, is great ; but remember the oblation of our blessed Saviour was infinitely superior to this. And as he hath 'bought us with a price,'-a price above all earthly computation, let us consider that we are, indeed, his in every respect, and rejoice to render him his own. And is it not an honor, an unspeakable favor, that he will graciously compensate our imperfect services with a reward that is ineffable, divine, eternal ? Though conscious, 'when we have done all which is in. our power to do for God, we are but unprofitable serv- ants,' yet are we permitted to have 'respect to the re- compense of reward.' Let this support us under every pressure of affliction ; knowing that tribulation, also, will ' work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory !' Let the thoughts of a celestial crown animate us, likewise, to act with redoubled vigor in the service of our Divine Master. And, oh! let us consider that his eye is ever upon us, and that he will demand-with severity demand-an improvement of each talent com- mitted to our care. Let us be mindful of the day wherein we must 'render an account of our stewardship;' consider the happiness of the plaudit, 'Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!' And contemplate the unhappiness of the sen- tence, 'O ! thou wicked and slothful servant,' &c.
*
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" But let me reply to some particulars in your letter. I rejoice in the prosperity of religion at the southward ; and to be informed that my sermon at Black river against bigotry hath been useful.
" I suppose some, perhaps many, unfriendly things are spoken of me on account of the countenance I show your people ; but I can truly say, 'it is a small matter with me, to be thus judged of man's judgment.' I trust, in this instance, I have a conscience void of offence to- wards God, and all rational, pious men.
" I have formed some religious societies, and believe they will be singularly useful, and prosper in the Lord ; they are, however, evil spoken of by some, by reason it is by them conceived they are Methodistical. How dreadful to the ears of some persons, is the word Meth- odist."
This epistle shows that the Methodists had to contend against much opposition in laboring for the salvation of the people in New Jersey.
We will give one other letter addressed by Mr. Ogden to Mr. Hickson, which is of historical importance in our work. It bears date of September 4th, 1783, and also the following inscription :
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"TO MR. WOOLMAN HICKSON, A METHODIST PREACHER, NOW IN THE COUNTY OF CAPE MAY, IN JERSEY."
"DEAR AND WORTHY SIR :- Your kind letter of the 21st of June last, I had the pleasure of receiving a few days ago. I was happy to be informed that Mr. Hick- son, who is still high in my esteem, was in the enjoy- ment of health, and that his friends and relatives were also well. May every blessing attend him and them, in such manner as shall seem meet to Divine wisdom.
" I cannot say I have had great trials, in the manner you fear, since I was at the Quarterly meeting at Ger- mantown; but am happy to mention that I hear this meeting hath been blest to many persons ; and I rejoice to be told that your Annual Conference was so agree- able.
" With us, religion, in several places, flourishes. At Mr. Howell's, a few months past, I admitted about fifty persons to the Lord's table on one day, who before had not approached this blessed ordinance. May num- bers daily, in every place, be added to the Church of Christ.
"I am happy you have found some of our clergy to the southward, who are disposed to countenance your preachers in their attempts to reclaim sinners from the error of their ways. And why should not the ministers
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of the gospel of every denomination, rejoice to have it in their power to do good ; to demolish the empire of sin and Satan, and to give prosperity to the kingdom of the Prince of Peace ? I do not, in any sort, repent of the favor I have shown the Methodists; but regard it as a happiness, that through them, I have had it in my power to aid the cause of religion.
"You inform me that many of the people of Mary- land request I would visit them; that you think my la- bors among them would be blest; and that they would make most ample provision for my support, if I could settle with them. As to my moving from Sussex, money would not induce me to do this. I am here, I think, very useful ; and as long as I can obtain a maintenance for my family, among these indigent, but affectionate people, it will not, I conceive, be my duty to leave them : and, as to my visiting the peninsula, this would be very agreeable to me, but I do not think it will be in my power to effect it, especially this fall, as my labors here daily increase ; and as my appointments to preach the gospel, in various parts of this State, now extend to about two months to come. However, if possible, I shall endeavor to comply with this request next spring ; and as Mr. Roe gives us some hopes that you will soon ride in this circuit, we shall then confer on the subject.
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"I applaud the continuance of your zeal to promote the interests of Christianity, and ardently pray that you may ever enjoy the Divine presence and protection. " Believe me to be, " Dear and worthy sir, " Your sincere friend
" And very humble servant, "UZAL OGDEN."
Mr. Hickson, it is said, introduced Methodism into the city of Brooklyn, L. I. "Captain Webb had preached there many years before, but he formed no class. Mr. Hickson's first sermon in Brooklyn was de- livered in the open air, from a table, in what is called Sands street, directly in front of where the Methodist Episcopal Church now stands. At the close of his ser- mon Mr. Hickson said that if any person present would open his house for preaching, he would visit them again. A gentleman, by the name of Peter Cannon, accepted the offer, and promised to prepare a place for the recep- tion of the congregation. This place was no other than a cooper's shop. In a short time Mr. Hickson formed a class of several members. This was the first class formed in Brooklyn."*
Mr. Hickson was ardently devoted to the cause and * Wakeley's " Lost Chapters."
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work of God. Though sinking under the wasting power of consumption, he contemplated going to Nova Scotia to labor for the salvation of souls, and Bishop Asbury found it necessary to prevent him. He possessed fine capabilities for usefulness, but he soon finished his work and gained his reward. "His last labors," says Lee,* " were mostly in the country, a small distance from New York, and on the east side of the North river. He then returned to the city of New York, and died; and was buried in the city." The society there provided him a nurse in his last sickness, and gave, also, to defray the expense of his funeral. Poverty, exposure, and hard toil were the portion of the Methodist itinerant in those days. Hickson gained not earthly treasures in his la- borious life as a minister, but his crown is as bright and his rest is as sweet in heaven as if he had died possessed of wealth. The brief memorial of him in the minutes is as follows :-
" Woolman Hickson :- of promising genius, and con- siderable preaching abilities ; upright in life, but soon snatched away from the work by a consumption, and in the midst of his usefulness :- seven years in the work."
He is thus described by Rev. Thomas Ware :-
" Woolman Hickson, distinguished by his thirst for knowledge, both human and divine, traveled our circuit
* History of the Methodists.
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soon after I became a Methodist; and from his excel- lent example I profited much. Few men among us ever observed with greater exactness ' the rules of a preacher,' especially these :- ' Be diligent. Never be unemployed.
Never be triflingly employed. Be serious. Let your motto be, Holiness unto the Lord. Avoid all lightness, jesting, and foolish talking.' Having a strong and dis- criminating mind, by his diligence and application ac- cording to these rules, he could not but make proficiency both in gifts and grace. But his physical powers were feeble ; and nothing but a miracle, with the exertion he made, could save him from an early grave. Accordingly the term of his labors was short. But to such a man as Hickson it must be 'gain' to 'die.'"
The name of JOHN MAGARY first appears in the min- utes in 1782, and his appointment that year was to Som- erset, Md. ; in 1783 he was appointed to West Jersey ; 1784 to Frederick, Md. His name now disappeared from the minutes. He was an Englishman and returned to Europe.
In September, 1784, Mr. Wesley says, "I had a long conversation with John Magary, one of our American preachers. He gave a pleasing account of the work of God there continually increasing, and vehemently im- portuned me to pay one more visit to America before I
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die." In 1787 Dr. Coke informed Mr. Garrettson, in a letter, that he had been sent by Mr. Wesley to New Foundland; but in 1788 Mr. Wesley mentions a Mr. Magary as principal of the Kingswood school, which may have been the same person.
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THE ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR 1784-5.
CHAPTER XVI.
THE ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR 1784-5.
THE Conference was held this year at Ellis's Preach- ing-house, in Virginia, on the 30th and 31st days of April, and adjourned to Baltimore the latter part of May. " It was," says Lee, "considered as but one Conference, although they met first in Virginia and then adjourned to Baltimore, where the business was finished." The "business was conducted with uncommon love and unity," says Asbury of the Conference in Virginia. East Jersey reported 450 members, and West Jersey 513. The appointments for New Jersey were as follows : East Jersey, Samuel Dudley, William Phoebus. West Jersey, Samuel Rowe, William Partridge, John Fidler. Tren- ton, John Haggerty, Matthew Greentree.
Asbury traversed the greater portion of the State this year, looking after the interests of the work. He preached at Burlington and Trenton, and also visited Newton, Sussex county, and preached in the Court-
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house. He was kindly entertained by Mr. Ogden. While in this region he preached at a place called New Market Plains, to about a hundred people, and spoke freely in vindication of Methodism. He regarded this as a singular circumstance, as he did not know till after- ward that there were those present who did not attend at other times. He proceeded to New York by way of Newark, and afterward went to West Jersey, visiting and preaching at several places, including Penny Hill, New Mills, and Haddonfield. At this last place he " found a dearth. A poor sot came in and muttered awhile; after meeting he acknowledged he was a sinner, and seemed sorry for his conduct, drunk as he was."
About the year 1625, the time of the great persecu- tion of the Puritans, a number of persons fled from England to seek a refuge and a home in the new world. The way in which they effected their escape was by rais- ing a leaky vessel which was sunk in a dock, stopping the leak, fitting her out indifferently, and setting sail in the night. Directing their course toward the western continent, they found themselves the following morning but a short distance from the land. Their enemies were unable to discover them, however, in consequence of a thick fog which had risen between them and the shore, and which remained until they had sailed beyond the reach of their vision. They were favored with a safe
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voyage until they reached their desired haven which seems to have been New York bay. "The ship grounded on the shoals of Amboy." After discharging her noble cargo, without any loss of life she sunk at once into the deep. It is said they purchased lands from the Indians, the title for which was afterward ratified by Great Britain. It is believed that Elizabethtown, N. J., stands upon ground included in this purchase.
Methodism was introduced into Elizabethtown during the present ecclesiastical year. The Rev. Uzal Ogden was at that time pastor of the Episcopal Church there. When the Methodist preachers visited the town he gave them a kind reception, and "gladly united with them in preaching a crucified and risen Saviour to perishing sin- ners. A gracious work of God directly ensued."
One of the laborers in this new movement was ELIAS CRANE, a descendant of Stephen Crane, one of the com- pany above mentioned, who fled from persecution in England, and landed in New Jersey. Elias was awak- ened under the ministry of Mr. Ogden, sought and ob- tained religion, and united with Mr. Ogden's Church. This was a short time previously to the introduction of Methodism there. Now that the Methodist preachers proclaimed a present and impartial salvation to the peo- ple of Elizabeth, he "went out into the streets and lanes of the city, to hunt up the poor, the maimed, the halt,
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and blind, and invited them to the gospel feast; and thus in early life contracted that useful habit of laboring with mourners in Zion, in which pious and highly honorable work he was pre-eminently useful." In 1788 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Dr. Elihu Lassell of Elizabeth. In 1791 he removed to Uniontown, Pa., and with his compan- ion united with the Church in that place. He was soon after appointed Class-leader, and promoted to the office of local preacher in which sphere of labor he was remarkably zeal- ous and useful. Asbury, Coke, and Whatcoat, shared the kind hospitalities of his home. In 1813 he removed to Lees- burg, where he opened his doors for itinerant preaching, and through his efforts, in connection with those of others, a society of about a hundred members was raised up, and a commodious house of worship erected. He died June 4th, 1830.
John Haggerty was the first preacher, so far as we are informed, that bore the ensign of Methodism into Elizabeth. He was sent by Bishop Asbury to form the Newark circuit, and early in the year 1785 he visited Elizabeth. He was directed to the house of Thomas Morrell's father, where he was kindly entertained, and proclaimed his message. Thomas Morrell, who was then thirty-eight years of age, was present and heard the ser- mon. It was from the text, " God so loved the world," &c. He was awakened under the sermon, and after a
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few months was converted. The foundation of Method- ism in Elizabeth was laid at that time, and it continues still to prosper there, notwithstanding its formidable ob- stacles.
Mr. Haggerty was the first Methodist preacher Mr. Morrell ever heard. At his earnest solicitation, about three months after his conversion, the latter abandoned a lucrative business, "and commenced preaching in differ- ent places, his appointments being made by Mr. Hag- gerty, as he passed round the circuit." One of his first efforts as a preacher was made "at the house of his uncle, at Chatham, Morris county, New Jersey. Having been an officer in the army of the Revolution, and for several years subsequently a merchant in Elizabeth, he was widely known, and a very large assembly convened to hear the 'major' preach, especially as he had joined the sect everywhere spoken against. This, I think, was his third or fourth effort, and was, by himself, deemed an utter failure. He then concluded that he was not called of God to preach, and would not make the at- tempt again. Early the ensuing morning, while at breakfast at his uncle's, there was a knock at the door. A lady entered desiring to see the preacher of the pre- vious evening. In a few moments another came, and then an old man upon the same errand, all of whom had been awakened under the sermon deemed by him a fail-
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