\ 2 8

OI,D RIGGIXfi I.OFT.

ANNALS

NEW YORK METHODISM

A HISTORY OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

FROM A. D. 1766 TO A. D. 1890.

SAMUEL A. SEAMAN, A.M.

NEIV YORK: HUNT df EA TON
CINCINNA TI: CRANSTON &f STOWE

HUNT & EATON,

New York.

13Y

PREFACE.

This volume contains about all that the writer has
been able to gather relating to the history of Methodism
^ in New York city. It is to be regretted that the work
§ was not taken in hand before, when some of the sur-
& vivors of the primitive times could have furnished
ti many interesting reminiscences. But what could be
gleaned, either from tradition or documents that re-
main, has been collected and put in such a shape as it is
N hoped will be interesting and useful. Some portions
h- niay seem dry, but they contain valuable information;
^ s<une again may seem trivial and gossip}', but they
will be interesting. Nothing but what is believed to
•2; be fact has been admitted. In some cases what may
«@ seem to be of small value is introduced, as being likely
, g£ii to elicit something that may give it importance. It is
hoped that the volume may at least stimulate others to
investigate, and induce those who have material to fur-
nish it, and thus lay the foundation of something more
perfect by an abler hand.

The book abounds in references. The author has
tried to be accurate, and has given his authorities as far as
possible. A great deal, however, has been derived from
his own personal knowledge and that of friends, some
deceased, and some still living. It is to be lioped that
arrangements will be made to preserve such records as
still exist, that others may verify or correct the state-
ments which have been made.

418596

iv Preface.

It is right to say that the woi-k wouhl never have been
completed liad it not been for the liberality of Mr. John
Bentley, one of the*trustees of the John Street Church.
To the Rev. Joseph Longking much credit is also due,
for gathering and preserving a good deal of valualjle
material.

Peculiarities of style will be observed in manj' of the
quotations given. It has been thought best generally to
give the exact words of extracts, as any changes might
convey a different meaning from that which was in-
tended.

Brief sketches of the preachers who labored in the
city are given down to 1832. These would have been
continued to the present time but for want of space.

It was also proposed to insert notices of prominent
lay members, but this, for the same reason, has been
abandoned. Much material for the purpose has been
collected, which, if desired, may perhaps be given here-
after.

Of the documents used, some of the most important
are:

1. The " Old Book," from which Dr. Wakeley ob-
tained so much of the material out of which he con-
structed his valuable work entitled Lost Chapters He-
covered from the Earhj History of American Methodism.
There are about two hundred and seventy pages,
nearly half of which are blank. It is of foolscap size,
having on some pages a circular water-mark with a
crown above it. It contains a copy of the subscription
paper and a list of subscribers for the first John Street
Church, a number of receipts, the accounts from Au-
gust 1, 1769, to May 30, 1V97, and several other mem-
oranda. When, where, or how it was discovered it is
impossible to say positively, but it is believed that Dr.
Wakelev found it either in the John Street or the

Prkface. V

Forsyth Street church. Of its authenticity there can
be no doubt, especially as its entries tally remarkably
with what we learn from other sources, furnishing evi-
dence much like that of which Dr. Paley makes sucli
efficient use in his Ilorm Paidhue. For instance, in the
library of the Wesleyan Theological College at Mon-
treal is a copy of Cruden's Concordance presented by
a granddaughter of Philip Embury, Mrs. J. Rhicard.
It is the third edition, (1769,) with a portrait of the
author, and is a stout leather-bound quarto, with a
leather cover over the binding. It bears the inscription
in a clear, bohl hand, "Phil Embury, April, 1770."*
Now, under date of Ajn-il 10, 1770, we find in the
" Old Book " the entry, " To cash paid Philip Embury,
to buy a Concordance, £2. 5. 0." A number of similar
coincidences might be noticed. This volume will be
referred to either as the " Old Book," or Book 1.

1. A. This also is of foolscap size, in paper cover,
however, and has rather more than eighty pages. It
contains the first record of members which has been
found, and also, probably, the first record of marriages
and baptisms ever kept by the Methodist Episcopal
Church in New York city, as it begins January 23, 1785.
When it came into the author's hands it had evidently
been disarranged, the pages not following in proi>er
order. This has been rectified, but several leaves are
still wanting.

When Rev. Samuel W. King, late of the New York
East Conference, was pastor of the Second Street
Church in this city, a book was discovered in a library
case there which contained something of interest to
Rev. J. J. Matthias, and was therefore handed to him.
This must be the volume, as on page 19 we have the

* See Christian Advocate, vol. Ixi, p. 379.

vi Preface.

record of the marriage of Barnard Mattliias and Sarah
Jarvis (the ]>arents of Rev. J.J. Matthias), and on the top
of page 6 is a reference in pencil to Mr. King's grand-
parents. The Rev. J. Longking thinks he obtained the
book from Forsyth Street. The internal evidence of
its authenticity is very clear.*

There are three lists of members; the first, bearing
no name nor date, is apparently in the hand-writing
of John Dickins. It is arranged neither according to
classes nor alphabetically, but the names are numbered,
and the first twenty-five are missing. The last number is
one hundred and three. The one that follows, also with-
out date, but evidently prior to July 20, 1787, as that is
the date of the last of the three, is probably also by
Dickins, as he returned to the city in 1786. This is
arranged in eleven classes, besides one of children, and
some 53 names are added at the close, without assign-
ment to any class. In all there are 255 names. If the
earlier list were complete it would be well to give it,
but it is perhaps sufficient to say that it contains the
names of Peter McLain, John Bleecker, Daniel Coutant,
and Hannah Baldwin. In the second we have in addi-
tion, W, Lupton, Ab. Brower, Wm. Tillou, Paul Heck,
Hannah Hei-k, Peter Parks, Andrew Mercein, Robert
Snow, Walter McDonald, and Ann McDonald (tlie
parties to the first marriage recorded), Charles White,
John Staples, Henry Newton, and Cornelius Warner.f
The third list is by Woolman Hickson, and is dated

* The first baptism recorded is " January 23, 1785, James Mills, son of
John and Sarah Drinker." The first marriage is " March 27, 1785, "Wal-
ter McDonald, of Richmond County, and Ann "Walion, of the city of

New York. Witnesses: Stephen Sands, Egbert and his wife,

Phebe Armstrong, and Elizabeth Dickins."

f If the first list had been complete, no doubt the most of these
names would have been found there.

Preface. vii

July 20, 1787. It gives the names of 228 whites and
36 colored, in seventeen classes. There are also several
lists of persons read into membership; the first on June
27, 1789, and the last, September 5, 1790.

1. -S. This is also of foolscap size, and has sixty-
eight pages. It contains records of members according
to their classes, and also of receptions on probation. Its
earliest date is 1791 and its latest 1796.

2. This, too, is of foolscap size. It is bound in parch-
ment and contains about one hundred and twenty-four
pages. On the outside of the front cover is written,
" A memorandum book for the use of the Methodist
Society, July — , 179 — , New York, 1802. This book
contains an account of persons received on trial, an
account of those read in, an account of those excluded,
an account of when and where the classes meet."
There is also other writing, but it is illegible. Besides
the contents as stated above we find within it some
accounts relating to the building of the (old) Forsyth
Street church, some of the preachers' house-keeping, and
also an account of the settlement of the estate of
Cornelius Cook, of which John Bleecker and Thomas
Morrell Avere executors. It seems to have amounted
to less than thirty pounds. Much of the penmanship
in this book is in the small, neat hand of Thomas
Morrell. This book probably was found at Forsyth
Street.

The books that follow have been obtained from
various sources, but there is no reason to doubt their
authenticity. They are most of them of foolscap page,
and in pretty good order.

3. "Baptisms in John Street Church from 1796 to
1820." This was found among the old books at John
Street.

4. "Marriages from July, 1799, to October 18,

VIH

Preface.

1820." This came also from John Street. The signa-
tures of John McCIaskey, Thomas Morrell, and Samuel
Merwin are on the fly-leaf. Many pages of this book
are blank.

5. " Minutes of the Assistance Society " from its
formation in 1808 until 1822.

6. " Baptisms and marriages, Hudson Church (Duane
Street) New York." These are from 1810 to 1820.

7. " Methodist Church Book, in which the names
are recorded in alphabetical order, by Nathan Bangs,
February 25, 1811, New York." This book was in
use until at least 1817.

8. Rather more than forty pages of this volume are
occupied with minutes of the Leaders' Meetings from
May, 1811, to February, 1823. Nearl}^ the same num-
ber at the other end of the book contain minutes of the
Camp-meeting Committee from May, 1818, to August,
1821.

9. " A Register of Baptisms for the Fourth (Allen)
Street Church, New York, October 18, 1811." The
latest records of baptisms in this book are in December,
1820. In the latter part of this book there is a record
of marriages from 1811 to 1820, by L. Clark, S. Crow-
ell, Thomas Thorp, Luman Andrus, and Marvin Rich-
ardson, preachers in the city at that time.

10. "A General Register of Trustees, Local Preachers,
Leaders and Members." It seems to have been begun
about 1813, and was in use as late as 1817. A printed
copy of the plan of appointments for 1816 is pasted on
the inside of the last cover.*

11. A Record of Probationers from 1815 to 1822.

12. Is a book substantially bound in undressed calf,
and has a printed title page, which reads, "Register of

* See Appendix T.

Preface. ix

the Members of the Metliodist Episcopal Church in the
city of New York, taken January 1, 1819. H^" Those
who have no date pretixed to their names were mem-
bers on the above day. Trustees, Abraham Russel, Paul
Hick, Joseph Smith, Gilbert Coutant, John P. Morris,
Michael D. Pliggins, George Taylor, George Suckley,
James Donaldson. Stationed preachers : Rev. Nathan
Bangs, Laban Clark, Seth Crowell, Samuel Howe,
Thomas Thorp ; John C. Totten, clerk." The entries
in this book are in an admirable hand, but from the
appearance of the pages it was not used more than two
or three years.

13. A Record of Probationers from 1821 to 1831.

14. A Record of Classes in 1826, etc.

15. Accounts of Stewards from 1827 to 1831.

16. Marriages from 1819 to 1837.

17. A Register of Members by Josliua Soule, Janu-
ary 1, 1822. Used until 1832.

18. Minutes of the Board of Trustees from March,
1820, to March, 1834.*

As to printed matter, all histories, biographies, etc.,
within reach have been consulted. Dr. Wakeley's Lost
Chapters, etc., has been of great value, not only as a
guide in examining the " Old Book," but because of other
material that he had gathered. But his work closes
with the end of the last century, covering only about
thirty-four years ; for the nearly ninety years that fol-
low nothing but the raw material was to be found.
Rev. E. Warriner, however, in his Old Sands Street,
Brookb/n, has collected a mass of valuable facts, some
of which relate to New York city. It is a very
thorough work, of much labor, and generally very
accurate. Another volume relating to the last century

* Some of these books Iiave not furnished much material, but tiie
list has been given in full that their existence may be known.

X Preface.

has recently been published, entitled Light on Early
Methodism. It is a compilation mainly from the papers
of Rev. Ezekiel Cooper, by George A. Phoebus, D.D.,
and is valuable. The Christian Advocate has been
quoted by volume and page, and Asbury's Journal by
date, as there are two editions.*

* The manuscript books referred to above will be found in the
library of the Meihodist Historical Society of New York city.

A HISTORY OF METHODISM
NEW YORK CITY.

CHAPTEIl I.

THE SEED, THE SOWERS, AND THE FIELD.

The origin of the " United Society," to which the name
of " Methodist " was afterward given, is thus described
in the first two paragraphs of the General Rules. In the
latter end of the year 1739, eight or ten persons came to
Mr. Wesley, in London, England, for religious instruc-
tion. He prayed with and counseled them, and at
length a regular meeting was appointed for every
Thursday evening. They were persons "having the
form and seeking the power of godliness," and were
ready to welcome all others of like spirit.

Thus the work began. Itinerating, preaching in
the open air, the employment of lay preachers, the
opening of houses for public worship, the instituting of
class-meetings, the organizing of circuits, and the hold-
ing of Conferences followed in due ordei*. The first of
these Conferences met Jime 2, 1744. At the twenty-
second session, held in Manchester, August 30, 1765,
25 circuits were reported with 71 preachers in England;
4 circuits with 4 preachers in Scotland; 2, with 2 preach-
ers in "Wales, and 8, with 15 preachers in Ireland :

2 A History of Methodism in New Yop.k City,

in all, 39 circuits and 92 lay iti^ierants, besides the Wes-
leys and their clerical coadjutors, and a numerous body
of local preachers.* We have no census of the societies
for that year, but in 1766 an attempt was made at a
report of numbers, which, however, is so imperfect as to
furnish no correct idea of the size of the connection.
But in 1767 there were 25,911 members, of which 22,410
were in the English societies, 2,801 in the Irish, 468 in
the Scotch, and 232 in the Welsh. There were in all
40 circuits supplied by 54 ])reachers.f

As yet, however, there is no report from America. A
population of more than two millions was there, most
of tlieni using the English language, and continually re-
ceiving accessions from various parts of Great Britain
and Ireland. Whitefield liad made three visits, pi-each-
ing, during the last two, in New York and New En-
gland, as well as in the South, and had gained such
favor with the people that lie was spoken of as prospec-
tive bishop of the Episcopal Church in the colonies.^
He was too intimately associated with Wesley to per-
mit us to suppose that the people were ignorant of the
character and progress of Methodism. No doubt there
were among the immigrants a number who had been
connected with Wesleyan societies in the old country,
and perhaps some had attempted to keep up such

* Stevens's History of Methodism, vol. i, p. 432.

f Stevens's History of 2Itihodism, vol. i, p 436. How lliis num-
ber, " fifty-four" is to be reconciled with tlie report of " ninety-two,"
two years before is not clear, but the figures are given as found.

X The New York Gazette and Weekly Mercury of April 17, 1769, lias
under the head of "London News" this paragraph: "It is thought
that the Rev. Mr. 'Whitefield would be more acceptable to the
Americans for a bishop than the Rev. Mr. Aptliorpe ; not only on
account of his pious and unwearied labors in those parts, but the vast
number of friends he has among the dissenting party, who prin-
cipally oppose this establishment."

The Seed, the Sowers, and the Field, 3

relio-ious services as they had been accustomed to at
home. But we do not knoio of any such cases, and
whatever may have been begun seems soon to have
ended.* That nothing permanent had been effected
was less surprising then than it wouki be now, when
immigration is Larger and intercourse more easy ; but
it does seem remarkable, that, even then, a quarter of a
century had passed since Mr. Wesley organized his first
society in England, and no Methodist society was to be
found ill America.

But Providence had been preparing the instruments
for the work, and bringing them, by successive steps,
to their field of labor. One of the seven ancient Elec-
torates of Germany was called the Palatinate of the
Rhine. It was divided into the Upper and Lower Pala-
tinate. This last subdivision lay on both sides of the
Rhine, bordering on France, and among its principal
cities were Heidelberg, Mannheim, Deux Ponts, and
Darmstadt. Its inhabitants were decided Protestants,
and this was sufiicient to awaken the hostility of the
bigoted Louis XIV. " Their principal cities were
pillaged and burned; the defenseless inhabitants were
hunted into the fields and woods, where many of
them, stripped of their clothing, were left to perish with
cold ; others wei-e driven into the French territory.
Thousands fled to the camp of the English general,

* There were, no doubt, as is asserted by Mr. Dawson and others,
Metliodists in this country before Embury preached in New York.
But some of these may have been so called because, at that time,
any who were zealous in religion had to bear the name as a term
of reproach. Others may have been members of Mr. Wesley's
Societies in the mother country, but there has yet been found no
evidence of the existence of any organized society that could properly
claim fellowship with those under the care of Mr. Wesley until
Embury held his first class-meeting in New York. See Christian
Advocate, vol. Ix, pp. 231, 248, 261.

4 A History of Mkthodism in New York City.

Mavlborongh. Ships sent by Queen Anne brought more
than six thousand to England in great poverty, and
thousands more followed. Nearly three thousand were
sent by the British government to America in IVIO,
settling in New York, Pennsylvania, and North Caro-
lina. Of the rest, a small company remained in England,
a few went to the County Kerry and other parts of
Ireland, but the main body, consisting of about fifty
families, found homes in the neighborhood of Rath-
keale. County Limerick, Ireland. lu a list of those
who settled near each other on Lord Southwell's estates
are the names of Embury, Heck, Ruckle, Switzer,
Guier, and others associated with the original Method-
ists of New York.* An Irish writer says they were
" industrious, and better fed and clothed than the gen-
erality of Irish peasants," and had " benefited the
country by increasing tillage." f

They soon, however, having no German minister with
them, and understanding little or no Engli>h, lost the
habit of attending public worship, and gradually " be-
came eminent for drunkenness, cursing, swearing, and
an utter neglect of religion. "J; But amid this general
degeneracy Philip Guier, of Ballingran, magistrate, and
master of the German school, seems to have been an
honorable exception. § At the first Conference in Ireland,
in 1752, he was received as a local preacher, Mr. Wesley
intending to make him pastor of the Palatines. ||

One day, in April, 1749, some Palatines from New-
market were in Limerick, and heard Thomas Williams

* Crook's Ireland and American Methodism, pp. 19-26. Stevens's
History of the Methodist Einscopal Church, vol. i, pp. 49, 50.

\ Ferrar's History of Limerick, quoted in Crook's Ireland and Ameri-
can Methodism, p. 28. |: Wesley's Journal, June 23, 1758,

§ Crook's Ireland and American Methodism, p. 39.

II Crook's Ireland and American Methodism, p. 51.

The Seed, the Sowers, and the Field. 5

preaching in the street. Some of the older ones said,
" This is like the preaching we used to hear in Ger-
many." They were attracted to hear again and again,
and finally invited the Methodists to visit their settle-
ments.* Whether Williams or his fellow-laborer, Swin-
dells, was the first to accept this invitation is uncertain,
but Avithin a few months all the Palatine settlements
had been penetrated, and by September, 1749, a society
had been formed in Newmarket, of which the celebrated
Thomas Walsh was a member, f

The next summer Mr. Wesley visited them. He
says : " I foimd the spirit of the people while I was
preaching, but much more in examining the society.
Four or five times I was stopped short, and could not
go on, being not able to speak, particularly when I was
talking with a child about nine years old, whose words

* Crook's Ireland and American Methodism, p. 46. Dr. Crook says
in a note: " I follow Mr. Myles in the above account. I find another
account in the handwriting of the late Rev. Jolm Dinnen, who was
stotioned on this circuit in 1786: 'How the Gospel was introduced
among the Palatines. — Two women who lived in Court-Matrix fell
out, and used the woman's weapon, the tongue, very freely. As no
strokes were given, one of them heard of a court called the Bishop's
Court, in Limerick, which, she was told, took cognizance of abusive
language. She set off for Limerick filled with rage and revenge.
When she arrived in the city the court was shut for that day. She
determined to stay till next day, and as she walked through the
street she heard singing in Quay Lane. Curiosity led her to stop,
and she heard a sermon which reached her heart. She returned
home free from wrath and revenge, told her neighbors what she had
heard, and invited them to come to Limerick and hear for themselves.
They did so, and as the result a preacher was invited, and preaching
has continued there ever since.' " \ Dr. Crook adds : " It is probable
that both these statements are correct, as Mr. Dinnen's narrative may
refer to the introduclion'of Methodism to Court-Matrix, and Mr. Myles's
to Newmarket, where we had the first society among the Palatines."

■f- Crook's Ireland and American Methodism, p. 47.

t Manuscript Sketch of the Rev. John Dinnen, p. 22, 1788.

G A History of Methodism in New York City.

astonislied all that heard. The same spirit we found in
prayer ; so that my voice was well-nigh lost among the
various cries of the people."*

In August, 1752, Mr. Wesley visited Limerick for
the second time, and held there his first Conference in
Ireland. \ There is a tradition that Philip Embury
traced liis conversion to a sermon from Wesley, proba-
bly at this date. J In 1756 Mr. Wesley again came, and
now, for the first time, preached in Ballingran, the home
of Embury and others who emigrated witli liim. He
says: "I found much life among tliis plain, ai'tless,
serious people." § In 1758 he was in the neighborhood
again, and in his Journal, after speaking of their former
degeneracy, through " having no minister," he says :
"But they are washed since they heard and received
the truth which is able to save their souls. An oath is
now rarely heard among them, or a drunkard seen in
their boiders." |j July 9, 1 760, a few weeks after Em-
bury left, is the date of the last of his visits we shall
notice. He then speaks of the German settlers in tliat
region being " forced to seek bread in other places ;
some of them in distant parts of Ireland, but the
greater part in America."^ Among these last were Em-
bury and others, God's chosen instruments for begin-
ning the work in America.

Philip Embury Avas born in Ballingran in 1728, and,
according to a family record, was baptized on Septem-
ber 29 of that year. " He had several brothers, all of
whom ultimately found a home and a grave in America.

* "Wesley's Journal, June 4, 1150.
f "Wesley's Journal, August 12, 1752.
ij: Crook's Ireland and American Metliodism, p. 79.
§ Wesley's Journal, June 16, 175G. \Ibkl., June 23, 1758.

TJ Wesley's Journal, July 16, 1760. Mr. "Wesley ascribes their
destitution to " their merciful landlords." (The italics are his.)

The Sked, the Soweks, and the Field. 7

IIo was educated under the care of good Pliili]) Guier,
and was subsequently sent to an English school, prob-
ably afRathkeale. After leaving school he was bound
apprentice to a carpenter at Ballingran, and was by
repute a good tradesman." As already stated, there is
a tradition that he traced his conversion to a sermon
from Mr. Wesley, probably in 1752. " A small book, in
tlie possession of his family, has the following interest-
ing entry in his own handwriting : ' On Christmas day,
being Monday, ye 25th of December, in the year 1752,
the Lord shone into my soul by a glimpse of his redeem-
ing love, being an earnest of my redemption in Christ
Jesus, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Phil. Embury.' ''' He was shortly after appointed a
h\ader, and was eminently consistent and faithful.
Within a brief period he became a local preacher, and,
with good Philip Guier, was generally recognized as a kind
of pastor of the Palatines.f " At a Conference held at
Limerick in 1758 he was recommended for the itiner-
ancy, but seems to have been placed on ^\''esley's list of
reserves, to be called out when a vacancy might arise.
But before the way was opened he was married, on
November 27, 1758, in Rathkeale church, to Miss
Margaret Switzer, of Court-Matrix. J As an itinerant
then could not " lead about a sister, a wife," his mar-
riage made it necessary for him to give up all idea
of connection with the Conference. He owes it, per-
haps, in part to Margaret Switzer that the Methodist

* For fac-simile of tlie original see Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 3:5.

f Crook's Ireland and American Methudisjn, p. 79.

\ On wiiat aiitliorit.y most historians' of Methodism who have
spoken of Mrs. Embury's Christian name have called her Mary is not
known, but it would seem to be xmreliable. Rev. Dr. B. Hawley
( Christian Advocate, vol Ixiii, p. 240) gives a documeni dated July 1,
1775, in which "David Embury, executor, and Margaret PJmbury,
exccutri.^, and relict of Philip Embury, Esq., deceased, of Camden,
2

8 A History of Methodism in New York City.

Episcopal Church in America holds his name in such
honored remembrance.*

When lie married, Embury probably had no idea of
emigrating; but about the year 1760 the rents on Lord
Southwell's estate, on which many of the Palatines
were tenants, were increased, and a large removal was
the result. Some of them, as we know, had already
found a home in America; Embury, with the prospect
of a family to provide for, decided to follow them.f

Of the conversion and previous history of the de-
voted woman whose holy zeal called Embury into more
active work, we have no account. She was j)robably
among the early fruits of the labors of the Methodist
jDreachers in I> dlingran. This family also came from
the Palatinate. J

In the earl}' part of June, 1700, a party of einigrants
Avas at Limerick preparing to embark for America.
Among them were Philip Embury and his wife, two
brothers of Embury and their families, Peter Switzer,
probably a brother of Embury's wife ; a family of Hecks
or Hicks, Valer Tettler, Philip Morgan, and a family of
Dulmages. Many of their friends and neighbors had
gathered round them, and from the deck of the vessel
Embury once more si)oke to them the Avord of life.
Prayer Avas offered, and the ship left the wharf bear-
ing rich gifts of blessing to the NeAV World.§ Mr. Wes-
ley, when he visited Ballingran about a month later,

in Charlotte County." X. Y., transfer certain property known as
"Wilson's Patent," probably that referred to in Appendix I. One of
the witnessess was John Lawrence, Mrs. Embury's second husband.
Mr. Gabriel P. Disosway, in liis HMonj of the Earliest Churches in
New York, p. 225, calls her Margaret.

* Crook's Ireland and American Methodism, pp. 79-83. f Ihid., p. 83.

\ H. Mann, Christian Advocate, vol. Ix, p. 440. As to the identity of
this lady see Appendix A.

§ Crook's Ireland and American Mctlwdism, pp. T4, t5.

The Seed, the Soavers, axd the Field. 9

found them gone; lie heard from them again before
many years.

And now, wliile the laborers are on their way, let us
look at the field in which they are to begin their work.

^Vbout one hundred and fifty years had passed since
men from Europe began to settle the eastern coast of
North America. English Puritans, Cavaliers, and Catho-
lics, Scotch and Irish Presbyterians, French Huguenots,
Protestants from Holland and Germany and Sweden,
came, generally in companies, and found homes Avhere
they could enjoy each, other's society. Between the
regions which we now call Maine and Georgia, many
l^arts of the coast were beginning to put on the appear-
ance of civilized shores; villages and even cities were
springing up, and forest and plain coming under the
hand of cultivation. The population was about two
and a half mill'ons. Farming, fishing, trapping, hunting,
ship-building and ti'ading, and some little manufactur-
ing were their employments. They were mostly Prot-
estants; but English Puritans and Episcopalians, French.
Huguenots, and Dutch Reformists had their marked pe-
culiarities, for which they were ready earnestly to con-
tend. Already, however, there was springing up a feel-
ing that they had so much common interest as to make
it desirable that they should act together, especially
where religious liberty Avas at stake. Dissimilar, though
not discordant, elements were gradually assimilating
themselves to form a people in many respects different
from any other on the globe.

On the 11th of September, 1G09, the ship Half -Moon
passed through the XarroAvs, and anchored in the b.iy
of New York; the pioneer of the vast fleet of vessels
of all nations which in coming centuries sliould find
harbor there. Five years lati-r a joint-stock company
of merchants in Amsterdam sent out seven ships to trade

10 A History of Methodism in New York City

with the natives. A rude fort was soon erected at the
lower end of Manhattan Island ; after a while rough
cottages began to cluster about it, and, under tlic name
of New Amsterdam, the metropolis of the Western con-
tinent began its history.

Until 1664 the Dutch retained their control of the
colony, and, of course, their speech and habits were in
the ascendant. But a change had been going on, and
when, in the war with England, the place was surren-
dered to the Duke of York, it is said that half of the
inhabitants Avere English. The nine years of British
supremacy which followed naturally gave greater sway
to the Englisli language and customs, and thougli, for
one sliort year, tlie Dutch resumed the control, it Avas
easy to re-establish the English authority, Avhich Avas
contiinied for another century.

It is not difficult for a native of Xcav York city to
become enthusiastic about his birthplacn?. One, not
liimself exactly to the manner born, says : " Nature has
done every thing for New York to render it the com-
mercial capital of North America. Its harbor is uni-
versally confessed to be one of the finest on the face of
the earth. It is spacious enough to give sea-room at once
to all the shipping in the Avorld. Its depth of water at
the Avharves is sufficient for the largest \'essels, and in
most of the space within the ample area of the bay the
largest ship may safely ride at anchor." It is remarka-
bly " free from obstructions by ice, so that at all seasons
vessels can enter and clear." * Its climate is of that
medium temperature best adapted to health and mental
groAA-th and activity. In short, its rapid growth, in
population, business, and wealth, can be no surprise to
one Avho knows its advantages.

But we must not confound the New York of to-day
* The Mdroijolitan City of America, D. Curry, D.D., p. 332, •

A PI A V OV 'I'HB:

CITY OF NEW YORK,

Pedii fit /roil till acluni ft'iiiYey,
bv
r VURSCIIAJ.CKil.

^ ^ 1703.

/ 7/ie Foi

B Ir lis ChuicK

C Old Hutch. CAu.cH
D r ench C/u c7i
f,Aew Dutr/i C/iuich
f , ri'*^s by ( eri.cui.,Veefttuf
6 QuijJcers Mec/iiui
H Bitplifl Mr.rUng //
/ Lutheran CJimc,
K. Jews SyiLcufaguef/'
I S' Geor0t.f Cfiupel
M, Mora V iaii ilpfi iiu)
N Xew Lutheriutt Meet
O Ciis/o,^
f Ooveriivis- House
a Secrelfirys OSficr

H City House

S Eicchaitge

T Fish Market,

V Old Slip Market

X Mepl Marl<jel

r Fly Mfiket

Z.Bui'liiis Market

1 Osu-ego Market

Z F.ngl I'sTi. Free Sei o»l

3 Sulcli. Free .Srjioot

i. Block, ffaute

sj, Gates'

The Seed, the Sowers, and the Field. 11

with that of 1760. On the opposite page is a map dated
1763, and from it we can get some idea of what it was
then. The space called the " Common," then on the out-
skirts of the city, we know now as the City Hall Park.
Warren Street was the last on the North River side;
Catharine Street on the East River: though on the west of
the " High Road to Boston," now tlie Bowery, we find
streets, the last of which is called St. Nevin's, now Broome
Street, Many of tliese streets were no doubt yet only
prospective, and the buildings on them were mostly one
or two story cottages, with wide intervals between for
gardens and pasturage. Only in the lower p irt of the
city was it common to see houses of brick or stone and
in continuous rows. The population, as far as we can
ascertain, was about fourteen thousand, of whom more
than one half were Dutch, and almost all were traders.
As to religion aud morality, we have reason to be-
lieve that New York in 1760 would have compared not
unfavorably with other cities of the day. There were
two large Episcopal churches ; old Trinity, a Gothic
building with a spire, on the spot occupied by the present
edifice, and St. George's, at the corner of Beekman and
Clifl: Streets, modeled after some of the new churches
in London.* This has been succeeded by the fine build-
ing on Stuyvesant Square. A Reformed Dutch church
(known afterward as the South Dutch) stood in Garden
Street, now Exchange Place.f Another, long known
as the Middle Dutch Church, was on Nassau Street,
between Cedar and Liberty, since occupied as the post-
oftice, and lately taken down to give place to the Mutual

*St. Paul's was consecrated in 1766.

f This was destroyed in the great lire of 1835. The congregation
afterward, under the pastorship of Rev. Dr. Hutton, built the tine
edifice on Washington Square, now occupied by the Asbury Methodist
Episcopal Church, formerly Greene Street.

12 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

Life Insurance building. Another, called the North
Dutch Church, was erected in 1769 at the corner of
William and Fair (now Fulton) Streets, which also has
given place to buildings for business purposes. The
Presbyterians had one church in Wall Street, near
Nassau. This was taken down in 1844, and re-erected
in Jersey City, the congregation removing to Fifth
Avenue, between Eleventh and Twelfth Streets. In
1767 another was founded in Bcekman Street, where
the Potter building now stands. This, from its material,
was known as the Brick Meeting-House, of which the
celebrated Dr. Gardiner Spring was pastor for many
years. The congregation still worships in a brick edifice,
but it stands now on the corner of Fifth Avenue and
Thirty-seventh Street. A Scotch Presbyterian Church
had lately been organized, which afterward (1768) erected
a building in Cedar Street, near Broadway, of which Rev.
Dr. John Mason became pastor. There Avas a French
Huguenot church on Pine Street, the congregation of
which afterward (in 1834) removed to the corner of
Church and Franklin Streets, and now worships in West
Twenty-second Street, near Fifth Avenue; and a Luth-
eran on the corner of Broadway and Rector Street, built
mainly through the efforts of the earlier Palatine emi-
grants, who came about half a century before Embury
and his companions.* This was burned in 1776, and
in 1808 the Episcopalians erected a spacious building on
the site, under the name of Grace Church, to be suc-
ceeded in 1844 by their elegant house of worship on
Broadway, near the corner of Tenth Street. Another
Lutheran congregation had been organized, which occu-
pied for a time a small building on Skinner's (now
Cliff) Street, and afterward erected a substantial stone
edifice at the corner of Frankfort and William Streets,
* Booth's History of New York, pp. 159, 287.

The Seed, the So wees, axd the Field. 13

long known as the " Swamp Cliurch." The Moravians had
a church on Fair (now Fulton) Street, between William
and Dutch Streets, and the Baptists had just built one
on Gold Street, between Fair (now Fulton) and John
Streets. The Friends had a meeting-house in Little
Greene Street (now Liberty Place), near Liberty Street,
and the Jews a synagogue on Mill Street (now a part of
South AVilliam Street).

And these buildings, we have reason to believe, w^re
well filled when public worship was held. "The situa-
tion of the inhabitants of New York in religious mat-
ters was somewhat peculiar. A professed infidel dared
not show himself ; open atheism was only known as a
monster of European production." " Nearly every body
belonged to some sect, and indifference was viewed
with utter dislike. Even the troops that paraded on
Sunday morning, in marching down Broadway filed
off to the right or left, some to one church and some to
another. All were religious, or pretended to be so ;
whilst the laws, taking an immediate interest in affairs
of conscience, required the strictest attention to the
established forms of public worship." *

This was the field, and now the laborers were ap-
proaching,

* .1 Short Historical Account of the Early Society of Methodvts^
etc. Published by W. &, P. Smith, NewYorls, 1824.

14 A History of ^Ii:thodis:m ix Nkw York City.

CHAPTER H.

Till'] ARRIVAL, TIIK DELAY, AXD THE SOWING.

Ix the JVew York 3Tercuri/ oi August 18, 17G0, was
the following notice : *

" Tlie ship Perry ^ Captain Hogan, arriA^etl here on Mon-
day last in nine weeks fi-om Limerick in Ireland, with a
number of Germans, the Fathers of many of them hav-
ing settled there in the Year 1710; but not having suffi-
cient Scope in that country, chose to try their Fortunes
in America. The 26th of July, in Lat. 39, Long. 63,
Captain Hogan saw a Snow, which by her motions
he had reason to think was a Privateer. Some Days
after Captain Hogan spoke with a \Vhaling Sloop fj-om
Rhode Island, the Master of which acquainted him that
a French Privateer Snow had been seen off the coast." f
Elsewhere we have the captain's name in full, Richard
Hogan.J That this was the vessel that brought Em-
bury and his companions there can be little doubt. The
voyage, now made in less than six days, was, in their
case, nine weeks, or sixty-three days, long; but three
days less than that of the Plymouth pilgrims. The war
between Ensfland and France, which resulted in the
subjection of Canada to the English government, was
about its close, and French privateers were still seeking

* As August 18 was probably Monday, the date of the arrival was
Anp:ust 11. Dr. Crook, p. "74, says August 10.

\'- Bnow, a vessel equipped with two masts, resemblinp: the main
and foremasts of a ship, and a third small mast just abaft the main-
mast, carrying a try-sail." — Webster's Dictionary.

\ Neiu York Mercury, August 23.

The ARpavAL, the Delay, and the Soavixg. 15

their prey off the coast. How many other perils these
voyagers may have escaped Ave know not; but at last
they stood on solid ground again, no doubt full of
thanks to God for their safe arrival.*

And now one would have expected that, as this ves-
sel bore a Methodist local preacher and several mem-
bers of a live Methodist society, such a vigorous offshoot
from so healthy a stock Avould have immediately taken
root in the new soil and begun to bear fruit. But we
are disappointed. "The presumption is that Embury
attempted some religious service shortly after landing;
but, being constitutionally timid and retiring, and meet-
ing with little or no encouragement, and having no
suitable place in which to conduct the services, he
abandoned the idea." . . . "He joined the Lutherans,
and we have the testimony of his son, Mr. Samuel Em-
bury, that he never abandoned the practice of family
worship." Several of his children were baptized among
the Luthei-ans.f

" In August, 1765, a second party of Palatine emi-
grants arrived from Ballingran and the neighborhood.
Among them were Paul Ruckle, Luke Rose, Jacob
Hick, Peter Barkman, Henry Williams, and their fami-
lies. Mr. Ruckle was related to Embury, and brother
to Barbara Heck. Jacob Hick and his wife had been

* " When Kmbury and his fellows landed, Colonel Rut5;ers, surprised
to hear Irishmen talk Dutch or German, recognized them as country-
men, and took interest in them. One of the daughters of the Svvitzer
family, Mrs. E. Coulter, of Cambridge, assured me that her parents
usually conversed with each other iuDuicii, and had books in that
lang;iage, especiallj' a Bible and hymn-book." :j:

■(• Crook's Ireland and American Methodism, pp. 87, 88. "Tlis home
for a while was in John Street, where liis son Samuel was born." §

i Letter from Rev. P. P. narrower. Chrif^tinn Advocate, voL xxxiii. p. 70.
§ Letter from Samuel Embury. ChrU<tiaH Advocate, voU xxiii, p. 184.

10 A History of Methodism in New York City.

Methodists in IrelanJ, and were among the earliest
friends of the infant Methodist Church in New York.*

Some of these Palatines, whether of the first or sec-
ond company is not clear, " had by this time lost even
the form of godliness, and had become adepts at card-
playing and other sinful amusements." There is not
the slightest shadow of evidence that Embury ever
played Avith them, or even Avitnessed their playing.
Indeed, it is not certain that any of these cards-players
were Methodists. "The families who accomjjanied him
(Embury) were not all Wesleyans — only a few of them ;
the remainder were members of the Protestant Church
in Ireland, but made no profession of an experimental
knowledge of God."f This was the case also wdth the
second company.

One evening, in the autumn of 17GG, a " company were
assembled playing cards as usual, when " a Christian
Avoman " came in, and, burning Avitli indignation, hastily
seized the cards, and, throwing them into the fire, ad-
ministered a scathing rebuke to all the parties con-
cerned. She then went to Embury's house, and told
him Avhat she saw and Avhat she had done, adding, with
great earnestness, ' Philip, you must pi-eacii to us, or we
shall all go to hell, and God will require our blood at

* Crook's Ireland and American Methodism, p. 88. Dr. Crook re-
gards this Jacob Hick and liis wife as the founders of the Hick family
in New York, and the ancestors of Jonathan (not John as he and
others write it) Paul Hick, and thinks slie was the woman who was
so long believed to have been the messenger of reproof and awaken-
ing to Philip Embury. But Jonathan P. Hick says that he tliiiiks
that his great-grandmother came over as a widow. If he was not in
error it would seem that there were three families who bore the name
of Heck or Hick. As to the Heck and Hick controversy see Appen-
dix A.

f Letter of Dr. Roberts in Stevens's History of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, vol. i, p. 54.

The Arrival, the Delay, and the Sowing. 17

your hands.' Philip attempted a defense by saying,
' Hov/ can I preach, as I have neither house nor con-
gregation ? ' ' Preach,' said she, ' in your own house,
and to your own company.' * She, it seems, agreed to
get the congregation, and, as nearly as can be ascer-
tained, in October, 1 766, he preached the first sermon
in his house in what was then called Barracks Street,
afterward Augustus Street, now City Hall Place." f

* Crook's Ireland and American Methodism, p. 89.

\ Not Park Place, as it is in some narratives. This error, that
Embury's house was in what is now Park Place, has been so persist-
ently repeated of late, that it will be well lo give the evidence against
it. The name of Barracks Street is found on no map of the city whicli
the writer has yet seen; but in several, about the date of Embury's
sermon, we have tlie Lower Barracks and the Upper Barracks. The
lower were in the neighborhood of Bowling Green. Of the upper
we are told : "The Barracks, erected about tlie time of the 'Old
French War,' extended from the present Chatham Street to Broad-
way, along Chambers Street." X There is on the maps an unnamed
street, running from near the eastern end of these barracks, north-
east, parallel with Chatliam Street; occupying, in fact, the position
of the present City Hall Place. This was afterward called Au-
gustus (or Augusta) Street, § and finally received its present name.
This is also the testimony of Peter Parks, see Appendix A. It
is true that some accounts of the old streets of New York say that
Barracks Street was afterward called Tryon Row. This was a short
block, running from Chatliam Street to the Park, before Center Street
was opened through. All that remains of it now is the site occupied
by the building belonging to the Slaats Zeitung, a German newspaper.
But it seems most likely that the testimony of Peter Parks is correct.
Besides, some of the descendants of Peter Embury lived in Augustus
Street. |

But while it may be a question between City Hall Place and Tryon
Row, one thing is certain, it was not Pa7'k Place. The error is of late
origin, and could only have been committed by someone not familiar
with Xew York city. Park Place was certainly neve?- known as Barracks
Street. In ma^is of the city of about the date of Embury's first ser-

t Valentine's Maiinnl, 18")6, p. 451. § A Short Historical Account, p. 4,
II See Appendix E, Kate (Embury) Bininger, p. 435.

18 A History of Methodism in New York City.

That first sermon, in that little cottage, to that small
congregation, by that preacher, whose vocation, like
that of the reputed father of the great Teacher, was
that of a cari:)enter ! Anj^ one familiar with the houses
of mechanics in the early part of the century can
readily call up a probable view of the room, the " liv-
ing-room " of the family, no doubt: kitchen, dining-
room, and sitting-room in one. The floor was probably
sanded, or if there was a carpet it was, no doid:>t, of
woven rags, such as economical housewives of that day
took delight in preparing. The chairs must have been
either wood or rush-bottomed — most probably the
former, or what were known as Windsor chairs;* the
table of pine, or perhaps cherry. Two candles, very
likely, were all that lighted the room; it may be they
were in the candlesticks belonging to 31rs. Hick, of
which Dr. Wakeley gives an engraving. The audi-
ence, we are told, numbered five, f Paul and Barbara
Heck, ]Mrs. End^ury, Mr. John Laurence, who after-
ward married Mrs. Embury, and Betty, an African
servant. J

raon it was called Robinson Street. No barracks were ever in that
neighborhood. The writer has spoken and written a number of times
to correct this error, but liltle heed seems to be given to his testi-
mony. Once again, lie says, he challeiiges any one to give a shadow of
proof that Park Place ever ivas called Barracks Street. The view of
Embury's house given by Dr. "Wakeley is probablj^ not authentic.
He says {Lost Chapters, p. 41) he is indebted for it to J. B. Smith, Esq.,
of Brooklyn, who " obtained it from one of the men of olden times."

* Such as Peter Emery (Embury), Philip's brother or nephew per-
haps, afterward manufactured, as we lind by tlie New York Direc-
tory of 1789.

f A Short Historical Account, p. 4, says six.

:j: Crook's Ireland and American Methodism, p. 90. No authority is-
given for this statement. If it could be verified it might settle the
Heck or Hick controversy. Rev. C. Manson, of the Black River
Conference, in a letter to the author, adds a hired man of Mr. Lau-

The Arrival, the Delay, and the Sowixg. 19

Tlie services must have consisted of the usual singino-
and praying and preaching. But what did they sing,
and what did Embury preach about? From two old
\olumes we may get a little light on this question. One
of them bears the title, " Hymns and Spiritual Songs,
intended for the use of Real Christians, of all Denomi-
nations. By John Wesley, M.A., Late Fellow of Lin-
coln College, Oxford. Ye have put off, etc. Col.
iii, 9. The fourteenth edition. Bristol, Printed ; and
Philadelphia, Reprinted by John Dunlap, at the Newest
Printing Office, in Market Street. MDCCLXX." The
eighth edition of this collection is dated 1761; another,
ii: is said, was published in 1777. "It was extensively
used in Mr. Wesley's societies." * This book must,
therefore, have been familiar to the Palatines before
they emigrated, and we caimot be much in error if we
suppose that the hymns sung on that occasion are to be
found in it. But to what tunes did they sing them?
The other old volume has about three hundred and fifty
pages, and contains one hundred and twenty-eight
hymns, set to appropriate tunes. Music and words are
both engraved; the music being generally in two parts,
but sometimes in three. The title-page reads: "Sacred
Harmony, or a choice Collection of Psalms and Hymns,
Set to Music in two and three parts, for the Voice,
Harpsichord, and Organ." We find no date, and no
name either of compiler or publisher. But on the in-
side of the cover, in blue ink, under which there are

rence. He also suys that Laurence's mother afierward married
Tcter Miller, and moved to Canada with the Keeks, etc. This lady,
he says, he remembered, and that she lived to the age of one liundred
and two years and eight months. Her daughter Catharine became
the wife of Samuel Embury, Philip's oldest son. Paul Heck, lie says
also, was a soldier one year in a British regiment. See also Christian
Advocate, vol. vi, pp. 19, etc.

* Creamer's Methodist Hijmaolofjy, p. 191.

20 A History of Methodism in New York City.

traces of pencil-writing, of which only the figures
" 1765 " can be clearly made out, we read: "Rev. Jno.
Wesley remarks in his preface to Sacred Melody ; pub-
lished at Bristol in the year 1765: Some years ago a
collection of tunes was published under the title of
Harmonia Sacra. I believe all unprejudiced persons
Avho understand music allow that it exceeds beyond
comparison any thing of the kind which has appeared
in England before ; the tunes being admirably chosen,
and accurately engraven, not oidy for the voice, but like-
wise for the organ or harpsichord." Above this is the
name of J. P. Hick, that is, Jonathan Paul Hick, a
descendant of the Mrs. Hick, of New York. On the
fly-leaf we read, " John Watson, Edinburgh, 5th April,
1782." It is now the property of Mr. John Steph-
enson.

The hynnis in this A'olume are mostly by the AYesleys,
and, no doubt, the tunes are such as they approved, and
were in common use at the time. We may regard it
as good testimony as to tlie tunes the emigrants sang
before they left Ireland, and which they w^ould be hkely
to take up again wlien they resumed their religious serv-
ices. Nearly all of them are now out of use; only one
will be recognized by its name, Amsterdam; though
another, called there " The God of Abraham," is in our
books now, somewhat altered, under the title of "Leoni."
But Cookham, Ilotham, Islington, Ivingswood, and
Portsmouth (there called Trumpet) Y>ill be recognized
by all who used the Jfethodist Harmonist forty or fifty
years ago. Who can tell but that the words,

"Wretched, helpless, and distressed,
Ahl whither shall I Hy," etc.,

were sung to Kingswood ? And how a])propriate then
the verse.

The Arrival, the Delay, and the Sowing. 21

" lu the wilderness I straj',

My foolish heart is blind;
Notiiincf do I know, the way

Of peace I ca.nnot find.
Jesus, Lord, restore my sight,

And take, take the veil away ;
Turn my darkness into liglit,

My midnight into day."

Then, too, tliat hymn, " Jesus, lover of my soul," to the
tune Hotham (a beautiful one, as many yet think); and
finally, perliaps, :is if in prophesy, the words, "Blow ye
the trumpet, blow," totlie tune Trumpet or Portsmouth.
Verily, the year of jubilee had come, and all the na-
tions, " to earth's remotest bound," were to hear the
gospel trumpet.*

The prayer that followed the opening hymn, we can
well believe, consisted, to a g!-eat extent, of humble,
penitent confession, and earnest supplication for the
reviving presence of the Holy Spirit. The sermon, no
doubt, wa< an earnest, faithfid, but tender, expostulation,
because of past unfaithfulness, and invitations to return
to that God Avho would heal their backslidings and love
them freely. Embury, as we learn, generally gave evi-
dence of much feeling; he of ten wept while preaching,f
and a sense of his own recent neglect of duty must have
made him very tender in his dealing with his hearers.
Perhaps he used on that occasion the same old Bible
from which he afterward preached when the church
was opened. J

* The Germans are generally good singers, and Brotlier J. P. Hick,
already referred to, inherited this talent. His voice was long a leading
one in the social services at Mount Yernon, N. Y., where lie died.
Rev. George Coles writes: '•He had one of the best tenor voices I
ever heard." — Coles's Later Years, p. 85.

■{• Wakcley's Lost Chajyters, p. 126. ^ See Appendix H.

22 A History of Methodism ix New York City,

CHAPTER nr.

GROWTH: THE BLADE, THK EAR, AND THE FULL CORN
IN THE EAR.

As was to be expected, the congregation soon in-
creased; more space was needed, and a large upper room
was hired in the same street, about ten doors from the
barracks, " Here," says Peter Parks, of New York,
"a great excitement took place among the people;
many were awakened and some converted. Among
tliem was my grandmother, Catharine Taylor, and my
mother, Mary Parks. At this time Mr. Embury formed
a class of all the members then in society, which was
twelve. There were three musicians belonging to the
Sixteenth Regiment of the British troops, then sta-
tioned in the barracks in Barracks Street. Their names
were James Hodge, Addison Low, and John Buckley.
They were exhorters, and assisted Mr. Embury in the
meetings. There were some souls awakened and con-
verted in the poor-house. Mrs. Deverick was one; and
through her instrumentality Mr. Embury was called to
preach in the poor-house. By this means the master of
the poor-liouse, Billy Littlewood, was awakened and con-
verted."*

* From a document found among the papers of Rev. Ezekiel
Cooper. Crook's Ireland and American Methodism, p. 96. Christian
Advocate, vol. xxxv, p. GO. A venerable lady, a granddaughter of
Mrs. Deverick, Mrs. McCabe, of White Plains, N. Y., corrects an
error or two here. Tiie name should be Devereux, and she was not
an inmate of the poor-liousc, but the daughter of a w^ealthy ship-
master, who interested herself in the spiritual welfare of tiie poor.
We find lier name (spelled Deverix) as a subscriber of eight shillings
t') the church building.

Groavth. 23

About this time Cliarles White and Richard Sause
arrived. They liad been Methodists in Dublin, Ireland,
and were very valuable additions to the society, espe-
cially as ihey had more worldly goods than most of
their brethren. One evening, about February, 1767,
the congregation was surprised, if not alarmed, by the
appearance among them of a stranger in the uniform of
a British officer, and wearing a green shade, to conceal
the absence of his right eye. They were soon, how-
ever, rejoiced to find that he was a Methodist, and a
local preacher, and was ready to assist in the work,
Thomas Webb was born in England about 1724. He
entered the British army, and at the siege of Louisburg,
in 1758, lost his eye, and was soon after permitted to
retire on half-pay. In 1764 he was awakened under
the preaching of John Wesley, and, before long, began
to preach. He was appointed barrack-master at Albany,
K. Y., and, hearing of Embury's work, paid a visit to
the infant society. He preached in his regimentals,
with his sword lying on the desk before him, and drew
large congregations, who were attracted, not only by
the novelty of hearing a soldier preach, but by the
earnest eloquence with which he declared the truth.
He returned to England in 1771 or 1772, but was in
this country again in 1773. He was here also in 1777,
as in that year he was suspected of being a spy.* He
died suddenly, December 10, 1796, and was buried at
Portland Street Chapel, Bristol, England. He was
twice married, and had two sons, one by each marriage.
They came to this country after his decease, and settled
in Canterbury, Orange County, N. Y. One of them be-
came a Quaker preacher, but always professed a strong
attachment to the Methodists. It is not at all improb-
able that, if Embury had not begun his labors when he
* Historical Mar/azinc, vol. vii, 1SG3, p. 177.
3

24 A IIisToiiY OF ]METnoDisM IX Kew York City.

did, Captain Webb would have been tlie pioneer of
American Methodism. As it was, his labors and con-
tributions aided very materially in its establisli-
ment. He heads the list of subscribers for the
cliapel, and with the largest contribution, and ap-
pears to have paid the passage of some of the earlier
missionaries. His earnest appeals, also, to Mr. Wesley
and the British Conference had great effect in procur-
ing the ministerial help needed. His preaching was
remarkably effective. Mr. Wesley says, " He is a
man of fire, and the power of God constantl}^ accom-
panies his word." * John Adams (tlie second Presi-
dent of the United States), while attending Congress in
Philadelphia, in 1774, hetwd him, and said, " He is one
of the most fluent eloquent men I ever heard." f Peter
Williams, the old colored sexton of John street, re-
garded him as something wonderful. J Out of tlie
mouths of these three witnesses, of so widely different
positions, the fact of Captain Wel)b's ability as a
preacher seems to be fully established. §

Under the labors of these two faithful fellow-work-
ers, Philip Embury, the carpenter, and Thomas Webb,
the soldier, many were converted, and the place soon

* Wesley's "Works, vol. vii, p. 57.

f .Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 148. Xlhid., p. 441.

§ Rev. George Coles writes in Christian A<!vocate, vol. xxxiv, p. 160 :
" Conversing with nn aged member of our Church ilie other day, I liad
the curiosity to ask him wJien, where, and how lie was first convicted
of sin, etc. He informed me tliat a Mr. Van Patten, a blacksmith, was
the means, in the hai.d of God, of opening his eyes. 'Do you know,'
said I, ' how the blacksmith was awakened '?' ' Seeing a black man
die, happy in the Lord,' said he. 'Do yon know,' said I, 'how the
black man came by his serious impressions ? ' ' His master was a
religious man, and taught him the fear of the Lord.' ' And where
did he (tiie master) meet with his conviction ? ' said I. ' HGaring Cap-
tain Webb preach,' said he. Thus ' he, being dead, yet speaketh.' "

Growth. 25

became too strait for them. Early in 1767, therefore,
they removed to the far-famed " Rigging Loft." *
This stood in Horse and Cart Street (a section of
what is now William Street), between John and
Fulton Streets (now Ko. 120), f and had been occu-
pied some years before as a place of worship by
the Baptists. J It Avas sixty feet long by eighteen
feet wide, and was furnished with a desk and benches.
Here there was preaching on Sabbath mornings at
six o'clock, and on Sabbath evenings, and, after a time,
on Thursday evenings also. The singularly early
hour of the morning service is accounted for by
the fact that Methodists then regarded themselves
as a society of the Church of England, and were
careful not to interfere with the regular exercises of
that Church. §

But the congreation soon outgrew its new accommo-
dations, and the need of a chapel of its own became

* It is not verj' clear whether this removal took place before or
after Captain Webb's arrival, but it seems most likely after.

f Mr. G. P. Disosway, Christian Advocate, vol. vii, p. 85.

X Greenleaf's History of the Churches of Ktiu York, p. 225, and
Christian Advocate, vol. xxviii, p: 114.

§ During the Revolution this rigging-loft was owned by a Mr.
Warner, who was compelled by the British to make sails for them.
His grandson, Mr. E. H. Warner, married a sister of the Rev. John
Summerfield, || and their daughter is the wife of the Rev. Alexander
McLean, of the New York East Conference. The building was
standing until 1854. The lower part was used as a store, its last
occupant being a card-engraver. The accompanying view gives a
good idea of its appearance in its later years, as will be remembered
by many now living.

The following narrative of a visit to the building may amuse and
interest: " Passing along a certain street, and seeing the house which
had been once occupied as the Primitive Methodist meeting-house,
then a small store, I concluded to step in and inquire whether any

[ Christian Advocate, vol. liv, p. 210.

26 A History of Methodism in New York City.

evident. Either the same good lady Avho had aroused
Embury from his inactivity, or perhaps the other
claimant of that honor, made the matter a subject of
prayer, and, as she said, " received with inexpressible

facts concerning its early days had ever been spoken of in the pres-
ence of the present occupant. I had taken for granted that the in-
tnaies slioidd be New Yorkers; but I was no sooner entered than I
perceived it was used by a debonair foreigner, who, with much
vivacity and seeming politeness, was already on the qui vive. and
earnestly a])proacliing from a back apartment. It struck me instantly
as an affair rnal a propos on both sides, for T could readily read
in his countenance that he expected in me a guest by whom
to make his profit. It was not, perhaps, to the credit of the gen-
tleman that I should beforehand conceive that he would revolt at any
question about a Methodist meeting-house, let me put it in what form
of gentleness I would, but it was so. I had no sooner, in set words of
intended brevity, told the object of m'y stepping in, than I perceived
' the hectic of the moment' flush his cheeks, and I began to think that
if I could only preserve m}"- self-poss"Ssion I might see the veritable
enactment of ' Monsieur Tonson' himself. His first replication was,
' 0, saire! what have I to do wid de Metodist meeting?' "Excuse
me, sir,' I replied, ' that is what I cannot answer, because I came to
ask you what you might iiave ever heard of this house.' 'Why,
saire, what have you to do wid dis house?' 'Very much,' said I,
'as a matter of curiosity; for here, it was said, was cradled a re-
ligious people, now the strongest in numerical force in the United
States.' 'Ah, saire, dat is noting to me; I am no Metodist.'
'0, sir,' said I. ' of that I am fully satisfied.' 'Then, saire, what do
you want ? ' 'I told you at first, sir, whc!i I introduced myself and
subject.' 'I have no interest in the subject,' said he. 'So I per-
ceive,' said I, 'and I am only sorry I have engaged so much of your
time to so little of mutual profit.' Perceiving him so tempest-tost on
so small a subject, all ' to waft a feather or to drown a fly,' I con-
strained him to hear me a little longer, while I should tell him a
little of the primitive history of the house, under the plausible kind-
ness of enabling him to give more direct answers to future in-
quirers if ever again questioned concerning his very notable
premises. His nervous impatience in the meantime was apparent
enough, but he had to bear it to please my humor, for it was im-
possible to quarrel with my gentleness and urbanity, and he, possi-

Growth. 27

sweetness and power the answer, 'I the Lord will do
it.'" A plan was suggested, ns she believed, divinely,
and was approved by the society, and she thiis became
the architect of the iirst Methodist Episcopal church in
America. Captain Webb, without whose aid the en-
terprise would probably not have been attempted,
entered heariily into it, and headed the subscription
paper ; land was obtained, and the work of building
soon commenced.

In the early settlement of the city, land was often
assigned to individuals or companies, either as a re-
ward for services or as an inducement to improve it
or use it for some business likely to be a benefit to the
community. About 1676, the tan-pits in Broad Street
having been declared a nuisance, and the tanners ordered
to remove, a tract of land bounded by Maiden Lane,
Broadway, Ann Street, and a line between William
and Gold Streets was granted, either gratuitously or
for a small sum, to a company of shoe-makers, who
were also tanners. Their names were John Harpen-
dinck (or Harpending), Heiltje Clopper, Charles Lod-
wirk, Abraham Santford, and Carsten Luersen. This
property became known as the shoe-makers' pasture or
land, and in 1696, when Maiden Lane was regulated,
the ground was surveyed and divided into lots.*
Nearly in the center of this plot rose an eminence which
was called Golden Hill.f An event connected with

bly, could not but be half afraid that lii.s troubler was ' lunatic and sore
vexed,' as one too often affected from the glimpses of the moon. "We
parted with mutual bows and civilities, and both 'preserved our
honors.'" "Watson's Annals of New York, p. 360.

* See a map of it in Valentiat' s Manual, 1860, p. 526.

f So called, it is said, because of the rich gold color of the wheat
sometimes ripening upon it. Paper by G. P. Disosway in a scrap-book
prepared by H. Onderdonk, Esq., iu the Astor Library.

28 A History of Methodism in New Yorac City.

the agitation preceding the Revolution afterward
made the name memorable.* A street cut through this
ground, running parallel with Maiden Lane from the
East River to Broadway, was named, a part of it,
Golden Ilill Street, and a part John Street, after John
Ilarpendinck.

On the south side of this street, between Nassau and
William Streets, rather nearer to Nassau, a site was ob-
tained for the church. At first it was leased, and the
original lease (as printed by Dr. Wakeley, Lost Chap-
ters, etc., '[). 51) is given in Appendix B.f The next day
a deed of sale was given. J This seems to have been
for some technical purpose, as another deed of sale is
dated November 2, 1770.§

The Mary Barclay from wliom the property was
obtained was the widow of the Rev. Henry Bar-
clay, second rector of Trinity Cliurch. He succeeded
the Rev. William Yesey, in 1746. || After a suc-
cessful ministry he died deeply lamented, August 20,
17G4.f

The lease describes the land na in the north ward of
the city. This will sound strangely to one familiar
with the locality now. It is included in the second
ward at j^resent.

It will be seen, by the paper, that the original
deed dates back to 1696, when the Shoe-makers' Ground
was divided. An entry in the " old book " corroborates

* See sketch of Isaac Sears, Appendix E.

fDr. Wakeley speaks of the paper as iu his possession. But
he does not say where it came from, nor has tlie writer been able
find it.

\ See Appendix C. ) Both of these docnments are in the hands of

§ See Appendix D. ) the trustees of the Eighteenth Street Church.

II Vesey and Barclay Streets bear their names.

■[[ Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 54.

Growth. 29

the statement that the ground was fii-st leased. It
reads, "August 1, 1769. To cash paid William Lupton,
which he lent to pay the ground rent, £li 105." * Two
years and seven months later the land Avas bought.
The deed of sale Avas indorsed, " Mr. Joseph Forbes to
Rev. llichard Boardman and others. Release, dated
2 November, 1770." Who this 3Ir. Joseph Forbes
was, into whose hands the title to the property had
come, we have no means of ascertaining. It is notice-
able, however, that he is called a cordwainer, and was,
therefore, an appropriate owner "of "Shoemaker's
ground." f

By what, when we think of it carefully, must seem a
remarkable Providence, a copy of the subscription
paper and of the list of subscribers to the old church
has been preserved to this day. It is found in the
" Old Book " already referred to. The paper lias been
much and justly praised. Bishop Janes and many
others expressed their profound admiration of it.J It
is given here strictly according to the original copy as
to spelling, contractions, and capitals:

" Preamble of the Subscription list, with the Names
of the Subscribers, and respectives sums given
Anext.

''A number of persons desirous to worship God in
spirit and in truth, Commonly call'd Methodists (under

* Tliis is our first reference to the old account- book which Dr.
Wakel -y uses so interestingly in liirf volume entitled Lost Chapters
liecovered, etc. For a description of it see Preface.

fOn May 1, 1785, the trustees bought additional land in John
Street of Leonard Lispenard, Sr., and on April 12, 1786, made
another purchase from the Reformed Dutch Church. The deeds for
these pieces of property are also in the hands of the trustees of the
Eighteenth Street Cliurch.

if "Wakeley's Lost Chapttrs, p. 68.

30 A History of Methodism in New York City.

the direction of the Revd. Mr. John Wesley), whom it
is Evident God h.is often heen pleased to Bless in their
Meetings in New York, Thinking it Avo'd be more for
the Glory of God and the good of souls, had they a
more Convenient })lace to meet in, where the Gospel of
Jesus Christ might be preach'd without distinction of
Sects or partys, And as ]\[r. Philip Embery is a mem-
ber and helper in the Gospel, they Humbly beg the
Assistance of Christian friends, in Order to Enable
them to Build a Smal liouse for that purpose, Not
doubting But the God of all Consolation will AV)un-
dantly Bless all such as are willing to Contribute to the
Same."

The list of subscribers which follows has been care-
fully copied from the original, and several errors in
that in the Lost Chapters corrected, a few of which
will be noted.

There ax'e two hundred and fifty-nine subscriptions,
but some of them are additional amounts to the same
name, making the number of subsci-ibers not more
than two hundred and fifty. Consideiing the cir-
cumstances, and especially the value of money* in those
days, they gave liberally. The writing seems to be that
of Mr. Lupton.

The list is given as it stands. There are errors in
spelling, etc., but it is thought best to attempt no cor-
rection here. The totals denote the footings of each
column in the original, except that following the name
of Samuel Schuyler.

£ S. D. ! £ S. D.

Thomas Webb :-!0 Christopher Stimets ... 5 00

WilHani Lupton 20 [Stiraets is in different ink.]

James Jnrvis 10 I. Robuck 10

Charles White 5 Oliver Delancy 6 10

Benju. Huget 5 John Crugar 5

*The poimd at that time was equivalent to two dollars and a half. See
p. 99, where we find £4 lOs. reckoaed as twelve dollars.

Growth.

£ S. D.

Mr. Abthorp 3 5

James Delancv 3 5

Rob't Lake.." 5

Rev. Mr. Ahnnity 2

Rev. Mr. Op:velsvie. . . . 1 12 G

Rev. Mr. English 1 12 6

104 5

Grove Bend 3 5

John Crook 3 5

Paul Heck 3 5

Jo.seph Pearson 3 2

Gose Courtland 2 18

Mr. Graham 1 10

James Jauncy 4 13

Henry Newton 3 5

Richard Sauce 3 5

N.B 6

Mary Arther... . ." 8

Mrs. Stapel 16 3

Mrs. Hauser 8

John Velt House 1

135 11 3

Mr. Muson Ward 8

Mr. Moral 112 6

Corn. Sebriiig 8

Isaac Sebrin<r 8

Wliiteheud Cornal 6 6

Sebrin^ 4

Mrs. Johnston 8

Susanna Letson 8

Jacob Hick 1

[without dot.]

Hanah Holding 4

Sarah Alboid IG

Mr. (or M rs.) Glassford . 8

Lambert Garrison 10

Kdwd. U<rht 1

Peter R. Levingston. . . 2

Alexr. Hulchin 1 10

Jacob Hollet 1 10

James Beatm;in 16 3

Pliilip Levingston 16 3

Joseph Drake 8

James Peters 010

Nicholas Quaekinbush. 16 3

Cathno. Frank 4

Mrs. Coipiu 8

£ s. D.

John "Wessel 5

Michl. Howert 8

Mrs. Lyon 4

Abni. Mountany 8

Mr, Bamper 16 3

Cash 12 <i

Thos. Petel 8

Thos. Whaley 8 U

Sainl.Yeilkin'ham 8 U

Cash 12

Mrs. Coolev 8

Mrs. Comniin 8

Jasper Cavour 1

158 16 3

Thompson & Selby 8

G. Golet 8

John Marks 8

D. Goldsmith, Jr 2

Wm Bur 1 6

Wm Rhilander 10

John Clark 8

Simon Brastead 10

Girthy Hodge 10

Klish. Cusign 10

John Brandon I

Wm. Pearson 6 6

Mr. Rhilander 16

Goo. Croslev 8

Mr-. Slyder 4

Capln. Davis 10

Rachell 9

Margrett 7

Mr. Bartow 1

Mrs. Deverix 8

Wm. Williams 10

Mrs. McCoy 8

Mrs. Heys 1 4

Wm. Eustick 1

Francis Jones 15

Michl. Cross 1

Mr. Stryer 4

Mr. Ranscar 10

Christian Schulass 10

l-:iish. Park 2

James Hollet 10

Mr. Harvey 8

Thos. Durham 110

Henry Van Vleck 2

32 A IIisTORV OF Methodism in New York City.

-Z S. D.

James Lous-li 4

Doctor Be:iid 1 10

Mr. Trimper 4

182 8 3

Mr. Miset 4

AVm. Webb 1

Geo. Hopson 112 6

Adam Gilcrist 1 12 6

Mr. (or Mrs.) Lispeiiard. 2 10 6

D.ivid Clarksoii 10

G. W. L 1

Cish 10

Tlios. Bell 1

Rev. Mr. Nizer 16

A. Beriinger 10

Xancy CrosfiU 1

Mary Newton 10

Joliii Mountany 8

Mrs. Buller 8

Mrs. Bell 8

Tiios. Taylor 10

]<:dwd. Caskallen 1

Vail Tetler 1

Benjn. Ogderi in work. . 10

Phiil Couuhraniiido. . . 2

Mr.s. Burliey 2

David Grim 8

Sweeny 2

Peter Van Skiack 14

Van Every 1 10

Vander Vort 1 4

Meeks 2 3

Giles 1 10

David Embury 2

Jackson 012

Captn. Thos. Clark 1

Capln. St. A. Crow 1 12 6

Danl. Xeal 16

Chas. McCivers 1 12 6

Isaac Low 1 4

David Mathews 16 3

Thos. Witter 16 3

221 19 6

Joseph Read 13

Garret Beatman 1

Thos. Elison 16

Richd. Everts 4

£ s. D.

Mr. Grant 6

Mrs. L. L 16 3

John Sayre 3 3

John Marstin 8

Captn. Randie 16

Mrs. Read 1

Mr. Axtell 3 5

Gilbert Furbiish 13

Michl. Thody 8

Mary Ten Eyck h

Henry Cuyler 16 3

Mr. King 16

Chas. Williams 16

Xich' Steverson 1

Josepli Read 1 8

Cash 2

Thos. Marstin 8

Thos. Walton 10

Widow McCivers 14

John Walts 2

Doctr. Mallet 16 3

Abm. Wilson 16 3

Abm. Lynson 12

Antliv. Rntcas OK;

Timothy Hust 12 6

Thos. Barrow 13

Doctr. Midleton 16 3

John Dunscomb 16

Rachel Creshong 4

John Mott 13

Mr. I. Tavlor 8

Henry While 1

John Cregear 6

Jolm Roberts 8

251 '.) 6

Thos. Moore 1 1

Elias Debruce 16

Jolm Cuk 2

Mr. Comaline IG

Doctr. Kisam 13

Hudulf Ritsmau 1

Wm. Kelly 16

NathL Maf-stin 1 12 6

Tnos. Vandrill 2 6

Chas. Barrow 8

James Diiaine 2

Theod. Van Wyck 2

Tlios. Jones 1 14

Growth.

£ s. n.

John Haris Cruger. . . . 19 6

Curtracrht 1 12 6

';^ 2

A. U 1 12 6

B. R. E 1 12 6

Verpleck 1 4

Mr. Ludlow 16 3

Wni. Ludlow 1 4

C. Ludlow 1

F. Smith IG 3

A. Hamsley 1

T. Atwood 16 3

P. Rarasoii 16 3

Mr. Fenton 8

Mr. Faitly 2

Mr. Bunvar 1 12

Mr. Yeats 16 3

Fredk. Depoister 16 3

Mr. Bull 10

Mr. Bead: 1

Mr. Ludlow 9

Captn. Lonec 8

Mr. Van Horn 1

Henry Holand 16

Thos. Tucker 112

Richd. Cursou 10

Cash 4

Mr. Cook 4

294 4 2

Mr. Raise 4

David Johnston 112 6

Isaac Sears 1

Lawyer Wickham 19 6

Henry Newton More.. 6 15

John Casner 1

Richd. Waldron 16

Mr. Saml. Schuyler 3 4 3

John Leake

James Jarvis

SaiEuel Sellij-

Georse Hopson. ...

William Lupton. . .

John Cliavo

Charles Morse. . . .

John Staples

Steplieii Sands. . . .

Phihp Kbert

Thomas Diu'lumi. .

Thomas Duncan. .

Eliz. De Forreest. .

Mrs. Grav

Mrs. Auderson. . . .

K. P

14
4

Capt. Heclit

John Bowden. . . .

W. X

8
16

Thomas Brinkkr.

Xathl. Child

H. X

Drx. E

W. E

8
4

Lewis Faugers. . . .

Richard Saii.se. .. .

Mrs. Hickev

Peter Grim

William Rliilauder.

Beiijn. and Wm.

Rhi-

lander

Charles White

.... 3

Thomas "Webb g

iven

m mterest upoi

his

bond

418

nnr^ -. - ^ Note.— This column Is written in
309 lo 6 paler Ink.*

In looking over the list we will be surprised at the
absence of two names. One is that of John Southwell,
one of the original trustees, as we learn from the deed.
He is there called a merchant, and we cannot help but

* Such information as can bo obtained in regard to these sub-
scribers will be found in Appendix E.

34 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

ask why he is not among the subscribers. In the in-
ventory of furniture bought for the preaclier's liouse
we read of money jiaid to Mrs. White and Mrs. South-
well for a pair of sheets, and also to Mrs. Southwell for
a saucepan. Perhaps he failed in duty here, though we
would prefer to believe that somewhere among the
subscriptions put down as cash, or with merely initial
letters, his contribution is hid. In 1773 it is stated in
the " Old Book" that Boardman, Pilmoor, Webb, and
Southwell had left the province. He must, there-
fore, have been a loyalist, but we do not find his name
in the pubUshed lists of the loyalists. The Palatines
were tenants of Lord Southwell in Ireland; perhaps
this John Southwell was a relative of his. It is also
singular that the published journals of Mr, Asbury do
not contain liis name.

But Philip Embury's name is not there. That, how-
ever, may be easily explained. He was comparatively a
poor man, and gave his time and strength to the work.
His saw and plane and hammer were diligently used
on the timber of the building, and though we find
some payments were made to him, amounting in all to
£28 I3s. 11(7., we can readily believe that these were but
a partial compensation for his labor. No doubt his con-
tribution equaled, all things considered, that of any of
his brethren. Not the least hint is given that he failed
to do his part. Thomas Bell tells us he (Bell) worked
six days on the building, whether for wages or gratu-
itously he does not say. David Norris, a carpenter,
received more than one hundred pounds for material
and labor, and John Gasner between ten and eleven
pounds for painting and glazing. Samuel Edmonds
(the grandfather of Judge Edmonds, a prominent be-
liever in spiritualism), received more than five hundred
pounds for mason work and material.

Growth. 35

Mr. Wesley sent fifty pounds collected in England.
Under date of October 30, 17G9, which must have been
immediately after Mr. Boardman's arrival in New York,
we find in the "Old Book" this entry: "By cash re-
ceived from Mr, Boardman: 1 moidore, 48^.; ldo.,46.s.;
1 If guineas at 36.?. — £25 16s." This is evidently a part
of the fifty pounds; all, probably, that was sent in cash,
the rest being in books, to be sold, not only for the
pecuniary but spiritual benefit of the Church. On the
same page, therefore we find this: "1770, 31st March,
by cash received from Mr. Pilmoor, on account of books
sold, brought from England, seven half jo., at 64s.
each, £22 8s." This makes, with the cash above re-
ported, £48 4s. Some books no doubt remained unsold,
but it speaks well for the intelligence and spirituality of
the early Methodists that so many were disposed of in
so short a time. But not from England alone did the
John Street congregation receive help. The first entry
of the current account in the " Old Book " reads : " By
cash from Mr. Webb, which he brought from Philadel-
phia, £32." The Methodists of the City of Brotherly
Love had as yet no church of their own ; they were
worshi])ing, as their New York brethren had been
doing, in a rigging-loft, but they send a token of Chris-
tian affection. From the letter of Thomas Bell* we learn
that the building cost six hundred pounds sterling.

While the church-building enterprise was in progress
the society began to feel the need of a pastor who could
devote his time exclusively to the work. A letter was
written to Mr. Wesley, stating their circumstances and
asking for " a man of wisdom, of sound faith, and a
good disciplinarian." It was signed T. T., and was no
doubt from the pen of Thomas Taylor,f one of those to
whom the lease was given in 1768.

* See Appendix G. f See Appendix F.

36 A History of Methodism is New York City.

CHAPTER IV.

THK FIRST GARNER.

At last Wesley Chapel, the first Methodist church
building in America,* stands ready for occupation. To

* Xevv York Methodists will claim that it was the Jirst. For a
disctission of the title of Strawbridgo Chapel to the priority, see
"Wul'L-eley's Lost Chapters, chapters xvii, xviii, and xix, and p. 5!)0 ;
Daniel's Illustrated Historij of Methodism, p. 376, etc.; Atkinson's Cen-
tennial History of American Methodism, p. 1 5, etc. ; Steven.'^'s History
of Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. i, p. 72; Cooper's Funeral Di'^course
on the deatli of Bishop Asbury, pp. 72, 73, edition of 1819; TFes/ej/'s
Journal, August 3, 1760. The substance of tiie whole is that Wesley
heard of none of earlier date than that in New York (he calls it the
first Methodist preaching- house in America). Lee, Cooper, Garrett-
son, Mvorrell, and Boehm (all early authorities, the first a native of
Virginia, the second and third natives of Maryland, and all three
familiar with tlie region in which Sirawbridge labored) testify in
favor of ]<]mbury and New York; Daniels and Lednum in favor of
Sirawbridge and Maryland; Atkinson Is in doubt; and Stevens de-
clares himself open to correction. There is uncertainty as to the
dates in the Sirawbridge case. As to that of Embury, there is no
doubt that it was at least as early as 1766, and some testimony
would place it at 1763 or 1760. f The advocates of the Straw-
bridge claim lay great stress on the fact that Asbury, " b}'^ a remark
in his Journal, in 1801, gives historical precedence to the Marj'land
society." At first sight the passage may seem so to do, but. studied
with its context, it is capable of another interpretation, which is more
in harmony with other testimony from the bishop. He was attending
Conference at Pipe Creek in the early part of May, 1801. The peo-
ple, he says, "were kind," and he and the preachers "iiad ricli enter-
tainmeixt." It may be presimied that he heard at the table and else-
where a good deal from this hospitable people about the priority of
tJieir society. If it had convinced him, the entry in his Journal

tWakeley's -Lost CTifljifcr?, p. 179.

The First Garxek, 37

every genuine Methodist its appearance is of more in-
terest than that of the finest cathedral ever erected for
Christian worship. Its exterior is familiar to us from
the engraving which is given on the opposite page.
The ground being higher than the expected level of the

would probably liave read, "Here Mr. Strawbridge formed the first
society in America;" tlie word Maryland would have been superflu-
ous. But he writes, " The fir.st society in Maryland," and then, after
a hyphen, tlie two words in italics, " and America,'''' (they are hoik
italicized in the first edition of the Journal); so it reads "the first
society in Maryland — and America,'''' which may be undei'stood, j^os-
sihly in America. But whatever lie may have thought about the
location of the first society, he says nothing about the chapel. If he
believed ihe Pipe Creek building to be the earliest, why did lie leave
the preface to the Discipline uncorrected during the nearly fifteen
succeeding years of his life, and why leave his intimate friend Cooper
in error? and how was it that Henry Boehm, the bishop's traveling
companion for five years, who was with him several times at Pipe
Creek, never heard, either from the bishop or any one else, "any claim
that Methodism in Maryland was earlier than in New Tork," or,
"that the log meeting-house in Maryland was erected fir.st?"* Were
Asbury's prejudices against Strawbridge so strong that he could not
do liim justice? It must be confessed tliat he does show some animus
against Strawbridge, especially if the entry in his Journal of September
3, 1781, refers to him. It reads: "I visited the Bush Chapel. The
people here once left us to follow another. Time was when the labors
of their leader were made a blessing to them ; but pride is a busy sin.
He is now no more: upon the whole, I am inclined to think tiie Lord
took him away in judgment because he was in a way to do hurt to
his cause; and that he saved him in mercy because, from his death-
bed conversation, he appears to have had hope in his end." " Asburj-'s
great military soul could pardon almost any offense but insubordina-
tion to authority. Not only Strawbridge's persistence in the admin-
istration of the sacraments but his contiiuied charge of the Sam's Creek
and Brush Forest congregations displeased the bishop." Stevens's
History of Metliodist Ejnscnpal Church, vol. i, p. 79. But we cannot
suppose that this woidd lead him to persist in a statement he be-
lieved to be false.

* See, carefully, H. Boebm's letter, Wakclcy's Lost Chajptert-, p. 590.

41B596

38 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

street, the entrance to the building was placed a few
steps below the surface. When the work of grading
was done, however, it was found that not sufficient al-
lowance had been made, and the building stood above
the line of the sidewalk. The house in antique Dutch
style on the right of the engraving, and partly in
front of the church, was evidently there before the
church was erected. It was occupied as a parsonage,
and in it also was kept the Methodist library, of whiih
the preachers had charge, giving out books on Friday
evening after service. The basement was the dwelling
of the sexton.* In front was a tight board fence, in
which was a gate-way and a small door between it and
the parsonage. Within it Avas an area, paved with
brick, about thirty feet wide. The edifice was forty-
two by sixty feet. It was built of rough stone covered
with light blue plaster. The center door-way and cir-
cular window above it were arched with brick painted
red, as appears from the old colored engraving.f Be-
sides this circular window we see three upper windows
and a door on each side of the central door, but at a
higher level. These communicated with the galleries,
the women using that on the right and the men that on

* Short Risiorical Account of the Early Society of Methodists, Estab-
lished in tlie City of Ntiv York, p. 6.

f The engraving referred to, %yliich is believed to be tlie original of
all that liave been published, is the fromispieco of a large pamphlet,
fifteen by twelve inches, issued in 1824 by "W. & P. C. Smith, en-
titled, A Short Historical Account of the Early Society of Method-
ists, Established in the City of New York. It is from a picture
painted, I believe, by one of the publishers, who were sons of Joseph
Smith, a prominent member who died in 1840, after a membership of
more than fifty j^ears. A tablet to his memory is in the present
John Street Church. The copy of the pamplilet in the hands of the
author of this lacks the engraving, but it may be found in the copy
in the library of the New York Historical Society.

The First Garner. 39

the left. These, hoAvever, are said to have been added
at a later period. If so there were probably windows
tliei'e when the house was built. Rev. D, Devinne says
the picture is a good one, and thinks there was but little
alteration from the time it was built.*

For a view of the interior, however, we have to
depend on such meager traditions as have come down
to us. The pulpit, built, we are told, by Embury's own
hands, stood opposite the door, probably very nearly on
the spot occupied by that of the present buildiug. As
to its height and general appearance testimonies differ.
One witness,! who was familiar with the building from
1806 until the close of its history, thinks that from the
floor to the book-board it was about seven or eight feet.
If so, the elevation of the platform could not have been
above four feet. Another,^ wlio, however, was in it
but a few times, estimates the platform at about
three feet high, with a railing in front. But Dr.
N. Bangs § says the pulpit was " so high that a per-
son in the altar could stand beneath it, and so narrow
that only one person could occupy it at one time. It
had three steps in it to accommodate the heights of the
several preachers." It always made him dizzy to preach
from it. Mr. Disosway thinks three persons could oo-
cujjy the pulpit at once. He says it had a flight of
steps on the west side which were straight, not wind-
ing. It is not probable that any altar rail was put in
at first. The Methodists, until 1784, were accustomed
to go to the Church of England for the sacraments,
and the practice of inviting seekers to the altar was not

* Methodist, vol. xvi, p. 243.
f C. R. Disosway, Esq.
\ Mrs. Joseph Loiigking.

§ Address at laying coruer-stone of Yorkville second Church (now
Park Avenue), Christian Advocate, vol. xxxiii, p. 137.
4

40 A History of Methodism in New York City.

introduced, at least in New York, until 1806.* For
many years the interior was only partly finished. The
gallery had neither breastwork, nor stairs, nor seats.
Men and boys reached it by a ladder and sat on the
floor of the platform. For a long while the seats on
the lower floor were without backs and unpainted ;
but it was neat and clean, the floor sprinkled with sand.
Mr. Disosway says that, barring the pulpit and the gal-
leries, it looked like a Quaker meeting-house. f Immedi-
ately in front of the pulpit was a square space in which,
in cold weather, was a wood stove, with benches around
it. J These warm seats were, of course, the favorite resort
of the boys; and, just before the preacher commenced
his sermon, the sexton would shoo, or drive them away.
In warm weather, also, he did the same to the boys on
the Avindow-sills of the galleries, as he said they
stopped the air from coming in. Mr. Disosway thinks
the church had no lamps. § He remembers that, in the
center, there was a chandelier, Avith brass sockets, and
he tliinks there must have been " branches " against the
walls. These were filled with tallow candles, || which
the sexton used to snuff at intervals with his fingers.
A clock was on the gallery in front of the pulpit. This,

* See pp. 85, 170.

f Mrs. Longking says it looked like a country school-liouse. She
thinks the seats had straight backs. Tliere was nothing liire pews,
as in cliurches generally. The seats and floor were scrubbed %'ery
■white. At Iier first visit she looked in at the door and stood hesitat-
ing, when an old lady said to her: "Come in; it's as free as the
kingdom of heaven."

\ This was probably " tiie large square pew in front of the altar "
in wliich, Mrs. Mason says, " the phm of Sabbath-school operations
ws determined." Life of Mrs. Mary W. Mason, p. 70.

§ Here, however, he is probably mistaken in part. In the '• Old
Book " tliere are cliarges for lamps, but it is likely these were used
only in the pulpit, as there are also charges for candles.

II Bat the " Old Book " has charges for spermaceti candles.

The First Garner. 41

it was said, came from England and was tlie gift of
John Wesley.* It is in the lecture-room of the present
church, still keeping good time. An inscription on it
reads, " Be ye also read}^, for in such an hour as ye
think not, the Son of man cometh." Matt, xxv, 44.
For more than one hundred years it has been telling
the time — those to whom it first told it, and thousands
who have looked on it since, have gone to their graves;
but it still ticks on, and will probably do so when the
writer and his readers have no more to do with time.

In the Colonies, as well as in England, tnose who
Avere not of the "Church as by law established," were
dissenters, and not allowed to erect regular churches, at
least in the city; the new building was, therefore, pro-
vided with a fire-place and cliimney to avoid "the dif-
ficulty of the law," making it thereby technically a
dwelling-house.

The building would hold about seven hundred, f and no
doubt was well filled when, on October 30, 1768, Philip
Embury, having laid aside his saw and plane and hammer,
entered the pulpit. The text of that first sermon, we are
told, was Hos. x, 12: "Sow to yourselves in righteous-
ness, reape after the measure of mercie; break up your
fallow ground, for it is time to seeke the Lord, till he
come and raine righteousnes upon you." J The breaking
up of the fallow ground and the sowing in righteousness

* But a writer in Chrintian Advocate, vol. Ixi, p. 379, says Embury
brought it from Ireland, and C. R. Disosway, Esq., in a note to the
autlior, says lie lias doubts about the clock.

f Mr. Boardman wrote to "Wesley in 1769: "Our liouso contains
about 1700 persons." A typographical error no doubt for 700.

\ This is the reading of the passage as it stands in what is called
the Embury Bible, wliich is said to be the book wliich Emburj' used
on that occasion. It is now in the care of Mrs. John A. Currier, of
Fulton Street, New York. An account of it will be found in the
Appendix H.

42 A History of Methodism in New York City.

was begun; the Lord was souglit, and he was about to
rain righteousness upon them. No especial services of
dedication seem to have been used, and we Avill all agree
with Embury, that " the best dedication of a pulpit was
to preach a good sermon in it."*

The house was soon filled with hearers. In May,
1769, Thomas Bell,f speaking of Embury and Webb,
writes: " The Lord carries on a very great work b\' these
two men." In the following November, shortly after
his arrival, Boardman wrote Wesley: "About a third
part of those who attend get in, the rest are glad to
hear without. There appears such a willingness in the
Americans to hear the word as I never saw before." J

*Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 110.

f Letter of Tlioinas Bell, Appendix G.

J Stevens's History of Methodist Episcopal Church vol. i, p. 103.

More Laborers. 43

CHAPTER V.

MORE LABORERS.

The first news of the Avork in America reached Mr.
Wesley, probably through the letter of Thomas Taylor,
written in April, 1768.* In the Minutes for 1769, when
the Conference met at Leeds, he said to the preachers:
" We have a pressing call from our brethren of New
York to come over and help them. Who is willing to
go?" At first, it seems, there was some hesitation
about volunteering, nor can we wonder at it. A voyage
across the Atlantic Ocean was a serious thing in those
days, and it is not improbable that the spirit of inde-
pendence, which was beginning to exhibit itself in the
Colonies, made them less attractive to men who, like
their spiritual father, were loyal to the crown of En-
gland. The Conference, we are told, sat in silence, no
man answering. The next morning Mr. Wesley, as
was his custom, preached at five o'clock, and took for
his text, " I have nourished and brought up children,
and they have rebelled against me." When Conference
re-assembled the appeal was repeated, and then was re-
sponded to by Richard Boardraan and Joseph Pilmoor.f

Richard Boardman had been in the work about six
years, and was about thirty-one years of age. Wesley
calls him " a pious, good-natured, sensible man, greatly
beloved of all that knew him." One Methodist histo-
rian I describes him as " a man of great piet}^, amiable

* Appendix F.

f Stevens's History of Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. i, p. 95.
:]: Atmore, p. 58; Sievens's Histonj of Mdhodist Episcopal Church.
vol. i, p. 95.

44 A History of Methodism in New York City.

disposition, and strong understanding." Asbuiy says lie
was a "kind, loving, worthy man, truly amiable and
entei'tainiiig, and of a child-like temper." Two years
at least among the fervid Methodists of Yorkshire had
added to his zeal, and a season on the rugged circuit of
the " Dales," with its hard travel, incessant work, and
wintry storms, had trained him for the perils and hard-
ships of a new country.* He was mourning the recent
loss of his wife, when he set out for Bristol to embark.
He preached on the way as opportunity offered, and no
doubt excited as much interest among his hearers as a
missionary to the heart of Africa would create at the
present day.

Joseph Pilmoor was converted in his sixteenth year
through the preaching of Wesley, had been educated at
Kingswood school, and had labored about four years in
Cornwall and Wales. He was a man of commanding
presence, with a ruddy complexion and strong voice,
ready of speech, and of much executive ability.

The two evangelists embarked at Bristol, in the latter
part of August, 1769, and, after a rough passage of
nine Aveeks, arrived at Gloucester Point, six miles below
Philadelphia, on the 24th of October. Captain Webb
was in Philadelphia to receive them, and after a few
days spent there, leaving Pilmoor to minister to a
society of about one hundred members in that city,
Boardman hastened to New Y^ork.

But the Macedonian cry, " Come over and help us,"
had reached the ears of others besides the members of
the Wesleyan Conference. Robert \Villiams,f a local
preacher, applied to Mr. Wesley for authority to preach
in America, and permission was given, provided he

* For several interesting incidents in his experience, see Stevens's
History of Methodist Ejnscopal CJiurdt, vol. i, p. 96, etc.
f Nothing about liis early history- can be found.

Moke Laborers. 45

would labor under the direction of the missionaries who
were about to be sent over. His friend Ashton was
preparing to emigrate, and learning that he was about
to embark, Williams hurried to the port, sold his horse
to pay his debts, and, taking his saddle-bags on his arm,
and a loaf of bread and a bottle of milk as his only
provision, hastened to the shij), with no money to pay
his passage, thus following to the veiy letter the direc-
tion of the Master to his disciples, " Provide neither
gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses; nor scrip for
your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet
staves." He trusted that his friend Ashton would pro-
vide the needed funds, and he was not disappointed.
We shall meet with Ashton's name hereafter.

Williams reached New York in September, 1 V69,* and
was preaching there when Boardnian arrived. Going
then to Philadelphia and afterwai'd to Maryland, he
labored in conjunction Avith Robert Strawbridge. One
of the fruits of his ministry there was the conversion
of Jesse Lee. He has been called the apostle of Meth-
odism in Virginia. For about six years he was one of
the most effective pioneers. In 1771 we find him in
Xew York again. In the first published Minutes he is
appointed to Petersburg, Va. ; in 1774 he married, and
in 1775 finished his course. Asbury, liaving preached
his funeral sermon, says: "Perhaps no one in America
has been an instrument of awakening so many souls."
To him also is to be ascribed the distinction of being
the first itinerant Methodist preacher in America who
published a book, the first to marry, and the first to
die. In the Minutes of the Conference held in Phila-
delphia, June, 1773 (the first which were published),

* Dr. "Wakeloy, in liis Heroes of Methodism, says October. But in
the " Old Book " we find a charge for a hat for Mr. Williams bought
September 20.

46 A History of Methodism in Neav York City.

among the " rules agreed to by all the preachers present "
we have these: "4. None of the preachers in America
to reprint any of Mr, Wesley's books without his au-
thority (when it can be gotten) and the consent of their
brethren. 5. Robert Williams to sell tlie books he has
already printed, but to print no more unless under the
above restrictions."

The fact that Williams was but scantily provided for
his voyage is illustrated by what we read in the " Old
Book." There, as has already been told, we have a
charge on September 20, 1769, "for a hat for Mr. Will-
iams, £2 5s." On October 9, we find entered " three
pair stockings* for Mr. Williams and Mr. Embury,
£1 Vs. 9c?.," and finally, on "October 30, a cloak for Mr.
Robert Williams, £3 Os. 6f?." Thus he was literally
clothed from head to foot — hat and stockings and cloak.
To the question of the Master, then, " When I sent you
without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any
thing ? " he, like the disciples, could say, " Nothing."

A few more words about Mr. Williams. In March,
1770, he is in New York again, as appears from charges
in the " Old Book " for horsekeeping, postage, flannel,
and medical attendance. In 1771 he is there again, as
we find entries of cash paid to himself and for the keep-
ing of his horse. To the three particulars in which Mr.
WiUiams led the way in this country, as already stated,
another must be added — the first love-feast ticket
known to be in existence was given by him. It bears
the name Hannah Dean (afterward the wife of Paul
Hick), and was not printed, but the whole of it written. f

Boardman, as we have seen, arrived in New York on
or before October 30, 1769, and immediately paid over

* Is this meant for three pair apiece or three pair in all ? If the
last, how did the two good men share them ?
f See Appendix U.

More Laborers. 47

to the treasurer, Mr. William Lnpton, the money sent
by Mr. Wesley to the church. He also jjromptly began
to methodize things. The following minute is found
in the " Old Book " on the third page after the list of
subscriptions: "Mr. Richard Boardman, Assistant to
and Preacher in Connection with the Rev. John Wes-
ley, Also Philip Embury, Local preacher, and William
Lupton, a Trustee and Steward (in N. York), thinking
it Necessary that some regulations should be made for
the Preachers in New York, Agreed, on the 1st of No-
vember, 1769, in New York,

" 1. That each Preacher, having Labored three months
in N. York, Shall receive three Guineas to provide
themselves with Wearing apparel.*

" 2. That there shall be Preaching on Sunday Morn-
ing and Sunday Evening, also on Tuesday and Thurs-
day Evenings, and the Preacher to meet the Society
Every Wednesday Evening." The hours are not speci-
fied, but it is likely that the morning service was held
earlier than that of the Church of England. And now
the wheels of the itinerant engine begin to revolve.
Boardman and Pilmoor spend two or three months al-
ternately in New York and Philadelphia, preaching on
their way back and forth in diiferent parts of New
Jersey. W^e find their names in the old accounts

* Besides this "quarterage," as it would have been called after-
ward, the preachers received their board or housekeepino: expenses.
Generally these are set down in one sum under the title of preachers'
housekeeping, but we have 1770, September- 10, to cash paid for a
Glocester cheese, £0 19s. 2d. "We find, also, payments for their wash-
ing, traveling expenses, liorsekeeping, medicine, and medical attend-
ance, postage, shaving, poll-tax, and paper. As to this last item, the
last page of the " Old Book " is headed " Memorandums," and then
follows: "The Preachers are allowed one quire of writing-paper for
every Quarter, and no more." If preachers in those days would write
sermons they must buy their own paper.

48 A History of Methodism ix Xeav Yoric City.

frequently in connection Avith payments for traveling
expenses, postage, board, and the allowance as had been
decided on.

The name "America" appears in 1770 for the first
time in the list of appointments in the English Minutes,
Four preachers are assigned to it — Joseph Pilmoor,
Richard Boardman, Robert AVilliams, and John King.
In the English Minutes of 1771 we have the first report
of members, the number being three hundred and six-
teen. Another call was made for volunteers in the
new iield, and Francis Asbury and Richard Wright re-
sponded. But before we take a look at these men, one
of whom afterward filled so large a space in the his-
tory of American Methodism, it is necessary to glance
at one or two mattere of some interest to XeAV York
Methodists.

The first of these is the departure of Philip Embury.
The exact date of this cannot be ascertained, but it
must have been between April 10 and August 13,
1770. Under the earlier date Ave read in the " Old
Book:" "To cash paid Philip Embuiy to buy a Con-
cordance, £2 55." This was probably a parting gift
from the society. Then we have, August 13 of the
same year, an entry which tallies Avith a receipt Avhich
"will be found in Appendix E (p. 437). It Avould seem
that something connected Avith the church proj^erty re-
quired his action, and, not being able to come himself
to attend to it, he sent his bi'other as his attorney.
After this the name of Embury disappears from the
" Old Book."

David Embury's journey Avas from Camden, Albany
County, N. Y. To this place Philip and his family and
others removed Avhen they left the city. There is
reason to belicA-e that this Avas not a sudden departure,
as some steps in that direction had been taken nearly

MoKK Lauukkks. 49

five years before.* But the removal of these Paktines
from New York may have been hastened, if it were not
caused in part, by the state of public feeling in the city.
They were loyalists, and were to be commended for
this.f The battle of Golden nill,J had just taken place
(January, 1770), and as peaceable citizens, disposed to
favor the government, they naturally preferred to be
out of the fray. There is no reason to believe that
Embury went especially to plant Methodism in a new
field; there was nothing that called for his labor there
any more than in other places. §

Embury occupied a house Avith Peter Switzer, his
brother-in-law, who owned a farm of two hundred aci'es
one mile north of what is now known as East Salem.
It was a comfortable frame building, twenty by thirty-
five feet, with an old-fashioned piazza in front. The
frame was still standing some twenty j^ears ago, though
removed from its original site, and used as a barn.

While laboring on the farm, and at his trade as car-
penter, Embury also preached and organized classes in
the neighborhood, and to him is generally conceded
the honor of forming the first Methodist society north
of New York city. Thomas Ashton was, no doubt, the
chief pillar in the Ashgrove Society, and his house the
home of the itinerant preachers.|| Here, on July 1, 1803,
the New York Conference held its session, attended, as Ave
learn from Bishop Asbury's Journal, by nearly seventy
members. At the Sunday service the bishop thought

* See Appendix I.

\ See Appendix J. X Sec Appendix E. (p. 443.)

§ B. Hawley, in ClirisHan Advocate, vol. Iviii, p. 820.

II He left a legacy of three acres of ground lor a parsonage, also a
cow for the use of the preaclier, and, though not a bachelor himself,
an annuity of ten dollars to the oldest unmarried preacher of the New
York Conference, lie died in June, 1801. Methodist, vol. vii, p. 353.

50 A History of Methodism in New York City.

they liacl two thousand hearers. " This," says he, " is
a very eligible place for Albany, New York, Genesee, •
Pittsfield, and Vermont Districts; but the Conference
ought to be divided between the two old societies of
New York and Ashgrove." Five Conferences now
occupy the territory then included in one, to say noth-
inof of the whole region of Canada, then attached to the
New York Conference. Ashgrove is in the Troy Con-
ference of this day.

Embury became a magistrate, and was familiarly
known as "the Squire." In the month of August,
1773,* he was mowing beneath a burning sun, and an
attempt was made, by some who worked with him,
to outdo " the Squire." He imprudently overdid him-
self, and was taken with pleurisy, of which he died in a
few da^'s, at the age of forty-live. The venerable
Abraham Bininger attended him during his illness and
officiated at his burial. He found a grave for a season
on the farm of Mr. Bininger (not that of his brother-in-
law, Peter Switzer, as has been stated f), but in 1832
his remains were removed to Ashgrove, and again, during
the session of the Troy Conference at Cambridge, in
1866, they were transferred to that place with appro-
priate services. Embury's widow afterward removed to
Canada West with the Hecks and others of the Irish
Palatines, and settled in the neighborhood of Augusta.
She mariied John Lawrence, one of the little congrega-
tion that listened to the first sermon in Barracks Street,
New York, and died in 1 807, aged sixty-four years. Em-
bury, it is said, was about six feet high, and of well-
developed form.

Turning again to the " Old Book," we find this

♦Letter of Rev. B. Hawley, D.D., Christian Advocate, vol. Ixiii,
p. 240.

'^Methodist, vol. vii, p. 329.

More Laborers. 51

entry: "1770, April 24, to cash paid Mr. Doughty for
instruction in singing, £2 6s." Embury, we are told,
Avas a good singer, and others of the society, no
doubt, could make sweet melody to the Lord; but now
they began to feel the need of more harmony in tune
and time, and Mr. Doughty leads the list of singing-
teachers among the Methodists in America.*

About this time, also, the people began to supply fur-
niture for the parsonage or preacher's house, as it was
then called. Board and lodging had been provided by
Mr. Sause, as we learn by various payments made to
him; but now we have charges for brushes, feather berl,
bolster, pillows, sheets, bedstead, safe, blankets, plates,
chairs, saucepan, and looking-glass; also for preacher's
housekeeping and the wages of Rachel and Mrs. An-
derson. The list of articles bought or borrowed will
be found in Appendix K. Many a Methodist preacher
since that day would have been thankful for as much
furniture as was provided for the house in John Street.f

But the best furnished Methodist parsonage at the
present time would not be likely to be supplied with as
many as " three wine-glasses." And this item in the
" Old Book " is not the only one that suggests thoughts
in regard to the changes that have taken place in the
sentiments and customs of the Christian community.
Those old Methodists not only provided wine-glasses,
but something to put in them. We read: "1771, Feb-
ruary 11, to cash paid Mr. Staples for sugar and wine,
etc., £0 I3s. ddy No other charge of the kind, however,
appears until May 15, 1778, when six bottles of wine
were bought, and on June 23 six bottles of port wine.
On September 11 they got two gallons of spirits, and
at least five more charges of the same kind follow,

* For choristers and singing, see Appendix W.
f For a description of the house, see Appendix L.

52 A History of MEXHODisii ix New York City.

genorally for aboiit the same quantity ; and, lest there
should be any mistake as to its use, it is in two cases
expressly said to be "for the preachers."* Patriotic
Americans may take a little comfort from the fact that
all these charges, except the first, are dated in 1778 and
1779, when New York was occupied by the British army,
and the preachers and people who remained must have
been almost Avithout exception loyalists. But it will be
safest not to throw stones.

And in this connection it may be well to introduce
another transaction, though of a later date, and for
which, therefore, Americans must be held responsible:
"1790, March 29, cash paid for a ticket in the lottery, £2."
We wonder now that colleges, schools, libraries, and
even churches should have been willing to use such
means to obtain funds; but the practice is not altogether
obsolete even now among Methodists. It does not ap-
pear from the book that the venture was ])rofi table, f

But to return to 1770. Under date of October 29
of that year we find in the "Old Book" this entry:
"To cash paid for a deed in trust from Mr. Forbes to
the seven trustees appointed by Richard Boardman,
£3 8.5. bdy This is the charge for preparing the- deed,
etc. The amount paid for t'le ground is stated to be
"ten shillings cu'rent money of the Province of Ncav
York." This, however, must have been only a nomi-
nal payment. What the actual cost of the ground was
is nowhere stated, but it Av^as, it seems, at least six hun-
dred pounds. J

* " Old Book," April 14 and July 7, 1779.

f It has been said that some of the funds for the church building
were obtained by lottery, but no evidence of this can be found.

:]: On a page in the "Old Book," giving an account of debts in July,
176S, we read: '-To tlie Widow Barlley (Barclay), as per mortgage
and bond given, six inmdred poiuids."

The Reapers Begix theik Rounds, 53

CHAPTER VI.

THE REAPERS BEGIN THEIR ROUNDS.

New York and Philadelplii.a were the most promi-
nent centers of action for Metliodist worlv. Boardnian
began his labors at the first and Pilmoor at the other.
Among the first-fruits of Boardman's ministry in New
York "was the conversion of John Mann, who became
a useful preacher and supplied the pulpit at John Street
during the Revolutionary War, when the English preach-
ers had either returned home or gone into retirement.
He also became one of the founders of Methodism in
Nova Scotia, and died there in the peace of the Gospel
after nearly half a century of faithful service." *

After five months Boardman and Pilmoor exchanged,
and the two seem to have alternated between the two
cities three times a year, in the spring, summer, and
autumn, the winter term being five months. f In the
spring of 17V0 Pilmoor wrote from New York to Wes-
ley and the Conference: "Our coming to America has
not been in vain." " Our congregations are large, and
we have the j^ious of most congregations to hear us.
The religion of Jesus is a favorite topic in New York.
Many of the gay and polite speak much about grace
and perseverance." " The society here consists of
about a hundred members, besides probationers." J

In April, 1771, Boardman wrote to Wesley: "It

* Arminian Magazine, 1818, p. 641; Stevens's History of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, vol. i, p. 10-4. f Ibid., vol. i, p. 104.

I Armima,n Magazine, 1784, p. 223; Stevens's History of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, vol. i, p. 106.

54 A History of Methodism in New York City.

pleases God to carry on his work among us. Within
this month we have had a great awakening here."
" We have had nearly thirty added to the society, live
of whom received a clear sense of the pardoning love
of God." He speaks with especial interest of the work
am(mg the Negroes." *

The English Conference of 1771 met at Bristol in
the early part of August. The attention of Mr. Wes-
ley and that of the preachers generally was no doubt
occupied pi'incipally with the Calvinistic controversy,
then in progress. He says: " We had more preachers
than usual at the Conference, in consequence of Mr.
Shirley's circular letter. At ten on Thursday morning
he came, with nine or ten of his friends. We conversed
freely for about two hours ; and I believe they were
satisfied that we were not so 'dreadful heretics' as they
imagined, but were tolerably sound in the faith." f

But something else took place at that Conference,
wliich he does not notice in his Journal, but which was
of more importance to the Church and the world, and
especially to Methodism in America, than an^^ discussion
of free-will and foreknowledge. " Our brethren in
America call aloud for help," said Mr. Wesley. " Who
are willing to go over and help them?" Five volun-
teered, and two were appointed. Some of the three
who, being called, were not chosen might have been
useful in the New World; but surely God's foreknowl-
edge directed the election of one of the two that were
sent, I He was to do more in molding the character
and shaping the economy of American Methodism than

* Arminian Magazine, 1785. p. 113; Stevens's Ilistory of the Mdhodist
Episcopal Church, vol. i, p. in-i. f Wesley's Journal, vol. ii, p. 357.

X It is worthy of notice that Mr. Wesley, lil<e his great Master,
sent out his evangelists in couples: Boardman and Pilmoor, Ashury
and Wright, Rankin and Shadford, Dempster and Rodda, Whatcoat
and Vasey.

The Reapers Begin their Rounds. 55

any other human instrument. Under any other direction
it is not likely that it would have been exactly what
it is, and it would be hardly safe to say that any other
liand could have led it to greater success. In the view
of the Methodist E[>iscopal Church in the United States,
Francis Asbury must always stand next to John AVesley
as an object of reverence and gratitude. Dr. Coke was
a very appropriate messenger to bear across the sea the
authority wnth which Mr. Wesley thought proi)er to en-
dow his representatives in this country; but neither he
nor any of the men that weie here could have used that
authority and performed the labor it involved as wisely
and faithfully as the farmer's boy of Staffordshire.

Asbury was the only son of an intelligent peasant of
the parish of Handsworth, Staffordshire, a man of re-
markable honesty and industry, having all things need-
ful, and who might have been wealthy had he been as
saving as he was laborious. The death of an only daugh-
ter led the mother to a religious life and a passionate
love of books. She trained her only remaining child
with religious care. He never " dared an oath or haz-
arded a lie." He was early sent to school, and at seven
years of age could read the Bible, and "greatly delighted
in its historical parts ; " but his school-master, by his
severity, made school repulsive to him. He lived some
time in one of the wealthiest and most ungodly families
in the parish, and there became vain, but not openly
wicked. He afterward, when thirteen and a half years
of age, went to learn a business, at which he spent six
and a half years. A pious man, not a Methodist, came
into the neighborhood, and was invited to the house
by his mother. Through his conversation and prayers
Francis was awakened before he was fourteen years old,
and began to pray. Hearing of the Methodists, he asked
his mother who and what they were. She gave a favor-
5

56 A History of Methodism in New York City.

able account of them, and directed him to a person who
could take him to hear them. He ^yas delighted with
their singing, and surprised to hear sermons without
notes and wonderful prayers without a pra^'cr-book.
While praying in his father's barn he obtained pardon.
He soon began to hold meetings at his father's house,
exhorting the people there and elsewhere. He was less
than eighteen years of age when he became a local
preacher, and for nearly five years he continued to labor
in the neighborhood, preaching sometimes five sermons
a week, until, when about twenty-one, he went out as
an itinerant to supply the place of an absent preacher.

Asbury was about twenty-six years of age when ap-
pointed to America, and had spent about five years in
hard service on Bedfordshire, Colchester, and Wiltshii-e
Circuits. Though studious and thoughtful, and some-
what inclined to melancholy, his tem})erament was one
of those which can only find rest in labor. He was a
rigid disciplinarian, a man of few words, and those to
the point; of wonderful insight into character; of a
sobriety, not to say severity, of spirit which might
have been repulsive had it not been softened by a deep
religious humility. He seemed to know no fear, never
yielded to discouragement, and never lost his self-pos-
session. The rigid discipline which he would impose
on others he exemplified in himself, so that his asso-
ciates accepted it as a challenge of heroic emulation.
He was somewhat attentive to his apparel, and always
maintained an easy dignity of manner. In his most
familiar poi-trait he has the aspect of a Avar-worn mili-
tary veteran; but in earlier life his frame was robust,
his countenance full, fresh, and expressive of generous,
if not refined, feelings. Six months before the Confer-
ence session of 1771 he had been impressed with the
thought that America was to be his field of labor, and

The Reapers Begix their Rouxds. 57

when Wesley asked for volunteers he was ready to re-
spond, " Here am I, send me." * Though not eminent
as a preacher, lie excelled in prayer and singing. His
favorite hymn was that beginning,

" Still out of the deepest abyss," etc.,

which he was accustomed to sing to the tune called
" Light Street." " He used to say that he had raised up
many a son in the Gospel M-ho could outpreach him,
but never one who could outsing him. He might have
added, never one who could outpray him." f

Richard Wright, his companion, had traveled but
one year. We know little of his history. He spent
most of his time in Maryland and Virginia, and a j)art
of it, in the spring of 1772, in New York. In 1774 he
returned to England, and after three years his name
disappears from the Minutes.

After the Conference closed Asbury went to take
leave of his friends. He was the only child of his par-
ents, yet, he says, " they consented to let me go. My
motlier is one of the tenderest parents in the world;
but I believe she was blessed" "with divine assistance
to part with me." He never saw her again. Some others
of the preachers wiio came to America crossed and re-
crossed the ocean; Asbury never did. But as long as
she lived his mother received from him such remit-
tances as he could send; and to contribute thus to her
comfort was one motive for his persistent celibacy.

He arrived at Bristol to embark without a penny for
his expenses. But the Lord soon opened the hearts of
friends, who supplied him with clothes and ten pounds.
He "had but two blankets for his bed, and slept with
them on the hard boards during the voyage."

* Condensed from iitevens'a Illstori/ of the Methudisi Episcopal Church,
vol. i, pp. 111-117. j Lednum, p. 311.

58 A HisTOKY OF Methodism in New York City.

The ship sailed on tlie 2(1 of September, and on Oc-
tober 27 tliey handed at Philadelphia. On November
V Asbury started for New York, preaching on the way
in New Jersey and Staten Island, and reaching the city
on the 12th. Boardman Avelcomed him, and the next
day he began his ministry with a sermon on the text,
" For I determined not to know any thing among you,
save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." He had freedom,
and says: "I approved much of the spirit of the peo-
ple; they were loving and serious; there appeared also
in some a love of disci[)line." The next day he preached
again, and says: " My heart is truly enlarged, and I know
the life and power of religion is here." Again he says:
" I feel a regard for the peoj^le, and I think the Ameri-
cans are more ready to receive the word than the Englifsh;
and to see the poor Negroes so affected is pleasing; to
see their sable countenances in our solemn assemblies, and
to hear them sing with cheerful melody their Redeemer's
praise, affected me much, and made me ready to say, ' Of
a truth, I perceive God is no respecter of persons.' "

One thing, however, dissatisfied him. Boardman and
Pilmoor had confined themselves mostly to the cities
of Philadelphia and New York. "I am fixed," he says,
" to the Methodist plan." From reading what he has re-
corded in his Journal, and comparing it with other facts,
it seems likely that unless Asbury, or a man of similar
views and spirit, had been sent here Methodism in
America would have differed far more than it has done
from the original Wesleyan model. In doctrine and
some other respects it might have followed in the
primitive path; but its ministry would have been not
as truly itinerant as it has been.

Asbury pushed out into Westchester County, visiting
West Farms, West Chester, East Chester, New Ro-
chelle, Mamaroneck, Rye, etc., and laying the founda-

The Reapers Begin their Rounds. 59

tions there for future laborers to build upon. But we
cannot follow him in his work outside of the city.
After spending a little more than a month in the coun-
try he returned to the city, and, though not well, finding
Pilmoor ill, he "preached in the morning " of the Lord's
day " and found life." On Monday, January 11, 1772,
he " went to the jail and visited a condemned criminal,
and preached to him and others with some tender feel-
ings." Early in March he set out for Philadelphia.*

In July, 1772, under Boardman's direction he re-
turned to New York, and expresses dissatisfaction with
Mr. Wright's management. " He has been pretty strict
in the society, but ended all with a general love-feast; f
which, r think, is undoing all he has done." " The
congregations," he says, " are steady," but he complains
of the prevalence of "a party spirit." On Septem-
ber 6 he held "a meeting for the better f)rdering
of the spiritual and temporal affairs of the society. In
this meeting, he says, "I propounded the following
queries:

"1. How often shall there be public preaching?
Agreed that it should be on Tuesday, Thursday, and
Friday nights, besides the Lord's day; an exhortation
on Saturday night.

" 2, Shall we have morning preaching ? J This was
agreed to.

" 3. Shall we have the society meetings private ?
This was doubted by some; but I insisted on it, from
our rules and Mr, Wesley's last letter.

" 4. Shall we make a weekly and quarterly collec-
tion ? Agreed.

"5. Can any other means be devised to lessen the

*TI)e dates in Asbury's Journal are many of them erroneous,
and it is often difficult to ascertain his movements.

t Witli open doors i^robably. J Probably at five o'clock.

GO A History of Methodism ix New York City.

debt ? The debt Avas £1,100, but no other means could
be found to relieve it.

" 6. Ought we not to be more strict with disorderly
persons ? Very little was said in answer to this.

" 7. Shall we have three stewards for the satisfaction
of the society ? The majority voted against it.

" 8. Are we as frugal as we can be ? It was
thought we Avcre.

" 9. Will the stewards meet me once a week ?
Agreed.

" 10. Do we endeavor to avoid all partiality iu the
things of God ?

"11. Can we come at the balance of our accounts
now or soon ? It was thought we could.

" 12. Who will stand at the door ? * Not determined.

"13. Shall we meet the society on Sunday nights?
This was opposed by some. But I insisted upon its
being the best time, and at last it was agreed to for a
season.

'• 14. Who shall be the collectors ? This was not de-
termined, though debated.

"15. Can the preacher meet the children? Agreed.

" 10. Can we spread the books ? There was but little
said on this head, and it was left undetermined."'

A few days after Asbury " met the people, to discuss
with them about their temporal matters, and appointed
Mr. C. (Chave) to take an account of the weekly and
quarterly collections. But the two other steAvards refused
an exact entry of the money that is not settled. How-
ever, the people musthave the same satisfaction concern-
ing the other collections." He was determined to have
Methodist discipline carried out. The effect, financially,
at least, seems to have been good. The collections for
about five months preceding were about seventy-three
* At love-fcasls, etc.

The Reapers Begin their Rounds. 61

])0uir1s. For that same period immediately after they
Avere eighty-seven pounds, and in the five montlis next
succeeding they were one hundred and sixteen pounds.
Even good men will sometimes differ in opinion and
get heated in controversy. Tliis was the case with
Paul and Barnabas : " And the contention was so sharp
between them that they departed asunder one from the
other." On Friday, October 9, Asbury writes in his
Journal : " I met tlie leaders, and there were some sharp
debates. After much had been said, I was charged with
using Mr. N. (Newton) ill in saying he opposed my
meeting the societj^ ]\[r. L. (Lupton) told me I had
already preached the people awa}^, and intimated that
the whole work would be destroyed by me. Perhaps
this was because I spoke so freely to Mi-. N. (Newton)
and desired him to take care what company he kept."
But the very next day he says: "I received a letter
from Mr. WeslcA', in which he required a strict atten-
tion to discipline, and appointed me to act as assistant"
— in other words, superintendent of the American soci-
eties. "Wesley was evidently discoveiing that the young
Asbury, then only about twenty-seven years of age, was
better qualitied for the care of the churches than Board-
man, who was some seven years older. Boardman,
however, seems to have yielded gracefully. They
met at Princeton not long after, and Asbury writes :
" We both agreed in judgment about the affairs of the
society, and were comforted together," * On Lord's
day, October 18, he preached in New York twdce and
held a love-feast. "Many," he says, "spoke freely,
but not long. This I have observed more here tlian
in England, that the jieople speak short, and yet very
full." The next day he took the stage for Phila-
delphia.

*Asbiir,y"s Journal, Monday, October ]9, 1772.

62 A History of Methodism in New York City.

CHAPTER Vn.

MORE LABORERS AND MORE THOROUGH ORGAN-
IZATION.

And now raoro help was on the way. Captain Wehh,
revisiting England in 1772, appealed to Wesley and the
Conferenc;e for more missionaries. Such was his zoal
that Charles Wesley regarded him with surprise,
and pronounced him fanatical. He demanded two of
the ablest men of the British Conference, Christopher
Hopper and Joseph Benson.* Charles Weslc}' opposed
the demand, but the captain Avent to the Conference
at Leeds and there addressed the preachers with an
eloquence that kindled their enthusiasm. George Shad-
ford heard him, and says: "I felt my spirit stirred
within me to go. When I considered that we had in
England many men of grace and gifts far superior to
mine, but few seemed to offer themselves willingly, I
saw my call the more clearly. Accordingly Mr, Rankin
and I offered ourselves."

Thomas Rankin w^as a native of Dunbar, Scotland;
he was trained in religious habits, and early resolved to
become a minister of the Gospel. For a time worldly
amusements took the place of serious subjects, though
lie never became openly immoral. Some converted
soldiers came to Dunbar, and from them he gained his
first acquaintance with Methodism. Sermons from
Whitefield deepened the impression and led to his con-
version. He was soon employed as a local preacher,
and Wesley called him into the itinerancy in 1761. He

* Stevens's Uktory of the Mdhodist Episcoj)al Church, vol. i, p. 141.

More Laborers, Thorough Organization. 63

labored with great success in various circuits until he
was appointed as general superintendent of the work
in America.

Shadford was a native of Lincolnshire. His parents,
though strangers to experimental religion, tried to train
him up aright, but he fell into vicious liabits and en-
listed in the militia. Impressive sermons and the death
of acquaintances aroused serious thoughts from time
to time, but it was not until May, 1762, that he was
melted and subdued. lie joined the society, soon began
to exhort and preach, and in 1768 received an appoint-
ment from tlie Conference. He labored successfully in
Cornwall, Kent, and Norwich, and, as above stated, at
the Leeds Conference he offered himself for America.*
On Good Friday, April 9, 1773, with Joseph Yearbry
(another preacher) he embarked at Bristol. Captain
Webb and his wife accompanied them, the captain
providing for all the expenses of their voyage. On
the 3d of June they reached Philadelphia, to Asbury's
"great comfort." The removal of the burden of the
superintendency was a relief to him. He says: "Mr.
R. [Rankin] preached a good sermon on these words:
' I have set before thee an open door, and no man can
shut it.' f He will not be admired as a preacher, but as
a disciplinarian he will fill his place."

On Saturday, June 12, Asbury and Rankin arrived
in New York, where friends met them on the dock.
The next day Asbury j^reached at seven o'clock in the
morning, to a considerable number of people. His text
was appropriate. "Behold, Boaz came from Bethle-
hem, and said unto the reapers. The Lord be with you.
And they answered him, The Lord bless thee." Ruth

* Wesley's Missionaries to America, p. 244.

f H:)d he continued firm in this failh perliaps he would not have
left the work in this country as lie did.

64 A IIiSTOKY OF Methodism ix New York City.

ii, 4. During the service Rankin was for a time
anxious, if not deiDressed, reflecting on his motives
in coming. But, he says, " I could appeal to God
with the utmost sincerity of heart ; I had only-
one thing in view, his glory, the salvation of souls,
connected with my own. In a moment the cloud
broke and the power of God rested on my soul, and all
gloom fled away, as morning shades before the rising
sun. I had then faith to believe that I should see his
glory, as 1 had seen it in the sanctuary." * In the
evening Rankin preached, and, Asbury says, "dispensed
the word of truth with power." On the 23d Asbury
returned to New York from a trip to AVestchester
County. He says : " I found Mr. Rankin had been
well employed in settling matters pertaining to the
Society. This afforded me great satisfaction, and more
especially the revival of religion which has lately taken
place in this city."

But the troubled watei's had not been completely
stilled. On Friday, the 9th of July, Asbury writes in
his Journal : " After intercession I went to see Mr. L.
[Lupton]. Mr. S. [Sause], Mr. W. [White], and my-
self were charged with winking at the follies of some.
We had a little debate on the subject, and Mr. L. was
pleased to say, 'he did not know but the church door
would be shut against me;' and that 'some persons
would not suffer matters to go on so.' He moreover
told me ' the preachers' gifts were taken away.' f On
the following evening, however, Asbury had a comfort-
able time in meeting the leaders and band society, and
preached twice the next day ' with great plainness to a

* Stevens's History of Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. i, p. 158.

f Paul and Barnabas were yet sharply contending. It is not pleas-
ant to record these things, but an honest history must tell the whole
truth.

More Laborers, Thorough Organization. 65

large number of people.' Perhaps he notes tlie size of
his congregations as evidence that he had not ' preached
the people away.' "

Thomas Rankin was probably instructed by Mr.
Wesley to call the preachers together for a general
conference, and accordingly we find Asbury proceeded
to Philadelphia, where, on Wednesday, July 14, the
session of the first Conference in America began.* The
authority of Mr. Wesley was acknowledged, the doc-
trine and discipline as contained in the English Minutes
to be accepted, the ordinances of baptism and the
Lord's Supper not to be administered, but received at
the hands of the clergy of the Established Church ; the
love-feasts and society meetings to be select ; none of
Mr. Wesley's books to be reprinted without consent, and
reports to be made by the preachers once in six months
to the general assistant. New York reported one hundred
and eighty members, and Thomas Rankin was appointed
there " to change in four months" with George Shadford,
who was appointed to Philadelphia for the same period.
In his Journal of July 16 Asbury says : " I understand
that some dissatisfied persons in New York threaten to
shut the church door against Mr. R. [Rankin]. If they
should be bold enough to take this step, we shall see
what the consequences will be." Rankin seems to have
been regarded by some of the New York society in the
same light as Asl^ury.

On Sunday, August 29, f Rankin writes: "I preached
at the usual hours, morning and evening, and after-
ward met the society. In some good degree this has

*The printed Minutes say June. 1773, but this is evidently an error,
if Asbury's Journal is to be relied on. And see Stevens's History of
Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. i, p. 160.

f Not July 29, as Dr. Stevens reads it, inconsistently with his note,
vol. i, p. 160. See "Wesley's Missionaries to America, p. 223.

66 A History of Methodism ii^ ISTew Yoek City.

been a Sabbath of rest to my soul ! I was assisted
by the labors of Pilmoor the ensuing ^n^eek, bavins^ re-
turned from a journey in tlie country. He preached
with more life and divine power this week than he has
done since I landed at Philadelphia. Blessed be God
that he is returning to the simplicity of spirit that made
him so useful when he first came over to America."
Boardraan came to his aid in October. In the same
month Rankin went to Philadelphia and Shadford came
to New York.

Shadford was modest even to diffidence, and entered
New York with painful self-distrust. He says: "My
next remove was to New York, where I spent four
months with great satisfaction. I went thither with fear
and trembling, and was much cast down from a sense
of my own unworthiness and inability to preach the
Gospel to a polite and sensible people. But the Lord
condescended to make use of his poor weak servant
for the revival of religion at that city. I added
fifty members in those four months," "and several
backsliders were restored to their first love." " I
left in New York two hundred and four members in
society." *

We have seen that Boardman and Pilmoor both as-
sisted for a season in the work in New York. Their
names do not appear in the list of appointnaeiits, and it
is supposed that they labored at their own discretion.
Not sympathizing Avith the American people in their
growing resistance to the British government, they
were probably, at the time of the session of the Con-
ference, meditating a return to England, and therefore
preferred to be left at libei'ty. On Sunday, December
26, 1773, Pilmoor preached his farewell sermon in
Philadelphia, and the next day set off for New York,
* Experiences of Several Methodist Preachers, p. 3-13.

More Labokebs, Thorough Orgais-ization. 67

from whence he and Boarclmau sailed for England Jan-
uary 2, 1774.*

In March, 1774, Rankin returned to New York. On
the 6th, he writes: "The congregations were large, and
the j)resence of the Holy One of Israel was in our
midst." "I observed that the labors of ray fellow-la-
borer, Mr. Shadford, have not been in vain. The spirit
of love seems to increase among the people. Sunday,
May 22, I found freedom to declare the word of the
Loid." " We concluded the evening with a general

*Boardra;in continued in tlie itinerancy and died at Cork, Ireland,
after a brief illness in 1782. Pilmoor's name is found in the list of
ai^pointments in England, with little intermission, until 1785, when
it disappears witliout explanation. It is said he was not pleased
with Mr. "Wesley for leaving his name out of the list of the legal
lumdred, and therefore withdrew. Returning to America, lie took
orders iu the Protestant Episcopal Churcli, and labored for a time in
Philadelphia. About 1791 some members of Trinity Church, New
York, petitioned that he be appointed assistant minister in that parish.
The request being refused, his friends organized Christ Church, where
he labored until 1805, when he was succeeded by Rev. Tlionias
Lyell, who had also been a Methodist preacher. The congregation
built in Ann Street, but in 1823 tliey removed to Anthony (now
Worth) Street, between Broadway and Churcli Street. They now
worship at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Thirty-fifth Street

Pihnoor went from New York to Philadelphia, where he was rector
of St. Paul's Church. Asbury, writing in Wilmington, Del., April 2,
1814, says: "Joseph Pilmoor is yet alive, and preaches three times
every Sabbath." He outgrew bis resentment against Wesley, and
never lost his original affection for his Metliodist brethren. Dr. N.
Bangs says that at the first Conference he attended in the old John
Street Church, in 1804, a tall, dignified old gentleman came in and
walked to the altar where Bishop Asbury was sitting. Tiie bi.shop
arose and shook his hand, and introduced him to the Conference, say-
ing: "This is Brotlier Pilmoor, who used to preach in this pulpit
under the direction of Mr. Joliu Wesley." Mr. Pilmoor bowed re-
spectfully, paid his annual subscription to the preacher's fund, and,
after a while, withdrew. f He lived to a good old age and died greatly
venerated.

tWakeley's .Lost CJiapters, p. 217.

68 A History of Methodism ix Neav York City.

love-feast, in which the Lord's presence was powerfully
felt by many persons." " Some of the poor black peo-
ple spoke with power and pungency of the loving-kind-
ness of the Lord." *

Li view of the time of their departure, it is evident
that to the latter part of 1773 we are to assign the date
of the following minute, found in the " Old Book."
Why it is left with the blanks in it cannot be ex-
plained:

At a Meeting of the Trustees of the two Lots of ground and the

Methodist Meeting-Iiouse thereon erected, Situate in the City of New

York, now resident in the said City, held in the said Meeting-Iiouse

this day of in the year of our Lord One thousand

seven hundred and seventy- three. , Ttr-ir t *.

•' ( ^^ illiam Lupton,

Present, j james Jarvis,
' Henry Newton.

"Whereas, Richard Boardman, Joseph Pilmoor, Thomas "Webb,
and John Soutliwell are, togetlier with us, the said William Lupton,
James Jarvis, and Henry Newton, named Grantees and Trustees
of the said two Lots of ground and Meeting-house, as in [and] by a
certain Indenture of Release bearing date the second day of Novem-
ber, m the year of our Lord one tlionsand seven hundred and seventy,
made and executed liy Joseph Forbc-s unto them and us, as will fully
appear. And whereas the said Richard Boardman, Joseph Pilmoor,
Thomas Webb, and John Soutliwell have departed from and do reside
out of the Province of New York, by means whereof they are become
incapable of Executing tiie Trust so as aforesaid reposed in them:
Now WE, the said William Lupton, James Jarvis, and Henry New-
ton, in order to have the full Number of Trustees for the said two Lots
of Ground and Meetiug-House, according to the Tenor of the said re-
lease. Do hereb}' choose John Mann, John Staples, Samuel Selby, and
David Johnson to be Trustees of and for the said two Lots of ground
and Meeting-house, in the Room and stead of them, the said Richard
Boardman, Joseph Pilmoor, . . . Thomas Webb, and John South-
well. . . . And also Stephen Sands and William Elseworth to be
additional Trustees of and for the said two Lots of ground and
Meeting-House.

*Stevens's History of M thod'it Episcopal CJiurcJi, vol. i, p. 211.

More Laborers, Thorough Organization. G9

The second Conference met in Philadelphia May 25,
1774. Two hundred and twenty-two members were
reported in Xew York, and Francis Asbury was ap-
pointed there " to change in three months." Frona
his Journal, however, we find he remained until the
last of October. He says : " My old friends in York
were glad to see me. But I still fear there is a root
of prejudice remaining in the hearts of a few." After-
ward he says : " How wonderfully is the language and
behavior of Mr. L. [Lupton] changed toward me.
Befoi'e I "was every thing that was bad. But now all is
very good. This is a mistake ; my doctrine and preach-
ing are the same, and so is my manner. But such is
the deceitfulness of the man. His favorite [Mr. Pil-
moor ?] is now gone. Had I preached like an arch^
angel it would have been to no purpose while I thought
it my duty to oppose him." * Asbury was human, and
perhaps did not respond to overtures for reconciliation
as heartily as he should. On November 4 James
Jarvis, one of the original trustees and a class-leader,
died, and Asbury appointed Richard Sause to the
charge of his class. On the 19th of the same month
he learned of the arrival of James Dempster, who,
with Martin Rodda, had been sent out by Mr. Wesley.
On the 28th Asbury set out for Philadelphia, leaving
Dempster in charge at New York. James Dempster
Avas a Scotchman, who had studied at the University
of Edinburgh. He traveled about ten years in the
Wesleyan itinerancy, and was highly esteemed by Mr.
Wesley. At the Conference of 1775 he was appointed
to New York; but his health failed, and in the same
year he retired from the work. He afterward joined
the Presbyterian Church, " with a distinct avowal of
his adherence to the Wesleyan doctrines, of which his
* Journal, July 10, 1774.

10 A History of Methodism in New York City.

views never changed," and was "an accepted minister
of that Church as long as lie lived," He was settled
as pastor ot" a congregation at Florida, Montgomery
County, N. Y., where he died in 1804.* His son. Rev.
John Dempster, D.D., became an eminent minister of
the Methodist Episcopal Church and a leader in the
establishment of her theological seminaries. Martin
Rodda, who came with Dempster, was never appointed
to New York, and returned to England after three
years.

At the Conference of l77o the report of members
in New York was two hundred, a decrease of twenty-
tv,'o. James Dempster, as Ave have seen, was appointed
to the charge without any thing being said of a change,
but " Thomas Rankin is to travel till the month of
December and then take a quarter in New York." It is
probable the plan was carried into effect ; but we have
nothing that casts any light on the state of things this
year. It would seem, however, not to have been a sea-
son of prosperity, as only one hundred and thirty-two
members are reported in 1776, a decrease of sixty-eight.
The War of the Revolution had begun. f

The Conference of 177G was held at Baltimore, May
21. Daniel Ruff was appointed to New York, the first
native American preacher sent to that charge. He was
converted in Harford County, Md., and soon became
noted as an exhorter and local preacher. Asbury,
visiting his neighborhood March 4, 1774, says : " Honest,
simple Daniel Raff has been made a great blessing to
these people. Such is the wisdom and power of God

* See references in Stevens's History of Mdhodost Episcopal Church,
vol. i, p. 264.

f From May 20, 1774, to May 11, 1776, the " Old Book" does not
give a full account of payments. They are summed up in two en-
tries of "Sundries brought from Journal." The items of the receipts,
however, are recorded.

More Laborers, Thorough Orgaistiza-tion. 71

that he has wrought marvelously by this plain man,
that no flesh may glory in his presence." Joining the
Conference in 1774, he was appointed to Chester Cir-
cuit, and in l77o to Trenton. Freeborn Garrettson was
converted after hearing one of his sermons, and Ruff
first called him into the ministry. He afterward la-
bored principally in New Jersey. In 1781 his name
disappears from the Minutes. It is said he located.*
His name appears for the last time in the "Old Book"
August 18, 1776. It is likely that as a native of the
country he sympathized with the patriots, and when
the British army entered New York deemed it prudent
to retire.

* Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 255 ; Stevens's History of Methodist
Episcopal Churchy vol. i, p. 206 ; Bangs's History of MetJijxlist Episcopal
Church, vol. iv, Appendix, p. 32.
6

12 A History of Methodism in New York City.

CHAPTER VIII.

THK STORM AND THE CLEARIXG.

And now for six years the Minutes give no appoint-
ments to New York city. In 1777 the members are
reported to be ninety-six. In tlie list of stations we
liave "New York" followed by a blank, and in the
succeeding five years even the name disappears. It is
a mistake, however, to suppose that Methodist preach-
ing was suspended during that period. Dr. Bangs, in
his valuable and generally correct history, says the
British troops " had converted tlie meeting-house into
barracks for the soldiers, so that it was not possible to
occupy it for preaching regularly, oven had a preacher
been permitted to reside among them." * Mr. Gabriel
P. Disosway says that he always understood that this
was the case. The error can easily be accounted for.
"All the Presbyterian churches in New York were used
for military ])urpo.ses. The Middle Dutch Church, in
Nassau Street, was used for a ])rison, in which three
thousand Americans were confined. The pews were
consumed for fuel, and it was afterward used by the
British cavalry for a riding-school. The North Dutch
Church, in William Street, was also a prison. The pews
were destroyed and two thousand prisoners were con-
fined there. The Baptist Church was converted into a
horse-stable. The Quaker Meeting-house in Pearl Street
was used as a hospital. The Fi-ench Church was used
as a prison." f It was natural, therefore, to suppose that
Wesley Chapel fared no better.

*BaDgs's History of Methodist Ejnscopal Church, vol. i, p. 119.
■j- Wakelcy's Lost Chapters, p. 270.

The Storm and the Clearixo. 73

But here the " Old Book " furnislies vahiable testi-
mony. All through the period of the British occupa-
tion we have cliarges of payments to the preacher and
the sexton, and for supplies of wood and candles and
necessary repairs for the chapel and preacher's house.
Indeed, it would seem they made some improvements.
December 4, 1778, we read: "To carpenter's bill for
gallery doors, etc., £4 4s." We are told that at first
there were no stairs to the gallery, and that it was
reached by a ladder. It is likely that until then there
were windows in the lower story in front, on each side
of the central door, and that the necessity of a better
entrance led to their being changed to doors, with steps
on the outside and additional stairs within. But the
work, whatever it was, would not have been done if the
British troops were in occupation.

Nor is it hard to account for the favor shown them.
Methodism was still regarded as a society in the Church
of England. Its founder had strongly opposed the
course of the Americans in refusing to be taxed, and his
" Calm Address to the American Colonies " was an
earnest plea for their submission. The members,
especially those who remained in the city at that time,
were very generally loyalists. The preachers who had
served them were known to be decidedly such, and it
is not unlikely that the association of Captain Webb
with the chapel, and perhaps his personal influence with
army oflicers, led to its protection from the general
fate.* " The society in John Street enjoyed so much
indulgence as to occupy their church for Sunday night
service, while the Hessians had it in the morning for
their own chaplains and people." f As the Methodists
did not then hold morning service during the usual
church hours, it is probable that their worship was not
*See Appendix J. f Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 272.

74 A History of Methodism in New York City.

at all interfered with. Their collections, indeed, seem
to have increased. They were much larger during the
war than immediately before and after, and they paid
their preacher a larger salary. So many other churches
being closed, their congregations were increased, and
some of the British officers, no doubt, attended and con-
tributed liberally to the funds. But it is not to be
supposed that they were free from annoyance. Lewd
fellows of the baser sort, both in the army and of the
populace, have always been ready to disturb a Meth-
odist meeting. The writer remembers hearing in his
boyhood the incident related by Mr. G. P. Disosway,
as received from Hannah Baldwin — a blind lady, for
many years the leading female singer in the John Street
church. On one occasion a party of English soldiers
began to sing, " God Save the King." The Methodists
joined in the tune, but with different words.*

TUE SOLDIERS WORDS:

■ God save great George, our king !
Long live our noble king;

God save tlie kingl
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious.
Long to reign over us ;

God save the king !

Lord, our God, arise.
Scatter his enemies,

And make them fall ;
Confound their politics,
Frustrate their knavisli tricks ;
On him our hopes we fix ;

God save us all ! "

THE METHODISTS' ■WORDS;

" Come, thou almighty King,
Help us thy name to sing,

Help us to praise:
Faljier, all-glorious.
O'er all victorious.
Come and reign over us,
Ancient of daysl

" Jesus, our Lord, arise,
Scatter our enemies,

And make them fall;
Let thine almighty aid
Our sure defense be made,
Our souls on thee be stayed ;

Lord, hear o'.;r call ! " f

*Ree Stevens, vol. i, p. 421.

f Tliis last verse is not in our present Hymnal, but was in all the
books for about a century before.

The Storm and the Clearing. 75

Mr. Disosway says the Methodists sang after the
soldiers had conckided, but the author always under-
stood that they took up the tune, singing with thera
but with the words of Charles Wesley's beautiful hymn,
as related above.

" Upon a Christmas eve, when the members had as-
sembled to celebrate the advent of the world's Re-
deemer, a party of British officers, masked, marched
into the house of God. One, very properly personify-
ing their master, was dressed with cloven feet and a
long forked tail. The devotions, of course, soon ceased,
and the chief devil, proceeding up the aisle, entered the
altar. As he was ascending the stairs of the pulpit a
gentleman present with his cane knocked off his satanic
majesty's mask, Avhen lo, there stood a well-known
British colonel. He was immediately seized and de-
tained until the city guard was sent to take charge of
the bold offender. The congregation retired and the
entrances of the church were locked upon the prisoner
for additional security. His companions outside then
commenced an attack upon the doors and windows, but
the arrival of the guard put an end to these disgrace-
ful proceedings, and the prisoner was delivered into
their custody." *

*Mr. G. P. Disosway; "Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 459. These
incidents could not liave occurred unless the church was occupied by
tiie Methodists.

Another account of this incident is as follows: " On the last even-
ing of 1777 some of tiie officers of Howe's army acted a play'in New
York entitled, 'The Devil to Pay in the West Indies.' After it they
got drunk and went reeling and yelling through the streets. Passing
the Methodist cliapel, where a watch-night was in progress, they
went in. The officer that represented the devil had a cow's hide
fastened to his shoulders, with the horns painted red, while the tail
dragged on the floor. He went up and stood beside the preacher.
The preacher stopped and the women screamed. Two strong men
laid hold of him and walked him out of tlie house, and if they did not

7G A History of Methodism i^ New York City.

An entry in the "Old Book" dated March 17, 1779,
may have reference to this event. It reads: "To cash
paid Mayor Serg't for his attendance, £1 4s." On
another occasion, also, they needed protection, as ap-
pears from a charge dated Februarj^ 4, 1782: "Paid
sentinels for six nights, £2 8s." After the war we find
several payments at different times to constables for
their services. Within the recollection, indeed, of many
now living the aid of the police was needed, especially
in the evening, and more especially when watch-night
services were held. To disturb a Methodist meeting
was rich sport to the rowdy element of the population.

Though the Minutes, as we have said, give no ap-
pointments in New York during the war, tradition,
corroborated by the " Old Book," enables us to sup])ly
to some extent the deficiency. John Mann and Samuel
Spraggs served the Church during that time, John
Mann was born in the city of New York in 1743. He
was awakened by the truth, and, his mother being a
Moravian, he was received into that Church by the
Rev. Mr. Gamble. Under a sermon by Boardman he
obtained the knowledge of his acceptance with God.
He became a class-leader, an exhorter, and a local
preacher, and labored with success at Bloomingdale and
on Long Island. When Ruff left the city he was de-
sired by the trustees and leaders to supply the pulpit,
which he did until, when Philadelphia was taken by
the British troops, Samuel Spraggs came and took
charge, and Mann henceforth acted as his assistant.
His name, however, does not a]ipear in the accounts.
From the time when Daniel Ruff" left until February 26,
1779, the payments are made to or for "the preacher."

bind him for a thousand years, they put him under arrest. General
Howe found it necessary to coucihate the Methodists, setting a guard
to protect them, and keeping his men in order." — Lednum, p. 194.

The Stoem and the Clearing. 77

Mann remained, as it seems, all through the war, but,
being a loyalist, left at its conclusion. He was there in
May, 1782, but was gone in September, 1783.* Witli
other members of the New York society of like political
opinion he emigrated to Nova Scotia, where Freeborn
Garrettson found him, and makes honorable mention of
him ill his letters to Wesley. His name appears in the
Minutes of 1786, Mdiere we read, "Nova Scotia, William
Black, John Maim." He died in Newport, Nova Scotia,
in 1816, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. f

Samuel Spraggs was received on trial in 1774, and ap-
pointed to the Brunswick Circuit, Virginia. The two
succeeding years he was in Philadelphia, an evidence
that he had met with good success. In 1777 his charo-e
was Frederick Circuit, Maryland. Asbury, in his Jour-
nal (March 9, 1778), says, "S. S. [Spraggs] came in from
the upper circuit, but on Tuesday both he and G. S.
[Shadford] left me." He was jH-obably, like Shadford,
an Englishman and a loyalist, and may have contem-
jilated a return to England with him, but on arriving in
New York, while Shadford continued his journey home,
Spraggs was perhaps induced to remain and supply the
John Street pulpit. His name thus naturally disap-
])ears from the Minutes, as no Conference appointments
could be made for New York. In 1783, however, when
the city again appears in the list, we find him assigned
to the charge, with John Dickins. Then his name un-
accoutitably disappears. He afterward became pastor
of the Protestant Episcopal church in Elizabethtown,
N. J., where a tablet was erected to his memory. He
is described as a good preacher, and highly esteemed.
In an old volume, containing the family records of Mr.

* See elections of trustees in " Old Book " for May 3, 1782, and Sep-
tember 16, 1783, etc. See further on p. 78.
f Wiikeley's Lost Chapters, p. 260.

78 A History op Methodism in New York City.

John Staples, one of the original trustees, is the entry:
" Our son, Samuel Spraggs, was born the 10th of Sep-
tember, 1781." * The last payment to Mr. Spraggs men-
tioned in the "Old Book" is dated July 10, 1783, and
reads, "Paid balance due Mr. Spraggs £18 9^."

Two other extracts from the " Old Book " relating to
the period of the war must find place here. The
first is:

New York, May 3, 1782.
At a general meeting of the trustees for the Methodist preaching-
house in this city Jolin Staples, Stephen Sands, and Philip Marchin-
ton were unanimously chosen as joint trustees with us.

"William Lupton^,
Charles White,
John Maxn,
Richard Sacse.

The other is as follows:

New York, Sept. 16, 1753.
At a general meeting of the trustees for tlie Metliodist preaching-
house in this city Abraham Russel and Peter McClain, Jr., are ap-
pointed as joint trustees with the subsctribers in the room of Charles
"Wliite and John Mann, departed the city.

[A little more than a line is here written and crossed out]

William Lupton,
John Staples,
Stephen Sands.

Philip Marchinton and Richard Sause are not named
in this last document. It is probable that they also
had " departed the city." f The number of trustees,
which in 1782 was seven, is thus reduced to five.

Though the name of New York re-appears in the list

*Wakeley, p. 279, etc.

f Marcliiuton's name is found for the last time in the "Old Book,"
on July 1, 1783, and that of Sause on July 10 of the same year.
Marchinton went to Nova Scotia {Life of Garreltson, pp. 141 and 148),
and Sause was in London with Rankin when Thomas Staples died
there (see Appendix E, p. 426, note).

The Storm and the Clearing. V9

of appointments in 1783, no report is given of the num-
ber in Society. It no doubt was much reduced, partly
because of the removal of loyalists from the city. Yet
there were seasons of refreshing, and souls were con-
verted. There was, we are told, a great revival in
1779.*

John Dickins, who was appointed with S. Spraggs,
was born in the city of London in the year T746. He
received a good education, partly at Eton School, and
came to this country before the Revolution. He was
converted in 1774, and admitted on ti-ial at the Confer-
ence of 1777. He traveled extensively in Virginia and
North Carolina until 1780, after which his name disap-
pears from the Minutes without any explanation.. It is
said he located (perhaps because of marriage), but con-
tinued to labor diligently. Probably, like Asbuiy, he
thought it prudent to remain secluded for a season.
On Aj)ril 5, 1783, Asbury, then in North Carolina,
writes in his Journal: "I heard the news that peace
was confirmed between England and America." " This
day I prevailed on Brother Dickins to go to New York,
whei-e I expect him to be far more useful than in his
present station." Rankin, when he left, had no doubt
intrusted the management of affairs to Asbury, and
accordingly, at the Conference at Kent County, Del.,
in April, 1779, the following question was asked :
" Ques. 12. Ought not Brother Asbury to act as general
assistant in America ? He ought, first, on account of
his age;f second, because originally appointed by Mr.
Wesley; third, being joined with Messrs. Rankin and
Shadford by express order from Mr. Wesley," Action
to the same effect was taken also at the Conference of

*See Memoir of Eliz. Brower, Christian Advocate^ vol. vi, p. 132.
f But lie was only aljout tliirty-foiir. If liis age gave liim pre-
eriiiiience, the Conference must have been youthful.

80 A History of Methodisii ix New York City.

1782, and now that New Yoi-k city was again open to
receive a Conference preacher Asbuiy tries to secure
one who was well qualified for the delicate position.
There is something significant, also, in the appointment
of two preachers to the charge. This had never been
done before, and did not occur again until 1787. It is
likely that Asbury felt that Spraggs would not probably
remain there, and that, indeed, it was not desirable that
he should. Some one Avho could win the affection of
the people and command their respect, and wlio could
prudently guide affairs in the existing crisis, was
needed, and Dickins seems to have been such a man.
He was one of the soundest minds and ablest preach-
ers of the early Methodist ministry; a good scholar in
English, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and mathematics; sin-
gularly Avise and influential in counsel, and mighty in
the pulpit ; " one of the greatest and'best men of that
age : as it was said of Whitefield, he preached like a
lion." * " He was," says Ware, " not only one of the
most sensible men I ever knew, but one of the most
conscientious." f Asbury writes: "For piety, probity,
profitable preaching, holy living, Christian education of
his children, secret closet prayer, I doubt whether his
superior is to be found in Europe or America." J He
compiled the Scriptural Catechism, which was long used
in Methodist families, and has never been excelled. He
was the first " book steward," and laid the foundation
of the publishing business of the Church. From 1789
to 1798 he was both book agent and editor. On Sep-
tember 27 of the latter year he died of yellow fever in
Philadelphia. His grave is in the ground in the rear of

* Leduum, p. 198.
j- Jlotioir of Thomas Ware, p. 215.

:]: Asbury's Journal, October 9, 1798; Stevens's History of Methodist
Episcopal Church, vols, iii and iv.

The Storh and the Clearixg. 81

St, George's Church, and a tablet to his memory has
been placed on the rear wall.*

By the 24th of June Dickins was at his post in New
York, for then, according to the "Old Book," he re-
ceived his first payment of three guineas. Spraggs
seems to have left not long after, as his name disappears
from the record after the 10th of July,

Hitherto the " Preachers' House " in New York had
been a " Bachelors' Hall ; " now it became the home of
a Christian famil}^ That the people api)reciated the
fact is evident from the " Old Book," in which are
found, among other items of expenditure, charges for a
trainil, sheets, table-cloths, towels, articles of kitchen
furniture, a chest of drawers, a pair of bellows, bot-
toming six chairs, an ax, a saucepan, repairing bedstead,
etc. It is not at all unlikely, also, that they appreciated
it in another sense. The wife of a preacher newly ap-
pointed to a charge is even now an object of curiosity
and interest, hardly less than the preacher himself;
but this was the first Methodist preacher'' s toife the New
York Society had ever seen. It is not likely that Mrs.
Dickins ever had to complain of loneliness.

But however it may have been about the wife, the
husband was soon hard at work, Asbury, who had not
been in the city for some years, arrived on Monday even-
ing, August 25, and writes, "I found Brother Dickins
preaching," On Wednesday he says: "I was close and
searching ; a few felt it — a little of the good old spirit
yet prevails among these people," On Sunday, the
31st, he writes: "In the evening I thouglit it necessary
to put thenr on an examination whether they were
Christians or not. I spoke on 2 Cor, xiii, 15. I was
very much led out; a power went forth, and I hope

* Conference Minutes ; Daniels's Illustrated History of Methodism,
pp. 719-722.

82 A IIisTOKY OF Methodism in New York City.

some real good was done." The next day lie left the
city and turned his face to the South.

Only sixty members, however, were reported at the
Conference of 1784. Dickins was reappointed. Asbury
visited the city in August, 1784. Arriving on Friday,
the 27th, he says: " We found the people alive to God ;
there are about one hundred in Society, and with those
in Philadelphia, to my mind, appear more like Method-
ists than I have ever yet seen them." On Monday, the
30th, he visited, prayed, wrote, met the classes, and in
the evening preached. lie " found great consolation
and fellowship in the classes." On Monday, September
7, he writes : " I took leave of my dear friends in New
York. They showed their love in deed and in truth,
liberally supplying me with what was necessary." When
he came again he was clothed with new authority.

The close of the year 1784 was a very important era
in the history of American Methodism. Mr. Wesley,
though he had not looked with favor on the efforts of
the American Colonies for independence, modified his
views somewhat, and when the contest was over was
ready to accept the situation. He therefore took meas-
ures to provide for their spiritual wants, and, having by
experiment proved the impossibility of securing ordina-
tion for his preachers from the bishops of the Church
of England, and convinced that he Avas scripturally as
much a bishop as any of them, he proceeded to set apart
Dr. Thomas Coke as superintendent of the Methodist
Societies in America, and Richard Whatcoat and Thomas
Vasey as elders. Coke was a clergyman of the English
Church who some eight or nine years before had con-
nected himself with Mr. Wesley, and had been employed
by him in visiting and regulating the Societies, and had
])resided, as Wesley's representative, at the first separate
Conference for the Irish preachers in Dublin, in 1782.

The Storm and the Clearing. 83

Whatcoat and Vasey were members of the English
Conference; Whatcoat had traveled fifteen years and
Yasey nine.

The vessel in which they embarked left Bristol on
the 18th of September, 1784, and arrived at New York
on Xovembcr 3. Inquiring for the Methodist. preaching-
house, a gentleman who had no connection with the
Methodists took Coke to the house of Mr. Sands, where
he " foinid himself in a region of hospitality and friend-
liness." Mr. Dickins soon visited him and rejoiced at
the tidings he brought. The doctor set out for the
South, and on Sunday, the 14th of November, met Mr.
Asbury at Barrett's Cliapel, in Maryland. There it was
decided to send out messengers to call the preachers
together at Baltimore on the day before Christmas.
They met, and, as Whatcoat says, '•' agreed to form a
Methodist Episcopal Cliurch, in which the Liturgy (as
presented by the Rev. John Wesley) should be read
and the sacraments be administered by a superintendent,
elders, and deacons, who shall be ordained by a presb}^-
tery, using the Episcopal form, as prescribed in the
Rl'V. Mr. Wesley's prayer-book."* Wesley's choice
of Asbury as joint superintendent with Coke was rati-
fied, and he was accordingly ordained.

* Memoirs of Whatcoat, p. 21. Tbe italics are his own. "'Mr.
Wesley's prayer-book," referred to by Whatcoat, is a 12ra() volume
of 314 pages, entitled •' Tlit Sunday Service of the Methodists in Horth
America. With Other Occasional Services, London; printed in the
year 1784." (Another edition was afterward published.) Mr. Weslej'
says ill the preface : " I believe there is no Liturgy in the World, either
in any ancient or modern Language, which breathes more of a solid,
scriptural, rational Piety than the Common Prayer of the Cliurch of
England. And tlio' the main of it was compiled considerably more
tlian Two Hundred Years ago, yet is the Language of it not only pure,
but strong and elegant in the higliest Degree.

" Little Alteration is made ia the following Edition of it (which I

84 A History of Methodism in Xkw Yokk City.

Had it not been for the action of that Christmas
Conference and the adoption of this " Sunday Service,"
the trustees of John Street would not have found it
necessary to incur certain expenses of which we find
account in the " Old Book." Two entries under date
of January 8, 1785, read :

To 2 pr.iyer-books for preadiing-hoiise £0 ] 3s. Od.

To cash pel for the altar-piece 16 16 1

Up to this time the Methodists had received the com-
munion at Trinity, St. Paul's, or St. George's Church;
now they could have it in their own spiritual home and
from the hands of their own pastors, and their joy be-
cause of the privilege is proved by the i)romptness with

recoiiimeud to our Societies in Amtrica), except in the followiiiLj
Instances:

" 1. Most of tlie Holy-days (so-called) are omitted, as at present
answering no vahiable End.

" 2. The service for the Lord's Day, the Length of which has been
often complained of, is considerably shortened.

"3. Some Scniences in the Offices of Baptism and for the Burial of
the Dead are omitted; and

'• 4. Many Psalms are left out and mtiny Parts of the others, as
being highly improper for the Mouths of a Christian Congregation.

" John Wesley.

"Bristol, September 9, 1784."

The forms for ordination arc snbstantially as in the present ritual,
except that instead of " consecrating bishops " it reads " ordaining of
a superintendent." Bound up with it, at least in the writer's copy,
is a collection of psalms and hymns published by John and Charles
Wesley; and it is singular that, of the less than one hundred hymns it
contains, only about one quarter of them are in use among us at the
present day, while of those in the old hymn-book referred to before
more llian one half are still in use and about one lialf of the rest were
familiar a few years ago. It is said that this liturgy was in use until
1792.* The author's copy bears on the title-page the name of Paul
Hick in his own liand, and contains some curious peculiarities.
* Stevens's History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. il, p. 198.

The Storm and thi: Clearixg. 85

which they made the necessary aiTangements.* An
entry under the same date reads :

To cash pd Dr. Coke £2 5s. Od.

As the doctor was in the city at the time, may he not
have administered tliat first communion in old John
Street Church ? It is also worthy of notice that up to
this period the building was called a " chapel " or a
"preaching-house," But on April 29 we read:

Casli paid for recording election roll of the trustees to the

church £0 6.s. Of?.

Yerily, the John Street people were lifting up their
heads ! The title " Preaching-House " occurs afterward,
but is gradually supplanted by that of " Church."
But to that election of trustees which took place in

* In tlie lecture-room of the present church in John Street is a
mahogany allar-rail, whiclx is said to liave been in the first church,
and to be the handiwork of Embury. Tiiis last assertion the writer
lias long doubted, and at length lie is convinced it is incorrect.

1. It is not likely that a ver\' plain building, such as the first church
was originally, would have had a mahogany altar-rail. 2. There was
no reason for putting in any altar at all. The Methodists were accus-
tomed to go to tlie Church of England for the Lord's Supper, and the
practice of inviting seekers to kneel at the altar was not introduced
until many years after. 3. Whether by altar-piece we are to under-
stand the altar railing is not clear, but it will be hard to find any other
meaning. 4. But, tinally, what seems to be demonstration is found in a
passage of Dr. Coke's journal, in the Arminian Magazine (American)
of June, 1789. He is speaking of the organizntion of the Church at
the Christmas Couference of 1784, and says of New York city: "We
expected that this Society would have made the greatest opposition
to our plan, but, on tlie contrary, they have been most forward to pro-
mote it. They have already put up a reading-desk and railed in a
communion-table." (Quoted in Atkinson's Centennial History, p. 32.)
There could, therefore, have been no railing before tliis. The altar and
book-board in tlie present lecture-roora may be those put in at this
time, but they look very much like what were in llie second church.

86 A History of Methodism in New York City.

the spring of 1785 there is no other reference in the
" Old Book," though some at least of the preceding
elections (if they might be so called) are recorded there.
But here we have light from another quarter. In or
before 1845 S. Martindale, Jr., Esq., solicitor for the
trustees at that time in regard to a legacy which had
been left to them for charitable purposes, brought to
light the original certificate of this election. A copy
of it will be found among the papers of the Board of
Trustees of the Eighteenth Street Methodist Episcopal
Church. It is indorsed " Recorded for and at the re-
quest of Mr. Stephen Sands, this thirteenth day of
April, 1785." Without giving the paper at length, it
will be enough to say it states that the election, under
the law of April 6, 1784, Avas held in the church, March
16, 1785, and William Lupton, John Jacob Staples,
Lewis Faugre, Abraham Russell, Henry Xewton, and
Stephen Sands were chosen. The paper is signed by
John Jacob Staples and Stephen Sands as inspectors of
the election, and is recorded in lib. i of Religious
Incorporations, p. 13, one of the earliest, it seems, that
Avere entered on the record.*

And now while their stakes are becoming strength-
ened they have a mind to lengthen their cords. On
May 1, 1785, Leonard Lispenard, Sr., deeded to this
Board of Trustees for £700 two lots adjoining the
church plot on the south, measuring in front a little
over fifty feet, and in depth nearly one hundred feet.
The seal to this document looks very much like the head
of John Wesley, though it is hardly probable that it
was intended to represent him. This deed is recorded
p. 509, lib. 43 of Conveyances, September, 1786 ; Robt.
Eer.son, clerk.

* Christian Advocate, vol. xx, p. 59.

Sowing and Reaping. 87

CHAPTER IX.

SOWING AND REAPING.— FROM THK CONFERENCE OF
1785 TO 1788.

The Minutes of the Conferences of 1785 state the
total membership at eighteen thousand, but do not give
a particular report of each charge. John Hagerty was
stationed in New York. He was born in Maryland, in
1747, and converted under the ministry of John King
about 1771. His name first appears in tlie list of ap-
pointments in 1779, and he was one of the elders
ordained at the Christmas Conference. He was very
successful in the work, but in 1794* he was compelled
to locate on account of the ill health of his wife. He
settled in Baltimore, where he continued to preach with
great acceptability, and died in the faith in 1823, aged
seventy-six years. f

In the Minutes of this year we find the first indica-
tions of the presiding eldership, and the first name in
the list of elders of the district in which New York city
was included is that of Thomas S. Chew.J

At the same Conference Ezekiel Cooper was ap-

* Not 1792, as Stevens and Sprague say; see Minute.s.

f Stevens's History of Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. ii, p. 66.

\ Of Thomas S. Chew we know nothing except what is furnished
by the Ust of his appointments in the Minutes. From 1777 to 1784
he laVjored in various charges in Baltimore and in the neighborhood,
then three years in the eldership, and in 1788 the Minutes say
he " desisted from traveling." It is elsewhere stated that he was
expelled, § and if so the sun of the first New York presiding elder
set under a cloud.

§ Lee's History of Methodism, p. 317 ; Dr. Bangs's History of Methodist
Episcopal Church, vol. iv, Appendix, p. 8.
7

88 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

pointed to Long Island. He was a native of Maryland,
born in 1763. He entered the ministry at the age of
twenty-one, and served the Church in Xew York as their
pastor, as we shall see hereafter. He was book agent
for several years, and died in 1847, the oldest Meth-
odist preacher at the time in America. He is said to
have been a man of great power in the pulpit, and al-
most xmequaled in debate. The preachers called him
Lycurgus, because of his profound wisdom. He was
at once prudently liberal and liberally conservative.
He never married.* In his diary he says: "Friday,
June 10, I got into New York about ten o'clock; but I
knew nothing of the city, and the name of but one of
our people therein, Avhich was Mr. Stephen Sands.
Providentially I fell in with a gentleman who con-
ducted me to his house. He was in bed and asleep.
I then began to think that I should have to go to a
tavern for lodging, but by knocking at the door he was
aroused and received me kindly. I found much peace
of mind to think that, though so far from home, I had
found such friends." f

Mr. Hagerty not having arrived, Mr. Cooper con-
sented to remain in the city until he came. He says:
" Sunday, 12th, I preached three times with a degree of
satisfaction." He also preached on Monday, Wednes-
day, and Friday evenings, and Thursday at the poor-
house. On Saturday JVIr. Hagerty arrived, and Mr.
Cooper departed for Long Island.

In July, however, they exchanged for two Aveeks.
Mr. Cooper says, Saturday, July 10: "I preached in a
private house near Fresh Water Pump (near the corner
of Pearl and Chatham Streets) at night, on the neces-
sity of Avatchfulness." " Sunday, 17th, I preached three

* J. Kennedy, in Sprague's Annals.
\ Light on Early Mtthodism, p. 28.

SowixG AXD Reapixg. 89

times in tlie cliurch. I believe the Lord touched several
hearts." Tuesday, 19th, he dined at Mr. Staples's, and
" preached at night from ' Behold the man! ' The Lord
struck several hearts. Some dated their conviction from
that service; among them Miss Cornelia Anderson." *
Thursday, 21st, he jjreaclied at three o'clock in the poor-
house, and at night met the Band Society. During the
following week he preached three times in the church
on the Lord's day, and on Thursday at the poor-house.
lie was accompanied by the Rev. Jeremiah Lambert,
who was on a visit from the West Indies, and who died
not long after. On Saturday he returned to Long
Island.f

On Wednesday, August 31, Bishop Asbury reached
New York, and " preached on the three following days,
although weak in body and languid in sj^irit." Sunday,
September 4, he says: "Notwithstanding I was very
unwel], I preached thrice, [and] read prayers twice
[Mr. Wesley's Sunday Service was in use, it seems], and
held a love-feast." " Our Society here has increased
in number and grace; our congregation also grows
larger." "My friends here have been liberal indeed
in supplying my temporal needs ; may they be abun-
dantly rewarded in spirituals!" (The "Old Book"
says, "Cash jjaid Mr. Asbury, £6.") After preaching
on the morning of Wednesday, September V, he left
the city.

Toward the close of September Cooper was again
in New York, preaching very much as he did on the
former occasions. Among others visited was the
Anderson family. Miss Cornelia, who had been con-
victed in July, was now happy in the love of God, and

*This may have been the daughter of the Mrs. Anderson whose
liberal donation is noticed, p. 447. Appendix E.
\ Light on Ea7-ly Methodism, p. 31.

90 A HisToiiY OF Methodism in New York City.

others were seeking. The duty of providing for the
religious instruction of children was beginning to he
felt, and Mr. Cooper writes : " Wednesday, Septem-
ber 28, At three o'clock I met thirteen or four-
teen children in order to catechise them. The Lord
met us, and powerfully wrought on the dear children.
I believe there was not more than one of them but
was in a flood of tears." " I don't recollect that
I ever saw a number of children so wrought upon
before." *

Among the charges in the "Old Book," in February,
1786, we read: Cash paid for Mr. Lynch's chest, £0 4s.
As no traveling jDreacher by the name of Lynch is
found in the Minutes, we might ask who is he and why
is his baggage paid for, and get no answer if it were
not for E. Cooper's Journal. There we learn that Mr,
Lynch was a local preacher who came to the city in the
early part of October and assisted in the work. Sin-
ners were converted and believers sanctified. At the
watch-night services, on the last night of the year 1785,
five preachers were present, namely, Hagerty, Cooper,
Brush, Lynch, and Sands. " It was a season of com-
fort, and added to the religious fervor that already
prevailed." Among the good results of this revival
was an increased interest in the spiritual welfare of
the poor and of prisoners. On Sunday, May 14, a
note was sent to the church stating that nearly one
hundred prisoners desired the prayers of the congre-
gation. f

In the meanwhile the trustees purchased other prop-
erty. " The Reformed Dutch Church held a mortgage
on a house and lot; they foreclosed, and the property
was sold at auction and purchased by the trustees of
the John Street preaching-house for three hundred
* Light on Early Mdhodwm, p. 32. f Ibid., p. 34

Sowing and Reaping. 91

pounds. They obtained their deed, which was dated
April 12, 1786, from the Reformed Dutch Church." *

Members in New York: Whites, 178; colored, 23'; so
reads the report for 1786. f John Dickins goes to New
York again, and John Tunnell is tlie elder. J Jle re-
ceived several payments during the year, amounting in
all to £25 125. On the 13th August the trustees paid
Mr. Cloud (probably Robert Cloud, then at Newark,
N. J.) £2 for traveling expenses, and on September 5

* Wakeley's Lost Chajiters, p. G4. Dr. Wakeley says this was ad-
joining their church property, but a reference to the deed, wiiich is in
possession of ihe trustees of tlie Eigliteenth Street Methodist Episco-
pal Ciiurcli, will show this to be an error. The property bought in
1785 of L. Lispenard was adjoining. The author of The Charter
Church is also in error when he says (page 19) that this was " the plot
on which the old church was situated." No account of payments for
this land, nor for that bought the year before, is found in the " Old
Book ; " but some entries shortly afterward may explain the use that
was made of it. On May 30, as it tells us, Mr. Russell was paid in
part for building school-house, £8; on May ?>\, £14; o;i June 17,
£10, and on July 1 '-the balance," £33 85. lid; in all £65 8s. lid
This may not be tlie whole, however, as some other payments were
made to Mr. Russell afterward, though they are not slated to be for
the Fchool-house.

f This custom of reporting the numbers of the colored people sepa- "
rately began at this Conference. It is not necessary to believe that
it was intended as an invidious distinction. It was desirable to know
how tlie work was going on in tlie two different races. The practice
ceased about 1852.

:j:Of him we know little more tlian of his predecessor. Chew. He
began his ministry about the same time, and labored mostly in the
neighborhood of Baltimore and farther South. He, however, con-
tinued in tlie field until his death in July, 1790. In 1787 he was
sent with four itinerants, among whom was young Thomas "Ware, be-
yond the mountains to the Holston country, now called East Tennes-
see, and thus became one of the founders of Methodism in the great
valley of the "West.§ He was "a man of solid piety, great sim-
plicity, and godly sincerity." ||

§ Stevens's History of the Mcthodwt Episcopal Church, vol. ii, p. 34.
II Minutes of 1790.

92 A History of Methodism in Neav York City.

" toward a liorse for a poor preacher, at the desire of
Mr. Asbury, £3 26\"

Another indication of Asbiiry's presence in New
York is found just afterward. They paid his traveling
expenses, £2. Looking into his Journal, Ave read that
he reached the city on the 31st of August, and was
confined about eight days with illness. On Sunday,
September 17, he says: "It was a very solemn season
at the ordination of Brother Dickins to the eldership.
I gave the charge from 1 Tim. iii, 10-14." The passage
is signiKcant, and is therefore given in part: "And let
these also first be proved; then let them use the office
of deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their
wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all
things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife,
ruling their children and their own houses well," etc.
Mr. Dickins was one of the few married men in the
itinerancy, and the bishop no doubt felt it well to give
to him and his good wife such counsel as he thought
needful. From all we can learn in regard to them
both, the text could not be regarded as an innuendo.
Tie adds: "I met tlie Society, and opened my mind to
them on various subjects." In the following week,
having settled some temporal matters relative to the
support of the stationed preachers, he dejiarted for
Elizabetlitown.

But another man Avas in the city whose name is less
widely known, but whose preaching excited more
interest than that of the bishop. The New York Packet
(a newspaper of that day) of September 11, 1786, sa^'s:
"Lately came to this city a very singular black man,
who, it is said, is quite ignorant of letters, yet he has
preached in the Methodist church several times to tlie
acceptance of several Avell-disposed, judicious people.
He delivers his discourses with great zeal and pathos,

Sowing and Reaping. 93

and liis language and connection is by no means con-
tenij)tible. It is the wish of several of our correspond-
ents that this same black man may be so far successful
as to rouse the dormant zeal of numbers of our slothful
white people, who seem very little affected about the
concerns of another world." * Those who have ever
heard of "Black Harry" will suspect that he was the
preacher, and the "Old Book" proves their suspicions
correct. Right next to an entry of two pounds paid to
Asbury for traveling expenses is one of the same
amount paid to Henry Hosier for the same jiurpose.
Although he appears here for the first time in connec-
tion with New York Metliodism, he had been for several
years well known and highly esteemed in other parts
of the country, f He was, says Raybold, J "one of the
greatest prodigies of those early days among the Meth-
odists. He had been a slave in the South, but was
manumitted and converted and became a preacher,
which, at that time, was considered a most extraordinary
affair." When Dr. Coke, having met Asbury at Bar-
rett's Chapel, set out to preach and visit the Societies
in the interval until the meeting of the Christmas Con-
ference, Asbuiy sent with him Harry as a companion
and guide. Tlie doctor heard him preacli several times,
and was delighted with his African colleague. He says:
" I really believe that he is one of the best preachers in
the world— there is such an amazing power attends his
word, though he cannot read, § and he is one of the

*This is the first notice of Metliodism in New York which I have
found in any of our city papers.

■j- " He must not be confounded with 'Black Harry' of St. Eusta-
tius. who occupies so romantic a place in Coke's subsequent historj'."
— Stevens's History of the Mdhodist Episcopal Church, vol. ii, p. Vji,

\ Reminiscences of Methodism in West Jersey, p. 1 65.

§ An attempt was niadc to teach him to read, but, to use Harry's
words, " when he tried to read he lost the gift of preaching," and so
gave it up eniirely. Reminiscences of Methodism inWest Jersey, p. 16G.

94 A History of Methodism in New York City.

humblest creatures I ever saw." * He afterward trav-
eled with Garrettson, and was with him when he met
Jesse Lee in Boston in 1790. On his returning journey
Garrettson says: "July 29, I rode to Hudson, where I
found the people very curious to hear Harry. I there-
fore declined preaching, that their curiosity might be
satisfied. The different denominations heard him with
much admiration, and the Quakers thought that, as he
was unlearned, he must preach Ijy immediate inspira-
tion, f The celebrated Dr. Rush, of Philadelphia —
making allowance for his illiteracy — pronounced him
" the greatest orator in America." J Harry afterward
became temporarily the victim of wine, but had moral
strength to recover himself, after wrestling all night in
prayer. Thenceforth he continued faithful until his
death, which took place in Philadelphia about 1810.
A great procession of both black and white admirers
followed him to his grave, and buried him " as a hero,
once overcome, but finally victorious." § It is said he

♦Stevens's Hi-story of the Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. ii, p. 177.

f Life of Garrettson, p. 195. It has been siiid that on one occasion,
in Wihningion, Del., where Methodism was lono; unpopular, a number
of the citizens who did not ordinarily attend Methodist preaching
came together to hear Bisliop Asburv. Old Asbury Chapel was, at
that time, so full that they could not get in. They stood outside to
hear the bishop, as tiiey supposed, but in reality they heard Harry.
Before they left the place they complimented the speaker by saying:
" If all Methodist preachers could preacli like the bishop wo should
like to bo constant hearers." Some one present replied : "That was
not the bishop, but the bishop's servant." This only raised the bishop
higher in their estimation, as their conclusion was, "If such be the
servant, what must the master be?" The truth was that Harrj- was
a more popular speaker than Asbury, or almost any one else in his
day. Lednum, p. 282 ; Stevens's History of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, vol. ii, p. 175.

J Stevens's Histwy of the Metliodist Episcopal Church, vol. ii, p. 174.

>^ HAd^, p. 175.

SowixG AXD Reaping. 95

was of small stature, very black, with eyes of remarkable
brilliancy and keenness. *

" Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil " is
a text that it is said a preacher once took as the foun-
dation of some severe criticism on the amount of copper
money contributed in the collections. Trustees have
often been disposed to use the text in the same way,
and we find those of John Street entering in their " Old
Book" of accounts, August 28, 1V86, "By overplus
coppers lying in the chest, £6 ]0s." On January 15 of
the following year they write, " To cash paid for osna-
burgs for copper bags, £0 3s." f It seems they gath-
ered the " overplus " of "coppers into these packages and
disposed of them. In June, 1787, also, they report a
loss on bad coppers, £1 os., and on December 21a loss
on coppers and Jersey money, £2 0^. 1(7. J

On Wednesday, May 15, 1787, Asbury came to Xew
York again, and Dr. Coke Avas with him. The Doctor
preached, he says, with great energy and acceptance.
" Black Harry " seems to have been in their company, as
we find a payment made to him on June 11 of two
pounds. On Tuesday, May 16, Asbury says, "After
long silence 1 preached on, ' For Zion's sake I will not
hold ray peace,' etc." After a short excursion to Long
Island, visiting Hempstead Harbor and Moscheto (now
Glen) Cove, he came back to the city on the 28th. He

* Stevens's History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. ii, p. 174.

f Osnaburgs are a coarse linen cloth of wliich bags are made for
holding shot, etc.

X New York was flooded about this time with spurious copper
money, imitations of British halfpence or of Jersey coppers. These
"were manufactured largely in Birmingham, England, of inferior ma-
terial and light weight, and imported in casks under the name of
hardware. See McMaster's History of the People of the United States,
vol. i, p. 401.

96 A History of Methodism in New York City,

preached at night, and again the next evening, and
says, " I delivered a close and awful discourse on, ' They
shall come from the east, and from the west, and from
the north, and from the south, and sit down with Abra-
ham and Isaac and Jacob,' etc. I was in prayer until
near midnight. O Lord, make me all life and love; give
patience and resignation under the troubles of the
Church and disappointment of its ministers." On Sun-
day, June 3, he " had a gracious time on 2 Cor. iv, 1-4.
Ordained E. Cooper a deacon. In the afternoon my
soul had peace while I enlarged on jMatt. xviii, 15, to
the end." On Tuesday, the 5th, he " preached on, ' No
man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back,
is fit for the kingdom of heaven,' and felt freedom and
power in speaking." On Wednesday he " met leaders
and trustees, and, after some explanation, settled mat-
ters relative to singing in public worship," and preached
at the poor-house. " I keep myself busy," he adds, " in
visiting the families of the Society, or the sick, or meet-
ing class, if some other business does not call me." On
Sunday he preached on Luke iv, 18, and in the aftei*-
noon on Matt, xi, 25, The next day he "left the city
in great union with the Lord and with the Church."
The people settled his bill for horse-keeping, £3 5s.; but
we do not find any account of any other jDayraent. To
Dr. Coke, however, they gave, on May 21, £19 Bs. 2d.;
after which he lel't for Philadelphia, and on May 27
sailed for Europe,

On June 1 1 the trustees paid for a communion table
£3 5s., and on the 15th sent to Conference, by Brother
Tunnell, eleven pounds. On the 20th they paid for
cleaning the preaching-house £3 12s., thus preparing
for the next Conference year.

Mr. Dickins was able to report at the Conference a
membership of 235 whites and 40 colored, an increase

Sowing and Reaping. 97

of T2. Tliis increase, it seems, made it necessary to
send an additional preacher, and Henry Willis was ap-
pointed. Thomas Foster was the elder.*

The name of Henry Willis appears first in the Min-
utes in 17*79, when he is appointed to Roanoke, He
had been at Cliarleston before his appointment to New
York. He was afterward in Philadelphia, but became
supernumerary in 1791, and so continued until, in the
early part of 1808, at Pipe Creek, Frederick County,
Md., he died " with triumphant faith in Christ." He
was book agent for several years, and one of the dearest
friends of Asbury. " He shines forth as one of the
most brilliant stars in the galaxy of early Methodist
preachers. His memory has much of the .same fra-
grance as that of Summerfield." It is said he was the
last Methodist preacher Avho wore a gown in the
pulpit, f

But the name of Henry Willis does not appear in the
" Old Book " during this Conference year, though it
does during the next year, when he was elder. Instead
of it we find that of Woolman Hickson. It would seem
that after Conference a change w^as made, and Hickson,
who in his zeal was bent on going to Nova Scotia, a
field for which he was totally unfitted because of his
feeble health, was persuaded to sto]) in New York, and
some other work was found for Willis. J Samuel Q.
Talbot, of New Rochelle, and Peter Moriarty, of Long
Island, and Cornelius Cook, of East Jersey, are named

* Foster was a native of Virginia, entered the itinerancy in 1780,
labored principally in the South, and located ia 1792. " No minister
■was more esteemed on account of sound talent and holy life." —
Stevens's History of the 3fdhodist Episcopal Church, vol. ii, p. 83.

f Warriner's Old Sands Street, pp. 76, 77, where his portrait, iu
gown and bands, will be found facing p. 76.

X A.shuTy's Journal, May 28, 1787.

98 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

as receiving pajTaents for horse-keeping, etc. ; and it is
probable that they frequently came to help.*

Woolman Hickson's "name is very pi'ecious to the
lovers of early Methodism." He was " a man of splendid
talents and brilliant genius.f " He was fast hastening to

*0n October 30, 1787, 6s. Zd. was paid for keeping Brother
Cook's horse; and April 16, 1788, 10s. for Mr. Cook's expenses. This
must have been the Cornelius Cook who had just been admitted on
trial and appointed to East Jersey, and who probably came to help
during the illness of the preachers. He was one of the young men
who accompanied Garrettson up the Hudson. He died in August,
1789, and the nature of liis illness and the place of his burial liave
been tlie subject of some discussion. Dr. Stevens's History of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. ii, p. 418, says he died of yellow fever
in New York, in 1789; but from articles in the Christian Advocate,
vol. xxiv, pp. 161, 175, and 200, it appears that his death took place
at Lagrange, Dutchess County, N. T., but of what disease is uncertain.
On Xovember 16, 1787, there is a charge of fifteen siiillings for keep-
ing and shoeing Brother Talbot's horse, and on December 14, for some
necessaries for Brother Talbot, £2 10s. He entered ihe work in 1786,
and was first appointed to Kent, in 1787 to New Rochelle, in 1788 to
New City, and in 1789 to Dutchess, after which his name disappears.
Dr. Bangs (in the list of preachers at the end of vol. iv of his History,
13. 39) reports him located. Of the otlier we read: "May 4, 1788, to
cash for horse-hire for Mr. Moriarty, £1 Is." This was Peter Moriarty,
who was born in Maryland April 27, 1758, and educated a Roman Cath-
olic. At the age of sixteen he heard Methodist preaching and was con-
verted. He began his ministry in 1781, but his name does not appear
in the Miuutes until 1782, when he is reported as continued on trial.
At. this time he was laboring on Long Island, and his succeeding ap-
pointments were generally up the Hudson River. He died in 1813,
while presiding elder of the Ashgrove District. It is said he was
" plain in liis dress, plain in his manners, and jalain and pointed in his
preaching, upright in all his deportment; in short, his life was a con-
slant comment upon the Gospel he preached." (Minutes of 1814.)
His son, John Moriarty, w'as afterward a useful minister of Christ,
and one granddaughter is the widow of W. B. Worrall, of Flush'p.tr,
L. I., and another died in 1885, the widow of W. H. Arthur, of New
Tork city.

f Wakelcy's Lost Chapters, pp. 310, 314.

Sowing axd Reaping. 99

the grave with consumption when he came to New York.
We do not know exactly when he died, but it was before
September 30, 1788, as thei'e is an account of liis death
in the Minutes of that year, and the Conference began
on that day. For six weeks Ann Wheeler nursed him,
for which she received two dollars a week, or £4 16s. in
all. On November 17 the church paid sixteen shillings
for his funeral expenses, but this must have been only
a part of the whole sum.*

In May, 1788, Freeborn Garrettson arrived in New
York, intending to enter New England; but the duty
and honor of being the pioneer of Methodism in that
section was reserved for Jesse Lee. ' Hickson being on
his death-bed, and Dickins "in ill health, he was solic-
ited by the people to remain with them to supply the
pulpits." f He therefore spent most of his time in the
city until the ensuing Conference. There is a charge
for his horse-keeping, four shillings, and for quarterage
paid to him, £6 Ss.

Few names are more familiar to the student of early
Methodism than that of Freeborn Garrettson. Born in
Maryland, in 1752, of a family in a good position in
the community, and converted in 1775, he was admitted
on trial at the Conference of 1776. Before tliis time
he had, in obedience to strong convictions of duty, set

*To 'Woolman Hicksoa we are indebted for the first list of mem-
bers with the name of tlie writer and the date. It begins at p. 72 of
the book already described (book i, A), and is dated .July 20, 1787. It
is arranged in seventeen classes of from eight to twentj^-four members,
exclusively male or female. The leaders are John Staples, Jonas
Humbert, Daniel Contant, Andrew Mercien, Wm. Tillou, Peter
McLean, Abraham Brower, Robert Snow, John Bleeker, Abraham
Russel, Stephen Rudd, Cornelius "Warner, David Candles, Geo. Court-
Tipy, Among the members besides those alrendy named (Introduc-
tion, p. vi) are Lewis Faugeres, Samuel Walagrove, Jacob Grindle-
mire, Wm. Ellison, Robert Bonsell, John Peshine, John Sproson.

\ Life of Gar7-ett!>u7i, p. 171.

100 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

free his slaves. At the Conference of 1784 he vohin-
teered as missionai-y to Nova Scotia, from whence he
returned in 1787. In 1789, taking with him twelve
young preachers, he laid out for them circuits along the
Hudson River valley as far north as Lake Champlain.
He labored afterward in New York, New Jersey, Penn-
sylvania, and New England, and in 1805 and 1806 he
was appointed to New York city. He died suddenly
in New York, September 26, 1827. In 1793 he married
Catharine, daughter of Hon. Robert R. Livingston, who
survived until 1849. Though not an eloquent speaker,
" tliere was a facility and fervor of expression, and a
rich tone of evangelical thought and feelin<i, that often
rendered his discourses exceedingly impressive." " Dur-
ing the whole course of his ministry, extending through
a period of upward of fifty years, he received no pecun-
iary recompense, except in a few instances, when it was
urged upon him, and then it was either given to necessi-
tous individuals or deposited with the funds of the Con-
ference."* He left an only child, a daughter, Miss Mary
R. Garrettson, who survived her mother and imitated
lier father's example in liberality.

* Dr. Ban£!;s in Spmgue's Aymals of the Methodist Pulpit, p. G2.

Another Garner. 101

CHAPTER X.

AXOTHER GARNER— FROM CONFERENCE OF 1788 TO 1790.

And now John Street Church is to be, for the first
time, the place for a session of a Conference. The
printed Minutes are silent in regard to it. None had
ever been held north of Philadelphia before, and no
session had been appointed north of Baltimore for
1788, but it is probable that Bishop Asbury had
seen the necessity of the case and sent word that
he would hold a session in New York. That it
was held is proved by the united testimony of the
bishop's Journal and certain entries in the " Old Book."
The trustees of John Street paid " for four yards of
green baize for Conference lis. 4(:?.," and for "sundry
expenses at the time of Conference £8 85. Also, for
keeping Bishop Asbury's horses £2 5s. 11(7.," and "for
a bridle," lis. Asbury's notice is brief, but sufficient.
He says, Monday, September 29, "Rode to New York.
Next day [Tuesday, 30th] our Conference began, and
continued until Saturday, the 4th of October." He
appears to have left immediately after its close.*

At this Conference the city reported 276 white mem-
bers and 54 colored; in all 330, an increase of 55. John
Dickins was re-appointed, but without a colleague, and
Henry Willis was tlie elder. Judging from charges in
the "Old Book," Mr. Willis labored a great deal in

* Rev. Thomas Morrell, in his unpublished journal, says: "At the
Conference in New York, in October, 1788, I was ordained a deacon.''
His ordination certificate is dated accordingly. Wakeley's Lost
Chapters, p. 320.

102 A History of Methodism in N^ew York City.

New York ; as they paid him, December 23, 1788, for
quarterage, etc., £S Ss. 2d. ; and again on March 21,
1789, £6 15s. 6d. Garrettson also, it seems, was fre-
quently in the city, as he says, " My custom was to go
around the district eveiy three months, and then return
to New York, where I commonly stayed about two
weeks." *

Nothing of interest is found, either in the " Old
Book " or any other record, in regard to the Conference
year of 1788-89. At its close the membership M^as 290
whites and 70 colored ; 360 in all, an increase of 30.
They sent £21 to the funds of the Conference, and on
May 21 paid for whitewashing, etc., £2 16s. 9d., for
brushes 9s., for laborers 80s., and for beer and wood
12s. and 6d., for "cleaning the church."

On Tuesday, May 26, 1789, Asbury and Coke reached
New York, and it seems, from an entry in the " Old
Book," that Whatcoat was with them, as they paid
for keejDing Mr. Asbury's and Mr. Whatcoat's horses
£5 16s. 6d. Asbury came "under great travail of
soul for a revival of religion." On Thursday, the 28th,
he says : " Conference began ; all things were con-
ducted in peace and ordei\ Our work opens in New
York State ; New England stvutcheth out the hand to
our ministry, and I trust thousands will shortly feel its
influence." This last sentence refers to the fact that
Jesse Lee received at this Conference his commission
to New England.

On Sunday, the 31st, Asbury says : "We had a gra-
cious season to preachers and people, while I opened
and applied Isa. xxv, 6-8." Dr. Coke says of this ses-
sion : " A Conference like the others, all peace and

* Life of Garrettson, p. 174. His district extended from New
Rnehelle' to Lake Champlain ; that of Willis included only New York
city and Long Island.

Another Garner. 103

concord — glory! glory be to God! In this city we
have a great revival and a great increase, in conse-
quence of which we are going to build a second
church," * On Friday, June 5, the Doctor embarked
for Liverpool, and in the evening Asbury says that
while preaching on Isa. xxix, 17-19, "the power of
God and a baptizing flame came among the people."
Sunday, the 7th, he tells us, " was a good day. I felt
inwardly quickened toward the close of my morning's
discourse, and the people were moved ; in the afternoon
many were divinely drawn, and my own soul was
humbled and tilled with the love of God. Several souls
have been stirred up this Conference ; I trust the Lord
will claim the people of York for Iiis own." On the
9th he left for Kingsbridge.

Asbury, however, says nothing in his Journal of an
event of some interest which took place at this Confer-
ence. On the 13th of September, 1788, the adoption
of the Constitution of the United States had been de-
clared, and on April 30, 1789, AVashington w:is inaugu-
rated as President in New York. Asbury suggested
to the Conference the propriety of presenting a con-
gratulatory address to the President. The Conference
unanimously approved the measure, and appointed the
two bishops, Dr. Coke and Mr. Asbury, to draw up the
address. It was finished that day and adopted by
the Conference. Dickins and Morrell were delegated
to wait on the president with a copy, and request him
to appoint a day and hour when he would receive the
bishops. Dr. Coke, though senior bishop, not being an
American citizen, the duty of reading the address de-
volved on Asbury. In a few days the address and
answer were published in the papers, and the next week
there appeared a number of questions. Who was Dr.

* Steveiis'i Histwy of the Mdhodist Episcopal Church, vol. ii, p. 282.

104 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

Coke ? How came he to be bishop ? Who consecrated
him? etc. The impropriety of a British subject signing
such an address was also urged, and heavy charges
were made against Coke as an enemy of American in-
dependence. " Some of the ministers and members of the
other Churches appeared dissatisfied that the Methodists
should take the lead in recognizing the new republic.
In a few days the other denominations successively fol-
lowed our example." * The public prints soon laid
aside their spirit of unfair criticism. The A^eio York
Packet of June 25, 1789, after giving some statistics
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, says: "From
the respectful and affectionate address of the bishops
of this new and growing Church to the President of
the United States, as well as from other documents,
it appears that the whole Society are warmly attached
to the Constitution and government of the United
States." t

The nppointments in the Minutes of 1789 for New
York are, Robert Cloud, John Merrick, William Phoe-
bus.J The Minutes for this year are the first in which
we read the title "presiding elder," § Freeborn Gar-
rettson holding that office, and Thomas Morrell's name
following as elder. This last appointment seems to
have been made for a special purpose. Dr. Coke,
as we have seen, speaks of the building of a second

* Letter of Thomas Morrell, Bangs's History of Methodist Episcopal
Church, vol. i, p. 280.

f See Appendix M.

:|: Each for four moutlis ; but this provisidii for a cliange seems to
have been intended to apply only to Merrick and Phoebus; Merrick's
name being also found in connection with Elizabethtow.n, and that
of Phoebus with Long Island; but Cloud's nowhere else but Xew
York.

§ It is dropped, however, next year, and until 1T97 we find merely
"elder."

Another Garxer. 105

cnnrch, and among Morreirs papers is found the fol-
lowing :

Thomas Morrell is appointed and ordered by ihe "bishops and Con-
ference to raise a subscriplion iu the city of New York, in order to
erect a new church on a convenient spot, at tlie nortli or nortli-east
part of tlie city ; and shall call to liis assistance any person or per-
sons recommended by the bishops or Conference ; or, in their absence,
any person he shall judge proper for his assistance. The bishops and
Conference do also order that all subscripiions and collections that
shall be raised from time to time in the new cluircli, when erected,
shall be applied for the benefit, support, and interests of the new
chiirol) ; and they do also give Thomas Morrell authority to appoint
trustees for the said new church.* Thomas Coke.

Francis Asbury.

New York, May 20, iTSO.f

Thomas Morrell, wliose name now first appears in
connection with New York, must find notice here.
He was the son of Jonathan Morrell, and was born in
New York city, November 22, 1747. His mother had
been converted about 1760, and, when Embury began
his labors, was among the first to join the society. In the
Revolutionary War he was a useful officer of the army.
Converted in March, 1786, in the same month of the
following year he began his itinerant life. AVith the
exception of one year he continued in the work until
February, 1804, when he located at Elizabethtown,
N. J., where he died August 9, 1838. His funeral ser-
mon was preacned by his friend, Dr. Nicholas Murray,
of the First Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth, He was

* From these words it is evident that the bishops and Conference
intended the new congregation to be independent of the older, as to
its finances. How and why this idea was not carried out might be
an interesting matter of investigation, if any material could be dis-
covered.

f Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 246. Either the date, liowever, is an
error for May 29 or 30, or the bishops anticipated tiie action of the
Conference, as tlie session did not begin until May 28.

106 A HisTOEY OF Methodism ix New York City.

an ardent patriot, a devoted Christian, and a successful
minister of Christ. Some of the entries in the " Old
Book," at about the date of which we are now writing,
and some old records of membership kept during his
present term of service and that of 1802 and 1803, are
in his peculiarl}^ small neat hand.*

Of Robert Cloud we can learn but little. His name
first appears in the Minutes of 1785. After laboring
several years in the States of New Jersey and New
York, he located in 1794, and afterward went West, and
finally located while a member of the Ohio Conference
in 1812. f It is said that on one occasion when he
" was preaching there was a great stir among the peo-
])le, and many cried aloud for mercy." John B. Mat-
thias, afterward of the New York Conference, was
convicted at that time, l

John Merrick entered the traveling connection in
1786, and continued in the work eleven years, locating
in 1797. We are told that he was a superior preacher,
and very useful. §

William Phoebus, however, became very closely
identified with New York Methodism. Born in Som-
erset County, Md., in 1754, he entered the ministry in
1783, and was present at the Christmas Conference. In
1792 he located, and occupied for a time a house belong-

* Among the names of those read in by Thomas Morrell, June 21,
1789, are those of William Elsworth, John Innis, and Daniel Car-
penter; on November 8, William Fosbrook and Jonathan Patterson;
on June 27, 1790, William Whiletield and John Midwinter (grand-
father of Rev. James M. Freeman, D.D.); on Jnly 18, Samuel Bon-
sall, Nicholas Morris, Samuel Wallagrove; on September 5. Gilbert
Coutant, Barnet Mattliias (Rev. J. B. Matthias), William Tillou,
Susaima Lamplin. Book i, A, pp. 81, 82.

f For some mysterious things about Robert Cloud, see Warriner'3
Old Sands Stree(^. 85.

X Sacred Memories, p. 12.

§ Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 326.

Another Garner. 107

ing to the church, Ko. 30 John Street, as we find by
the Directory of 1794, His rent, as Ave learn from the
"Old Book," was forty-five i^ounds a year. In 1796-97
he was again in the work on Long Island, but in 1798
he located a second time, and engaged in the practice of
medicine, generally pi-eaching, however, every Sabbath.
In 1806-7 he was in the itinerancy again, being stationed
at Albany, and in 1808 at Charleston, S. C. In 1809
we find him on Long Island, and in 1810 at Troy. In
18] 1 he is in New York again, and also in 1814-15.
In 1818 he served the colored congregations in Zion
and Asbury Churches. In 1819-20 he was Conference
missionary, in 1821 became supernumerary, and in 1824
superannuated. In this relation he continued until his
death in New York, November 9, 1831, in his seventy-
eighth year. Though a man of much ability, and well
informed, and often impressive in his sermons, he was
not a popular preacher. One reason of this, Dr. Bangs
tells us, " was that in his public discourses, as well as
his private conversation, he was much given to enig-
matical expressions wliich the mass of his hearers did
not comprehend. A striking instance of this I remem-
ber occurred in the Conference of 1823. In addressing
his brethren on the improbability of his being able to
serve the church much longer, he remarked that the
lease of his house hnd expired, and therefore he could
not tell how soon he mig?it be called to remove, as he
was not certain that he could procure a renewal of his
lease for any particular length of time, hence he could
not pledge himself for any special service in the minis-
try. On hearing this, an aged minister, by no means
deficient in sngacity, remarked to me, ' I thought the
doctor owned the house in which he lives; but it seems
I was under a mistake, as he says that the time of his
lease has run out ! ' To . this I replied, ' You do not

108 A History of Methodism in^ New York City.

understand him. He speaks in parables. He is now
threescore years and ten, ahnost tlie greatest age God
has allotted to man, and therefore cannot calculate on
living much longer at most ; and even that little time
must be considered a matter of grace! ' To this expla-
nation he himself subsequently assented." " His rever-
ence for the name and cliaracter of Christ, at least his
manner of expressing it, was very unusual. When he
had occasion to speak of the Saviour in conversation
he would gently incline his head, or, if his head were
covered, lift his hat, always using the qualifying word
adorable, as the adorable Saviour, the adorable Jestisy *
He began the publication of a Methodist magazine,
but it was short-lived. He was buried in tlie old Meth-
odist cemetery in First Street, whence his remains were
afterward removed to Cypress Hills, L. I.f

Here, perhaps, it may be well to call attention to the
fact that the Conferences at that period were not alwavs
lield at the same season of the year. That of 1789, for
instance, was in May, while that of 1790 did not meet
until October. This variation was probably necessary
because Bishop Asbury's duties would not permit any
other arrangement.

In the " Old Book," in October and November, 1789,
are charges amounting to £9 for paving the street, and
in December a rather larger sum for altering stoops,
and mason-work for the yard and street. This seems
to indicate that the grading, already referred to, was
done at this time. Black Harry was in the city in the
spring of 1790, as we find on April 12 and May 19
charges for his horse-keeping. A good work seems to
have been going on, as Asbury, while in Charleston, says

* Dr. N. Bangs, in Sprague's Annals of the Methodist Pulpit, p. 89.
f Sprague's Annals of the Methodist Pulpit; Warriner's Old Sands
Street Church.

Another Garxee. 109

iu liis Journal (Februaiy 10, 1790): " I received good
news from Baltimore and New York; about two hundred
souls have been brouglit to God within a few weeks." *
The most important event in the history of New
York Methodism this year Avas the building of a sec-
ond church. We have seen that Thomas Morrell was
" api^ointed and ordered " by -the bishops and Confer-
ence to undertake this work. In entering upon it, how-
ever, he met with such serious opposition that he wrote
to Bishop Asbury for counsel. The bishop rej^lied :

My Yert Dear Brother : It is impossible for me to give any de-
cided advice in tlie critical circumstances of your case, and the fickle
tempers yon have to deal with, that may tack and change more fre-
quently than the wind. In brief, I advise you to do the best you can,
but build the house. I will cancel your obligation to the Conference
and myself. I wish j^ou to be under no shackles on our side. I
would not have you outdone. I think those who trouble you will
soon be cut off, etc. Ton will take my few hints, etc.

I am, with great respect, thine, Francis Asbury.

Another letter, dated Rhinebeck, June 19, says :

My Dear Brother: If you can only erect and cover, with seats,
windows, and doors, ihe new church by the 1st of December, all will
be well, I hope. 0, brother, piety, patience, courage, zeal, and indus-
try will carry you through. I am in faith, hope, and prayer that
God will revive his work in Tork. Do, brother, strive and reform
the siug'ng a little in our Church.f

I am thine, in much esteem, Francis Asbury.;}:

Dr. Coke, also, on his voyage to Euroj^e, has the new
enterprise at heart. He writes:

On Board the Union, near Ireland, June 6, 1789.

My Very Dear Brother: I beg your pardon for my great for-
getfulness in not leaving behind an address in behalf of the new
cluircli we are going to bnild iu New York. I hope you will be able
to accomplish that important undertaking. . . .

Your faithful friend, Thomas Coke.|:

* See note, p. 113.

f The bishop himself was a good singer, and wanted improvement
in that respect. J Wakeley's Lost Chapters, pp. 347, 355.

110 A History of Methodism in Xew York City.

Morrell persevered, in spite of all difficulties, and
Bishop Asbury writes to him, under date of October 3,
1789:

My Dear Brother : I am pleased you have made out so wonder-
fully. I can figure m my own mind the difficulties you have had to
struggle with. The hints you gave are very just as to the manage-
ment of temporalities. The members are welcome to act, but who
are to appoint them? is the question. I find it hard if a preacher
cannot draw a collection for a mission or Conference or station with-
out complaint. I have nothing at all to complain of, and ic would
have been impossible to have carried your great design into execu-
tion without your method. . . .

I am, with great respect, thine, Francis Asbury.*

The location selected for the new building was in
Second (now Forsyth) Street, near Division Street, f
The property was originally part of the estate of
J:imes Delancey, Esq., a loyalist, and was forfeited and
vested in the people of the State of New York by the
attainder of said Delancey, and was conveyed to George
Workheart by Isaac Stoutenburgh and Philip Van
Cortland, Esq., Commissioners of Forfeitures for the
Southern District of the State. " An act for the speedy
sale of the confiscated and forfeited estates Avithin the
State " had been passed May 12, 1784, and four months
afterward Mr. Workheart purchased the lots for one
hundred and thirty-one pounds and ten shillings. He kept
them about five years, and then sold them for two hun-
dred and eigliteen pounds and a half more than he gave.
Some good speculations in real estate were made, it
seems, one hundred years ago.

The deed to the church is dated August 17, 1789.

* Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 355.

f The present church in Second Street is not to be confounded
■with this. That was built more than forty years after. Old Forsyth
Street was also sometimes called the Bowery Church. Bowery Vil-
lage, now Seventh Street, is another and later organization.

Another Garner. Ill

Seven lots Avere sold by George "Workheart, gardener,
and Eve, his wife, for three hundred and fifty pounds.
Eve, in signing it, had to make her mark, not being-
able to write her name.* John Sproson and Samuel
Stilwell, trustees of John Street Church, were wit-
nesses, f

On August 11, 1789, the first stone of the foundation
was laid, and the building was inclosed, floored, and
ceiled by Xovember 8, when it was dedicated, though
pi-obably not yet finished. Thus, we see, Thomas Mor-
rell had met the bishop's expectation, who fixed Decem-
ber 1 as the date of completion. Mr. Morrell preached
on 1 Pet. ii, 5. 1

The "Old Book" does not cast much light on the
finances of the new church, though we have an entry
on January 12, 1791, " To cash advanced for new church
last year, £100," and there are some other charges
either explicitly or probably for the same purpose; some
of them, however, may have been for current exi^enses.
But in another old book § there is, apparently in Mr.
Morrell's handwriting, an account of money received
and paid out by him for the new church. It begins
July 27, 1789, and ends July 12, 1790. It is in reality
only an account of payments, no account of receipts

* What a pity that the gardener had not been named Adam 1 The
title would then have come from Adam and Eve.

f Mr. Workheart united witli the church in 1792, and was a mem-
ber as late as 1796. We have no evidence that his wife ever joined.
She died in October, 1793, and was buried in the church ground, the
grave being a gift from the church. (See record of burials in tlie
possession of the trustees of Forsyth Street Church.) Dr. Wakeley
gives the date as 1795, and says she was seventy years of age, and
that lier tombstone was riiiht behind the church.

I Wakeley's Lost Chapters, pp. 353, 354. Mr. W. gives a sketch
of tlie discourse.

g Marked Bock ii. See preface, p. vii.

112 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

being given, and the enlries nearly all read, " Cash paid
Henry Newton." They amount to £872 8s. 2(7. Mr.
Morrell lent £150. The total cost was probably
$2,500,

The building was of rough stone, covered with blue
stucco; its dimensions fifty by seventy feet. A low
stoop of not more than two or three steps gave en-
trance to each door.* It stood some ten or fifteen feet
back from the street, Avith a door-yard in front inclosed
with wooden pickets. There Avere end and side gal-
leries. The ceiling was flat. The pulpit was high,
with steps on the south side and a sounding-board over
it. In the rear was a bur^^ing-ground, wliich at length
became filled, and on the rebuilding of the church in
183;j the bodies were removed. A two-story frame
edifice was afterward erected on the opposite side of
Forsyth Street, which was used as a lecture-room and
Sunday-school room, and also for the charity day-school,
which the Methodists maintained for many years. The
Asbury library was also kept in this building. Some
idea of the aspect of the neighborhood at the time is
furnished by the following extract. Kev. William
Thacher says : " During the first year of my residence
in New York I saw in the fields eastward from the city
a new stone church in the progress of building. What !
a place of worship so far from inhabitants? For
what denomination can this be ? A house of God far
from home seemed hardly compatible with due honor
to him who promised to dwell in the midst of his
jieople. Ah! little did I then think this is a Methodist
sanctuary, and that this Avas a sample of their pioneer
plan, to build a house and then invite sinners to come

* Externally this and Duane and Allen Streets were much alike.
They all also had cellars, which, for a time at least, were used for
the storage of ale, etc.

AxoTHER Garner. 113

there and get their souls converted. And what prophet
Could then have made me believe that, in the midst of a
dense population, I should ever fill the office of a regular
authorized minister in the pastoral charge of an assem-
bly of Methodists of that same Methodist meeting-house
in Forsytli Street." * When, on October 3, 1 790, Asbury
occupied the pulpit, he pronounced the new church
" commodious, elegant, yet plain."

A good work soon followed the completion of the
new buildincr. Thomas Morrell, in his unpublished
Journal, says : " On the 4th of this month" (January,
1790) "a revival began at the prayer-meetings, and on
the 12th it broke out in the church and continued, with
some small intei'missions, until the latter end of Febru-
ary. In this time about two hundred joined the society;
perhaps about four hundred were converted in eight
weeks." f

* Wakeley's Lout Chapters, p. 359.

\ Ibid., p. 367. In Book i, A, p. 50, Morrell gives us a' record
of some events about this period. He sa3's: "-itli January, 1790,
Monda}' evening, at prayer-meeting, 4 found peace, 4 renewed in
love. Tuesday, 5tL, 2 found the Lord, 1 sanctified. Thursday, 6th
[should be 7th], 3 found peacfe. Friday, 8 converted. Saturday, 2 con-
verted. This week, 20 converted, 14 renewed in love. Sunday, 1 re-
newed, 4 found the Lord. Monday, 11th, at a class, 3 converted, 1
sanctitied; same evening, 10 converted at a prayer-meeting, 2 at an-
other, 3 at another, 2 at another, making 20 on this evening. Tiies-
daj', 12th, after preaching, a great cry, many souls were converted —
perhaps from 20 to 40. "Wednesday niglit, after prayer-meeting, the
people stayed ; the mourners were sought for, prayed with, and ex-
liorted; the number converted uncertain; 7 children found the Lord,
and a number of men and women ; one Mr. Lawrence, a gay youth,
was convinced and converted; not less than 15 found the Lord.
Persecution rages; tiie people say we are going mad and threaten to
complain to ye [ilie] magistrates for our breaking the peace. This
meeting lasted five hours; some suppose 40 were converted this even-
ing. Friday evening, no remarkable slir. Sunday, 17th, the work

114 A History of Methodism iv New York City.

The increased labor resulting from this work led to a
throat trouble, which prevented Mr. Morrell from preach-
ing sometimes; but he says, "Brother Brush providen-
rlally came to this city this month." *

broke out in the afternoou — a cry through the congregatiou ; a num-
ber converted ; cannot ascertain the number.

" Tuesday evening, a solemn niglit, some converted. Wednesday,
20tli, after the meeiing was dismissed, 1 soul cried out. Tliey began
praying witli her. A number afterward were found in distress ; prayer
was made and manj^ believed and entered into rest. Sunday, nothing.
Monday, 25th, evening, 4 found the Lord. Tuesday, 26th, and
"Wednesday, 27th, nothing remarkable. Thursday, 28th, powerful
time at love-feast, believers filled with joy, 9 or 10 found peace. In
tlie month of February we liad three powerful times on the Sabbath
evenings, at which meetings, as near as we can judge, about 40 were
converted. Marcli 4, at love-feast, a happy time to most believers.
Seventy-six joined in January, 62 in Februarj'." Thus we have a
glimpse of two months of that winter. Would that we could find
otlier records of a similar kind I This accounts for the increase of 264
in the report at the next Conference.

* Mr. Brusli was born on Long Island and spent about leu j-ears in
the ministry. His name first appears in the Minutes of 1785, in con-
nection with Trenton, N. J. Wlien he came tn New York he had
been assisting Lee in Connecticut, and at the Conference of 1790 was
appointed to New Rochelle, to wliich lie returned in 1791. In 1792
and 1793 he was elder over Long Island and otlier portions of New
York State and Connecticut, and in 1794 a supernumerary in New
York city. He died there of yellow fever September 25, 1795, and
was buried in the ground in tlie rear of Forsyth Street Church. In
the Directory of 1795 liis residence is given as at Mr. Courtney's
ship-yards, Cherry Street, and it is probable he died there. The Min-
utes say, " He was an active man ex God, and a great friend to order
and union." From May 13 to November 23, 1790, several payments
to him are recorded in the " Old Book." Wakeley's Lost Cliapttrs,
p. 368 ; Warriner's Old Sands Street.

The Shoutixg of the Reapeks. 115

CHAPTER XI.

THE SHOUTIXG OF THE REAPERS— CONFERENCE OF 1790
TO 1793.

The Conference of 1V90 began on Monday, October
4, in the city. It cost the Church £26 6s. 8d., for keep-
ing the preachers' horses. The members numbered 522
whites and 102 colored, in all 624 — again of 264. As-
bury says of the Conference, "All was peace, order, and
unanimity." Benjamin Abbott also says, " Our Con-
ference went on from day to day in brotherly love and
unity; there was preaching by one or another every
night. I was sitting one day in the kitchen, where I
put up, smoking my pipe, being tired of confinement in
Conference so long" (yet the session did not last four
days), "and the Spirit of the Lord came upon me in a
miraculous, powerful manner, so that I was fully con-
vinced that something great would be done at the Confer-
ence. Next day Bishop Asbury opened the love-feast;
then Brother Whatcoat spoke; and when he had done I
arose and told them my experience; the people gave
great attention, and when I came to the account of my
sanctification down dro])ped one of the preachers, and
did not rise until the Lord sanctified his soul. I then
claimed the promises, and in a moment the house was
filled with cries and screeches and wonderful shouts !
Several went among the people, to those whom they
found in distress, to admonish, exhort, and pray with
them. Afterward six told me that God had sanctified
them, and I think seven that God had justified them.

116 A History of Methodism in" New York City.

Three had to be carried home that evening, who were
not able to go of themselves." *

Next May, when Abbott was on the way to Conference,
he traveled in company with Garrettson and other
preachers. As they passed along they held religious
services at different places; but Abbott observed he was
not called upon either to preach, pray, or exhort. He
found there was a difference of sentiment about the love-
feast at the last Conference. After Conference opened,
all went on very lovingly until the appointment of a love-
feast was discussed. " It was brought on the carpet," says
Abbott, " by Brother R. Cloud. ... He said that I hal-
looed and bawled, and cried ' Fire! Fire ! ' and scared the
people. Then Brother G. [Garrettson] got up and sec-
onded him, and opposed the work with all the powers he
had; Brother J. Lee said he was happy in the love-feast.
The bishop said he did not want to hear them ' halloo and
shout and bawd ;' but he wanted to hear them speak their
experiences. I said, ' Then, perhaps I had better not go to
the love-feast.' I was not in the least angry; but I was
grieved in soul for the cause. Our appointment Avasup
at the new meeting-house, and abundance of people
gathei-ed. The bishop ojjcned the love-feast, and when
the bread and Avater had gone round, and the people
were at liberty to speak, not one spoke for some time.
Then Brother Garrettson got up and exhorted the peo-
ple, and then Brother Cloud exhorted them likewise,
but all to no puri^ose. Among the several hundreds jires-
ent, there were but few that spoke. For my part, I
kept silence under much depression of mind, not feeling
much faith or liberty of spirit. After some exhortations
the meeting broke up. Many of the friends afterward
told me they felt death in their souls, and came to me
to know what was the matter. I told them simply that
* Experieace of B. Ahbott, p. 1C3.

The Siioutixg of the Reapees. 117

Brotlier Cloud had said that there was no good done at
the last Conference love-feast ; but there were, to the
best of my recollection, six who told me that they were
sanctified, and seven that they were justified, at that love-
feast. BrotherMorrell said that this last love-feast was
the most dead and lifeless love-feast that ever had been in
York before, I understood that the preachers,in discours-
ing together, acknowledged that they had been wrong in
what they had done and said on the subject."* It is vvor-
tliy of notice that, notwithstanding this difference of
opinion, they were able to keep the unity of the Spirit in
the "bond of peace;" for Asbury writes in his Journal
(May 30, 1791), " Not a frown, a. sign of sour temper, or
an imkind word was seen or heard among us." They
had, it seems, a good feast of love, after all.

But we must return to the Conference of 1790.
Thomas Morrell was continued as elder, and Robert
Cloud and William Jessop were the stationed preachers.
Mr. Jessop came to the city in feeble health, for we find
a few weeks after the Conference a charge in the "Old
Book," October 2G, " Cash paid for Mr. Jessop's sickness,
wine, porter, etc., £2 8s." Again, November 8, "Paid
Judah for nursing Mr. Jessop, £2." In the following
January also bills for medical attendance were paid
amounting to £6 85. Mr. Jessop was born in the State
of Delaware, and entered the traveling connection in
1784. Though of feeble constitution, he labored much
and successfully. After leaving New York he went to
Nova Scotia, but returned to the United States, and
died in Lancaster County, Pa., the latter end of the
year 1795. He was buried in the ground connected
with Boehm's Chapel, and Rev. Henry Boehm was a
bearer at his funeral. Asbury, in his funeral sermon,
preached July 25, 1796, describes him as a "man well
* Experience of B. Abbot f, p. iTT.

118 A History of Methodism in New York City.

known and much beloved, . . . always solemn," and
says, "Few such holy, steady men liave been found
among us."*

The Conference of 1790 met October 4; that of 1791
on May 20, giving an interval of only about seven months
and three-quarters. At this session, at the urgent re-
quest of preachers and peo]ile, the bishop preached a
sermon on the occasion of Mr. Wesley's death. This
he did at the new church in the morning, and at the
old in the afternoon, taking for his text, 2 Tim. iii,
10, ll.f

The general good feeling that prevailed at the Con-
ference seems to have been somewhat disturbed by a
visit from Mr. Hammett, of Charleston, afterward leader
of a secession in that city. He preached during the
Conference at both the churches, but Asbury tells us his
" preaching was not well received." After Conference
the bishop started on a tour through New England, re-
turning to the city on August 29. He writes then, " The
weather is warm, and here is an awful season of afflic-
tion." The yellow fever was prevailing. He preached
in the new church on Heb. v, 12, and says, " We had an
acceptable time and some gracious movings." Again, on
Wetlnesday, the 3 lst,he writes, " We had a serious heart-
affecting time; many were ready to break out into praises
to God. I respect the kindness of the dear people here,
and leave New York in faith that the Lord will return to
visit them. "J On Friday, September 2, he preached in
the new chapel on Jer. li, 50: " Ye that have escaped the
sword, go away, stand not still: remember the Lord afar

* Wakeley's Lost Chapttrs, p. 364.

f Nearly thirty years after the bishop's own funeral sermon was
preached from the same text by Rev. E. Cooper.

1j. The}' had given him a substantial proof of their kindness in a new
suit of clothes, surtout, boots, hats, etc., which cost £22 10s. 3d., be-
sides two pounds in cash.

The Shouting of the Reapers. 119

off, and let Jerusalem come into your mind," and in a
few days was on his way to the South.

The number of members reported this year (1791)
was, whites, 524; colored, 112; total 636 — an increase of
12. R. Whatcoat, T. Morrell, and James Mann, were
appointed to the city, with R. Cloud as elder. The ap-
pointment of Morrell, however, seems to have been only
nominal ; he was about to accompany Asbury on his
journey. He writes in his Journal: " On Tuesday even-
ing, November 1, 1791, I preached my farewell sermon
from Gen. xlii, 36, 'All these things are against me,'
to a crowded house." What significance there was in
the text we cannot tell ; perhaps he referred to the strug-
gle he had in building the new church.* They gave
him a new hat, costing £2 16s. He says: " I have now
been in New York two years and five months. When
I first went to that city there were about three hundred in
society. Ileft upward of six hundred. "f He accompanied
Asburv as far as Charleston, where the bishop stationed
him, that he might undo the mischief that Hammett
had done. He was the man for the place, and remained
there until June 5, 1792.

Richard Whatcoat was born in the county of Glouces-
ter, England, on February 23, 1736, converted in 1758,
and joined the Conference in ] 769. For fifteen years
he traveled in England, Ireland, and AVales, and uni-
formly proved himself a faithful and zealous laborer.
In September, 1784, when Coke was ordained to the
superintendency of the societies in America, he received
orders as deacon and elder by the hands of Wesley,
Coke, and Creighton. He came to America with Dr.
Coke, and labored for several years, mostly as presiding
elder, in Delaware and Maryland, and afterward trav-

* See his text on a subsequent occasion, p. 125. •
f Wakeley's Lost Chapten;, p. 377.
9

120 A IIisTOKY OF Methodism in New York City.

eled with Asbuiy. He remained in New York fi-om
May, 1791, to September, 1792, and, having filled sev-
eral other important positions, was elected bishop in
1800. He finished his course at Dover, in Delaware,
July 5, 180G, aged seventy years. He "was one of the
saintliest men in the primitive itinerancy of Methodism.
. . , So much divine majesty and luster appeared in
him it made the wicked tremble to behold him ; " yet
" his amiable, heavenly, and courteous carriage was such
as to make him the delight of his acquaintances. . . . He
feared not the face of man, but where there was just oc-
casion he would boldly admonish and faithfully reprove,
yet with so much prudence and with such expressions
of tenderness as made way to the heart." He was "an
example to show what a life of peace and holiness
Christians may attain on earth." *

James Mann Avas a brother of John Mann, who sup-
plied John Street during the war, before the arrival of
Samuel Spraggs. He went Avith John to Nova Scotia,
and was a jjrominent member of the Conference there.
Joshua Marsden says he was a good man and exceed-
ingly useful. This was liis onh^ appointment in the
United States ; in 1794 he is set down to Nova Scotia
again, f

Among those received as members this year Avere
Thomas Carpenter, William Pinkney, and Ware Bran-
son. I

* Dr. Phoebus, in Stevens's History of the Methodist EjjiscojmI
Church, vol. ii, p. 157.

f Wiikeley's Lost Chapters, p. 379.

j Book i, B, p. 30. There is also in the same book (p. 52) a list of
members, dated aSTovember 10, 1791, by James Mann. There are sjx
hundred and twenty-four, divided into twenty-seven classes, all of
them., except three, exclusively male or female. There are several
new leaders, namely, Philip Arcularius, Jolni Bleeker, Henry Newlon,
John Cooper, William Phoebus, John Sprosen, Dnniel Carpenter,
William Cooper, William Valleau, Daniel ContHut, Richard Courtney,
Elias Vanderlip, Robert Cuddy, Samuel Stilwell, and Joseph Rice.

The Shoutixg of the Reapers. 121

The Conference of 1'792 was appointed for July 19,
but from Asbury's Journal we find it did not meet until
Aufjust 28. He arrived on July 17, and says : "I did
not find that life and harmony here that there have
been in times past." * But he met the " women's classes
and found the Lord was among them." He preached
on "Who is on the Lord's side ?" and had some life in
speaking, but there was little move in the congrega-
tion. Sunday, 23d, he says, "was a melting time with
many hearts in the old church, my subject 1 John i, 6, 7.
In the afternoon, although very unwell, I labored hard
in the new church, but the people Avere exceedingly in-
sensible. There was a little shaking under Brother
Hull (Hope Hull) in the old church in the evening."
On the 24th he was on his way to New England. He
returned to meet the Conference on August 28. He says
twenty-eight preachers were present. On Friday, Sep-
tember 1, they "had a solemn love-feast, the lower floor
of the house being nearly filled. Several of the breth-
ren professed perfect love; others had lost the wit-
ness." f On Sunday, preparatory to the sacrament, he
preached on 1 Cor. v, 7, 8 ; and at the conclusion of his
visit says: "I now leave Xew York for one whole year,
under the hope and prophecy that this will be a year of
the Lord's power with them." This prediction was
fulfilled.

There were reported at this Conference 511 w^hites and
130 colored; total, 041 — an increase of five in the year.
Thomas Morreil comes back, v.ith L. Green and G.
Strebeck as his colleages. John Merrick was the elder.

* Perhaps Mann's Tory proclivities had disturbed the society and
' were the cause of liis not receiving another appointment in the United
States.

fB. Abbott says: "Tlie bishop observed that lie never had heard
so many speak of sanctification in this place before." — Experience of
B. Abbott, p. 194.

122 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

Lemuel Green had been about nine years in the
work, and was a most sterling man and an able minister.
He located in 1800, but in 1823 was re-admitted into the
Philadelphia Conference, to which he bore a superannu-
ated relation until his death, in 1831 (or 1832). George
Strebeck had just been received on trial. He withdrew
in a few years, joining the Lutheran Church and after-
ward the Episcopal. He was the first pastor of St.
Stephen's Church, formerly corner of Broome and
Christie Streets, now in West Forty-sixth Street. He
was zealous and popular. He died in Charleston or
Savannah.* Phoebus, who located this year, received
quarterage on August 24, and there is no payment to
Strebeck about that time. He was probably supplying
Strebeck's place.

In September of this year Ezekiel Cooper arrived in
New York from Charleston, S. C. He describes the new
church as " the most complete we have on this continent."
He spent two weeks in labor for the cause and pleasant so-
cial intercourse. Among others that he visited we find
the names of Houseman, Doane, Anderson, Jjrower,
Smith, Bleeker, Russel, Staples, Fosbrooke, Clarke,
Holliday, Jaques, Hazzard, Wainright, McKenniss —
the British agent in New York — Mott, Newton, Val-
leau, Humbert, Mei'cein, Ilervey, Matthias, JNIyers,
Cooper, Snow, Shatford, Johnson, and Arcularius. On
the 9tli of the following January he reached New York
again and spent fi\e days, and then went to New En-

* Up to tliis time we have no evidence that any of the preachers
occupied any otiier house than that in John Street adjoining tlie
churcli. But the Directory for 1793 gives the residence of George
Strebeck as 39 Fratd'cfort Street. Although the preacliers were Joint
pastors and preached at all the churches in turn, it soon became llie
custom for each to exercise especial supervision over tlie one in tlio
neigliborhood of which he lived. As far as possible these residences
will be given hereafter.

The Shouting of the Reapers, 123

gland, to serve as elder on Avliat might be called the
Boston District. Wu shall meet him again soon.*

On November 30 Dr. Coke came and spent twelve
da_ys, preaching some twenty sermons to thronged as-
semblies. He testifies that the society had " incompa-
rably more of genuine religion " than at any former
period. By the middle of December he was again at
sea on his way to the West Indies, f

In the meanwhile Asbiiry's jDrediction was in process
of fulfillment. Perhaps he had seen indications of im-
provement or had confidence in the zeal and talent of
the laborers he had sent ; or, it may be, felt those
premonitions which not unfrequently come like inspi-
rations on men living in close communion Avith God.
Whatever it may have been he expected a good result,
and was not disappointed. We have no account of the
origin and progress of the work; but at the Conference
of 1793 the report stood, whites, 639; colored, 154; total
793 — an increase of 152.J On March 1, 1793, Mitchell
B. Bull, afterward well known as a local preacher in
New York city, was received as a member from Ireland.
(Book i, B, p. 8.)

* LigJit 071 Early Metlwdism, p. 152.

f Stevens's History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. iii, p. 42.
\ A list of the classes, with their leaders, and time and place of
meeting, dated February, 1793, will be found in Appendix N.

124 A History of Mi^thodism in^ Xew Yokk City.

CHAPTER XII.

SOWrXG- IN IIOrE— CONFERENCE OF 1793 TO 1195.

TiiE Conference for 1V93 was appointed for August
25. Bisliop Asbury arrived on the 21st, but was so un-
well that he " kept close house until Sunday, 24th,"
when he preached on Rom. xiii, 10-12. To his hearers
some of the words of his text must have sounded like a
prophetic warning: " Now also is our salvation nearer
than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is
at hand; let us therefore cast off the works of darkness,
and let us put on the armor of light." The weather was
extremely Avarm and unhealthy; some members of the
Conference were so unwell that they could not attend;
the yellow fever was ringing in Philadelphia. Thomas
Morrell was appointed to New York without any col-
league, and was to exchange in six months with F. Gar-
rettson in Philadelphia, On the 14th of September,
however, Mr. Morrell says in his Journal, Daniel Smith
and Evan Rogers " came to my assistance. Before they
came I had hard labor, and was obliged to employ the
local preachers."*

Daniel Smith was born in Philadelphia in 17G9; was
converted at an early age, and admitted into the travel-
ing connection in 1789. He began his work in New
England with Jesse Lee, and was afterward at Charles-
ton, S. C, "whence he came to New York. He was a
very able and successful preacher. He located in 1794,
and engaged in business in New York, where he married

♦Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 395.

Sowing ix Hope. 125

a daughter of ALraliam Russcl, one of tlic most promi-
nent members of the society. He continued, however, to
pi-each witli great acceptability until the close of his
life. His last sermon was in the John Street Church,
about two weeks before his death, on Matt, xvi, 26. He
died in great peace October 23, 1815.* Evan Rogers
was educated a Quaker, and was received on trial in the
Conference in 1790, and labored principally in Delaware
and Maryland, until he came to Xew York. He after-
ward went into New England, located in 1797, and
eventually joined the Protestant Episcopal Church. f

" On the 26th of September," says Mr. Morrell in his
Journal, " there was a day of fasting and prayer held
in Xew York in every church. Such a solemn time was
never seen in this city. The churches were all crowded.
Ours (the Forsyth Street) was not only full, and the house
adjacent, but also the burying-yard. I preached from
Jonah iii, 5. It was a most solemn season indeed. Three
that I knew were awakened. The occasion of the fast
was to entreat the Lord to put a stop to the malignant
fever in the city of Philadelphia. We had praj'ers at
six in the morning, preaching at ten A. M., and at thi-ee
and six P. M."t

In the following March Mr. Morrell took leave of the
society in Xew York, to take the jilace of Garrettson in
Philadeljihia. He makes this record: " Preached March
23, from Rom. Aiii, 28, 'All things work together for
good,' etc.§ AT Ij. — This was my last sermon preached
in Xew York, on Sunday afternoon, in the old church.
On Thursday evening Ave had our love-feast, a gracious
time. ... I found about three hundred members, and

* Stevens's History of the Mdhodisi Episcopal Cfiurch, vol. ii, p. 437 ;
Spraprue's Annals.

fWakeley's Lost Cltapters, p. 397. \Ihid., p. 394.

§ When lie left before his text was, " All these thinji-s are against
me." The prospect seems to have brightened. See p. 119.

126 A History of Methodism in Kew York City.

when I left them above eight hundred and fifty. ... I
left Daniel Smith and Evan Hogers as preachers there."*

Either the last number above given is an error or
there Avas great shrinkage before the Conference of 1794,
The Minutes report, whites, 575; colored, 135; total 710
— a decrease of 83. No doubt a sifting had followed the
accession of the preceding year; but it is hard to under-
stand how Thomas Morrell, a man of unusual accuracy
and integrity, should commit such an error. Perhaps
it is due to the transcriber or printer.

On Sunday, September 21, Bishop Asbury preached
in the old house, on Psa. cxxxii, and at the new church
in the afternoon on Psa. i. On Monday, 22, he opened
Conference, and says, " We sat closely to our business.
Tuesday, 23, I preached with liberty; but on Thursday
night 1 had a powerful temptation before I went into
the church, which sat so heavily on me that I could not
preach; yet I trust I was kept from sin. . . . We con-
cluded our work, and observed Friday as a day of ab-
stinence and prayer, and had a good time at our love-
feast." On Sunday afternoon he preached in the new
church on ' Woe to them that are at ease in Zion ! ' and
ordained seven deacons and five elders. " In the evening
at the old church I preached again ; we had the best
time at the last; at least it was so to me." The appoint-
ments read: " New York and Brooklyn, E. Cooper, L.
McCombs ; supernumeraries, W. Phoebus, J. Brush, D.
Kendall." Coo]jer, Brush, and Phoebus have already
been noticed; let us see what we can learn of the others.

Laurence McCombs (or Larry McCombs, as he was
familiarly called by the Methodists of the time) was
one of the giants of those days. He joined the Phila-
delphia Conference in 1792, at the age of twenty-three,
and beginning his work on the Newburg Circuit became
* Wakeley's io5f Chapters, p. 396.

Sowing in IIopk. 127

exceedingly pojDular. He was full six feet in height,
with a finely developed form, and a voice full, clear, and
of great flexibility. He was not a close thinker ; his
style was diffuse and even wordy, and he had a singular
habit of elevating one of his shoulders by sudden jerks.
But he had great power with the masses, and his pres-
ence at a camp-meeting would attract immense crowds.
After laboring in New England and the Middle States
until 1806 he located, but re-entered the work in 1815.
He filled prominent positions in the Philadelphia Con-
ference until, in 1835, he located again. He died in
Philadelphia, June 11, 1836, in his sixty-seventh year.*

All we know of David Kendall is that he entered the
work in 1788 and located in 1795, having labored in
New York and New England.

But we read also in the Minutes, " S. and R. Hutch-
inson to change every three months with L. McCombs."
Sylvester Hutchinson was appointed to Croton and New
Rochelle, and Robert, his brother, to Long Island. A
third brother, Aaron, who died in 1791, after a brief
ministry of about four years, was considered the best
preacher of the three. f If so he would have been pre-
eminent had he lived, for the other two were men of no
ordinary ability. Sylvester Hutchinson began his min-
istry in 1789 and continued until 1803, when he was
presiding elder on Pittsfield District. Then his name
disappears from the list of appointments, and in 1806
he located. He was an able and zealous preacher, but
sometimes " as rough as a grater."J As a presiding eld-
er he exhibited " burning zeal and indomitable energy.
Mounted upon his favorite horse he would ride through
the entire extent of his district, reaching from New

■" Sprrt<rue's Annals of the Methodist Pulpit ; Slevens's History o/tlie
Methodift Episcojyal Church, vol. iii, p. 137.

t Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 528. Xlhid., p. 528.

128 A IIisToiiY OF Methodism ix Xew York City.

York city to Canada, and from tlie Hudson River to
the Connecticut, once every three months, visiting each
circuit and invariably filling all his numerous appoint-
ments. His voice rung like a trumpet-blast; and with
words of fire, and in powerful demonstration of the
Spirit, he preached Christ Jesus."* Not unfrequently in
those days a preacher's marriage led to his location, but,
singular to saj', Mr, Hutchinson's h)catiou resulted from
his failure to marry. He was engaged to a young lady
of influential family, whose " friends, especially one
brother, made such desperate opposition that the engage-
ment was broken off the day the wedding was to have
taken place. Mr. Asbury reprimanded him severely for
not marrying the girl at all liazards ; " and the result
Avas he left the Church. He afterward married, and
when the Protestant Methodists arose became a minister
among them. He died November 11, 1840.f

Of Robert Hutchinson Av^e know less. His connection
with the traveling ministry lasted about ten years, end-
ing with his location in 1799, He "was sometimes pa-
thetic, then he was terrific. "J These three brothers were
grandsons of Mrs. Ann Hutchinson, who was mother of
thirteen children, grandmother and great-great-grand-
mother of more than three hundred children, and who
died when nearly one hundred and two years of nge.§

In regard to E. Cooper's appointment to Kew York
this year the following letter, lately published for the
first time, will be of interest: ||

My Very Dear Brother: I am now satisfied tliat you should take
3'our stand here till further orders. It is my wish that you should
keep a conference with the preachers in tliis city, stationed and suner-

* Clark's LiJ'e of Bedding, p. 86.

fSee Warriuer's Oid Sands Street, p. 138; and Atkinson's Centen-
nial Ilistorrj, p. 152.

\ Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 528. g Asbury's Journal, May 23, 1802.
\ Light on Early Methodism, p. 190.

Sowing ix TIorE. 129

niimeraries. It is my desire that once in live or six vc< cks each one
of you should spend a Sabbath in Brooklyn. Brother Phcebus has
lieard my mind. I want quarterly meetings to be held at each of the
three houses, first at one and then at another. Meet the first day,
and then the following day call the leaders and stewards in confer-
ence, close conference about the work of God and their souls, the
order and harmony of the societies, and their temporal supplies. Have
a love-feast for all the societies. Let me hear from you, and you
sliall hear from me. I have been greatly employed, preaching three
times tliis day, and am going off early to-morrow morning. Thine
in love, Francis Asbury.

Xew York, LorcVs Bay. September 28, 1194.

I give it as my real opinion that you should have no open love-
feast. Attend to this. F. Asbury.

Accordingly, when Mr. Cooper arrived he called the
leaders and stewards togetlier, but " found some opposi-
tion to the plans proposed."* There -were three ser-
mons in each church, the effective ministers alternating,
and after the evening service a general meeting of the
wliole society was held, conducted by the pastor. On
Monday evening there was a meeting of the select
bands ; Tuesday evening, preaching ; Wednesday even-
ing, prayer-meeting; Thursday evening, clas.s-raeetings ;
Friday evening, preaching; Saturday evening, class-
meetings.f On Simday, November 2, he says : " In
the evening, after preaching in the old church by
Brother McCombs, there broke out a powerful work
among the people." J On Christmas day the sacrament
of the Lord's Supper was administered in both churches,
and three sennons preached in each of them.§ At this
time, Mr. Cooper tells us, McCombs left, and R. Hutch-
inson came from Long Island, as the Minutes directed. ||

The year closed with a watch-night, held in the old
cliurch, beginning at eight o'clock. A sermon was
preached by Mr. Cooper, and exhortations were deliv-

* Li'jht on Early Melliodisn, p. 19:'!. f E. Cooper's Manuscript.
X Li'jht Oil Early Methodism, p. 19t. § Ibid., p. 19G. || Ibid., p. 195.

130 A riisTOKY OF Methodism in New York City.

ered by Messrs. Phoebus, Ilutcliinson, Smith, Valleau,
and Brush. The congregation, Avhich remained till
after midnight, numbered nearly five hundred.*

On the 6th day of January, 1795, the various de-
nominations of the city held a concert of prayer for the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Services were held in
the Methodist churches at two o'clock. f Mr. Cooper
states that Mr. McKenniss, the British agent in New
York, was a worshiper with the church and contributed
to its funds. J

It seems that Bishop Asbury had got the idea, for
whicli there was probably some foundation, that the
visiting of the preachers in New York city was too
much of a social character and not enough in a pastoral
spirit. In a letter to Mr. Cooper from Charleston, dated
January 2, 1795, he says: "I am in hopes that some-
thing valuable will take place in New York in the year
1795. Your attention ought to be had to discipline and
A-isiting from house to house, but not to eat and drink.
I am pointedly against that. You have a house to eat
in; you need not go to feast Avith the Church of God.
"We ought to visit as doctors or as persons to plead the
cause of their souls, not as guests to eat and drink. I
am convinced it is and will be an evil."§ Sound advice
this, and not out of date a century later.

The Methodists of New York, like the first of that
name in Oxford, had " a care for the spiritual interests
of the prisoners." "They had preaching regularly once
a month, on Friday, and other spiritual counsel."]]
February 19, 1795, had been appointed by the president
a day of national tlianksgiving. Public Avorship Avas
held in the Methodist churches three times, the same as
on the Sabbath. Mr. Cooper preached in the forenoon.

* Liglit on Early JletJwdism, p. 196. \Jhid., p. 198.

J Ibid., p. 197. § Ibid., p. 199. || Ibid., p. 199.

SowixG IX Hope. 131

" One person," he says, " wrote me a letter disapprov-
ing of my preaching at all on politics, which I touched
upon considerably. But I felt a clear conscience ; I did
no more than my duty upon such an occasion." * On
February 22 he was invited by a company of New York
deists to jD reach a sermon for them. They gave him as
his text, " But of that day and hour knoweth no man,
no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son,
but the Father." Mark xiii, 32. The letter was so
civil and candid that he consented, and saj's he foimd
unexpected liberty. He was informed, too, that good
was done, the faith of numbers being strengthened,
though he did not hear that one deist was convinced.
They sent him, however, a letter of thanks, acknowledg-
ing that his arguments were superior to any they had
seen among the writers against Thomas Paine's Age of
Heasoii. A general fast-day, appointed throughout the
Methodist connection, was observed in the New York
churches on February 27.f

Undeii date of Monday, March 16, Mr. Cooper says:
"This day we bad our election for trustees in the
church. Assembled at eleven and finished at one
o'clock. There was the greatest election ever known
upon the occasion at any time wliatever before. There
was a perfect party piece of work, one for putting out
the old members and the other for keeping them in.
The contention rose so high tlmt I was much grieved.
I thouglit that some were quite out of a religious line of
conduct. The election caused great uneasiness in tlie so-
ciety; unfriendly things were said of each other which
I feared would be a means of getting some of them out
of the society. However, we settled matters tolerably
well. The old trustees were continued in office." J

* Light on Earhj Methodism, ^. 200. \ Ihid., p. 201.

X Ibid., p. 203. Who these trustees were, and also who were the

132 A HiSTOKY OF Methodism in New York City.

The Methodists paid then more attention to Chnveh
feast days than they do now. We find in Mr. Cooper's
Journal the following : " Sunday, May 24. This being
Whitsunday,* I preached from Acts ii, 4, in the new
church, and we gave the sacraments. A powerful time
we had ; the Lord was with us of a truth. Several
were so wrought upon that for some time they could not
walk nor stand. We had a small shout of joy and glad-
ness at the entrance of the ark into the camp." On
Monday he adds: "We had preaching three times —
Brother Brush in the morning at the okl church, I at
three o'clock P. M. at the new church, and Brother
McCombs at six o'clock P. M. in the fields." They had
a large company in the fields, and generally good order
and considerable power attended the word. On Sunday,
May 31, they took up their quarterly collection, amount-
stewards, local preachers, and class-leaders in September, 1T95, will
be seen from the following list, found in Book i, B, p. 38:

Trustees: John Staples, Philip Arcularius, John Bleeker, William
Snj'der, Henry Xewton, Abraham Russel.

Stewards: John Sprosen, Henry Newton, Jolm Bleeker, John
Staples.

Local Preachers: Daniel Smith (elder), Jonas Himibert, "William
Vallean, Jesse Oakley, Robert Cuddy.

Class- leaders : Abraham Russel, Philip Arcularins, Henry New-
ton, John Bleeker, William Snyder, John Staples (two classes), William
Cooper (three classes), William Henry, George Courtnej^ Paul Hick,
Daniel Coutant, Ware Branson, Tliomas Hutchinson (two classes),
Abraham Brower, Andrew Mercein, Peter McLain, John Davis (two
classes), James Sliarack, Ellas Tanderlip, Jonas Humbert, CorneUus
Warner, Richard Lecraft, Robert Cuddy, William Mills, David Renny,
John Brower, Henry Banker, Samuel Seirs, William Grant, Thomas
Kirk, Samuel Elsworth, Barnet Matthias, Bazel Myers, Thomas Lovell,
John Vark, John Sprosen. This would give leaders for forty-one
classes ; but the list of members which follows is divided into but
thirty-four classes, and the last seven names are not found there as
leaders. They were probably appointed to fill vacancies which arose
afterward.

* How many Methodists now can tell, on the spur of the moment,
what Whitsunday commemorates?

SowixG IX Hope. 133

ing to more than eighty pounds. Mr. Cooper joreached
on Prov. xi, 23-25. Some thought he begged too liard.*
At the love-feast on Wednesday evening, June 17, "the
Lord was powerfully present. I have not seen so good
a time for a great while past." f

On Monday, June 29, Bishop Asbury, accompanied
by Thomas Ware, came to the city, where he remained
for a week, and visited all the classes.^ On Saturday,
July 4, he, with the other preachers, the trustees, stew-
ards, and leaders, had a meeting for the purpose of
looking into the state and religious wants of the soci-
ety.§ Asbury, in his Journal, says: "I had some close
talk on the doctrine and discipline of the Church ;
I asked if they wished to be Methodists. But how
could I suppose any thing else, when they were a so-
ciety of nearly thirty years' standing?" On Sunday
he preached in Brooklyn in the morning, and returned
to assist in the sacrament in the afternoon at the new
church. " I then met the black classes, || and preached at
half-past six. I closed my day's work by meeting two
men's classes." On Monday he met three classes at ten
o'clock, five at three o'clock, and four at eight o'clock. •[
On Sunday, September 6, Mr. Cooper preached his
farewell sermon in each church.**

* Light on Early Mdhodism, p. 211. \ Ihld., p. 211.

\ There were thirty-four classes in the following Seiitember.

§ Light on Early Methodism, p. 213.

II Of these there were eiglit. Book i, B, p. 42.

% So says Mr. Cooper {Lighten Early Methodism, p. 213); but As'
bury, in )iis Journal, says lie met nine classes, instead of twelve.
Does Mr. Cooper wish to magnify the bishop's activity, or does the
bishop in his humility depreciate his own labor? He adds, liovvever:
" I have now spoken to most of tlie members l:ere, one by one."

** Light on Early Methodism, p. 216.

134 A History of Methodism in New York City.

CHAPTER XHI.

A THIRD aARXER— COXFEREXCE OF 1795 TO 1799.

The yellow fever was ragiiic; in the city, and there-
fore the Conference of 1795, which had been appointed
to meet there, assembled at White Plains on September
22.* The membership in the city Avas reported as 600
whites and 155 colored; in all 755 — an increase of 45.
The appointments for New York read: " W. Lee, J.
Clark, six months." G. Roberts was the ehler.

The name of Lee has frequently been prominent in
the annals of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Jesse
Lee was the apostle to New England, Jason Lee was the
leader of the band of missionaries to the Pacific coast,
and Luther Lee was pre-eminent in the antislavery con-
troversy. Wilson Lee, though not as widely celebrated,
is entitled to a place of scarcely less honor. Born in
Sussex County, Del., in 1764, he entered the traveling
connection in 1784. He labored mainly in the West
until 1793, when he was appointed to Salem, N. J,, and
in 1794 to New London, Conn. On his way from there
to New York he was the means of introducing Method-
ism into Southold, L. I., under very interesting circum-
stances.f After a year in New York he labored for
three years in Philadelphia, and then in Maryland, until,
in 1804, he became superannuated, and died on the 11th

*Tlie Supernumerary, from papers of E. "Woolsey, p. 57.

fBangs's History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. i, p. 300;
Stevens's History of the Methodist Episcajml Church, vol. Hi, p. 165-
Sprague's Annals of the Methodist Pulpit, p. 91 ; "Wakeley'a Lost Chap.
tars, p. 405.

A Third Garxer. 135

of October following. He Avas " one of the most labori-
ous, successful, and self-denying of the early ministers."*
Mr. Lee reached New York some M^eeks before the end
of the Conference year, and assisted Mr. Cooper, f

Of John Clark all that we know is that he entered
the work in 1791, and after laboring in the South four
years, and one year in New York, withdrew in 1796,
Plis appointment Avas for six months, and that of Joseph
Totten, J in "Brooklyn, was for the same period, no doubt
with the understanding that they were to exchange. §

* Sprague's Annals, p. 91. \ Light onEarlij Methodism, p. 215.

:j: Mr. Totten was born in Hempstead, L. L, in 1759, entered the
work in 1792, and, having labored in prominent appointments and in
tlie eldership, died in Philadelphia in 181 8. His brethren say he was
"dearly beloved."

§ The " Old Book," whicli might have given ns light, suddenly
fails us here. The last explicit entry in it is dated Septem-
ber 9, 1795. A few others which read, "To sundries as per
Day Book," follow, the latest being May .^0, 1797, when there
was a balance of £147 145. in tlie hands of the treasurer. The
succession in this ofBce (of treasurership) was as followr : From
August, 1769 (when the accounts in the "Old Book" com-
mence), until April 15, 1771, Wm. Lupton was treasurer. From
May, 1771, to May 19, 1774, James Jarvis. From May 20, 1774,
to February 7, 1776, John Staples and Stephen Snnds. From May
11, 1776, to September 8, 1778, J. Staples and R. Sause. From
September 11, 1778, to March 4, 1783, R. Sause, Charles White, and
John Mann. From March 4, 1783, to July 2, 1783, R Sause and
C. White. From July 10, 1783, to August 30, 1783, C. White. From
September 13, 1783, to July 1, 1785, Stephen Sands and John Staples.
From July 1, 1785, to April 8, 1786, S. Sands. (But the name of
Henry Xewton has also been written at the head of three pages and
crossed ofF.) From April, 1786, to April 18, 1791, J. Staples, H. New-
ton, and John Bleecker. From April 18, 1791, to March 14, 1792,
Samuel Stillwell is added. From March 14, 1792, to May 30, 1797
(when the account ends), John Sprosen is in place of S. Stillwell. The
top of the next two pages is opened with the names of Henry New-
ton, John Sprosen, Carpenter, and John J. Brower ; but there are

no entries except on December 9, 1796. "To sundries as per Day
Book, £1,068 45. lie/." This is the last entry in place in the "Old
Book," but on the preceding pages, as stated above, there are a few of
later date.
10

136 A History of Methodism in New York City.

George Roberts, the elder for this year, was a native
of Maryland, born May 3, 1766. He must have entered
the itinerancy in 1789, as his name appears in the Min-
utes of 1790 as "continued on trial." He soon went to
New England, where he labored until 1 795, when he
became elder on the district including New York city.
Six years more were spent in Baltimore and Philadel-
phia, and in 1806 he located in Baltimore, where he con-
tinued until his death in most decided spiritual triumph,
on November 27, 1827. While in Philadelphia he was
on intimate terms with the celebrated Dr. Rush, and
there commenced the study of medicine, which he after-
ward practiced with skill and success, doing very effect-
ive service also as a local preacher. He was an able
speaker, a vigorous writer, and commanded universal
respect. His son, the Rev. Dr. George C. M. Roberts,has
been well known for his interest in Methodist history.*

As has already been stated, that dreadful pestilence,
the yellow i'ever, prevailed in New York this year (1 705).
It broke out in August, and therefore the Conference
met at White Plains, f

*See "Warriuer's Old Sands Street, p. ]33.

f Rev. John Kingstou, from the West Indies, vras in llie city assist-
ing for a while, and to his pen we are indebted for a description of
the ravages of the plague. He says, " Sometimes eighty were buried
in a day." " On returning from Wiiite Plains to New York we met
great multitudes of people fleeing from tlio fever; the road was al-
most covered with coaches and wagons and persons on horseback
and on foot, endeavoring to escape from tlie destroyer. About three
miles from the city I saw the Potter's Field (now Washington Square),
where all who died of the plague were buried. Such a sight of open
graves and recently opened [ones] I never beheld. Near this dreadful
place we met the dead-cart. No one was permitted to come near it, but
only the two drivers, who wore a covering dipped in tar, to preserve
them from taking the infection." Referring to the death of Rev. J;icob
Brush, he says: " I visited Mr. Brush a short time before his decease,
and he gave indubitable proof that he was happy in the favor and

A Thikd Garxer. 137

During the ensuing Conference year the society was
agitated on tlae subject of Universalism. Winchester,
a leading preacher of that belief, had drawn away
several influential members, including some of tlie trust-
ees. Roberts, the elder, began to enforce discipline ;
and several applied for certificates of dismission. At
length, however, the secession ceased, and the work of
God began to revive. About two hundred were con-
verted, many of them heads of families and men of in-
fluence, and a number of the seceders returned.* Mr.
Cooper refers to tliis matter, and says, " There was also
an agitation about making new seats for the John Street
Cliurch, similar to pews." Being on a visit to the city,
both parties opened their minds to him. He preached,
therefore, a sermon founded on a portion of Rom. xi\-,
showing wherein the kingdon of God consisted, and ex-
posing the evil of judging and condemning one another
on slight occasions. He wisely avoided the adoption
of the views of either party, and by request the sermon
was repeated in the new church. f

On Monday, August 15, 179G, Bishop Asbury crossed
the ferry from New Jersey to New York. He met
classes and visited from house to house, and on the next

peace of God. I preached his funeral [sermon] to a serious multitude
iu the new churcli ; and what affected me not a httle, the Sunday be-
fore I heard him preach a funeral sermon in the same pulpit for a
deceased friend. Tlie Tuesday preceding his decease ho was to have
been married." — Methodist Magazine for June, 1799, pp. 262, 263.
Quoted in E. Cooper's papers.

" Among otliers who died was tlie pious Mr. John Bleecker, a class-
leader, trustee, and steward of the society in John Street. He was a
man of devout piety, and in his parting moments expressed the utmost
confidence in the Lord and a glorious prospect of everlasting rest
in him. It was computed that not less than seven hundred persons
died of this malignant fever." — E. Cooper's papers.

* Article by l^lias Vanderlip, Chrisiian Advocate, vol. xxiii, p. 84.

f Papers of E. Cooper.

138 A History of Methodism in New York City.

Sunday preached in the morning at Brooklyn, and in
the afternoon at New York, to about sixteen hundred
l^eople, " some of whom were wild and wicked enough."
The next day he " met three living classes, sca' eral among
whom professed perfect love." He adds, " The Aveather
is excessively warm and dry; people are sickly and
dying, es^jecially children." He complains also of the
mosquitoes. On Thursday, 25th, after meeting classes
and visiting, he preached to a large congregation in the
evening, many of whom wept. On Sunday, the 2Sth, he
preached in the morning at the old church, in the after-
noon at the new, on Heb. ii, 3, and in the evening at
the old church again, on Rev. iii, 2, 3, besides meeting
six classes. " Brother L. [Wilson Lee?] preached twice
in the north end of Broadway ; the congregation ap-
peared serious and attentive." This field-preaching Avas
probabl}^ on the common, now the City Hall Park. Tues-
day, 30th, he delivered his concluding discourse on Isa.
Ivii, 18. On Wednesday, 31st, he makes an entry Avhich
is an appropriate sequel to the testimony of Cooper and
Vanderlip as to the state of things in the society, and
for that and other reasons deserves attention: "I had
a meeting Avith the leaders in close conference, and
found it necessary to explain some parts of our disci-
pline to them, particularly that of the right of preachers
expelling members, when tried before the society or a
select number and found guilty of a breach of the laAV
of God and. our rules ; and that if an appeal Avere made
it should be brought before the Quarterly Meeting Con-
ference, composed of traveling and local preachers, lead-
ers, and stewards, and finally be determined by a major-
ity of votes. I found it also needful to observe there
Avas such a thing as heresy in the Church ; and I know
not what it is if it be not to deny the Lord that bought
them, and the eternity of the punishment of the damned,

A Third Garner. 139

as is virtually done by the Universalists. Schism is not
dividing hypocrites from h^^pocrites, formal professors
from people of their own caste; it is not dividing nomi-
nal Methodists from nominal Methodists, or nominal
Quakers from nominal Quakers, etc. But schism is
dividing real Christians from each other and breaking
the unity of the Spirit." lie also met the trustees, and
after a day of much labor preached at the new house
in the evening on Acts xx, 32 — an appropriate farewell
text.

The next day Asbury left the city for New England, re-
turning in time for the Conference. He writes : " Thurs-
day, September 29, I preached on Luke xii: ' Who then
is a faithful and wise servant,' etc. I began to confer
with the brethren as they came in, and do the business
by scraps, as we could come at it. We were in doubt
whether some of the preachers would come at all, on ac-
count of the rumors of the yellow fever, which still ap-
peared in parts of the city. On Friday we entered fully
into our work, and on Saturday we concluded our short
Conference, the preachers being desii-ous to depart. We
had a solemn, peaceable sitting, and so also were our con-
gregations. I preached at our house in John Street on
Mark ix, 1: 'There be some standing here which shall
not taste of death until they have seen the kingdom of
God come with power;' but I had little opening." At
the same place, on the following Sunday, October 2, he
had great enlargement on Eph. iv, 11-13. "The feel-
ings of the people were touched, and my own also, as if
it had been the last time, as it probably may be with
some of my hearers if not myself." "In the after-
noon at the new house there was also a move in the
congregation whilst I enlarged on 1 Cor, iv, 10, 11. I
ordained in both houses, in all, eight deacons and
seven elders, and was on my feet six hours in the course

140 A History of METHoi)is>r in New York City.

of tills day." Tlie noxt day he turned liis face to t'le
Soutli again.* The report at this Conference was, 641
whites, 145 coh)red; in all 78G, 31 more than the year
before. There had been a number of conversions, but
the losses on account of the Universalist controversy had
to be set oif against them. G. Roberts and A. Nichols
were the ^^''eachers appointed ; F. Garrettson and S.
Hutchinson were the elders, Andrew Nicliols entered
Conference in 1791, and traveled in Maryland and Vir-
ginia until his appointment to New York in 1796. He
afterward spent three years on Long Island and two in
New England, and in 1801 located. We are told he
*' was an excellent man and a good pastor and preacher."f

* Official members in September, 1796, from a list in Book i, B,
p. 1 5, bj- W. Loo and G. Roberts :

Local Preachers, William Phcsbus, Daniel Smitli, William Valleau,
Jesse Oakley, Thomas Dawson, Flanigan. — — Cody (Cuddy?).

Trustees, John Staples, Henry Newton, Abraham Russel, John
Sproson, William Valleau, William Cooper.

Stewards, John Sproson, Tliomas Carpenter, John Browcr.

A list of leaders and members is also given. There were thirty-
eight classes, and of course some changes in the leaders. This is the
last list we have until tiie new century begins.

f "Mr. Nichols resided in the parsonage at Second [now Forsyth]
Street. The preacher was going to hold a love-feast in the cliurch one
evening, and two lads wished to go in. In those days none were ad-
mitted unless they had a ticket of membership, or a permit from tiie
preacher. Peter Parks was then sexton. The boys concluded if they
volunteered to help him bring water and attend to making the fires
he would admit them into the love-feast. After they had assisted him
they inquired if 'they could not go into the love-feast." "He sent
them to Mr. Nichols for a permit." "He treated them very kindly,
and talked to them, and then gave them permits. The love-feasts in
those days were meetings of great power. One of the boys was deaf
and dumb. He was all attention, as one after another gave in their
testimony; he watched the mot ion of their lips and saw the expression
of joy in their countenances; and though he could not hear a word it
had a powerful effect, and was the means of his awakening and con-

A TiiiKi) Gauxer. 141

Other incident-*, no doubt, besides that related in tlie
preceding note, and equally interesting, but of which
we have no record, occurred this year, for It was a
season of revival. Asbury, in his Journal, under date of
February 10, 1797, says, " Glad tidings of great joy from
New York. A second glorious work is begun there;
twenty souls converted; a great love-feast, and Sabbath
evening meeting held until one o'clock in the morning."
He characteristically observes, February 17, " I judge
that discipline, and the doing away of certain things,
have contributed somewhat to the late revival of relig-
ion in New York." In the last of July he came to the
city and "spent a few painful days, being unable to visit
or be visited." He tried to go on to the Conference at
"Wilbraham (the only one held north of Philadelphia
that year, and therefore that at which the New York
appointments were made), but was unable. He re-
mained, as it seems, in Westchester County until the
last of September, Avhen, with Jesse Lee, he returned
to Xew York, " where they were eye-witnesses to the
gracious displays of God's power in the conversion of
souls." '^"

Asbury's journey was too much for him. lie found
himself " much injured, but was well nursed at the north
side of the city. They have a touch of the fever in
George [now Cpruce] Street. Sabbath, October 1, we

version." His young companion, seeing liim so happy, was also led to
the Saviour, and both joined liie church. " The one who was deaf and
dumb would watch the lips of the preacher, all his soul would be in
his eyes, and he would enjoy it apparently as well as others. He
continued faithful ' for maiiy years ' and then fell asleep." His young
companion was for a long time a steward of the Forsyth Street Church,
tlie venerable John Haggadorn. He never forgot the kindness of the
preacher, and Peter Parks, the sexton, and that memorable love-feast.
— Wakeley's Lost Chaplerf:, p. 485.
* Memoir of J. Lee, ed. of 1823, p. 231.

142 A History of Methodism in New York City.

had much rain. Live or die I preached at the old and
new church on Isa. xxxiii, 20, and Deut. xxviii, 9. I
liad some disagreeable things, and was but ill-litted in
body to bear them."

There had been a good ];arvest reaped by the labor-
ers. The report is 740 whites*, 141 colored; total 881,
a gain of 95. The appointments Avere, G. Roberts,
J. Wells, W. Beauchamp. Sylvesier Hutchinson was
presiding elder and F. Garrettson elder,*

Here are two new names, both noted in the early his-
tory of the Church. Joshua Wells was " an able and
successful laborer, and regarded by the Church with pe-
culiar reverence through a singularly long life;" but was
"so modest, if not morbidly self -diffident, as scarcely
ever to have spoken or written any thing I'especting him-
self. He was born in Baltimore County in 1V64, joined
the itinerancy when twenty-five years of age, and died
more than ninety-seven years old. He had traveled and
preached in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New York,
Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts, as far as Boston. He
became at last the oldest living preacher whose name was
on the roll of the itinerancy. He was dignilied and robust
in person, his features strongly marked and yet benig-
nant. His sermons were noted for their perspicuity and
brevity, their masculine sense, clear and vigorous argu-
mentation and effect. He was distinguished as a disci-
plinaria^j." f

Joshua Wells had a very high opinion of his colleague,
William Beauchamp. At a Genei'al Conference to which
they both were delegates Wells asserted in the presence
of several brethren that William Beauchamp had more
sense than any other member of that General Conference;

* George Roberts resided at 91 Broad Street, and J. Wells at 10 E.
Georse Street.

f Stevens's History of the Metliodist Episcopal Church, vol. iii, p. 111.

A Third Garner. 143

and on being asKed why he thought so his reply was, " He
always knows when to speak and when to keep silent."*
And this high praise does not exceed the truth. He " was
a man of genuine greatness, one of nature's noblemen
and God's elect."f Born in 1772, entering the itinerancy
in 1793, he labored in the Middle and Eastern States
until 1801, when he located. In 1822 he re-entered the
work in the Missouri Conference, and, having served one
year in St. Louis, Avas made presiding elder of the In-
diana District. At the General Conference of 1824
"such was the impression produced by his remarkable
character and talents tliat he lacked but two votes of an
election to the episcopal office. lie would undoubtedly
have been elected were it not for the objection that so
large a portion of his life had been spent out of the itin-
erancy." J He died October 7, 1824, in the fifty-third
year of his age. He has been called " the Demosthenes
of the West."§

Not long before this session of 1797 a new church
enterprise was taken in hand. The site selected was in
what was then called Barley (now Duane) Street, between
Hudson and Greenwich Streets, and seems to have been
the property of Trinity Church. The corner-stone was
laid June 29, 1797, after a sermon by Rev. George
Roberts on Psa. xxiv, 3, 4, " Who shall ascend into the
hill of the Lord ? " || etc. But another statement is that
the words, were " Lord, I have loved the habitation,"
etc.*[ This building was at first called the "North
River Church " and the " Hudson Church," but after-
ward for many years was known among the Methodists

* Tliomas Scott in Sprague's Annals of the Methodist Pulpit, p. 239.
\ Stevens's History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. iv, p. 29.
X Ibid., vol. iv, p. 31.

§ Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 492. || Ihid., p. 493.

^ See editorial in Christian Advocate, vol. xxii, p. 1 14.

144 A History of Methodism in New York City.

as "old Duane Street." It stood until I860, wlieii the
property was sold and a small building erected in Hud-
son, near Spring Street, and called tlie Duane Church.
There the congregation still worships.

The original edifice was, like all the other Methodist
churches in Kew York at that time, built of rough stone
covered with blue stucco. It was seventy-five feet long
by fifty-six wide, and is said to have cost about $10,000,
Its interior, however, was different from that of the
others. The upper ceiling over the side galleries was
flat, and pillars rose from the front of the galleries; the
center part, what might be called the nave, was arched.
The pulpit, of course, was on a high pillar. A goblet
of octagon shape and a long stem will give the best
idea of it. It was entered by stairs on the west side, and
had originally a sounding-board over it. There was a
side door on the right of the pulpit. The basement was
at first used for bottling ale and cider,* but afterward
finished for lecture-room and class-rooms. Abraham
Russel was the builder. In the rear was a small burial-
ground, and in front a small triangular park, which gave
it altogether the most attractive location of any Meth-
odist church in New York at that time.f

The trustees in 1798 Avere William Cooper, P. Arcu-

*T]ie late John Castree, Esq.

f The society was lively and earnest, and ic is said that a rich and
fashionable lady, passinoj in her carriage while the congregation was
singing " Turn to the Lord, and seek salvation," was convicted and
afterward converted. Soon after it was dedicated a young man at-
tended ovit of curiosity. Mr. Roberts preached on Jer. ix, 1 : "
that my head were waters," etc. The sei'mon was pathetic and im-
pressive ; the preacher and his congregation wept. The young man
was awakened and soon converted, and united with the church. He
was afterward class-leader, steward, and trustee, and lived to a good
old age. The name of Eliphalet "Wheeler is familiar to many of the
present generation. — Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 494.

A Third Garner. 145

larius, P. Hick, Abi-aham Russel, Thomas Carpenter,
Israel Disosway, and G. Coutant.*

Bishop Asbury was in the city in June, and preached
in each of the churches and met the classes. He says,
"The weather is exceedingly warm, the children are
dying, and probably so will the parents, unless God sends
rain. I live wholly upon vegetables and wear flannel."
" Wt'dnesday, 4. This day we had sermons in all the
churches of the Methodists; I had a meeting with the
otKciary at the Bowery [Forsyth Street] Church in the
afternoon, and gave them a sermon on 1 Peter v, 2."
On Sunday he preached in Brooklyn, and at the old
church, and on Monday he left for Westchester County.

Two Conferences were held north of Philadelphia this
year; that at Granville, Mass., must have been the one
at which the appointments for New York were made.
And it was well that no session was held in the city, for
at no time were the ravages of yellow fever there greater
than in 1798.f

* Memoir of G-. Coutant, Christian Advocate, vol. xx, p. 4.

•f Grant Thorburn in his Life and Times, p. 54, says : " The tirst
alarm was given on the 26th of July. By the 15tli of August .four-
leen cases had terminated fatally. By the 25th the excitement was
terrible ; the ciiy was all commotion. Every vehicle, from the hum-
ble dung-cart to tlie gilded carriage, was now in requisition, removing
families, furniture, and goods; tlie old man of eighty, with tlie strip-
ling of one year, the lame, the halt, and the blind, all crowding tlie
boats, the lanes, and outlets from the city, fear quickening their
pace, and the destroying angel at tlieir heels. Hundreds of them died
in the towns and villages around ; but not one instance occurred of
any inhabitant of Albany, Bergen, or Brooklyn being seized by this,
as it was called, infectious disease. " " Most of the churches were shut
up," but he says (p. 62) : " Dr. P. [Pillmoor] stood like a son of thunder
and preaclied every Sabbath day in the church in Ann Street. The
Methodists, too, in John Street, those sober-sided old fellows wiio
almost preach for nothing and tind themselves, stood, as it were, be-
tween the living and the dead. Their church doors were seldom

146 A History of Methodism in New York City.

Seven hundred and fifty-three whites and 147 colored
raembers were reported in 1798; in all 900 — an increase
of 19. J. Wells, G. Roberts, and C. Stebbins, were ap-
pointed as preachers,* with S. Hutchinson as presid-
ing elder. The only new name among these is that of
Stebbins, who joined the connection in 1795, and with-
drew to enter the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in 1805. The reason he assigned was disbelief
in the doctrine of Christian perfection, f

Under date of December 3 of this year we have a list
of " Furniture bought for the parsonage-house belong-
ing to the Methodist Episcopal Church, John Street,
New York." It includes crockery of various kinds and
wooden and iron ware, spoons, a coffee-mill, a brass can-
dlestick, and " one pair of decanters and six tumblers,"
in all about forty items, valued at £23 125. 3d.l

closed. In the quietness of the da}' and stillness of the night tlieir
notes of prayer and songs of praise could be heard for many blocks
around. In this there was something soothing to the poor mortals
who were standing round the open graves waiting till death came
behind and pushed them in."

* They are all sec down in Directory to 32 John Street.

fWakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 500.

\ Book ii, p. 1.

A Fourth Garner. H7

CHAPTER XIV.

A FOURTH GARXER— CONFEREXCES OF 1799 TO 1801.

The Conference of 1799 was held on June 19, in New
York city.* Asbury arrived on Saturday, June 15, and
on the next day " gave a short exhortation in the John
Street Church; likewise in the North River house. It
is an unseasonable day for religion; it is time the Con-
ference should come; may Almighty God bless and own
their labors to the people! Wednesday, 19. We opened
our Conference for New York and all the New England

*It is undoubtedly of this session that the Rev. William Thacher
writes : " As it was the first in which I was ever honored with a place
and seat, I will give a brief account. About a dozen of us Methodist
preachers, passengers from the East, landed in New Yorlc, and made
our way to the old head-quarters in John Street, bearing on our arms
our saddle-bags, or portmanteaus. We were horseback men; we
did not use trunks for traveling in those days. Not a spice of dandy-
ism was seen in all our borders, any more than leaveTi in a Jewish
passover; we were all plain men, plain enough. We were welcomed
into the little old parsonage in John Street by the venerable Rev.
Thomas Morrell and Joshua Wells, ministers in the station. Brother
Wells took us as he found us, ' bag and baggage,' formed us rank and
file, and placed himself as the captain, at the head of the companj
(we were in Methodist preachers' uniform), in military style. Out
walk, especially through Chatham Street, seemed to attract attention
and excite notoriety. We were soon disposed of. My home was with
a good old Welsh brother in Henry Street, named John Davies.
June 19. This morning a new scene opened to my view — a Confer-
ence at the old hive of Methodism, the old John Street meeting-house,
that holy place where I felt, eight years before, the Holy Ghost say
to me. for the first time, 'Go thou and preach the Gospel r What a con-
gregation of Methodist preachers I what greeting 1 what love beaming

148 A History of Methodism in New York City.

States. The Conference was crowded with work; con-
sequently I had but little rest, and what added to my
l^ain was Brother Bostwick's lying sick in the next
room; — ^lieat and haste. Sunday, 23. We had a chari-
table day at all the houses, and collected nearly |300; bv.t
the deficiencies of the preachers were almost 81,000.
I attempted to preach a little on Phil, iv, 13, and gave
an exhortation at the Bowery Church. I met the society
at the old church at night. The excessive heat made

in every eye! what gratulation, what rejoicing, what solemnity! The
clock strikes nine. We are seated in the sanctuary, in Conference
order, around tlie sacred altar, within which sits the venerable As-
bury, Bible in hand. A chapter read, a hymn sung, we kneel. How
solemn, how awful! How devout the prayer! What solemn amcns are
responded 1 What a divine effusion ! Inspiration seems to pervade
the whole. The prayer closed, we arose and were seated; the secre-
tary calls the hst of names; each responded, and how interesting to
hear my own name in that book of life ! The various business of Con-
ference now engages our prayerful attention, conducted by the bishop,
our president. Six hours each day for the transaction of the regular
Conference business, from nine o'clock to twelve, and from three to
six in the afternoon. K >c\i session opened with reading the Script-
nres, singing and prayer, and closed with prayer." — Wakeley's Lost
Cliaptirs, p. 490. Mr. W., however, assigns this to 1797, and
Stevens's History of the Metliodi-.t Episcopal CJiurch, vol. iii, p. 439,
follows him. But the Conference did not meet in New York city
that j'oar, nor was it held in tlie mo .th of June, but in September;
and Joshua Wells had not yet been stationed there. He came in 1797
and continued until 1799. Thomas Morrell, it is true, was not one of
the New York preachers when the Conference of 1799 met; neither
was he at that of 1797. Either the last 9 has been mistaken for a 7
or Mr. Thacher was in error as to his date. It is true he was received
on trial in 1797 ; but probationers were not then expected to attend
the Conference. 1799, when he was received in full and ordained
deacon, was most likely his first introduction to the Conference. It
was certainly the first in wliich he could truly say he was '-honored
with a spat." As Mr. T. was not received into full connection until
this Conference his nanje could not have been called at the opening
session unless the usage was ditlcrent then.

A Fourth Garxer. 149

us wish and haste to leave town," Jesse Lee says, " We
had a good Conference;" " a large number of preachers "
were present, " and they brought pleasing accounts of a
gracious work of God."*

The bishop's despondent remarks will prepare us for
an unfavorable report of members. They stood, whites,
646; colored, 172; total 818 — a loss of 82. The preach-
ers appointed were J. McClaskey, T. F. Sargent, and M.
Coate. S. Hutchinson continued as presiding elder.

Here are three new names, all worthy of notice. John
McClaskey was born in Ireland in 1756, converted in
Salem, N. J., admitted on trial in 1786, and had labored
in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware before he
came to iSTew York, After spending three years there
he filled various appointments as preacher and presiding
elder, and died in 1814, while on the Chesapeake Dis-
trict. He was a large man, of commanding appearance,
with fine flowing hair and a manly voice. In 1802f he
preached in the old John Street Church before the Con-
ference on a fast- day. His theme Avas, " Weeping be-
tween the porch and the altar;" and while he showed
why ministers should weep a great baptism of tears
came upon his hearers. J

Thomas F. Sargent was born in Maryland, April 10,
1776, converted in his eighteenth year, and shortly after
entered the ministr}^ After leaving Xew York city he
w^ent to Boston, then again to New York in 1802, and
to Philadelphia in 1803, He was afterward in Balti-
more, Alexandria, Georgetown, and again in Philadel-

* Memoirs of Lee, p. 252, edition of 1823.

f Dr. AVakeley in Lost Chapters, p. 509, says ISIO ; but see Asbiiry's
Journal, Jnne 5, 1802.

X Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p 508; Stevens's History of the Meth-
odist Episco^ml Church, vol. iii, p. 134; Sprague's Annals of Method-
ist Pulpit; Annual Minutes.

150 A History of Methodism in New York City.

phia. In 1813 he located and began to practice medicine
in Philadelphia. In 1832 he re-entered the Conference,
and in 1833 was transferred to the Ohio Conference and
appointed supernumerary in Cincinnati, where he died
of apoplexy December 29, 1833, while preaching from
the words, " How shall we escape if we neglect," etc.
" His stature was about six feet, his figure portly and im-
posing, his features were handsome, and the whole con-
tour of his countenance indicated a natural nobility and
generosity. He appeared like one born to command."
He was highly esteemed as a preacher, especially by the
most intelligent and pious of his hearers. He was the
father of the amiable and excellent Thomas B. Sargent,
afterward of the Baltimore Conference.*

Michael Coate was of Quaker ancestry, born in Bur-
lington, N. J., in 1767, converted .in 1794, and the next
year admitted on trial in the Conference. He labored
in New York State, New England, and Canada, until
his appointment to the city in 1799. He was again in
New York in 1801 and also in 1803-4, where his labors
were very acceptable. He died in 1814, while presiding
elder of the West Jersey District. Bishop Hedding
says, " He was a man of great talents." f

Of the events of the succeeding Conference year not
the smallest particle of information can be discovered.
It seems not to have been a very successful one, as the
report for 1800 is, whites, 645 ; colored, 131 ; total 776 — a
decrease of 42. At the Conference, however, which met
in the city on Thursday, June 19, Bishop Asbury says

*Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 511 ; Stevens's Histonj of the Melh
odist Episcopal Church, vol. iii, p. 140 ; Sprague's Annals of the Meth
odist Pulpit.

f Stevens's History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. iii, p. 476 ;
"Wakeley's Lost C/iapters, p. 517; Sprague's Annals of the Methodist
Pulpit.

A Fourth Garxer. 151

" Tuesday, 24. We have liad a mighty stir in the Bowery
j Forsyth Street] Church for two nights past, until after
midnight; perltaps twenty souls have found the Lord."
Pishop Whatcoat, who had been ordained to the epis-
copacy at the preceding General Conference, was with
Ashury, preaching the ordination sei'mon at the Bowery
Church, and departing with him on the 28th for a tour
through New England. They reached the city on their
return on Saturday, August IG, and, Asbury says, " found
our service was wanting in the city, there lieing here
only two preachers, and one of them disabled." * The
disabled one was probably S. Hutchinson, though we
have no positive evidence. Freeborn Garrettson Avas

*0nly two preachers in New York? But tliree were appointed at
the Conrerence — John McClaskey, J. Lee, and S. Hntchinson. Lee
gives us light on that matter. He says in Iiis Journal: "Saturday,
21, we sat in Conference again, and tlie bishop put a few lines pri-
vately into ray hand, which I here transcribe verhathn: 'Jesse Lee is
appointed to act as an assistant to the bisliops, at the j^early Confer-
ences, and to aid the book interest in every part of the continent
where he goes.

" ' Dear Brother: We wish to close the Minutes in York, if we
can; you niust have some place thereiu; will the above do? York
will be a blank at present. If you choose to stay uniil you think it
meet to go down South you may; and more, you may make your
own appointment South, and omit going eastward, or go if you choose
to the East, or if you choose you ma^' come to Kentucky.

" 'Francis Asbuhy.

" ' Saturday morimig. Richard Whatcoat.' "

Lee tells us : " I then wrote them a few lines, and informed ihera that
I did not feel altogether at liberty to take the Mppointment or to travel
at large, but if I had any choice, it was, after making a visit to the
I*;ast, to take a single circuit." — Memoirs of J. Lee, p. 273 (edition of
1823). His name therefore was put down for New York, and a few
days after he started on his New England visit, reaching New York
again on October 14, where he remained until the 3d of March 1801,
when he left for the South {Ibid., pp. 278-282). Thus there were but
two preachers in the city when the bishops arrived in August.
11

152 A History op Methodism in New York City.

presiding elder. Of him, and all the other preachers
connected with New York city this year, except Jesse
Lee, notices have already been given.

Lee's connection with New Y^ork Methodism was, as
we have seen, hut little more than nominal; yet he is too
prominent a figure in the history of the general Church
to be left unnoticed. Born in Virginia in 1758, and con-
verted in boyhood, he preached his first sermon when
about twenty-one years of age, and became an itinerant
in 1782, For seven years he labored in Virginia, the
Carolinas, and Maryland, and in 1789 entered upon his
great work in New England, where his success was so
decided that he has properly been regarded as the apos-
tle of Methodism in that section. In 1801 he returned
to the Virginia Conference, nnd served in that region as
preacher and presiding elder until his death, on Septem-
ber 12, 1816. For three years he w^as chaplain to the
House of Representatives, and one year to the Senate.
Plis last appointment was at Annapolis, Md. He was a
man of large frame, of impressive appearance, and of
great ability and zeal. His tact and humor were re-
markable. He lived and died a bachelor.

Lee gives a statement of tlie condition of Methodism
in New York at this time, Avhich may very appropriately
come in on this the closing year of the century. After
a brief sketch of the origin of the John Street Church
he says: "We have now five houses of piiblic worship.
The first church is commonlj^ called the Old Chui-ch; the
second is called the Bowery; the third, the North River
C'hnrch; the fourth is called the Two-mile Stone, being
two miles from the center of the city. The fifth is
the African Church, wdiich was erected by the people of
color for themselves to worship in; yel they are to be
governed by the Methodists in all their spiritual mattei'S.
But they themselves are to settle their temporal matters.

A FoLRTH Garner. 153

This church was built in the latter part of the past year.
Besides these houses we have a charity school of thirty
poor children supported by the society,* and several
dwelling-houses belonging to the society. Three travel-
ing preachers are stationed in the city, and are assisted
by several local preachers."f Among these local i»reach-
ei-s were William Phoebus, Henry J, Feltus, James Flan-
agan, Thomas Dawson, William Valleau, and others.J

Here we have notice of two churches of M'hich no
history has been given. One of these is what is now-
called Seventh Street.

In the early days of New York the miles were mieas-
ured from the site of the old Federal Hall, where the
United States Treasury building now stands, at the cor-
ner of Wall and Nassau Streets. This brought the two-
mile stone in the neighborhood of the present Cooper
Institute, and a settlement sprang up there called Two-
mile Stone, or Bowery Village or the Forks of the Bow-
ery. Shortly after the Revolution some members of
the Coutant family removed from New Rochelle and
opened a store, nearly, if not exactly, on the ground now
occupied by the Cooper building. About 1 788 or 1789 §
Mi-s. Jane, the wife of ]Mr. John Coutant, was convert-
ed, and soon after Mrs. Giindlemeyer, Mrs. Romaine,
and Mrs. Hallet. A local preacher, William Yalleau, ||
formed a class and preached for them occasionally. The
meetings were held in an upper room of the house
of John and Gilbert Coutant, and soon they and tlieir

*This is the earliest notice of the Cliaritj' Seliool to be found.

f Jlemoirs of Jesse Lee, p. 282, edition of 1823.

X Wakoley's Lo.it Chapters, p. 524.

§As there has been some question as to tliis date, it may be well
to say that in the oldest Record Book of members (Book i, A. p. 81)
we read in a list of " Members received and read in by T. Morrell,
1789, June 21," John Coutant, .lane Coutant.

II Not "Veloe, as the name is frequently spelled.

154 A History of Methodism ix New York City,

mother, Mrs. Henry Coutant. were added to the little
society, and also Southwick Hebbard, Oliver Hebbard,
John Vark, Joseph Graham, Oliver Hyde, and their

wives,*

*Tlie first class list that survives is found ia a record made by-
James Mann, dated November 10, 1791. It is No. 21, the last
in the list of classes of whites. It reads: William Valleaii, L'r,
Jno. Coutant, Jao. Vark, Jane Coutant, Eliz'th Coutant, Joliu Hal)-,
Abigail Grindlemire, Gilbei t Coutant, Aran Coutant, Sarah Hallet,
Joseph Graham, Eliz'th Hubberd, Philip Remiiie, Oliver Hubberd,
Jno. Fenngan. There are several orthographical errors in this list.
Aran should probably be Aaron, the two Hubberds should be
Hebard or Hebbard, Reuiiue should be Romaitie, Grindlemire
should be Grindlemeyer, and probably for Jno. Fenngan we
should' read John Finnegan. One of that name landed in New
Yorlc from Ireland August 12, 1791, joined the New York Con-
ference in 1795, and died August 14, 1838. Again, in a class list of
179:-!, June 1, in the writing of Thomas Morrell — "No. 8 — Two-mile
Stone Class." William Valleau is still leader, and besides the names
in the first list we liave Gatliroad (probably Gertrude) Varck, Cath.
Romine (twice), Mariam Somendyke. Eleanor Hubbard, Abel Hol-
brook, John Haj-ley, Fred. Dickerman. In September, 1795, tiie class
is numbered 5, and William Cooper is the leader, and we have the
additional names of Henry Coutant, Fanny Graham, Peggy Banty,
Abby Hebbert, Hanna Headen, Eliz'th Hoglan, Magdelin Sullivan,
Wra. Palmer, John Grant, and Frene Romaine. And once again, in
September, 1796, we have a list bj' W. Lee and G. Roberts, in wliich
class No. 14 has for its leader Joseph Graliam, and its members are John
Coutant, Gilbert Coutant, Oliver Hubbert, William Paiyiiore (Palmer),
Oliver Hyde, Henry Coutant, James McKeaver, Lewis Cox, John
Andrews, Southwick Hubbert, John Steward, William Scott, Nicholas
Taylerson. Then follows class 15, with John Yark for leader and the
following members ; Hannah Graham, Eliz'th Hubbert, Sarah Hallet,
Eliz'tli Coutant, Hannah Heaton, Catharine Romine, Freiiy Romine,
Peggy Bantty, Catharine Hyde, Sally Co.x, Margaret Andrews, Catha-
rine Boyce, and Catliarine Vark. Tiiese lists have been given as of
interest, especiallj^ to the members of Seventii Street. It is the only
case in wliich tlie membership connected with any of our old houses
of worsliip can be distinguished from the rest. It will be seen that
they correct some errors into which several writers on the history ot

A Fourth Garner. 155

The growing society needed a house in which to wor-
ship, and in 1795 a two-story building was erected, the
upper part designed for school purposes, and the place
became a regular appointment on the plan of the circuit.
This house stood on what was called Nicholas-William
Street, named after a member of the Stuyvesant family,
who owned much of the property in the neighborhood.
It ran nearly on the line of the present Eighth Street,
from the old Bowery Road toward the East River.
Mrs. J. S. Peck, a daughter of Gilbert Coutant, gives
the following account of her recollections of this build-
ing. She says, " It had a cupola and a bell, to call the
children to school" (to use it to summon to public wor-
ship would have horrified the Methodists of that day).
"The lower floor was a meeting-house" (not a church).
" Tiie entrance was a double door to a lobby and a
smaller door to the place of worship." There were " a
dozen or fifteen seats on each side of the aisle, not
painted, and a strip about four inches wide across the
back." There were " four windows on each side." The
pulpit was reached by three steps. "The side-lights
Avei-e of tin, about a foot high and four inches wide, at
the bottom a socket to hold the candle." " There was a
chandelier, with a center-piece about as large as a quart

Seventh Street have fallen, because they had to depend on traditions,
wliereas these items are from the records. Thus Joseph Graham
was not the first class-leader; William Yalleau and William Cooper
preceded him. Anthony Tieman was not a member until 1812, and
Michael Floy not until 1810; and though Michael Floy, Jr., and
James Floy are not directly stated to have been among the earlier
members, the position their names occupy would lead to that conclu-
sion, whereas M.Floy, Jr., joined in September, 1828, and James Floy
in 1831. It may be well also that it should bo known that more
exact information on some of these matters of the early liistory of
Metliodism in New York is obtainable. — Book 1, B, pp. 54, 59, and
39 and 17.

156 A History op Methodism in New York City.

measure, painted light blue, with three or four branches
with candles." Oii one occasion, when Bishop Asbury
preached there during Conference, he was so feeble he
had to sit, and she was sent home for a bench to place
on the seat.*

During the yellow fever of 119S many of the inhab-
itants of the city moved to this neighborhood, and some
probably remained, thus adding to the strength of the
society. The Rev. Dr. John Livingston, of the Dutch
Reformed Church, took refuge there, and often preached
in the little meeting-house, wearing his black silk gown.
But the rest of the history of this church must be left
for a future page.

The other building of which Jesse Lee speaks was the
African Church. "In the year 1796 the colored mem-
bers of the Methodist churches in the city, feeling a desire

*Mrs. Peck sajs this was in 1808. But tliut 3-ear the ConTerence
met at Ameuia. It was at New York iu 1809, and again in 1811. and
then Bishop Asbury writes iu his Journal that lie preached at Two-
mile Stone. Perhaps this was the occasion she refers to.

Tlie following items from tlie note-book of Peter Badeau are given
by Dr. Bottome in an historical sermon preaclied in 1864, p. 13:
" ' Henry Coutant, t!ie father of tlic Coutant family, died in 1803, aged
seventy-six years ; and his wife about seventy. John Coutant died
of yellow fever, aged thirty-six; and his wife survived him fifty-six
years, dying in 1 854, in the ninety-second year of her age. Joseph
Graham died in 1844, aged eighty years; and his wife in 1853, aged
eighty-four. Oliver Hebbard died in 1831, aged sixty -three; and his
wife outlived liim eigliteen years, dying at jength very suddenly of
cholera in 1849, aged eighty-three. Sonthwick Hebbard died a few
years ago, a very old man. Brother Vark and his wife have been
dead many years, and were aged people. Brother Donaldson died in
1845, aged seventy-seven years. Sisters Romaine and Hahet also
lived to be very old and much respected.' And to complete the list
should be added Mrs. Donaldson, yet with us, in her eightj'-sixth year.
Peter Badeau is eight3''-seven years of age, Henry Palmer eighty, nnd
liis wile sevent}'-six." Mrs. Peck says that her father, Gilbert Cou-
tant, died in 1845, aged eighty.

A P'ouRTii Garner. 157

to hold meetings among themselves, where they might
have opportunity to exercise their spiritual gifts, and
thereby, as they hoped, become more useful to each
other, obtained permission from Bishop Asbury to hold
such meetings in the intervals of the regular preaching
hours of the white ministers. Accordingly, a house was
hired and fitted up in Cross Street, between Mulberry
and Orange Streets, where meetings were statedly held.
At this time there were three colored preachers and one
exhorter in New York city." In about three years a
regular congregation was gathered, and a house of wor-
ship called Zion's Church was built on Church Street,
corner of Leonard Street, and opened in September, 1800.
In 1820 a larger building was erected, which was burned
in 1839."^ Til is congregation now occupies a very good
edifice, bought of the Reformed Dutch, at the corner of
"West 10th and Bleecker Streets.

Of incidents relating to the current year nothing can
be gleaned from the records we have. The " Old Book "
had ceased to testify since 1795; the next in order does
not begin to give evidence until 1 802 ; so that we are pass-
ing through "seven years of famine" as to what oc-
curred in tlie Church in New York. The new century
was opening ; thirty-four years, about a generation, had
passed since Methodism began in the city; instead of
the fathers already there were their children; but among
all, old or young, nothing but prophetic vision could
have discerned the wonderful progress that would be
made in the nineteenth century.

* Greenleuf's History of the Churches of New York, p. 821.

158 A History of Methouism in New York City

CHAPTER XV.

SIX FRUITFUL YEARS— COXFEREXCES OF 1801 TO 1807.

At the Conference of 1801, which met in New Yoi-k
on June 16, the memhership in the city was reported as
685 w hites, 150 colored ; total, 835 — a gain of 59 in the
preceding year and of 835 since the beginning, to say
nothing of those who had finished their course.* For
the first time since the organization of the Church, as
far as we can learn. Bishop Asbury was not able to at-
tend the New York Conference. He was detained in
Phihidelphia with a lame foot. The session was held
in John Street Church, Bishop Whatcoat presiding.f
F. Garrettson remained as presiding elder, and John
McClaskey, T. Mon-ell, D. Ostrander, M. Coate were the
stationed preachers. J Of these names only one is new.

The slender limbs, low statui-e, dark complexion,
keen eye, and excellent voice of the Rev. Daniel Os-
trander will be remembered by many of the older
l)reachers and laymen. Born in 1772, converted at the
age of sixteen, and entering the traveling connection in
1793, he became a prominent member of the New York
Conference. He spent five years in all in the pastoral
work in the city, and eight years as presiding elder of

* There were 7 Conferences, 307 preachers, nnd 72,874 members.
Tlie total membership in Europe and America was 196,502. — Annual
Minutts, 1801.

f Clark's Life of Hedding, p. 86.

\ J. McChiskey made liis home at 32 John Street, D. Ostrander at
303 Greenwich Street, near tlie North (Diiane Street) Churcli, and
Murrell, probably, lived near the Forsyth Street Church.

Six F'ruitful Years. 159

the New York District. He was an able preacher, and
a man of strong will and much influence in the Con-
ference. He died December 8, 1843. His son-in-law,
Rev. Ira Ferris, will also be remembered as a useful
minister of Christ, and the Rev. D. O. Ferris, his grand-
son, is a member of the New York East Conference.

Of the year that followed we have only one or two
items of information. " 1802, 9 March. The church
debt reported to the society, £2,487 3s. 2c?."* Some
time in 1802 the Rev. Joshua Marsden, a distinguished
English Methodist jireacher, visited the city for the first
time. It would seem that he arrived before the session
of the Conference, as he says : " I was greatly surprised
to meet, in the preachers assembled at New York, such
examples of simplicity, labor, and self-denial. Some
of them had come five or six hundred miles to attend
the Conference. They had little appearance of clerical
costume; many of them had not a single article of
black cloth; their good bishops set them the example,
neither of whom were dressed in black." " The bish-
ops, Asbury and Whatcoat, were plain, simple, vener-
able persons, both in dress and manners. Their cos-
tume was that of former times, the color drab, the
waistcoat with large laps, and both coat and waistcoat
without any collar ; their plain stocks and low-crowned,
broad-brimmed hats bespoke their deadness to the tri-
fling ornaments of dress." "They spoke but little, and
appeared utterly avei'se to the frivolous compliments of
the world." "Most of the preachers appeared to be
young men, yet ministerial labor had impressed its
withering seal upon their countenances." He then
speaks of the great work Methodism was doing in the
United States.f

* Book ii, p. 120.

f Stevens's History of iht Mttliodist Episcopal Churcli, vol. iv, p. 186.

160 A History of Methodissi ix Xew York City.

Tuesday, May 26, 1802, Asbury tells us, "We came
to Nevv^ Yoi-k, and took up our lodging at Mr. Suck-
ley's." "My first public exercise in the city was in tlie
African church, a very neat wooden house, but by far
too small. My text was Eph. ii, 11-14," How appro-
priate it was will be seen if sought out and read.
"Friday, 28, I spoke in John Street upon 1 Thess.
ii, 4-9." Another aj^propriate text. "Sunday, 30.
The death of Sarah Hutchinson gave occasion to my
preaching her funeral sermon at the Bowery (Forsyth
Street) Church, in the afternoon. The deceased was
the daughter of Frederick Devoue (Deveau), whose
house and familj^ in Xew Rochelle wei"e the first to re-
ceive and welcome the Methodist i^reachers." She
"died very happy in God." "Tuesday, June 1, we
opened our yearly Conference in John Street meeting-
house, and continued our labors in great peace and
union." " Saturday, 5, we had a day of solemn fasting
and prayer for the Church, the Conference, the conti-
nent, and for the world, upon the eve of which I preached
from 2 Cor. ii, 14, 15, with great i^lainness, and so
much fire as to make my earthly tabernacle very rest-
less through the night. John McClaskey gave us the
first sermon on Joel ii, 15-17.* Sunday, 6, we had a
love-feast at eight o'clock, preaching at ten o'clock, and
sacrament at twelve o'clock; some good shakings went
through the house, but there was nothing very signal.
The collection for the preachers gave occasion to a
sermon, which I must needs preach ; it was done on
1 Cor. xvi, 14. I attended and read a letter at the
Bowery Church, Avheie a collection for the same pur-
pose was also made. At six o'clock I preached in the
North River (Duane Street) Church on Luke xi, 13,
and so we closed our labors in the city."
* See p. 149.

Six Fruitful Years. 161

The report at this Conference (1802) was 726 wliites
and 211 colored ; total 937 — a gain of 102. Thomas
Morrell, T. F. Sargent, and J. Wilson were appointed
to the charue, and F. Garrettson remained as presiding
elder." John Wilson, the junior preacher, was born in
England in 1763, came to New York in 1793, and en-
tered the traveling connection in 1797. His previous
appointments had been in Westchester County and on
Long Island, and after his two years' service in the pas-
toral woik in Xew York city he was appointed, in
1804, assistant editor and general book steward, with
E. Cooper as his chief. A severe attack of asthma,
which greatly restricted his labors in the pulpit, was
probably one reason for this appointment; but he
proved eminently qualified for the office. In 1808 the
General Conference placed him at the head of the Con-
cern, but he died in 1810. He was well educated, an
acceptable preacher, and of extraordinary executive
ability. He was also an excellent penman, and fre-
quently acted as secretary of the New York Confer-
ence. At the session of 1804, when Cyrus Stebbins
(who afterward withdrew from the Church) attacked
the doctrine of sanctification, John Wilson replied to
him, and, " as in the case of Stephen, none could
' resist the spirit and wisdom with which he spake.'
He sat down to wait a reply, but 'none opened his
mouth, or muttered, or peeped.' The victory was
complete, the debate was closed ; all seemed love, and
the angel of peace brooded over the consecrated
assembly."! He died January, 1810, and Avas buried

* J. "Wilson lived in Bayard Street, near the Bowery (Forsyth
Street) Church.

f Thacher's manuscript autobiography, in Warriner's Old Scmds
Street, p. 185.

132 A HisTOKY OF Methodism ix New York City.

in a vault in the ground behind the old Forsyth Street
Church. *

On the 24th of July Bishop Asbury came to New
York again, and on Sabbath, the 25th, " preached at the
old church on Rev. iii, 17-20, at three o'clock at the
Bowery (Forsyth Street) Church on Isa. Iv, 6, 7, and at
th3 African Church at six o'clock on 1 Thess. i, 5. It
was a day of life to me."

Again we have a Conference year, of the events of
which no record has come down to us. But there is a
" List of the classes, leaders' names, and when and
where they met, taken 8th September, 1802, by Thomas
Morrell." It will give us a view of the state of the
Church at that period, and will be found in A])pendix O.

On Thursday, May 19, 1803, Bishop Asbury reached
New York again. He "signed a memorial for the ob-
taining in the court a legal claim to £300, left by Miss
De Peyster, for the bishops and clergy of the Method-
ist Church, to be appropriated in the best manner for
the good of the society." f On Sunday, the 22d, he
"preached at the old church from Jas. iii, 17."

The New York Conference of 1803 met July 1, at
Ashgrove, in the neighborhood to which Embury and
his friends removed when they left the cit3^J Bishop
Asbury presided. The rei)ort from New York city
was 747 whites, 248 colored; total, 995 — a gain of 58.
Freeborn Garrettson was reappointed as presiding

^Wnkcley's Lost Chapters, p. 501; Warriiier's Old Sands Street,
p. 1 84 ; Spraccue's Annalx of the Methodist Pulpit. A record of burials
at Forsyth Street says he was buried in the achool-house vault, Xo. 1.

f This was the " De Peysier legacy" (see Appendix E, p. 442)tlie
income from which the Xew York Conference applies to its necessi-
tous cases.

:l;Tliomas Ashton wrote May 27, ISOl, inviting the Conference
to hold a session there. But he did not Uve to greet them, as he
died eleven days after writing. — The Methodid, vol. vii. p. 353.

Six Fruitful Years. 163

elder, and the preachers were T. Morrell, M. Coate, R.
Williston, and J. Wilson,

Ralph Willis-ton, the only one whose name is new,
entered the work in 1796, and had labored in New En-
gland seven years, two of them as presiding elder of
the ]\[aine District. He afterward spent two years in
the Baltimore Conference and withdrew in 1806, and
entered the Ejiiscopal Church. Dr. Thomas E. Bond
says * he was " a man of more than ordinary talents,
and promised great usefulness;" "we knew and loved
Mr. Williston, and felt it a bereavement when he left."

On the 20th of July, 1803, "the Church debt re-
ported to the society" was £2,380 8s. 8d. — a decrease of
more than £100 since the last report, about sixteen
months before. f

Asbury reached New York on Friday, June 8, 1804,
and on Sunday, the 10th, preached in John Street, on
Heb. X, 23-25. The Conference, which met on the
12th, was, he says, "a happy one and of great business.
AYe had sermons every day at noon. Fourteen deacons
and eight elders AS'ere ordained, these last at the Bow-
ery (Forsyth Street) Church, where I preached upon
2 Tim. iv, 1-4. By hard labor I read olf the stations
on Saturday night, and our Conference sat on Monday.
We proclaimed a fast, with prayer, for the Methodists,
the health of the city, the general Church, and the con-
tinent. N. Snethen gave us a melting, nervous dis-
course on the occasion."

Whites, 750, colored, 268, is the report for this Con-

* Ghristian Advocate, vol. xvii, p. 44.

f Book ii, p. 120. The General Conference met in 1804 at Balti-
more, and among other things defined more accurately the limits of
the several Annual Conferences. It will be sufficient to our purpose
to say that the New York Conference included the territory now in
the care of tlie New York, New York East, and Troy Conferences,
and the whole of the field in Canada.

164 A History of Methodism in Xew York City.

ference, a total of 1,018 — an increase of 23. For the
first time the membership bad readied 1,000. It fell off
next year, but recovered the year after, and never again
needed less than four figures.

The New York District had William Thacher for
presiding elder, and the city Nicholas Snethen, M.
Coate,* and S. Merwin as preachers. Ezekiel Cooper
was editor and general book steward, and John Wil-
son assistant. The name of Mr. Thacher bas been
met with before, but noAV for the fii'st time he becomes
associated with Methodism in New York city. He was
born in 1769, in the town of Norwalk, Conn., and con-
verted in 1790, in Baltimore. lie began to preach in
the city of New Haven in 1795, where liis family
formed the nucleus of the Metiiodist Ciiurch in that
city. In 1797 he was admitted on trial into the New
York Conference, and labored in the States of Connect-
icut and New York, until he was placed over the New
York District. He afterward filled important appoint-
ments in the New York and Philadelphia Conferences,
and, becoming superannuated in 1846, made his residence
in Poughkeepsie, where he died August 2, 1856. His
pul|)it exercises were brief, pointed, and practic il.f

l)Ut Thacher had on his district men Avhose names
were destined to be more widely known than his own,
and two of these were in New York city. Nicholas
Snethen was born at Moscheto (now Glen) Cove, L. I.
In 1791, or shortly after, he was converted, and in 1793
was a class-leader in Brooklyn, N. Y.J He entered the
itinerancy in 1794, filled various prominent appoint-
ments, Avas for a time traveling companion of Bishop

* Coate resided in Bayard Street.

f Stevens's History oftlie Mdliodist Episcopal Church, vol. iii, p. 440 ;
"Warriner's Old Sands Street, p. 156.
X Warriner's Old Sands Street, p. 493.

Six Fruitful Years. 1G5

Asljury, and in ]814 located. He wrote ably and
warmly in defense of Asbury and the Church against
O'Kelly. " He was no ordinary man ; his literary ac-
quirements were highly respectable; in the pulpit he
was eloquent, and at times overpowering; in private
life he was cheerful, sociable, and sympathetic, an un-
wavering friend, and a complete Christian gentleman.
There was a peculiarity in his mental constitution to
which must be referred his unfortunate course in the
Church. ' His philosophic mind,' says one who knew
him well, ' delighted in theory. He theorized on every
subject that came under his investigation; and most
of his theories were ingenious, plausible, and cajjtivat-
ing, and bespoke a mind of vast compass, great origi-
nality, and intense application.' " * Something also of
a spirit of ambition must have shown itself, for Asbury,
who knew him well, and seems to have had much re-
gard for him, says (November 17, 1811), "And O, great
Snethen is chaplain to Congress! " It is no wonder,
then, that he afterward became a leader in the oi-gan-
ization of the Methodist Protestant Church. He died
in Indiana, May 30, 1845, "praising the Lord to the
last moment of his life." f

Samuel Merwin, his junior colleague, ran no such
eri'atic course. He was a native of Durham, Conn.,
whence his father removed when Samuel was seven years
of age to the State of New York, with five other fami-
lies, who formed a settlement which they called New Dur-
ham. Converted when about eighteen years old, he

* Rov. J. B. "Williams, in Stevens's iZf'sto?-?/ of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, vol. iii, p. 2G2.

f Stevens's Ilistory of the Metlmdist Episcojial Church, vol. iii, p.
259; Warriner's OW Sands Street,^. 492. In the book lately re-
ferred to (Book ii, p. 117) will be found an account of his housekeep-
ing expenses for July and a part of August, 1804.

166 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

was sent by the j^residing elder into the work when he
was twenty-two, and at the next Conference, in the
year 1800, he was .-idniitted on trial. Ills labors weie
mostly in the Xew York Conference, though he spent
four years in New England and two years each in the
cities of Baltimore and Philadelphia. As presiding
elder and stationed preacher he was connected with
New York city thirteen years. He died at Rhinebeck,
January 13, 1839. He was a man of fine aj)pearance,
graceful manners, and charming delivery. " His pul-
pit appeals were accompanied by a flowing and sweep-
ing eloquence, sometimes rising to wonderful power
and majesty." * From the time that he was admitted
on trial " t'.U his death he never halted or turned aside
from his vocation as a traveling preacher in the Meth-
odist Connection"'! — a fact which places him in
marked contrast with his senior colleague.

Ezekicl Coojier and John Wilson, the editors and
book stewards, have been sketched already, but the
fact that now for the first time these ofllcers are named
in connection Avith New York appointments calls for an
explanation. The business had been can-ied on in Phila-
delphia, but some difficulties had arisen there which
made its removal advisable, and it was finally transferred
to New York, where it has continued ever since and
grown to be the most extensive denominational publish-
ing interest in the country. Its officers have done ef-
fective service also in the pulpits of the churches in the
city and its vicinity.J

But, even with two editors in the city, very little his-
tory has come down to us. Asbury says, " On Satuj--
day (August 4) I came alone to New York. Sabbath,

* Stevens's History of the 3fethodisi Episcopal Church, vol. iii, p. 455.

f Sprajjiie's Aiinals of the Methodist Pulpit, p. 334.

X^ee Light on Early Methodism, p. 256, and Appendix X.

Six Fruitful Years. 167

5, I preached at the North (Duane Street) Cliurch upon
Matt, xvi, 24, to the end of the chapter. I felt some
opening. At the old house in John Street my subject
was 1 Tim. vi, 6, 7, 8. York, in all the congregations,
is the valley of dry bonesy These words prepare us for
some decrease in the report to the next Conference.
Two names, however, among those received on trial
during this Conference year attract our attention. They
are, August 7, Henry Worrall, and November 15, Thomas
Treslow (Truslow).* New York Metliodists know who
are represented by these names.

The Conference for 1805 met at Ashgrove on June 12.
Asbury passed through the city in May, and " gave them
a sermon in John Street Church on Tuesday morning"
(May 21). The statistics from what he had called the
valley of dry hones the preceding summer could not
have surprised him. The report was, 700 Avhites, 240
colored; total 940 — a loss of 78. W. Thacher is con-
tinued as presiding elder, and the preachers are, F. Gar-
rettson, N. Snethen, A. Hunt, and J. Wilson. Here is
but one new name, not as widely known as some others,
but held in great estimation among old Methodists of
the metropolis.

Aaron Hunt was born in Eastchester, Westchester
County, New York, March 28, 1768. While a clerk in
the city he heard a Methodist preacher for the first time
in the old John Street Church. He was about twenty-
one when converted. Admitted on trial in 1791, he
located on account of ill health in 1794, but re-entered
the work in 1800 and continued until 1823, when he be-
came; supcrnumeraiy. He died April 25, 1858, at
Sharon, Conn., at tlie age of ninety. He had a clear,
strong intellect, was an earnest Christian, and an able
and highly successful minister. His name is associated
* Book ii, p. 17.
12

168 A History of Methodism ix New Yokk City.

with interesting events in Methodist history in Xew
York city, as Ave shall see in clue course. His grandson,
Rev. A. S. Hunt, D.D., is one of the financial secretaries
of the American Bible Society.

Mr. Hunt tells us he had " a good home in the par-
sonage of Forsyth Street Church," and that he and his
colleagues labored "in perfect harmony to build the
walls of Zion." During the latter part of September,
1805, the yellow fever prevailed again, but instead of
awakening it seemed only to harden.* That some in-
terest existed, however, is evident, not only f i-om the re-
port at the next Conference, but from the testimony of
Garrettson, Avho says, " Last evening I attended a i)rayer-
meeting in the Bowery (Forsyth Street) Church. Xot
less than a thousand people" were present, "and avc
had a most extraordinary time. Loud praises rang
through the whole church and continued till midnight."

A remarkable revival, indeed, such as was never
before known in the city, prevailed under IMr. Hunt's
ministry. It is difficult to decide to which of the two
years of his service the following narrative relates.
" God, who works in mysterious Avays, aided them by a
small incident. As a few parents in the eastern out-
skirts of the city were attending church one Sabbath,
their children, meeting together at home, commenced
conversing upon religion, and, as they felt the need of
salvation, they prayed to Jesus Christ to forgive their
sins. One little girl was soundly converted, and when
the parents returned from church they found the com-
pany of children so earnest as not to be diverted from
the all-engrossing subject of personal salvation. This
led some persons to reflection on the same subject." The
fall camp-meeting at Cow Harbor (now Manhasset Bay)
was largely attended and many were converted. Some
* Papers of Rev. A. Hunt iu hands of Rev A. S. Hunt. D.D.

Six Fruitful Years. 169

wild fire seems to have been mingled with the true, how-
ever, for on the way home some enthusiasts claimed to
be able to walk on the water. Mr. Hunt prudently re-
plied, " I fear your faith will fail, like Peter's." *

On Friday, May 16, 1806, the New York Conference
commenced its sitting in this city and rose on Thurs-
day. The Bishop says : " We sat seven hours each day
in great love, order, and peace. I preached three
times, and ordained three African deacons. We
had preaching in the Park as well as regularly in
tlie meeting-houses, and a day of fasting and prayer
for the health of the city, the success of our Confer-
ence labors, and the prosperity of Zion. I was greatly
supported and blest. The preachers were, perhaps,
never better satisfied with their stations." This last
sentence is worthy of notice.

The loss reported at the last Conference was more
than repaired at this. The Minutes give 691 wliites and
365 colored; a total of 1,056 — a gain of 116, A, Hunt,
T. Bishop, and S. Crowell were the preachers. The
names of F. Garrettson and J, Wilson are also given,
but the first was probably but a nominal appointment,!
and the last was book steward, W. Thacher remained
as presiding elder.

Truman Bishop's name is first found in the Conference
Minutes of 1798, when he was stationed in Litchfield,
Conn. He labored in New England until his appoint-
ment in New York, and afterward in different charges
in the New York and Philadelphia Conferences until
1818, when he became connected with the Ohio Confer-
ence, in which he continued until his location in 1828.
Mr. Hunt says he was " deep, humble, and pious."

* Papers of Rev. A. Hunt, etc.

f A uote in the Minutes says: " Freeborn Garrettson requested not
to have the charge of the society this year.''

ITO A History of Methodism in New York City.

Setb Crowell was born in Tolland, Conn., converted
wlien about seventeen years of age, and received on
trial in tlie New York Conference in 1801. Canada,
Vermont, and Albany Circuit, N. Y., were his fields
of labor until his appointment to the city. He after-
ward traveled in New York State and New England,-
was superannuated for a few years, and was again ap-
pointed to the city in 1817 and 1818, but located in
1819. Five years after, in consideration of his eminent
services, though he was incapable of the labor of a
chai'ge, he was re-admitted and placed on the superan-
nuated list. lie lingered about two years longer, a
great sufferer from nervous disease, and died July 6,
1826, at the hous^' of his friend, Alex. Banks, in the
city. Mr. Crowell was a remarkable man. His ])reach-
ing was peculiarly solemn, and his whole manner gave
evidence that he was constantly inspired with a sense
of eternal realities. In the j^ulpit he was simple and
natural, and not at all boisterous. The writer has heard
some of his sermons described as producing veiy power-
ful effects.*

During this year Mr. Hunt introduced a practice
which soon became general in the Church. He says,
"In September, 1806, I appointed a prayer-meeting
particularly for those Avho had been at the camp-meet-
ing. Many attended at the church in Second (Forsyth)
Street. It was a time of great power. Many wept :ind
cried aloud for mercy." Several little prayer-meetings
were held at the same time in different parts of the
house, causing, of course, great confusion. Mr. Hunt
had recently received a letter from his former colleague,
Rev. N. Snethen, " describing the custom which had just
been adopted at the camp-meetings in the South, of

* Stevens's History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. iii, p. 478;
Sprajyue's Annals of the Methodist Pulpit.

Six Fruitful Ykars. l?!

inclosing a space in front of the stand, called an altar,
where mourners and' those who were considered cnpable
of instructing and praying with them were invited to
meet, apart from the great congregation." He deter-
mined to adopt " a similar course in the church, and at
the second camp-meeting prayer-meeting he invited all
who were seeking the Saviour to come forward and
kneel at the altar, but not one person complied with
the request. The three preachers met the next day in
consultation. Mr. Hunt assigned as his reason for pro-
posing to introduce the altar service that the confusion
of previous meetings would thereby be avoided, and
the name, residence, and spiritual condition of each
convert and seeker could be ascertained, making it pos-
sible to watch over them more successfully. Truman
Bishop concurred, but Seth Crowell, the other preacher,
put in a stern remonstrance, and in the evening took a
back seat to watch the result of what he considered an
interference with God's order and a steadying of the
ark. But the penitents, having reflected on the pro-
l)riety of gathering about the altar, pressed forward
as soon as the invitation was given, filling the entire
kneeling-place about the altar-rail and. several of the
front seats." Mr. Crowell " discontinued his opposition
and joined zealously in the work." " The custom soon
became general." " In later years Mr. Hunt expressed
concern lest the usage might degenerate into a form in
which some might trust rather than in the Saviour, and
of which others might take advantage in hypocrisy to
impose upon the Church." *

Among those who were received into the Church dur-
ing this great revival were Dorothea Worrall, John

* Papers of Rev. A. Hunt; Warriner's Old Sands Street, p. 104;
Christian Advocate, vol. vii, p. 148; and Atkinson's Centennial History
of American Methodism, pp. 468 and 481.

172 A History of Methodism ix New Yoijk City.

Buckmaster, Nicholas Scliureraan, Andrew Halstead,
Ezekiel Halstead, Nathaniel C. Hart, William Raisbeck,
Peter McNainara, Thomas J. Stagg, Alexander Banks,
Benjamin Disbrow, James Oakley, Haziel Smith (dumb),
John R. jNlidwinter, Simeon Bi'own, John Devon, Ben-
jamin Griifin, Nathaniel Jarvis, Abijah Abbot, Gideon
Carstang.*

*Book ii, pp. 19-34.

Five Fruitful Yeaes. 173

CHAPTER XVI.

FIVE FRUITFUL YEARS— COXFEREXCES OF 1S07 TO 1812.

The New York Conference for 1807 met at Coeyman's
Patent, near Albany, May 2. Asbury speaks of the
fact that two thousand and one bad been added in the
bounds of tliis Conference.* New York city contrib-
uted its full proportion to this gain. It reported 1,071
Avhites and 392 colored; in all 1,463 — an increase of 407.
Naturally, therefore, there was an increase in the work-
ing force of the city. T. Bishop, E. Cooper, F. Ward,
P. Peck, and S. Thomas were the preachers, with J.
Crawford as presiding elder.

Joseph Crawford was a native of White Plains, N. Y.,
was received into the traveling connection in 1797, and
until 1820 occupied some of the most important posi-
tions in the New York and New England Conferences.
He was a man of remarkable ability, and very successful. f

Francis Ward was a native of Ireland, where he was
converted and licensed to preach. He came to this
country in 1801, and was received into the Conference
in 1802. He labored within the bounds of the New
York Conference until 1812, when he was appointed to
Charleston, S. C, where he was taken ill. Returning
North, he went to Suffolk Circuit, on Long Island, where
he died in 1813. He " was a studious man, a good En-
glish scholar," of extensive reading, sound in doctrine,
" fervent in spirit, serving the Lord."

*Biit the figures of the printed Minutes make the increase 3,171.
f Warrhier's Old Sancls Street, p. 175, etc.

174 A History of Methodism in New York City.

Phineas Peck was born in Stratford, Conn., in 1780,
entered the Conference in 1801, and spent about twenty
years in effective service in the New York and New En-
gland Conferences. He died at Watertown, N. Y., April
19, 1836. He was a man of more than ordinary ability.*

Samuel Thomas was converted in e:irly life in New
Jersey, and was for many years an acceptable local
preacher. He entered the traveling connection in 1796,
and after laboring in New York and New Jersey was
superannuated in 1808, and died early in 1812, at Cin-
cinnati, O. He was a man "frequently tempted and
buffeted by the devil," but his end was peace. Many
were converted under his ministry, among whom, we
are told, were Marvin Richardson, Josiah Bowen, and
Charles W. Carpenter, f

Of the events of this Conference year not a solitary
record is to be found except that of the admission of
probationers. Among these are the names of Chancey
Carter, Mary Carter, John C. Totten, Mary Morgan,
Benjamin Burdett, Nicholas Coenhoven, Lancaster S.
Burling, John Carr. J

At the Conference of 1808, which met at Amenia
April 6, Bishop Asbuiy presiding, the increase, though
not equal to that of the preceding year, was yet very
encouraging. The report was, whites 1,330, colored
424; total 1,754 — a gain of 291. J. Crawford was con-
tinued as presiding elder, and the preachers were W.
Thacher, E. Cooper, J. Wilson, F. Ward, L. Andrus,
and P. Peck. §

Luman Andrus, whose name is the only new one in
this list, was born in Litchtield, Conn., July 4, 1778,

* Christian Advocate, vol. x, pp. 176 and 200.
j Warriner" s Old Sands Street, p. 169. :}: Book ii, pp. 34-46.

§ Thacher's residence was ax 400 Pearl Street, and Peck's at 7 Sec-
ond (Forsylli) Ptroet.

Five Fuuitful Years. 175

converted at the age of fourteen, and received on trial
in 1801. He was in New York again in 1816. He su-
perannuated in 1834, and died July 12, 1851. He was
devoted and useful, and, though not very systematic as
a preacher, was uncommonly imj)ressive as an exhorter.
For the histoiy of this year our material is almost
as scanty as tliat of the year before. Bishop Asbury
spent but a day or two in the city, and preached Wednes-
day, April 27, at the African Church, and ordained
D. Coker and W. Miller. Jesse Lee arrived June 19,
and remained until the 27th, preaching nine sermons,
after which he attended the camp-meeting at Cow Harbor
(now Manhasset Bay). He returned October 7, and re-
mained until the 11th, preaching to crowded congrega-
tions. He found the work prospering. He i'nys, " I be-
lieve I never knew so gi-eat a revival of religion in the
city of New York before. The work had been great for
several months, and many had been converted and joined
our society, and the prospect was still pleasing." *

* Lee's Memoirfi, pp. 313, 323. That this work was something
more than a mere excitement is evident from the fact tliat at this time
steps were taken lor supplying both the temporal and spiritual wants
of the poor.. At a meeting held on November 12, 1808, at a school-
room, on the corner of Anthony (now Worth) and Hudson Streets, an
"Assistance Society" was organized. The original members were:
Francis Ward, James J. Margarum, Abm. Russel, Joseph Riley,
Rod'k McLeod, John Shaw, George Innes, S. B. Eonsall, Natiian
Whitehead, James Davis, Samuel Elsworth, Samuel Sears, John An-
dariese. Christian Bourdeite, Cornelius Polhamus, Jacob Bolmoro,
Joseph Wiley, John Westfield, Benjamin G. Barker, M. H. Smith,
George Suckley, Jolin Vanderpool, John C. Totten, L. S. Burling,
John Russel, William H. Baldwin, Klnathan Raymond, A. J. W.
Butler, George L. Birch, Peter Poillon, Isaac Saunders, John Cox,'
Robert Mathison, Tliomas Hope. Others, equally worthy of remem-
brance, soon joined the society. For many years it did a very good
work, but after the citj' became divided into stations the benevolent
societies of the different churclies supplied its place.

17G A IIisTOiiY OF Methodism in New York City.

Among. those received on trial this year were Francis
Hall and Samuel Williams.*

Oil the 10th of Ma}^ 1809, the New York Confer-
ence, after two years' absence, again lield its session in
the city. Bishop Ashury says, it " continued until the
loth; about one hundred and twenty preachers present;
we had great peace and good order." f The elders were
ordained at the John Street Church on the Sabbath
day. I

A good increase was reported, as was to be expected
from what we have already read. Whites, 1,531; col-
ored, 469; total, 2,000— gain, 246. The appointments
were W. Thacher, E. Smith, W. Keith. J. Crawford
was still presiding elder. J. Wilson and D. Hitt were
the book agents.

Eben Smith was born in the town of Lenox, Mass.,
July 18, 1774, and admitted to Conference in 1804.
He did effective work for about thirty years, seven of
them as presiding elder, and was a member of four

* Book ii, pp. 59, 60.

f According to the Minutes of the New York Conference this was
tlie last of ils sessions ;it wliich Asbury presided.

if Bishop Ashury to Ptter Akxander Allaire, Dr.

1809, 20th May. To keeping 3 horses from 8th of May on £ s. d.

hay, at 4s '< ■i

To 9 quarts oats per liorse per day for eacli horse, say

27 quarts per day, 324 quarts, at 4fZ 5 8

To keephig one horse from Stli of May on hay, at 4^. . . 2 8

To 78 quarts of oats, at 4rZ 1 6

To bleeding bishop's horse, physick, fetching, etc 10

£17 2

$42 75
Received payment from Mr. Abraham Ru'^sel.

Peter Alex. Allaire.
— Reminiscences of Henry Boehiii, p. 238.

Five Fruitful Years. 177

successive General Conferences, from 1812 to 1824. He
died May 18, 1844, at Milton, Ulster County, N. Y.,
in great peace. He " was a man of much zeal, dili-
gence, and usefulness," " a great lover of Methodism,
ardent in his friendship, and cautious in speaking of the
character of absent persons." He endured much labor
and privation.

Tlie life of William Keith was short but useful.
Born in Easton, Mass., September 15, 1776, he was con-
verted in 1794, and commenced preaching in 1798,
Stationed on the Albany Circuit, he traveled three
hundred miles in four weeks, sometimes on foot, through
storms and snow, and preached forty-three times. We
cannot wonder, then, that before thi' year closed he
was so enfeebled that he had to retire. His withdrawal
from active labor proved unfavorable to his spiritual
condition, and some of the preachers, observing it, re-
proved him so sharply that he became discouraged and,
in 1801, withdrew from the Church. Proposals to re-
sume his ministry in some other communion were made
to him, but he could not be persuaded to do so. At
length he resolved to return to the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and he says: "As soon as I consented to bear
the cross and join the Methodists again I felt a return
of the favor of God and could truly say, ' My Jesus is
mine and I am his.' " Two years were spent in the lo-
cal ministry, then three years in the traveling work,
before he received his appointment to New York, which
was to be his last. Consumption had fastened on him;
at the Conference of 1810 he became superannuated,
and died September 7 of the same year. Dr. Bangs,
who came to the city just in time to form acquaintance
with him a few months before his death, says: "Once
only I heard him preach, but the effort, though made in
much bodily weakness, was one of great power, and

178 A History of Methodism in New York Citv.

left an impression upon my mind which is still fresh
after nearly half a century." He adds : " The effects
of his preaching were sometimes truly astonishing; his
audiences were completely bowed under the power of
th'j truth which he proclaimed." *

Among those received on probation during this eccle-
siastical year were Peter Badeau, William B. Skid-
more, Wah'ab Seaman, James Raisbeck, Nicholas Ro-
niain. f

At the New York Conference for 1810, which was
held at Pittsfield, Mass., Bishop McKendree presided.
Bishop Asbury passed through the city in the early part
of Ma}^, and says : " Great times here; two new houses
within tlie year. I preached at old John Street. This
is the thirty-ninth year I have officiated within the
walls; this house must come down and something
larger and better occupy its place." The two new
houses referred to were the Greenwich Village, now
Bedford Street, and tlie Allen Sti'eet churches.

The first of these had originated a few j^ears before.
At tliat time the territory north of Canal Street and
west of Broadway contained only a few scattered dwell-
ings. Prominent among these was the Richmond Hill
house, which stood near the present corner of Charlton
and Varick Streets; a very fine country mansion, cele-
brated as having been tlie head-quarters of GeneralWiish-
ington and subsequentl}^ for several years, the residence
of Aaron Burr. From the porch of St. John's Church
(built in 1807), in Varick Street, below Canal Street, the
view to this building was unobstructed. A little above it
lay Gi'eenwich Village, between the North River on the
west, Greenwich Lane (now Greenwich Avenue) on the
east. Bank Street on the north, and a brook (called Amity
Water or Minetta Brook), which flowed where is now
* Spragiie's Annals of the Mdhodist Pulpit. f Book ii, pp. 60-67.

Five Fruitful Years. 179

Carmine Street, on the south. The only place of worship
within its limits was a Reformed Dutch church, which
afterward was replaced by a building at the corner of
what are now Bleecker and West Tenth Streets, now
occupied by a Methodist congregation of colored people.
Meetings of Methodists were first held in this region in
the house of Samuel Walgrove, on the north side of
Morton (then Arden) Street, about one hundred and
fifty feet Avest of Bleecker Street. In a year they
needed more room, and Mr. Walgrove opened the first
floor of his carpenter-shop, about twenty feet square.
This building stood many years after the first church
in Bedford Street was built. Early every Saturday
afternoon Mr. Walgrove ceased work, swept the shop,
removed the surplus lumber to the yard, and arranged
seats of rougli planks. The preaching avus by the sta-
tioned or local preachers; of these last Jesse Oakley
seems to have occupied the pulpit most frequently.
The first class was formed by either F. Ward or W.
Thacher; a Brother Elsworth, who, it is supposed, came
from Duane Street, was the leader. We have the
names of Samuel Walgrove and wife, George Suckley
and his wife. Sister Schultz, and Wm. C. Tillou as mem-
bers. After a time James Demarest was appointed its
leader, and Elsworth was transferred to a new class
meeting in what was then called the Lower Village, in a
j^rivate house in Hetty (now Charlton) Street, near
Hudson.*

* William McLean, for man}' years an active official member of
Bedford Street, says his wife's mother Mrs. .Joanna De Groot, wife of
Cornelius De Groot, living in Brandon (now Spring) Street, near
Greenwich, in what was then called the Lower Village, opened her
house for preaching, and obtained permission of lier husband, then
unconverted, to fit up a large room for wor.sliip on condition that she
should be answerable for the expense. This was in 1804, and for
three years she sustained it mostly wiih the avails of iier own labor.

180 A History of Methodism in New York City.

At lengtli five lots were bought on the corner of Bed-
ford and Morton Streets for |1,250,* and in 1810 the
church was built. It fronted on Bedford Street, was
sixty by thirty feet, and covered with shingles, which
were painted a cream color. It had two doors, two
aisles, and galleries on each side and the front. The
pulpit was a high box. Garrettson once split the book-
board with a blow of his hand. There was a window
on each side of the pulpit. The seats were high and
straight-backed. The galleries were unfurnished until
the old John Street Church was taken down, when some
of its seats were used for these galleries. There were
no class-rooms, A deep cellar was nsed to store cider.
The floors were sanded, and when, twenty years after,
the altar was carpeted and inside blinds placed on
the windows, these were regarded as innovations on
Methodist simplicit3\ Two willow trees shaded the
front, and on Morton Street was a row of Lombardy
poplars. Services were seldom held at night, except on
Sabbath evenings, and for years the church ha^l no
lamps. The preachers having to take long walks, they
were escorted across lots by companies of young men
as lar as Broadway, and sometimes farther. The cor-
ner-stone was laid by John Robertson, one of the sta-
tioned preachers. His text was Prov. xxx, 26, " The
conies are but a feeble folk, yet make they their bouses
in tlie rocks." These " conies " became a rather strong
people. The dedication sermon was by Dr. Phoebus,

It soon became a regular appointment and liad overflowing congrega-
tions, and a good revival took place. A class was formed, of vsrliich
Rev. S. Grovvell was the first leader. After three years the place be-
came too strait for them, and they removed totliree different places ui
succession, until finally the first Bedford Street church was erected. —
Ohituary of Mrs. Be Groot, Christian Advocate, vol. xvi, p. 112.

* But a deed at 18th Street says they cost $2,000. It is from
Thomas Smyth, and is dated February 21, 1810.

Five Fruitful Years. 181

but we have no record of the date or text. During the
labors of the Rev. S. Howe (1817-19) the death of a
young lady in the neighborhood j^roduced a deep im-
pression, which was increased by tlie funeral sermon
preached by Mr. Howe, and a gracious revival followed,
the first of any note in the history of the society. In
1H30, while the Rev. S. D. Ferguson was resident
preacher, the building was enlarged, giving six feet
more in front and nineteen feet on the south side, mak-
ing the gallery on that side much wider than the other.
The new front was of brick, the sides still were wood.
The building continued to be occupied while the work
was going on, the rubbish being cleared away every
Saturday night. This has been one of the most prosper-
ous churches in the city. For more than forty-five years
its membership has ranged from eight hundred to twelve
hundred. In 1840 the present building was erected, but
an account of this must be deferred for the present.*

Allen Street seems to have been a natural outgrowth
from Forsyth Street. Population was coming into the
neighborhood. Forsyth Street and Bowery Village,
though not very far apart, were sometimes a little dif-
ficult to reach, and the first of these was often so
crowded that those who got there rather late could not
find comfortable seats. Why not have a church in our
own neighborhood ? began to be asked. So land was
procured in Fourth (now Allen) Street, between Delan-
cey and Rivington Streets, f

* Rev. E. S. Osborn, D.D. Greenwich Village Fair, 1877. — Pa-
pers of David Demarest.

jf It is said tiiat at a meeting in Forsj'th Street, wlien the location
of the new cliiircli was under discussion, it was objected that the
place selected did not furnish room for a burial-ground. In a«swer
to this a brother spoke of the impropriety of interring tlie dead where
the living congregated, and, his views beiug sustained by the Rev. W.
Thacher, the spot was chosen. — Christian Advocate, vol. xi, page 3.

182 A History of Methodism in New York City.

The house was seventy by fifty-two (or fifty-five)
feet, of stone stuccoed, like the others. Rev. Dr. J.
Kennaday, who Avas pastor when the succeeding build-
ing was erected, in preaching the last sermon in the old
edifice, said, "I remember well when this house was
building. I was about ten years of age, and was pass-
ing on the opposite side of the street when they were
singing, about to commence preaching from the scaffold.
That was the first Methodist hymn I ever heard, and
the first time I ever listened to the voice of a man
engaged in that cause to which I owe all I am on earth
and all I hope to be in heaven."* The dedication took
l^lace on January 1, 1811. "The winter following there
was a gracious outpouring of the Spirit." " The house
was soon filled to overflowing, and for several years this
Avas the largest congregation Ave had in the city."f
Afterward the attendance declined, but the great revival,
of Avhich we shall read by and by, raised it again, so
that for many years it stood pre-eminent for its steady
l)rosperity. The cellar of the first building Avas used
for the storage of malt liquors; perhaps a bu'-ying-
ground Avould have been less objectionable.

New York reported this year (1810) 1,710 Avhites,
490 colored; total 2,200 — an increase of 200. The
appointments Avere, N. Bangs, I E. Smith, J. Rob-
ertson, J. M. Smith, P. P. S.-indford. J. CraAvford
remained in charge of the district, and D. Ilitt was
book agent.

From this time ouAvard almost without interruption
for the greater part of fifty years the name of Nathan
Bangs is found connected Avith Ncav York city. As
pastor, presiding elder, book agent, editor, and mission-

* Christian Advocate, vol. x, page 207.

f Article by Rev. L. Clark in MetJwdid Magazine, vol. x (1S27), p. 124.

X X. Bang-3 lived at 7 Second (Forsyth) Street,

Five P^ruitfui. Years. 183

ary secretary he was known as one of the foremost men
of Methodism. He was born in Stratford, Conn., May 2,
1778; in 1799 he went to Canada as teacher and sur-
veyor, and there, through the laljors of James Coleman
and Josepli Sawyer, he was led to Christ. In a year
after conversion he was licensed as an exhorter, and
soon after as a local pieacher, and in 1801 w^e find him
in the itinerant work. Some seven years were spent in
Canada and two years in New York city. In 1817 and
1818 he was in New York again, and in 1819 presiding
elder of the New York District. From 1820 to 1827 he
was book agent, from 1828 to 1831 editor of the Chris-
tian Advocate, ivonx 1832 to 1835 editor of the Quarterly
Jievietc and books of the general catalogue, from 1830
to 1840 corresponding secretary of the Missionary So-
ciety, and in 1841 and 1842 president of the Wesleyan
University. Five years were then spent in charges in
New York city and Brooklyn, and four as presiding
elder of the New York District. He superannuated in
1852, and died in New York May 3, 1862, aged eighty-
four years and one day. " He was one of the founders
of our Missionary Society," and ])robably had more to do
in shaping its early history than any other man. "In
his }>iime he was a weighty preacher, a powerful debater,
an energetic and decisive, if not an elegant, writer."
"He had his faults, and like every thing else in his
nature they were strongly marked. But if he was
abrupt sometimes in his replies, or emphatic in his
rebukes, no man was ever more habitually ready to
retract an undeserved severity or acknowledge a mis-
take. For about ten yeai's after his suj^erannuation he
went in and out among our metropolitan churches
venerated and beloved as a chief patriarch of Method-
ism. As he a})proaehed the grave his character seemed
to mellow into the richest maturity of Christian experi-
IC

184 A History of Methodism in New York City,

ence. His favorite theme of conversation and preaching
was * entire sanctification.' " *

John Robertson was l)orn in Xew Providence, N. J.,
in 1782, joined the Methodist Church in 1800, and
the traveling connection in 1803. His labors were
in New England, New York, New Jersey, and Penn-
sylvania. He died in 1820. "He was a man of great
simplicity of manners and kindliness of spirit, and
eminently devoted to his Master's work."f Of James
M. Smith we know only that he joined the Methodist
ministry in 1804, labored for some twenty years in
New York and New England, and was expelled in
1827.

But Peter P. Sandford has a nobler record. Born
February 28, 1781, in New Jersey, he entered the
ministry in 1807, and after some three years' service
Avithin the bounds of the Philadelphia Conference came
to New York city and continued in the New York
Conference until his death. Of his fifty years of min-
isterial life he spent six years as stationed preacher in
the city, and eight years as presiding elder on the New
York District, and nearly three years as assistant book
agent. He was delegate to ten successive General Con-
ferences, from ISlGto 1852. He died January 14, 1857,
having almost completed his seventy-sixth year. He
was a j)reacher of remarkable ability ; deep, compact,
clear, forcible. He received the degree of D.D. from
the University of the City of New York. He was an
excellent authority in matters of discipline, and one of
the most thorough presiding officers in a quarterly
conference the writer has ever known. His preachers
could depend on receiving from him the very best coun-
sel in difficult cases, and if they followed it faithfully

*New York East Conference Minutes of 1863.

f Sprague's Annah, p. 624, note; General Minutes 1821.

Five Fkuitful Yeaks. 185

lie would sustain tliern at any cost. He alwavs stood
for what he believed to be right, at all iiazards.

Of the events of this Conference year we know
nothing except the incidents iilready referred to; the
laying of the corner-stone of the Greenwich Village
church by the Rev. J. Robertson and the dedication of
that in Allen Street, January 1, 1811. In the one
case we have the joreacher and his subject, but not the
date ; in the other the date, but nothing about the
services. Among those received on trial during the
year was Michael Floy, father of Rev, James Flov,
D.D.; and among those coming by letter was Mary
Morgan, afterward Mrs, Mary W. Mason.*

The first minutes of the general leaders' meeting
Avhich have survived bear date May 8, 1811. That
meeting was held at the Hudson (Duane Street) Church,
the Rev. N. Bangs in the chair, and John C. Totten
being secretary. A report of a committee appointed at
the last meeting before, held in the Bowery (Forsyth
Street) Church, in regard to " revising the laws for the
government of the quarterly conferences and general
leaders' meetings," was read. Only three items are
recorded which were to be added to the rules already
existing. Two of these relate to enjoining secrecy on
tlie members of those bodies. At the meeting of Jan-
uary 12, 1814, we read: "On motion of Brother Car-
penter the rule, or so much of it as enjoins secrecy
on the members of the leaders 'meeting, was expunged."
It should be said, however, tliat these meetings have
always been regarded as confidential. Without such
an underst.-mding there could be no freedom in discuss-
ing many of the matters which come before them.

The Conference of 1811 met in New York city May
20, Bishop McKendree - presiding. Bishop Asbury
* Book ii, p. 68.

186 A History of Methodism in New York City.

says: "Sundiy, 19. As we were preparing to go to the
houses of God a dreadful fire broke out, consuming about
one hundred houses. I jDreached to some serious sisters
in John Street." The brethren were, no doubt, at the
fire. " I officiated at Greenwicli in the new chapel
after dinner. Thursday, 25. Ordained deacons. Bishop
McKendree preached. Sabbath, 27. I preached in the
African church, as also in the new (probably Allen
Street) and in the Bowery (Forsyth Street) Church. I
met the societies in each place of worship. Father
Blackborne's case occupied us two days. He was taken
into connection and ordained a deacon, although he
brought no recommendation to us from the British or
any other Conference." This William Blackborne, or
Blagborne (as his name is spelled in the Minutes), was
stationed in New York at this Conference. He was a
native of England, and served in the work there for a
time. His stay in America was brief ; in 1815 his name
disappears from the Minutes. He returned to England.
The Rev. Henry Hatfield describes him as a " large,
noble-looking man and a good preacher," It is said the
natural color of his hair was white.* Asbury also writes,
Thursday, 29: " The society in New York has increased.
Our chapels are neat, and their debt is not heavy. They
wish to rebuild John Street Church and to build a small
house at the Ti>'o Mile Stoned " I preached at Two
Mile Stone and retired to George Suckley's."

* Kev. Elbert Osboni ( Life,p. 38) speaks of liaving heard liini preach
from 1 Pel. ii, 2, and mentions his "florid countenance" and his
"somewhat peculiar voice and enunciation ;" also liis death in En-
gland some years after his return. In the life of Bramwell (cliap. xv)
is the following sentence: "0, the blessed state nf that holy man of
God, Mr. Blagborne, when he was about to depart! I saw him in
London a short time prior to his death, when he exclaimed with joy^
' Glory, glory be to God, who hath made me fully ready for my
change! ' " — Warriner'5 Old Sands Street, p. 413.

Five Fruitful Yeaijs. 187

Asbury's statement of an increase is sustained by the
Conference report. It reads: Whites, 1,924, colored, 530;
total, 2,454— increase, 254. The preachers appointed
were N. Bangs, W. Phoebus, L. Clark, W, Blagborne,
J. M. Smith, P. P. Sandford.* F. Garrettson was the
presiding elder, and D. Hitt book agent. Two new-
names are here. William Blagborne lias been already
noticed. The other is Laban Clark. He was born in
Haverhill, N. H., July 19, 1778, was converted at the age
of tw^enty-one, and entered the w^ork under the presiding
elder in 1800. He was in the effective work about fitty
years, occui)ying prominent positions in the New York
and New York East Conferences. He served three
terms of two years each in~New York city, and was for
four years presiding elder on that district, and sixteen
years on other districts. He was also a member of eight
General Conferences. He shares Avith Nathan Bangs
the honor of originating the Methodist Missionary So-
ciety, and was regarded as the father of the Wesleyan
University at Middletown, being the president of its
board of trustees from its inception in 1831 until his
death in 1868. During the most of that time his home
was in Middletown, and it may be said that " he lived
and died and was buried almost beneath its shadow." He
finished his course November 28, 1868, in the ninety-
first year of his age, and was buried in the cemetery in
the rear of the university. The Minutes say: "He was
a leader in the old New York Conference and died the pa-
triarch of the New York East Conference. As a preacher
he was sound, instructive, and, in his prime, frequently
powerful." f " He was very tenacious of his political
opinions, and it has been affirmed that those who knew

* Bangs and Plioebns lived at 7 Second. (Forsyth) Slreet, and Claik
at Fourth (Allen) Sireet, near Dehtncey.
\ General Minutes.

188 A History of Methodism in New York City.

him well would hanlly recognize a portraiture of LaLan
Clark that did not mention the fact tliat lie was a thor-
ough-going Democrat of tlie old school, admiring An-
drew Jackson in respect to politics as he did John Wes-
ley in respect to theology." * In his later years his
countenance bore a marked resemblance to that of the
old hero of New Orleans.

Early in this Conference year the leaders' meeting
took steps to assist the trustees in "establishing due or-
der and regulations" " durino- the time of divine wor-
ship." It appears from the language of one of the res-
olutions that choirs were not in existence, at least not
in all the churches, for it directs that they should get
"two or three of the best of our singers to sit together
in some suitable place in each church for the purpose of
setting the tunes and leading the singing." They were
also "to see that the people be properly seated," which
was the more necessary as the rule that men and women
should sit apart was rigorously enforced, f The Method-
ism of our forefathers is also seen in their an-angenients
for prayer-met'tings. They were held on Monday even-
ing, and the city was laid out in districts, of which there
were three, and three or four appointments were included
in each district. Each coiiipany consisted of about six
members (afterward there were sometimes nine or ten),
and they were "to change Aveekly within their districts." J

* Warriaer's Old Sands Street, p. 235. f Book viii, p. 3.

:j: These districts and subdivisions as they appear from the lirst rec-
ord we have were as follows:

First District. — John Street Church, Bowery (Forsyth Street) Church,
Corlear's Hook (near tlie foot of Grand Street, Kast River; the region
now provided for by Willett Street).

Second District — Greenwich Cliurch (Bedford street), Hudson
Church (Duane Street), Almshouse (then on the Common, now City
Hall Park).

Tliird District.— Two Mile Stone (Seventh Street), Fourth (Allen)

Five Fkuitful Years. 189

Every six months these committees were changed. The
plan was well adapted to keep up an interesting variety
in the exercises and hind the congregations in closer
fellowship. The first named on each list was the leader.
The last full list of ajjpointments was made A[>ril 20,
1814. Some time between October 13, 1814, and July
8, 1816, the meeting was changed to Wednesday even-
ing. At the leaders' meeting on the last date only one
person was appointed to each meeting, who was to call
on others to assist him. The last notice of such an ap-
pointment is under date of July 13, 1818, Avhen the city
was divided into three districts (but no subdivisions
were specified) and nine or ten ])ersons assigned to each.

Another illustration of the same regard for method
is found in the Minutes of the leaders' meeting of Oc-
tober 9, 1811. It was the custom for the pre.icher to
give to every person received as a probationer a permit,
which he Avas to cany to the leader of the class to
which he was assigned. It was ordered at this meeting
"that when the probationer presents the permit to the
leader he shall receive and keep the same ; and when a
love-feast is to be, the probationer shall receive from
the leader a ticket in these words : ' The bearer, A. B.,
is a probationer in my class,' signed by the leader and
dated, which shall be their admittance to love-feast for
that time only, and the ticket shall be delivered to one
of the dooi'-keepers." This rule continued for more
than twenty years.

At the meeting of February 12, 1812, a plan was

Street Churcli, Manhattan Island (the progenitor of Second Street
Church), and Jolin Valenthie's, at the ferry. [In the Directory for
1811 we find tlie name of John Valentine, a cartman, residing in
Columbia Street, near Broome. The same book 'locates the Long
Island Ferry (that to WilHamsburg, no doubt) at tite foot of Broome
S'reet. This must have been "John Valentine's, at the ferry."]

190 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

presented by the president, Rev. N. Bangs, "for the
raising a fund for llie support of poor widows of
preachers and their f)rphans, and for the relief of worn-
out preachers, etc." A committee, consisting of the
Rev. N. Bangs, Jos. Smith, Jolm Davies, Paul Hick,
and Geo. Taylor, was appointed to consider the subject,
and at an extra meeting held March 25 a report was
adopted suggesting to the General Conference to take
steps to establish such a fund. This report will be
found in the Minutes of that meeting. On May 13, at
the suggestion of the president, Rev. N. Bangs, it was
decided to appoint a person to keep a record of trials,
including the names of the accusers and accused, the
names of the committee, and the decision of the same,
and also t!ie crime. John Davies was appointed. This
record is still in existence.*

The first delegated General Conference of the Method-
ist Episcopal Church was held in New York city Ma}^ 1,
1812. Before this all the traveling elders were mem-
bers of that body; now, for the first time, only a select
number (one in five) from each Annual Conference
attended. The sessions were probably held in the John
Street church. Asbury says : f "I saw nothing like

*Some time in 1811 or 1812 a list of local preachers, exhortds,
and trustees was put on record. Book vii, p. 287. The names wero :
Elders^B&me] Smith, Mitchell B. Bull, Joel Ketclium. Deacons —
Robert Bonsel, Jesse Oakley, James Carson. Local Preachers — M.
Havalind Smith, Roderick McCloud, Abraham Stag, George Hatfield,
Jesse Hunt, Wait Munson, Jesse Merritt. Exliorters — Theodosius
Clark, Joseph Smith, Isaac Praul (moved to England), Nathan Wliite-
head, J. B. AV. Butler, George Phillips, Robert Beaty. Trustees —
Thomas Carpenter, president; Abraham Russell, treasurer: Joseph
Smith, Paul Hick, William Mead, Gilbert Coutant, Israel Disosway
(deceased), Charles Gilman, George Suckley, Cornelius Polhamus,
George Taylor.

f Jcnirnul, May 1, 1812.

FiTE Fruitful Years. 191

unkindness but once, and there were many and weighty
affairs discussed." He also says (Journal, May 17): "I
had seventeen of the preachers to dine with me. There
Avas vinegar, mustard, and a still greater portion of oil;
but the disappointed parties sat down in peace, and we
enjoyed our sober meal."

On Sabbath, May 10, Asbury preached at the
African church in the morning ; also at the Hudson
chapel (Duane Street). He says it was an awful time.
On the 1 7th, at the Two-mile Stone, his subject was
1 Pet. iv, 6-9. He preached also at Greenwich, and at
John Street. On Monday he was sick and went to
George Suckley's and took to his bed, but on Tuesday
began his New England tour. Among the names of
those received during this Conference year we find
Peter and Hannah Badeau and Mitchell B. Bull, the
last by certificate. Also Jas. and Grace Stephenson,
the parents of John Stephenson, from Ireland.*

* Bouk vii, pp. 13, 221.

192 A History of Methodism in New York City,

CHAPTER XVII.

THE OLD GARNER GIVES PLACE TO A NEW ONE— CON-
FERENCE OF 1812 TO BUILDING OF SECOND JOHN
STREET CHURCH, 1818.

On the 4th of June, 1812, the New York Conference
met at Albany. Bishop Asbury was present, but Mc-
Kendree presided. New York city reported 2,054
white and 540 colored members ; in all 2,594 — an in-
crease of 140. The appointments read : J. Crawford,
AV. Phffibus, L. Clark, and P. Cook.* F. Garrettson
remained as Presiding Elder, and T. Wara was made
assistant to D. Hitt as book agent. The name of
Phineas Cook is the only one that appears now for
the first time. He was boiii in (ireenfield, Mass.,
March 10, 1784, converted in 1800, and admitted on
trial at the Conference of 1803. He labored in New
York State and New England ; was superannuated in
1840; and died at Mechanicsville, N. Y., May 26, 1861.
He was a good preacher and a faithful, useful, and ac-
ce])taljle laborer.

The leaders' meeting minutes give us tlie only items
to be found of the histoiy of this Confei-ence year.
On June 24, 1812, it was

"• Resolved, That it is the wish of this meeting that all
the stationed, located, and local preachers and all the
licensed exhorters of this city take chnrge of classes,
and that the president make this request known to
them. The ruling preacher is excepted."

* Crawford lived at 32 Jolin Street, PhceVms at T Second (Forsyth)
Sireet, and Cook at 1 Anthony (Wortli) Street.

The Old Gakxj:r Gives Place to a Xew One. 193

At the meeting of October 7 a coininittee appointed
at the last meeting jjresented a rejiort containing tlie
following resolutions :

^^ First, That it shall hereafter be deemed the duty
of any person or persons who wish to have a child bap-
tized in either of our churches or elsewhere, to call on
some one of the stationed preachers and obtain from
him a certificate, specifying tlie birthday and name of
the cliild, also the parents' names. And at the time
the child is brought forward to be baptized the certifi-
cate is to be presented also, on sight of which the min-
ister shall be at liberty to baptize the child, but not
without."*

" Seco)idly, That hereafter it is to be understood, in
all cases where it is possible, that the father and mother
be present, and that one of them present the child to
the minister, cases of widowhood excepted."

" T/drdli/, That it shall be the duty of the minister
who performs the ordinance to see that the certificate
is recorded."

In after years these requirements were somewhat
modified, so that it was necessary only that the parents
should hand in a statement of the items referred to in
the first resolution. The provision was wise, preventing
awkward mistakes, such as baptizing a child of one sex
with a name appropriate only to the other, and securing
the means of a correct record in each case, f

Among those received during this Conference year

*A copy of one of these, certificates was found in one of the old
record books^ and is now affixed to pajre 127, Book vi. It reads:
"Baptise George Washington, son of James and Ruth Pell, born
June 30, 1819. Saml. Merwin, N. T., Sept. 16, 1819." The record
of the baptism will be found on the same page.

f A list of the class-leaders at this time will be found in Ap-
pendix P; also some rules as to the business of the leaders'
meetincr.

194 A History of Methodism in New York City,

were James and Mary Demarest, and Morris DeCarap ;
also John Paradise, by letter.*

On Thursday, May 20, ]813, the Conference met at
Amenia, and again, though Asbury was present, McKen-
drce presided. Whites, 1,851, colored, 627 ; in all
2,478, is the report — a loss of 116. The appoint-
ments were P. Cook, J. Crawford, S. Cochran, f and
P. Rice. F. Garrettson remained as presiding elder,
and D. Hitt and T. Ware continued as editors and
book stewards.

Samuel Cochran was born August 31, 1778, at Hali-
fax, Vt., and converted in 1800. He entered the work
in 1804, and had labored in New York State, New En-
gland, and Canada. After two years in the city he spent
about twenty in the States of New York and Connecti-
cut, and in 1834 was again appointed to the city. He
died in 1845. "In labors he was abundant and success-
ful" t

No name in this list became more widely and favor-
ably known than that of Phineas Rice. No sketch
for which we have room here will satisfy those who
knew him or make him known to those who knew liim
not. Born in 1786 in Vermont, and converted when
about sixteen years of age, he soon began to exercise his
gifts, and with such success that he was received on
trial in 1807. He spent but one year in the city at
this time, but returned in 1823, and again in 1839, and
again in 1844, on all of which occasions he remained
two years. He was also presiding elder of the New
York District for seven years. His appointments out-
side of the city were prominent and responsible. From
1820 to 1856, in every General Conference but one, he
was a delegate. He was a man of marked ability in

* Book vii, pp. 43, 44, 187.

f Coclirau's home was at 224 Diiaue Street. X Minutes of 1S4G.

The Old Gakner Gives Place to a New One. 195

the pulpit, of genuine piety and rigid integrity. His
humor and eccentricities became widely known, and in
some directions perhaps obscured the more solid ele-
ments of his character. But those who knew Phineas
Rice Avell knew that, like his great namesake, he was
" zealous for his God," and that he gave honest testi-
mony when, on his dying bed, he said to Bishop Janes,
"I feel that God loves me." December 4, 1861, was
the date of his decease.

At a leaders' meeting at John Street, September 8,
1813, Phineas Cook, President, "A letter which had
been put in the hands of the president, directed to this
body, was opened and read," but for want of time the
discussion of the matter referred to in it was post-
poned. Brother Munson declared himself the author.
The minutes of the next meeting, held at the Bowery
(Forsyth Street) Church, October 13, say: "As the
business of the evening was of a peculiar and interest-
ing nature, very few belonging to the body were ab-
sent, and several who did not belong appearing in the
meeting," the injunction of secrecy was taken off for
the evening, and those present who were not members
of the meeting were permitted to remain. A motion
to read the letter referred to in the minutes of the last
meeting was opposed. A motion was carried that the
author put his signature to the letter. Brother Munson
accordingly signed it. A motion to burn the letter
was lost, and finally it was decided that the letter be
read. It is given in full, not only because it is a part of
the history of the time, but also because it has a bearing
on events that occurred a few years later:

To the President and Leaders of tlie Metliodist Conference in the
city of New York, at John Street Church, September 8, 1813, by a
member of the body.

The following questions are respectfidly submitted to the candid

196 A History of Methodism in Nkw York City.

and impartial consideration of tlie leaders' meeting in the tity of
Xew Yorli :

1. How many traveling preachers have been appointed by tlio
last yearly Conference for the service of the city of New Yorlc?

2. Were more than four prencliers aslted for from the Conference,
and was that number deemed sufficient for the ministerial labors of
the city?

3. By whom, and by wliat authority, is a fifth preacher appointed,
if not by the Annual Conference ?

4. Wliose duty is it, agreeable to our Discipline and the laws
of this State, to pay tlie salaries and provide for the maintenance
and support of our stationed ministers, and their respective families?

5. Was tlie monthly subscription in our classes nt first in-
tended to be set apart as a sinking fund, to pay off the debt of the
Church ?

6. Has the money tlius contributed by the people ever been ap-
plied to the end for which it was given and intended ?

7. Is it not reasonable and just, too, that a yearly report sliould be
made to the people who thus voluntarily subscribe to this sinking
fund?

It would be both satisfying and encouraging to them to know how
much of the cliurches' debt lias been reduced by their hberality.

"W. MUXSON.

This was answered by tlie trustees, as follows: To the first ques-
tion tliey replied that four preachers were appointed by the Confer-
ence in a formal manner, and one informally.

2. No; the trustees deeming that number sufficient. The ruHng
preaclier being absent: but when informed of the number he was
decidedly of the opinion that there ought to be five.

3. By the request of the presiding elder.

4. The Discipline directs that tlie stewards on circuits shall pay
the preachers. But this being a station, and an incorporated body,
tliat rule does not apply to ns, and the law of the State makes it the
duty of the trustees to pay the salaries and provide for the mainte-
nance of the preachers.

5. We know of no rule that makes it binding on us to use that
money separately and exclusively for that purpose.

6. We have applied it for the purposes intended, according to the
beat of our judgment.

7. That our yearly reports will show tlie sura collected yearly from
the classes.

The Old Garner Gives Place to a New One. 197

The minutes add:

After the questions were tlius answered many others relating to
tliem were asked and answered. And wlien all were done a motion
was made, We, the meeting, are satisfied with the answers given by
the trustees. Upon the vote being taken there was not a dissenting
voice.

So complete, indeed, does the satisfaction appear to
have been that we find nothing further in the minutes
in regard to the matter.

The purport of questions one, two, and tliree Avill be
better understood if we look at a few facts. Bishop
Asbury, under date of May 23 of this year, speaks of
" Joshua Marsden, a British missionary, who has been
present at our Conference." Mr. Marsden had been
missionary in Nova Scotia and on the island of Ber-
muda, and in the spring of 1812 came to New York on
his way to England. AVhen he arrived in New York,
however, he found that an embargo had been laid on
vessels, forbidding them to leave the port, and this was
succeeded in the following June by a declaration of
war against England. Being compelled to stay in this
country, he naturally did what ministerial work he could.
That the city was needing more than four preachers
seems to be indicated by the fact that in 1814 six were
appointed. Mr. Marsden Avas a member of the British
Conference, and could not, therefore, be received offi-
cially without a regular transfer ; and this he did not
desire, as he was waiting an opportunity to go home.
Some understanding, therefore, was probably had that
he should be employed in the city, and thus the second
question is explained ; only four preachers were ap-
pointed by the Conference in a formal manner, and one
informally. Perhaps there would have been no trouble
had it not been that Mr. Marsden was an exceedingly
loyal Englishman, and the country was then at war

198 A History of Methodism in New York City.

with Great Britain, No doubt there was too much
warmth on both sides. In the minutes of the Assist-
ance Society* for Februay 24 and March 2, 1814, we
find that, having made arrangements with Mr. Marsden
to deliver an address before the society, the preachers
" would not sanction such a proceeding, nor would they
consent (if Mr, Marsden was chosen to deliver the
address) to open the meeting by an address to the
throne of grace." On motion, however, of Paul Hick,
seconded Iby John Wilson, Marsden was requested to
deliver the addiess, and at the meeting of April 6
thanks were voted to him for it, and also to Mr. James
Evans (the chorister of John Street Church) and the
liev. Mr. Brady for their assistance.! The questions
relating to finances, though apparently amicably settled
at the time, were agitated afterward, and helped to
prepare the way for the secession of 1820.

But these discussions did not altogether distract the
attention of preachers and people from the work of God.
At the Conference of 1814, held in the city. May 5, 1800
whites and 763 colored were reported, in all 2,563 — a
gain of 85, Bishop Asbury was not present at this
Conference, McKendree presided. Garrettson was
continued as presiding elder, and Hitt and Ware as
book stewards, and the preachers were W. Phoebus, S,
Cochran, N. Emery, M. Richardson, T. Drummond,
and W. Blagborne.

Nathan Emery was born in Minot, Me., in 1780, con-
verted at the age of fifteen, made class-leader when six-
teen, and admitted on trial in the Conference when nine-
teen years of age. In 1822 he located, but in 1829 was
re-admitted into the Ohio Conference; superannuated in

* Book V.

t A Rev. John Brady was at that time connected with St. George's
Episcopal Church iu Beekman Street.

The Old Garner Gives Place to a New One. 199

1838, and died May 27, 1849. Ebenezer Washburn, his
colleague in 1804, describes him as a " loving companion,
pious, laborious, a good preacher, and a lover of Wes-
leyan Methodism.*

Marvin Richardson lived to be the patriarch of the
New York Conference. He was born at Stephentown,
N. Y., June 10, 1789, came with his .parents to Brook-
lyn while young, Avas converted in 1806, and in 1808,
when nineteen years of age, was received on trial in the
Conference. He labored in New York in 1814-15,
again in 1821-22, and also from 1838-41. For fifteen
yearr he was presiding elder, though not on the New
York District. He was delegate to seven General Con-
ferences. He was a man of fine appearance and most
excellent spirit. The record of his labors extended over
nearly seventy years. He died in Poughkeepsie, June
14, 1876, aged 87. His son-in-law. Rev. L. M. Vincent,
has long been a prominent member of the New York
Conference; and his grandson, Rev. M. R. Vincent, has
been the very able and successful pastor of the Presby-
terian Church of the Covenant, New York city, and is
now a professor in the Union Theological Seminary,
New York.

Thomas Drummond's career was brief. It begins in
obscurity, for we have no record of his birth nor con-
version, and it ends in darkness, for he was expelled in
1816. He seems to have been very popular and useful
in the instruction of children, f

On July 1, 1814, the trustees leased to Michael Moore
a portion of their ground, probably in the rear of the
church in John Street. J

* Warriner's Old Sands Street, p. 203.

f Warriner's Old Sands Street. He must not be confounded with the
Rev. Thomas Drummond who " died at his post " in St. Louis in 1835.
X Papers in hands of trustees of Eighteenth Street Church.
14

200 A HiSTOKY OF Methodism in New York City.

The war with Great Britain proved no small tax on
the energies and means of the citizens of New York.
Not only were many in the army, but much labor and
expense were api)lied in improving the fortifications at
the Battery and elsewhere; men of all classes and voca-
tions, masons, carpenters, shoe-makers, merchants, etc.,
turned out in distinct bodies to aid in the work. The
Methodist Assistance Society in its report (December
V, 1814) refers to these facts as calling for increased
contributions to help the poor. A treaty of peace was,
however, concluded at Ghent, December 24, 1814. The
disturbed state of affairs naturally had its effect on the
Church, and it is not surprising that the report at the
Conference of 1815 showed a decrease. The numbers
were 1,680 whites, 763 colored; total 2,443 — loss, 120.

This Conference met at Albany on May 12. Bishop
McKendree presided. Asbury was there, but not able
to be present much of the time. He says, " Saturday
(2Cth) I paid an hour's visit to my brethren in Confer-
ence." He was also with them on Tuesday and Thurs-
day, and pi-eached the funeral sermon for Di-. Coke on
Svmday, the 21st. This was his last visit to the New
York Conference; before its next session he had ended
his labors. Ou Sunday, the 14th, before he came to Al-
bany, he preached in New York city at the North
Church (Duane Street), and on his return, Sabbath, June
18, he says, "Attended Fourth (Allen) Street chapel;
my subject Zeph. i, 12; time was when I could have
preached upon this text." On Tuesday he "spoke a
few words at the African cliapel, both colors being pres-
ent." The people no doubt felt they should " see his
face no more." That evening he left New York forever.

The appointments for New York were, W. Phoebus,
W. Thacher, E. Washburn, iNI. Richardson, and A.
Scholefield. S. Merwin was the new presiding elder.

The Old Gakner Gives Place to a Neav One. 201

Ebenezer Washburn was born in Worcester County,
]VIass., October, 1772, He joined the Conference in 1801,
and with the exception of three years remained effective
until 1843. After serving in New York two years he
Avas presiding elder of the Rhinebeck District, and was
again in New York in 1823-24. He died in peace De-
cember 29, 1857, at Racine, Wis. "He was an able
and successful preacher of the Gospel of Christ, and
was universally respected and beloved." His sternness
of aspect prepared the way for a surprise to all who had
an opportunity to become well acquainted with him, for
he was peculiai-ly genial and kind, especially to young
preachers, as the writer can testify from experience.

Arnold Scholefield was born in Nova Scotia, entered
the work in 1810, and labored very usefully, part of the
time as presiding elder, until he became supernumerary,
in 1828. He re-entered the field in 1832, and was ap-
pointed presiding elder of the Troy District, but before
the year closed had an attack of paralysis, which put
a period to all regular effective service. Another stroke
in 1836 proved fatal. He was an able and useful min-
ister of Christ.

Mr. Washburn has left the following statement in re-
gard to New York Methodism at this period : " There
were at that time no church stewards in the city; the
board of trustees received all the money raised by the
Church, held all property belonging to the Church in
trust, and paid the preachers out of the money raised
for that purpose."* The trustees, he tells us, were Paul
Hick, Thomas Carpenter, Joseph Smith, Ab. Russel,
George Suckley, Gilbert Coutant, James Donaldson,
George Taylor, and John C. Totten. f

This Conference year has bequeathed to us very little
history. Gabriel P. Disosway and David Demarest were
* See p. 196. f Christian Advocate, vol. xvii, p. 137.

202 A History of Methodism in New York City.

received into the Church, and Daniel DeVinne came by
certificate from Albany, and Joseph Harper from New-
town, L. I.* But the year was a fairly prosperous one,
for the report at tlie Conference of 1816 was 1,769
whites, 803 colored; total 2,572 — again of 129. The
Conference, at which Bishop Roberts presided, met in
New York on June 1, and the appointments were D.
Ostrander, W. Thacher, E. Washburn, L. Andrus, and
A. Scholefield; S. Merwin was continued on the dis-
trict; J. Soule and T. Mason were the book agents.

The city was one circuit, the preachers going from
one church to another in rotation, seldom preaching
twice in one day to the same congregation. It was
customary at the beginning of the Conference year to
prepare a plan, and this was printed for the convenience
of the preachers and such of the laity as saw fit to pur-
chase copies. A copy of that for 1816-17, the earliest
that has been found, is pasted inside the cover of one
of the old record books, f

At the leaders' meeting of October 14, 1816, at the
suggestion of L. S. Burling, a committee was appointed
to draw up a plan of a school for the education of the
children of Methodists. A report was made at the next
meeting, which was finally adopted, and a school was
established a few years after.

The Conference of 1817 began at Middlebury, Vt., on
June 3, Bishop McKendree presiding. The report of
membership in New York stood, 2,010 white, 843 col-
ored; in all 2,853 — a gain of 281. The appointments
were D. Ostrander, N. Bangs, S. Crowell, and S. Howe.
S. Merwin continued as presiding elder, and J. Soule
and T. Mason as l)ook agents. Why there should be
one preacher less than in the preceding year does not
appear.

* Book vii, pp. 45, 260, 44, 102. f Book x. See Appendix. T

The Old Garner Gives Place to a New One. 203

Tlie names of all these stationed preachers we have
met with before except that of Samuel Howe. He was
born in Belchei-, Mass., in 1781, and entered the work
in 1802. Nearly thirty years he spent in the effective
ranks, for about fifteen he was supernumerary, and the
last ten of his life superannuated. On the 16th of
February, 1858, he attended the funeral of an old friend
at the North Second Street Church in Troy, made a few
remarks, and retired to a class-room in the basement,
where he died in a few moments. " He was a faithful
man and feared God above many."*

But the preachers were to preach no more in the
building that Philip Embury dedicated. In 1810,
as has already been stated,t Asbury wrote, " This house
must come down, and something larger and better occupy
its place." The next year he says, The people " wish to
rebuild John Street Church, and to build a small house
at the Two-mile Stone." There was strenuous oppo-
sition, however, to the rebuilding, particularly by the
brethren in the eastern part of the city. The trustees
therefore hesitated for a while, but finally gave a condi-
tional assent. The Rev. W. Thacher, one of the stationed
preachers, had been very successful in raising the neces-
sary funds for what are now the Allen Street and Bedford
Street churches, and it was agreed that if he could get,
in five days, a sufiicient subscription the work should be
done. At the end of the five days Mr. Thacher showed
a list for §5,000, and this settled tlie question. On May
1S,1 1817, the walls were demolished, and on the 22d the

*0u the 3d of August. 1817, the Wesleyan Female Tract Society
was 01 ganized, and some time during the year the Asbury Female
Mite Society, to aid the preachers and their widows and orphans, and
for missionary work. f See p. 178.

^ On the evening of May 12 tlie Inst service (a love-feast) was held
in the old building. It vvns " a gracious season." On January 26, 1818,

204 A History of Methodism in New York City.

corner-stone of the new building was laid, the Rev. D.
Ostrander preaching on Zech. iv, 9. On January 4, 1818,
it was dedicated. Rev. N. Bangs preached in the
morning on Psa. cxxvi, 3: " The Lord hath done great
things for us, whereof we are glad;" Rev. S. Merwin
in the afternoon, on Matt, xvi, 18: "On this rock I will
build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it;" and Rev. J. Soule in the evening, on John
iv, 24: "God is a Spirit, and they that worship him
must worslnp him in spirit and in truth." * A jubi-
late on the One hundredth Psalm, composed for the
occasion by Mr. S. P. Taylor, was sung; also an
anthem, said to have been one hundred years old, fur-
nished by Mr. Phelps, afterward of Hartford, Conn.
Rev. J. Soule said "the singing refreshed him."f It
is said there were about two thousand hearers, and the
collections amounted to six hundred dollars. A part

the first love-feast was lield in the new cliurch. They ''had a great
many people present, but not very lively, owing probably to tlie nov-
elty of the situation in a new house, and on a construction so entirely
different from wliat they had been used to." — MS. Journal of Rev.
D. Ostrander.

* These sermons wore printed. Dr. Bangs treats his subject under
three heads: 1. What the Lord hath done for that branch of his
Church called Methodists. 2. By what means he hath done it. 3. What
is necessary for us to do, that he may continue to work among us.
lu his first division he gives a sketch of the history of Methodism,
the second is principally a vindication of Methodist polity, and the third
a brief appeal to walk in the old paths. Mr. Merwin spoke of, 1. The
foundation, Christ, solid, durable, and immutable. 2. The super-
structure, the Church, in which he sketches the history of Chris-
tianity down to the origin of Methodism. 3. Its safety ; it has been
preserved and will be. (It is worthy of notice that Mr. Merwin's
discourse occupies about one half the space of tlie others. Those
wlio remember him will perceive how eharacterictic this is.) Joshua
Soule gives first a view of the divine cliaracter, and, second, the nature
of spiritual worsliip.

+ MSS. of Daniel Ayres.

The Old Garijer Gives Place to a New One. 205

of the old material was incorporated in the walls of the
new building, but the timbers were used in the erection
of an edifice at Bowery Village, which was afterward
removed to Yorkville (86th Street), where it was occu-
pied by the Society now worshiping in the Park Avenue
Church.

This second John Street Church was 62 by 87 feet,
and cost about $30,000. The material was stone cov-
ered with light-colored stucco. The engraving opposite,
will show its appearance. The center door gave en-
trance to the gallery stairs, only the side doors com-
municating directly with the ground floor of the au-
dience-room. The pulpit was between the doors —
an arrangement very much in favor at the time, as it
gave better facility for a sloping floor, ascending to the
rear of tlie building and bringing speaker and hearers in
better relation to each other. The walls and the wood-
work in front of the galleries and about the pulpit were
white, as also the pulpit itself. The book -board and altar
were mahogany ; the}^ are in the lecture-room of the
present building. The wai?iscot and the pews were
green with mahogany-colored trimmings. The pulpit
had an elliptical front, and was paneled. It rested on
eight fluted Ionic columns, leaving an open space be-
neath, and was entered on either side by six steps.
Against the wall back of the puljiit were two pilasters
which su|)ported a neat frieze and cornice running
nearly the whole length of the altar and agreeing with
the front of the gallery. The corners of the walls and
gallery wore circulai-. In each corner below were
niches for stoves, which rested on mai-ble slabs. There
were ventilators in the ceiling, covered with green
blinds. The gallery went all around the building; that
in the rear of the pulpit was small, but that in front
was very deep, for the use of the choir and Sunday-

206 A History op Methodism in New York City.

school. In the rear of this last a double flight of stairs
ran about half-way up to the ceiling, uniting there and
giving access to the loft above. When the building was
crowded these stairs wei-e often filled with hearers, and
some, indeed, it is said, ascended to the loft and listened
through the ventilators. In the basement were a lect-
ure-room and class-rooms, and a pump supplying excel-
lent water. On a tablet over the center door in front,
in gilt letters, on a black ground, was the inscription:

This Cliurcli,

The first erected by tlie

Methodist Society in America,

Was built 1768. Rebuilt ]817.

According to tliis time it shall be said, What liath

God wrought? Num. xxiii, 23.

It was, in short, a beautiful though simple building,
well adapted to its purpose; easy for speaker :ind hear-
ers. Its chief defect was that the basement was too
much below the street.*

On March 23, 1818, the trustees reported that their
debt on the six churches amounted to $17,000. f This
was about fifty years from the building of the first
church.

*G. P. Disosway, in Christ.'an, Advocate, vol. vii, p. 93.
■(•Manuscript journal of Rev. D. Ostrander.

Clouds and Sunshine. 207

CHAPTER XVIII.

CLOUDS AND SUNSHINE— CONFERENCES OP 1818 TO 1820.

The Conference of 1818, Bishop George presiding,
met in the Forsyth Street Church, New York, on May
14.* The report of members was 2,195 wliites, 963

* During this session, on May 18, 1818, the New York Confer-
ence adopted a constitution for the Wesleyan Seminary in the city
of New York, and in April, 1819, it was incorporated. But it seems
to have been unfortunate from its birtii, and did not live much
more than ten years. For a time it occupied a hired biiilding on the
corner of Pump and Eldridge Streets, and several sites were under
consideration, but were rejected, generally because of defective title.
At last Mr. GeG. Lorillard (Minutes, April 13, 1820) offered to lease
two lots in Crosby Street, between Howard and Grand Streets, at an
annual rent of $160. This offer was accepted, and a building of brick
was erected, 40 by 65 feet, which cost about $5,000 (Minutes, June 26,
1820). But the first male principal proved himself unworthy; the
first female principal left the Methodists and joined the Swedenbor-
gians, and several collectors proved unreliable. It is not improbable,
also, that the secession of 1820 had an unfavorable effect. When it
became evident that the building must be sold, the New York High
School (which was then about beginning, and which afterward occu-
pied a building in the same street on the block above) made proposals,
first to rent, and then to buy it. It was finally sold, however, to the
book agents for $7,000 (Minutes, February 28, 1825). A lot in Mott
Street (No. 157), between Grand and Broome, was then bought for
$1,600, and a building begun which cost nearly $2,000. This was
43 by 24 feet, and two stories high (Minutes of March 1 6, 1 825, and May
1, 1826). But still the sciiool did not prosper, and June 17, 1828, it was
resolved to sell the property. It brought $2,975 (Minutes of February
23, 1829), and at the last meeting of the board of trustees, March 26,
1832, it was resolved to deposit the funds that remained (amount not
stated) with the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the

208 A History of Methodism in New York City.

colored; total, 3,158— an increase of 305. The preach-
ers were N. Bangs, L. Clark, S. Crowell, S. Howe, and
T. Thorp.* S. Merwin continued as presiding elder
and Soule and Mason as book agents.

Thos. Thorp is the only new name in this list. He
was born in New Brunswick, in 1792, converted at the
age of sixteen, licensed in 1811, and admitted on trial
at tlie Conlerence of 1812. He had labored in New En-
gland and New York State, and was in feeble health
when appointed to the city. He finished his course
January 17, 1819. Tradition testifies that he was an
able and useful man.

Some opposition having arisen among the preachers
to the action of certain Sunday-schools, at a leaders'
meeting held January 11, 1819, Rev. S. Ciowell offered
the following resolutions:

" 1. Resolved, That this leaders' meeting consider
that it is very improper for Sunday-school instructors
to teach children on the Lord's day that attend regular
schools all the week.

" 2. That we disapjn-ove of teaching at all in time of
divine service in our churches."

After considerable debate the meeting adjourned with-
out voting on them. The secretary adds that after the

city to be used for tlie benefit of the Church, unless the seminary
should again require them. The White Plains Academy had begun
not long before, and was under tlie charge of Rev. J. M. Smith, for
some time the very successful principal of the New York institution,
and this, l>y supplying to some extent the wants of New York Meth-
odists in this regard, had probably hastened the downfall of the city
school. The minutes of this institution nearly fill a small quarto
book, and, though unsatisfactory as to the object sought, are very
satisfactory to the historian, in that they give all the important facts
frcm beginning to end.

* Their residences were, Bangs, 216 Duane Street; Clark, Allen,
near Rivmgton; Crowell, 12 Forsyth; Thorp, Delancey, near Orchard.

Clouds and Sunshine. 209

meeting tlie preachers and superintendents made sxicli
arrangements as to do away all uneasiness, and the
resolutions were not revived.*

The New York Conference for 1819 met at Troy, on
May G, Bishop George presiding. The report of mem-
bers at first sight shows a decided decrease in the city.
It was 2,339 whites and 50 colored; total, 2,389 — a de-
crease of 769. But we have just below it a report from
" Zion and Asbury, 791 colored." These were two soci-
eties of colored people in the city, which in 1818 became
a separate charge under the care of W. Phoebus. The
proper figures, therefore, are, 2,339 whites and 841 col-
ored; totnl, 3,180— an increase of 22. The name of
William M. Stilwell, the pastor appointed to these Afri-
can churches at this Conference, became more promi-
nent soon, and will be noticed hereafter.

The appointments for 1819 were, A. Hunt, S. Merwin,
L. Clark, B. Ilibbard, T. Spicer, N. Morris. N. Bangs
was presiding elder, and F. Garrettson's name follows
his as supernumerary, and W. Phoebus missionary.
J. Soule and T. Mason continue as book agents, f

*Bo()k viii, in loco. Some explanation, however, is necessary in re-
gard to these resolutions. At that time Sunday-schools were re-
garded rather as charity-schools, and their principal work was sup-
posed to be to furnish education for those who could not obtain it on
week-days. Such was the design of Robert Raikes in instituting
them, and it is only since the early part of the present century that
they have fully assumed their present character. As to the second
resolution, some of the schools held in buildings not connected with
the cluu-clies, though they took tlie children to public worship in the
forenoon, were disposed to continue their afternoon sessions during
the hours of service. This practice did not cease until some years
after. The debt at this time was $27,438 27.

•j- The residences are. Hunt, 12 Forsyth Street; Merwin, 216 Duane;
Clark, Allen, near Rivington ; Hibbard, First Street, near Second
Avenue ; Spicer, 22 Nassau, and Morris, who is called in the directory
a teacher, is located at 38 Pump (now New Canal) Street, and at

210 A History of Methodism in New York City.

B, Hibbarcl is one of the new names in the list for
this year. What does the B. stand for? is a question
naturally suggested; and the uninitiated will fail in find-
ing a correct answer. Not Benjamin, nor Bai-nahas,
nor Bartholomew, nor Bezaleel, nor any other of the
ordinary swarm of B's which buzz around, but sim])ly
Billy. Once, wlien the secretary, in calling the roll of
the Conference, gave his name as William, he rose and
objected to answering, insisting that his name was
" Billy." " Why, Brother Hibbard," said Bishop As-
bury, " Billy is a little boy's name." " Yes, bishop," he
replied, " and I was a little boy when my father gave
it to me." * This incident, as well as the name itself, is
characteristic of the man. Anecdotes of his wit and
readiness at repartee are plentiful, and were a constant
source of amusement to preachers and laymen of former
days. But, though his sermons frequently provoked
smiles, they perhaps as often drew tears and melted
the heart.f "He was a devout man and had his heart
earnestly set upon the promotion of the great interests
of Christ's kingdom." J He was born in Norwich,
Conn., February 24, 1771, entered the itinerancy in
1798, and spent more than twenty-five years in active
service. He died August 17, 1844. His son, F. G. Hib-
bard, D.D., is a prominent member of the Genesee
Confei'ence.

Strikingly in contrast with him in many respects was
Tobias Spicer. While in Hibbard humor predominated,
tempered with gravity, in Spicer the gravity had so

the Collect (now Center Street) near Franklin. Wm. Phoebus was at
7 Forsyth Street; N. Bangs, 69 Crosby Street; J. Soule, 70 Allen
Street, and T. Mason, 88 Chrystie Street. Garrettson's home was at
Rhinebeck.

*Rev. F. G. Hibbard in Sprague's Annals, p. 305.

^ Ibid. X L- Clark, Hid., p. 303.

Clouds and Sunshine. 211

much the upper hand that humor, though present, was
not often exhibited. T. Spicer was born in Kinder-
hook, N. Y., November 7, 1788, converted in 1803, and
received on trial in 1810. He served the Church ef-
fectively for more than thirty years, occupying prom-
inent positions, and for eight years that of presiding
elder. Six times he was a delegate to General Confer-
ence. He was a man of much ability, very faithful, and
very successful. Though grave in aspect and manner,
the writer can testify, from personal experience, that he
could be genial and pleasant. He died November 18,
1862, in strong faith and great peace.*

Nicholas Morris had served one year at Jamaica,
L. I., before he came to the city. In 1820 he was ap-
pointed principal of the Wesleyan Seminary, and it
seems likely that his appointment this year was to that
institution, as T. Spicer, in his Autobiography, page 67,
does not name him as one of his colleagues. Perhaps,
however, Mr. Spicer thought it best to pass over in si-
lence the name of one who was expelled in 1821.

On the 15th of March, 1820, the board of trustees
consisted of James Donaldson, Abraham Russel, George
Suckley, George Taylor, Jr., Samuel Stilwell, Gilbert
Coutant, Michael D. Higgins, John Bartine, and Abra-
ham Coddington. f Of these S. Stilwell and A. Cod-
dington had just been elected in place of Paul Hick and
John P. Morris, whose term had expired, as had also
that of James Donaldson, who was re-elected. J From
the minutes of the board, of which those of this date
are the first that have come down to us, Ave shall learn
a number of interesting facts. Among the records of
this meeting we find the appointment, according to
their usual custom, it would seem, of a steward for

* Minutes of 1863. f Trustees' Book, opposite p. 1.

:j; Trustees' Miuutes of March 15, 1820.

212 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

each church, one general steward of the class collec-
tions, stewards of section class collections, and steward
of the poor fund, and school treasurer. This last ap-
pointment needs no explanation, except that the school
treasurer had charge of the funds, for the support of a
charity or free school, which was carried on in Forsyth
Street, nearly opposite the church. The other offices
call for some remark, especially needful in view of
events about to be related. The steward for each
church was a member of the board, who was expected
to attend at the church to which he was assigned, re-
.ceive the plate collections, and keep a general oversight
of its affairs. The stewards of the section class collec-
tions received those collections from the leaders in
their sections, and paid them to the general steward of
the class collections, whose business it was to jiay the
preachers. These entries and the fourth resolution in
the paper presented in the leaders' meeting September
8, 181.3, and the answer to it,* will illustrate each other,
and show how completely at that time the trustees con-
trolled all the finances of the Church.

The debt at this time was $32,558 53, having increased
rather more than $5,100 during the preceding year.f

Nothing of interest is preserved in regard to this
year except what relates to the schism then rapidly
coming to maturity, and to be related hereafter. Con-
ference met at Forsyth Street, New York, June 1, 1820,
Bishop George in the chair. J The report was, whites,

* See p. 196, etc.

•}■ Trustees' Minutes of April 4, 1820.

:j: Bishop George met tlie New York Conference eight years in suc-
cession—from 1818 to 1825 inclusive. In 1826 Bishop McKendree
presided, and then for two j-ears Bisliop George again, ten years out
of eleven. (See New York Conference Minutes.) The plan of alter-
nating, by wliich no bisIiop mee's the same Conference two j-ears in
succession, did not seem to be then observed.

Clouds and Sunshine. 213

2,440 — an increase of 101; colored, 88 — an increase of
38; Zion and Asbury, 690— a decrease of 101; total
3,218 — a net increase of 38. The preachers were, A.
Hunt, J. Soule, B. Hibhard, T. Spicer, and E. Hebard.
W. M. Stilwell was re-appointed to Zion and Asbury,
and P. P. Sandford was the elder.*

Those familiar with the history of American Method-
ism need not be told that the name of Joshua Soule
occupies a prominent place therein. Born in Bristol,
Hancock County, Me., August 1, 1781, he was con-
verted in 1797, and in 1799 began his ministerial Avork-
In the seventh year of his service he was made presid-
ing elder, which office he filled nearly all the time until
his election as book agent in 1816. lie did good
service in that position, and as editor of the earlier
volumes of the 3Ietho(list Ifagazme. His two years in
New York were followed by two in Baltimore, and in
1824 he was elected bishop. After the division of the
Church in 184t he went with the southern section, and
died near Nashville, Tenn., March 6, 1867. "He was
erect and slender in person, and dignified in bearing.
His discourses showed more breadth than depth, but
were often overwhelmingly impressive. The dignity
of his bearing, frequently verging on majesty itself,
gave to his sermons at times an imposing solemnity,
but on occasions less congruous with it had the disad-
vantage of appearing, to the fastidious at least, pompous
and repulsive." f The simple, natural dignity of his
colleague, Elijah Hedding, elected to the episcopacy at
the same time, was made more vivid by the contrast ;
and when, twenty years after, one went with the South

* Hunt and Hibbard :md Spicer occupied the same houses as they
did tlie year before. Soule resided in Allen, near Stanton Street.
Ilebard's address is not fonnd, but it was probably at Diiane Street.

f Stevens's History of the Methodist Episcopal Cnurch, vol. iv, p. 48.

214 A History of Methodism in New York City.

and the other stood firm with the North, the old Church
felt that her loss in parting with Soule was fully bal-
anced by the faithful adherence of Hedding.

Elijah Ilebard was born in Coxsackie, N. Y., Septem-
ber 8, 1788, converted when thirteen years of age, and
joined the New York Conference in 1811. In 1834 he
was transferred to the Genesee Conference, and in 1846
became superannuated, and died in Geneva, Ontario
County, N. Y., January 25, 1858. He "was character-
ized for his simplicity, frankness, honesty, and sound
sense." *

At some period during the two years of T. Spicer's
term, most probably the last, there was " a gracious re-
vival in the vicinity of John Street Church." f

* General Minutes, 1858. f Spicer's AutoUograi)hy, p. 71.

Tares Spkingixg Up. 215

CHAPTER XIX.

TARES SPRINGIXG UP— THE STILWELLITE SECESSION.

The report at the Conference of 1821 showed a
sad decrease. It reads, 2,094 whites and 61 colored —
a total of 2,155; 1,063 less than the year before. Of
this loss, however, 690 is due to the setting off of the
colored churches, Zion and Asbury, into an organization
of their own ; but there was, besides, a falling off of
373. This was owing to the Stilwellite secession, which
took place during this year, but which had its origin in
causes which can be traced back to the earliest times
of New York Methodism. It was the most considera-
ble division that ever occurred in the Church in New
York city and its vicinit}-, and will be described as im-
partially and completely as possible.

John Street Church was founded as an independent
society, and its government continued to be congrega-
tional in respect to its temporalities until near the close
of the century, and some traces of its original character
continued for many years longer. Mr. Asbiiry's attach-
ment to and zeal for Mr. Wesley's methods were not a
little disturbed by the self-assertion of the trustees as
the chosen representatives of the membership. Their
finances were not managed as he wished. In his Jour-
nal of Friday, September 11, 1772, he wrote : "I met
the people in the morning to discourse with them
about their temporal matters, and appointed Mr. C.
(Chave) to take an account of the weekly and quar-
terly collections. But the other two stewards refused
15

21G A liisTOKY OF Methodism ix New York City.

an exact entry of the money that is not settled." The
" Ohl Book " of accounts contains entries of receipts
and expenditures for all kinds of church expenses,
mingled together. There are payments for interest on
the society's debts, and for the preachers' board and cloth-
ing, for beds and bedding for the dwelling-house, for
lamps and oil for the church, for sexton's Avages, and
the traveling expenses of the preachers. On the other
hand, receipts from public collections and from class
collections follow each other without discrimination.
This order of things continued until nearly 1820, at
Avhich date there were in the city six congregations,
with each its house of worship, all held and managed,
as to their finances, by one board of trustees,* who were
incorporated by the laws of the State.

Tliis state of things was the occasion of no little fric-
tion, and efforts were made from time to time to secure
a more satisfactory arrangement. At a general leaders'
meeting (at which the trustees seem to have been pres-
ent) held at the Bowery (Forsyth Street) Cliurch, Oc-
tober 13, 1813, a paper Avas read f containing a series
of questions, one of which was, " (4.) Whose duty is it,
agreeable to our Discipline and the laws of this State,
to pay the salaries and provide for the maintenance and
support of our stationed ministers and their respective
families?" To this it was answered: " The Discipline
directs that the stewards on circuits shall ]»ay the
preachers. But this being a station, and an incorpo-
rated body, tliat rule does not apply to us, and the law
of the State makes it the duty of the trustees to pay
the salaries and provide for the maintenance of the
preachers." This answer Avas declared to be satisfac-

*Tliis board, thougli elecled by the joint vote of all the members,
bad one or more representatives from each congri^ation.
f Given in full on pp. 195, 196.

Tares Springing Up. 217

tory by the meeting without dissent.* Six years later,
at the beginning of Rev. Aaron Hunt's second term
of service in the city (1819), he says: "One body of
trustees transacted all the financial business of the
societies, receiving the class collections from the leaders
and distributing the same to i>ay the preachers." f
During his administration as senior preacher, and while
the Stilwellite movement was in progress, as will be seen
in the sequel, a board of stewards was set in operation
for the whole city, which continued in existence down
to 1882, when the division into two circuits made two
boards necessary. J Another statement is found in the
autobiograithy of Rev, T. Spicer, page 67. He says the
sciiism " was occasioned chiefly by the appointment of
a board of stewards. Before this the board of trustees
had taken charge of all moneys collected in the con-
gregation ; and if the amount was not siifiicient to pay
the salaries of the preachers and the current expenses
of the Church they would obtain a loan, and thus in-
crease the Church debt. In this way mattei's had gone
on until the Church had become burdened with an
enormous debt, which was constantly accumulating."
" It was, therefore, thought best to appoint stewards,
according to Discipline, to take the class collections and
pay the preachers' support, and let the trustees have
charge only of such property as belonged to the Cliurch.
But this arrangement, although in perfect accordance
with our Discipline, met witii strong opposition from

* Minutes of the General Leaders' Meeting from May 8, 1811, to
February — , 1823. See also the statement of Rev. E. Wasliburn,
p. 201.

f Papers of Rev. A. Hunt in hands of Rev. A. S. Hunt, D.D.

J The property continued to be lield, however, by one board of
trustees until 1835, except the "Wesleyan Chapels in Vestry and AIul-
berry Streets (now the Central and Saint Paul's Churches), which were
never included in the general corporation.

218 A History of Methodism in Xew York City.

several (a minority, it seems) of the trustees. They
contended that the laws of the State required trustees
to have charge of all chureli property, and therefore
they must receive the class collections and disl)urse them.
But the others contended that the class collections were
not church property, hut the jiroperty of the ministers,
raised especially for them, and therefore the trustees
had nothing to do with them." "After a long discus-
sion the Quarterly Conference " (then including all the
Churches) " decided " by an overwhelming majority " in
favor of a board of stewards being appointed."

" In the course of this discussion it was remarked "
" that the general laAV under which the various religious
societies were incorporated was not exactly suited to
our economy, and therefore it might be well to apply
to the Legislature for a law wliich would recognize our
])eculiar economy. This remark was immediately seized
on by some, and they set about making their brethren
believe that the preachers were going to take measures
to get all church property into their possession and
under their entire control, and that ultimately they
would take all the churches and parsonages away from
the people and convert them to their own use. These
strange and unfounded insinuations produced consider-
able influence on many persons."*

This concentration of the governing power, and es-
pecially of the administration of the finances of so many
distinct congregations in a single board, while it may
have had its advantages, was very liable to be misused,
and was sure to occasion not only lack of interest, but
also distrust and ill-feeling. The receipts and expendi-
tures of each of the several local churches could not fail

♦This extract, though agreeing substatitiiilly with what is written
above, gives a view of the matter under a little different light, and,
therefore, is worthy of preservation.

Tares Springikg Up. 219

to be criticised by the others. John Street Church
naturally claimed a kind of maternal pre-eminence,
which her younger sisters were not always inclined to
concede. All extraordinary expenses, either for new
buildings or repairs, had to be paid from the common
treasury, and the several chur<-hes were not disposed to
contribute liberally for objects in which they had no
direct interest.

It was not, therefore, surprising that there was stren-
uous opposition to the rebuilding of John Street Church.
It was objected that there was already" a heavy debt,
which had increased during the preceding year more
than $600, and that a suit in chancery, then pending,
was likely to add to their embarrassment, and that the
quarterly and class collections had fallen considerably
short of paying the expenses of the preachers. For
these reasons the up-town party objected to rebuilding.

But, as Ave have seen, the trustees decided to rebuild.
That the new house should be superior to any of the
others and better fui-nished was to be expected ; but its
attractive appearance and carpeted altar (then not com-
mon) seemed to the good brethren up-town a serious
departure from the primitive simplicity of Methodism.*
The fact, also, that this was done, in part at least, with
funds Avhich were common j^roperty added greatly to
the warmth of the objectors. The breach between u^)-
town and down-town became wider.

* This statement, fouuded on the writer's own recollection of the
talk of old people that the Stilwellites left partly because John Street
Ciiurch was too fine and because it had a carpet on the altar, is cor-
roborated by a passage in a letter from Mrs. Bishop Clark. She says :
"We have a tree of Methodism. The tiny branch representing the
Stilwellites has the record, 'Organized by Wm. Stilwell in 1817, in
New York; cause, the difference of opinion in regard to the furnish-
ing of the old John Street Church.' " The date (1817) is, however, an
error. See also Life of Nathan Bangs, D.D., p. 225.

220 A History op Methodism in New York City.

Just at this time, unfortunately, as it seems to us now,
certain measures were inaugurated by the General Con-
ference and followed up by the action of the New Yoi-k
Annual Conference which added to the excitement. It
is not necessary to attempt to refute the old outcry,
" The churches are deeded to the Conference ; " there
has been far more need to quiet the anxieties of those
who feared that their houses of worship might be taken
from them by treacherous trustees or seedling major-
ities.* To prevent such disasters the General Confer-
ence passed the following resolution : "That in future
we will admit no charter, deed, or conveyance for any
house of worship to be used by us unless it be provided
in such charter, deed, or conveyance tliat the trustees of
said house shall at all times permit such ministers and
preachers belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church
as shall from time to time be duly authorized by tha
General Conference of said Church, or by the. Annual
Conference, to preach and expound God's holy word and
to execute the rules and Discipline of the Church, and to
administer the sacraments therein, according to the true
meaning and purport of our deed of settlement. f Ac-
cordingly the New York Conference, at its session of
1820, appointed a committee of five "to prepare a
memorial to the Legislature of this State praying for a
specific act of incorporation for our Church throughout
the State in conformity to the rules and regulations of
our Discipline. This committee was to supply the pre-
siding elders with printed copies of the memorial, and
they were to furnish each preacher with a copy, that all
the members might be asked to subscribe. J

* Tliisanxiet_v, however, has decreased, for it is beheved that where
the Vniildiu.u: is evidently intended to be a Methodist Episcopal Church
the property can be held only for such purpose.

\ Banors's History of the Methodi-si Episcopal Church, vol. iii, p. 140.

J Christian Advocate, vol. viii, p. 123.

Tares Springing Up. 221

Nothing in all this warranted the outcry of the dis-
affected party in New York; indeed, it is not likely that
at any other time it would have excited much objection.
Ill an address " to the raemhers and friends of the
Methodist E. Church in New York " it is very truly said,
" Considering that no alteration has taken place with re-
spect to the charter by which the property of the Church
is held, and that no change can take place till it is fully
and specifically before the people for their examination
and approval; and considering, further, that such change
or alteration must be made by a wise and patriotic Legis-
latui-e, ever tenacious of the rights and prerogatives of the
people, we must submit to an enlightened community to
judge what ground of present alarm can be found in
the act either of the General or Annual Conference." *

But the objection seems to have been not so much to
the resolution as to the preamble passed by the New
York Conference. This pi-eamble (which is to be found
in the Journal of the Nevv^ York Conference) is given as
italicized by the objectors that we may see on what por-
tions especially they founded their objections. It reads,
"That in order to obviate the difficulties which do now,
and have for some time past, existed in this city in re-
spect to the appointment of trustees, it is both expedient
and necessary for the Conference to recommend to the
]>eople of their charge to petition the Legislature of this
State at its next session for an act of incorporation tohich
shall recognize the peculiarities of our fonn of govern-
ment, and thereby enable us more fdly and effectualli/
to execute the Discipline of our Church." " Such is the

* Conclusion of a paper dated August 11, 1820, and signed by
Enocli George, Freeborn Garrelisou, Xathan Bangs, P. P. Sandford,
Josliua Soule, Alexander McCaino, Thomas Mason, Aaron Hunt, B.
Hibbard, T. Spicer, E. Hebard. The seven preachers wliose names
stand first were members of the General Conference. — Christian Ad-
vocate, vol. viii, p. 123.

222 A History of Methodism in New York City.

present law of this State in respect to the incorporation
of religious societies that the trustees of our Church,
in the exercise of their function, either cannot or vrill
not conform to the requirements of our Discipline." *
The objectors add, " Now let any impartial person
read the above and say whether they would suppose that
trustees were to be elected as formerly if an act of in-
corporatioi, according to their own resolution, should
be obtained." f Thus the note of alarm was raised that
the preachers were seeking to gain control of all the
property, and that they were trying to have the churches
deeded to the Conferences.

In order that the case of the seceders may be fully
stated a few more sentences will be quoted from their
publications. They say: "The clergy formed a Disci-
pline without consulting the laity, and took the govern-
ment of the Church upon themselves, Avhich they retain
to this day; although the people have frequently peti-
tioned the Conference for a lay representation they have
not yet obtained it; and from recent acts of the Con-
ferences it will appear as if, instead of the clerg}^ being
willing to have their power diminished, they wish to
have it increased.";]; Again: " We were not of those
who reiterated their complaints in memorials and peti-
tions to the General Conference without effect for a lay
representation in that body. . . . Nor did we complain
of having preachers stationed among ns without our
advice or consent, nor of contributing toward their sup-
port, nor of supporting presiding elders, whom we con-
sider worse than useless, until those preachers pretended
to have jurisdiction over the temporal as well as spirit-
ual concerns of the Church, and to act accordingl3^ But

* Historical Sketches of the Rise and Progress of the Methodist Society
in the City of New York, pp. 37-38. By Samuel Stilwell. 1821.
j/WfZ., p. 38. X Ihid., ]}. \2.

Tares Springing Up. 223

we first began to remonstrate against the procedure of
the trustees when, with a lieavy debt on the Church and
a suit in chancery undetermined, they resolved to take
down the oki meeting-liouse in John Street and build a
new one, and another at the Bowery Village. We ob-
jected because we thought the commencement prema-
ture, and because, from the disposition of the leading
men in the board of trustees at that time, we were
afraid that they would build too expensively, and the
event proved that our fears were not groundless. . . .
The debt was increased to more than $30,000. . . .
When the term expired for which those trustees were
elected, who were considered the most forward in un-
necessary expenses, other persons were elected in their
places, who, it was confidently believed and expected,
Avould conduct the affairs of the Church with better
economy. The prudent, plain part of the society began
to think of devising some means of decreasing the ex-
penses of the Church and instituting a sinking fund for
paying the debt. . . . Tranquillity, it was hoped, was
now restored, and the pi-ospect began to brighten ; but
this was of short duration, for soon those who had
been the cause of increasing the debt . . . began to call
select meetings for the purjiose, it was said, of altering
the mode of nominating and electing trustees. The
preacher in charge and others were very active in en-
couraging and attending these meetings. In the mean-
time the following letter was written (probably by Mr.
Samuel Stilwell, the author of tlie sketches from which
it is taken) and a<ldressed to a person who had been ap-
pointed a member of a committee on this subj.'Ct." * It

* Historical Sketche.% etc., pp. 14-16. There is nothing to indicate to
whom thi.s leiter was addressed nor l)y whom tlie committee was ap-
pointed. Tiie trustees' minutes give no light. Mr. Stilwell was at tliat
lime a member of the board, having been elected in Marcli preceding.

224 A History of Methodism ix New Yokk City.

is dated April 10, 1820 (before the session of the Gen-
eral Conference). Only one sentence can be given:
"The trustees have recently resolved not to make any
farther provision for the preachers after the rising of
the Annual Conference in June next than that which
they are allowed by the Discipline, which is the quar-
terly collections and the privilege of making collections
in the classes." * The tone of this statement seems to
indicate a determination on the part of the trustees to
refuse to do any thing thereafter for the preachers; but
the resolution as it stands in the trustees' minutes
sounds rather more like a friendly assent to the disci-
jDlinary plan of putting the support of the preachers in
the hands of the stewards. It reads: "Resolved,
unanimously, that at the adjourning of the Annual Con-
ference in June next the trustees will relinquish the
quarterly and class collections that maj' be made after
that time to stew^ards appointed or that shall be np-
]iointed according to the Discipline of the Methodist
Episcopal Church to take charge of the same, and pro-
vide for the pi'eachers appointed for the city of New
York according to the Discipline of the said Church;
and that from that time the trustees will relinquish the
charge of providing for the preachers." f

At the Conference of 1819 Rev. Aaron Hunt had
been ajjpointed to New York as preacher in charge.
lie had served in the city some thirteen years before,
and was very generally held in high estimation, and it
was hoped he would be able to guide affairs safely.
Even the malcontents declared their purpose to pro-
mote peace and harmony, and a brighter da}' appeared
to be dawning. But when, in March, 1820, an election

* Hi-itorical Sketches, elc, p. 22.

f Trustees' minuets, Miircli 24, 1820. Their action, however, on
June 30, lias a different tone. See p. 225, nolo.

Tarks Springing Up. 225

for trustees was held and the candidates of the up-town
party were chosen, the down-town brethren proposed
not to take up class collections. Mr. Hunt advised
them to continue their regular contributions, depositing
the money with some trusty person till stewards should
be appointed. At the next official meeting the newly
elected stewards were present, and also the trustees.
The preacher in charge read the Discipline relating to
the duties of stewards and trustees severally, and di-
rected the stewards to be seated at the t;)ble to receive
the money from the leaders. Some of the leaders, how-
ever, i-efused to pay their money to the stewards, but
handed it to a trustee seated at the same table. The
amount paid to the trustees was small, and they offered
to pass it over to the stewards provided they would
give them (the trustees) a receipt for the whole amount
received.* This the stewards refused to do, and the
preacher again called attention to the Discipline, say-
ing, "As Methodists this is our rule." A leader an-
swered that he did not "care what the Discipline said;
we shall act according to the law," referring to the char-
tered autliority of the board of trustees. Mr. Hunt re-
plied by demanding the class-book of the leader, add-
iu'T, " If you do not care for the Discipline you are not
fit to be a leader."

Soon alter this a paper was sent to the preacher
signed by about thirty names, some of them those of

* A. Hunt's papers, in the liands of Rev. A. S. Hunt, D.D. This
seems to have taken place on or after June 30, 1820, as on thai date
we find in the minutes of the trustees this resohition: "That the
trustees will receive the quarterly and class collections in the usual
way and pay the same to the preachers' stewards for the use of tlie
preachers, on the stewards giving a receipt for the amount of the
sura so paid, in conformity to a resolve of this board to appropriate
the quarterly and class collections for the payment and support of
the preachers." This resolution was rescinded August 14.

220 A History of Methodism in Xew York City.

trustees and leaders, requesting certificates of with-
drawal from the church. This request was declined by-
Mr, Hunt, who earnestly besought the applicants to re-
consider the subject, but told them tliat if they per-
sisted he would, though not immediately, write the word
" withdrawn " opposite their names on the church
records. Most of them adhered to their purpose, and
before long their number was swelled to nearly three
hundred, including probationers.*

The most considerable man among the seceders, and,
indeed, the leading spirit in the whole movement, was
Samuel Stilwell, a native of the town of Jamaica, Long
Island, born October 22, 1763. It was said that his pa-
ternal ancestor who first came to this country was a
member of the " High Court of Commission " which
tried and condemned King Charles the First, and that to
avoid arrest he changred his name when he eraiwrated.

* Araonp; other incidents connected with this secession the preacher

in charge learned that a Brother P (a class-leader in Allen Street)

intended to join the new movement and take all his class with him.
Tiie meeting of tlie class had been appointed at a new place, but the
street and number could not be ascertained. He sent a message to
one of his colleagues, J. Soule, to go in search of the meeting, and he
would do the same. He arrived in time to open the class and lead it,
Mr. Soule coming in just before the close. The leader was told that
they had heard of liis intention, and he admitted that the iuformation
was correct.^ "These sisters," said the preacher, "have long met
in your class, and tliey, with us, would like to know your reasons for
going." He replied: "You know I have long thought it my duty to
preach the Gospel ; I have asked for license and could not get it,
and Mr. Stilwell says he will give it.'" " The best reason I have
heard from any one for leaving us," said Mr. Hunt; " and now I wish
to know if any of the class desire to go." Sister Susan Brewer said,
" When I joined tlie Methodists it was for life, and I am determined
to remain in the old ship as long as there is one plank left." None of
the sisters proposed to leave, and the class was put in the charge of
Mr. Soule, Sister Brewer leading in his absence. — Papers of Rev. Aaron
Hunt.

Tares Springing Up. 227

Samuel came to New York city in 1783, and was some-
what prominent in municipal affairs. In 1799 he was
appointed one of the assessors for the second division
of the State of New York, and the same year was
elected a member of the State Assembly. In 1803 he
■was commissioned as city surveyor, and took part in
the preliminary surveys and preparation of the map ac-
cordiniT to which the city has since been laid out. He
was intimate with De Witt Clinton and other eminent
men of the day.* It is not known exactly when he
joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, but in 1791
he was leader of a class of colored people, of which
Peter Williams, the celebrated sexton of John Street,
was a member. He died in February, 1848.f

Rev. William M. Stilwell, the nephew of Samuel,
was admitted to the New York Conference on trial in
1814, and after serving in several charges up the North
River was appointed to Zion and Asbury, two churches
of colored people in New York city. It was no doubt
in part through the influence of his uncle that he con-
sented to become the ministerial leader of the new or-
ganization. It does not appear that any other travel-
ing preacher followed his example. Rev. Seth Crowell,
a located minister, a most excellent man and a superior
preacher, but of a peculiarly nervous and impulsive tem-
perament, had some sympathy with the movement, but
never formally united with it, and in 1824 was re-admitted
to the Conference and died two years later. The eccentric
Lorenzo Dow became a member, and his name is in their
minutes as general missionary. Rev. .James Covel, M.D.
(whose two sons, Samuel and James, became traveling
ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church), Rev. Mr.
Miller, of Rochester, and Kev. George Phillips are also
* Life of Samuel Stiboell, by Samuel Stilwell Doughty. 1877.
f Jbi'I.

228 A History of Methodism in New York City,

iu their list; but all these appear to have been local or
located preachers. Of prominent laymen there were,
besides Samuel Stilwell, Messrs. Taylor, Higgins, Sher-
man, De Camp, Sutton, and Miller, men of good repu-
tation and abilities and of fair social standing.

In July, 1820, a meeting of the Separatists was held
and a rough draft of articles of association was made
and adopted to serve as a bond of union till a better
organization could be prepared.* A school-room was
hired in Chrystie Street for a place of worship, and there,
on the l<jth of July, Rev. W. M. Stilwell i)reached, and
afterward gave notice that he had withdrawn from the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and now j(nned the " Meth-
odist Society." He then invited all who wished to join to
come forward. About one hundred came^ and the num-
ber soon increased to three hundred. Legal incorpora-
tion was secured, and on the 8th of August, 1820,
George Taylor, Jr., Michael D, Higgins, Edward Stur-
man, Morris De Camp, Daniol Sutton, and Richard
Miller were elected trustees, and on the next day the
certificate of incorporation was recorded with the name
of "The Methodist Society in the City of New York," f

* Articles of Association: 1. Tlie Bible will be their rule of disci-
pline. 2. P^ach member, mule and female, shall have a vote in the
choice of preachers and the allowance to be made for their services.
3. Disputes or disagreements between members to be settled bj' tliree,
five, or seven members of the society, as may be agreed on. If the
dispute is between men, it shall be left to men to settle ; if between
women, to be left to women. 4. Persons to be tried for transgress-
ing against the good order of the society shall have the fairest op-
portunit}^ possible of obtaming an impartial jury. 5. The members
will all be classed in classes of about twenty members e;ich. and will
be met once a week by a leader of iheir own choice. 6. The mem-
bers, having equal rights, may form such rules for regulating and
promoting the good of the society as may be thought expedient by a
majority of the members. — Historical Sketches, p. 24.

iHwtofical Sketches, p. 26.

Tares Springing Ur. 229

Ground was purchased on Chrystie Street, between
Pump (now Canal) and Hester Streets, and a brick
building, fifty by seventy-eight feet in dimensions, with
a basement story, was erected, which was dedicated on
the last day of the same year. During the next year
the number of members, including probationers, rose to
about six hundred. Two additional places of worship
were opened, one in Sullivan Street, which grew into a
Avell-established Church ; and societies were planted on
Long Island and in other ]:>arts of New York State,
and in Connecticut and New Jersey.* A regular form
of discipline was adopted, and in 1825 the body num-
bered 8(j4 members in New York city, and 2,187 in the
whole connection, being an increase of 386 during the
year ]) receding.

15ut the question of congregational independence or
connectional unity with an itinerant ministry now
began to be agitated. The church in Chrystie Street
declared itself independent, and chose Mr. Stilwell as
its minister. A conference held in the Sullivan Street
Church, November 8, 1826, at which Dr. James Covel
presided, was not attended by Mr. Stilwell and his
people, and they were henceforth left to themselves.
Of the two churches that yet remained, that in Sulli-
van Street had considerable prosperity. It afterward
passed into the hands of the " Methodist Protestants,"
and in 1839 a new and much more commodious edifice
was built further north on the same street. In 1846
this church, its members and property, passed over to
the Methodist Episcopal Church. The Washington
Square Church in Fourth Street is its successor.

* There is no evidence of the existence of societies m any other
State ; but in their Minutes of 1S24 and 1825 there is reference lo the
"Wesleyan Methodist Conference" held at Cincinnati, reporting 288
members.

230 A History of Methodism i?^- New York City.

In faith and discipline and general economy the new
organization agreed substantially with the old, except
that it included neither bishops nor presiding elders,
and was intensely democratic. Every member, male
and female, had a vote, and every question was decided
by a vote of the society. The only exceptions were
the court of appeals, for reviewing judicial proceedings,
which was composed of all male members over twenty-
one years of age, and the "committee of examination,"
which was selected by lot.

Had the Protestant Methodist Church never arisen
it is not at all improbable that this " Methodist So-
ciety" would have had a wider influ-ence and a longer
existence. Whether the leaders in that movement
failed to pay to Mr. Stilwell the respect to which he
thought himself entitled, or whether he did not sympa-
thize w^ith all their methods, is not knoAvn. Many of
his societies became associated wuth the Protestants,
but have since either died out or become Congrega-
tionalist. It is believed that not one now exists in its
original character. Mr. Stilwell remained in charge
of the Chrystie Street society, where he had good con-
gregations. In 1846 there were about three hundred
members.*

In 1847 a church w^as erected on First Street, near
First Avenue, to which the Chrystie Street society re-
moved, and here Mr. Stilwell passed the last years of
his ministry in absolute ecclesiastical independence.
He died at Astoria, Long Island, August 9, 1851, and
his Church died with him. There is every reason to
believe that, if he did not regret the step he had taken,
he at least was satisfied that the causes that led him to
it no longer existed. His own children became mem-
bers of the mother-Church, and there is good authority
* Greenleaf's History of New York Churches, p. 308.

Tares Springing Up. 231

for saying that, when about to retire from labor, he
entered into correspondence with a presiding elder in
New York in regard to transferring his society to the
care of the old organization. The project failed, how-
ever, most probably because no other Methodist church
was needed in tliat vicinity.

In the New York City Directory for 1890 there is
not named a single Methodist place of worship for
Avhite people except those of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. This episode in New York Metliodist history,
which began with the " Stilwellite Secession " is now
tlierefore complete. It was, no doubt, harmful to some
of those engaged in it, as is inevitable in all church
controversies, but it may not have been wholly unpro-
ductive of good to the Church at large. The case is
especially instructive in respect to the unwisdom of
seeking the reform of supposed abuses or the correction
of infelicities in the affairs of the Church by going out
from its communion. The actors in the affairs of which
we have written have nearly all passed away. They
were not perfect either in mind or heart, but lor the
most part they were good and well-meaning people.

Mr. Stilwell is described as a man of about middle
size, rather stout, and of ruddy countenance, M'ith blue
eyes and auburn hair. As a public speaker his manner
was easy, his voice and deliveiy good, and his preach-
ing Avas pleasing and impressive. During the years of
his service in the New York Conference he had become
well and favorably known for one of his age; had he
remained he would probably have attained a good posi-
tion in the Church.*

* The hymn-book used by the " Methodist Society " contained rather
more than four hundred hymns, about two thirds of which were in
the book in use in the Methodist Episcopal Cliui-ch. There is no at-
tempt at classification according to subjects.
16

232 A History of Methodism in New York City.

CHAPTER XX. •

RAIN ON THE MOWN GRASS— CONFERENCES OP 1820
TO 1827.

Except tliis secession, little of importance seems to
have taken place between the Conferences of 1820 and
1821. On July 12, 1820, Samuel Stilwell, George
Taylor, Jr., Michael D. Higgins, and James Donaldson
resigned as trustees, and at the meeting of August 11
it was reported that Joseph Smith, Paul Hick, John C.
Totten, and Eliphalet AYheelcr were elected to fill the
vacancies.* At the meeting of December 4 it was re-
solved to occupy the second story of the Wesleyan
Seminary as a place of worship if the preachers would
supply it in rotation with the other appointments. This
arrangement, however, does not seem to have lasted
long. In March, 1821, the regular election for trustees
was held, and Abraham Russel, Gill)ert Coutant, and
George Suckley were unanimous!}' re-elected. The debt
at that time was $33,V49 55, having increased during
the year nearly |l,200.f

The Conference of 1821 met at Troy, N. Y., May 30,
and Bishop George presided. | The aj^pointments for
the city were: J. Soule, E. Hehard, M. Richardson, W.
Ross, H, Bangs, J, Summcrfield. P. P. Sandford was

* Paul Hick had been trustee iip to the preceding- Marcli, but Iiad
then failed of re-election, probably througli the op[iosition of the up-
town party. The other three were new men in the board.

f Trustees' minutes.

:j:For report of numbers see p. 215,

Raix OS THE Mown Grass. 233

continued as presiding elder. Three of these names
are new. *

William Ross was born in Tyringliam, Mass.,
February 10, 1792, converted at the age of seventeen,
and entered Conference in liis twentieth year. His
earlier fields of labor were in Canada and the north-
ern parts of New England and Xew York. In 1818
he was sent to Brooklyn, in 1819 to Troy, whci-e
he spent two years, and after his two years in Xew
York city he was re-ap])ointed to Brooklyn in 1823,
where he died February 10, 1825. lie was buried in
the old Sands Street church-yard, but about fifty years
after his remains were removed to Greenwood. He
was " a gifted young preacher," " a natural orator," " a
man of power in the pulpit." f Tradition jndeed places
him very nearly on a level with his colleague, John
Summerfield, who finished his course but a few months
later, and was also buried in the Sands Street ground.
At the General Conference of 1824 he "signalized him-
self as the author of a very able and luminous report on
missions." J A daughter, Mary E., was the wife of Rev.
Thomas H. Burch, of the New York East Conference.

Ileman Bangs was a younger brother of the Rev. Dr.
Nathan Bangs. He was born in Fairfield, Conn., April
15, 1790, converted in 1808, and received on trial at the
Conference of 1815. From that time until the Confer-
ence of 18G9, with the exception of one year in which
he was supernumerary, he was steadily employed —
eleven years in New York city and fourteen years as
presiding elder on different districts, eight of wiiich

* Richardson's residence is set down as Second Avenue ; Ross's,
Duane Street, next the church; Bangs's, 57 Gold, and Summerfleld's,
Waltcer Street.

f Revs. M. Breckenridge, X. KeUogg, and L. Clark, in Warriner's
Old Sands St7ret, p. 209.

J Sprague's Annals, p. 525.

234 A History of Methodism in New York City.

weie on the Xew York District. He was a man of
marked personality, and made himself felt in every
f)ositioii he occujjicd. The rules of homiletics were lit-
tle regarded by him; but his preaching was simple,
practii-al, and earnest, and often accompanied with
much divine power. A faithful and laborious pastor,
he Avas the mainspring of all the activity in his charge;
so much so, indeed, that when he left it was sometimes
difficult to keep things revolving in the orbit which he
had marked out. In his family relations he was exceed-
ingly happy, but Avas deprived of both his sons in their
early manhood. One was lost at sea, the other. Rev.
Stephen B. Bangs, died after a brief career of great
brilliance and promise. Two daughters survive him.
He finished his course in Xew Haven, November 2, 1869,
in great peace and triumph. The last entry in his jour-
nal (under date of August 4) closes with the words, '• I
am saved by grace, through faith."

Perhaps no contrast could be greater than that be-
tween Heman Bangs and John Summerfield. The one
was of large frame and vigorous constitution; the other
exceedingly delicate and fragile. The one with sturdy
blows assaulted successfully the strongholds of sin; the
other with sweet persuasive speech melted and won the
hearts of his hearers. Bangs banged his wa^^ ; Sum-
merfield suggested a delightful field, beautiful Avith all
the fertility of early summer. There Avas truly here a
diversity of gifts, but the same S^^irit.

John Summerfield AA^as born in Lancashire, England,
January 31, 1798. Converted at Dublin, Ireland, he
soon began to exercise his gifts publicly, and in 1819 Avas
received into the Irish Conference, though on account
of his feeble health he AA'as not immediately appointed
to a circuit. Rev. (afterAvard Bisliop) John Emory met
him at the British Conference at Liverpool, and, it is

Raix on the Mown Grass. 205

believed, had much to do with inducing him to come to
this country. A speech delivered shortly after his ar-
rival, at the anniversary of the American Bible Society,
was regarded as one of the very finest specimens of
platform eloquence. From that time his career was
brilliant. Crowds flocked to hear him, and men of all
classes and denominations delighted to do him honor.
But no brief sketch like that permitted here can do
justice to his memory. Those who wish to know more
must read his life by John Holland, or the sketch in
Sprague's Annals of the Meihodist Pulpit. lie was a
burning and a shining light, but the Church rejoiced in
that light for only a brief season. He died June 13,
1825, and was buried in the grave-yard of the Sands
Street Church, Brooklyn, L. I. Perhaps no pulpit
had been occupied by him more frequently than that
of the John Street Church, and after his death arrange-
ments were made to erect a tablet there to his memory.
Strange as it may seem, very decided objections were
made to its admission to the interior of the building,
and it was therefore atHxed to the outer front wall,
where it could be read from the street. When the
present building was erected it Avas removed to the
intex-ior.*

The year seems not to have been marked with any
events of much special interest. A society room was
built in the rear of the preacher's house in Allen Street,
and steps were taken to provide similar accommoda-
tions in the basements of the Greenwich Church and of
that at Duane Street. The watch-night at the close
of 1821 "was solemn and powerful."! A seeker's
prayer-meeting, held by Rev. H. Bangs at liis house
on Monday afternoons, was very profitable. Of that of

* See p. 285.

•(• H. Barigs's Autohiocjnrpliij, p. 107.

2:56 A History of Methodism ix Xe"\v York City.

February 18, 1822, he says, "It was the most powerful
time I have seen since I have been in New York." *

At the election in March, 1822, Paul Hick, John
Bartine, and James Donaldson Avere chosen trustees.
The debt of the church was nearly $35,500, having in-
creased during the year nearly $1,V00.

On Ma}^ 29, 1822, Conference met in New York, Bishop
George in the chair. The report from the city was
2,370 whites, 67 colored; total, 2,437 — again of 282.
The appointments Avere E. "Washburn, M. Richardson,
S. Martindale, W. Ross, H. Bangs, J. Summerfield.f
Only one of these names is new.

Stephen Martindale was a native of the Eastern Shore
of Maryland, and born in 1788. His grandfather was
a minister of the Church of England, and his father a
Methodist local preacher. He entered the itinerancy
in ] 809, and soon obtained prominent appointments.
Besides some six years in all in New York lie s])ent two
years in Philadelphia and two in Boston, and for twenty
3'ears was presiding elder. After fifty years of unin-
terrupted effective service he superannuated in 1860, and
died May 23 of the same year, at Tarrytown, West-
chester County, N. Y. Tall and well-proportioned,
with a countenance fair and ruddy, a voice whose rich
intonations flowed and rippled like a brook, action
marked by vivacity and gracefulness, a diction always
correct and often elegant, he possessed, esi^ecially in liis
early days and in his prime, a natural eloquence which
made him a popular preacher. He was a sound theo-
logian and remarkably gifted in prayer. His oldest
daughter, the late Mrs. Dr. A. S. Purdy, of Xew York,
said, " I considered my father a perfect Christian, a

*H. Baiigs's AutobiograpJiij, p. 109.

f All we can learn of their residences is, Washburn, 12 Fors.vth
Street; Martindale, Allen, next church; Ross, Duane, next church.

Raix ox the Mown Grass. 2;)'?

beautiful example — it was this that made me a Chris-
tian." *

As to spiritual matters this year, we learn nothing
except that on the evening of October 26 they had a
good love-feast, f As to temporals, Joseph Smith, Ab.
Coddington, and John Bailey w^ere elected trustees
in March, 1823. The debt at that time was about
$36,400 — an increase of about 1(950.;]: On the 17th of
April a plan of a sinking fund to reduce the debt was
presented, and on April 23, at a joint meeting of
trustees and preachers, it was adopted, nearly all the
preachers being present.

"Malta Balston, East Line," Avas the place of the
New York Conference of 1823, May 28 the date, and
Bishop George the presiding officer. The membership
in the city stood 2,499 whites, 73 colored, Asbury Afri-
can, 134; total, 2,706 — a gain of 269. The appointments
■were E. Washburn, S. Martindale, P. Rice, J, B. Strat-
ten, S. Bushnell, E. Brown. Tliree of these names we
have not met Avith before. §

John B. Stratten was in many respects a contrast to
his colleague, S. Mai'tindale, who came to the city the
preceding year. Not as tall, nor as graceful, nor as
fluent, he was exceedingly original, and often deeply
impressive. Born in Stratford, Conn., and converted in
early life, he entered the Conference in 1811. He also

* Annual Minutes.

f II. Bangs's Autobiography^ p. 121. He tells us also (p. 122) that
with a family of six persons he was allowed only $500, and had to
borrow money to remove to his next charge, New Rochelle.

\ It should be said, however, that of this about $750 had been ex-
pended on the lecture-room in Duane Street, and the receipts for the
year exceeded ordinary expenses by about $75.

§ The residences, as far as we can ascertam them, were, "Washburn,
12 Forsyth Street ; Rice, Amos (now "West Tentli Street), near Herring
(now Bleecker); Stratten, 59 Gold; and Busiinell, 216 Duane.

238 A History of Methodism in New York City.

labored uninterruptedly for about tifty years, ten years in
New York cily and seven in other cities, and twenty-two
as presiding elder. He died in great peace June 23, 1863.

Samuel Bushnell probably little thought that in coming
to New York city he was entering upon his last charge.
He was born in Massachusetts, November 28, 1782, con-
verted when about sixteen years of age, and received on
trial in 1810. His appointments had been in various
parts of the States of New York and Connecticut. To
his general character high testimony is given in the
Minutes, but nothing is said of his ability nor the precise
date of his death. It was, however, in 1824 or 1825.

Ebenezer Brown entered the work in 1818 and labored
six years, one of which was as missionary to Louisiana.*
He located in 1825 and engaged in secular business in
Troy, New York, and Philadelphia, but in his later
y^ears made his home with his only surviving daughter
in Baltimore, where he died January 3, 1889, in his
ninety-fourth year.f

In March, 1824, Abraham Russel, George Suckley,
and Gilbert Coutant wei'e re-elected as trustees. The
debt at that time is reported as about $36,106, being a
decrease of nearly |300.

Just, here we have an opportunity of looking at the
Church in New York city through foreign eyes. The
British Wesleyan Conference appointed two of its
members, Richard Reece and John Hannah, delegates
to the American General Conferencs of 1824. Mr,
Reece, in a letter in the Weslei/an 3Iagazine of 1825
(page 46), speaks of preaching in Duane Street, March
14, and says: "The singing was peculiarly sweet, its

* He was the first missionary appointed by the Missionary Society
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. See Dr. Reid's History of Mis-
sions, vol. i, p. 80.

\ Christinn Advocate, vol. l.xiv, pp. 24 and 41.

Rain ox the Mown Grass. 239

character Avas simple melody, yet few of the congrega-
tion join in tliis part of public worship, but left the
pleasure and the duty mostly to the choir. This I
found to be the case in all the eastern States where I
had opportunity of attending the churches. I felt it a
great defect and disadvantage." Again, he says: "At
night I preached in Jolm Street; the church was over-
flowing. The men and the women sit apart in all our
places of worship, on benches with railed backs, no
pews being allowed by the Conference anywhere."
He also attended a love-feast in the same cliurch where
there was a lai"ge company, and the people spoke freely.
Some of them had received perfect love and others
were seeking it. He speaks of the custom of the choir
to sing while the collection was taken, and says: "The
last time I pieached in that city I was much charmed
and afiected. My subject was the privilege of believers
to have Christ living in them by his Spirit. A special
influence accompanied the word. The singers, joined by
most of the people, in sounds as much resembling the
melody of heaven as I expect to hear on earth, began —

" ' joyful sound of Gospel grace !

Christ shall iu me appear;
I, even I, shall see his face,

I shall be holy here.'

The words were well chosen, the voices, male and female,
melodious and impassioned, the tune soft and devotional,
so that the blessing of perfect love seemed within reach,
or rather in possession of every worshiper."*

* Rev. George Coles (in his First Seven Years in America, pp. 281-
282) says this was in John Street Church, and that tiie tune wag
Pleyel's C. M. D. On page 45 of the xMeihodist Harmonist, the tune-
hook in use at that time, may be (bund a tune by Pleyel set to these
words, called " Devotion." For a description of Methodist worship
about this time see Appendix Q.

240 A History of Methodism in New York City.

At the Conference of 1824 Bisliop George presided,
but Elijah Hedding, just elected to the episcopacy, was
I^resent ; tliis being, therefore, his first Conference in
his new office.* It met on June 1 at the Wesleyan
Seminaiy in Crosby Street, New York, f The report
at this session was 2,4S0 wliites and 59 colored, in
all 2,539 — an apparent loss of 167. This is in part,
however, to be ascribed to the absence of any report from
the Asbury African churches. P. P. Sandford, P. Rice,
T. Mason, J. B. Stratten, S. Bushnell, and E. Brown were
the preachers, and L. Clark presiding elder. The General
Conference, which had met in May, had also made a
change in the book agency, app linting John Emory
as assistant to N. Bangs. J

Thomas Mason was well known and highly appre-
ciated already in New York, having often preached
in the churches during his eight years of service as book
agent. He began his labors about 1808 in South Caro-
lina, where he continued until hisfiist appointment to the
Book Concern. After filling various charges in the New-
York Conference he was again (in 1832) chosen agent
— a position for which his business ability well qualified
him. He died in New York city, June 10, 1R43, aged
fifty-seven. His excellent and devoted wife, Mrs. Marj'

* Clark's Life of Htdding, p. 30G.

f It may seem strange to New York Methodists of the present day,
accustomed as they are to attend the Conference sessions in some
large church edifice, often filled to its utmost capacity, that a school-
room, capable of holding not more than two hundred persons, should
be selected for the place of meeting. But then, and for some years
afterward, the general public was not admitted, and room for only
about one hundred and twenty-five persons was needed. The sessions
were regarded as private and confidential, especially ns the character
of the preachers was one of the questions to bo considered.

\ Sandford's home was at 12 Forsyth Street, Mason's at 11 Crosby
Street, Bangs's at 92 Eldridge, and Emory's at Asylum (West Fourth),
nenr Amos (West Tenth). The rest we cannot 1( cate.

Rain on the Mown Grass. 241

W. Mason, has left lamemoiy very precious to the Church
in New York.

In October, 1824, the venerable Freeborn Garrettson
preached the funeral sermon of Mrs. Carpenter, wife of
Thomas Carjjenter, and mother of Rev. Charles W.
Carpenter. * During the following March also he was
in the city, and says: "Brother Paul Mick and Brotlier
Arcularius, two of the oldest members of the Church
in the city, have just gone to lieaven, and I fear Brother
Carpenter will not continue long." Thomas Carperiter
died soon after in great peace. f

James Donaldson, John Bartine, and Robert Math-
ison were elected trustees in March, 1825. The debt at
that time was $35,657 — a reduction of nearly $450 dur-
ing the year.

In 1825 the Conference met at Troy, N Y., (m May
3, Bishop George again presiding and Bishop Hedding
assisting.J Methodism was gaining a little in the city
of New York ; it repoi'ted 2,567 whites and 56 colored;
in all, 2,623 — an increase of 84. L. Clark continued in
the eldership, and the preachers were P. P. Sandford,
H. Stead, W. Jewett, J. Youngs, D. De Vinne, H.
Chase — all new names but one. §

Henry Stead's life and ministry began in England,
where he was born April 10, 1774, and after his con-
version spent two years there as a local preacher and
two as an itinerant. Coming to this country Avlien
about twenty-eight years of age, he was received on

* Life of Garrettson, p. 265.

f At the meeting of the trustees, November 2, 1824, a complaint was
made that some persons liad placed cushions in seats in the John
Street Ciairch, and the matter was referred to a committee. No
report of tliis committee is on record.

X Clark's Life of Hedding, p. 320.

§ Tiieir homes were, Sandlord. 12 Forsyth Street; Stead, 190 Allen;
rotuigs, 4 Amos ; Chase, 216 Duane; and Clark, Amos, near Herring.

242 A History of Methodism in New York City.

trial in the New York Conference in 1804. More than
thirty years he spent in the effective service, mosi of
thetn in responsible positions, of which seventeen were
as presiding elder. Though not ranking " among the
great men and orators of his day, there was a charm
and efficiency about his ministrations altogether un-
common, and he was an example of a truly sanctified
man." He died in connection with the Troy Conference,
October 18, 1854.*

William Jewett's muscular form, ruddy visage, and
strong, clear voice, will long be remembeied on both
banks of the Hudson River, where nearly all of his
ministerial life was spent. Born in Sharon, Conn.,
converted at the age of seventeen, he entered the New
York Conference in 1808, and spent more than forty
consecutive years in effective work, eighteen of them as
presiding elder. He was plain, simple, and practical as
a preacher, and wise, diligent, and faithful as a pastor.
He died in Poughkeepsie, June 27, 1857.

Daniel De Vinne was born in Londonderry, Ireland,
February 1, 1793, of Roman Catholic parents, who
brought him to this country in his childhood and
trained him in profound veneration for their Church.
But his spiritual yearnings were not satisfied; and when
fifteen years of age he visited in tui-n all the churches
in Albany except the Methodist, which was thought
too heretical to be worthy of notice. A year later, still
unsatisfied, he went into a watch-meeting in the North
Pearl Street Methodist Episcopal Church, and immedi-
ately felt " These are the people." He was converted
the next evening, and on the 7th of January united
with the Church. During the next five years he studied
Latin and Greek and French and Hebrew and the
sciences, and afterward taught a school in Brooklyn,
* Annual Minutes.

Rain on the Mown Grass. 243

N. Y., for three years. He then went to Woodville,
JNJiss., and took charge of a school, and opened a Snn-
day-school to teach the slaves to read the Sci'iptnres.
But this could not be permitted, and the school was
broken up. In IS J 9 he was received on trial in the
Mississippi Conference, and at his own request sent to
labor among the French in Lower Louisiana, where he
traveled a circuit of five hundred and sixty-four miles
around. In 1824 he was transferred to the New York
Conference, and in the division of that body in 1848 his
lot fell with the New York East Conference, with which
he remained connected until his death. Besides this
appointment to New York he was again in the city (at
Duane Street) from 1834-36, and during the two
years following labored on the Harlem Mission. The
most of his appointments, however, were circuits, and
many of them places of hard labor and poor support — a
fact which his friends ascribed in a good degree to his
sturdy antislavery position. He was a thorough stu-
dent, an able, though not popular, preacher, and a man
of decided convictions, and ready to maintain them at
any cost. He lived to see his views of slavery triumph
in Church and State, and died September 26, 1882, in
the midst of a truly devoted famih^

James Youngs came this year to his native city, where
he was born in 1785. He was converted at the age of
twenty-four, and admitted on probation in the New
York Conference in 1815. He was able to render
tliirty years of effective service, four of which were
spent in New York. He was an original and practical
preacher and a faithful pastor. He died at Peekskill,
April 28, 1850.

Henry Chase, the last in the list, spent nearly the
whole of his sti'ictly ministerial career in one charge.
He was born in Rensselaer County, N, Y., and joined the

244 A HisTOKY OF Methodism in New York City.

Methodist Episcopal Church when about eigliteen years
of age. After a few years in itinerant labor under a pre-
siding elder he engaged in teaching, in which he was
employed until 1825, The superintendency of the Wes-
leyan Academy brought him to the city, and before
that institution was suspended he had found his right
field of labor among the seamen of the city. In 1826
iie was specifically appointed to the Mariner's Church
oi New York, an undenomi^iational church belonging
to the New York Port Society, and continued in that
position until his location in 1852. His labors were at-
tended with marked success, and he was to the sea-faring
population of New York almost what Edward T. Taylor
was to the same class in Boston, He died in New
York, July 8, 1853.

In the latter part of the year there was some commo-
tion in regard to private meetings in reference to holi-
ness. Some of the preat-hers thouglit that erroneous
views of the nature of faith were taught in them. About
fifteen worthy members withdrew.*

In March, 1826, Joseph Smith, John Westfield, and
John Bailey were elected trustees for the term of three
years, and Nathaniel C. Hart for two years. The debt
was $31,883, having decreased more than $3,700. Ar-
rangements were made shortly after to light the church
in John Street with gas, the lamps heretofore in use
there being transferred to the new edifice in Willett
Street.

The year liad been a prosperous one. When the
Conference met it found a new building just dedicated,!
and a good increase in membership. It assembled in
the Forsyth Street Church on May 10, 1826. Bishop
McKendree was in the chair, and Bishops George and

*D. De "Vinnp, in The Methodist, vol. xvi, p. 257.
f That ill Willett Street. See p. 297.

Raix on the Mown Grass. 245

Heckling were both present,* The report was 2,867
whites and 63 colored, a total of 2,930, showing a gain
of 307. Under the same presiding elder, L. Clark, the
city was to be served by H. Stead, W. Jewett, J. Youngs,
N. White, R. Seney, J. Field, and H. Chase at the
Mariners' Church. f Three of these were new men in
the city work.

Nicholas White was born in Middletown, Vt., June
8, 1786, joined the Church in 1810, and entered the
New York Conference in 1813. He rendered nearly
forty years of effective service, six of which Avere spent
in New York, four in Brooklyn, and nine as presiding
elder. Twice he was a delegate to the General Con-
ference. In 1854 he superannuated. He was a good
man and a faithful and successful minister of Chi'ist.
He died in Brooklyn, February 14, 1861.

Robert Seney was born October 12, 1797, graduated
at Columbia College, New York, in 1817, and soon aft-
erward united with the Church. In 1820 he was re-
ceived on trial in the Conference, and 'for thirty years
was in active service. Besides these two years, begin-
ning with 1826, he labored five years in New York
and five in Brooklyn. In 1852 he became supernumer-
ary, and died of paralysis, in Brooklyn, July, 1854. To
his son, George I. Senej-, Esq., the Church owes the in-
itiation and a large share of the endowment of the
Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn.

" For some years one of the most venerable figures
on the floor of the New York East Conference was
that of the Rev. Julius Field. With a form tall and
singularly straight, with strongly marked features, and

* Clark's Life of Hedding, p. 326.

f Their residences were, Youngs, 211 Bowery; "White, 216 Diiane
Street; Seuey and Field, 130 Allen; Chase, 137 Cherry; and Clark,
rear of 81 Amos Street.

246 A History of Methodism in New York City.

with a tender yet resonant voice, he attracted attention
whenever he souglit the floor. To the last he was heard
with a reverent silence due to his pure charactei-, his long
service, and his many years." He was born April 2,
1799, and entered the itinerancy in 1821. In 1839 he
was transferred to tlie Wisconsin Confei'ence, but re-
turned in 1846. His active service covered a period of
about forty years, four of which were in New York
city and four in Brooklyn. "As a preacher he was
eminently scriptural. Few men have equaled him
in the power of apt and exact Scripture quotations."
He was also a faithful pastor. After some years of
gradual mental decay he died September 22, 1884, in
his eighty-sixth year.*

*New York East Conference Minutes, 1885.

Great Sheavks — The Ali,en Street Revival. 247

CHAPTER XXL

GRKAT SHEAVES— THK ALLEN STREET REVIVAL— CON-
FERENCES OF 1S27 TO 1829.

At tlie annual election in March, 1827, Gilbert Cou-
tant, Abraham Russel, and Nathaniel Jarvis were chosen
trustees for three years, and Samuel B. Harper for one
year. The debt at that time was 136,441 — an increase
of more than $4,500 during the year.

The Conference of 1827 met at Troy, N. Y., on May
9. Bishop George presided, and Bishop Hedding was
present. The membership in New York was 3,219
white and 70 colored; total 3,289— a gain of 359. The
appointments were T. Burch, N. White, R. Seney, J. J.
Matthias, N. Levings, and J. Field. H. Chase remained
at the Mariners' Church, and L. Clark continued as pre-
siding elder,* Again Ave have three new names, all of
which are held in honorable remembrance.

Thomas Burch was born in Ireland, August 30, 1778,
and was awakened in 1801, under the preaching of
Gideon Ouseley, the celebrated Irish missionary. He
came to the United States in 1803, and in 1809 was ad-
mitted on trial in the Philadelphia Conference. In that
and the Genesee and Baltimore Conferences his time
was spent until 1825, when he wms appointed to Brook-
lyn, N. Y. He was again in New York in 1841, and
some twenty years were also spent in other cities. He
died suddenly from an affection of the heart, August

* The resideuces were, Burch, 12 Forsyth Street; White, 216
Duane; Seney, 130 Allen ; Matthias, 59 Gold; Levinga, GO Bedford;
Field, 130 Allen,
17

248 A History of Methodism in New York City.

22, 1849. As a preacher be held a high rank. His
sermons were marked with a charming simplicity, but
were solid, well arranged, and admirably expressed.
His son. Rev. Thomas H. Biirch, is a prominent member
of the New York East Conference.*

Noah Levings was a native of New Hampshire, born
September 29, IVQG. At the age of sixteen he was ap-
prenticed to a blacksmith in Troy, N". Y., and here he
nnited with the Church in 1813. He entered the Con-
ference in 1818, and soon became very popular. Up to
the time of his appointment to New York city he had
been in various charges in the northern part of the
State, and in Vermont, but from that period onward
he labored continuously in prominent cities until, in 1844,
he succeeded Rev. E. S. Janes, then recently elected
bishop, as financial secretary of the American Bible
Society. He died at Cincinnati, January 9, 1849, after a
short illness. He w^as a superior preacher; his sermons
contained good thoughts well arranged and v/ere Avtll
delivered. He was also very successful on the platform.

On the last page of an old book in raanuscrii)t, con-
taining the earliest records of baptisms and marriages of
the Church in New York city,t and also the earliest
list of members that has come down to us, we find,
among those received September 5, 1790, the name of
Barnet Matthias. This was John B. Matthias, known
for some fifty years as a successful minister of Christ.
In the same book, under date of December 15 of the
same year w'e have a record of his marriage to Sarah
Jarvis. John Jarvis Matthias, a son of this marriage,
born in New York, January V, 1796, is one of the three
preachers appointed to the city this year. He entered
the work in 1817, and spent ten years in various distant

* Annual Minutes ; Sprague's A7ina Is ; Warriner's Old Sands Street.
■j-Eook i, A. Sec prc.'acc, p. v.

Great Sheaves — The Allen Street Revival. 249

cliarges, but from 1827 onward his appointments wero,
almost without exception, to positions in prominent
places; seven years were spent in the eldership. I;i
18-37 he was appointed governor of Bassa Cove, Africa
— a post which he filled with ability. His first wife
died there of the African fever, and he barely escaped.
From 1855 to 1858 he was chaplain to the Seamen's
Retreat, Staten Island. He died at Tarrytown, N. Y.,
September 25, 1861.*

On Friday, August 17, 1327, Freeborn Garrettson
k'ft his home for New York, expecting to return the
following week. On Sunday, the 19th, he preached his
last sermon in the Duane Street Church, on the words,
" Grow in grace," and administered the Lord's Supper to
a laro-e company. A divine unction attended the word,
wh.ieh was delivered with unusual waiinth and energy.
Soon after he was taken ill, and on September 26, in the
seventy-sixth year of his ago, he died at the house of
his long-tried friend George Suckley.f

In the latter part of January 1828, Bishop George
arrived in the city and spent the time until April in
visiting the societies and preaching in New York and
Brookl^m.J He also presided at the Conference held in
Forsyth Street Church on June 25, Bishop Hedding
assisting. Then these two chief pastors parted, to meet
no more on earth. Bishop George dying on the 23d of
August of this year. § Bishop George preached at the
(Greenwich Church and ordained the deacons, and Bishop
Hedding at Duane Street and ordained the elders, f

* Annual Minutes; Warriaer's Old Sands Street. The accounts of
the board of stewards from the Conference of 1827 to that of 18H1
are still extant. Some extracts will be found in Appendix R.

f Life of Garrettson, p. 27 7. X ^eihodist Magazine, vol. xii, p. 4 1 9.

§ Clark's Life of Hedding, pp. 359, 361.

I Christian Advocate, vol-, ii, p. 174.

250 A History of Methodism in New York City.

The year Avas one of spii'itual prosperity. At a
prayer-meeting at Allen Street shortly after the camp-
meeting of 1827, more than 2,000 persons were present,
and at a love-least at Greenwich the house was filled.
The venerable Ezekiel Cooper closed this last service with
an address and prayer.'*' These seemed to have been
premonitions of the great revival that soon followed.

In March, 1828, James Donaldson, Samuel B. Har-
per, and Andrew C. Wheeler were elected trustees.
The debt was about $32,500, having increased nearly
$4,000. t

The statistics of 1828 were 3,410 whites and 67 col-
ored; total 3,477 — an increase of 188. The General Con-
ference of 1828 had apjDointed J. Emory and B. Waugh
book agents and N. Bangs editor. D. Ostrander be-
came presiding elder, and the preachers were T. Burch,
C. Carpenter, J. Hunt, J. J. ]\[atthias, N. Levings, and
G. Coles. H. Chase remained at the Mariners' Church. J
Again we have three now men in the city pastorate.

Coles Carpenter Avas born in Westchester County,
N. Y., March 17, 1784, of Methodist parents. Converted
at the age of seventeen, he was soon licensed to preach,
and in 1809 entered the work in the New York Con-
ference. After his term in the city he was appointed to
Schenectady, and in 1833 became presiding elder of the
Troy District, He entered on his work with every pros-

* Chrifitian Advocate, vol. ii, p. 6.

•)- Trustees' minutes. On April 11 the ladies of the Jolin Street
Churcli formed a Dorcas Society, for the purpose of supplying food,
clothing, etc., to the Indian schools under the care of the Missionary
Society.

X The residences were. Hunt, 32 Pitt Street; Matthias, 59 Gold;
Coles, 216 Duane. Levings is set down in the Directory at Brooklyn.
Carpenter, whose name is not in that book, lived in Allen Street, and
Burch, also not mentioned there, probably remained at 12 Forsyth.
Ostrander was at 81 Amos Street.

Gbeat Sheaves — The Allen Street Revival. 251

jDect of success, but on February 17, 1834, died at Cam-
bridge. He was a man of pleasing appearance and win-
ning manner, an excellent pastor, and a good preacher.
But he was especially powerful in exhortation. Rev. S.
Luckey, D.D., says: " In direct appeal to the heart and
conscience, and in a sustained course of hortatory re-
marks, I am not aware that I have ever met his superior.
There was the greatest appropriateness of thought, and
sometimes even sublimity of language." *

Jesse Hunt's birth-place was Mamaroneck, Westches-
ter Count}-, N. Y.; the time July 22, 1787. He Avas
converted in New York, joined the society in John
Street, May 22, 1803, and entered the itinerancy in 1 811.
He filled a number of respectable appointments, and for
four years was presiding elder. He died November 5,
1848, He was a modest, faithful, and useful man.

The name of George Coles will live long in the mem-
ory of New York Methodists and of the Church at
large. Born in Stewkley, England, June 2, 1792, he
was converted at the age of twelve, and at twenty-two
was licensed as a local preacher. In 1818 he came to
America, and was immediately employed under the pre-
siding elder and admitted on trial at the Conference of
1819. He soon occupied prominent and responsible
positions. In 1837 he became assistant editor of Tlie
Christian Advocate, and the fact that he remained in
that office eleven years is itself sufficient testimony of his
success. The earlier numbers of the Sundaij- School
Advocate were edited by him, and he did much useful
work in other lines of Sunday-school literature. A
simple-hearted, sincere, amiable Christian gentleman,
original and persuasive in his preacliing, he Avas beloved
by all. He took great interest in sacred music, and com-
posed several tunes, among them " Greene Street "
* Sprague's Annals.

252 A IIisTORv OF Methodism ix New York City.

and " Diiane Street." He died in Kew York, May 1,
1858. One of his daughters was the wife of Rev. George
Woodruff, D.D., late of the New York East Conference,
and another is the widow of Bisliop E. O. Haven.*

As far as can be ascertained it was under the labors of
these men and their colleagues that there appeared de-
cided indications of that great rcA'ival which seemed to
have its center in Allen Street, but was felt throughout
all the Methodist Churches in the city. There is confu-
sion in dates as tradition has transmitted them, but of
the general facts there is no doubt.

From an editorial in The Christian Advocate of Sep-
tember 19, 1828, we learn that during the j^receding
three weeks there had been unusual interest in the
Churches in the city, principally under the preachiTig of
Rev. J. N. Mailitt.f Meetings were held every day of
the week, sometimes twice a day. At a prayer-meeting

* During the term of Mr. Coles's service some of the brellircn of the
Duaue Street congregation had fallen into the practice of loitering about
the church doors until the singing of the second hymn. This was
of course a trial to him, and one Simdaj afternoon lie gave out the
first hymn, which was sung, and then, after the opening prayer, an-
nounced his text, omitting the second hymn, and preached, as he
usually did, a short sermon. The brethren outside supposed he was
still at prayer, and when, during the singing of the closing l^'mn,
they marched in, they were soon astonished to hear the benediction
pronounced. — Lttttr of W. B. Worrall.

f John Newland Maffitt was born in Dublin, Ireland, December 28,
1794:, and joined the Methodists at the age of nineteen. He came to
this country in 1819, and in 1822 was received on trial in the New
England Conference. His appointments were all in that Conference
until he located, in 1832, and from that time lio was engaged chiefly
in revival services, though holding positions as editor, agent and
professor at La Grange College, and chaplain to the national House
of Representatives. In his prime he was a man of unusual power in
the pulpit, having a pleasant voice and a graceful delivery. But
during the latter part of his life many lost confidence in him. He
died at Mobile, May, 1850, in his fifty-sixth year. — Spragut^s Annals.

Great Sheaves— The Allen Street Revival. 253

on Monday evening, September 8, at Allen Street, the
house was crowded. Not less than one hundred and fifty
persons were at the altar, of whom thirty-four professed
conversion. On the following Saturday evening at a
meeting in Forsyth Street there were nearly two hundred
at the altar, of whom twenty were converted. Tiiese
meetings were attended witli no extravagances, but were
marked with deep solemnity and much weeping. In
February, 1^^30, the preachers reported that more than
three liundred had been received on probation since the
preceding Conference, the most of them during the last
three weeks. What were called four-days meetings were
held m the different churches. Beginning on Tuesday
morning there was preaching three times a day for four
days, and prayer-meetings in the intervals, generally
kept up without intermission, the brethren i-elieving
each other when a short season for rest and refreshment
was necessary. Notices of these meetings and their re-
sults will be found in the columns of The Christian Ad-
vocate from time to time. In February, 1832, we are
told that between seven and eight hundred had been
received on probation since the last Conference.*

During the progress of this work a number of remark-
able sermons were preached, and many interesting inci-
dents occun-ed. Some time in January, 1831, Rev, Dr.
Fisk preached on Isa. xii, 1 : " O Lord, I will praise thee:
though thou wast angry with me," etc. The sermon
produced a great impression. He preached again on the
following Wednesday evening. The Rev. Dr. N. Bangs
and Rev. E. T. Taylor, of Boston, were with him in the
pulpit. He opened the services with the first hymn,
"0 for a tlioiisaiid tongues, to sin<r," etc.

* Christian Advocate, vol. vi, p. 90. Dr. ¥\oy says that over twelve
hundred were converted, and more than one thousand added to the
Church. — Christian Advocate, vol. xxxv, p. 7.

254 A History of Methodism in New York City,

During the reading many were in tears.* Dr. Bangs
followed with an earnest prayer for the outpouring of
the Holy Spirit. In the midst of almost breathless and
impressive silence Dr. Fisk announced as his text
1 Thess. V, 19: "Quench not the Spirit." His first
utterances were heart-searching and effective, and fixed
the attention of his hearers. A clear and forcible argu-
ment followed and prepared the way for an application.
As he drew to a close his words appeared unearthly.
His manner was calm, liis voice not loud, his gestures
few. Suppressed sighs and groans were heard in every
direction, and at length, without any invitation, uncon-
verted persons, with loud cries and Aveeping, began to
move to the altar, which was soon more than filled. The
preacher continued his discourse, increasing in power
and pathos until his voice was almost drowned in the
cries of the seekers. Finally he paused, and, lifting up
his eyes and hands, said solemidy, "• When God begins
to speak it is time for me to stoj)." He sat down,
and in an instant Samuel Halsted was on his feet and
burst forth singing in loud tones, " Come, ye sinners,
poor and needy," etc., the people joining heartily. There
was no more room at the altar, and a preacher (Rev. H.
Bangs, it is thought) suggested that a prayer-meeting
be held in the gallery. One was started in the singers'
seats, and then anotlier near the door on the main floor.
These three meetings did not seem to interfere with
one another. Shouts of praise were soon mingled with
cries for pardon, and it was estimated that two hundred
were converted on that evening.

One Sunday morning Rev, S, Merwin, preaching on
John viii, 12, "I am the light of the world," appeared

* This statement is jjiven as received ; but the liymn seems so much
more appropriate to the subject of the former sermon as to suggest
the question whether our informant may not be in error.

Great Sheaves — The Allen Street Revival, 255

to be inspired. His congregation was greatly moved,
and he closed in an outburst of rapture and sank back
apparently exhausted.* D. Ostrander also, on another
Lord's day morning, delivered a memorable discourse
on the need of an atonement, founded on Isa. liii, 7-10.

On another Sabbath morning IJev. S. Merwin entered
the church followed by a stranger of prepossessing ap-
pearance. But in reading the hymn and first Scripture
lesson there was considerable apparent hesitation, and a
disagreeable twang in his voice, and his congregation did
not seem to be favorably impressed. His prayer, how-
ever, tliough marred by the same defects, abounded in
rich thought and melting pathos. His text was the
Song of Solomon iii, 2-4. As he proceeded his manner
changed, he suddenly seemed to grasp a great thought,
and in a moment he was another man. The disagree-
able twang disappeared, his voice rose, his eyes glowed,
and his gestures Avere easy and natural. For nearly an
hour he held his hearers enchained, and closed with an
address to young Christians in which he referred to his
own experience and the teaching and example of a godly
grandfather. No one Avho remembers Rev. John P.
Durbin will need to be told that he was the preacher.
Another remarkable discourse was preached on a Sun-
day afternoon by Rev. B. Goodsell on blowing the
rams' horns around Jericho. By his power of vivid de-
scription the people were wrought up to a great pitch
of excitement and at length burst forth in loud shouts, f

At another time, the preacher who was to occupy

* There is also a tradition of a prayer of unusual power offered by
Mr. Merwin at tho opening of a Sunday morning service. Some say
that the revival began under its influence.

f Mopt of the above incidents are from a letter of the late Rov. Will-
iam M. Chipp, of the New York Conference. Mr. Cliipp was one of
the subjects of the revival.

256 A History of Methodism ix New Yopjc City.

the pulpit being unable to do so, Rev. Heman Bangs
gave a very effective sermon on Luke x, IS, " I beheld
Satan as lightning fall from heaven."* One Sunday
morning Lewis Pease preached with great power on Isa.
Ix, 1, "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and tlie
glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." When the meet-
ings had continued some months and the interest was
apparently decreasing S. Luckey preached an effective
discourse on Neh. vi, 3, " Why should the work cease ?"
a sermon which kindled the fire anew, f

One evening a lady came to the altar in gi'eat distress.
Her husband, hearing of it the next day, resolved to put
a stop to it. He took his seat in the gallery, and, see-
ing her go forward, came down-stairs in great anger,
walked rapidly up the aisle, and when within a few feet
of the altar fell prostrate on the floor and cried for
mercy. Some of the brethren knew him and gathered
round him, and his wife, recognizing his voice, was soon
at his side. They were both soon converted, and Jon-
athan Purdy became an active member of the Church.

At that time there were many slaughter-houses and
rope- walks in the neighborhood, and a large number of
butchers and rope-makers, regarded as among the hard-
est classes of societ}^, were converted. Many of the
converts, however, were young men of education and
talent, some of whom became ministers of Christ. The
list includes such names as John McClintock, Robert
Emory (son of the subsequent Bishop Emory), James
Floy,'^Elijah Crawford, William M. Chipp, Charles C.
Keys, Samuel W. King, Charles B. Davis.

At their meeting on June 4, 1S2S, the trustees voted to
enlarge the lecture-room of the Greenwich Church at an
expense of about $400. The death of Bishop George has
already been referred to. At the trustees' meeting of

* The late Joseph Sandford. f I'Rtter of Rev. E. S. Hebbard.

Great Sheaves — The Allen Street Revival. 257

October 21 it was proposed to put tlie clmrclies in
mourning for the event, but " they were unanimous in
oi)inion it was best to decline the proposition, and
tliought it l)est to discontinue the practice to put our
churches in mourning on account of our deceased
bretliren."

On tlie 4th of February, 1829, official notice was
received of the passage of an act by the State Legisla-
ture inci-easing the number of trustees from nine to fif-
teen. At the election, therefore, in the following
]March, Joseph Smith, John Westfield, and John Urmy
were chosen in the old course for three years, and L. S.
Burling, Andrew L. Halstead, Daniel Sutton, William
McLean, Leonard Regur, and James B. Oakley were
elected as the additional six.* Tlie debt at this time
was more than |36,200, having increased during the last
year more than i|i53,700. At their meeting of April 8,
1829, the trustees a{)pointed a committee to inquire
concerning a church at Munhattan Island which was to
let. This was the first official action towaixl what is
now the Second Street Church. At the next meeting
the committee reported that the building would not
answer.

*Tlie object of this increase seems to have been to give to eacli
church at least two representatives in the board. Tliese were ap-
pointed a committee of repairs to the churcli wliere they attended,
and one of them was the trustees' steward, to receive the ordinary
coilections. Tlie following list will show how they were distributed
this year, the first name in each cuse being that of the trustees' stew-
ard : John Street, Samuel B. Harper, Joseph Smith ; Forsyth Street,
James Donaldson, L. S. Burhng; Willett Street, John Urmy, Daniel
Sutton; Allen Street, Andrew L. Halstead, Andrew C. Wheeler;
Bowery, Gilbert Coutant, Leonard Regur; Greenwich, Nathaniel
Jarvis, W. McLean ; Duane Street, Abraham Russel, James B. Oak-
ley. John Weslfield, who was not on any of these committees, was
cliairman of tlie committee for the burying-ground.

258 A History of Methodism in Xkw York Citv.

CHAPTER XXII.

THE FIELD DIVIDED— CONFERENCES OF 1829 TO 1832.

The Conference of 1829 met on May 13 at Troy,
N. Y., Bishop Roberts presiding, assisted by Bishop
Hedding. The city, as well as the Conference gener-
ally, reported a good increase, Tlie number in the city
was 3,783 whites, 56 colored; total, 3,839 — a gain of
3G2. Book agents, editor, and presiding elder were not
changed. The preachers were S. Luckey, C. Carpenter,
J. Hunt, 11. Bangs, G. Coles, S. D. Ferguson. Of these
the first and the last are the only new names.*

Samuel Luckey was born in Rensselaerville, X. Y.,
April 4, 1791, and converted before he was fifteen years
old. He joined the Xew York Conference in 1811. He
had already occupied responsible positions before his ap-
pointment to the city, and afterward as presiding elder,
principal of Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, and editor of
The Christian Advocate he did good service. He died
October 11, 18G9. He was a very able and laborious
minister of the word.

Samuel D. Ferguson was born in the city of New
York in 1798, and died there December 30, 1855. He
was converted at the age of fourteen, and entered the
itinerancy in 1819. As preacher, pastor, and presiding
elder he did faithful and successful work, and exhibited
much skill and tact in developing the resources of a
charge. He was delegate to three General Conferences.

* The Directory gives their residences as follows : Luckey, 1 2 For-
sytli Street; Coles, 216 Duane Street; Bangs, 59 Gold Street; Fergu-
son, 69 Bedford Street.

The Fiki.1i Divided. 259

In 1844, hw bealtli having become impaired, lie became
superintendent of the Leake and Watts Orphan House
in New York city, wliich position he hekl four y<?<'ii"s.
Afterward he conducted a boarding-school at Fergu-
sonville in the valley of the Charlotte River.*

* Iiiventoiy of the property of the Church approved by the trustees
August 5, 1829, and ordered to be reported to the city recorder:

PR (PEUTY BELONGING TO THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IX THK
CITY OF NEW YORK, WITH THE AMOUNT OF ANNUAL INCOME.

Four lots of ground in Jolin Street, on which is a churcli and

a dwelling-house. The dwelling-house rents for .$600

Plight lots of ground between Fonsyth aud P^ldridge Street?,
fronting on both streets. On this ground tlierc is a church
and a dwelling-house occupied by the minister. There are
also three other buildings, which, including the cellar of
the church, rent for $315. On this ground there is an
engine-house, erected by the Corporation, for which until the
present year no remuneration has been received. In future
an annual rent of $50 is to be paid. Part of the ground is
also leased out at an annual rent of ^TO, making altogether
the sum of 495

Two lots on lease in Forsyth Street, on which is the free school
and the teacher's residence.

Four lots on lease in Nicholas William Street, on which is a
church, an academj^, and another building. The buildings
rent for 142

Four lots in Duaue Street, on which is a church, a dwelling-
house for the minister, and a house occupied by the sexton ;
the rent of the latter is 100

Eight lots on the Second Avenue, corner of First Street, used
as a burying-ground. On this ground there is a dwelling-
liouse, which rents for 150

Four lots in Allen Street, on which is a church, a house occu-
pied by the minister, and a house in which the sexton re-
sides. The rent of the latter is $100. The cellar of the
church is rented for $50, and a piece of ground in the rear
is leased for $15, making altogether 165

Five lots at Greenwich, on which is a church.

Foiu- lots in "Willett Street, on which is a churcli. ■

Total of revenue $1,G52

2G0 A History of Methodism in New York City.

On November 4, 1829, the trustees autborized a com-
mittee to bire a scbool-room fur public Avorsbip in
upper Greenwicli. In Marcb, 1830, Abrabam Russel,
Gilbert Coutant, Nathaniel Jarvis, Thomas Truslow, and
Joseph Johnson were elected trustees. The debt was
about $34,700, baving been reduced about $1,500.

The Conference for 1830 met at Forsytli Street, New
York, May 6, Bii^hop Iledding presiding. The report
was 3,886 whites, G9 colored; in all 3,955 — an increase of
116. D. Ostrandcr remained as presiding elder, and the
preachers were, S. Luckey, S. Merwin, L. Pease, S. Mar-
tindale, B. Goodsell, II. Bangs, S. D. Ferguson. The
Ilarlein Mission also now first appears in the Minutes.
It included all Manbattan Island nortb of about Twenty-
third Street. Ira Ferris was tbe preacher.*

Lewis Pease, who came to the city this year, was born
in Canaan, Columbia County, N. Y., August 7, 1786, was
converted in 1805, licensed to preacli in 1806, and en-
tered the traveling work in 1807. lie had already been
stationed in Albany, Brooklyn, Hartford, and Philadel-
phia, and had served two years as presiding elder. His
health was feeble, and he never did effective work after
the close of his term in New York city. For a time he
was chaplain to the City Hospital. He died Septem-
ber 5, 1853, aged fifty-seven. He was a very impress-
ive and pathetio preacher, and had great power as an
exhorter.f

Buel Goodsell was born at Dover, Dutchess County,
N. Y., July 25, 1793, Avas converted at the age of sixteen,
and received on trial at the New York Conference of
1814. His labors before coming to the city had been

* Their liomes, as far as we can ascerta'n, were, Luckey and Mer-
win, 12 Forsyth Street; Pease, 176 Diiane; Martindale, Bowery,
near Vaiixhall; Goodsell, 8 Willett Street; Banprs, 43 John.

f Spraguc's J.HKafe; Warriner's Old Sands Street.

The Field Divided. 261

mainly within the bounds of wliat is now the Troy Con-
ference. In 1838-9 lie was at John Street, New York,
and in 1846-7 at Willett Street. Eight years were spent
in the eldership, and twice he was a delegate to the Gen-
eral Conference. He died in Brooklyn, May 4, 1863,
after an uninterrupted effective service of nearly fifty
years. He was faithful and successful, and especially
excelled in exhortation and prayer. Bishop D. A. Good-
sell and Rev. Geoi'ge H. Goodsell, of the New York
East Conference, are worthy sons of so excellent a
father.

Ira Ferris, who came to the Hai-lem Mission, was born
in Roxbury, Delaware County, N. Y., July 6, 1804, and
was convez'ted in the fall of 1818. He began his ministry
in 1824, and continued in the active work without inter-
ruption for forty years. In 1865 he became supernumer-
ary, in 1868 superannuated, and died at New Hamburg,
N. Y., March 12, 1869. He was an able minister, labor-
ing cheerfully and successfully in some of our hardest
fields. He married a daughter of Rev. D. Ostrander,
and a son of his, Rev. D. O. Ferris, has held responsi-
ble positions in the New York East Conference.*

The resival already described was still in. progress.
On the 6th of February, 1831, Broadway Hall, between
Howai-d and Grand Streets, was hired and opened for
worship,' and it is said four persons were awakened at the
first services.! This was the l)eginning of the Greene
Street charge, now the Asbury Church, on Washington
Square. •

On March 10, 1831, Samuel B. Harper, James Donald-
son, L. S. Burling, A. C. ^\ heeler, and James B. Oakley
were elected trustees. The debt was $37,657 — an in-
crease of §2,950.

* History of St. James Church, by Rev. W. B. Silber, LL.D.
•j- Chrislian Advocate, vol. v, p. 98.

262 A History of Methodism in New York City.

The propose<l universitj^ at Middletown, Conn., prob-
ably led to the selection of that place as the seat ot the
Conference of 1831. It met on May 4, Bishop Soule
presiding, Bishop Hedding being also present.* The
report of membersliip was 4,889 whites and 64 colored,
and 66 whites and 2 colored on the Harlem Mission ;
5,021 in all — an increase of 1,066. D. Ostrander was
continued as presiding elder, and S. Merwin, L. Pease,
S. Martindale, B. Goodsell, S. Landon, J. Clark, B. Sil-
lick, and C. Prindle wei"e the preachers. R. Seaman
was appointed to the Harlem Mission.f

Seymour Landon Avas born in Grand Isle, Lake Cham-
plain, Vt., May 3, 1798. His father, Asahel Landon, was
a very useful local preacher. J Seymour was converted
under the ministry of Rev. William Ross, received on
probation in the church in 1815, and the same day ac-
companied the preacher to his appointments. On the
third day he Avent with him to a camp-meeting, and on
the Avay his pastor told him that he believed God had
called him to preach. He Avas licensed to exhort watli-
out his knowledge or consent, and soon after to preach.
In 1818, at the age of twenty, he entered the New
York Conference on trial. Fifty-five years of effect-
ive service without a break followed, then eight years
in the superannuated ranks, from which he removed
to his everlasting rest on July 29, 1 880. In the anti-
slavery struggle he was one of the honored seventeen
who voted at the NeAv York Conference of 1838 against
the censure of P. R. Brown and the suspension of James
Floy for attending an antislavery convention. He

* Clark's Life of Hedding, p. ,^85.

■)■ The residences will be found in an aHsiract from the printed plan
of the appointments for 1831-2, Appendix T.

X Stevens's Memorials of Methodism in New England, Second Series,
p. 248.

The Field Divided. 263

was a man of prepossessing appearance and graceful
manners. Notwithstanding an excessive — almost raor-
l,i,| — diffidence or self-depreciation, and occasional fits
of despondency, he was an able and earnest pi-eacher, and
exceedingly attractive in social intercourse. One son,
D. S. Landon, M D., died in Brooklyn, N. Y., 1874,
aged fifty-two, and another, Rev. Thompson Landon,
A.M., is an honored member of the Newark Confer-
ence,* and principal of the Military Institute, Borden-
town, N. J.

The John Clark who came to New York city this
year, it is hardly necessary to say, was a different man
from the one appointed in 1795. He was born in
Hartford, Washington County, N. Y., July 30, 1797, of
Baptist parents, converted in 1817, and entered Confer-
ence on trial in 1820. In 1832 he offered himself as a
missionary to the Indians of our land, and was appointed
to Green Bay. He labored in that region until 1841,
Avhen he went to Texas ; but, having voted with the
North at the General Conference of 1844, the Texas
Conference passed a resolution disapproving of his
course, and he was therefore transferred to the Troy
Conference. In 1852 he went to the Rock River Con-
ference, and was appointed to Clark Street Station, Chi-
cago. He died of cholera, July 1 1, 1854, aged fifty-seven
years. He was well adapted to the missionary work,
devout, laborious, and mighty in prayer. Sometimes
in the pulpit he was remarkably powerful and impress-
ive, but at other times seemed to have little command
over his own powers, and his audience was disappointed.f

Bradley Sillick was born in Danbury, Conn., August
23, 1784, converted at the age of twelve, and was soon
distinguished for his piety and religious activity. He
became a local preacher before he reached his twentieth

* Warriner's Old Sands Street. f Sprague's Annals.

264 A History of Methodism in New York City.

year, and in 1822 entered the itinerancy. He labored
in the bounds of the New York Conference until 1851,
when he became supernumerary, and in 1853 superan-
nuated. He died in New York, November 4, 1860, in
his seventy-seventh year. He was an active laborer, and
excelled in appeals to the conscience and the application
of the truth in powerful exhortation.*

Cyrus Prindle was born in Canaan, Litchfield County,
Conn., April 11, 1800. He was converted at the age of
sixteen, and entered the itinerancy in 1821. His appoint-
ments up to the time he came to New York city had
been within the bounds of what was afterward the
Troy Conference, and in 1833 he returned to that Con-
ference, where he labored until 1843, when he withdrew
and joined the Wesleyan Methodists. He returned,
however, in 1867, joining the Erie Conference, and the
cordiality with which he was received is indicated by
the fact that he was immediately assigned to a charge
in Cleveland, Ohio, and two years after was made pre-
siding elder of the Cleveland District, In 1873 he be-
came supernumerary, and in 1875 superannuated, and
died December 1, 1885. He was a man of intellectual
vigor, of positive convictions, of rare purity of charac-
ter, of sound practical sense and quiet force, with an
intimate knowledge of human nature. f

The appointment to Harlem Mission w^as Richard
Seaman. Born at Merrick, Queens County, L. I., April
28, 1785, when a little over fourteen years of age he
came to New York and became a clerk in a drug-store.
He also began to study medicine, and Avhen about
nineteen he was licensed to practice, and at the age of
twenty-one became resident physician at the Alms-
house, He had been, like too many of the medical

* Sacred Memories, p. 135 ; and Annucd Minutes.
\ General Minutes of 1 886.

The Field Divided. 265

profession, somewhat skeptical, but in the fall of 1812
he devoted himself to the service of God. In 1823 he
abandoned a large and remunerative practice and was
received on trial in the New York Conference. His
connection Avith the Harlem Mission, which began at this
time, continued until the end of his life, and to his
labors and contributions the work in that section of the
city is greatly indebted. It may truly be said that he
gave his life and property to the cause of God in that
region. After suffering greatly for thirteen years from
rheumatism he died at the house of his brother in New
York, November 6, 1864, aged eighty, exclaiming, " O,
my Saviour, how I love thee ! " *

During this Conference year the revival continued,
though with less impetus. The church in Greene Street
was begun and completed, and the corner-stone of that
in Second Street was laid on January 23, 1832.f

On November 9, 1831, Dr. AV'illiam Phcebus died
and was buried from the Forsyth Street Church, the
services being conducted by Rev. S. Merwin.

In March, 1832, Joseph Smith, Andrew L. Halsted,
AVilliam McLean, Peter Pinckney, and William Smith
were elected trustees. The debt was reported to be
$67,339, being an increase of nearly $30,000. But this
was to be expected because of the two new churches.
The ground in Greene Street had cost $10,000, $10,750
had been paid on the building, and for the ground in
Second Street they had paid $3,200 — in all nearly
$24,000.

This being the year for General Conference the ses-
sion of the New York Conference was delayed till June
6. It was held in the new church in Greene Street,

* Saa~ed Memories, p. 164.

f Full accoums of the origin and progress of those enterprises will
be triven hereafter.

266 A History of Methodism in New York City.

Bishop Roberts presiding, Bishop Hedding being pres-
ent also. The report of members in New York city for
this year was, whites, 5,2.'^5; colored, 120; with 73 whites
and 5 colored on the Harlem Mission; in all 5,433 — an
increase of 412. This, though not as large as that of
the preceding year, was no doubt indicative of nearly,
if not quite, equal success, as the work of sifting must
liave already begun.

This Conference of 1832 marks an era in New York
Methodism. Up to this time in the city proper there had
in fact been but one church. The preachers went their
rounds on the circuit. One, the preacher in charge or sen-
ior preacher, was the fountain of authority and the exec-
utor of discipline; one board of stewards attended to the
support of the ministry and the wants of the poor, one
leaders' meeting* and one Quarterly Conference repre-
sented all the congregations, and one board of trustees
held all the property. This plan, while it had no doubt
many advantages, was becoming cumbersome, and at this
Conference the city vv^as divided into two charges, called
the East and ^Vest Circuits. Thenceforth there were
two preachers in charge, two leaders' meetings, two
Quarterly Conferences, and two boards of stewards,
though one board of trustees still held the property.
Including the Harlem Mission there were, therefore,
properly three charges within the corporate limits of
the city, and, as might well be expected, it was not long
before the work of disintegration proceeded until the
various congregations became separate, each with its
own pastor and official boards. Hitherto it has been
"The History of the Methodist Episcopal Church in
New York; " henceforth it must in a sense be called

* Sectional or preparatory leaders' meetings were held, however, in
the different churches to receive tlie class collections and facilitate
the business of the general leaders' meeting.

The Field Divided. 26 7

" The History of the Methodist Episcopal Churches in
New York." About sixty-six years (two generations)
have passed since its organization, and the little one has
become a thousand. The five liearers that listened to
Philip Embury are now succeeded by a membership of
nearly 5,500 ; instead of one local preacher there are
eleven traveling preachers, besides the book agents and
editors and a large body of local preachers, exhorters,
and class-leaders; one little room has given place to
nine church edifices and another nearly completed, be-
sides several rooms occupied for worship; Methodism
throughout the land is taking its place in the front rank
in point of numbers and endowing schools and colleges
and using the press for periodical and other literature
more extensively than any other denomination. Hence-
forth those who have " peeped and muttered " against
her begin to sink into a respectful silence.*

*The "Wesleyan University at Middletown was just oro:anized, and
the o-round for tlie new building of the Methodist Boole Concern in
Mulberry Street had recently been bought.

268 A History of Methodism in New York Citv,

CHAPTER XXHI.

THE FIELD SUBDIVIDED— CONFERENCES OF 1832 TO 1838.

As the division of the city into two circuits was fol-
lowed in a few years by the separation of the churches
into distinct stations, only a very brief view of the gen-
eral work in these years of transition will be given,
reserving particulars for the special history of each
charge. S. Merwin was presiding elder, N, Bangs, J. P.
Durbin, and T. Merritt editors, and B. Waugh and
T. Mason book agents. The "West Circuit had P. P.
Sandford, S. Landon, J. Bowen, G, Coles, and C. Prindle;
and the East, T>. Ostrander, B. Griffin, B. Sillick, P.
Chamberlin, and P. R. Brown. R. Seaman continued
in the Harlem Mission.*

The new arrangement produced little visible change.
The people did not have quite so much variety in the
pulpit, though the preachers not unfrequently crossed
the line and made exchanges. The difference was main-
ly in the transaction of business. In one respect, how-
ever, there was a marked alteration in the appearance
of a Methodist congregation in New York city. The
rule that men and women should sit apart had been
rigidly enforced, though its inconvenience had long been
felt. A year or so before. Rev. J. Kennaday, D.D., had
suggested to a church in Newark, N. J., the plan which
at this time was introduced in New York, but after a
short experiment it was relinquished in deference to old
prejudices.! When the Greene Street Church was

* Memoirs of new appointees will hereafter be omitted.
f Christian Advocate, vol. vi, p. 191, and vol. xiv, pp. 69 and 83.

The Field Subdivided.

269

opened the people were permitted to go in at an}'^ door
and find a seat, so that families and friends need not be
widely separated. A diagram will explain the arrange-
ment:

WOMEN

AISLE

^^^^

MEN

7".

AISLE

■<

\ "^ \

WOMEN

>«»

v,^

AISLE

^•^

MEN

The advantages of this plan were so obvious that it
was soon adopted by the other churches in the city.
About the close of 1837, however, the custom of pro-
miscuous sitting was introduced on the West Circuit.
When the practice began on the East Circuit is not ex-
actly known.

The summer of 1832 is memorable as that in which
the cholera made its first and most fearful visitation to
the city. Dwellings and stores were closed, and many
people fled into the country, and the congregations
were of course much diminished. Many members weie
victims of the disease, but by a good providence all the
Methodist preachers of the city escaped.*

* An idea of the state of the city during the prevalence of this
pestilence can be obtained from an article in Tlte Christian Advocate^
vol. vi, p. 197. The writer was Rev. George Coles.

270 A History of Methodism in New York City.

Early in this year, after examining the Forsyth Street
Church with the view of making needful rejjairs, it wr.s
thought best to rebuild as early as practicable in the
ensuing spring.* The corner-stone of the new edifice
was accordingly laid April 27, 1833. Bishop Hedding
gave an address. f On October 18, 1832, the new church
in Second Street was dedicated.

In January, 1833, the Quarterly Conference of the West
Circuit recommended an application to the Legislature
for a change in the plan of electing trustees, so that
each church could choose two. In March, Gilbert Cou-
tant, Joseph Johnson, Richard Kirby, Louis King, and
William S. Hunt were chosen trustees for three years;
William Gale for one year, in place of S. B. Harper, and
Nicholas Schureman for two years in place of A. L.
Halsted.J The debt was reported at 178,773 — an in-
crease of $11,434.

On May 8, 1833, the Ncav York Conference met at
Poughkeepsie, Bishop Hedding presiding. Tlie reports
of members were. New York West Circuit, 2,123 whites
and 46 colored; New York East, 2,924 whites and 58 col-
ored ; Harlem Mission, 73 whites; in all 6,224 — a de-
crease of 209. The church had no doubt lost a number
in the cholera, and was then feeling the effects of the
reaction after the great revival. S. Merwin remained
as presiding elder, and the preachers were. New York
East, L. Clark, D. Ostrander, B. Griffin, P. Chamberlin,

* Trustees' mimites, June 11, November 16 and 23, and December
5 and 19, 1832, and January 16, February 6, and Marcli 6, 1833.

f Christian Advocate, vol. vii, p. 1 38.

:|: The full board at that time was as follows: Joseph Smith, James
Donaldson, Gilbert Coutaut, Andrew C. Wheeler, James B. Oaklev,
Jospph Johnson, L. S. Burling, Wm. McLean, Peter Pinckney, Wm.
Smitli, Nicholas Schureman, Louis King, Wm. S. Hunt, Wm. Gale,
R chard Kirby. — Minutes of trustees, July 10, 1833.

The Field Subdivided. 271

P. K Brown; New York West, P. P. Sandford, F. Reed,
J. Bowen, J. C. Green, C. W, Carpenter; Harlem Mis-
sion, R. Seaman, sup., and S. Hueston.*

The first pewed Methodist church in New York city-
was built this year in Vestry Street, and another soon
after in Mulberry Street. They were never included in
the circuits. Their history will be given hereafter. In
March, 1834, James Donaldson, John Carr, William
Gale, George Higgins, John Shaw, and Andrew C.^
Wheeler were elected trustees. The debt was $89,798 —
an increase of more than |1 1,000 during the year.f

New Haven, Conn., was the place of meeting of the
Conference of 1884, May 7 the date, and Bishop An-
drew the presiding officer. J The New York East Cir-
cuit reported 2,816 whites, 9 colored; New York West,
2,302 whites, 45 colored, and Harlem Mission, 75 whites
and 2 colored; in all 5,249 — an increase, it is true, but
only of 25. S. Merwin remained as presiding elder.
On the East Circuit w^ere L. Clark, S. ('ochran, J.
Youngs, N. Bigelow, and J. Law; on the West, J. B.
Stratten, F. Reed, J. C. Green, D. De Vinne, and J. C.
Tackaberry. Vestiy Street, the pewed church, received
Joseph Holdich, and Harlem Mission was to be served
by R. Seaman, supernumerary. W. E. Hawley, a local
preacher of the city, assisted in the work on the mission. §

* A written copy of the plan of the West Circuit for 1833-4 gives
the following list of local preachers: J. Lyon, J. Smith, W. Lake,
R. Roof, M. Standish, W. Lomas, S. Davenport, Z. Davenport, C. Burd,
H. P.iyne, C. Dye. We have no list of the local preachers on the Kast
Circuit, and they have no appointments on the plan.

f This is tlie last official report of trustees' election and of debt of
the united Churcli to be found. Tlie trustees' minutes in the hands
of the writer cease at March 12, 1834.

X This was the only time ho met the New York Conference.
Bishop Hedding was with him. Clark's Li/e of Heddiiiy, p. 431.

i^ See Christian Advocate, vol. ix, pp. 70, 139.

272 A History of Methodism in New York City.

The Conference of 1835 met at Sands Street, Brook-
lyn, on May 6, Bishop Emory presiding.* The New
York East Circuit reported 2,853 whites and V colored;
New York West, 2,162 whites and 40 colored; Vestry
Street, 124 whites; Harlem Mission, 94 whites and 7
colored; in all 5,287 — a small increase again, only 38.
S. Merwin still continued as presiding elder, and the
preachers were, New York East, J. Kennaday, S. Coch-
ran, J. Youngs, N. Bigelow, and J. Law. On the
West Circuit, J. B. Stratten, D. De Yinne, J. C. Tack-
aberry, L. Mead, E. E. Griswold. For Vestry Street
and Mulberry Street the Minutes read, "one to be sup-
plied,! ^- Seney." Harlem Mission, J, Luckey, one to
be supplied. J

The session of the General Conference in 1836 deferred
the New York Conference to June 22. It met at Forsyth
Street, Bishop Hedding presiding. The East Circuit
reported 2,975 whites and 1 colored; the West, 2,112
whites and 40 colored; Vestry Street, 150 whites; Mul-
berry Street, 106 whites, and Harlem Mission, 109
wliites; a total of 5,493 — an increase of 206. There was
a new presiding elder, D, Ostrander, and the preachers
were, East Circuit, J. Kennaday, S. Merwin, S. Jleming-
ton, H. Brown, and D. Smith; West Circuit, C. W. Car-
penter, J. Covel, Jr., J. Z. Nichols, L. Mead, E. E. Gris-
wold, and L. Pease, supernumerary. F. Hodgson re-
turned to Vestry Street and R. Seney to Mulberry
Street. On the Harlem Mission were J, Luckey and
D. De Vinne. Besides the Mariners' Church, at which
H. Chase still continued, as he had through the preced-
ing years, though it was not thought necessary to note

*This was the only time he met the Xew York Conference.
Bishop Hedding was also present. See Clark's Life of Hedding, p. 440.
\ The supply for Yestry Street was F. Hodgson.
X W. C. Havvley, it is believed, was the supply for Harlem Mission.

The Field Subdivided. 273

it, as the charge was not a Methodist, but a Union,
church, we also find a Floating Bethel in the list, to
which W. Scott was appointed.

On Ji^ly 1 of this year the corner-stone of the new
building for the Book Room in Mulberry Street was laid
after an address by Dr. Bang^. On Tuesday evening,
August 9, 1836, the last sermon was preached in the
Allen Street C'Durch, the building being about to be
torn down to be replaced by another.*

The year was one of spiritual prosperity. Revivals
took place in Duane, Greene, Second, Willett, and For-
syth Street churches, and there was some religious in-
terest in other congregations. About 180 were con-
verted in Willett Street, f

In 1837 the Conference met at Washington Street,
Brooklyn, on May 17, Bishop Waugh presiding. Bishop
Hedding being also present. The New York East Cir-
cuit reported 3,394 whites and 9 colored ; the West
Circuit, 1,981 whites and 40 colored ; Vestry Street,
160 wdiites; Mulberry Street, 119 whites. Harlem
Mission makes no report. The total is 5,703 — an in-
crease of 2 1 0. J D. Ostrander was re-appointed presiding
elder, and the preachers of the West Circuit were C. W.
Carpenter, J. Covel, Jr., J. Z. Nichols, A. S. Francis, C.
K. True, and N. Bigelow and R. Seaman, supernumera-
ries. The East Circuit was divided into separate sta-
tions, as follows: Forsyth Street, D. Smith; Allen Street,
J. B. Stratten ; Seventh Street, R. Gilbert; Willett Street,
S. Remington; Second Street, H. Brown. The Harlem
Mission had D. De Vinne and J. Floy; Vestry Street had
B. Creagh; Mulberry Street, F. Hodgson.

* See history of Allen Street, p. 294.
f Christian Advocate, vol. xi, p. 102.

X If Harlem had reported there would probably liave been at least
100 more.

274 A History of Methodism in New York City.

On June 22, 1837, the new church in Seventh Street
was dedicated, and on July 2 that in Yorkville. The
columns of The Christian Advocate report seasons of
revival in almost all the churches.

On May 16, 1838, the Conference assembled in Greene
Street, Bishop Hedding presiding.* The total returns
of membership in the city were 5,477 whites and 56 col-
ored; in all, 5,533 — a decrease of l70.f At this Con-
ference the West Circuit, following the example of the
East, was divided into separate charges. Harlem Mis-
sion was to be served by J. C. Tackaberry and J. Floy.
C. W. Williamson was appointed missionary to the
French population of the city, and D. Ostrander re-
mained as presiding elder.

As has been already stated, the division of the city
into two circuits in 1832 made no change in the board
of trustees, and the property was still held in common.
But, as was to be expected, the difficulties arising from
such a system were increastid, and there was a growing
feeling that new financial arrangements were necessary.
A very warm contest arose. Those who advocated a
continuance of the old system called themselves "union
men," and gave to their opponents the title of "nulli-
fiers" — a name of peculiar reproach in those days because
of the recent nullification movement in South Carolina.
At the meeting for the election of trustees, March 4,
1834, a vote was taken on the question, which stood,

*This Conference is memorable as tbat on which several of its
members were dealt with for attending an antishivery convention at
Utica.

f This seetns inconsistent with tlie reports of revivals just referred
to. It is probable that the controversy about the division of the
church property wiiich was in progress at this time was a serious
drawback. It was also a time of great pecuniary embarrassment,
and many moved out of the city.

The Field Subdivided. 275

51] for union and 286 for division.* But on August
20, 1834, a committee, previously appointed by the
trustees to consider the matter, recommended the calling
of meetings of the male members in each of the churches
at the same hour, to which the question was to be sub-
mitted. These meetings were held on August 25, and
the result was :

For Against

Division. Division.

John Street 17 7

Forsyth Street 36 18

Willelt Street 20 4-

Allen Street 21 .38

Second Street 27 5

Bowery Village (Seventh Street) 6 7

Twentieth Street (Eighteenth Street) 18 1

Bedford Street 27 26

Greene Street 12 15

Dnane Street 11 29

195 150f

In October, 1834, it was resolved to apply to the chan-
cellor for permission to divide, and that a commission of
"six judicious persons " be appointed to value the prop-
erty. The permission was granted in March, 1835, and
on the 27th of that month articles of agreement were
concluded, which were signed on the 30th. Of the value
of the property we find no record, but the debt was es-
timated at 189,950 34. J At the meeting of May 6, 1835,
letters of resignation from the trustees connected with
the East Circuit were received and accepted. § The West
Circuit retained the original charter, probably because
it included John Street Church.

The East Circuit, however, continued to work with a
joint board only a little more than a year. On Septem-

* Trustees' minutes. f See Charter Church, p. 24.

X Ibid, p. 25. § lUd., p. 28.

276 A History of Methodism in New York City.

tei- 15, 1836, the property and debt were divided be-
tween the several cliurches within its bounds. A record
at Willett Street values the entire property at $144,000,
and gives the debt at about 146,000. A paper at Forsyth
Street, however, gives items of property which amount
to $151,100, but no statement of the debt. Nor can
there be found, except in two instances, any account of
the portion of property and debt assigned to each
church.

But the West Circuit ke|)t up the union until 1838,
On January 2 of that year, at a meeting in the Greene
Street Church, it was resolved by a vote of 93 to 5 to
divide,* and on November 16 warrantee deeds were
given to the churches in John Street, Duane Street,
Greene Street, and Bedford Street. f Naturally the
duty of setting off the others would have devolved on
John Street, but the trustees of that church declining
to take the responsibility it Avas done by Eighteenth
Street, and thus the youngest of the five became pos-
sessed of the original charter and seal, and is " The
Methodist Episcopal C-hurch in the city of New York."
We have no account of the value of the churches at the
time, but the debt was estimated at 163,000, and there
was loose property (grave-yards, vaults, and lots and
houses not used for church purposes) amounting to
$17,750, leaving a net debt of $45,250. This was ap-
portioned as follows: Greene Street, $9,500; John
Street, $10,900; Duane Street, $8,800; Bedford Street,
$6,300; Eighteenth Street, $9,750. J

Not long before this (probably in the latter ])art of
1837) promiscuous seating had been introduced. A
departure from the old system, which drew a dividing
line between the sexes through the middle of the church,
had been ma-le when the building in Greene Street was

* Charttr Church, p. H8. f Ihid., p. 42. % ^^'^•' P- ^l-

The Field Subdivided. 277

opened,* and was immediately adopted throughout the
city. But this was only a step toward the removal of
all barriers. There was much and no doubt honest op-
position to this change, as will be seen by the following
extract from the minutes of the List Quarterly Confer-
ence of the united churches of the West Circuit, held
April 4, 1838. It is the last item in the minutes, and
seems like a final protest uttered by the lovers of good
old customs just as the circuit system in New York
city was expiring. One of the preachers present offered
the following resolution:

'' Resolved, That the trustees of the West Circuit
who have seated the congregations promiscuously in
their churches have violated the order and discipline of
the Church."

After debate it was laid on the table, and the Con-
ference never met again to take it up. The middle
wall of partition then broken down has never been
built up again, and it is doubtful if any one wishes it
should be.

*See p. 2ii9.

278 A History op Methodism in Xew York City.

CHAPTER XXIY.

CHURCHES: JOHN" STREET— FORSYTH STREET— DU AXE
STREET.

JOHN STREET.

{Wesley Chapel — First MetJwdist Episcopal Church — The First Meth-
odifit EpiscojMl Centennial Church in the City of New York.)

When, in 1832, the city was divided into two charges,
John Street was included in the West Circuit.* George
Coles was the preacher who resided there. Fitch Reed
followed in 1833-4, E. E. Griswold in 1835-6, and
Charles K. True in 1837. In 1838 the West Circuit was
divided into separate charges. Up to this time the
statistics of the whole circuit were reported in one sum,
so that there are no means of ascertaining precisely what
membership was connected with the old church. In
the division of the church property we have no account
of the value of that assigned to John Street, but its
share of the debt was $10,900. In July, 1836, the build-
ing narrowly escaped destruction by fire. A quantity
of shavings placed under some benches in the basement
were burning, and a man was found on his knees in the
room saying his prayers. He gaA'e his name as John
P. Kelly, and said he was a printer from Philadelpliia.
A number of Catholic tracts and a mahogany crucifix
were found on him. He gave no explanation of his
conduct, and it was afterward learned that he was de-

* It would therefore naturally have come within the bounds of ilie
New York Conference when the Conference was divided in 1848, but
the boundary was then so run as to place it within the New York East.

John Street. 279

ranged.* It has been remarked that the John Street
Church is one of the few buildings which has escajied
the successive conflagrations which have swept away tlie
landmarks of old New York.

Buel Goodsell was the first pastor of the independent
charge, and in 1839, at the close of his first year, it had
238 whites and 22 colored members; in all 260 — very
nearly what it was in 1787, about fifty years before, when
it stood 275. The preacher remained another year, and
when he left, in 1840, the membership was 233. The
population of the neighborhood was decreasing, dwell-
ings being rapidly supplanted by stores, and the pros-
pect became so discouraging that at the General Confer-
ence of 1840 the trustees offered to sell the property for
missionary premises. The proposal was laid on the table.f

But a better view of the history of this and the other
churches Avill be obtained if the appointments and stji-
tistics are presented in a tabular form. J

YEAR. ;

IIEMBERS

PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS

PASTOR.

1838

—

B. Goodsell.

1840

233

Wm. K. Stopford.

1839

260

1841

274^

It was during Mr. Stopford's pastorate that the pres-
ent church edifice — the third on that site — was erected.
The widening of the street made it necessary that some
change should be made, and the trustees state that three
plans had been under consideration — 1. To tear down
a part, and put up a new front. 2. To sell, and build

* Christian Advocate^ vol. x, p. 191.

f General Conference Journal, p. 72.

X In these tables, and in those of all the other churches, the number
of members is first given, showing \\o\v many there were when the
pastor began the year. The number at the close of his year will be
found on the next line below. No distinction is made between white
and colored, or members and probationers.

§ A revival during tliis j'ear resulted iu tlie addition of about 100.
Christian Advocate, vol. xvi, p. 159.
1!)

280 A History of Methodism in Neav York City.

elsewhere. 3. To rebuild, " and thus secure to the Meth-
odist E2yiscopal Church forever that sacred spot, toward
which converge all the pleasing recollections of early
Methodism. The last-named plan the trustees have
decided upon." Therefore they asked " aid from their
brethren at home and abroad, to enable them to prose-
cute their enterprise, believing as they do that by per-
petuating to other and distant generations the privilege
of worshiping their fatliers' God where tJiey first erected
the standard of the cross and proclaimed a free and pres-
ent and full salvation they do what the voice of the
whole Methodist Episcopal Church w^ould demand at
their hand." The name of James Harper is signed as
president of the board of trustees and Ira Perego as sec-
retary.* This building is forty feet by eighty, and has
a gallery on three sides and a convenient basement. It
was dedicated on Tuesday, April 27, 1 841, at three P. M.,
by Bishop Hedding, who preached on 1 Thess. i, 8, " For
from you sounded out the word of the Lord," etc.

For a few years after the new building was occupied
nothing of especial interest occurred in its history. Its
reports and appointments were :

YEAR.

MEMBEBS

FASTDR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS

PASTOR.

1842

377

Buck.

1849

333

V. Buck.

1843

419

1850

247

G. Brown.

1844

373

Rogers.

1851

275

1845

388

1852

217

W. K. Stopford. §

1846

347

Crawford, f

1853

189

To be supplied.

1847

353

1854

167

G. S. Hare.

1848

327

Buck. X

* Christian Advocate^ vol. xv, p. 27.

■)■ Mr. Crawford was born in the old John Street parsonage about
thirty-five years before.

\ This year the old New York Conference was divided, and John
Street was thenceforth in the New York Blast Conference.

§ Mr. Stopford died on the 25th of June, 1852. Hiram Mattison, a
superannuated member of tlie Black River Conference, supplied dur-
ing the rest of the year and the whole of the next.

THIRD JOHN SIUKLT CHL'RCn.

JoHX Street. 281

But about this time a very warm and unfortunate
controversy arose. A majority ot the board of trustees
took action for the sale of the property and the use of
the proceeds to erect a new house in the neighborhood
of Madison Square. It was argued that the member-
ship and congregation were small ; that many of them
lived at a distance and could be better accommodated
elsewhere ; that the current expenses were not met, and
that, the property being valuable, its proceeds could be
better employed for the work in some other locality.
The tirst three of these statements were undoubtedly
correct, and the last had sufficient foundation to entitle
it to attention. But on the other side it was urged that
a church was still needed in that section of the city,
that it could be sustained, that it was entitled to the
help of the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
not only in Xew York city but throughout the whole
connection, and that, being the site of the first oNIeth-
odist Episcopal church edifice on the continent, it
should be preserved. The other party replied that it
was not the spot where Methodist preaching began in
this country; that the rigging-loft and Embury's own
house preceded it, and that a portion of the property
(a lot on each side of the present building) had already
been sold ; and that no sentimental attachment or rev-
erence for the locality ought to interfere with such use
of the property as would most tend to the glory of God
and the salvation of men. On the other hand was the
fact, not made as prominent, however, as it deserved to
be, that in the erection of the present building appeals
had been made for aid from the whole Church, not only
in Kew York, but in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and else-
where, on the plea that the property was to be preserved
perpetually as a place of Methodist worship.* This
* Seo p. 280.

282 A History of Methodism in New York City.

made it seem almost like a breach of faith to sell it and
apply the proceeds to the erection of a building elsewhere.

The controversy was a protracted and painful one.
A decision of one of the bishops in favor of the up-
town party, though no doubt honestly given, proved to
be unfortunate; tlie down-town membership, male and
female, literally intrenched themselves in the building
to hold it against all assaults. The result was that the
property in John Street was not sold, and remains now,
and there is reason to hope ever will remain, a place of
worship for " the people called Methodists." In the
conflict, however, the Church lost more than |20,000,*
and was left in an embarrassed condition. In 18G6, by
the aid of Bishop Janes, $13,000 was raised to pay off
indebtedness, and the property was conveyed to a new
corporation under a special charter passed in the same
year. The corporate title is " The First Methodist
Episcopal Centennial Church in the City of New York."
No sale of the property can be made without consent of
the General Conference and the Supreme Court of New
York. The trustees are elected by the General Confer-
ence, a majority of them being connected with the John
Street Society, and are subject to the direction of the
General Conference.

In 1855 the Minutes report 146 members and "John
Street, to be supplied." Rev. N. Tibbals was the
supply. At the Conference of 1856, 134 members were
reported; but in the list of appointments of the New
York East Conference for that year the name of this
old church is not to be found. In the Minutes of the
New York Conference, however, we have " Fii-st Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, George S. Hare," this being
evidently the name of the new organization; and in the
Minutes of the New York East Conference we read,
* C. Shaffer, Esq., in Christian Advocate, vol. Ix, p. lol.

JoHX Street. 283

"South New York Mission, V. Buck." But in 1857
this disappears, and we have "John Street " again, with
Charles E. Harris as pastor,* but no report of members
either of that or of the "South New York Mission," but
the "First Methodist Episcopal Church" in the New
York Conference reports 1-38 members, and is left to
be supplied; it also reports a church worth |40,000.f
In 1858, however, the "First Methodist Episcopal
Church " disappears finally from the Minutes of the
New York Conference, and in those of the New York
East, John Street reports 116 members, a church prop-
erty valued at $40,000, and Charles E. Harris again as
preacher. In 1859 he reported 112 members, and a
church worth $22,000. Since then the record runs:

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

PASTCIK.

YEAR. ■

MEMBERS

PASTOR.

1859

112

E. L. Janes.

1875

171

G. Cheney.

1860

130

1876

J80

L. Scudder.

1861

147

W. H. Milbuni.

1877

118

T. Abbott.

186-2

170

1878

186

1863

167

J. M. Carrol.

1879

201

1864

124

S. C. Keeler.

1880

209

S. Weed.

1865

131

R. C. Putney.

1881

199

C. Lasby.

1866

136

To be supplied.:]:

1882

219

1867

150

1883

234

B. Saiiford.

1868

117

1884

203

1869

137

W. P. Corbit.

1885

235

1870

L. S. Weed.

1886

171

L. Peck.

1871

110

•'

1887

170

1872

164

1888

164

. W. Bowdisli.

1873
1874

138
155

X. G. Cheney.

1889
1890

235
230

The church is valued at $50,000. No parsonage and
no debt. Pastor's total salary (including rent), $2,000.
Other collections, $758.§ Current expenses, $1,400. The
Sunday-school numbers 154.

* Mr. Harris had been supplying the charge during most of the
previous year. f Evidently the John Street property.

X W. H. De Puy, a member of the Genesee Conference and assistant
editor of The Christian Advocate, was the supply.

§ This total is from the Minutes of 1890, and hero and in all otlicr

2Fi4 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

Scarcely a week passes in which there are not visitors,
some from distant parts of our own country and other
hands,* who not unfrequently leave a substantial token of
their interest in a contribution to its funds. That these
are needed it is hardly necessary to say, as the society
has to make every effort to meet expenses. But it is
doing a good work, and now, after more than one hun-
dred and twenty years, the old cradle bids fair to be
preserved until the end of time. Except Trinity and
St. Paul's it is the only Protestant church edifice below
Chambers Street, and although the region is principally
occupied for business purposes there is still consider-
able population. There are a number of large buildings
which are in the charge of persons of intelligence,
many of whom, witli their families, are not inclined to
attend ritualistic services, and John Street furnishes
such opportunities as meet their desires. If the church
were properly equipped and endowed, f it is believed
that its future history would equal if not excel the past.
Surely Methodism in the United States is able to supply
the means for this, and most certainly it ought to do so.
The anniversary of the original dedication is cele-
brated every year on the last Sunday in October. The
old clock, said to be a gift from Mr. Wesley, still ticks
in the basement, and the altar-rail and desk in the

cases includes the sum for bisliops, presiding elders, Conference
claimants, and all collections for benevolent purposes, but not those
for debt, repairs, and miscellaneous objects. The current expenses
are for sexton, fuel, light, etc.

* A book is kept in which these visitors are requested to enter
their names. Many fail to do so, but from the time when the Rev.
W. W. Bowdish came to the charge (April, 1888) until the last of
October, 1889, 864 wrote their names.

f In 1872 an endowment fund was inaugurated by Rev. L. S.
"Weed; but it has not yet reached the amount necessary to make it
available.

John Street. 285

lecture-room were in the auilience-room of the second
church.* There are also monumental tablets to John
Summerfield, Philip Embury, Barbara Hick, Bishop
Asbury, Joseph Smith, Mrs. Maria Harper (wife of
James Harper), Rev. Elijah Crawford, Rev. W. K.
Stopford, and Rev. L. S. Weed (former pastors), and
Bishops Janes and Harris (resident bishops in New
York at the time of their death).

The baptismal-bowl bears an inscrijjtion stating that
it was a gift from Thomas Carpenter in 1799, and the
vessels for communion wine are inscribed, " For the use
of the Methodist Episcopal Church in John Street,
1818," the year of the erection of the second church.

FORSYTH STREET.

(Second Street — Boivery Church.)

From 1832 to 1837 Forsyth Street Church was part
of the New York East Circuit, and the preachers resid-
ing there were, 1832-3, D. Ostrander; 1834-5, S. Coch-
ran; 1836, D. Stnitli. In 1837 the circuit was divided
into separate charges, and D. Smith remained in Forsyth
Street.

Early in tliis period a new church edifice was erected. f
The last sermon in the old building (probably early in
1833) was from the text, "Lord, it is good for us to be
here," and in tin; prayer-meeting which followed six
conversions took place. J The corner-stone of the new

* It has been sa'd that they were built by Embury in the first
church; but this is beheved to be an error. See p. 85.

f There seems to be an idea that this was a partial rebuilding of
the old one. But this is an error; the building was new, though some
of the old material was probably used.

I Christian Advocate, vol. vii, p. 129.

286 A IIisToKV OK Metiiodjsm ]N' Nkw YoiikCitv.

edifice was laid in April, 1833, Bishop Heddiiig givinir
an address.* The dedication was in October. The
venerable Thomas Morrell, through whose efforts the
first church was built, and who preached its dedication
sermon, was invited to officiate, but, being too feeble,
Daniel Ostrander delivered the opening discourse, tak-
ing as his text 1 Cor. iii, 9.

The building was one of the largest owned by the de-
nomination in the city at that time. It was a little
longer than that recently erected in Greene Street, but
not quite as Avide, and nearly after the same model. It
cost about S20,000.f In 1837, therefore, with a church
edifice nearly new, and a membership, as reported in
1838, of 914, Forsyth Street began its independent his-
tory. A revival in the early part of 1838 resulted in
the conversion of more than one hundred.| Daniel
Smith, as we have seen, was the pastor; his successors
and the reports they made are given below :

VKAB.

MEMBEK3.

PASTOK.

VKAB.

MEMBER

PASTUK.

1838

914

J. Lindsay.

1851

417

Jessop.

1839

854

1852

418

B. Wakeley.

1840

853

Jolin Crawford. 2<i.

1853

342

1841

936

1854

370

. H. Norris.

1842

1,070§

H. Bangs.

1855

326

1843

980

1856

342

M. Hatfield.

1844

828

S. Washburn.

1857

360

'•

1845

655

1S58

390

H. Biirch.

1846

622

J. B. Striitlen.

1859

394

1847

535

1860

361

Miley.

1848

57511

J. W. B. Wood.

1861

265

1849

523

1862

252

Peofcr, .Tr.

1850

502

R. Jessop.

18G3

245

* Christian Advocate, vol. vii, p. l.'!9. Tr\iPtees' raiuiites. Apiil 17,
1833.

f Greenleaf s History of the Churches of New Ym-k.

X Christian Advocate, vol. xii, p. 106.

§ The largest membership in the city at the time.

II Ninety-four were converted in a revival in tlio early part of
1848, Christian Advocate, vol. xxiii, p. 38.

FoHSYTii Strkkt. ^s'

1854

243

A. Hubbell.

1878

R. S. Putney.

1865

206

'•

1879

A. C. Moreliou.so,

186H

247

Brown.

1880

146

isr,?

264

••

1881

138

1868

280

1882

107

'•

18G9

288

A. Roc-lie.

1883

ISO

1870

189

'•

1884

189

W. W. Gillies.

1871

170

Stlllmun.

1885

154

1872

147

W. Baniliart.

1886

J. A. Roolie.

1873

182

1887

1874

162

1888

1875

161

B. Mervviii.

1889

T. Stephenson.

1876

105

Ginliam.

1890

W. H. Lawrence,

1877

Hubbell.

From more than one tlioiisaiul nearly iit'ty years ago
the membership has, therefore, gone down to less than
one hundred. Of course, the large church edifice became
a burden, and during Mr. Barnhart's term of service it
was thought advisable to make such changes in the
property as would adapt it to the change of circum-
stances. About two thirds of the front portion was
taken down, and tenement houses erected in its place;
the remaining one third was left as a place of worship,
the seating being changed. But unfortunately the tene-
ments did not rent to advantage, and the society found
its burdens increased. There had been a surplus of
$8,000, but now there was a debt of some $70,000.*
But this has been reduced, and when it is extinguished
tlie pi-oceeds of the property can be used for the work
in the neighborhood. The trustees are elected by the
New York East Conference. The whole property, in-
cluding the tenement houses, is valued at $125,000.
Debt, $7,000. Total salary, $1,200. Other collections,
$130. Current expenses, $500. Sunday-school, 140.

* The prospects of tliis church liave very mucli improved now
(January, 1892). The membership has increased fifty per cent., the
collections have nearly doubled, the debt is less than $3,000, and the
preaclier's salary $2,000.

288 A HisTOiiY OF Mkthodism IX New York City.

DUANE CHURCH.

{North. Church — North River Church — Hudson Church — Duane Street
Church)

Duane Street became part of the West Circuit, and
S. Landon was the resident preacher. He was succeeded
in 1833 by C. W. Carpenter, in 1834-5 by D. De Vinne,
and in 1836-7 by J. Z. Nichols. In 1838, when it be-
came a separate charge, -18,800 was its sliare of the debt,
and M. Richardson was appointed pastor. The build-
ing in which tlie congregation was worshiping was the
oldest Methodist Church edifice in the city. Though
improved in some respects it still retained a somewhat
antiquated aspect. A number of the members were of
French ancestry, descendants of the Huguenot settlers
of Staten Island and Westchester County, and some
were. from the island of Guernsey. The attendance,
though not equal to what it had been, was still good,
and its social meetings were of a lively character. From
the Minutes Ave get the following items as to its pas-
ters and membership:

1888

M. Rieluirdsoii.

1857

322

M. Adams.

1889

427

1858

314

1840

457

S. D. Ferguson.

1859

284

. D'C. Crawford.

1841

401

S. Luckey.

1860

215

B. Smitli.

1842

436

S. Vanduseu.

1861

265

1843

603

J. Law.

1862

245

N. Lewis.

1844

607

1863

178

Parker.

1845

601

J. roisal.

1864

215

1 84 fi

627

1865

210

1847

512

L M. Yincent.

1866

277

B. Smitli.

1848

554

'•

1867

230

1849

490

0. Y. Anierman.

1868

270

, McLean.

1850

460

1869

317

1851

402

R. A. Clialker.

1870

302

1852

381

1871

332

G. Oakley.

1853

372

Z. N. Lewis.

1872

275

1854

350

1873

280

1855

310

L. H. King.

1874

220

1856

295

DuANE Church. 289

At the Conference of 1874Duane Church and Greene
Street wei-e united under the charge of E. S. Osbon, and
so continued in ISlo under J. A. Edmonds. In 1876,
however, the union ceased, and C. M. Eggleston was
appointed to Duane Cliurch.

1876

M. Egglestoii.

1884

207

•J.

Rowe.

1877

155

1885

109

Lowllier.

1878

135

"W. Ackerly.

1886

104

'•

1879

158

1887

107

1880

1 35

1888

100

J. Dean.

1881

137

Ct.

, W. Terbtish.

1889

1882

171

Rowe.

1890

Hamlin.

1883

190

This churcli, Uke all others iu the lower part of the
city, found its congregation decreasing, and in the early
part of 1863 the property was sold. On April 19, dur-
ing the session of tlie New York Conference, Avhat were
expected to be the closing services were held. Rev. J.
Z. Nichols and others officiating. At that Conference
Rev. John Parker was appointi?d to the charge, and, no
arrangements having yet been made for a place of wor-
ship, the use of the old building was obtained for
another Lord's day. Accordingly, Mi-. Parker began his
labors in that house, and thus preached the last sermon
in it on Sunday evening, April 26, 1863. Part of a
dwelling-house in Hudson Street, opposite what was then
St. John's Park (now the Hudson River R. R. Depot),
was hired, and there the services were held until the
new building was prepared.

The sale of the property was made under unfavorable
circumstances, and was believed to be at less than its
real value, although tliis may be a question. It brought
.!>56,500,* and after paying assessments and about |5,00()
for reTuoving and re-interring the dead from its vaults

* Letter of Mr. S. L. Russell, in Christian Advocate, vol. Ix, pp. 848,
Biijned " A Member of the Diiane Cluirch."

290 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

there was only about $25,000 left for new proi)erty; of
this -$19,000 was paid for land on which stood two
stores in Hudson Street, near Spring, leaving only
$6,000 for the building. This cost about $33,000, the
balance being provided for before the dedication. Rev.
J. McClintock, D.D., preached the sermon on the words,
" God is love." *

The " Duane Church," as it is now called, has property
valued at $30,000. No debt, no parsonage. Salary, $800;
rent, $420. Other collections, $231. Current expenses,
$450. Sunday-school, 75.

* Letter of Rev. .T. Parker.

Seventh Stkeet, 291

CHAPTER XXV.

CHURCHES: SEYEXTH STREET— BEDFORD STREET—
ALLEX STREET ME>,IORIAL— A\'ILLETT STREET.

SEVENTH STREET.

{Tiuo-Mile Stone — Bowery Village.)

As has already been stated,* in 1795 a small building
for a school-house and place of worship was erected at
Two-Mile Stone, or Bowery Village. This stood on the
south side of Nicholas William Street, which ran diag-
onally across the block between Seventh and Eighth
Streets and Second and Third Avenues, parallel with the
present Stuyvesant Street. When tlie second John
Street Church was built (1817) some of the material of
the old building was used in a church which stood by
the side of the school-house, f About 1830 this last
building Avas removed a short distance, but after a few
years the owners of the adjoining property offered a gift
of lots on Seventh Street, if the church would remove
again. This offer was accepted, and on Thursday, Sep-
tember 26, 1836, the corner-stone of the new building
was laid, Rev. John Kennaday preaching on Psa.
cxviii, 22, and on Thursday, June 22, 1837, the dedica-
tion took place. Rev. N. Levings preached in the
afternoon on Psa. Ixxxix, 15, and Rev. F. Hodgson in
the evening on 2 Chron. vi, 18. J

The building is a substantial brick edifice seventy-two
by fifty-four feet, and cost $17,500, and is still occupied

*See p. 155. + See p. 205. \ GhrMian Advocnte, vol. xi, p. 179.

292 A History of Methodism in New York City.

by the congregation. The resident preachers while it
was part of the East Circuit were : 1832-3, P. Charaber-
lin; 1834-5, K Bigelow; 1836, S. Merwin. In 1837 it
became a separate charge and its pastors and statistics
from that time were:

VEAH. 1

HKMEERS

PASTOB.

YBAR.

MEMBER

S. PASTOR.

1837

Gilbert.

1864

556

F. Boliome.

1838

161

1865

512

■'

1839

211

Trippett.

1866

516

G. W. Woodruff.

1840

252

1867

470

1841

219

B. Wakeley.

1868

440

1842

250

1869

440

H. Cooke. \

1843

280

M. Osbon.

1870

310

C. Backmau.

1844

308

1871

343

1845

311

N. Smith.*

1872

350

J. Parker, 2d.

1846

371

Smith.

1873

420

1847

381

•'

1874

835

W. P. Corbii.

1848

400

, Mead.

1875

260

J. S. Willis.

1849

408

Creagh.

1876

216

1850

363

1877

184

1851

377

. L. Scudder.

1878

160

J. L. Gilder.

1852

380

. "

1879

170

C. S. Williams.

1853

421

M. Reid.

1880

198

1854

379

1881

121

J.H. Lightboiirne.

1855

408

Pillsbury.

1882

100

1856

417

1883

115

1857

412

Fletcher.

1884

125

A. C. Morehouse.

1858

495

1885

209

1859

394

S. De Hass.

1886

204

1860

494

1887

198

W. A. Layton,

1861

613

Floy.

1888

235

■'

1862

496

1889

218

1863

503

Bottome.

1890

167

The membership of this church, as will be perceived,
has never been as large as that of some others, and of late
years has diminished. It is now a " down-town " church.

Church, $.55,000. Parsonage, $10,000. No debt.
Salary, $1,500. Rent, $800. Other collections, $377.
Current expenses, $800. Sunday-school, 250.

*Mr. Smith died October 15. 1845, and his place was supphed by
L. H. King.

fMr. Cooke withdrew during the year, and C. Backman supplied.

Bedford Street.

293

BEDFORD STREET.

{Greenwich Village.)

When Bedford Street became part of the West Cir-
cuit, C. Prindle had ah-eady been resident preacher there
for one year, and he continued a second. He was fol-
lowed in 1833-4 by J. C. Green; in 1835-6 L. Mead
was pastor; and in 1837 A. S, Francis, who was also
pastor for the first year of its independent career.*
Since then the reports and appointments have been :

1839

901

P. Rice.

1865

740

S. D. Brown.

1840

750

1866

762

1841

800

B. Griffin.

■ 1867

714

1842

900

■'

1868

740

J. E. Cookman.

1843

1,197

L. C. Clieney.

1869

1,049

■'

1844

1,108

1870

1,125

1845

1,057

J. Seys. .

1871

1,110

W. H. Ferris.

1846

915

1872

980

1847

768

0. V. Amerinan.

1873

990

1848

776

1874

900

G. H. Gregory.

1849

783

S. Yau Deusen.

1875

860

1850

985

•'

1876

925

1851

905

A. Lee.

1877

871

E. S. Osbon.

1852

875

D. L. Marks.

1878

891

1853

960

1879

673

G. Van Alstyne.

1854

930

W. C. Smitli.

1880

783

1855

840

1881

833

1856

760

J. Z. Nichols.

1882

929

"W. McK. Darwood.

1857

717

1883

576

1858

816

To be supplied, f

1884

592

1859

932

J. P. NewniHii.

1885

651

J. E. Cookman.

1860

1,002

J. Poisal.

1886

629

1861

875

" X

1887

627

1862

728

J. B. Hagaiiy.

1888

728

J. S. Chadwick. §

1863

671

1889

663

J. J. Reed.

1864

785

J. W. Lindsay.

1890

552

* Its share of the debt was $6,300. f The supply was J. P. Neuinau.

\ Mr. Poisal resigned during his second year because of bis sympatliy
with the South.

§ Mr. Chadwick resigned during tiie year, and became Assistant
Corresponding Secretary of the Freednien's Aid and Southern Educa-
tion So?iely.

294 A History of Methodism in New York City,

During the term of Rev. P. Rice he preached the last
sermon in the old building on Isa, xlix, 20. The corner-
stone of the new edifice was laid on Saturday, June 6,
1S40, Rev. Robert Newton, of the Wesleyan Conference
(Eng.), pi-eaching on Psa. xxvi, 8. In the interval the
congregation met in a hall on the south-east corner of
Hudson and Grove Streets, and on November 19 the new
house was dedicated, Bishop Hedding preaching in the
afternoon. Its cost was |20,000. In 1866 a two-story
building was put up on the north-east corner of the
property, the first floor being prepared for the infant-
class and the second for class-rooms. This cost $2,500.
A parsonage was purchased in 1874.

The building is of brick, with a basement, above ground,
and is valued at 160,000 ; the parsonage, $12,000. Debt,
$800. Salary, $2,500. Rent, $1,000. Other collections,
$2,540. Current expenses, $8,000. Sunday-school, 371.

ALLEN STREET MEMORIAL.

(Fourth Street — Allen Street.)

When the New York East Circuit was set off^ Allen
Street was enjoying the fruits of its great revival.
Bradley Sillick was the resident preacher. Laban Clark
followed in 1833-4, and J. Kennaday in 1835-6. Dur-
ing the latter year a new church was built. On Tues-
day evening, August 9, 1836, Rev. John Kennaday
preached the last sermon in the old building on Neh.
ii, 18.* The new house was dedicated on Thursday,
February 9, 1837, when Rev. W. Fisk preached on Hag.
ii, 9. The building was of brick, 74 feet by 62. f When,
therefore, in 1837, Allen Street began its independent

* See p. 182.

f Cliristian Advocate, vol. xi, p. 102. A paper found ;iiii()iig
the old records of Allen Street gives the following items: Allen

^Vllen kSiKEKT Memorial.

295

history, it was with a new edifice, and no Methodist
cluirch in the city had a more able and zealous band of
laborers. It included Nicholas Schureman, Samuel Hal-
stead, Schureman Halstead, Dr. W. C. Palmer, Henry
Moore, Samuel Martin, Joshua Martin, Andrew C.
Wheeler, Francis M. Godine, Samuel Patterson, William
Miller, and others of great ability.

Its pastors and membership during the succeeding
years were:

YEAR.

MEMBEKS.

J-ASTOR.

YBAR. 1

HKMBEBl

5. PASTOR.

1837

B. Stratleii.

1864

680

J. A. Roche.

1888

661

'•

1865

625

18.39

762

L. Gilder.

1866

570

L. S. Weed.

1840

1,005

'•

1867

520

'•

1841

1,012

Poisal.

1868

476

'•

1842

1,050

1869

460

G. L. Taylor.

1848

1,225

Seney.

1870

479

W. McAllister.

1844

945

'•

1871

516

1845

955

M. Vincent.

1872

485

1846

916

■ 1.

1873

515

W. D. Thompson.

1847

968

CreagU.

1874

308

1848

825

^'^

1875

250

C. E. Harris.

1849

732

S. Strong.

1876

367

1850

750

1877

299

G. W. Woodruff.

1851

722

H. Whitecar.

1878

303

1852

720

1879

262

C. P. Corner.

1853

610

. L. Scudder.

1880

202

R. C. Putney.

1854

536

1881

224

1855

436

. Bangs.

1882

191

J. Suinsbury.

1856

"625

1883

257

1857

504

A. Roche.

1884

253

1858

664

1885

227

S. H. Smith.

1859

660

G. Osborne.

1886

161

1860

591

1887

134

C. M. Pegg.

1861

041

H. Smith.

1888

136

1862

694

1889*

174

I. M. Foster.

1863

729

A. Roche.

1890

114

Street was organized as a separate church July 5, 1836. It re-
ceived as its share of the property four lots and the church and par-
sonage and one fifth of the burial-ground corner of First Street and
Second Avenue, and of the property and burial-ground at Williams-
burg, L. T. It assumed as its portion of the debt $4,535 21. The
new church and two houses cost $26,885 78.
* Name changed to Allen Street Memorial.
20

296 A History ok Methodism in New York City.

The cliatige in tlie character of the population in the
neighborhood had greatly reduced the congregation,
and the trains on the elevated road in front were a se-
rious annoyance, and on April 29, 1888, the last services
were held in the building. Bishop Foss preached in
the morning and Rev. M. D'C. Crawford, formerly a
member of the society there, in the evening.* The
property was sold for a Jewish synagogue. The so-
ciety has been consolidated with that of Attorney
Street, and a Jewish synagogue on Rivington Street,
between Ludlow and Orchard Streets, has been pur-
chased and reconstructed by the City Church Extension
Society. The old name will be kept in recollection in
the new title, which will be " The Allen Street Memo-
rial."

The property is valued at $108,000. Debt, $8,000.
Salary, $1,160. Rent, $900. Other collections, $104.
Current expenses, $900. Sunday-scliool, 329.

\V I L L E T T STREET.

{Mission Ilou^e.)

In the minutes of the leaders' meeting of June 16,
1813, among the appointments for prayer-meetings is
one apparently new, at the house of James Woods.
This, we are told,f was in Lewis Street, between Grand
and Broome Streets, a part of the city then very thinly
settled, and not generally graded. In a short time the
rooms and staii--way and hall of the dwelling became
crowded, and in the early part of 1819 a school-room
was rented in Broome Street, near Lewis, and regular
preaching was begun. Not long before March, 1820, J

* ChrisHan Advocate, vol. Ixiii, p. :'i01.

f Paper ut' W. G. Boggs. X Trustees' miiiuLes of date.

WiLLETT Street. 297

the trustees had bought four lots at Mount Pitt, but the
debt incurred in tlie building of John Street and Bow-
ery Village, together with the embarrassment in business
at the time, led the board to hesitate. Just then the
Presbyterian Missionary Board had erected a house on
Broome Street, but the mission not meeting with much
success they proposed to lease it to the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. This offer was accepted in May, 18in,
and the building known as the ^lission House was im-
mediately filled to overflowing. It was occupied for
about six years, and in 1823 a veiy gracious Avork be-
gan and continued for several years. On October 16,
1825, the corner-stone of the new building was laid on
the site in Willett Street between Grand and Broome
Streets, bought in 1819, and on May 7, 1826, the dedi-
cation took place. Bishop McKendree preaching in the
morning. Bishop Hedding in the afternoon, and Bishop
Soule in the evening. The house was of stone, stuc-
coed, seventy-two by fifty-four feet, with a basement
more above ground than any of the other Methodist
Episcopal churches in the city at that time. The pulpit,
like that of John Street, Avas between the doors. The
good Avork continued, and by the close of the year more
than one hundred had been received on trial. Before
the Conference of 1827 there Avere twelve classes and
five hundred and forty members.*

When, in 1832, the city Avas divided into two circuits,
B. Griffin was the resident preacher in Willett Street.
He returned in 1833, and Avas folloAved in 1834-35 by
J. Young, and in 1836, b}^ S. Remington. During
that year it became, like the other churches on the East
Circuit, an independent charge. It received, in the divis-
ion of tlie pro[)erty, its church building, valued at

* L. Clark, in Methodist Magazine of 1827, p. 126. Paper of W. G.

BORKS.

208 A History ok Methodism in New York City.

122,000, its parsonage at $4,500, a mortgage of #3,000
on property in Williamsburg (Brooklyn, E. D.), and
in cash #496 50. It had also an interest in the burying-
ground, estimated to be worth #2,500 — in all #32,496 50.
It assumed as its share of the debt #0,783 50, so that it
started with a net property of #25, '713.*
The appointments and reports have been:

YEAR. ^

.lEMBKRS

PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

1837

S. Remington.

1864

517

C. Kelsey.

1838

736

N. Kellogg.

1865

445

T839

741

•'

1866

517

1840

612

M. Richardson.

18GT

440

J. W. Home.

1841

570

'•

1868

448

1842

830

P. 0. Oakley.

1869

510

1843

933

1870

375

J. S. Haugh.

1844

700

P. Rice.

1871

319

1845

664

1872

386

G. Taylor.

1846

631

B. Goodsell.

1873

327

1847

576

1874

343

J. \". Saunders.

1848

639

J. G. Smith.

1875

360

1849

675

1876

378

Tobesnpplied.f

1850

606

W. K. Stopford.

1877

390

J. E. Searles.

1851

638

1878

465

1852

516

H. F. Peuse.

1879

450

J. S. Siansbury.

1853

513

1880

450

185-1

475

J. E. Searles.

1881

344

1855

454

1882

331

J. E. Searles.

1856

459

W. McAllister.

1883

288

1857

521

1884

270

1 858

576

C. Kelse}-.

1885

289

W. H. Boole.

1859

575

'•

1886

333

1860

562

J. E. Searles.

1887

287

1861

615

'•

1888 Xo rep't

. M. F. Compion.

1862

650

W. McAllister.

1889

312

1863

635

1890

304

This church has been favored with frequent revivals,
and has been the scene of many interesting incidents.
In 1827 Rev. V. Buck preached on the general judg-
ment, and at the close of the sermon, when the invitation
was given to come to the altar, the whole congregation
seemed to be on their feet. The altar was soon crowded,
and a gracious revival followed, among the subjects of

* Record at Willett Street. f The supply was J. E. Searles.

Wii.i.ETT Strekt. 299

which was Rev. O. G. Hedstrom.* One Sunday after-
noon Rev. G. Coles took for his text, "Give attendance
to reading " (1 Tim. iv, 13). After telling the peoi)le
what books were best adapted to the old and to the
young, to the married and to the unmarried, to the
impulsive and to the phlegmatic, he added, "These
books can all be bought at the Book Room," and closed
with the benediction. f

The singing was for many years conducted by Joseph
Johnson, who sat in the body of the church. The state
of his mind could always be known by his singing. If
he was in a happy frame it would be so fast that
it was difficult to keep up with him; but if not, it
would be so slow that it was equally difficult to drag
along at the same pace. A choir was at length intio-
duced, and on a Sunday morning not long after its
appearance the presiding elder (D. Ostrander) occupied
the pulpit. Ho gave out the hymn and the chorister
began to i)lay on a bass-viol. " Who brought that
liddle into the church?" shouted the elder; "take it
right out! " And he would not preach until it was
removed.];

The society still occupies the building erected in
1826, and which is the oldest Methodist church edifice
in the city. With the exception of the removal of the
pulpit from between the doors to the other end, and
various improvements from time to time, it remains sub-
stantially the same as when erected.

Church, $60,000. Parsonage, i?9,000. No debt.
Salary, |1,500. Rent, 1600. Other collections, |!624.
Current expenses, $1,450. Sunday-school, 250.

* A sermon by Rev. D. Ostrander on Rev. iii, 20, produced a sim-
ilar effect. Paper of Rev. S. W. King.

f Paper of W. G. Boggs. t ^^"^-

300 A History ^>f Methodism ix New Yopac City

CHAPTER XXYI.

CHURCHES: HARLEM MISSIOX— TWEXTT-SEYEXTH
STREET— SAIXT JAMES— FORTY-THIRD STREET-
PARK AYEXUE.

HARLEM MISSION.

{Tiuenty-seventh and Forty-first Streets — Manhattan Mission — Harltm
and Yorkville.)

Before 1830 more than one half of New York Isl-
and was without regular Methodist preaching. Sev-
enth Street (or Bowery Village), on the east side, and
Eighteenth Street (or Upper Greenwich), on the west
side, were the frontier churches. At the House of Ref-
uge, which stood on what is now Madison Square, there
was pi'eaching, it is true, generally by local preachers,
attended, no douht, hj some of the inhabitants of the
neigh Vjorhood, and there are indications of visits to
Rose Hill by the stationed preachers of the city. From
Twenty-third Street to Harlem River there weie no
houses of worship of any denomination except two
Reformed (Dutch) churches, one at Bloomingdale and
one at Harlem, and a few, perhaps four, Protestant
Episcopal churches. But as far as Methodism was con-
cerned this region, in which are now some of her larg-
est congregations and most of her finest church editices,
was virtually uncultivated.

In 1830, however, a beginning was made, and the
honor of being pioneer in the work fell to Rev. Ira
Feiris. School-liouses and private houses were occupied
for public worship, and before long small churches
M'cre erected and preparations made for supplying the

IIaki.em Mission, 301

spiritual wants of tlie multitudes who were soon to oc-
cupy the ground. A general account of this field un-
til it became divided into separate charges is necessary,
but many particulars will be more appropriately intro-
duced in the history of the several churches.

For about ten years its boundaries remained as at
first. Its statistics and preachers weie:

YEAH.

MEMBERS.

PASTOE.

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

1830

Tra Ferris.

1837

No rep't

;. D. De Vinne,

1831

R. Soamati.

J. Floy.

1832

1838

162

J.C.Tackaberry,

1833

R. Seaman, Slip.,

J. Floy.

S. Hueston.*

1839

230

J. C. Tackaberry,

1834

R. Seaman, snp.

S. H. Clark.

1835

101

J. Luckey, one

1840

238

E. Osborn.

10 be supplied.

1841

267

1836

109

J. Luckey,
D. De Vinne.

At the Conference of 1841 the circuit was divided,
Twenty-seventh Street and Forty-first Street becoming
one charge, and Harlem (including Yorkville) another.
The reports for Twenty-seventh and Forty-first Street
were:

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

1841

B. Howe.

1842

163

J. Z. Nichols.

VEAR. MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1843 227 J. Z. Nichols.

In 1844 Twenty-seventh Street had 210 members,
and Forty-first Street had 65 members. At the Con-
ference of 1844 the charges separated, E. Andrews be-
ing appointed to Twenty-seventh Street and W. B.
Hoyt to Forty-first Street.

In 1841 Harlem received S. U. Fisher. We have also the
name Manhattan Mission, which it is believed included
Yorkville :ind Manhattanville. To this R. Seaman is ap-
l>ointcd as supernumerary. In 1842 the Minutes read,

* Mr. Hueston did not enter on the work. He was an officer in
the navy and could not get his discliaroe. Dr. "W. Booth seems to
liave -jupplied. See trustees' minutes, Sept. 18, 1833.

302 A History of Methodism in New Youk City.

" Harlem German Miss. 71." Whether this was the re-
port of the German work or of tlie Harlem society it is
impossible to tell. We have also, " Manhattan Miss. 25."
In 1842 it is, " Harlem and Yorkville, R. Seaman."

YEAR. MEMBERS. PASTOR. YKAR. MKMBKKS. PASTOR.

1843 123 R. Seaman, sup., 1844 113

S. A. Seamau.

At this Conference of 1844 Harlem and Yorkville
became separate charges.

Other Methodist organizations which have come in
on this territory had no connection with the old Har-
lem Mission. Sixty years have passed and there are
now on this ground twenty-three churches (not includ-
ing the German Avork), with a membership of nearly
7,500 and a property of more than two millions of dol-
lars (churches, $1,881,000; parsonages, 82-33,000). Such
results the writer ktiows were not anticipated by those
who at first toiled and sacrificed in tliis field.

twenty-seven Til stkeet.

(/?o*e mil.)

About 1823 a Sunday-school had been organized in
the neighborhood of Rose Hill, under the care of the
New York Female Union Society. In 1827, by which
time it seems to have come under Methodist control, it
met at a school-house belonging to Mr. Benjamin Dis-
brow, on the south side of Twenty-eighth Street, be-
tween Third and Lexington Avenues. Here also there
was preaching occasionally, generally by local preachers,
though sometimes the stationed preachers of the city
officiated,* When the first class was formed is uncer-
tain. One statement is that it was in May, 1827; an-

*In the stewards' accounts of April, 1829 (book 15), Rose Hill is
credited with a quarterly collection of $4 46, and there are also reports
of three sacramental collections iu the same year.

Twenty-seventh Street. 303

other witness (Thomas Vaughn) says it was organized
by Thomas Burch in the fall of 1828, and I lev. S.
Luckey assigns it to November, 1829. Benjamin
Disbrovv appears to have been the first leader, but was
soon succeeded by Thomas Vaughn. When Ira Ferris,
tlie first pi-eacher appointed to the Harlem Mission, came
to his work in 1830 this was the only class he found,*

During the ministry of Rev. John Luckey a small
church was put up across the rear of two lots on the
south side of Twenty-seventh Street, a little east of
Third Avenue, costing about |2,000. It was opened
in May, 1836, with a sermon by Rev. J. Kennaday,
followed by one from Rev. J. C. Tackaberry.

As already stated, at the Conference of 1841 Twen-
ty-seventh Street and Forty-first Street were set oif as
a self-sustaining charge. f

In 1842 three lots on the north side of Twenty-
seventh Street, between Second and Third Avenues,
were bought for |2,700, and on Monday, August 15,
the corner-stone of a new building was laid by Dr. N.
Bangs, after a sermon by Rev. J. Poisal, on 2 Cor.
ii, 14. On January 20, 1843, it was dedicated by Dr.
Bangs. Rev. S. Olin, D.D., recently returned from
Europe, preached at 2:30 P. M., on 1 Cor. i, 22-25.
Rev. J. Dempster, D.D., ofticiated in the evening, and
Dr. Bangs, Rev. J. Sewell, and Rev. J. B. Wakeley
on the following Sunday. The building was 48 by 60
feet, and cost, exclusive of the ground, but including
the parsonage, about $7,000. But on Saturday night,
November 19, 1848, during the ministry of Rev. J. B.
Stratten, the church and parsonage and public school

*For the appointments and statistics while this society was con-
nected with the Harlem Mission, see Harlem Mission.

f For the appointments and statistics for the time tliey were to-
gether, see Harlem Mission.

3c»4 A History of Methodism ix I^Tew York City.

and other buildings in the neighborhood, and also the
old church on the other side of the street, were burned
to the ground.* On June V, 1849, however, a new edifice
was dedicated by Bishop Janes. He preached at three
P. M. on 1 Chron. xvi, 29. J. B. Wakeley preached
in the evening, and on the following Sunday Dr. N.
Bangs, Rev. D. W. Clark, and Rev. E. E. Griswold.

This last building, which is still occupied by the con-
gregation, is of brick, 50 feet by 75, with a basement
nearly above ground. The cost of rebuilding the church
and parsonage was about $11,000. The following are
the statistics and pastors:

YKAR.

MRM&EKS. PASTOR.

YEAR.

member:

5. PASTOR.

1844

210

E. Andrews-!

1867

487

C. B. Sing.

1845

209

D. Curry.

1868

460

1846

211

S. C. Perry.

1869

432

1847

241

1870

414

J. E. Searles.

1848

236

J. B. Stratteii.

1871

359

J. Dici<inson.

1849

209

1872

309

1850

310

J. J. Matthias.

1873

287

W. H. Warden.

1851

385

1874

290

1852

406

J. Floy.

1875

251

W. W. Clark.

1853

405

1876

300

1854

410

D. Currv and V.

1877

305

Riick.'j

1878

300

C. E. Glover.

1855

394

G. Taylor.

1879

286

1856

312

1880

280

1857

336

T. (1. Osborne.

1881

253

J. Dickinson.

1858

708

1882

242

1859

553

C. Fletcher.

1883

265

C. J. North.

1860

571

1884

226

1861

543

W. F.Watkins.

1885

273

•'

1862

602

1886

249

M. Y. Bovard.

186.3

588

S. A. Seaman.

1887

262

1864

504

1888

276

1865

. 475

1889

275

B. F. Kidder.

1866

503

G. L. Thompson.

1890

286

* This and a small frame building in Twenty-fourth Street are tlie only
Metliodist Episcopal churches in New York city which have been burned.

f Mr. Andrews was drowned in the summer of 1844. D. Curry
supplied.

:{;Tiiis appointment includes Thirty-seventh Street, as does also the
statistical report for 1855.

Twenty-seventh Street. ;^()5

This church has been favored with many gracious
revivals, that during the ministry of Rev. T. G. Os-
borne, in the fall of 1857, being probably the most re-
markable. For many years the congregation filled the
building, but the influx of a foreign population has led
to a decrease. But it is still vigorous and successful.

On the wall at the west side of the pulpit is a tablet
to the memory of Rev. Amos W. Brown, for many
years a local preacher and class-leader. Fifty-three
members of this church served in the war of the re-
bellion, seven of whom laid down their lives in the serv-
ice. The ladies organized the Rose Hill Soldiers' Aid
Society, which did good service in providing for the
inmates of the military hospitals. For many years
also teachers from this church conducted the Sunday-
school at the Colored Orphan Asylum (Fifth Avenue,
between Forty-third and Forty-fourth Streets), until its
destruction by the rioters in 1863 caused its removal
to a distance too great to permit of their continuing
their work.

Church (which has lately been much improved),
$30,000. Parsonage, 18,000. No debt. Salary, *1, 500.
Rent, $600. Other collections, $674. Current expenses,
$2,146. Sunday-school, 285.

s t. j a m e s.

{Ilarleni.)

The first place occu])ied for Methodist preaching at
Harlem was the house of Mr. John James, in 125th
Street, between Third and Lexington Avenues.* Thence

*For til is and many other particulars see Hifttory of St. Jaines,
Harlem^ by W. B. Silber, LL.D. Mr. James was for many years a
class-leader and trustee of the Harlem church, and his widow is still
a member of St. James (1890).

306 A History of Methodism in New York City.

the services were removed to the store part of a buiM-
ing on the north-east corner of Third Avenue and 125th
Street, and in May, 1831, to the Academy, on 120th
Street, between Second and Third Avenues. Prayer-
meetings and class-meetings were held at the house of
Mrs. Lloyd, near the corner of Third Avenue and 121st
Street. On June 4, 1832, trustees were elected,* and
soon after eight lots, having on them a house and barn,
were purchased of Daniel P. Ingraham, Esq., on 125th
and 126th Streets, between Third and Fourth Avenues,
for $2,000. The corner-stone was laid July 18, 1833,
Rev. N. Bangs, D.D., preaching on 1 Cor. iii, 10-15, and
the dedication took place on Thursday afternoon, De-
cember 12, Rev. John Kennaday officiating and taking
as his text Col. i, 28. The building was of frame, 45
by 60 feet, with a basement not much below the level
of the street, and without galleries.f Its pastors and
statistics until it became an altogether separate charge
have already been given. | Since that period they were
as follows :

1844

'"T

G. Taylor.

YEAR.

1857

MEMBRRS
105

J. C. Washburn.

1845

M. K. Willing.

1858

245

1846

S. D. Ferguson, sup

1859

270

B. M. Adams.

1847

1860

228

1848

132

R. C. Putney.

1861

236

J. B. Wakeley.

1849

135

1862

112

1850

121

T. Baiiibridge.

1863

133

J. E. Cookman.

1851

1864

227

18.52

103

A. S. Lakin.

1865

217

J. L. G. McKown.

1853

101

1866

230

1854

105

.J. B. CocaQ:iie.

1867

290

1855

P. Ward. ■

1868

272

G. H. Corey.

1856

138

1869

262

* They were Joseph Smith, Andrew C. Wheeler, Benjamin Disbrow,
Isaac Piatt, Thomas Vaughn, John Van Wart, and John James.

f It was removed to the south-east crrner of 125lh Street and Lex-
ington Avenue, wliere it is occupied as a court-room.

I See Harlem Mis-ion.

St.

Jamp:s.

VEAK.

lEMBERS

PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBER

PASTOR.

1870

268

G. H. Corey

1881

523

M. King.

1871*

254

H. B. Ridga

way.

1882

605

D. Vail.

1872

305

1883

645

1873

331

1884

675

1874

323

C. D. Foss.

1885

727

Baker.

1875

351

1886

670

1876

386

W. R. Davis

1887

673

1877

406

1888

643

H. Tififany

1878

405

1889

720

1879

427

J. M. King.

1890

573

E. Price.

1880

554

307

In 1859 it was proposed to enlarge the old l>uilding,
but the plan was abandoned. In 1869, however, the
opening of Lexington Avenue through the property
made a removal necessary, and lots were obtained on
the coi-ner of Madison Avenue and 126tli Street. The
corner-stone was laid April 9, 1870, by Bishop Janes ;
and on November 13 the chapel was opened with a ser-
mon by the pastor, Rev. G. H. Corey. The dedication
took place May 14, 1871, Bishop Janes preaching in
the morning on Is;i. vi, 1-8, Rev. B. I. Ives in the
afternoon on 2 Cor. iv, 4, and Rev. J. P. Newman in
the evening on Isa. xxi, 11. The cost of land, build-
ing, parsonage, and furnishings was '1^123,000, of which
$46,500 had been raised, 140,000 was to be funded
as a debt, and the congregation was asked to con-
tribute $36,500. Of this $33,000 was subscribed in the
morning, and the rest before the close of the evening
services.

The building is a very fine one and well located. It
is of brown stone, and has a chapel on 126ih Street and
a parsonage on Madison Avenue.

Church, $120,000. Parsonage, $15,000. Debt, $31,000.
Salary, $3,600. Rent, $1,500. Other collections, $3,969.
Current expenses, $6,532. Sunday-school, 583.

* In 1871 the name was changed to Si. James.

3U8 A History of Methodism in New York City.

FORTY-THIRD STREET.

{Fortii-first Street — Bloomivgdale MethodiM Episcopal Church.)

The Rev. Ira Ferris, the hrst preacher appointed to
the Harlem Mission (1830), says, in a letter to the au-
thor, that one of the places where he established pi'each-
ing was at " Brother William R. White's, between the
large glass factory and old chemical works on the
Eighth Avenue." At the meeting of the board of trust-
ees of the churches of New York city on September 18,
1833, application was made for the use of a building in
Forty-third Street on ground lately purchased by them.
This was granted, and also on October 2, $100 was allowed
to assist in removing the building and preparing it for
public worship. The site selected was on the north side of
Forty-first Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue,
and the congregation occupied the house about January 1,
1835.* Until 1841 the appointment continued to be a
part of the Harlem Mission. At that date it was set off
with Twenty-seventh Street, and so continued until
1844, when it became an independent charge.

The corner-stone of the present church in Forty-third
Street was laid September 20, 1850, after an address by
Dr. Kennaday.f The dedication took place on Wednes-
day, October 1, 1851, Bishop Janes officiating. The
building cost $15,000. It is of brick, with a basement
])rincipally above ground. The appointments and mem-
bership have been:

YEAR. I

1IEMB£RS

1. PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS

1. PASTOR.

1844

W. B. Hoyt.

1850

114

J. W. Maeumber.

1845

'•

1851

155

1846

E. S. Stout.

1852

163

J. N. Shaffer.

1847

251

1853

181

P. L. Hoyt.

1848

248

T. Bainbridge.

1854

216

H. Louusbury.

1849

137

■'

1855

165

Christian Advocate, vol. ix, p. 70. \ Ibid., vol. xxv, p. 154.

Forty-third Street. 309

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS

1. PASTOB.

1856

248

B. Wakeley.

1874

575

W. H. Mickle.

1857

210

'■

1875

455

1858

267

W. Peck.

1876

530

1859

320

1877

524

G. H. Gregory.

1860

387

Davis.

1878

540

'•

1861

367

. J. Fox.

1879

604

1862

430

1880

587

W. H. Mickle.

1863

418

H. King.

1881

622

1864

490

■'

1882

598

1865

525

1883

600

M. S. Terry.

1866

650

C. Putney.

1884

513

1867

460

•'

1885

553

J. S. Chadwick

1868

543

P. Hermance.

1886

604

1869

521

1887

565

1870

489

1888

598

B. Lane.

1871

471

H. King.

1889

575

1872

615

•'

1890

573

F. L. Wilson.

1873

590

Church, $70,000. Parsonage, ll 5,000. Debt, 84,000.
Salary, $2,500. Rent, |1, 100. Other collections, $1,972.
Current expenses, $1,697. Sunday-school, 480.

PARK AVENUE.
( Tin-kvilk — Eighty-sixth Strett.)
Yorkville (or Harlem Heights, as it was frequently
called) was, no doubt, one of the first places selected
on the Harlem Mission ground as a place for preaching.
It would seem, however, that the services had not been
regularly kept up, for the Rev. Daniel De Vinne says
that shortly after he came on the circuit, in the summer of
1836, "having no place for morning service I procured
a vacant room on Third Avenue, nearly opposite Haz-
ard's Tavern (corner of Eighty-fifth Street), over a rum-
selling grocery.* The first congregation consisted of
five persons."! Afterward, the place of meeting was

*An engraving of Hazard's Tavern can be found in Valentine's
Manual for 1859.

f Letter of Rev. D. De Vinne in Forty Years of Methodism in Eighty-
sixth Street, New York, p. 26.

,310 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

cliansred to tlie house of Gilbert Bates, on the cor-
ner of Third Avenue and Eighty-fourth Street, and
there, it is said, on March 6, 1837, the first election of
trustees was held.* The society at Bowery Village
being about to erect a new^ church, offered for sale
that Avhich they had been occupying, a small frame
edifice, in which some of the material of the original
John Street Church had been used. This, which was
about 60 feet by 40 feet, was bought for |i350, and at
an expense of §1,400 it was taken down and re-erected
in Eighty-sixth Street, between Third and Fourth
Avenues. The dedication took place on July 2, 1837,
Rev. C. "VV. Carpenter ]>reaching the first sermon.

Although the purchase and removal and consequent
preservation for a time of that historic building is
matter of congratulation, yet under the circumstances
it proved, at first, unfortunate for the society at York-
ville. AVhile the Avork was in progress serious business
embarrassments arose; property depreciated in value,
and money could not be collected. The expansion of
the citv was also checked, so that the population of the
neighborhood did not increase as rapidly as had been
expected. But services were kept up, the place retain-
ing its connection with the Harlem Mission until the
Conference of 1844. During the preceding winter a
revival of unusual depth and ])ower took place, resulting
in the conversion of between thirty and forty persons.
Its subjects were, many of them, persons of middle age
or past the prime of life; one was the keeper of a prom-
inent tavern on Third Avenue, and another a leader in
mischievous rioting. The converts were unusually
faithful ; some of them died in great peace and triumph,

* Rev. D. De Yinne, in Christian Advocate, vol. xi, p. 170, gives the
date Marcli 1, and Rev. J. M. King says the place was Third Avenue
and Eighty-sixth Street (Historical Address at the jubilee services).

Park Avenue.

311

and others have been useful in various places. As a
result the society asked that the junior preacher should,
confine his labors to that charge. At the ensuing Con-
ference he was returned, and the charge began its in-
dependent existence. From the Minutes we obtain the
following reports of members and appointments:

YEAR. MEMBERS

!. PASTOR.

YEAR. N

lEUBEBS.

PASTOR.

1844

S. A. Seaman.

1868

261

S. D. Brown.

1845

W. McK. Bangs.*

1869

248

1846

A. H. Molvneux.

1870

245

1847

B. Redford.

1871

255

De Los Lull.

1848

B. M. Genung.

1872

318

1849

B. Silleck.

1873

346

1850

1874

353

A. D. Vail.

1851

P. C. Oakley.

1875

376

1852

1876

386

A. J. Palmer.

1853

W. G. Browning.

1877

462

1854

L. B. Andrus.

1878

488

1855

S. C. Perry.

1879

450

A. D. Vail.

1856

1880

471

1857

A. M. Osbon.

1881

546

1858}

184

1882

602

A. J. Palmer.

1859

186

P. Ward.

1883t

610

1860

230

1884

712

1861

199

S. D. Brown.

1885

687

J. M. King.

1862

197

H. Lounsbury.

1886

781

1863

203

A. M. Osboa.

1887

680

1864

185

1888

763

J. R. Boyle.

1865

204

J. E. Gorse.

1889

670

1866

250

1890

638

1867

278

In 1858 it became necessary to provide a new build-
ing. The work of destruction of the old edifice began
on the 2d of August. In uncovering the old tim-
bers it was discovered that some of them bore evi-
dence of having had place in the first John Street

* Mr. Bangs resigned on account of ill health, and A. H. Ferguson,
then a local preacher in the city, and since an honored member of
the New York Conference, served to the close of the year.

f In 1858 the name was changed to Eighty-sixth Street.

X In 1883 the title became Park Avenue.
21

312 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

Church.* On the 30th of January, 1859, the house was
dedicated by Bishop Janes. It stood on the site of its
pi'edecessor, was of brick, 100 feet by 44, and cost, with
the fitting up, about $9,800. A debt ot |;7,000 remained,
for the payment of wliich subscriptions were raised dur-
ing the second pastorate of Rev. S. D. Brown.

But this building, after all, answered but a tempo-
rary purpose. Lots were bought on the corner of Park
Avenue and Eighty-sixth Street in April, 1882; plans
for a new chuich were adopted on June 20, the old
property was sold in July, and the contracts were made
on September 14. Ground h:id been broken early in
August, the corner-stone Avas laid by Bishop Harris on
November 13, and on March 23, 1884, the edifice was
dedicated by Bishop Warren. It is of brown-stone, and
the whole property, church, chapel, and parsonage, occu-
pies 102 feet on Park Avenue and 108 feet on Eighty-
sixth Street. The church is 60 feet by 90, and tlie
chapel 42 feet by 95.

Church, $150,000. Parsonage, 125,000. Debt, $40,000.
Salary, $3,000. Rent, $1,500. Other collections, $4,093.
Current expenses, $5,000. Sunday-school, 726.

*Tlieyliad been shaped and put together in a manner different
from what has been usual since the day of PJiilip Embury. The
builder also remarked immediately, " That timber has been in a stone
building," and pointed out certain marks of this. He did not know-
that the first John Street Church was of stone. There was, there-
fore, as good evidence as could be expected at that time that these
were some of the timbers shaped by Philip Emburj'. Gilbert Cou-
tant saw the beams taken from the old John Street Church and
placed in the church at Bowery Village, and Rev. D. De Tinne was a
witness that those beams were replaced in the building at Kighty-
sixtli Street.f A piece of this old material is under the spot wliere
the preacher stands in the present Park Avenue Church. Some as-
sistance to the funds for the new church was obtained by tiie sale of
other portions for canes and otlier purposes.

t Christian Advocate, vol. xxxili, p. 118.

ASBURY. 313

CHAPTER XXVIL

CHURCHES: ASBURY— SECOXD STREKT— EIGHTEPZXTH
STREET— CENTRAL— ST. PAUL'S.

ASBUKY.

{Broadxvay Hall — Greene Strmt.)

For several years it had been felt that a Methodist
house of woi'ship was needed in what was then about
the center of the city, and on December 4, 1820, the trust-
ees voted to occupy the second story of the Wesleyan
Seminary (in Crosby Street, between Howard and Grand
Streets) as a place of worship, if the preachers would
supply it regularly. This arrangement, however, does
not seem to have continued long, and in 1824 the room
was occupied by the printing-office of the Book Con-
cern. On the 6th of February, 1831, Broadway Hall
was opened for religious services, and it is said four
persons were awakened at the first meeting.* During
the summer land was bought for 1 1 0,000 in Greene
Street, between Broome and Spring Streets,! and on

* This building was on the east side of Broadway, between Howard
and Grand Streets, Xo. 444. A view of it will be fbuud in Valentine's
Manual, 1861, p. 452, and 1865, p. 628. There it bears the name of
'• Olympic."

f After an agreement had been made to take this property some of
tiie trustees feared that, as a part of the lot was made ground, it might
not furnish a sufBciently solid foundation. Another site was thsie-
fore bought in Mulberry Street, also between Broome and Spring
Streets; but finally it was thought best to return to the plot in Greene
Street, and the land in Mulberry Street was sold to the Methodist
Book Concern, and was occupied by that establishment for more than
tifty years.

314 A History of Methodism in New York City.

the 19th of September the corner-stone of the new
building was laid, after a sermon by Rev. S. Merwin.*
On the first Sabbath of February, 1832, the lecture-
room was occupied, and the audience-room was dedi-
cated on Good Friday, April 20, Rev. N. Bangs, D.D.,
preaching in the afternoon, on Psa. cxxxii, part of
verse 14, and Rev. S. Merwin in the evening. On the
following Sunday Bishop McKendree preached in the
morning, on Hos. vi, 3, Rev. B. "VVaugh in the afternoon,
on Matt, xi, 5 (latter j^art), and Rev. H. B. Bascom in
the evening, on Matt, xxviii, 9. A hearer says this last
was " most grand." f The building was 83 feet by VO,
of brick, with a basement largely above ground. ;j;

In the lecture-room of this new church the New York
Conference of 1832 began its session June 6. Greene
Street became the especial field of the preacher in
charge- of the West Circuit, and the men who occupied
that position were:

YEAR. PASTOR. YEAR. PASTOR.

18H2-3 Peter P. Sandford. 183(J-7 C. W. Carpenter.

1834-5 J. B. Stratteii.

In 1838, like all the other churches on the west side,
it became independent.! From that time the Minutes
give the following particulars:

YEAR.

MKMBKK

s. PASTOU.

VEAK.

MEMBER!

5. PASTOR.

1838

S. D. Ferguson.

1843

688

J. C. Green.

1839

359

1844

598

N. Bangs.

1840

399

H. Beings.

1845

462

1841

438

1846

470

P. R. Brown.

1842

493

J. C. Green.

1847

412

* Christian Advocate, vol vi, p. 15.

\ Note-book of Texts, Mrs. "W. Truslow, and Christian Advocate,
vol. vi, p. J ^9.

I Two others were afterward built on tlie same model; that in
Second Street still stands. A new plan of seating was aiso adopted
ill tiiis house, of which a description will be found on p. 268.

§ It had as its share of tiie debt $9,500.

AsBURY.

^15

VEAR. MEMBERS,

PiSTOB.

YEAR.

MEMBER!

PASTOR.

1848

418

D. Smith.

1862

562

W. Beach.

1849

388

1863

483

K. Wardle.

1850

435

D. Stocking.

1864

516

1851

496

1865

468

1852

503

R. S. Foster.

1866

447

S. Inskip.

1853

454

1867

498

1854

454

J. P. Hermance.

1868

405

1855

414

1869

412

. K. Sanford.

1856

376

J. T. Peck.

1870

442

1857

388

1871

325

1858

406

W. P. Corbit.

1872

325

S. Osboii.

1859

475

1873

306

1860

546

C. K. Harris.

1874

177

1861

630

1875

At the Conference of 1874 Greene Street and Duane
Street were united under the charge of E. S. Osbon,
and so continued in 1875, J. A. Edmonds being pastor.
The report for the united churches was, for 1875, 434
members, and for 1876, 343. During the last year the
property was sold for |100,000, and the Reformed
church on Washington Square bought for |80,000.
The name was also changed to Asbury. At the Confer-
ence of 1876 the union between this congregation and
the Duane Church was dissolved, and from that period
the reports of Asbury are:

YEAR.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBER!

I. PASTOR.

1876

J. A. Kdmonds.

1884

250

P. R. Hawxhurst.

1877

154

1885

165

F. Boltome.

1878

203 J. F. Richmond.

1886

134

1879

240

1887

111

1880

250

1888

De Los Lull.

1881

228 "W. H. Ferris.

1889

J. Rowe.

1882

275

1890

J. S. Stone.

1883

277 "

The church in Greene Street was the scene of some
very interesting events. At the session of the New
York Conference in 1838 Rev. Paul R. Brown was
called to account for taking part in a Methodist Anti-
slavery Convention at Utica, New York, The mem-
orable General Conference of 1844 was held within its

316 A History of Methodism in New Vork City.

walls. Being for many years one of the largest and
most central of our churches, it was the favorite place
for missionary anniversaries and other general meetings.

A Bible-class conducted for many years by Joseph
Longking became somewhat famous in its day for fur-
nishing to the Church an unusual number of useful
laborers. The membership of the church was never as
large as that of some other churches, nor did the con-
gregation generally fill the building. But it held on its
course of usefulness until the influx of business into
the neighborhood made a removal necessary. It is to
be hoped that there is yet a prosperous future before
this historic church.

Church, Sl30,00(). Parsonage, $17,000. Debt,$12,000.
Salary, $1,350. Other collections, $142. Current ex-
penses, $2,075. Sunday-school, 245.

SECOND S 1' R E E T.

(Mav}talt<in Idand.)

The amount of labor expended on the site occupied
by New York city in prei)aring it for building can
scarcely be imagined by any one who now visits it for
the first time. Hollows and salt meadows and ponds
have been filled in, hills dug down and rocks blasted,
that the streets might be as nearly level as possible.
On the East River side, north of Houston Street, were
extensive salt meadows, in the midst of which Avas a
spot rather more elevated, which was known as Man-
hattan Island, and occupied by ship-builders. Some-
where in that vicinity Abraham Stagg, a contractor for
opening streets, put up a row of buildings which became
known as Stagg's Barracks, and the neighborhood was
called Staggtown, About 1816 a large garret in Stagg's

Second Street. 317

Barracks was opened for a Sunday-school, and })robably
also for prayer-meetings and preaching. Annie Fitz-
gerald, or Aunt Annie, as she was called, a devoted
woman, the wife of William, or Uncle Billy, Fitzgerald,
was in the habit of visiting through the neigliborhood,
taking her knitting and talking to young and old.
Meetings were also held in a carver's shop at the junc-
tion of East Houston and Second Streets, where the
bell-tower afterward stood. Thomas Evans and
Abraham Stagg are said to have been leaders in the
work. This is about all we can learn in reg.ird to it,
however, until at a meeting of the trustees, April 8,

1829, a committee was appointed to inquire concerning
a church which was to let at Manhattan Island. At a
subsequent meeting they reported that the building
would not answer. At the meeting of November 3,

1830, the subject was again taken up, and at that of
December 1 it was resolved to build in the neighbor-
hood. On March 19, 1831, the committee reported the
purchase of four lots of ground on the north side of
Second Street, between Avenues C and D, for |800 a
lot. On January 23, 1832, the corner-stone was laid,
Rev. D. Ostrander preaching on the occasion eitlier
from Psa. cxviii, 23, or Matt, xxi, 42.* On October 18,
1832, the building was dedicated. Rev. J. P. Durbin
preaching on 2 Chron, vi, 18.f It is of brick, some-
what after the model of that recently erected in Greene
Street, 58 feet by 15.1 It is still occupied by the con-
gregation.

In 1832-3 P. R. Brown was the resident preaclier, in
1834-5 J. Law, and in 183G H. Brown. In 1837 it be-
came a separate charge, and from that time its mem-
bership and ])astors have been:

* Christian Advocate, vol. vi, p. 09. f Ilfid., vol. vii, p. ;{4.

J Trustees' minutes, October 21, 1831.

318 A History of Methodism in New York City.

YKAK. J

ilKMBEBS

PAHTOB.

YKAK. .\

IFMBKRR.

PASTOR.

1837

H. Brown.

1864

393

R. H. Loomis.

1838

596

J. W. Le Fevre.

1865

380

W. F. Collins.

1839

701

■'

1866

541

1840

759

J. Lindsay.

1867

564

J. L. Peck.

1841

830

1868

535

1842

900

W. M. Ferguson.*

1869

460

F. Brown.

1843

970

N. Bangs.

1870

433

1844

849

F. W. Smith.

1871

457

H. Aston.

1845

793

1872

444

1846

800

A. S. Lakin.

1873

407

W. McAllister.

1847

700

•'

1874

370

1848

700

P. Cliamberlin.

1875

335

'•

1849

515

1876

230

F. Brown.

1850

462

H. F. Pease.

1877

232

1851

566

1878

276

R. C. Putney.

1852

489

R. Jessop.

1879

266

1853

392

1880

259

\V. T. Pray.

1854

337

To be supplied. f

1881

251

1855

420

0. Shelling.

1882

231

1856

320

S. W. King.

1883

224

R. T. McNicholl.

1857

341

1884

195

1858

485

To be supplied.:]:

1885

222

Geo. H. Goodsell,

1859

534

R. C. Putney.

1886

130

C. S. Williams.

1860

628

W. F. Collins.

1887

180

1861

589

1888

139

"W. A. Dickson.

1862

580

G. Dunbar.

1889

115

R. Wasson.

1863

625

R. H. Loomis.

1890

100

Church (including a school-building in the rear),
$70,000. Parsonage, |8,000. Debt, $5,000. Salary,
$800. Rent, $540. Other collections, $195. Current
expenses, $1,866. Sunday-school, 400.

eighteenth street. ■%

( Upper Greenwich — TiuentiAh Street.)

Although the church in Eighteenth Street originated
some years before the division of the city into two cir-
cuits, it had no resident preacher, the services being

* Mr. Ferguson's health failing, he resigned his charge during the
year, and died June 3, 1843, Rev. N. Bangs supplied.

\ C. Siielliug was tlie supply. If. R. C. Putney was the supply.

Eighteenth Street. 319

conducted mostly by local preachers. In 1828 Rev.
N. Levings, then in Bedford Street, formed a class at
the house of Richard Winthrop, in Eighteenth Street,
nearly opposite tlie present church. It met at the
homes of the different members, David Demarest being
leader at first, but he was soon succeeded by Stephen
Merritt. In 1829 a Sunday-school was established in
Twentieth Street, east of Eighth Avenue, with S. Mer-
ritt and William S. Hunt as superintendents, and other
religious services were held in the same place.* In
1830 a small frame church was erected on the south
side of Twentieth Street, west of Eighth Avenue,f at
the cost of $1,200, which was known as the Twentieth
Street or Upper Greenwich Methodist Episcopal Church.
In 1832, when the circuit was divided, it received its
first resident preacher, Josiah Bowen, who remained two
years. John C. Tackaberry succeeded him in 1834, and
James Covel, Jr., in 1836, each continuing two years.

In 1835 the present church edifice was undertaken,
on the north side of Eighteenth Street, a little west of
Eighth Avenue. The corner-stone was laid August
13, 1835, by Bishop Hedding;}; after addresses by the
Bishop and Rev. S. Merwin. The dedication took place
on Thursday, February 25, 1836, sermons being preached
by Revs. B. Waugh and Fitch Reed.

When, in 1838, ihe property of the churches of the
West Circuit was divided it would have been appropriate
that John Street should retain the old charter and set
off its younger sisters ; but the brethren in that so-
ciety were not willing to assume the responsibility of
doing this, and it was finally arranged that Eighteenth
Street should receive the charter and assign to each
of the rest its portion. Thus, though the youngest

* Trustees' minutes, Dec. 2, 1829. \ Ibid., Juue 2, 1830.

:{; Chrisliun Advocate, vol. ix, p. 207.

320 A History of Methodism in New York City,

organization at the time, it became the legal mother (or
mother-in-^a^o) of the others. It retains that charter
to the present day, and is " The Methodist Episcopal
Church of the city of New York."

The building erected in 1835 was of brick, 64 by 82
feet, with a basement very much above ground. Its
front closely resembled that of the church in Seventh
Street. In 1885 (after fifty years) it was remodeled,
and an entirely new front of brown-stone and brick
erected, and material changes made in the interior.

Eighteenth Street has been one of the most prosper-
ous churches in the city. Its congregation has been
good, and many interesting revivals have kept up its
membership in spite of the effects of emigration, so
that now it is as large as it was forty years ago. It has
numbered among its members some most faithful and
successful laborers. Its resident preachers before it be-
came a separate charge have already been given. After
that its record is:

YEAR. N

IKMBEKS

PASTOB.

YEAR. 1

ilEMBEES

PASTOR.

1838

S. L. Siillmaii.

1859

535

Poisal.

1839

404

1860

549

D'C. Crawford.

1840

452

J. Youngs.

1861

542

1841

604

1 862

440

W. Lindsay.

1842

752

D. Stockinsj.

1863

463

'•

1843 1,003

1864

470

S. Foster.

1844

851

S. Martindale.

1865

441

1845

819

1866

486

1846

770

N. "White.

1867

442

H. King.

1847

700

1868

500

1848

610

A. M. Osboii.

1869

510

1849

611

'•

1870

495

D'C. Crawford.

1850

456

M. D'C. Crawford.

1871

449

1851

479

1872

397

1852

522

J. P. Hermance.

1873

437

S. Terry.

1853

568

1874

449

'•

1854

568

C. B. Sing.

1875

429

1855

547

1876

408

. F. Hatfield.

1856

556

J. W. Beach.

1877

532

1857

448

'•

1878

510

1858

473

J. Poisal.

1879

495

E. Rtrobridgo.

ElGHTKENTH StRKET. 321

YEAR. MEMBERS.

1880

547

G. E. Strobridy:e.

188G

525

Strobridge.

1881

625

'•

1887

482

North.

1882

631

J. M. King.

1888

583

1883

748

1889

546

Brown.

1884

653

'•

1890

514

1885

540

G. K. Sirobtidge.

Church, $100,000. Parsonage, 815,000. Debt, 18,000.
SaLar}', ^2,500. Rent, |1,500. Other collections, $1,832.
Current expenses, $2,000. Sunday-school, H80.

CENTRAL CHURCH.

{First Weskyan CJiapeL — Vestry Stre-t.)

At the trustees' meethig of January 26, 1830, Rev. H.
Bangs was present by invitation, and, having set forth
the necessity of additional churches in the city, and the
inability of the trustees to build them on account of the
heavy debt under which they labored, he proposed that
some should be built with pews or slips, to sell or to
rent, reserving, however, a certain number of free seats.
The proposal M'as referred to a committee, which on
March 3 reported the plan to be "not lawful nor ex-
pedient." But the matter was afterward taken up by
some of the laity, and on Monday, June 3, 1833, the
corner-stone of the " First Wesleyan Chapel " was laid in
Vestrj' Street, near Greenwich. It was erected by
joint-stock subscription on leased ground, at a total
cost of about $26,000.* Rev. N. Bangs, D.D., preached
on the occasion. On the following Christmas day it
was dedicated, Avhen Rev. W. Fisk, D.D., preached on
Heb. i, 1, 2. f The building was modeled after that of
Washington Street, Brooklyn, and was similar to that

* Article by L. Skidmore. Esq., in the Central Star, December, 1888.
f Christian Advocate, vol. viii, p. 74.

322 A History of Methodism in New York City.

afterward erected in Mulberry Street, near Bleecker,
now occupied by a Roman Catliolic congregation of
Italians. Dr. Bangs took charge until the following
Coni'erence, Avhen Rev. Joseph Holdich, D.D., was trans-
ferred fiom the Philadel})hia Conference to the ap-
pointment. Its record is as follows :

1834

J. Holdich.

1862

283

A. Cookman.

1835

124

To be supplied.*

1863

307

H. J. Fox.

1836

150

F. Hodjison.

1864

309

1837

160

B. Creagb.

1865

293

1838

160

1866

280

G. S. Hare.

1839

151

C. A. Davis.f

1867

305

1840

206

1868

311

1841

170

T. Burch.

1869

284

A. Longacre.

1842

153

W. H. Norris.t

1870

313

1843

175

N. Leviiigs.

1871

321

1844

200

1872

315

F. Bottome.

1845

216

M. L. Sciidder.

1873

312

1846

253

1874

346

1847

259

G. F. Kettel.

1875

360

C. S. narrower.

1848

251

1876

240

1849

220

D. W. Clark.

1877

281

1850

197

1878

285

J. P. Newman.

1851

208

J. B. Hagany.

1879

411

1852

182

1880

414

1853

171

E. E. Bragdf)!!.

1881

426

To be supplied.**

1854

140

T. F. R. Mercein.

1882

363

J. S. Chad wick.

1855

To be supplied.^

1883

304

1856||

125

A. Steele.

1884

319

1857

152

To be supplied,

1885

311

B. Lane.

A. Steele, sup'y.lf

1886

299

1858

233

S. D. Brown.

1887

305

1859

220

G. S. Hare.

1888

298

C. S. narrower.

1860

255

1889

232

1861

226

A. Cookniati,
J. P. Newman.

1890

234

* G. T. Cox supplied until September.

f Mr. Davis resigned in February, 1841, and T. Burch supplied.

:j: Mr. Norris left during the year. J. Dempster supplied.

§ The supply was A. Steele.

II Name changed to Ceutral Church.

T[ S. D. Brown, of Troy Conference, was transferred to supply.

** B. Lane supplied.

Central Church. 323

When the congregation had worshiped in Vestry
Street about twenty years it became evident that a
change of location was necessar3^ Land was bought
on the Avest side of Seventh Avenue, just below Four-
teenth Street, and on April 27, 1854,* Rev. J. Hoklichi
the first pastor, preached the last sermon in the old
building on Exod. xv, 13.f The new edifice is of
brown-stone, in Romanesque style, 67 feet by 90, and
has a tower 125 feet high. A chapel adjoins it on the
south, and a parsonage on the north. It was dedicated
Sunday, June 15, 1856, Bishop Janes preaching in the
morning. Dr. McClintock in the afternoon, and Rev.
W. H. Milburn in the evening.;);

Church, $110,000. Parsonage, 115,000. No debt.
Salary, $2,400. Rent, $1,400. Other collections, $3,108.
Current expenses, $2,000. Sunday-school, 191.

ST. paul's.§

{Second Wesleyan Chapel — Mulberry Street.)

In the year 1834 Mr. Ezekiel J. Moore, a merchant
and a member of the Seventh Street Church, had his
attention attracted to a vacant piece of land in Mul-
berry Street, near Bleecker, which he thought would be
a good location for a church. On Wednesday evening,
June 11, a meeting was held at the house of Mr. Jacob
P. Bunting, in Crosby Street, and Staats M. Mead, Lan-
caster S. Burling, Benjamin Disbrow, Ezekiel J. Moore,
and Ralph Mead were appointed a committee to secure

* Christian Advocate, vol. xxix, p. 73.

•)■ Dr. Holdich has given the writer the privilege of reading his copy
of this discourse. It is an interesting review of the history of the
chnrch, with references to prominent lay members.

\ Christian Advocate, vol. xxxi, p. 98.

§ Principally from a paper prepared by the late Lemnel Bangs, Esq.

324 A History of Methodism in New York City.

the property and erect the building. The design of
the First Wesleyan Chapel, recently erected in Vestry
Street, was adopted in the main, and on July 10, 1834,
the corner-stone was laid, with an address by Dr. Dur-
bin. It was dedicated on March 5, 1835, Dr. N. Bangs
preaching at three P. M. on Luke i, 79,* and Rev. S. Mer-
win, the presiding elder, in the evening.f The total
cost was 130,560, of which $10,500 was for the land. J
A house nearly opposite the church was bought for a
parsonage for |9,000, making in all |39,560. The prop-
erty, like that of Vestry Street, was originally held by
shareholders, who paid |! 10,500, leaving a debt of
$29,060. The title of the incorporation was, " The
Second Wesleyan Chapel of New York City." The
building could seat nine hundred. It was carpeted and
cushioned, and had a pulpit of mahogany from the fac-
tory of Staats M. Mead.

Until the Conference of 1835 Rev. N. Bangs, D.D.,
then the general editor of the Methodist Book Concern,
supplied the pulpit. After that the record is:

YEAR.

MEMBEB

:s.

PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBKRS. PASTOR.

1835

Sciiey.

1843

297

J. Dempster.

1830

lOB

•'

1844

285

1837

119

Hodgson.

1845

277

E. L Janes.

1838

145

1846

296

1839

155

S. Janes.

1847

295

C. B. Sing.

1840

197

1848

277

E. E. Griswold.

1841

201

H. Perry.

1849

257

1842

305

'•

1850

238

To be supplied. §

About this time the debt had increased so as to be-
come a serious embarrassment. To relieve this and
simplify their finances a mortgage on the building was
permitted to be foreclosed, and it was sold in Novem-

* Memoranda of Mrs. W. Truslow.
•j- Christian Advocate, vol. ix, p. 118.
^ Christian Advocate, vol. ix, p. 162.
§ Tlie supply was R. S. Foster.

St. Paul's. 325

ber, 1849. Mr. Ralph Mead boiight it, and the congre-
gation paid him $25,000 for the property. A new or-
ganization was effected under the title of "The Mul-
berry Street Methodist Episcopal Church."

YEAR.

MEMBERS

PASTOR.

YEAR. 1

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1851

280

Foster.

1854

263 J. B. Hagany.

1852

264

Haven.

1855

257 A. M. Osbou.

1853

261

Hagany.

1856

251

In 1856 the question of removal began to be agitated.
On October 6 St. Philip's Protestant Episcopal Church *
offered to purchase the property, deliverable May 1,
1857, and the offer was accepted. On November 23,
1856, it was decided to buy the property on the corner
of Fourth Avenue and Twenty-second Street. On the
ground was a wooden chapel which had been used by
the Calvary Protestant Episcopal Church. This was
fitted up for temporary use, the congregation in the
meanwhile meeting in the chapel of the Fourth Avenue
Presbyterian Church. The corner-stone was laid by
Dr. Bangs on September 9, 1857, Rev. Alfred Cookman,
of the Philadelphia Conference, and Rev. A. M. Osbon
speaking on the occasion.

The walls of the new church went up around the
old building, and the chapel in Twenty-second Street
was completed and occupied December 27, 1857, the
opening sermon being by Bishop Janes. The church
was dedicated May 9, 1858, by Bishop Ames, after
a sermon by Dr. J. P. Durbin on John i, 29. Dr.
J. McClintock preached in the afternoon, and Rev.
Thomas Sewall, of Baltimore, in the evening. This
building (St. Paul's Church) is so well known to Meth-

* This was a congregation of colored people, once under tlie pastoral
care of Rev. Peler Williams, son of Peter Williams, the old sexton of
John Street Clnirch. See Appendix V, p. 489. It has since been
sold to a Catholic congregation of Italians.

326 A History of Methodism in New York City.

odists in the city and to many elsewhere that no de-
scription is necessary.

Since the church removed to its new location its pas-
tors and membership have been:

YEAR.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

1857

216

J. McClimock.*

1874

520

A. M. Cliapman.

1858

275

a «

1875

574

•'

1859

294

A. C. Foss.

1876

655

'•

1860

340

J. B, Hagany.

1877

655

H. Tiffany.

1861

354

1878

665

1862

332

H. B. Ridgaway.

1879

734

1863

357

1880

751

A. M. Chapman.

1864

388

J. McClintock.f

1881

702

1865

351

C. D. Foss.

1882

694

1866

392

1883

675

R. Day.

1867

434

1884

669

1868

444

H. B. Ridgaway.

1885

689

1869

480

1886

638

, McChesney.

1870

483

1887

384 ^

1871

502

C. D. Foss.

1888

409

1872

517

1889

415

, H. McGrew.

1873

533

1890

406

Chiircli, $175,000. Parsonage, 125,000. Debt, $4,000.
Salary, $4,000. Rent, $2,000. Other collections,
$6,156. Current expenses, $2,297. Sunday-school, 239.§

* E. L. Prentice was assistant pastor in 1857, and A. C. Foss in 1858.
In 1858 the name was changed to St. Paul's.

\ B. B. Otheman assistant.

:j: This reduction arose partly from a revision of the list, and partly
from the removal of a number of members to tlie newly organized
church on Madison Avenue.

§ Since the above was written the property has been sold for
$300,000 and the building taken down. The new location has not yet
been selected.

Chelsea. 327

CHAPTER XXVIII.

CHURCHES: CHELSEA— WASHINGTON SQUARE— A SBURT,
NORFOLK STREET— JANE STREET— ALANSON— MADISON
STREET— MADISON AND CATHARINE STREET— CHERRY
STREET— ELEVENTH STREET.

CHELSEA.

{Twenty-fourth Street— TJiirtieth Street.)

The Chelsea Methodist Episcopal Church owes its
origin to the foresight and energy of Rev. Joseph
Longkitig. In 1838 it occurred to him that a mission
should be established in the upper part of the city,
west of Eighth Avenue, in what was then a sparsely
settled district, but likely soon to be densely populated.
He therefore secured a basement in Tenth Avenue,
between Twenty-sixth and Twenty-seventh Streets,
next door to the residence of Gerry Walker, at a
rent of $60 a year. A Sunday-school was organ-
ized, the teachers being principally young people from
the churches in Greene and Vestry Streets. Prayer and
class-meetings were begun, and also preaching on Sun-
day evenings, generally by local preachers, but occa-
sionally by Rev. George Coles, then Assistant Editor of
77ie Christum Advocate. Gerry Walker and James
Scott, members of the Church in Eighteenth Street,
and John Crouch, a member of that in Vestry Street,
were active co-laborers in the work. In 1841 the mission
was removed to the second story of a building at
the south-west corner of Twenty-seventh Street and
Ninth Avenue, the lower part of which was a carpen-
22

328 A History of Methodism in New York City.

ter's shop. In July or August, 1843, the society was
incorporated under the title of "The Chelsea Methodist
Episcopal Church of the City^ of New York," and a lot
on the north side of Twenty-fourth Street, a little east
of Ninth Avenue, was leased from Joseph Longking
at a yearlj'- rent of $56. Here a house was erected,
24 feet 6 inches by 50 feet. It was a frame building
with a basement, costing $1,600, and was dedicated on
Friday, January 5, 1844, the first sermon being preached
by Rev. N, LeviuL^s, on Matt, xviii, 20, and that in the
evening by Rev. J. Dempster, on 2 Cor. iv, 5. Rev.
Bezaleel Howe, a supernumerary preacher of the New
York Conference, was the first pastor, and at the en-
suing Conference (1844) reported fifty-nine mem-
bers. Rev. N. C. Lewis was then appointed in 1844,
and S. A. Seaman followed in 1845, and remained two
years.

The building in Twenty-fourth Street had been in-
tended to be but temporary, the design being to locate
eventually some five or six streets above. That region,
however, had not been graded, an elevation known as
Strawberry Hill occupying the ground between Twenty-
sixth and Thirty-third Streets and Eighth and Ninth
Avenues. The society, however, was growing even
more rapidly than was expected, and it was proposed to
enlarge the little church ; but on Jnly 20, 1846, it was
decided that this would not be advisable, but that a
new location should be sought and a new house erected.
Lots were secured on the north side of Thirtieth Street,
midway between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, for $3,560,
and collections begun.

At the Conference of 1847, for various reasons, the
charge was left to be supplied. The Rev. John Hewit
occupied the pulpit for about six months. In Decem-
ber Rev. Samuel Meredith, since of the Troy Confer-

Chelsea. 329

ence, succeeded Mr. Hewit. Rev. E. O. Haven, after-
ward Bishop, then became pastor. On Monday, June
29, 1848, the corner-stone of the new house was laid
after addresses from Bishop Janes and Rev. Charles
Pitman.* The basement was opened on Sunday, January
21, 1849, with a sermon by Bishop Janes.f On July 11
the audience-room was dedicated, Rev. Joseph Holdich,
D.D., preaching the first sermon, and Rev. W, K. Stop-
ford the second. The dedication was by Rev. B. Griffin,
the presiding elder.J

This building is of brick, 60 by 80 feet, with a
basement above ground, and though plain is one of
the most attractive of the older style of church edi-
fices in the city. The total cost, including land and
furnishing, was about .^17,500. In the spring of
1853 a parsonage was completed at the cost of about
$4,500.

The Minutes give the following statistics:

YEAR. MEMBERS.

PASTOR,

VEAR. MEMBERS,

PASTOR.

1844

N. C. Lewis.

1856

458

C. Foss.

1845

105

S. A. Seaman.

1857

470

■'

1846

120

1858

588

Millard.

1847

135

To be supplied.§

1859

715

1848

160

E. 0. Haven.

1860

770

W. Lindsay.

1849

179

1861

832

1850

290

J. B. Beacli.

1862

732

K. True.

1851

345

1863

768

1852

391

C. Isham.

1864

765

B. Hagany.

1853

434

•'

1865

560

1 854||

339

D. Buck.

1866

692

, C. Foss.

1855

493

1867

588

* ChrisHan Advocate, vol. xxiii, p. 103.

f Ihid., vol. xxiv, p. 10.

X Christian Advocate, vol. xxiv, pp. 110, 114, and Coles's Later
Years, p. 282.

§ J. Hewit ana S. Meredith were the supplies.

II This loss of about one hundred members was caused by the
organization of the Trinity Church in Tiiirty-fourth Street.

•'Mr. Hagany died suddenly, June 28, 1865. A. C. Foss supplied.

330 A History of Methodism in New York City.

YEAR. (

.lEMBEKS

PASTOR.

TEAR. MEMBERS,

PASTOR.

1868

547

A. D. Vail.

1880

400

"W". H. Ferris.

1869

651

1881

425

C. R. North.

1870

633

1882

469

1871

667

H. H. Birkins.

1883

441

1872

699

1884

445

C. Wright.

1873

560

1885

510

1874

543

E. S. Bishop.

1886

491

1875

450

G. H. Corey.

1887

456

J. G. Oakley.

1876

408

1888

425

•'

1877

492

1889

325

1878

492

W. P. Abbott.*

1890

330

W. S. Winans, Jr.

1879

385

W. H. Ferris.

Church, 138,000. Parsonage, $15,000. No debt. Sal-
ary, $1,800. Rent, $1,200. Other collections, $625.
Current expenses, $2,100. Sunday-school, 300.

WASHINGTON SQUARE.

(Sullivan Street.)

A branch of the Methodist Society organized by
Rev. W. M. Stilwell in 1820 built a house of worship
in Sullivan Street, near Spring, which Avas opened in
1824. In 1826 a division took place in the Methodist
Society ; the congregation in Sullivan Street became
independent, and finally united with the Methodist
Protestant Church. In 1839 the building was sold
and a new one erected in the upper part of the same
street, near Bleecker. In 1841, however, the debt be-
ing heavy, the larger j^art of the members (all but
about twenty) chose to unite with the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, and in 1842 the transfer took place.
The Rev. G. N. Smith, whose health had compelled
him to become supernumerary at the preceding Con-
ference, was appointed to the charge (January, 1843).

*Mr. Abbott died December 26, 1878. W. H. Ferris supplied.

Washington Square. 331

Its reports and subsequent appointments were as fol-
lows:

YEAR. MKMBEKS.

PASTOR.

YEAR. »

lEMBERS.

PASTOR.

1843

200

X. Smitli.

1852

418

S. Fitch.

1844

300

1853

379

L. M. Vincent.

1845

320

Law.

1854

315

1846

370

'•

1855

295

W. H. Ferris.

1847

400

W. Clark.

1856

300

'•

1848

392

1857

236

J. B. Hafrany.

1849

400

. H. Ferris.

1858

261

C. Shelling.

1850

476

1859

259

1851

425

Fitch.

By this time it had become evident that the building
was not such as the congregation needed, and that its
location was unfavorable. Land was, therefore, bought
in Fourth Street, between Sixth Avenue and Washing-
ton Square, and here, on August 17, 1859, the corner-
stone of a new edifice was laid b}^ Bishop Janes, Rev.
Dr. McClintock assisting in the services.* This was
dedicated on Sunday, June 10, 1860, Rev. J. P. Dur-
bin, Bishop Simpson, and Rev. R. S. Foster (the pastor)
officiating.! The house is a very attractive one, about 65
feet by 90, Avith a front of marble and a basement very
much.above ground. It cost 175,000. In the Minutes,
therefore, the name "Sullivan Street" gives place to
that of Washington Square. J From that time its ap-
pointments and reports are:

YEAR. I

JEMEERS

PASTOR.

YEAR. 1

MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

1860

238

Foster.

1868

413

S. Foster.

1861

254

1869

404

H. Wyatt.

1862

236

Newman.

1870

434

1863

255

1871

422

•t

1864

273

, Ridgaway.

1872

460

. P. Abbott.

1865

321

1873

460

18H6

362

1874

556

1867

361

Foster.

1875

556

. Lloyd.

* Christian Advocate, vol. xxxiv, p. 127.
•f Ibid., vol. XXXV, p. 95.

I The Asbury Church, on the eastern side of the sqnare, is another
organization.

332 A History of Methodism ix New York City,

YEAR. >

lEMBERS

PASTOK.

YEAR. \

lEMBERS

PASTOR.

1876

670

W. Lloyd.

1884

539

M. Hulbnrd.

1877

547

J. M. King.

1885

566

'•

1878

606

1886

624

J. R. Thompson.

1879

645

W. F. Hatfield.

1887

537

1880

670

1883

595

1881

750

J. J. Reed.

1889

591

C. H. Me.Aimey.

1882

788

1890

515

1883

650

u *

Church, 1100,000. Parsonage, $15,000. No debt.
Salary, $2,500. Rent, $1,300. Other collections, $8,795.
Current expenses, $3,300. Sunday-school, 625.

ASBURY CHURCH IN NORFOLK STREET.

It is not at all surprising that, after the circuit system
had been abandoned and the propert}' divided among
the several charge?, the attention of each should be
turned more especially to its own interests. It Avas in
some degree necessaiy indeed that their stakes should
be strengthened, but for a Avhile little regard was paid
to lengthening the cords, and several years elapsed be-
fore any new chuich enterprise was undertaken. Some
of the congregations — as Allen Street, Willett Street,
and Second Street — were overflowing. About 1842,
principally through the instrumentality of Rev. J. M.
Howe, M.D., John Harper, Daniel and Stephen Barker,
Crandall Rich, and William Mackrell, the " Asbury
Society " was organized " for the purpose of increasing
the number of churches where they were most needed."
Under its auspices two enterprises were undertaken, the
first of which was the Asbury Church in Norfolk Street.
Columbian Hall, in Grand Street, a little east of the
Bowery, was hired, and Rev. E. Withey began services
there. It was soon filled and a number of conversions

* Mr. Reed was transferred during the year to the Cincinnati Con-
ference and Mr. Hulburd supplied.

AsBURY Church in Norfolk Street. 333

took place. Four lots of ground were bought on the
west side of Norfolk Street, near Stanton Street, and
on May 16, 1843, the corner-stone of -a new building
was laid by Rev. J. Dempster, Rev. S. Olin giving an
address.* The report of membership in 1843 was 330,
of which all but 100 were on trial. Mr. Withey re-
turned for a second year, and on October 5 the house
was dedicated. Dr. Olin preaching in the afternoon on
John xiv, 1, and Dr. Levings in the evening on Heb.
ii, 10. f Its record is:

VEAE.

MEMBKES

;. PASTOE.

YEAR.

MEMBER!

PASTOR.

184;{

330

E. Withey.

1853

500

S. Francis.

1844

590

N. White.

1854

515

Bangs.

1845

475

1855

335

H. Rnhinson,

1846

551

S. Martindale.

1856

300

E. Searles.

1847

501

1857

305

1848

439

J. Field.

1858

318

S. Francis.

1849

479

1859

323

1850

400

To be supplied. :j:

1860

284

. Lawrence.

1851

609

J. S. Mitchell.

1861

225

1852

527

A. S. Francis.

In the Minutes of 1861 the name of this charge is not
found in the list of appointments. The house was
sold to a German Reformed congregation.

JANE STREET,

(Home Mission.)

Wlien, in 1844, Mr. Withey's term of service at Nor-
folk Street had expired, he w^as appointed home mis-
sionary in the city of New York, with the design of
getting up a new church between Bedford and Eight-
eenth Streets. A hall was occupied for a sliort time,
and then the use of a piece of ground bounded by
West Twelfth Street and Greenwich and Seventh

* Christian Advocate, vol. xvii, p. 172. \ Ibid., vol. xviii, p. 34.
\ J. S. Mitchell supplied.

334 A History of Methodism in New Yokk City.

Avenues, used for storing water-pipes, was secured.
This was known as the " Pipe Lot," and liere Mr.
Withey preached every Sunday afternoon at five
o'clock. Wlien the cold weather came on the serv-
ices were removed to the old Merchants' Bank build-
ing, at the junction of Jane and Fourth Streets and
Eighth Avenue. In the meanwhile lots had been pur-
chased on the north side of Jane Sti-eet, between
Eighth and Greenwich Avenues, and Kentucky Hall
hired until the basement of the new church was com-
pleted. The corner-stone of this building was laid Oc-
tober 22, 1845, Bishop Janes and Drs. N. Bangs and
P. P. Sandford taking part in the services.* The base-
ment was occupied about August 1, 1845, and the dedica-
tion took place May 10, 1846, Avith a sermon by Bishop
Janes. The edifice is of brick, with a basement above
ground. Its record in the Minutes is:

YEAR. ^

lEMBERS,

rASTl.R.

YEAR. MEMBERS

PASTOR.

184-1

E. Withey.

1865

435

J. Croft.

1845

211

1866

395

T. M. Curry.

1846

275

W. Gothard.

1867

340

1847

285

1868

262

R. C. Putney.

1848

212

D. Stocking.

1869

284

1849

290

1870

297

W. C. Smith.

1850

290

R. C. Putney.

1871

300

1851

322

1872

300

F. Hamblin.

1852

393

H. Lounsbury.

1873

313

1853

380

1874

480

1854

405

J. B. Wakeley.

1875

462

W. W. Sever.

1855

326

1876

375

1856

495

R. C. Putney.

1877

347

1857

525

1878

354

A. Schriver.

1858

659

H. Lounsbury.

1879

326

1859

594

1880

325

1860

500

W. H. Evans.

1881

263

P. Gerraond.

1861

628

1882

307

1862

478

D. Buck.

1883

300

1863

458

1884

211

N. B. Thompson.

1864

422

J. Croft.

1885

215

* Christian Adrocate, vol. xx, p. 43.

Jaxe Steeet. 335

YKAR. MEMBERS. PASTOR.

YEAR, MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1886 21-t N. B. Thompson.

1889 581 Supplied by S. Mer-

1887 222*

ritt.

1888 701f Supplied by S. Her-

1890 758 Supplied by S.Mer-

ri tt.

ritt and W. C.

Willing.

A few years ago this church seemed to be declining,
but a gracious work has added largely to it, and it is
to be hoped it has entered on a new career of prosperity.

Church, $50,000. Two parsonages, $24,000. Debt,
$22,000. Salary, $1,000. Other collections, $892. Cur-
rent expenses, $2,250. Sunday-school (in 1889), 325.

MADISON AND CATHARINE STREETS.

In the Minutes of the New York Conference of 1843
we find among the city appointments, " Church corner
of Madison and Catharine Streets, R. Gilbert, sup."
This congregatiqn originated in the efforts of Mr. Ste-
phen Barker and others, who bought a building erected
by the Fourth Presbyterian Church, for $13,000, and
began with a membership of twelve.J Its succeeding
appointments and reports were:

YEAR.

MEMBERS

PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS

PASTOR.

1844

216

Floy.

1850

273

J. Floy.

1845

270

•'

1851

242

1846

275

L. Gilder.

1852

240

To be supplied. t^

1847

S.37

185.3

351

J. S. Inskip.

1848

290

Crawford.

1854

385

W. P. Corbit.

1849

284

1855

315

The name then disappears from the Minutes, the
charge having l)een disbanded. The building is now

* Jane and Franklin Sireets supplied by S. Merritt.

f In the two churches.

:|:Greenleaf's History of the Churches of New York, p. 300.

g Supplied by J. S. Inskip.

336 ^i. HISTORY OF Methodism in New York City,

occupied as a mariners' church, the successor to that
in Roosevelt Street, of wliich the Rev. Henry Chase was
so long pastor.

CHERRY street.

(Mariners' Methodist Episcopal Church.)

During the session of the General Conference of
1844 the corner-stone of a building was laid in Cherry
Street, between Clinton and Montgomery Streets.* It
was originated by some members of the Willett Street
Church, and bore the title of " First Mariners' Method-
ist Episcopal Church." The chapel was completed and
occupied until the dedication of the mahi building-,
which took place October 31, 1844. Rev. S. S. Roszell,
of the Baltimore Conference, preached in the afternoon,
and Rev. E. T. Taylor, of Boston, in the evening. The
building was 57^ by 75 feet, of brick. Its history, as
given in the Minutes, is:

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

YKAK.

MKMBKK8. PASTOR.

1844

151

Poisal.

1853

193

J. H. Perry.

1845

400

Seiiey.

1854

131

J. Law.

1846

260

H. King.

1855

100

1847

260

1856

357

W. P. Corbit

1848

240

A. Sillick.

1857

415

1849

216

H. Perry.

1858

363

J. S. Inskip.

1850

216

1859

415

18.51

154

1860

404

J. 0. Rogers.

1852

162

1861

400

In 1861 the name is not found in the list of appoint-
ments, and J. O. Rogers goes to Alanson Church. The
enterprise had not been successful, though collections
were taken for several years throughout the Conference
to sustain it. The property was sold to Mr. Alanson
Briggs, who used it for a cooper's shop and storage.f

* Christian Advocate, vol. xviii, p. 183. \ Ibid., vol. xliv, p. 97.

Alanson Church, Norfolk Street. 337

ALANSON CHURCH, NORFOLK STREET.

This church was the successor of Cherry Street.
A building erected by the Baptist Church, of which
Rev. Dr. Armitage was pastor, was bought princi-
pally through tlie liberality of Mr. Alanson Briggs. It
stood between Grand and Broome Streets, and was a
very good edifice of brown-stone.

Tlie reports of the Alanson Church were :

YBAB.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBER

S. PASTOR.

1861

J. 0. Rocfer.'i.

1874

415

C. E. Harris.

1862

380

J. E. Searles.

1875

369

W. P. Estes.

1863

360

1876

386

1864

330

W. P. Corbit.

1877

361

R. Crook.

1865

366

1878

232

•'

186G

393

C. E. Harris.

1879

242

F. C. Hill.

1867

406

1880*

270

1 868

484

1881

235

To be supplied.!

1869

495

G. W. Woodrutt'.

1882

267

D. W. Couch.

1870

440

J. Parker, 2d.

1883

271

J. Pilkiugtou.

1871

525

1884

213

1872

535

N. G. Cheney.

1885

137

R. A. Sadlier.

1873

572

C. E. Harris.

1886

The name disappears fi'om the list of appointments in
1886, the propei'ty having been sold to the Jews, who
now occujty it as a synagogue. In its stead we have the

MADISON STREET MISSION,

" to be supplied." J This mission reported :

YEAR. MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1887 23 M. F. Cumpton.

1888 31 To be supplied. '

YEAR MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1889 18 To be supplied. I

1890 62 " il

The building is a dwelling (No. 209), the upper
stories occupied as a parsonage. It was dedicated Oc-

* In 1880 tlie property passed into tlie hands of the City Churcli
Extension Society.

f D. VV. Couch supplied. :]: M. F. Coinpion supplied.

§ G. N. Cnmpion supplied. || J. S. Stone supplied.

^ S. Merritl supplied.

338 A History of Methodism in New York City.

tober 19, 1886, .and is valued at $25,000. No debt.
Salary, $1,800. Rent, $1,200. Other collections, |47.
Current expenses, $121. Sunday-school, 100.

DRY dock.

(Ninth Street.)

On April 20, 1845, a Sunday-school was opened in a
room over a lager-beer saloon in East Tenth Street, be-
tween Avenues B and C, and on the second Sunday in May
preaching was begun. An association of ladies, known
as the Ladies' Methodist Home Missionary Society, had
the enterprise in charge, employing Rev. Joseph Long-
king as missionary.* A shanty was afterward erected
and occupied until a substantial brick building Avas put
up on the corner of Ninth Street and Avenue B. The
corner-stone was laid August 24, 1846, by Bishop Janes,
after addresses by Rev. Dr. Roberts, of Baltimore, and
Rev. W. H. Milburn.f The dedication took place on
Thursday, January 21, 1847, Bishop Hamline preaching
on Psa. Ixxxiv, 1. The building was of brick, 48 feet
by 70.J Mr. Longking continued in charge until the Con-
ference of 1846. After that its record was as follows:

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

1846

Brown.

1854

246

'. McAllister.

1847

110

••

1855

301

1848

290

D'C. Crawford.

1856

270

Henson.

1849

214

1857

294

1850

237

E. Griswold.

1858

438

C. Keeler.

1851

268

1859

356

1852

239

C. Youngs.

1860

378

S. Inskip.

1853

303

1S61

352

" §

* Christian Advocate, vol. xx, p. 86. \ Ibid., vol xxi, p. 14.

\Ibid., vol. xxii, pp. 7, 15.

§ In the summer of 1861 Mr. Inskip was appointed chaplain in the
army, and the pulpit was supplied from various sources during the
rest of the year.

Dry Dock. 339

YE*E. MEMBERS. PASTOR. YEAR. MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1862 293 J. B. Merwin. 1864 — ■ To be supplied.

1863 229 A. H. Mead.

In 1865 the name disappears from the Minutes. The
foreign population was rapidly gaining ascendency in
the neighborhood, and the congregation became discour-
aged. The property was sold and the proceeds reserved
for a future enterprise in that vicinity.

ELEVENTH STREET.

(^Avenue A Mission.)

After the church in Ninth Street had been sold it
was felt that something should be done for that neigh-
borhood, and on May 13, 1866,* a Sunday-school was
organized at 145 Avenue A, near Tenth Street, and
preaching and prayer-meetings begun. Not long after
a lot, 40 feet by 103, was obtained in Eleventh Street,
near Avenue B, and the corner-stone was laid in the
autumn of 1867.f The dedication took place on Sun-
day, January 12, 1868, Bishop Janes preaching.^ The
building is of brick, in simple Gothic style, costing
$25,000, of which $9,697 50 was provided for by the
proceeds of old Ninth Street. In addition to this
$5,000 had been raised, leaving about $10,000 to be
obtained. Of this amount $9,000 was subscribed on the
day of dedication, and J. B. Cornell became responsible
for the rest.

For several years this charge was under the care of
the city missionaries on the east side, and its name does

* Another report says August 7.

f Letter from Rev. G. Hollis.

X Chruilian Advocate, vol. xliii, p. 21.

340 A History of Methodism in New York City.

not appear on the Minutes until 1873. From that date
its record is:

YPAE.

MEMBERS.

PjlSTOB.

YEAR.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1873

50 A.

Graham.

1875

93 A. Graham.

1874

'•

1876

In 1876-78 Wesley Chapel and Eleventh Street
were united under the charge of A. C. Morehouse, and
also in 1879 under S. H. Smith. But in 1880 they sep-
arated, and we have:

YEAR, MEMBERS. PASTOR. YEAR. MEMBERS, PASTOR.

1880 S.H.Smith. 1886 182 A. A. Lathbnrj.

1881 171 " 1887 172 L. Ricliardsou.

1882 183 D. McMullen. 1888 156

1883 151 " 1889 128 "

1884 147 A. A. Lathbury. 1890 98 To be supplied by

1885 169 " R. C. Manly.

Church, $30,000. No parsonage. Debt, $10,000. Sal-
ary, $880. Rent, $420. Other collections, $113. Cur-
rent expenses, $383. Sunday-school, 369.

Lexington Avenue. 341

CHAPTER XXIX.

CHURCHES: LEXINGTON AVRNUE-SEYENTEENTH STREET
—THIRTY-SEVENTH STREET— TRINITY (34ih Street)—
FORTY-FOURTH STREET— ST. JOHN'S— TWENTY-FOURTH
STREET— TRINITY (118th Street)— BEEKM AN HILL.

LEXINGTON AVENUE.

(Fiftieth Street.)

In tlie Minutes of 184Y we have for the first time the
name of " Fiftieth Street Mission." In connection with
Twenty-seventh Street a class of ten members had
been formed in November, 1844, and a Sunday-school
organized and preaching begun on the second floor of an
old building in Forty-fourth Street, near Tliird Avenue.*
In the spring of 1846 land was obtained in Fiftieth
Street, west of Third Avenue, and a frame building
erected 32 by 45 feet with a basement. It was dedi-
cated December 3, 1846, by Bishop Janes.f In the
following spring Thomas Carter was appointed to the
charo-e, and we find its record to be as follows:

1847

_ T.Carter. 1854 80 J. H. Romer.

1848 56 " 1855 80

1849

,„.„ 52 J. W. Macoraber. 185G 65 R. Kortright.

1850 63 S. C. Perry. 1857 CO S. Orciitt.

1851 01 " 1858 171 "

1852 56 O.E.Brown. 1859 136 W. P. Strickland.

1853 GO ■• I860 140 W. M. Cliipp.

At this time the Beekman Hill enterprise was begun,
and it was proposed that Fiftieth Street should be

*Greenlears History of the Churches in New Yr/rk, p. 293.
f Christian Advocate, vol. xxiii, p. 3.

342 A History of Methodism in New York City.

united witli it. The property was sold, but ?, majority
of the membership refused to go into the new organ-
ization. The report in 1861 was 114 members. In
1861-02 J. C. Washburne was appointed, and a hall
was hired in whicli the congregation met. In 1862 the
membership had fallen to 85. A new church edifice,
however, was undertaken at the corner of Lexington
Avenue and Fifty-second Street. The corner-stone
was laid June 5, 1862, by Bishop Janes,* and the lect-
ure-room was opened December 1. The audience-room
Avas not dedicated until May 27, 1866, when Rev. C. D.
Foss preached in the morning and Rev. M. D'C. Craw-
ford in the evening. Its record since has been:

YEAR.

MEMBKB:

S. PASTOR.

YEAR. MEMBERS,

PASTOR.

1863

120

A. xM. Hough.

1876

200

W. Selleck.

1864

125

1877

169

. H. Mickle.

1865

146

A. McLean.

1878

232

1866

167

W. H. Evans.

1879

229

1867

120

1880

165

, H. Birkins.

1868

164

1881

163

1869

135

R. M. Siratton.

1882

146

1870

211

1883

161

Wright.

1871

218

1884

163

Wheatley.

1872

209

F. S. De Hass.

1885

122

1873

286

1886

1874

204

J. B. Wakeley.

1887

119

1875

206

J. W. Selleck.

The property then passed into the hands of the City
Church Extension Society, and is now occupied by the
Swedish Mission.

seventeenth street.

{Sixteenth Street Mission — Hedding Mission.)

This church owes its origin to the Ladies' Home
Missionary Society, and is one year younger than the
New York East Conference. In the Minutes of the
first separate session of that body (1849) we find, at

* Christian Advocate^ vol. xxxvii, p. 184.

Skventeenth Street.

343

the end of the appointments of the New York East
District, " Sixteenth Street Mission, to be supplied."
Their first place of worship was a dwelling on the east
side of First Avenue, between Sixteenth and Seven-
teenth Streets. In 1851 we have the first report of its
membership, and it then took the name of Hedding
Mission. The Minutes give us these items:

YEAK.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1851

W. Silverthorn.

1871

359

J. S. AViUis.

1852

To be supplied.

1872

336

W. H. Boole.

1853

181

S. Rowland.

1873

287

1854

190

To be supplied.*

1874

366

1855

220

Joha Crawford.

1875

356

J. H. Lightbourn.

1856

230

1876

202

1857

271

G. R. Crooks.

1877

163

P. D. Ware.

1858

304

1878

160

1859

291

J. A. Roche.

1879

142

G. H. Goodsell.

1860

340

1880

159

A. B. Sauford.

1861

274

A. Stevens.

1881

152

1862

285

1882

139

1863

323

G. R. Crooks.

1883

108

N. Hubbell.

1864

275

1884

150

1865

282

1885

214

I. E. Smith.

1866

238

W. P. Corbit

1886

168

1867

275

1887

183

A. C. Moreliouse.

1868

310

1888

134

1869

308

J. S. Willis.

1889

152

1870

331

1890

121

The church is on the north side of Seventeenth
Street, between First and Second Avenues. The corner-
stone was laid December 6, 1852, by Bishop Janes,f
and the lecture-room was opened May 15, 1853, with a
sermon by Bishop Simpson.J The dedication was on
March 27, 1854, Rev. J. P. Durbin officiating. A
parsonage was built in 1854,

Church, 140,000. Parsonage, 1(18,000. Debt, 17,000.
Salary, 11,200. Rent, |1,000. Other collections, $340.
Current expenses, $990. Sunday-school, 1,018.

* A. Steele supplied. f ClirwHan Advocate, vol. xxvii, p. 195.

Xlbid., vol. xxviii, p. 75.
23

344 A History of Methodism in New York City.

THIRTY-SEVENTH STREET.

{Kipp's Bay.)

In the Minutes of tlie New York East Conference of
1854 we read, " Twenty-seventh Street and Thirty-
seventh Street, D. Curry, V, Buck." The society in
Twenty-seventh Street established a Sunday-school
about December, 1853, and, not long after, ground was
obtained on the north side of Thirty-seventh Street,
about half-way between Second and Third Avenues.
A shanty which stood on the rear of the lot was occu-
pied for a season, and in the fall of 1854 a brick dwell-
ing was put up on the eastern part of the property, in-
tended for a parsonage, the first floor of which was
occupied for a Avhile as a place of worship. At length
a chui-ch Avas built of brick, with a basement mostly
above ground. This was dedicated March 13, 1859,
with services conducted by Rev. J. Kennady, Hev.
Thomas De Witt, of the Reformed Church, and Rev.
J. Porter. Its record is as follows:

YEAR. 1

IIEMBKRS. PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBER!

5. PASTOR,

1854*

Y. Buck.

1870

402

T. H. Burch.

1855*

1871

376

•'

1856

H. Hiisled.

1872

350

•'

1857

1873

286

R. Meredith.

1858

J. S. Mitcliell.

1874

240

1859

137

1875

208

W. H. Russell.

1860

284

AV. McAllister.

1876

205

1861

285

1877

182

C. P. Corner.

1862

257

D. Curry.

1878

217

1863

255

1879

2G6

E. A. Blake.

1864

260

W. H. Boole.

1 880

2 ('5

1865

310

1881

221

•'

1866

322

1882

208

G. H Goodsell.

1867

318

W. McAllister.

1883

598

1868

380

1884

250

1869

391

1885

219

J. S. AVliedon.

* Reported witli Tvveiitj^-seventli Street.

Thirty-seventh Street. 345

VEAK.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

YEAR. ]

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1886

218 J. S. Whedon

1889

194 R. T. McNicholl.

1887

188

1890

232

1888

201 R. T. McNicholl.

In 1879, the congregation, finding itself heavily
burdened, made over the property to the City Church
Extension Society. The debt has been paid, and the
church is now valued at 140,000. The parsonage, how-
ever, has been sold.

Salary, |1,500. Rent, |600. Other collections, $569.
Current expenses, |1,221. Sunday-school, 281.

trinity.

{Frte Tabernacle — Thirty-fourth Street.)

In the statistics of the Chelsea (Thirtieth Street)
Methodist Episcopal Church for 1854 there appears a
loss of nearly one liundred members. An unfortunate
controversy in regard to the renting of pews resulted
in the withdrawal of a number, many of whom had been
among the most zealous friends of the Church. They
met for a time in a hall on Eighth Avenue, near Thirty-
fourth Street, and finally erected a building on the
south side of Thirty-fourth Street, a little east of
Eighth Avenue, which was called the Trinity Church.*
The corner-stone was laid on July 12, 1855,f by Bishop
Janes, addresses being delivered by E. O. Haven, Dr. A.
M. Osbon, etc. The dedication took place on June 29,
1856, Bishop Janes j^reaching in the morning. Rev. H.
Mattison in the afternoon. Dr. R. S. Foster in the even-
ing. The building was of blue stone, 65 feet by 99,
with a tower 90 feet high, and was both externally and

*TIiis must not be confounded witli tlie present Trinity Methodist
Episcopal Church in East 118th Street.

f Christian Advocate, vol. xxx, pp. Ill, 115.

346 A History of Methodism in New York City.

internally a very fine edifice,
statistics were :

Its appointments and

VEAR. MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1854: 58 To be supplied.*

185.5 105 "

1856 119 R.S.Foster.

1857 155 M. D'O. Crawford.

1858 181

1859 193 To be supplied.f

1860 246 J. L. McKown.

1861 247 G. S. Hare.

1862 259 "

1863 251 A. Cookman.

YEAR. MEMBERS.

1864 276 A. Cookman.

1865 291 T. F. Hildreth.

1866 300

1867 267

1868 215 C. D. Foss.

1869 257 "

1870 240 "

1871 238 J. E. Cookman.

1872 241

1873 251

During Mr. Cookman's last term the members, finding
their burdens too heavy, and the organization of St.
Luke's, in Forty-fir.^t Street, near Sixth Avenue, prob-
ably drawing largely on the material of which their
congregation was composed, concluded to abandon the
enterprise, and gave the property to the City Church
Extension Society. The seats were made free and
the name changed to Free Tabei-nacle. Mr. Cookman
remained, and the record after this is :

YEAR.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBER!

i. PASTOR.

1874

318 L. H. King.

1878

311

W. N. Searles.

1875

290 J. Johns.

1879

367

1876

300

1880

303

1877

318

During this last year, however, the Church Extension
Society concluded to sell the property. After cancel-
ing a mortgage of 838,000, $11,000 was used to pur-
chase lots in Seventy-first Street for the St. Andrew's
Church, $6,000 to purchase lots in 109tli Street for the
Cliurch of the Saviour, and Sixty-first Street, Fifty-
third Street, and Beekman Hill were each aided to the
amount of $5,000. Thus, though a fine building was
lost, its proceeds seem to have been used judiciously
to strengthen other entei'prises of more promise.

* Supplied by H. Mattison. f Supplied by J. L. McKown.

FOBTY-FOURTH SXREET. 347

FORTY-FOURTH STREET.
{Janes Church.)
The Janes Church originated in a Sunday-school be-
gun by members of the Forty-third Street Church, in
Eleventh Avenue near Forty-fourth Street, about 1857.
City missionaries supplied it for several years, until
1863. On Sunday, June 25, of that year, the build-
ing was deilicated with a sermon by Rev. C. D. Foss.
It is near Eleventh Avenue, is 32 feet by 70, and cost,
including the ground, 120,000.* It has a stone front,
and is pleasant and commodious. Its record is :

YKAB. 1

VTEMBERS

PASTOR.

YKAH.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1863

J. C. Washburn.

1877

203

S. I. Ferguson.

1864

1878

176

G. H. Curey.

1865

1879

175

1866

110

J. F. Richmond.

1880

202

J. E. Gorse.

1867

135

1881

200

1868

175

1882

195

J. G. Oakley.

1869

208

TJ. Messker.

1883

193

1870

195

1884

240

1871

190

1885

215

L. H. King.

1872

185

W. Ostrander.

1886

190

1873

180

•'

1887

205

" +

1874

270

1888

192

J. Rovve.

1875

216

S. I. Ferg:iison.

1889

188

W. E. Ketcham,

1876

222

1890

166

H. C. Earl.

Church, #35,000. Parsonage, $10,000. Debt, $6,000.
Salary, $1,200. Rent, $800. Other collections, $183.
Current expenses, $1,250. Sunday-school, 150.

ST. John's.

{Fifty-third Street.)

In May, 1858, the second story of a frame building

at the corner of Fifty-eighth Street and Eighth Avenue

was hired and fitted up for public services, and the first

* Christian Advocate, vol. xl, p. 205.
f Mr. King died November 18, 1887.

348 A History of Methodism in New York City.

sermon was preached by Rev, J. liOiigking on May 22.
In October of the same year a Baptist church, in Fifty-
tliird Street, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue,
of which the brick basement had been roofed over and
fitted for a place of worship, was bought for $12,000.
The last service in this building was held April 9, 1870,
after which it was torn down and the corner-stone of
the present edifice laid by Bishop Janes on June I3n,
1870. The charge was for a time a part of the mission
work on the west side, and its name first appears on the
Minutes in 1862, after which its record is:

1862

A. McLean.

18(;:!

145

('. 1';. Harris.

1864

104

T. Lodge.

1865

1866

100

G. C. P:sray.

1867

100

1868

186

W. Ooss.

1869

126

1870

133

1871

122

A. D. Tail.

1872

209

1873

227

1874

245

J. M. King.

1875

277

1876

3;-;8

YEAR.

MEMBERS

PASTOR.

1877

306

McOldlnnd,

1878

298

(t.

an Alslyne.

1879

344

Lyon.

1880

246

Dean.

1881

192

1882

176

, K

. Strobridge

1883

329

•'

1884

402

1885

375

. Ackerly.

1886

345

1887

310

1888

i'35

Gorse.

1889

237

189ij

248

The elevated railroad runs in front of the building and
seriously interferes with the prosperity of the Churcli.

Church, $75,000. No parsonage. Debt, $10,000.
Salary, $1,500. Other collections, $427. Current ex-
penses, $1,600. Sunday-school, 230.

TWENTY FOURTH STREET.

(Second Church on that site.)

After the Chelsea Church removed to its new edifice

in Thirtieth Street the building in Twenty-fourth Street

was used by a congregation of Universalists. At the

Twenty-fourth Street. .349

New York Conference of 1859 Rev. W. H. Ferris was
appointed to the New York City Mission. In the
basement of a churcli building in Twenty-fourth Street,
between Sixth and Seventh Avenues, the audience-room
of which was occupied b}^ a society of the "Evangel-
ical Association," generally known as Albrights, he
found a congregation which invited him to take them
under his care, and he accordingly organized them as
a Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. Joseph Longking
was assisting Mr. Ferris, and finding the accommoda-
tions not all that was desirable, and learning that the
old building near Ninth Avenue was unoccupied, at hi«
suggestion it was obtained for the use of the society.
On September 11, 1859, it Avas re-opened with a sermon
by Rev. James Porter; but on Sunday morning, October
29, a little before the hour of service, it was burned
down. A hall on Eighth Avenue was occupied for a
season; but at length two lots, that on which the
church had stood and one adjoining it, on the east, were
bought for 88,(300. The corner-stone of a new building
was laid August 8, 1860, by Bishop Janes,* and on
October 25, the basement stor}^ having been finished and
covered with a temporary roof, was dedicated by the
same bishop.f On Sunday, July 21, 1866, the building,
having been completed, was dedicated. Bishop Janes
again officiating.^ The following is its record from
the time of its appearance in the Minutes as a separate
charofe:

VEAB. 1

.lEMBERS. PASTOR.

VKAR. >

lEMBERS.

PASTOR.

1862

T. Lodge.

1866

372

A. K. Sniiford.

1863

245

1867

3-18

T. W. Cliadvvick.

1864

262 A. K. Saiiford.

1868

375

J. E. Gorse.

1865

252

1869

415

* Christian Adcocafe, vol. xxxv, p. 130.

\ Ibid., vol. xxxv, p. 187. j^ Ibid., vol. xlii, p. 237.

350 A History of Methodism in New York City.

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS

;. PASTOR.

1870

366

E. Gorse.

1881

363

0. Haviland.

1871

377

W. Selleck.

1882

358

1872

402

1883

328

W. X. Searles.

1873

315

1884

350

1874

281

Lodge.

1885

372

A. K. Sanford.

1875

350

'•

1886

386

1876

290

1887

390

1877

267

H. Burch.

1888

358

J. E. Cookman

1878

312

1889

389

1879

321

1890

370

R. M. Stratton.

1880

354

Haviland.

Church, $50,000. Parsonage, $12,000. Debt, $14,500.
Salary, $1,533. Rent, $1,000. Other collections, $785.
Current expenses, $2,236. Sunday-school, 300.

TRINITY, EAST ONE-HUNDRED-AND-EIGHTEENTH STilEKT.

{Second Avenue.)

On a pleasant Sunday in July, 1859, a little company
met for religious services in the basement of the house
of Mrs. Hester Ann Clark, on East li:Oth Street. In
September of the same year four lots were bought on
116th Street, east of Second Avenue, and preparations
made to put up a temporary building at a cost of $4,000.
On October 10, the Rev. Heman Bangs, presiding elder,
formed a society, and about the same time Rev. Valen-
tine Buck was appointed pastor. Land was afterward
secured at the corner of 119th Street and Second Av-
enue, and the corner-stone of a brick edifice was laid
August 27, 1860, by Drs. Kennady and Scudder.f The

* Mr. Cookmau resigned shortly afler Conference to enter tlio
Protestant Episcopal Church. R. M. Stratton supplied,
■f Christian Advocate, vol. xxv, p. 142.

Trinity, East 118th Street.

351

basement was occupied in December, I860,* and the
building was dedicated on September 15, 1861, Rev.
J. H. Perry preaching on Isa. xlvi, 13.f In 1882, the
elevated railroad in Second Avenue proving a serious
disturbance to the congregation, this property was sold
for 127,600, and on June 12 the corner-stone of a new
church was laid on the north side of 118th Sti-eet, east
of Second Avenue. This was dedicated October 28,
1883. The total cost was $105,000. Its statistics and
pastors have been:

YKAE. MKMBKKS

PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS

PASTOR.

1860

G. S. Gilbert.

1876

561

T. H. Burch.

ISfil

101

1877

555

1862

119

J. L. Peck.

1878

551

L. S. Weed.

1863

126

1879

609

1864

140

A. H. Mead.

1880

585

J. Johns.

1865

140

1881

633

1866

To be supplied. §

1882

665

1867

224

John Parker,

2d.

1883

594

T. H. Burch.

1868

315

1884

607

1869

370

W. C. Steele.

1885

596

1870

440

1886

•717

M. Hulburd.

1871

440

1887

833

1872

457

W. W. Bowdish.

1888

945

1873

455

1889

837

T. H. Burch.

1874

569

1890

689

1875

631

T. H. Burch.

This is at present the most flourishing church in the
city under the cai-e of the New York East Conference.

Church, $97,000. Parsonage, $13,000. Debt, $23,900.
Salary, $2,400. Rent, $800. Other collections,
$2,610. Current expenses, $4,100. Sunday-school, 885.

* Christian Advocate, vol. xxxvi, p. 5.

f Ibid., vol. xxxvi, p. 296.

j J. B. Merwin was appointed to Second Avenue, and G. S. Gil-
bert to Walerbury, Conn., but immediately after Conference an ex-
change was made.

§ J. Parker, 2d, supplied.

352 A History of Methodism in New York City.

BEEKMAN HILL.

{FiftMh Street.)

On Tuesday, March 20, 1860, a class of twelve per-
sons was oruanizecl in the Beekman Mansion* by the Kev.
J. S. Mitchell, then pastor of the Thirty-seventh Street
Church. On April 5 a board of trustees was elected,
and on May 9 the first quarterly conference was held.
On the morning of September 16 a Sunday-school of
seventeen scholars was organized in a carpenter's shop
near the corner of Second Avenue and Fifty-first Street.
In the afternoon, at four o'clock, Rev. F. S. De Hass
preached on Num. xiii, 30: " Let us go up at once, and
possess it; for we are well able to overcome it." On
the next Sunday the school had doubled and the con-
gregation had greatly increased. This " shanty," as it
was called, was occupied by the school and congrega-
tion for more than a year. Ground was bought, and
on October 14, 1861, a chapel was begun, the lower
part of which was occupied on January 26, 1862,
and the upper part on July 20, Bishop Janes preach-
ing the first sermon on the last occasion. In the
meanwhile a gracious revival added nearly forty pro-
bationers.

* This building, in the neighborhood of what was once called
Turtle Bay, an inlet from the East River, stood near First Avenue
not far from Fifty-tirst Street. It was built by Dr. James Beekman
in 1764, and during tiie Revolution was occupied in turn by the
British commanders as a country-seat. Here the unfortunate Xaihan
Hale was tried and sentenced to death, and confined in the green-
house in the garden on tlie night before his execution. — Booth's His-
tory of New York, p. 620. An engraving of it can be seen in Vulen-
tine's Manual of 1861, pp. 496, 502. S. W. Dunscomb, a local preach-
er, occupied it at the time, and to his labors the church owes its
origin.

Beekman Hill.

.'?53

The reports and appointments have been;

ITEAR. MEMBEKS.

1860
18(51
1862
186:i
1834
1865
1866
1867
1868
1869
1870
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875

10
38
123
142
123
154
188
209
195
181
144
129
104
172
195
187

To be supplied.*

J. S. Mitcliell.
J. Flov.f
C. B. Ford.

F. Bottome.

W. H. Boole.
W. C. Steele.

W. H. Thomas.

1876
1877
1878
1879
18S0
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1887
1888
1889
1890

157

133

100

126

137

143

201

180

210

290

285

W. H. Thomas.
D. 0. Ferris.
W. P. Corbit.
To be supplied.
L. R. Streeter.

D. W. Couch.

J. Johns.t

J. Parker, 2d.

During the term of Rev. C. B. Ford the first par-
sonage was commenced, and during that of Rev. W.
C. Steele a new church was built, and in connection
with it the present parsonage. The corner-stone was
laid November 19, 1872, by Bishop G. Haven, after ad-
dresses by himself and Rev. John Hall, D.D., of the
Presbyterian Church. The building was opened April
13, 1873, with a sermon by Rev. Thomas Guard, and
dedicated one week later by Bishop Janes.§ The church
and parsonage cost $46,000. ||

Church, $50,000. Parsonage, 110,000. Debt, 14,000.
Salary, 82,000. Rent, $1,000. Other collections, $623.
Current expenses, $1,581. Sunday-school, 1,000.

* In September H. L. Bray, of East Maine Conference, took charge.
■}■ Mr. Floy died suddenly in October, 1863. In the following Jan-
uary A.. H. Mead took cliarge until Conference.

J Mr. Johns died September 25, 1888. J. Parker, 2d, supplied.

§ Christian Advocate, vol. xlviii, pp. 125, 133.

II Presiding elder's report to New York East Conference, 1874.

354 A History of Methodism in New York City.

CHAPTER XXX.

CHURCHES: THIRTY-FIFTH STREET— PERRY STREET—
SIXTY-FIRST STREET— ST. ANDREW'S— WESLEY CHAP-
EL—FRANKLIN STREET— WASHINGTON HEIGHTS.

thirty-fifth street.*

{Tenth Avenue Mission.)

On October 11, 1863, a mission school was organized
in a vacant store on Tenth Avenue near Thirty-seventh
Street. In 1865 it appears in the Minutes as the Tenth
Avenue Mission, and V. Buck is appointed to the charge,
and in 1866 he reports fifty-two members. It then
came under the care of the New York City Mission, in
which D. L. Marks, A. K. Sanford, J. F. Richmond,
W, E. Ketcham, and A. McLean labored jointly or suc-
cessively. In 1872 A. McLean is assigned to Thirty-
fifth Street, and in 1873 reports one hundred and
forty-seven members. Then, until 1878, it is again in-
cluded in the general mission, A. C. Morehouse, W. S.
Bouton, and J. F. Richmond being the preachers. In
1878 it again stands alone, and has so continued until
the present time. Its appointments and statistics have
been as follows:

YE»R. 1

tIEMBEKS,

PASTOR.

YEAR. ?

HKMBEES.

PASTOB.

1878

G. W. Terbush.

1885

192

. C. Smith.

1879

162

1886

180

C. Earl.

1880

177

A. Stephens.

1887

213

1881

186

1888

208

1882

203

1889

204

1883

193

W. C. Smitli.

1890

176

K. Sanford.

1884

192

* Principally from reports of the City Church Extension and Mis-
sionary Society.

Thirty-fifth Street. 355

The church is in West Thirty-fifth Street, near Ninth
Avenue. It is 25 feet by 82, and of brick. When it
was dedicated on October 21, 1866, it was presented to
the society by W. W. Cornell. It cost about $11,000.

Church, 120,000. No parsonage. No debt. Salary,
$900. Rent, $300. Other collections, $103. Current
•expenses, $293. Sunday-school, 222.

PERRY STREET.^

{Bank Street.)

On November 1, 1863, a Sunday-school was opened at
693 Washington Street, near Charles Street. This was
afterward removed to 111 and 113 Bank Street, on the
first floor of a large, old-fashioned building known in
the neighborhood as " Noah's Ark," from the fact that
it was once the country residence of Mordecai M. Noah,
a celebrated editor of the city, of Jewish descent. At
length a plot of ground, 42 by 97 feet, in Perry near
Greenwich Street, was bought for $13,000. On this a
building was erected 42 by 81 feet, with an end gallery
separable from the audience-room by glazed sliding-
doors, to be available for the infant- class and other
purposes, and two class-rooms beneath. A two-story
addition in the rear also furnished a room on each story
16 by 20 feet. The front is of brown and yellow free-
stone and brick, in early English Gothic. The corner-
stone was laid August 21, 1868, by Bishop Janes, after
addresses from himself and Rev. Drs. Curry and Fer-
ris. f The dedication took place on December 20, 1868,

* Principall}' from reports of tlie City Church Extension and Mis-
sionarj' Society.

t Christian Advocate, vol. xhii, p. 277.

356 A History of Methodism in New York City.

Bishoj> Janes preaching in the morning.* The total
cost, inchiding the ground, was about $40,000. Until
this time the pulpit had been generally supplied by
local preachei's, the Rev. S. Merritt having charge. la
1869 its name lirst appears in the Minutes, and its sub-
sequent history is as follows:

VEAR. MEMBERS

PASTOE.

VEAE.

MEMBERS

PASTOR.

18G!)

S. M. Vernon.

1880

310

M. Bnrgar.

1870

346

0. S. Brown.

1881

272

1871

240

1882

260

1872

277

'•

1883

246

Havilaad.

1873

260

W. H. Evans.

1884

249

1874

195

1885

205

Lodge.

1875

W. Ostrander.

1886

222

•'

1876

120

'•

1887

236

1877

120

To be supplied.!

1888

225

Lowther.

1878

243

'•

1889

269

1879

285

1890

248

Church, $40,000. No parsonage.
$1,600. Other collections, $220.
$650. Sunday-school, 297.

No debt. Salary,
Current expenses,

sixty-first strket.

Somewhere al)out 1840, at the request of the managers
of the Colored Orphan Asylum, then in Twelfth Street,
near Sixth Avenue, the Bible-class of the Greene Street
Methodist Episcopal Church assumed the charge of the
Sunday-school of the Asylum. The writer was the first
supei-intendent, and when, about twenty-three years
after, he became pastor of the Twenty-seventh Street
Church he found the school in the care of some of the
young people of that congregation. During the draft-
riots, in the summer of 1863, the building then occupied

* Ghrisliaa Advocate, vol. xUii, p. 413.
f S. Merritt supplied these three years.

Sixty-first Street. 357

by tlie institution in Fifth Avenue, between Forty-third
and Foi-ty-tourth Streets, was destroyed by the mob,
and the chiklren were temporarily accommodated on
Blackwell's Island. Here the teachers from the Twen-
ty-seventh Street Church still conducted the school, but
when the institution was removed to its present location
on Washington Heights the distance was too great to
admit of their continuing the work. ■ Looking around
for a field where they might be useful, they concluded
to begin a school under the auspices of the City Sunday-
school Society, in the neighborhood of Third Avenue
and Sixtieth Street. A hall over Dingeldein's lager-
beer saloon, No. 932 Third Avenue, was hired, and
here, on December 6, 1863, the school was opened. On
January 10, 1864, the writer preached the first sermon,
on Num. x, 29.

The school prospered, and two lots were bought on
Sixty-first Street, between Second and Third Avenues,
and a small frame church was put up, which was dedicated
November 18, 1866. Other property adjoining was
afterward secured, and in 1873 steps were taken for a
new edifice. The corner-stone was laid in May, 1874,
and on Sunday, March 14, 1875, the house was dedi-
cated by Bishop Janes, after a sermon by Bishop An-
drews. The building is of Philadelphia brick, with
Nova Scotia stone trimmings, and covers 75 feet by
130. The main audience-room is 65 feet by 85. The
chief Sunday-school room is in the front of the second
story, 75 feet by 47, and opens with sliding-doors into
the audience-room, forming an end gallery. Beneath
this, on the first floor, are rooms for the infant class and
for prayer and class meetings. The cost of building
and furniture was $69,000.

For several years the charge was under the care of
the City JNEission, Messrs. Hollis, Ross, and Piatt being

358 A History of jVIethodism ix New York City.

the preachers. In 1871 it first appears in the Minutes,
and its record from that time is :

YEAR. MEMBERS,

PiSTOB.

YBAB.

MEMBERS.

PASTOB.

1871

Pullman.

1881

268

Parker.

1872

1882

252

1873

134

1883

246

S. Todd.

1874

153

Crook.

1884

249

1875

144

1885

254

1876

152

1886

258

Henderson.

1877

220

E. Cookm.an.

1887

240

1878

256

1888

298

u *

1879

250

1889

323

W. Johnston.

1880

252

Parker.

1890

200

Church, 1125,000. Parsonage, $15,000. No debt.
Salary, |2,500. Rent, §15,000. Other collections, $890.
Current expenses, $2,100. Sunday-school, 500.

ST. ANDREW S.

{Sixty-seventh Street — Sixty-eighth Street — Bloomingddle Mission —
Broadway Mission — Seventy-first Street.)

Rev. J. N. Shaffer, at that time pastor of the Forty-
third Street Church, gives the following extract from
his journal under date of July 16, 1852: "This evening
held meeting at the house of Brother Garbrant, in Bloom-
ingdale. Brother G. Walker, a local preacher, preached.
After he closed I made some remarks, and appointed
another meeting. There were some Methodist meet-
ings held in that vicinity about eight years ago. We
hope to see in a few years a flourishing church estab-
lished in that neighborhood." Mr. Shaffer organized a
class, of whicli William Ellis was appointed leader.
Three lots were leased in Sixty-seventh Street, near the
Boulevard, and the people of Forty-first Street fur-

* Mr. Henderson resigned during the year. J. W. Johnston took
charge.

St, Andrew's. 359

nished funds for the buiMing. This cost about |1,000,
and was dedicated on April 30, 1853, after a sermon by
Rev. James H. Perry.* But in 1857 the property was
sold under foreclosure, and the little society was dis-
solved, some of the members connecting themselves
with the new enterprise which resulted in the St.
John's Church on Fifty-third Street.

But there was living in the neighborhood a zeal-
ous local preacher named Townsend H. Farrington,
Through his means on a Wednesday evening in May,
1864, a little company of twelve met in a small room in
a building owned by Walter Waldron, on Sixty-eighth
Street, between the Boulevard and Tenth Avenue. On
September 17, 1865, a Sunday-school Avas opened. f It
was known at first as the Bloomingdale Mission, and
then, on October 21, 1866, becoming located at the
corner of Broadway and Sixty-ninth Street, it was
named the Broadway Mission. On Sunday, February
2, 1868, it removed to tlie south-west corner of Sixty-
eighth Street and the Boulevard, where a building was
specially fitted up for the purpose, which was opened
with a sermon by the presiding elder. Rev. W. H.
Ferris.J At length a suitable site was secured on the
north side of Seventy-first Street, west of Ninth Avenue.
The corner-stone was laid April 26, 1881, by Bishop Har-
ris, Revs. M. D'C. Crawford and J. P. Newman assist-
ing.§ The dedication took place June 4, 1882. The
lots cost 123,000; the chapel and furniture a little more
than 124,000. The building was 38 by 90 feet. ||

* Christian Advocate, vol. xxviii, p. 63.

f Report of City Sunday-School and Missionary Societ}' for 1866.
\ Tiiis building is now occupied as an express office.
§ Christian Advocate, vol. Ivi, p. 281.

II While the building was in contemplation a little boy in the Sun-
day-Echool, having heard soinelhing about people having a brick in
24

360 A History of Methodism in New York City,

This charge being at first under the general care of tlie
City Mission its name does not appear in the Minutes
until 1876. Fi-oin tliat time its record is as follows:

YEAR, MF.MEKRS. PASTOB. YEAR. MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1876 — W. y. Bouton. 1884 110 J. N. Rnmscv.

1877 60* 1885 102 C. S. Harrower.

1878 1886 91

1879 To be snpplied.f 18S7 117 "

1880 67 E. B. Lofkwood4 1888.147 J.M.King.

1881 85 C. W. McPlieison. 1889 216 "

1882 90 J. N. Ramsev. 1890 250 G. E. Strobridge.

1883 108

This congregation has recently completed a new build-
ing on the south side of Seventy-si.xth Street, between
Ninth and Tenth Avenues, on a plot 129 feet by 102,
The material is Indiana limestone, and the architecture
early Romanesque. Church, chapel, and parsonage are
closely connected, and the whole is unique and attract-
ive. The corner-stone was laid on September 14, 1889.
by Rev. .1. M. Buckley, and after a sermon on Sunday
morning, June 8, 1890, by Bishop D. A. Goodsell, on
2 Sam, xxiv, 24, the building was dedicated by Bishop
Andrews.

Church, $200,000. Parsonage, 137,000. Debt, $90,000.
Salary, $3, COO. Rent, |1, 2.50. Other collections, $1,161.
Current expenses, 12,000. Sunday-school, 190,

the chnrcli, went to where some houses were in progress in the
neighborliood and asked one of the workmen for a brick, telling him
what he was going to do with it. He bore his prize home and told
his mother, and was not satisfied until she permitted him to take it
to the school and give it to the s\iperintendent. His brick is in tlie
western wall of the building in Seventy-first Street.

* Connected with Grace Church, with N. 0. Lent as pastor.

f E. B. Lockwood was the supply.

t On June 11, 1880, Mr. Lockwood finished what promised to be
a career of great usefulness in a collision between tlie steamers
Narragansett and Sioni'ngton, on Long Island Sound. His place was
supplied by C. W. McPherson.

Wesley Chapel. 361

wesley chapel.

(Cannon Street— Rivington Street — Tortvpkins Street — Attorney Street.)

On the second floor of a building at the corner of
Rivington and Cannon Streets a school was opened
June 18, 1865. On May 20, 1866, it was removed to
313 Rivington Street. In May, 1872, it became home-
less for a while, meeting in a tent, but in the fall secured
a place at 15 Tompkins Street, near Broome Street. At
last, however, a more permanent habitation was ob-
tained on the corner of Stanton and Cannon Streets.
But in 1877, the colored congregation which had occu-
pied the building 87 Attorney Street having been dis-
banded, this society, now called Wesley Chapel, occupied
that building. During the eai-lier period of its history
it was under the care of the City Mission, and its name
does not appear in the Minutes until 1873, when Tomp-
kins Street reports a membership of thirty-five, and
Rivington Street receives R. Roden as its pastor. Its
sulisequent history is:

YEAR. M

EMBERS.

PASTOR.

YEAR. 1

MEMBEK8

PASTOR.

1874

Supplied by R. Ro-

1884

167

J. V. Saunders.

1875

'' [den.

1885

136

W. Platts.

1876*

1886

131

1880

T. M. Terry.

1887

147

Supplied by G. N.

1881

213

Compton.

1882

201

J. V. Saunders.

1888

1883

187

In 1888 it was united with Allen Street, with C. M.
Pegg as pastor.

FRAXKLIN STREET.

On November 26, 1865, a Sunday-school was opened
at No. 21 Worth Street, on the second floor of a dilapi-

* 1876, 1877, 1878, Wesley Chapel and Kleventli Street, A. C.
Morehouse; 1870, Wesley Chapel and Eleventh Street, T. H. Smith,

362 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

dated building, of which the owner gave the use.* On
June 2, 1868, it was removed to 168 Franklin Street, near
Greenwich, and a church was organized. Afterward a
house and lot were bought at 176 Franklin Street, for
816,000, and more than $3,000 spent for alterations.

The name first appears in the Minutes of 1876, in
connection with other divisions of the City Mission
work. In 1878 it stands alone, and is "to be supplied,"
and so continued until 1888, Rev. S. Merritt generally
having charge. In 1888 T. Lodge was appointed, and
in 1889 F. Hamlin succeeded him, but in 1890 it is
again "to be supplied."

The reports of its membership, as far as they can be
given separately from those of other charges, have been:

YEAR. MHMBEKS.

YEAB.

MEMBER!!.

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

YEAR. MEMBEI

1879 41

1882

284

1885

331

1888f

1880 39

1883

265

1886

372

1889 213

1881 156

1884

318

1887

394

1890 250

The property is valued at 130,000. No debt. Salary,
$1,500. Other collections, $193. Current expenses,
$750. Sunday-school, 320.

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS.

(152c^ Strtet.)

The first effort to found a Methodist Episcopal Church
in this neighborhood began in 1853, through the instru-
mentality of C. C. North, John Bellamy, and J. M.
Holland. But after a few years the removal of several
of the most prominent members so discouraged those
that remained that on April 1, 1867, the services were

* Report of City Church Extension Society, 1866, p. 14.
f No distinct report.

WASHixGTO>r Heights. 363

suspended. Of this prehistoric period we get from
the Minutes of the Conference the following items:

YEAR. 1

lEMBEKS

PASTOR.

YEAR. MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1859

S. C. Perry.

1861 22 J. J. Harrison.

1860

C. W. Lyon.

1862 19

But the name is not found in the list of appointments
for 1862, nor does it appear in the Minutes again until
1865, when we have, " Riverdale and Washington
Heights, W. H. Smith and A. L. Culver." In 1860,
A. N. Mulnix (properly Molyneaux) was appointed. It
makes no report in 1867, and is left to be supplied. In
the fall of 1867, however, through the liberality of
W. W. Cornell, a building belonging to the Reformed
Dutch Church, in 152d Street, east of Tenth Avenue,
was leased, and on November 8 regular services were
begun under the charge of Rev. J. D. Blain, of the
California Conference. In Fel)ruary, 1868, Mr. Cornell
bought four lots on the corner of 153d Street and
Tenth Avenue, at the cost of $12,000, $3,000 of which
was a donation from the Carman estate. The corner-
stone was laid December 17, 1868, by Bishop Janes,
and the dedication took place on November U, 1869,
Bishop Foster preaching in the morning and Bishop
Janes in the evening. Bishop Morris was also present.
The building and furnishing cost rather more than
$48,000, making a total of above $60,000, of which Mr.
Cornell gave in all $22,000. Mr. Rembrandt Lock-
.wood, the architect, gave his services, valued at $2,150.
The material is brick, with brown-stone trimmings, and
is 55 by 85 feet, with a spire 135 feet high, and a base-
ment above ground. It will seat about six hundred.
In March, 1874, under the ministry of Rev. T. Lodge,
a parsonage was completed on the south side of the
church, at a cost of $8,500.

364 A History ok Methodism in New York City.

Until tlie Conference of 1809 the place was entered
on the Minutes "to be supplied." From November,
1867, to November, 1868, J. D. Blain was the supply,
and W. G, Browning the rest of the year. For the
following years the record is:

YEAH.

Mb.MBtRS. PASTOn.

YEAR. :

me.mbek;

i. PASTUB.

1869

J. Millard.

1880

G. Dntper.

1870

"W. G. Browning.

1881

107

1871

"\^^ M. Henry.

1882

125

1872*

1883

116

A. Stephens.

1873

T. Lodge.

1884

102

1874

H. H. Birkiiis.

1885

114

W.McK. Darwood,

1875

1886

153

1876

1887

208

1877

T. Lodge.

1888

228

W. N. Searles.

1878

1889

230

W. H. Mickle.

1879

1890

219

Church, 170,000. Parsonage, |!l 5,000. Debt, |14,000.
Salary, $1,800. Rent, $1,000. Other collections, $544.
Current expenses, $840. Sunday-school, 22 7. f

*In October, 1872, Mr. Henry was transferred to the Wyoming
Conference, and W. P. Corbit supplied for the rest of the year.

f Mr. E. B. Treat has been superintendent since its formation, more
than twenty years ago.

St. Luke's. 365

CHAPTER XXXI.

CHURCHES: ST. LUKE'S— CORNELL MEMORIAL— CHURCH
OF THE SAVIOUR — GRACE CHURCH — ST. MARK'S—
COLORED MISSION- EIGHTY-SECOND STREET— MADISON
AVENUE-BETHANY— CALVARY— FIFTY-SIXTH STREET.

KT. Luke's.

Ix 1856 or 1857 the Rev. Hiram Mattisoii, who had
been a useful and respected minister of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, established an Independent Method-
ist Society under tlie name of the New England Con-
gregational Church. A neat building was put up on
the south side of Forty-first Street, a little west of
Sixth Avenue. But the enterprise failed, and the con-
gregation was disbanded.

In October, 1868, a Sunday-school was begun in
Hosack Hall, No. 5 7 West Forty-fourth Street. On
November 12 of the same year a meeting was held at
the house of J. B. Cornell, Esq., to consider the organ-
ization of a new Methodist Episcopal Church some-
where near Fifth Avenue, and between Fortieth and
Fifty-ninth Streets. In the following April (1869) the
New England Congregational Church was bought for
^30,000, and $7,000 was spent forrepairsand furnishing.
It was opened for public worship on May 9, with services
conducted by Bishop Janes and Drs. McClintock and
Foster,* and the two last named, both connected with
Drew Theological Seminary, supplied the pulpit until
the session of the New York Conference of 1870,
The Sunday-school, already mentioned, being called St.
* Cltriitiiin Advocate, vol. xliv, p. 157.

366 A History of Methodism in^ New York City.

Luke's, the newly organized Church adopted that title.
From the Minutes we get this list of statistics and
appointments:

TBAR.

MEMBER

S. PASTOR.

YEAR. MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

1870

C. S. Harrovver.

1881

236

D'C. Crawfor

1871

138

1882

199

S. Harrower.

1872

156

1883

207

1873

183

J. F. McClelland.

1884

215

1874

209

1885

218

, D. Vail.

1875

216

W. P. Abbott.

18S6

216

'•

1876

297

1887

121

S. Tipple.

1877

300

1888

174

1878

266

To be supplied.

1889

202

1879

252

M. D'C. Crawford.

1890

224

1880

210

Church, $30,000. No parsonage. No debt. Salary,
$2,000. Kent, 1500. Other collections, $4,071. Current
expenses, $4,200. Sunday-school, 458.

CORNELL MEMORIAL.

{Stventy-sixth Strett.)

In October, 1868, a Sunday-school was begun in a
small store on Second Avenue, near Seventy-seventh
Street. There also, in April, 1869, the church was or-
ganized, and shortly after the services wei'e removed
to a frame building belonging to Mr. Edward Kilpat-
rick, on the corner of Second Avenue and Seventy-
seventh Street. Ground was at last bought on the
north side of Seventy-sixth Street, a little west of Sec-
ond Avenue, and a chapel erected, which was dedicated
on Sunday, December 31, 1871, Revs. Thomas Guard,
C. D. Foss, and J. B. Merwin officiating.* This l)uild-
ing is still occupied by the Sunday-school, but by the
* Christian Advocate, vol. .xlvii, p. 4.

Cornell Memorial. 367

side of it stands a very commodious and tasteful edi-
fice, called the " Cornell Memorial Church," in memory
of the late W, W. Cornell, to whose liberality the con-
gregation is much indebted. This was dedicated March
25, 1883, Bishop Warren preaching on the occasion.
The cost of the building and furniture was |45,600.*
The New York East Conference held its session for that
year within its walls. For several years the charge
was under the general care of the New York City Mis-
sion, though in 1871 Rev. F. Brown seems to have been
especially assigned to that field. In 1873 we have its
first report of membership and its first separate appoint-
ment, and the record from that time is:

VKAE.

MEMBBRS

1. PASTOR.

YEAR. 1

MEMBERS

;. PASTOR.

1873

147

J. S. Haugh.

1882

400

W. W. Bowdish,

1874

180

•'

1883

427

H. E. Barnes.

1875

183

1884

448

1876

246

G. H. Goodsell.

1885

476

1877

226

•'

1886

471

J. B. Hamilton.

1878

234

1887

446

1879

257

"W. McAllister, f

1888

288

D. 0. Ferris.

1880

247

W. W. Bowdish.

1889

282

H. W. Byrnes.

1881

397

■'

1890

370

Church, $125,000. No parsonage. No debt. Sal-
ary, $1,600. Rent, $660. Other collections, $579.
Current expenses, $2,000. Its Sunday-school has been
remarkably prosperous. For two years (1886-87) it
reported nearly 1,650 scholars, and though in 1890 it
numbered but 1,254 it is still the second in size in the
Conference and the largest Methodist Sunday-school in
the city. Much of its success is due to the labors of
Mrs. E<lward Kilpatrick.

* Chrvitian Advocate, vol. Iviii, p. '200.
f Mr. McAllister died Januury 3, 1880.

368 A History op Methodism in New York City.

CHURCH OF THE SAVIOUR.

(^Soidli Harlem — East Oiie-Hundred-and-Tenth Stred — Rxst One- Hun-
dred-and- Eleventh Street — East One- Hundred-and- Thirteenth Street
— East One- Hundred- and- Ninth Street.)

Ill tlie spring of 1869, under the auspices of the Sec-
ond Avenue (now Trinity) Methodist Episcopal Church,
services were begun in a vacant lot near the corner of
110th Street and Second Avenue. An old pear-tree
furnished shade, and a cart was the pulpit from which
Rev. W. C. Steele preached to the people. On June 6
a Sunday-school was organized, which met on Third
Avenue, near 109th Street, but on September 5 was re-
moved to the basement of a dwelling, 229 East 112th
Street, occupied by Dr. Cox. More room being needed,
the Second Avenue Church leased two lots on the west
side of Second Avenue a little south of 110th Street,
the site of the open-air services already mentioned.
Here a frame building was put up, 30 feet by 60, into
which the school, then numbering one hundred and seven
scholars, removed October 10, 1869. It being evident
that a church was needed in the neighboihood, the
trustees of the Second Avenue Chui'ch offered the build-
ing to the New York City Church Extension Society.
On October 23, 1870, the chapel was dedicated by
Bishop Janes, and on November 13 a society of seven-
teen members was organized by Revs. W. Ross and
W. Platts, city missionaries of the New Y'ork East
Conference, the first class-leader being John W. Lyon.
Better accommodations both for the school and con-
gregation being needed, and no suitable location offer-
ing on the east of Third Avenue, it was thought ad-
visable to cross the line into the New Y'^ork Conference,
and a site was selected on the south side of 113th

Church of the Saviour. 369

Street, west of Third Avenue, for which $12,000 was
paid. At the Conference of 1873 the charge appears
in tlie Minutes of the New York East Conference as
South Harlem, with a membership of eighty-eight, and
W. Ross is appointed pastor. In May, 1873, a more
desirable site came into the market on the south side of
111th Street, west of Third Avenue, which was bought
for 120,000, For nearly a year, however, the ground
on 113th Street remained unsold, and finally was dis-
posed of for $11,750, a loss of $250. In 1874 the report
was one hundred and four members, and John L. Gilder
was appointed ])astor. The finances were at this time
discouraging, and at the close of the year the church
found itself with an indebtedness of $21,000 and a
membership of but seventy-two. The Minutes left it
to be supplied, and Rev. Albert Van Camp, of the Erie
Conference, filled the vacancy. The society was re-
organized, a new board of trustees was elected, and in
the early part of June the building at Second Avenue
and 110th Street was moved to the 111th Street prop-
erty. On June 27 the dedication took place. Rev. John
Miley officiating. No report of numbers can be found
for 1876. South Harlem disappears from the Minutes
of the New York East Conference, and in its place we
have in those of the New York Conference, "111th
Street, George H. Smith." His term of three years,
though one of financial embarrassment, was spiritually
prosperous. The reports were:

VEAR.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS. y-ASTOB.

1877

147 George H. Smith.

1880

301 F. M. North,

1878

200

1881

282

1879

261 F. M. North.

During Mr. North's administration the present church
edifice in 109th Street was erected. It was dedicated
October 29, 1881, by Bishop Andrews. J. B. Cornell

370 A History of Methodism in New York City.

gave largely in cash besides contributing the stained-
glass windows. The building is intended as a chapel
for a larger edifice. It stands on the eastern part of a
plot 118 feet by 100. The land cost $19,500, and the
building about |25,000, including furnishing. It is very
comfortable and attractive. It will be seen that the
congregation led for some years a migratory existence,
and had no small difficulties to overcome, but it seems
now to be well established, with prospects of great suc-
cess and usefulness.

Since Mr. North's departure its reports and pastors
have been:

YEAR. MEMBEBS.

PASTOE.

YEAE.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1882 361 G.

H. Gregory.

1887

490 C. Wright.

1883* 880 G.

Van Alstyne.

1888

52(5

1884 434

1889

577 J. Y. Bales.

1885 426 J.

G. Oakley.

1890

444 "

1886 540

■'

Church, $40,000. No parsonage. Debt, $7,500. Sal-
ary, $1,820. Rent, $480. Other collections, $4G1.
Current expenses, $600. Sunday-school, 1,035. The
school has been especially successful, being the second
Methodist school in size in the city, and the largest in
the New York Conference.

GRACE CHURCH.

In June, 1867, five lots were bought on the north side
of 104th Street, between Ninth and Tenth Avenues, for
$6,000. On July 2, 1869, the first prayer-meeting was
held at the house of F. B. Utter, M.D., on the corner
of 107th Street and Broadway, at which ten persons
were present. The same number also composed the
congregation at the first sermon, which was preached

* In 1 883 the name was changed to " Church of the Saviour."

Grace Church. 371

at the house of Peter Coe, in 101st Street, near Ninth
Avenue. On April 3, 1870, the chapel in West l()4th
Street, which cost $17,000, Avas dedicated, W. H. Ferris,
H. B. Ridgaway, and D. L. jVIarks preaching on the
occasion.

For several years the pulpit was supplied by the
preachers of the City Mission, and therefore the name
is not found in the Minutes until 1872. From that time
its record is :

YEAR. MEMBERS

PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBEF

ts.

PASTOR.

1872

D. L. Miirks.

1882

Lodge.

1873

R. Wheatley.

1883

1874

1884

1875

1885

Stephens.

1876

G. N. Pratt.

1886

. E. Kelchnm.

1877*

1887

1879

W. S. Blake.

1888

1880

1889

L. Wilson.

1881

C. S. narrower.

1890

196

Hermance.

This church, though young, has already furnished
laborers for the missionary field. In 1874 John E.
Robinson and his wife and F. A. Goodwin went out to
assist Rev. W. Taylor in India.

The property is now valued at $70,000. This in-
cludes a new chapel, very attractive and commodious,
costing $30,000. No parsonage. Debt, $12,000. Sal-
ary, $1,500. Rent, $750. Other collections, $262.
Current expenses, $800. Sunday-school, 338.

ST. MARK S.

The first public services of this congre<ration Avere
held on July 1, 1871, in Washington Hall, on Broad-
Avay, between Thirty-sixth and Thirty-seventh Streets,

* In 1877 and 1878 it was united with Si.xty-eighth Street, under
the charare of X. 0. Lent.

372 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

Rev. W. F. Butler, formerly of the Zion African Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, being in charge. A building
on Thirty-fifth Street, a little east of Sixth Avenue, was
afterward bought for $50,500, and dedicated on Jan-
uary 4, 1873, Bishop Foster preaching on the occasion.
Its history as found in the Minutes is :

1882 335 W. P. Ryder.

1883 240

1884 267 J. A. Holmes.

1885 257

1886 261

1887 166 H. L. Monroe.

1888 230

1889 307 "

1890 346 "

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

1872

W. F. Butler.

1873

102

1874

114

1875

104

E. W. S. Peck.

1876

193

1877

204

1878

219

R. A. Reid.

1879

292

1880

310

1881 H88 W. P. Ryder.

A building in Forty-eighth Street, between Sixth and
Seventh Avenues (ibrmerly All Souls Protestant Epis-
copal Church), has recently been bought by the City
Church Extension Society, and was occupied by the St.
Mark's congregation on February 9, 1890. Connected
with the church is a very flourishing lyceum with a
membership of 350, said to be the largest literary associ-
ation among the colored people of the city.

Church, 170,000. No parsonage. Debt, $26,000.
Salary, $1,000. Rent, $400. Other collections, $175.
Current expenses, $1,200. Sunday-school, 270.

COLORED MISSION.

(Bronine Sired — Ridge Street — Emanuel Church — Attorney Street.)

In July, 1867, the City Mission and Church Extension
Society opened a room for worship for colored people at
121 Broome Street, near Willett Street. In 1869 this
was removed to 67 Ridge Street, and again in May,

Colored Mission. 373

1870, to 95 Allen Street, where it took the name of
" Emanuel Church," and reported, in 1873, 104 members.
Kev. T. Veitch had charge. In 1873 or 1874 a church
at 87 Attorney Street (formerly occupied by the Prot-
estant Methodists) was purchased for them for $30,000.
Its report in 1874 was 125, and it was to be supplied.
In 1875 the number was 120, and in 1876 153, T. A.
Davis being appointed the preacher both years. But in
1877 the congregation had diminished so much that it
was disbanded, and the building was occupied for a
time by a congregation of white people, which is now
united with the Allen Street society at the Allen Street
Memorial Church.

EIGHTY-SECOND STREET.

In the Minutes of the New York East Conference for
1878 we find, "Eighty-second Street, to be supplied,"
and it stands the same for two successive years. Its
report of membership in 1879 was fifty, and it was
again left to be supplied, the supply being M. J. Ryan.
There is no report for 1880, and it is again "to be sup-
plied," and M. J. Ryan and Philip Bartlett are named
as sui>plies. Their number in 1881 was 50. In 1881
D. Curry was appointed, and reported, in 1882, 53.
The appointment for that year reads, " Eighty-second
Street and South Harlem," with D. Curry as preacher.
In 1883 its report was twenty-five members, and it is
again left to be supplied, but in 1884 it disappears from
the Minutes.

MADISON AVENUE.

The Madison Avenue Church originated in the efforts
of several persons, the most of whom were connected

374 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

with St. Paul's and St. Luke's Churches, wlio wished to
provide for themselves a place of worship in their
neighborhood. On October 16, 1881, a meeting was
held at the Rev. Dr. Chapin's Collegiate School, 24 East
Sixtieth Street, attended by about fifty. Rev. M.
S. Terry, the presiding elder, acting as pastor, re-
ceived the certificates of membership of Mr. and Mrs.
W. H. Falconer. On November 1, twenty-eight more
were added, and a board of trustees elected. At the
laying of the corner-stone on July 31, 1882, Bishops
Simpson and Harris officiated. Services were held for
a while at the school-room before mentioned. Rev. J. M.
Buckley acting as pastor, and the chapel was opened by
liim on January V, 1883. On November 11 of the s;ime
year worship was held in the audience-room for the
first time, Rev. 0. H. Tiffany, the pastor, preaching,
and on the following Sunday, November 18, the build-
ing was dedicated by Bishop Harris, Bishop Simpson
having preached in the morning. Tlie edifice is of
stone, in the Romanesque style, extending 100 feet on
Madison Avenue and 89 on Sixtieth Street, with a spire
128 feet high. The land and building cost about
6!250,000.* Its record is as follows:

PASTOR. YEAR. MEMBERS, PASTOR.

188:^ 75 0. H. Tiffany. 1887 309 C. P. Masden.

1884 137 " 1888 336

1885 174 " 1889 306 E. McChesney.

1886 224 C. P. Masden. 1890 312

Church, 1262,000. Parsonage, $35,000. Debt, $65,000.
Salary, |4,000. Rent, |2,500. Other collections, |6,342.
Current expenses, $4,700. Sunday-school, 115.

* Christian Advocate, vol. Ivi, p. 664; vol. Ivii, pp. 8, 152, 264, 488;
vol. Iviii, pp. 24, 724, 744.

Bethany Chapel. 375

bethany chapel.

In the report of the City Church Extension Society
for 1882 we are told that "Faith Mission, in 123d
Street and First Avenue," came under its management
in the preceding February, and its name was clianged
to " Bethany Methodist Episcopal Chapel,'' Its
record is :

YEAR.

MEMBEE

;S. PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1882

To be supplied.*

1887

33 To be supplied.f

1883

D. Curiy.

1888

1884

To be supplied.*

1889

38 "

1885

1890

1886

The building, which is in 123d Street, near First
Avenue, is small, but neat and comfortable, and the
congregation is growing.

Church, 12,000. No parsonage. No debt. Salary,
$400. Other collections, $55. Current expenses, $260.
Sunday-school, 240.

CALVARY.

( West Ha7-lem.)

As early at least as 1843 preaching services were held
in a hired room on what is now the Boulevard, near 125th
Street, provided for by the contributions of D. F. Tio-
mann, Esq., (afterward mayor of the city), and iiis broth-
er-in-law, Rev. J. C. Tackaberry. On June 1, 1851, a small
frame church was dedicated on 131st Street, near the
Boulevard, capable of accommodating about two hun-
dred persons. Two lots were given, and the building,

*G. N. Compton supplied in 1882, 1884, and 1886, and, perhaps,
in 1885.

fT. B. Smiili supplied in 1887 and tiic three succeeding years.

370 A History of Methodism in New York City.

costing over $1,400, was dedicated free of debt, R. S.
Foster, D.D., officiating.* Sometime about 1861 this
was removed to 125th Street, near Sixth Avenue,
where, under the titles of West Harlem, Hope Church,
and One-hundred-and-twenty-firth Street, it continued
until 1881, when the presiding elder reported it dis-
banded.f It stood on leased ground and the lease could
not be renewed, and for this and other reasons it was
thought that an altogether new enterprise would be
most advisable. It was called at first Manhattanville
Mission, and its statistics and appointments were:

MKMBERS.

1852 — To be supplied. 18.55t 50 O.E.Brown.

1853 29 R. T. Pearson. 1856 47 To be supplied.

1854 — O. E. Brown. 1857 — "

In 1858 no report, and the name Manhattanville dis-
appears from the list of appointments. In 1859, how-
ever, we have Washington Heights, which was the suc-
cessor to Carmansville.

About 1861 a colony from the old Harlem church
(now St. James) began services in a frame building in
123d Street, near Fifth Avenue, and shortly after
bought the old edifice at Manhattanville and removed
it to 125th Street. This was called West Harlem, and
its statistics and appointments were:

1861 To be supplied.§

1867

112

V. X. Traver.

1862 79 E. B. Otheman.

1868

P. Germoud.

1863 109

1869

141

1864 116 A. H. Wyatt.

1870

147

1865 121

1871

118

1866 129 To be supplied.

* Letter of Rev. C. C. Leigh,

and Christian

Advocate, vol. xxvi,

p. 102.

\ Minutes of New York Conference, presiding elder's report.
I Name changed to Manhattanville and Carmansville.
§ Supplied by a. L. Taylor.

Calvary. 377

In 1871 the appointments read, " West Harlem, to be
supplied," and immediately after, " Hope Church, N. B.
Thompson." In a little while this "Hope Church "be-
came the occupant of the building of the West Harlem
congregation, and its history was:

1871 X. B. ThompsoQ. 1877t 106 To be supplied.

1872 74 " 1878 130 H. W. Bvrnes.

1873 75 " 1879 108 L. C. H. Adams.

1874 98 J. G. Oakley. 1880 97
1875* 100 " 1881 103
1876 92 To be supplied.

At this Conference, as already stated, it was dis-
banded. It reported a property of Si, 500, of the dispo-
sition of which we have no record.

But the field was one that.coixld not long remain un-
occupied. In the fall of 1882 the matter was talked of,
but no suitable place of meeting could be obtained. In
1883, however, a hall was erected on 125th Street, near
Eighth Avenue. Tliis was leased for two years and a
half, and on December 23 public services were held in
it for the first time. Rev. J. R. Day preaching in the
morning, and Rev. F. S. Upham, of Drew Theological
Seminary, in the evening. Rev. A. K. Sanford, super-
intendent of the City Church Extension Society, acted
as pastor until the session of the ensuing Conference,
when Rev. F. Mason North w:is appointed. Under his
labors the membership and congregation increased, and
the need of a church edifice became pressing. Ground
was secured on the north-west corner of 129th Street
and Seventh Avenue for $40,000, and a contract made
for the erection of a church, chapel, and parsonage for
$75,450. The corner-stone was laid October 14, 1886,
by Rev. J. M. Reid, after an address by Rev. J. M.

* Name changed to Ono-hundred-aud-twenty-fifth Street.
f H. W. Byrnes supplied.

378 A HiSTOBY OF Methodism in New York City.

Buckley, and on Sunday, October 23, 1887, it was
opened for worship. Rev. Dr. Buttz, president of
Drew Theological Seminary, preached in the morning,
Rev. J. R. Day in the evening, and at 10:30 P. M. the
house was dedicated by Rev. J. M. Reid. The entire
cost was 1146,471 80. Of this $80,000 had been already
raised, and |23,000 was subscribed on that day, leaving
a debt of little more than t;40,000. The building is an
admirable one, capable of seating more than one thou-
sand, with a chapel which can accommodate a school of
nine hundred, and with pleasant church pai-lors and
library and reading-room. Already, however, the con-
gregation is outgrowing its accommodations, and since
the Conference of 1890 the building has been consider-
ably enlarged. In June, 1889, the name was changed
to " Calvary Church." Its reports and appointments
have been:

YEAR. MEMBERS. PASTOB. YEAR. MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1884 60 F. M. North. 1888 451 E. S. Osbon.

1885 234 " 1889 483 J. R. Day.

1886 266 " 1890 633

1887 379 E. S. Osbon.

Church, 1160,000. Parsonage, $20,000. Debt, $54,300.
Salary, $3,000. Rent, $1,500. Other collections, $4,461.
Current expenses, $1,240. Sunday-school, 905.

riFTY-SIXTH STREET.

In October, 1883, a Sunday-school was organized in
a little building on leased ground in Fifty-sixth Street,
near Tenth Avenue, under the care of Mr. G. H. Can-
non, but shortly after Mr. A. G. Newman was appointed
superintendent. In a httle while church services Avere
begun, those in the morning consisting of the usual ex-

FiFTY-sixTii Stkekt. 379

ercises and the reading of a sermon by the superintend-
ent, the evening being supplied by such preachers as
could be obtained. In 1884 Rev. Thomas B. Smith, a
supernumerary preacher, was appointed pastor, and in
June a church was organized. During the Conference
year the building was enlarged at a cost of $3,000. In
February, 1887, Mr. A. G. Newman retired from the
superintendence, and his son, A. S. Newman, was
elected in his place. The school is said to be unusually
orderly and efficient, and the membership of the church
is steadily growing. A better building in a better loca-
tion is needed. When these are secured the charge bids
fnir for great prosperity. From the Annual Minutes
we get the following items:

VBAB. MEMBtES. PASTOR. YEAR. MtMBERS. PASTOE.

1884 T. B. Smith. 1888 85 J. W. Sweetman.

1885 31 " 1889 85 "f

1886 44 " 1890 102 To be supplied.:!:

1887 51 To be supplied.*

Church, $2,000. No parsonage. No debt. Salary,
$1,200. Other collections, $78. Current expenses, $217.
Sunday-school, 317.

* W. H. Leatherinan supplied.

f Mr. Sweetman died March 6, 1890.

i R. C. Bell supplied.

380 A History of Methodism in New York City.

CHAPTER XXXn.

THE ANNEXED DISTRICT.

CHURCHES: ST. STEPHEN'S— MORRISAXI A — FORDHAM—
TREMONT — NORTH NEW YORK — WOODLAWN— WEST
FARMS— MOTT AVENUE— WOODSTOCK.

ST. Stephen's.

{Kingshridge — South Tankers — Rivtrdale — North New York Mission.)

The name of Kingsbi'iclge appears first in the Min-
utes of 1826, but at that time it represented a circuit,
including Yonkers, East Chester, West Chester, West
Farms, etc. At least fifty years ago there was a small
church about 25 feet by 40. It did not become a
separate charge until 1853, when it is put down to be
supplied. Richard Wheatley, then a young local
preacher just arrived from England, was the supply,
and being received at the Conference of 1854 he was
returned. He reported, in 1854 38 members, and in
1855, 57. In the fall of 1853 the church Avas enlarged
and renovated, and a lot was given by B. F, Howe for
a parsonage. At the re-opening Rev. R. S. Foster
preached, and J. B. and W. W. Cornell, J. B. Har-
riott, J. W. Kellogg, Anthony Civill, and others from
the Greene Street Church and elsewhere contributed so
as to pay the whole debt.

For four years after this it was united with Fordham,
but in 1859 it again stands alone with R. H. Kelley
as pastor. In 1860, the name was changed to South
Yonkers, and in 1864 to Riverdale, in 1873 to Kings-
bridge, in 1874 to North New Yoik Mission, and in 1876
to St. Stephen's. Its appointments and reports have been:

St. Stephen's. 381

VEAB. MEMBER!

5. PASTOK.

YEAR. 1

MEMBERS.

PASTOE,

1859

—

R. H. Kellev.

1875

D. W. C. Van

1860

Gaasbeek.

1861

W. G. Browning.

187611

1862

J. G. Shrive.

1879

—

To be supplied.Tf

1863

1880** 66

1864

W. H. Smith.

1881

No re-

1865*

pon

1866

79t

A. Ostrander.

1882

S. Lowtlier.

1867

1883

R. H. Kelley.

1868

A. C. Gallahue.

1884

I. H. Lent.

1869

W. M. Henry.

1885

1870

L. B. Andrus.

1886

1871

R. Tarlton.

1887

N. B. Thompson.

1872

C. F. Wixen.

1888

1873t

J. Croft.

1889

122

1874^

D. W. C. Van
Gaasbeek.

1890

121

The corner-stone of the present building was laid in
December, 1875, by Bishop Janes. It was dedicated
May 14, 1876, by Rev. A. M. Osbon. The total cost of
ground, building, and furniture was |10,000.

Church, $11,000. No parsonage. Debt, |2,500.
Salary, $1,000. Rent, $.300. Other collections, $108.
Current expenses, $496. Sunday-school, 144.

MORRISANIA.

( Centenary.)

Somewhere about 1850 a frame church about 75 feet
by 35 or 40 was erected on the west side of Fordham

* United with Washinpfton Heights,
f Tliis includes "Washington Heights.
X Name changed to Kingsbridge.
§ Name changed to Nortli New York Mission.
II St. Stephen's and "Woodlawn, and in 1877-78 with Fordham also,
A. Coons pastor, but in 1879 St. Stephen's becomes independent.
T[ D. Tasker supplied.
**S. Lowther supplied, and also in 1S81.

.382 A History of Methodism in New York City.

(now Third) Avenue, about 100 feet north of 168th
Street. This was sold in 1866, when the present church
was erected on the corner of Washington Avenue and
East 166tli Street, at the cost of §50,000. The material
was concrete or artificial stone, and some of this that
was used in the tower appears to have been not prop-
erly prepared or not sufficiently hardened, and soon
after its erection the tower fell. About |« 10,000 was
needed to repair damages, and, as a result, the church
had to ask aid fi-om tlie City Church Extension So-
ciety. The appointments and reports have been as
follows :

VKAR.

MEMBER!

i. PASTIiR.

YEAR. 1

Mli.MBERS

1. I'ASTOR.

1850

C. C. Kevs.

1871

128

T. B. Smith.

1851

1872

123

1852

G. Coles.

1873

127

1853

T. F. R. Jleiceiii.

1874

130

J. P. Swift.

1854-

150

A. C. Foss.

1875

121

1855*

142

1876

143

1856

110

W. C. Smith.

1877

136

D. W. C. Vau Ga;

IS-

1857

164f

0. E. Browa.

beck.

1858

120

D. 0. Ferris.

1878

137

1859

E. B. Shurter.

1879

113

1860

J. W. Miicomber.

1880

123

R. H. Kelley.

1861

1881

127

1862

To be supplied.

1882

117

1863

A. C. Gallahue. .

1883

137

S. Lowther.

1864

1884

187

1865

A. C. Fields.

1885

179

J. Rowe.

1866

105

1886

172

1867

1887

198

1868

128

T. Lodge.

1888

204

C. W. Millard.

1869

120

1889

269

1870

123

1890

270

Church, $40,000. Parsonage, $10,000. Debt, $13,000.
Salary, $1,500. Rent, $700. Other collections, $429.
Current expenses, $900. Sunday-school, 359.

* The appointment reads, " Morrisaniaand Upper Morrisania ; " this
last became Tremont.
\ Including Tremont.

FORDHAM. 383

FORDHAM.

The name of Fordhiim appears in the Minutes for the
first time in 1854, when Thomas Bainbridge was ap-
pointed there as supernumerary. He reported seven
members in 1855. From that time, however, it stands
connected with Kingsbridge or Tremont, or is left to be
supplied until 1S63. Thenceforward its record is:

YEAR. MEMBEKS. PASTOR.

YEAR. M

EMBERS

t. PASTOR.

1863

N. Hubbell.

1877f

A. Coons.

1864

A. P. Lyon.

1879

—

W. G. Browning.

1865

1880

To be supplied.

1866

1881

T. B. Smith, sup.

186-7

To be supplied.

1882

1868

J. C. Washburn.

1883

T. S. Bond.

1869

1884

1870*

W. M. Henry.

1885

1871

To be supplied.

1886

S. H. Scott.

1872

D. E. White.

1887

1873

To be supplied.

1888

To be supplied.]:

1874

1889

F. Bottonie.

187.5

1890

1876

A. Coons.

The church, as far as can be ascertained, was built
before 1862, and is a neat and comfortable frame house.

Church, $0,000. No parsonage. No debt. Salary,
$1,200. Other collections, $82. Current expenses, $234.
Sunday-school, 100.

TREMONT,

( Upper Morrisania.)

Somewhere about 1855 a few members of the Meth-
odist Episcopal Church at Morrisania proceeded to
organize the congregation now known as that of Ti-e-

* United with Highbridgeville.

flu 1877 and 1878 it was united witli Si. Stephen's and Wood-
lawn, with A. Coons as preacher. % F. Boltoine supplied.

.384 A History of Methodism in New York City.

moiit. They occupied for awhile "a little meeting-
liouse by the way -side," but in 1885 a new and better
location was secured on the corner of Washington Ave-
nue and East 178th Street, 110 by 108 feet. Plans
and specifications were prepared, but the builder's esti-
mate of the cost exceeded that of the architect by
about $10,000, and the enterprise was necessarily de-
layed.* On September 16, 1886, however, the corner-
stone was laid by the presiding elder. Rev. G. II. Greg-
ory, after addresses by Revs, J. M. King and I). W.
Couch. f The cliapel was opened on March 20, 1887,
with a sermon by the pastor, Rev. P. Germond,J; and
on June 26 the audience-room was dedicated by
the presiding elder, Rev. A. J. Palmer, after a sermon
by Rev. A. S. Hunt.§ It is a brick building, very
much after the model of that erected a little while be-
fore at Mount Vernon, and will seat five hundred per-
sons, and the lecture-room and its class-rooms, which
are so arranged as to communicate with the audience-
room, will accommodate about five hundred more. The
land cost |4,000, and the building about 130,000. ||

Originally it was connected with Morrisania, but in
the ]Minutes of 1857 the name first appears. Its rec-
ord is:

YEAR. MEMBERS.

PASTOK.

YEAR.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1857 — S.

C. Perry.

1865

100 J. W. Ackerly.

1858 82

1866

1859T[ 80

1867

1862 Y.

Buck.

1868

102 N. B. Tliomp.soti.

1863 111 A.

C. Field.

1869

134

1864 100

1870

166

* Christian Advocate, vol. Ix, p. 716. \ Ihid., vol. Ixi, p. 622.

\ Ibid., vol. Ixii, p. 173. § Hid., vol. Ixii, p. 436.

II Ibid., vol. 1x1, p. 558.

T[ In 1859 and 1860 it was united with Fordham, under the care
of J. A. Sellick. and in 1861 witli V. Buck as preacher.

i REMOXT.

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1871

163

R. Brown.

1881

212

F. Bottome.

1872

150

1882

166

N. B. Thompson.

1873

131

M. Osbon.

1883

169

1874

127

B. Smith.

1884

174

P. Germond.

1875

126

Lamont.

1885

251

1876

130

L. Marks.

1886

242

1877

131

'•

1887

243

To be supplied.*

1878

127

1888

246

J. Y. Bates.

1879

182

Bottome.

1889

255

C. Wright.

1880

190

1890

294

385

Church, $35,000. No parsonage. Debt, |8,500.
Salar}^, $2,000. Rent, $400. Other collections, $304.
Current expenses, $1,000. Sunday-school, 297.

NORTH NEW YORK.

In 1865 three members of St. James Methodist Epis-
copal Church residing in Mott Haven, Brothers Adam
Barton and John Archibald, and Sister Frances P.
Wilson, established a prayer-meeting. The first meet-
ing Avas held at the house of Mrs. Wilson on July 5,
and was followed by others of increasing interest.
Sliorth' after it was proposed to hold services in
the open air on what was called "the green," at the
junction of Garden and Main Streets (143d and 144th
Streets). The first appointment was made for August
6, but, the weather being unfavorable, nothing was
done until the following Lord's day, wlien Rev. J. H.
Baker, a local preacher, conducted the services. These
were kept up during the warm weather, and early in
tlie fall a society was oi-ganized by Rev. A. H, Mead,
of the Second Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, and
J. H. Baker was appointed leader. A dwelling was
hired on 144th Street, east of Third Avenue, where a
Sunday-school was held and regular preaching main-
tained every Sunday afternoon.

*R. M. Stralton supplied for a time, and tlien J. Y. Bates.

386 A History of Methodism in New York City.

Before the society was organized Mr. Willis offered
to give two lots and a sura of money for the erection
of a church. Some delay took place, but finally the
offer was accepted, and two lots on the corner of Willis
Avenue and 141st Street were selected, and a third
was afterward purchased. Mr. W^illis also added a
donation of $250.

At the Conference of 1866 Rev. William H. Bangs
was appointed to the charge, and steps were taken to
erect a chapel capable of accommodating two hundred
persons. This was dedicated on Sunday, September
11, 1866. On Thursday, July 9, 1868, the corner-stone
of the church Avas laid by Rev. H. F. Pease, the pre-
siding elder,* and on September 1 the building was
dedicated by Rev. W. L. Harris (afterward bishop).
The building was 44 feet by 67, and cost in all $14,000.t
In 1873 a parsonage was built on Willis Avenue, ad-
joining the church.

The Minutes furnish these items:

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBER."!.

PASTOR.

1866

. H. Bangs.

1879

197

Stillinan.

1867

1880

222

1868

1881

210

N. Laine.

1869

P. Periv.

1882

316

1870

118

1883

351

1871

115

1884

368

Y. Bovard.

187-2

122

L. Hall.

1885

381

1873

149

1886

394

W. Jones.

1874

174

1887

423

1875

144

B. Ford.

1888

366

1876

123

1889

414

Baird.

1877

134

1890

423

1878 193 G. Stillman.

Church, $-20,0'00. Parsonage, $6,000. Debt, $1,350.
Salary, $1,600. Rent, $500. Other collections, $348.
Current expenses, $850. Sunday-school, 597.

^Christian Advocate, vol. xiiii, p. 229. f Ihiil, vol. xliii, p. 281.

WOODLAWN. 387

WOODLAWN.

In July, 1874, Rev. D. W. C. Van Gaasbeck, the
preacher on the North New York Mission of tlie New
York Conference, began services at Woodlawn in a
tent loaned by J. M. Cornell. In the following win-
ter the house of Mr. Peter Curry became the place
of meeting. At length E. W, Willard, Esq., gave four
lots, on which a chapel was erected and dedicated, free
of debt, by Bishop Janes on April 16, 1876. The lots
were valued at $1,100, and the building cost about
13,000.*

For several years this church was associated with St.
Stephen's and Fordhara, but in 1879 it became a sepa-
rate charge. Since then its appointments have been:

YEAR.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

YEAR. >.

EMBERS. PASTOR.

r879

To be supplied.

1885

68 W. D. Fero.

1880

1886

1881

T. Lodge.

1887

66 De Los Lull.

1882

J. 0. Kern.

1888

43 J. M. Burgar.

1883

1889

1884

1890

WEST FARMS, f

Among the writer's earliest recollections is that of
attending Methodist preaching in the village of West
Farms in a room in a private house. Though quite a

* See reports of City Sunday-school and Church Extension Society.

•j- In the Minutes of the New York city preachers' meeting of July
16, 1825, we read : " Resolved, That the superintendent of this station
address a letter to the preachers in New Rochelle Circuit in reference
to forming a class in West Farms and West Chester, and that he lay

388 A History op Methodism in New York City.

village, the only church edifice was one belonging to
tlie Presbyterians, which stood a little out of the center
of the place. At least fifty-five years ago, however, a
small building was put up by the Methodists, but the
congregation was not large. It was originally con-
nected with the New Rochelle Circuit, afterward Avith
Kingsbridge, and at length became associated with
Westchester and Bronxville. In 1860 the building was
improved at a cost of $2,000. By the annexation of
the district north of the Harlem River it has been
brought within the city, and in 1882 it is included for
the first time in the list of New York appointments,
being left to be supplied. In the following October
Rev. G. C. Spencer, a local preacher of the city, took
charge of the society, and when received as a proba-
tioner in the Conference in the following spring he was
appointed to the place, and also for the years 1884-85.
In 1886 E. O. Tree succeeded him until 1890, when R.
I. B. Illman was appointed. Mr. Spencer gave his
services without a salary, and had the pleasure of see-
ing the beginning of what it is hoped will be perma-
nent and increasing prosperity. The reports of mem-
bership have been:

1890 54

tlie result before the preacliers' meeting." At the meeting of July 27
a letter was read from Rev. S. Martindale, of New Rochelle Circuit,
" stating that it was out of their power to do any thing for "West
Farms or to preach anywhere in that country on the Sabbath, and
that if we can do any thing for them it will be well ; therefore, Re-
solved, That the superintendent, either in person or by some one he
may think proper to appoint, proceed 'to organize a class in "West
Farms and "West Chester.' " No further notice of action is found, but
no doubt it was taken, as the writer remembers being present at a
quarterly meeting at West Chester a few years after.

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

1884

1886

1888

1885

1887

1889

West Farms. ' 389

The church is on Tremont Avenue, and is valued at
$3,500, No parsonage and no debt. Salary, $800,
Other collections, $88. Current expenses, $100. Sun-
day-school, 150,

MOTT AVENUE.

In June, 1882, Rev. A, N. Molyneaux, a superan-
nuated member of the New York Conference, liaving
lately moved into the neighborhood, began a prayer-
meeting at his house on Mott Avenue.

Henry Lewis Morris, Esq., sold to the church a plot
valued then at $8,000 for $4,000. It is on the corner of
Mott Avenue and East 150th Street, a little more than one
hundred feet square. A chapel has been built fronting
150th Street, capable of seating a congregation of more
than two hundred, and containing a study for the pas-
tor and class-rooms. It cost $13,000, of which the late
J. B. Cornell, Esq., gave $3,000, It was opened on
February 13, 1887, with a prayer-meeting at 8:15 A. M.,
after which Rev. G. H. Gregory, presidiiig elder of the
district, preached on John xvi, 7, and Rev. J. S, Whe-
don in the evening on Zech. xiv, 9, and the building
was dedicated by Bishop Harris, this being the last
occasion on which he performed such a service. There
is space on the corner for a church fronting on Mott
Avenue.*

The statistics and appointments have been:

YEAR.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1885

D. L. Marks.

1888

78 W. r. Anderson.

1886

To be supplied.

1889

100

1887

45 W. F. Anderson.

1890

115 R. E. Wilson.

* Christian Advocate, vol. l.xii, p. 173, and letter from Rev. W. F.
Anderson.

390 A History of JNIethodism ix Neav York City.

Chui-ch, 126,000. No parsonage. No debt. Salary,
|1,400. Other collections, |219. Current expenses,
$575. Sunday-school, 200.

WOODSTOCK.

This youngest sister of the household of New York
city Methodism was born just in time to have a place
in this family record. On October 13, 1889, services
were begun by Rev. Joseph F. Jones in a dwelling-
house on 161st Street, a little east of Third Avenue, and
a Sunday-school organized. At the Conference of 1890
it is set down "to be supplied." The supply Avas R.
Pierce.* A chapel is in j^rogress at the corner of 161st
Street and Prospect Avenue. The audience-room will
seat about three hundred, and when necessary two class-
rooms and an infant-class room can be thrown open to
furnish additional accommodation. One hundred years
hence, or less, some future historian may be able to give
an interesting record of this charge.

German. 391

CHAPTER XXXIII.

NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING CHURCHES.

GERMAN: SECOND STREET — FORTIETH STRKKT— 158TH
STREKT — FIFTY-FIFTH STREET— 114TH STREET— PORT
MISSION— BLINN MEMORIAL. MISCELLANEOUS: SWED-
ISH—FRENCH—WELSH—ITALIAN—CHINESE.

GERMAN.

{Second Street.)

The first German Methodist Episcopal Clmrcli in
New York city began its services in 1841 in a hired
room on the corner of Essex and Stanton Streets. On.
April 5, 1842, a board of trustees was elected, and an act
of incorporation was obtained on April 9. About the
last of August land was bought on Second Street, near
Avenue C, for $4,800, and the corner-stone of the church
building was laid Monday, November 7, by the venerable
Henry Boehm. Rev. J. C. Lyon, the pastDr, preached
on the occasion on Eph. ii, 20, 21, and Rev. J. Sewell
gave an address in Enghsh.* The church was dedicated
May 4, 1843, Bishoi) Morris preaching in English on Tit.
ii, 14, and Rev. J. C. Lyon in German. Bisliop Hedding
was also present.f The building is 44 feet by 70.

The Annual Minutes of the New York Conference for
1842 contain the first official notice of this charge, and
there we read, "Harlem German Mission, seventy-one
members." J From that time the reports read :

YEAR. MEMBERS. PASTOR. YEAR. .MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1842 71 J. C. Lvou and C. 1843 130 J. C. Lvon.

H. Doering. § 1844 122 J. C. Lyon, sup.

* Christian Advocate, vol. xvii, pp. 47, 55. f Ibid., pp. 147, 154.
:}: The introduction of the name Harlem is an error.
§ Mr. Doering supplied during the preceding year.
2(i

392 A History of Methodism in New York City.

YEAR.

MEMBER!

i. Pastor.

YEAR.

MEMBER5

PASTOB.

1845

184

J. C. Lyon, sup.

1868

295

Blinn.

1846

135

A. Miller.

1869

306

F. Grimm.

1847

164

1870

266

1848

160

C. H. Doeriug.

1871

190

1849

160

1872

210

C. Deininger.

1850

175

To be supplied.*

1873

200

1851

220

C. Jost.

1874

210

1852

219

W. Schwartz.

1875

233

Jost.

1853

260

1876

215

1854

251

C. F. Grimm.

1877

208

1855

227

J. C. Lyou.

1878

210

W. Freund.

1856

160

1879

211

1857

156

C. A. E. Hertel.

1880

218

1858

173

S. F. Zimmerman.

1881

230

Wallon.

1859

197

1882

220

1860

205

C. Jost.

1883

235

1861

253

1884

227

Kastendieck.

1862

235

C. H. Afflerbach.

1885

217

1863

247

1886

213

1864

247 1

F. W. Dinger.

1887

200

Quattlander.

1865

248

1888

198

1866

272

1889

214

1867

316

C. Blinn.

1890

216

This is the mother-church of the German work in
New York city and its vicinity. It has enjoyed many
revivals, has furnished some useful ministers, and, like
all our German churches, is noted for its liberality.

Church, $35,000. Parsonage, $5,000. Debt, |5,000.J
Total salary, $1,600. § Other collections, $1,412. Cur-
rent expenses, $720. Sunday-school, 240.

GERMAX.
[Thirty -sixth Street — Fortieth Street — Blooming dale.)
The Second German Methodist Episcopal Church of
New York city oi'iginated in a mission sustained by the
Ladies' Home Missionary Society. In 1843 a Sunday-
school was opened and preaching begun in the oj^en
air, near Eighth Avenue and Thirty-eighth Street,

*C. Jost supplied. f 147 in the printed minutes.

\ This was on their cemetery, and has been paid.

§ Tins sum, in the case of all tlie German churches, includes rent.

German, 393

by Rev. Mr. Ilartmann. In 1845 Rev. Jacob Graw
preached in Temperance Hall, on Eighth Avenue, near
Forty-second Street, and during the summer in a t<hanty
on the cemetery ground in Forty-fourth Street, near
Eighth Avenue. In 1849, w hen Rev. W. Schwartz was
pastor, an old frame chapel and one lot were bought
for $1,050 on Thirty-sixth Street, near Ninth Avenue.
This lot was afterward exchanged for two lots on
Fortieth Street, near Ninth Avenue, and the chapel
was removed to the rear of these lots. In 1864, under
the administration of Rev. C. Bliiin, the present church
edifice was erected, and was dedicated by Bishop
Janes on the first Sunday of 1866, and the old chapel
was altered into dwellings. These were destroyed by
fire in 1884, and then an extension to the Sunday-school
room was built, and al§o several dwellings above it,
which proved a profitable investment. The church is
of brick, 42 by 68 feet, and cost $12,000, besides the lots,
which cost about $4,000. While Mr. Blinn was with
them a parsonage was bought for $5,100.

From the Annual Minutes we have these items :

YEAR.

MEMBER

,S. PASTOR.

YEAR. 1

UKMBERi

PASTOR.

1846

J. J. Graw.

1859

C. Deiniuger.

1847

1860

W. Dinger.

1848

W. Schwarts.

1861

108

1849

1862

144

Jost.

1850

100

C. F. Grimm.

1863*

135

1851

1864

150

Blinn.

1852

C. H. Afflerbach.

1865

163

1853

F. G. Gratz.

1866

168

1854

J. Week.

1867

148

Wallon.

1855

To be supplied.

1868

155

1856

J. Kindler.

1869

137

1857

J. C. Lyon.

1870

129

Kastendieck.

1858

J. C. Deiiiinger.

1871

144

* In 1863 Melrose was united with Fortietli Street, and .'<o con-
tinued for four years. The members reported at the close of each of
these years, therefore, indude both charges.

394 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

YEAR.

MEMBER

PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

1872

130

Abole.

1882

130

Quattlander.

1873

132

1883

162

1874

134

1884

165

C. Deiiiinger.

1875

137

F. Grimm.

1885

177

1876

127

1886

172

1877

125

1887

168

Haendiees.

1878

120

Kolb.

1888

147

1879

103

1889

157

188(1

110

1890

152

Kasteudieck.

1881

101

Quattlander.

Churcli, 135,000. Parsonage, -|8,000. Debt, $2,500.
Total salary, $1,600. Other collections, $823. Cur-
rent expenses, 1772. Sunday-school, 175.*

ONE-UUNDRED-AND-riFTY"-EIGHTH STREET, GERMAN.

(^Melrose, One-hundred-and-fifty-sixth Street.)
As early as 1852 a circuit was organized in the Ger-
man work, which extended from the Harlem River to
Mount Vernon. In 1856 the name was changed to
Melrose and Mount Vernon, and in 1868 Melrose was
attached to Fortieth Street. It seems to have con-
tinued so connected for four years, tliough the Minutes
of 1865 and 1866 do not state it, but in 1867 Melrose
appears by itself, and is left to be supplied. From that
time we have the follovvini; items:

YBAR. MEMBERS.

1867

—

To be supplied.

1871

P. Stahl.

1868

F. C. Hartmau.

1872

1869

F. Gleuk.

1873

1870

1874

W. Schwartz.

* About 1850 two youug men were converted and united wiiii this
church. At the General Conference of 1888 some of the ladies of
the society under whose auspices the mission was organized were
present and could see among tlie delegates these same persons repre-
senting their Conference in the great council of the Church. They
were Rev. P. Quattlander, pastor of the German Methodist Episcopal
Church in Second Street, and P. K. Keller, now a prominent lay mem-
ber of the Fortieth Sircet charge.

German.

YEAR. MKMBBRS. PASTOK.

YKAR.

MEMBERS

PASTOR.

1875 61

J. Kiudler.

1883

J. Lange.

1876 74

1884

100

C. H. Hoffrogge.

1877 87

F. Rey.

1885

108

187S* 77

1886

106

1879 80

1887

115

J. Kolb.

1880f 101

P. Haendiges.

1888

127

1881 96

J. Lange.

1889

117

1882 91

1890

113

G. H. Mayer.

Church, $9,000. Parsonage, $3,000. Debt, $1,800.
Total salary, $1,200. Other collections, $444. Cur-
rent expenses, $424. Sunday-school, 210.

FIFTY-FIFTH STREET.
(St. Paul's, German.)
On May 17, 1874, Rev. Christian Blinn began serv-
ices in the German language in Uinkeldein's Hall, No.
1000 Third Avenue, assisted by William Giesregen.
In 1876 lots Avere bought on Fifty-fifth Street, be-
tween First and Second Avenues, and in April of
the same year the corner-stone was laid by Mr. Blinn.
On the 20th of October the basement was occupied,
and on the 19th of November the building was
dedicated by Bishop Harris. The Revs. C. Jost and
P. Quattlander gave addresses also in German, and
Rev. M. D'C. Crawford and General Clinton B. Fisk
in English. The building and ground were given to the
society free of debt by Rev. C. Blinn. | The appoint-
ments and reports have been:

1874 — C. Blinn, W. Gies- 1875 19 C. Blinn, W. Gies-
regen. regen.

*Name changed to One-huudred-and-fifty-sixtli Street.

f Name changed to One-liundred-and-fifty-eighth Street.

X Such gifts have not been uncommon elsewhere, but except in the
libera! donations of the Cornell brothers nothing of the kind had oc-
curred before in New York city.

396 A History of Methodism in New York City

YEAK.

MEMBERS

PASTOR.

1876

C. Bliim, W.
res:en.

1877

W. H. Kurth.

1878

1879

1880

C. F. Grimm.

1881

C. Reu.-.

1882

((

1883

Reus.

1884

116

Hauser.

1885

125

1886

114

1887

Gleuk.

1888

1889

1890

The church building is the most vahiable owned by
German Metliodists in the city, being estimated at
$40,000. In 1885 a parsonage was bought, which is
vahied at $8,000, and on this is a debt of $4,500. Total
salary, $1,3'20, of which $100 is from tlie Missionary
Society. Other collections, $403. Current expenses,
$564. Sunday-school, 194.

ONE-HUXDRED-AND-FOURTEENTH street, GERMAN.

(Ha/iem.)
The commencement of this enterprise was the open-
ing, in 1879, of a Sunday-school, whose services were
for some time held in a hall. The church was built
in 1882. For several years the charge formed part of
a circuit with Morrisania and Melrose. In 1881 it ap-
pears in the Minutes as Harlem, and from that time its
record reads :

YEAR.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

YEAH. 1

MBMEEKS.

PASTOR.

1881

— To be supplied.

1886

67 A.

C. Gaebeleiu.

1882

22 "

1887

66 J.

Flad.

1883

33 * C. Brofkmeier.

1888

1884

55 A. C. Gaebelein.

1889

61 J.

Lange.

1885

1890

Church, $13,000. No parsonage. Debt, $1,500.
Total salary, $1,000 (of which $500 is from the
Missionary Society). Other collections, $216. Current
expenses, $277. Sundaj^-school, 200.

*Tlie reports of 1883 and 1884 are from Harlem and Yonkers.

German. 397

german, blinn memorial.

( West Side Mission.)

In 1886 the West Side Mission first appears in the
list of appointments. Its statistics are:

YEAE.

MEMBEB

S. PASTOR.

YEAR.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1886

H. Miller.

1889

10 G. Hausser, Jr.

188Y

To be supplied.

1890

1888

G. Hausser, Jr.

Mrs. Blinn, widow of the late Rev. C. Blinn, to whose
liberality the German Methodists of New York are
indebted for the building in Fifty-fifth Street, called
St. Paul's, gave land in Ninety-ninth Street, near
Tenth Avenue, for church purposes, and in 1890 the
name "West Side Mission" was changed to "Blinn
Memorial." *

Salary, $400 (contributed by the Missionary Society).
Other collections, |46. Current expenses, $20. Sunday-
school, 35.

GERMAN, MISCELLANEOUS.

Besides these there have been other enterprises, such
as the City Mission, the Seamen's Church, the Port
Mission, Washington Street, Twelfth Street, and Chrj'^s-
tie Street. But these have been abandoned or merged
into other organizations, except the Port Mission, which
is still carried on, having its head-quarters at 27 State
Street, in the same building with the Battery Park
Mission. G. H. Simons is in charge.

* Tliis lias since been sold, and a new site purchased at the corner
of Lexington Avenue and 103d Street, and a building is about to be
erectedatacost of about $-40,000. The societj' in 114th Street has also
sold its property, and will unite willi tiiis new enterprise.

398 A History of Methodism in New York City.

SWEDISH.

{North River Mission — Swedish Bethel.)

In the spring of 1845 the Asbniy Society bought
the Bethel sliip Joh)i Wesley, which had been used for
a time by the Wesleyan Methodists as a center of
missionary work among seamen. At the Conference of
that year Rev. O. G. Hedstrom, a converted Swede
who had been in tlie itinerancy about ten years, was
appointed to the charge, and held service there for the
first time on May 25. Exercises were also carried on
in German and English. In 1857 a new vessel was
bought, which in 1876 was removed from the foot of
Carlisle Street, on the North River, to the foot of Harri-
son Street, Brooklyn. Some years after, however, this
Avas sold, and from that time the mission work Avas car-
ried on in various places in New York and Brooklyn.
At first it Avas entitled the North River Mission; in 1847
it became the Nortli River Bethel Mission; and from
1849 it Avas known as the Swedish Bethel. Mr. Hed-
strom continued in cliarge until 1860, having, hoA\"eA'er,
helpers, among Avhom Avere S. B. NeAvman, in 1851,
1852, and 1856, and S. V. N. Newman, 1857-59. O. P.
Petersen took charge in 1860, and remained until 1864,
when Mr. Hedstrom returned and continued until 1875.
Then D. S. Sorlin Avas appointed, and in 1876, as already
stated, the vessel was removed to Brooklyn, and after-
ward to Jersey City, for we read in the Ncav York
Tribune of October 31, 1890, p. 12 : "The old Bethel
ship Johfi Wesley, which for many years had been used
for mission work at Fifteenth Street and was patronized
by boatmen principally, Avas sold yesterday at auction
for $295 15. This included the altar, bell, pews, and
the old blue Bethel ilasr."

Swedish and French Missions. 399

The reports during the period just described were as
follows :

YEAR.

MEMBKES.

YEAR.

MEMBERS.

YEAR,

MEMBERS.

YEAH.

MEMBERS.

1846

1854

1862

1870

176

1847

1855

1863

1871

177

1848

1856

1864

114

1872

269

1849

1857

120

1865

135

1873

119

1850

1858

125

1866

144

1874

114

1851

1859

143

1867

130

1875

110

1852

1860

1868

150

1876

1853

1861

1869

153

From that date no distinct account of the work in
New York can be found, New York and Brooklyn be-
ing united. In 1883, however, the Swedish Mission in
New York became a separate appointment. A. G.
Johnson was the preacher, and the reports were: in 1883,
114 members; 1884, 127; 1885, 126; 1886, 115. In 1886
it was supplied by W. Swenson, who reported, in 1887,
110. In 1887 Holjer Olsen was appointed and is still
in charge. His reports were: 1888, 187; 1889, 208;
1890, 181.

In 1887, the Methodist Episcopal church in Lexing-
ton Avenue having been disbanded, the property was
bought by the Swedish congregation with the aid of
the City Church Extension Society. It is valued at
$52,000, but after paying $5,000 during the year there
is still a debt of $36,000. There is no parsonage. Total
salary, $400. Other collections, |143. Current ex-
penses, |5C8. Sunday-school, 60.

FRENCH MISSION.

A number of members of French descent have been
connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church in
New York city and its vicinity. The society in New

400 A History of Methodism ix New York City,

Rochelle, Westchester Count}^, is composed largely of
this material, and the Disosway family, from Staten
Island, became an important element in the Church in
the city, Duane Street and Bowery Village seem to
have had the largest representation of this nation-
ality.

At one time there were two French classes in Duane
Street, of which M, Queripel and Vincent Le Compte
were leaders.* But w^e have no intimation of any reg-
ular Methodist services in the French language until
1838, when Charles H, Williamson Avas appointed
"missionary to the French population in the city of
New York." He was continued in the work in 1839
and 1 840, but no reports of membership are to be found.
In 1841 no appointment is made to this work; Mr,
Williamson is given "liberty to go to France to visit
his friends," and in 1842 he withdrew.

But in 1851 the enterprise was again taken in hand.
Thomas Carter was appointed, who was succeeded in
1852-53 by John B. Cocagne. But again we have no
reports of membership, and in 1854 the work is left to
. be supplied, and in 1855 the name again disappears
from the Minutes. In ]888, however, Paul Desjnrdins
was appointed, who reported in 1889 seven proba-
tioners, and Avas re-appointed to the work. The serv-
ices are held at 58 West Third Street, In 1890, also,
seven probationers were reported, and T. Leveque Avas
aj^pointed.

WELSH mission.

About 1853 a mission to the Welsh population in the
city was begun. It continued but a few years, and little

*D. De Viime in The Mtthodist, vol. xvi, p. 257.

Welsh, Italian, axd Chinese Missions. 401

can now be learned of its history. Its statistics and ap-
pointments were :

YEAS.

MEMBKES. PASTOE.

YEAE.

MEMBERS. PASTOR.

1854
1855

44 To be supplied.
54 T. Thomas.

1858
1859

.38 J. Ellis.
47

1856
185 7

4(3 J. Ellis.

1860

;>9 To be supplied.

The name tlien disappears from the Minutes. It was
connected with the New York East Conference.

ITALIAN mission.

In 1889 an Italian mission is found among the ap-
pointments of the New York Conference to be " sup-
plied by V. L. Calabrese." He reported, in 1890, 55
probationers and a Sunday-school of 130. The serv-
ices are held at No. 1 Varick Place. It is to be hoped
that the work among this people will be a success.

CHINESE MISSION.

{Seventh Avenue and Twenty-third Street.)

In several Methodist Sunday-schools in the city there
have been classes of Chinese for some years, but not
until May 1-3, 1888, was there a distinct mission for that
people. It has pleasant accommodations. Mr. E. Rein-
hart and Miss Mary A. Lathbury are superintendents,
and Chu Bok resident missionary. The average at-
tendance at the Sunday-school has been about thirty,
and there is a Young Men's Christian Association.
Teachers are greatly needed.

402 A History of Methodism in New York City.

CHAPTER XXXIV,

FIVE POINTS MISSION — BATTERY PARK MISSION —
CHURCH HOME— ST. CHRISTOPHER'S HOME— DEACON-
ESS HOME— CHURCH EXTENSION WORK.

FIVE POINTS MISSION.

{Centre Street Mission.)

A GOOD deal of woik in the way of city missions has
been done in New York city, but the most of it resulted
in the establishment of churches, and, therefore, is in-
cluded in their history. But the Five Points Mission
is unique. Ever since early in the century the neigh-
borhood had had a reputation for poverty and crime
almost equal to the famous St. Giles of London. It Avas
dangerous to pass through it,' especially at night, for
debauchery, robbery, and murder prevailed. But Chris-
tian women of the Methodist Episcopal Church, believing
that Christ had died for even such wretches as inhab-
ited that den of iniquity, resolved to institute a mission
there. In 1848 some gentlemen were requested to sur-
vey the ground, but they reported that no suitable room
could be obtained. In 1850, however, at the request of
the ladies, a missionary Avas appointed and a room ob-
tained at the corner of Little Water Street (now Mis-
sion Place) and Cross (now Park) Street.* It was
about 20 feet by 40, and cai:)able of accommodating
two hundred persons. On the first Sunday it was filled
with what a lady described as " a more vivid represen-

* This is nearer to where Embury's house stood than any Meth-
odist clnircli.

Five Points Mission. 403

tation of hell than she had ever iiuagined." The Sun-
day-school was opened with seventy scholars, and was,
of course, foi- some time a scene of great confusion, but
gradually improved. A day-school Avas also started and
temperance work and other means of relief and refor-
mation instituted.

A building called " the Old Brewery," erected in 1792,
but changed into tenements in 1837, stood facing the
little triangular park called (it would seem satirically)
Paradise Square. A part of it was known as the " Den
of Thieves;" a passage beside it bore the name of
" Murderers' Alley." When one of the ladies* named
this as the best site for a mission-building the proposi-
tion Avas received with a burst of laughter. But before
long the wisdom of the suggestion became evident.
The property was bought for -tl6,000, and on December
2, 1852, the work of demolishing this stronghold of
sin began. On the 27th of the following January the
corner-stone of the mission-building was laid by Bishop
Janes, and on June 17 the house was opened with a
sermon from Rev. James Floy on Exod. xxxiii, 18.
The building was of brick, five stories high, 75 feet
front and 45 feet deep, and cost $30,000. Additions
were afterward made in the rear and front. The
chapel will seat five hundred persons, and there are
also a school-room, an infant-class room, a dwelling for
the missionary, a number of tenements for poor and
deserving families, and a circulating library.

That this is a peculiar field ami needs peculiar men
to cultivate it need hardly be said. It is matter of great
thankfulness that so many have been found who have
labored so successfully. With scarcely an exception
they have proved themselves fitted for the place.

For two years the work was known as the Centre
' * Mrs. C. R Deuel, now Mrs. Governor Wright.

404 A HisTOKY OF Methodism in Neav i^o rac City.

Street Mission. Although in the following items from
the Annual Minutes there are statements of the number
of members, it will easily be understood that these are
by no means to be regarded as a proper estimate of the
harvest. Some of the saved are on their death-beds,
and soon leave their squalid tenements for heavenly
mansions; those who have health better their condition
before long and remove to more respectable neighbor-
hoods. Thus the sheaves are generally soon garnered
elsewhere, and the numbers reported here are but the
handfuls dropped by the way.

YEAR. M

EMBEES. PASTOB.

YEAR. MEMBERS.

PASTOR.

1850

L. M'K. Pease.

1869

N. Shaffer and D.

1851

J. Luckev.

W. C. Van Gaas-

1852

beck.

1853

B. M. Adams.

1870

N. Shaffer.

1854

A. S. LakiQ, B. M.
Adams, sup.

1871

1872

1855

—

To be supplied.

1873

1856

N. Mead.

1874

1857

1875

S. Brown.

1858

A. K. Sauford.

1876 •

1859

1877

1860

To be supplied.*

1878

1861

A. K. Sauford.

1879

1862

J. N. Shaffer.

1880

1863

1881

—

I. Ferguson.

1864

J. N. Shaffer and J.
W. Maeomber.

1882
1883

14
16

1865

J. N. Sliaffer and C.
Battersby.

1884
1885

. R. Boutou.

1866

J. N. Shaffer and J.
Maeomber.

1886

1887

40
30

1867

J. N. Shaffer and G.
W. Knapp.

1888
1889

22
24

1868

J. N. Shaffer and G.
W. Kiiapp.

1890

((

The whole property is now valued at $65,000, but is
really worth nearly 1100,000. Nodebt. Salary, $1,800.
Rent, $700. Other collections, $39. Current expenses,
$300. Sunday-school, 500.

* N. Mead and A. K. Sanford supplied.

Five Points Mission. 405

This enterprise is carried on by the Ladies' Home
Missionary Society of New York city, and is of course
dependent on the public generally for support. Besides
the ordinary expenses there is great demand for aid to
the destitute in the way of clothing, food, fuel, etc.
The children in the day-school are provided with din-
ner every school-day, and clothes when needed. Many
farmers on Long Island and elsewhei'e send an annual
contribution of potatoes and other articles, and pack-
ages of clothing, or materials for it, come from different
parts of the country. It is all needed, and much more,
indeed, and in the midst of other claims for aid the
Church should not forget this.*

BATTERY PARK MISSION.

In July, 1886, the Rev. G. H. Goodsell, tract agent
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, visited Castle Gar-
den and became impressed with the importance of mis-
sionary work among the immigrants. An office was
opened at 25 State Street, which in December, 1887,
was superseded by a chapel and office at No. 27, under
the auspices of the New York City Church Extension
Society. Mr. Goodsell was appointed superintendent.
A class was formed January 15, 1888, and a church or-
ganized on April 28. About the same time also Rev.
Charles Samuelsen Avas employed to labor among the
Scandinavians. Three public services are held on Sun-
day, besides an open-air service in the afternoon, and
there are meetings on four evenings during the week.
The Woman's Home Missionary Society occupies the
upper floors as a girls' lodging-house.

* The materials for this sketch are derived from a htlle vohime, is-
sued some tliirty-five years ago, called The Old Brewery, and from a
paper published by the mission called A Voice from the Old Brewery.

40G A History of Methodism in New York City.

The object is to supply food for the hungry, clothing
for the naked, lodging for the homeless, work for the
unemployed, counsel for those needing it, and the tid-
ings of salvation for all. It reported, in 1890, 119 mem-
bers and ^15 collections.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH HOME.

A number of the female managers of the benevolent
societies attached to the several churches in New York
city, having seen the necessity of some better provision
for the aged and infirm members of the Church, called
a meeting on March 4, 1850, at Mrs. Farrar's, 459
Broadway, at which steps were taken to organize the
Ladies' Union Aid Society. Several other meetings fol-
lowed, and on August 5, at the Greene Street Church,
a board of directors was elected; Mrs. M. \V. Mason
being chosen first directress and Mrs. Farrar the second
officer. An act of incorporation was obtained from the
Legislature on June 19, 1851.

The institution began its operations in a hired
house at No. 16 Horatio Street. In 1854 or 1855
Mr. AVilliam S. Seaman gave two lots of ground in
Forty-second Street near Eighth Avenue, where the
corner-stone of a building was laid on September 16,
1856. The house was dedicated on April 27, 1857, by
Bishop Janes.

In 1884 ground was bought on Tenth Avenue, ex-
tending from Ninety-second to Ninety-third Street, and
on November 4, 18n5, the corner-stone of a new build-
ing was laid by Bishop Harris. This was formally
opened, with appropriate exercises on November 30,
1886. It is about two hundred feet in front by about
one hundred in depth. The basement is of stone, and
the four upper stories of brick, with gray sand-stone

Methodist Episcopal Church Home. 407

trimming. Besides more than one hundred rooms for
inmates and the necessary dining-rooms, offices, etc., it
has a very fine chapel, whicli will accommodate about
five hundred hearers. Its total cost was about 8200,000.
There are at present about one hundred and ten inmates,
of whom about one hundred are females. Applicants
for admission must have been members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church for ten years, for the last five in the
city of New York.

Mrs. M. W. Mason held the office of first directress
until 1868. Miss R. H. Tittle succeeded her. In 1881
Mrs. Bishop Harris was elected, and in 1888 Mrs.
Lemuel Bangs.

ST. Christopher's home.

St. Christopher's Home for orphan and destitute
children was incorporated in 1885. The building it
now occupies on Riverside Drive, near ir2th Street,
is leased, but it is trying to accumulate a building
fund, of which $5,000 has been secured. Preference
is given to children from Methodist Sunday-schools,
but others are not excluded. It is hardly necessary
to say that it is supplying an evident want, and only
needs means to do much good. Mrs. J. A. Kennedy,
135 West Twenty-second Street, is the president.

NEW YORK deaconess HOME AND TRAINING-SCHOOL.

This institution, recently organized under the action
of the last General Conference, will no doubt soon do
effective service among the poor and suffering and sin-
ful of the city. The house at 241 West Fourteenth
Street Avill accommodate from twenty to twenty-five.
Miss M. E. Lay ton, formerly principal of the girls'
school in Calcutta, is superintendent.
27

408 A History of Methodism in New York City.

CHURCH extension WORK.

Various enterprises designed to originate and build up
new organizations have existed in the city. The As-
bniy society has ah-eady been noticed (see p. 382). It
gave birth to the Asbury churches in Norfolk and Jane
Streets. In 1844 the Ladies' Home Missionary Society
was formed, and to it the Dry Dock Mission (Ninth
Street, now Eleventh Street) and the Second German
Church in Fortieth Street owe their existence. It also
founded and still sustains the Five Points Mission.

Somewhere about 1820 a Sunday-school society w^as
formed. This afterward became the New York City
Sunday-school and Missionary Society, and Avas incoi'-
porated under that name April 14, 1866. On March
14, 1871, the title was changed to the New York City
Church Extension and Missionary Society, and the act
of incorporation so amended as to enlarge the sphere
and increase the usefulness of the society. The first
president was W. W. Cornell, at whose death A. V.
Stout Avas elected. In 1872 J. B. Cornell was chosen,
and in 1886 Bowles Colgate. The object of the society
is to found and sustain new church enterprises and to
assist those which are weak. For a complete view of
the work it has effected its reports must be examined.
It is sufficient here to say that it has organized or as-
sisted Kingsbridge (St. Stephen's), Woodlawn, St. Marks,
Thirty-seventh Street, Thirty-fifth Street, Perry Street,
St. Andrew's, Sixty-first Street, Morrisania, Chui-ch of
the Saviour (109th Street), Grace Church (104th Street),
Eleventh Street, Washington Heights, Cornell Memo-
rial (East Seventy-sixth Street), Calvary (West Harlem),
Seventeenth Street, Mott Avenue, Franklin Street, Bat-
tery Park Mission, Woodstock, etc. It is also sustain-
ing the French, Italian, and Chinese work in the city.

Appendix A. 409

APPENDIX A.

HECK OR HICK.

Tt will be seen that in the text tlie writer was non-committal as to
the identity of the good lady who aroused Philip Kitibiiry to his duty.
This was because he then believed it impossible to solve the problem
satisfactorily, though he was inclined to favor tlie claim of the Hicks
of New York. Since then, however, he has become convinced of the
superiority of the claim of the Hecks of Canada; and if the pages in
which the account is given had not been already stereotyped the
name of Barbara Heck would have been inserted as entitled to the
honor. Even in that case, however, some explanatory remarks
would have been necessary. The controversy itself has become an
item in the history of New York Methodism, and is a curious illus-
tration of the unreliability of traditions. Besides, the parties in New
York citj- have a rig-Jit to a fair statement .of their case, as a decision
against them would seem almost like an impeachment of their iuteg-
ritj', which would be altogether undeserved.

Until 1858 New York Methodists supposed that there was no
doubt that the mother of their honored and excellent brother, Paul
Hick, was Embury's reprover. When, therefore, it was asserted that
she removed to Canada and died there, it seemed to them at first pre-
posterous; but it sum appeared that there was something to be said
in favor of this claim. After a long controversy Rev. J. B. Wakeley,
of New York Conference, and Rev. John Carroll, of Canada, with
John and George Heclc, grandsons of Barbara Heck, of Canada, met
ill the presence of Bishop Junes and Rev. A. Stevens and agreed on
the following points:

'• 1. That Paul Heck, late of Canada, was one of the original trust-
ees of John Street, because his name occurs in the original lease,
and he was a contributor to the erection of the church ; and his
name occurs once in the accounts, and his signature to a receipt for
£1 Gs. received for boards corresponds with autographs of his in sun-
dry books preserved in the family, as well as testimony of friends and
neighbors who came with him from Ireland and lived by him first in
Nl'W York, then in Camden, and finally settled with him in Canada.

410 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

" 2. He and Mr. P. Hick, who became trustee in 1786, and died in
New York, 1825, were two different persons.

" 3. That liis wife was Barbara Ruckle, as is plain from tea-spoons
and the testimony of many living witnesses.

" "We leave it to tlie public to decide whether the above Mrs. Heck
or Mrs. Hick, mother of him who died in New York, 1825 (and whose
Christian and maiden name are not certainly known), w^as the person
wlio threw the cards into the fire, etc.

" 1.) On the Canada side are the professions of Mrs. Barbara Heck
herself, whom many living witnesses represent as incapable of fabri-
cation, the testimony of all the German-Irish Methodists, wlio knew
her in Ireland, Camden, and Canada: pariiciilarly the late John Law-
rence, of Augusta, second husband of Mrs. P. Emburj^, who was at
the card-table mentioned, and one of the six persons of the first
congregation.

" 2.) On tlie New York side that the late Mr. and Mrs. P. Hick, of
New York, son and daughter-in-law of the New York claimant, both
eminently good, as testified by hundreds, claimed that their mother
was the person.

" Jointlj' agree, we know of no one on either side who would will-
fully misrepresent facts.

" N. B. — Dr. Bangs was waited on, but was in the country. J. P.
Hick, of Mount Vernon, was requested to be present, but found it
inconvenient to attend. J. B. Wakeley,

"John Carroll."*

With these points mutually admitted let us see what further is
to be said. Let it be observed, however, that no stress is to be
laid on tlie spelling of the name. In the list of subscribers to
the church-building in the " Old Book " it is plainly Heck ; but the
li.st is a copy, and, therefore, no autliority on this point. His signa-
ture to a receipt in that book is Hick ; the second letter is so indefi-
nite that it may be either an e or an i without a dot. In the old rec-
ords of the New York church we have Hick and Heck, where it is ev-
ident that the family of Paul Hick is intended. And some members of
the Heck family in Canada have been called Hick— the Rev. John Hick,
for instance. These differences will not surprise any one who has
had any experience in the spelling of proper names. He wiU know
that they are subject to the widest variations. As a case in point,
■the name Embury is spelled Embree, Embry, Emmery, and in the Pa-

* Christian Advocate, vol. xxxiv, p. 108.

Appendix A. 411

latiiiale, whence the family came, it is Emniericli* While, therefi)re,
it may be true that in tlie Palatinate, though "you fiud the family
name Heclv very often," " the name Hick is not known," f it is evi-
deiictlial if Emmerich lias been translbrmed into Embury and Emory
it would not be surprising if Heck sliould be evolved into Hick.

The New York claim seemed certainly to have a solid foundation.
The recollections of Paul Hick reached back to nearly tlie date of the
events; he lived fifty years after, and he was not a "man to be easily
misled, nor puri.osely mislead." X Among the papers left by Dr.
Wakeley is a certificate from Eliphalet Wheeler, a most worthy offi-
cial member of the Church in New York city for many years, testifying
strongly to the excellence of Paul and Hannah Hick. From them
Dr. Bangs says he got "several of the facts" he relates; among
others, as it would seem, that the lady was the mother of Paul
Hick.§ And some five years after he writes the memoir of " Mrs.
Ann Bonsell, daughter of the late Paul Hick, and granddaughter
of Mrs. Hick, who was so active in the formation of the first Meth-
odist society in the city of New York in the year 1766."! And
it must he remembered that Dr. Bangs wrote thus, knowing that
there was another story in Canada. He tells us he received the ac-
count there before he came to New York, that when he came to the
city he heard the New York story, and was " inclined to believe that
Paul Hick of New York, who professed to k7iow the facts," "which
were corroborated by his wife, was correct in his statements," and
that notliing he had heard or read since had caused him to change his
mind concerning their truth.^ Indeed, nothing but such strong con-
viction of the truth of the New York accounts could justify Dr. Bangs
in keeping silence as to what he heard in Canada.

Again, the Rev. P. P. Sandford, a man of remarkably good judgment
and unimpeachable integrity, in his Memoirs of Mr. Wedty's Mission-
aries to America, says (page 8): "Among the emigrants of his latter

* Letter of Rev. L. Nippert to the author. The question is naturally sug-
gested whether Bishop Emory may not have been of the same slock. Rev.
George R. Crooks, D.D., son-in-law of the bishop, says there is a tradition in
the family that it is of German origin, and that the primitive spelling was
Emmerich. In Webster's Unahridoed Dictionarjl, among English names
we And, " Emery, Emmery, Emory. [A. S.] Powerful ; rich. Lat., Almericus;
It., Amerigo ; Fr., Emeri." Was Amerigo Vespucci of the same stock ?

t Rev. H. Mann, Christian Advocate, vol. Ix, p. 40.

* D. Curry, D.D., in airistian Advocate, vol. xli, p. 402.

§ Bangs's Hfetorjy of the Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. 1, p. 51, note.
II Christian Advocate, vol. xvii, p. 144.
1 1bid., vol. xxxiii, p. 170.

412 A HisTOUY OF Methodism in Xew York City,

period (1766) there were two fiiinilies of tlie names of Hick and Dea",
who seem to have retained more .of the influence of the rehgion they
had experienced in Ireland tlian any of tlieir predecessors ; and from a
member of each of these families, who were very young at the time of
their emigration, the writer received some of the facts recorded in
this introductor}' article. Mrs. Hick, especially, appears to have been a
very pious woman; and it was tlirough her earnest importunity that
Mr. Embury was prevailed upon to preach." *

Still further, in a commimication to The Christian Advocate^ vol.
XXXV, p. 60, Rev. Ignatius T. Cooper gives a copy of a paper found
among the manuscripts of Rev. Ezekiel Cooper. He thinks it was
written when Mr. Cooper was stationed on Long Island in 1785, or
subsequently in New York. It is entitled, " Peter Parks's True
Statement of the First Rise of tlie Metiiodists in America," etc.
" Philip Emmery, a local preacher from Limerick, Ireland, hired an
upper room in Barracks Street, where he lived ten doors from tiie
Barracks, now called Augusta Street (later City Hall Place). Sister
Hick, mother of Paul Hick, who resided opposite the Barracks, per-
suaded Mr. Emmery to have preaching in his house," etc. The New
York tradition is evidently very old. f

Once more. Bishop Asbury must have been perfectly familiar with
the New York view. Peter Parks speaks of it as a familiar thing be-
fore the close of the eighteenth century. On July 5, 1811, the bishop
was in Canada, and he writes in his Journal : " I preached at the Ger-
man settlement." "Here is a decent, loving people; my soul is much
tuiited to them. I called upon Father Dulinage, and on Brother
Hicks — a brancli of an old Irish stock of Methodists in New York."
Did they say nothing to him about the matter, or did he think what
they said not worth notice ? The omission is significant.

But, wliile all this is true, the Hecks of Canada give a more particu-
lar account of the affair, and are able to produce a larger amount of
corroborative testimony. Mrs. Barbara Heck, they say, was a Ruckle.
Dr. Crook:]: writes: "Mrs. Heck sent a letter to a friend in Ballin-

*In the Short Historical Account (page 3) it is said she was of the flrst
company, and the card-players of the seooud. Mr. John P. Hick, of Mount
Vernon, N. Y., says he thinks his ancestress came with the second company in
1766. He adds that she had two sous, Paul and John, and that John died early.
Of Paul's children the oldest was named William Spraggs, after the preacher,
Samuel Spraggs. This was the father of J. P. Hick.

i-Dr. Wakeley says : " Peter Parks was one of the purest of men. His testi-
mony cannot be 6o:]hU'(]."'— Christian Advocate, vol. xxxv, p. 72.

$ Ireland and A.iiicricaa Methodusm, note, p. 95.

Appendix A. 413

gran, in which slie gave an account of tlie transaction identical witii
the above [that is, the statement Dr. Crook gives]. This letter was
preserved lor many years, and old Mrs. Ruckle told me she had ofien
read it. . . . It was subseqnently taken to America by Mr. Christopher
Ruckle, who emigrated some years ago, and settled, I tliink, in Ohio."
Mr. Ruckle settled in Maumee, 0., and a daughter is now living at
Presqne Isle, in that State. She says the letter is lost; that it con-
tained but a few words, but lier father could give it almost word for
word. The writer has asked for a statement of its contents, but has
not obtait]td it. But the bare fact that such a letter was written,
and that it was in the hands of the Ruckle family, argues tliat she
was of that family. But there is at least no evidence that Mrs. Hick,
of New York, was a Ruckle. Tiie Cansida people say tliat their ances-
tress was a cousin of Embury's, that the card-playing took place in her
kitchen, and she came in, swept tlie cards into her apron and threw
them into the fire. John Lawrence, who afterward married the widow
of Embury, said he was one of tlie players, and testified to the fact.
Mrs. Heck lived until 1804, and adliered to her statement to the last.
Her descendants and other witnesses in Canada saj' they often heard
it from her lips. The face also that this family went with Embury to
Camden, N. Y., and afterward to Canada with Embury's widow in
their company, is presumptive evidence in their favor.

But what to the writer has been the most decisive evidence is what
follows. Somehow tliere was a tradition in New York that tlie
Christian name of the lady was Barbara. Dr. Wakeley gives it so in
Lod Chapters, etc. (p. 117), and this was written before tiie Canada
claim was known. He says also in a letter to Mr. George Heck,
dated Harlem, N. Y., May 12, 1862: " Wlien I wrote the Lost Chap-
ters I had never heard of the Heck family in Canada, or that any one
claimed to have the power of stirring up Embury except Paul Hide's
mother, of New York." But Mr. Jonathan P. Hick, of Mount
Vernon, N. Y., grandson of Paul Hick, in a letter to the writer,
dated January 11, 1885, in answer to certain questions, says:
"My great-grandmother, b}' all that I liave heard, came over a widow
with two children, Paul and John." "I do not know what her
e.xaet Christian name was; it somehow or other got to be called
Barbary." Here is an obscurity which must be admitted to be a fatal
flaw in the evidence.

The house in which Barbara Ruckle was born was standing at least
as late a? 1866, at Ballingran, Ireland, as was also that of Mr. Heck,
where she lived after lier marriage. " It is an ordinary comfortable

414 A History of Methodism in New York City.

cottage, with a nice garden before tlie door." Methodist ministers
were slill hospitably entertiiined there.*

About midwa}- between the town of Prescolt and the village of
Maiiland, in Canada, is "the old Blue Church Burying-ground.'' The
old building has gone, but the ground is still used for burials. Rev. W.
W. Bowdiah, lately pastor of old John Street, has recently visited the
place, and sends a copy of the inscription on the graves of Paul and
Barbara Hock: "In memory of Paul and Barbara Heck. Paul Heck,
born 17H0. died 1795. Barbara Heck, wife of Paul Heck, Born 1734,
died August 17, 1804."

In tlie burying-ground connected with the Methodist Episcopal
Ch\irch at Upper New Rociielle, Westchester County, N. Y., is a stone
inscribed: "Sacred to the memory of Paul Hick, who died in the city
of New York, March 16, 1825, in the 73d year of his age. Hannah
Hick, his wife, who died July 28, 1826, in the 76th year of her age.
They sustained the character of deep piety and usefulness, and were
early connected with the formation of the first Methodist church in
the city of New York, and finally died in the triumph of faith.
'They rest from ilieir labors, and their works do follow them.' "

Even if these were not of the family of the genuine Mrs. H. they de-
serve remembrance as early and active members of the Church in New
York city. Mrs. Hick, of New York, was buried in Trinity church-
yard. Tlie exact place of her interment is not known.

APPENDIX B.

THE LEASE.f

"This Indenture, made this twenty-ninth day of March, in the
year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight, between
Mary Barclay, executrix, and Andrew Barclay, Leonard Lispenard,
and David Clarkson, executors of the last will and testament of
Henry Barclay, late of the city of New York, clergyman, deceased,
on the one part, and Philip Embury, "William Luptou, Ciiarles Wliite,
Richard Sause, Henry Newton, Paul Hick, and Thomas Taylor, all of
the city of New York, and Tliomas Webb, of Queens County, of the
other part: Witnesseth, that they, the said parties of tJie first part, for

* Crook's Trelanfl and American Methodism, p. 78.

+ The oriffinal of this paper has not been found by the writer. It is given on
the authority of Dr. Wakeley, who does not say where he got it or what has
become of it.

Appendix B. 415

and ia consideration oFllie sum of five shillings, lawful money of New
York, to tliem in hand well and truly paid at or before the sealings
and delivery of these presents by the said parties of the second part,
the receipt whereof they, the said parties of the first part, do hereby
acknowledge, have bargained, granted, and sold, and by these pres-
ents do fully, fieely, and absolutely grant, bargain, and sell unto them,
the said parties of the second part, All those two certain lots of ground
situate, lying, and being in the Xorth Ward of the said city of New
York (being part and parcel of the estate oC Anthony Rutgers, deceased,
and upon a division of the said estate fell to the part and share of the
said Henry Barclay) and known and distinguished in a certain map
bearing date the fourteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord
one thousand six hundred and ninety-six, made of tlie land commonly
called Shoemaker's Ground, by lots No. 112 and No. 113, containing
in breadth, in front and rear, each of them twenty-five feet, be
the same more or less, and in length on both sides each of them
ninety-five feet, be the same more or less; the lot No. 112, bounded
north easterly in front on John Street, north-westerly by the house and
lot of ground in the tenure and occupation of Jonathan Bleeker,
south-westerly in the rear ground in the tenure and occupation of
Jacob Van Woert, and south-easterly by the said lot No. 113; and the
lot No. 113, bounded north-eastetly in front by John Street aforesaid,
north-westerly by the said lot No. 112, south-westerly in the rear by
groiuid of Anthony Rutgers, and south-easterly by ground of the said
Leonard Lispeiiard; together with all and singular tlie houses, out-
houses, stables, gardens, water-wells, curtilages, easements, profits,
commodities, emoluments, hereditaments, and appurtenances to the
same belonging or in any wise appertaining; and tlie reversion and
reversions, remainder and remainders, rents, issues, and services
thereof, and every part and parcel thereof, with the appurtenances,
to have and to hold, all and singular the said hereby granted prem-
ises, and every part and parcel tlierewith the appurtenances, unto
them, the said parties of the second part, their executors, adminis-
trators, and assigns, for and during and until the full end and term
of one whole year from the day of the date of these preserits next
ensuing, and fully to be complete and ended, yielding and paying
therefor unto tlie said parties of the first part, their executors, admin-
istrators, or assigns, the rent of one peppercorn, on the last day of the
said term, only if lawfully demanded, to the intent and purpose, that
by virtue of these presents, and by tlie force of the statute for trans-
ferring of uses into possession, the said parties of the second part may

416 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

be in the actual possession of all and singular tiie hereby granted
premises, and every part and parcel tlierewitli the appurtenances, and
be tliereby enabled to accept and take a grant and release of the
reversion and inheritance thereof to them, their heirs, and assigns
forever, to the only proper use, benefit, and behoof of them, their
heirs, and assigns forever, b}' indenture, intended to be made between
the said parties to these presents, and to bear date the day next after
the day of the date of these presents.

" In witness whereof the said parties to these presents have here-
unto set their hands and seals, the day and .year first above written.
"Mary Barclay, [l. s.] Leonard Lispenard, [l. s.]
" Andrew Barclay, [l. s.] David Clarksox. [l. s.]
"Sealed and delivered in presence of Thomas Barclay, Egbert
Benson."

Tliis paper is indorsed: " Mary Barclay and others, 1

to > Lease."

Philip Embury and others. )

APPENDIX C.

THE FIRST DEED OF SALE.*

" This Indenture, made this thirtieth day of March, in the year of
our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-eight, between Mary
Barclay, executrix, and Andrew Barclay, Leonard Lispenard, and
David Clarkson, executors of the last will and testament of Henry
Barclay, late of the city of New York, clerk, deceased, of tiie one part,
and Philip Embury, William Lupton, Charles White, Richard Sause,
Henry Newton, Paul Heck, and Thomas Taylor, all of the city of
New York, and Thomas Webb of Queens County, of the other part ;
Wliereas, the said Henry Barclay, in and by his last will and testa-
ment in due form of law made and executed, bearing date the nine-
teenth day of Jinie in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hun-
dred and sixty-four, did, among other tilings therein contained for the
better improving his estate, fully authorize and impower his execu-
tors or any two of them, and the survivor and survivors of them (it
being with the approbation of his wife), either to demise for a terra
of 3^ears, or to grant, bargain, sell, and convey in fee simple, to such
person and persons, and for such price and sums of money as could

* This paper is in the hands of the trustees of the Eighteenth Street Church,
New York. Dr. Wakeley does not give it.

APPENDlk C. 417

be had or gotten for the same, All his messuages, lands, tenements,
and real estate whatsoever and wheresoever, or any part or parcel
thereof, and to make, seal, and execute good and sufficient deeds and
conveyances in the law to the purchaser or purcliasers thereof, his,
her, and their heirs and assigns forever ; And whereas also the said
parties of the first part have agreed, by virtue of the power and au-
thorit}' to them in and by the said last will and testament given for
the consideration hereinafter mentioned, to convey to the said parties
of tiie second part the said two lots of ground hereinafter particularly
mentioned and described, the approbation of the said Mary Barclay
tliereof being signified by her sealing and delivering this indenture
as a party tliereto; Now therefore this indenture witnesseth that the
said Mary Barclay, Andrew Barclay, Leonard Lispenard, and David
Chirkson, for and in consideration of the sura of six hundred pounds
lawful money of New York to them in hand well and truly paid at or
before the sealing and delivery of these presents hy the said par-
ties of the second part, the receipt whereof they, the said parties of
the first part, do hereby acknowledge, and thereof and therefrom and
of and from every part and parcel thereof do hereby exonerate, acquit,
and discharge the said parties of the second part and each and every
of them, their and each and every of their heirs, executors, and ad-
ministrators, have granted, bargained, sold, ahened, remised, released,
enfeoffed, conveyed, assured, and confirmed, and by these presents
do fully, freely, and absolutely grant, bargain, sell, alieue, remise, re-
lease, enfeoff, assure, and confirm unto them tlie said parties of the
second part (in their actual possession by now being virtue of a bar-
gain and sale to them thereof made for one whole year by indenture
bearing date the day next before the day of the date of these presents
and by virtue of the statute for transferring of uses into possession) ;
All those two certain lots of ground situate, lying, and being in the
North "Ward of the said city of New York (being part and parcel of
the estate of Anthony Rutgers, deceased, and upon a division of the
said estate fell to the part and share of the said Henry Barclay), and
known and distinguished on a certain map bearing date the fourteenth
day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred
and ninety-six, made of the land commonly called Shoemaker's
Ground, by lots No. 112 and No. 113, containing in breadth in front
and rear each of them twenty-five feet, be the same more or less, and
in length on both sides each of them ninety-five feet, be the same
more or less; the lot No. 112 bounded north-easterly iu front on John
Street, north-westerly by the house and lot of ground in the tenure

418 A History of Methodism in New York City.

and occupation of Jonathan Bleeker, south-westerly in the rear by
ground in the tenure and occupation of Jacob Van Woert, and south-
easterly by the said lot No. 113; and the lot No. 113 bounded north-
easterly in front by John Street aforesaid, north-westerly by the said
lot No. 112, south-westerly in the rear by ground of Anthony Rut-
gers, and south-easterly by ground of the said Leonard Lispenard,
together with all and singular the houses, out-houses, kithins, stables,
fences, gardens, water- wells, solars, curtilages, easements, profits,
commodities, emoluments, hereditaments, and appurtenances whatso-
ever to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining, and the re-
version and reversions, remainder and remainders, rents, issues, and
services thereof and of every part and parcel thereof, with the appur-
tenances, to have and to liold all and singular the said hereby granted
premises, and every part and parcel thereof, with the appurtenances
unto them, the said parties of the second part, their heirs, and assigns
forever, to the only proper use, benefit, and behoof of tliem, their
heirs, and assigns forever; And the said parties of the first part do
for themselves and each of them doth for herself and himself, their
and each of their heirs, executors, and administrators, covenant and
grant to and with the said parties of the second part, their heirs and
assigns, by these presents that they the said parties of the first part
have not nor hath either of them done, committed, executed, or suf-
fered or caused to be done, committed, executed, or suffered any act
or acts, thing or things whereby the hereby granted premises or any
part or parcel thereof may be impounded, defeated, or incumbered in
title, charge, estate, or otherwise; And the said Mary Barclay doth
for herself, her heirs, executors, and administrators covenant and
grant to and with the said parties of the second pnrt, their heirs and
assigns, by these presents, that the said Mary Barclay, her heirs, and
assigns the said hereby granted premises and every part and parcel
thereof with the appertainings against all and every person and per-
sons lawfully claiming or that shall or may lawfully claim the same
by, from, or under nny person or persons will warrant and forever by
these presents defend. In witness whereof the said pwrties to tiiese
presents have hereto set their hands and seals the day and year first
above written.

" Mary x Barclay, Leonard X Lispkxard,

" Andrew x Barclay, David X Clarksox."-

Indorsement on deed: " Mary Barclay and others, 1

to y Releiise."

Philip Embury and others. J

Appendix C. 419

" Received on the day and year within mentioned of the grantees
within mentioned the consideration within mentioned.

"(TcAt) Thomas Barclay, Andrew Barclay,
" Egbert Benson, Leonard Lispenard,
" Mary Barclay, David Clarkson.

" Sealed and delivered in the presence of, the words [now being]
and [part] being first interlined, Thomas Barclay,

" Egbert Benson."

" City of Ntiu York; ss : Be it remembered that on the fifth day of
April in tiie year of onr Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty-
eight personally appeared before me, William Smith, Esquire, one of
his majesty's judges ot the Supreme Court of Judicature for the Prov-
ince of New York, Egbert Benson, wiio, being duly sworn, deposed
and said, that he saw the within named Mary Barclay, Leonard Lis-
penard, Andrew Barclay, and David Clarkson execute the within
indenture by sealing and delivering the same as their voluntary act
and deed, and that he, the deponent, hath signed his name as a wit-
ness thereto and saw Thomas Barclay sign his name as another wit-
ness, and I, having inspected the same and finding no material era-
sures or interlineations therein other than are noted on the back
thereof, do allow the same to be recorded. William Smith."

APPENDIX D.

THE SECOND DEED OF SALE.*

"This Indenture, made the secoud day of November, in the year of
our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy, in tlie eleventh
year of the reign of our most gracious Sovereign Lord, George the
Third, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and. Ireland,
King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth :

" Between Joseph Forbes, of the City of New York in North Amer-
ica, cordwainer, of the one part, and Richard Boardman and Joseph Pil-
moor, ministers of the Gospel; William Lupton, merchant; Thomas
Webb, gentleman; John Soulhwell, merchant; Henry Newton, shop-
keeper; and James Jarvi.s, hatter, all of the said city of New York
(trustees appointed for the uses and purposes hereinafter nieiuioned),
of tlie other pait:

* This paper is in the hands of the trustees of the Eighteenth Street Church,
New York.

420 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

" Witiies=eth, that tlio said Josepli Forbes, for divers good and
valuable considerations him ihereunto especially moving, and also for
and in consideration of the sum of ten siiillings current money of the
province of New York, to him in hand well and truly }>aid by the
said Richard Boardman, Joseph Pilmoor, William Luptou, Thomas
Webb, John Southwell, Henry Newton, and James Jarvis, the receipt
whereof he, the said Joseph Forbes, doth hereby fully acknowledge,
liath granted, bargained, sold, aliened, enfeoffed, conveyed, assured,
and confirmed, and by these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, aliene,
enfeoff, convey-, assure, release, and confirm luito the said Richard
Boardman. Joseph P.lmoor, WiUiara Lupton, Thomas Webb, John
Sontiiwell, Henry Newton, and James Jarvis (in their actual posses-
sion now bt-ing by virtue of a bargain and sale to them tliereof, made
for one whole year by indenture of lease, bearing date the day next
before tlie day of the date of these presents, and by the force of the
statute made for transferring uses into possession), and to their heirs
and assigns, all those, two certain lots of ground situate, lying, and
being in tlie city of New York aforesaid, and distinguislied in a cer-
tain map or chart made of the ground of the late Reverend Doctor
Henry Barclay, deceased, by lots number one hundred and twelve
and number one hundred and thirteen, which said lots are particularly
described in a certain conveyance made tliereof by Mary Barclay,
widow and executrix of the said Doctor Henry Barclay, reference to the
said conveyance thereof being had, will fully appear, together with the
meeting-house on the said two lots of ground erected and built for
the service of Almighty God after the manner of the people called
Methodists. And also ail other erections, buildings, and improve-
ments, ways, paths, passages, water, water-courses, lights, easements,
emoluments, hereditaments, and appurtenances to the said two lots of
ground, meeting-house, and premises belonging, or in any wise apper-
taining, and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders,
renis, issues, and services thereof, and of every part tliereof. And
also all the estate, right, title, interest, possession, property, claim,
and demand whatsoever of him, the said Joseph Forbes, of, in, and to
the same, with all deeds, evidences, and writings which in any way
or maimer relate thereunto. To have and to hold the said two lots
of ground, meeting-house, and premises hereinbefore mentioned and
described, and hereby granted and released, with all and every the
appurtenances, unto the said Richard Boardman, Joseph Pilmoor,
William Lupton, Tliomas Webb, John Southwell, Henry Newton,
and James Jarvis, their heirs and asr^igns, forever. Nevertheless,

Appendix D. 421

upon special trust and confidence, and to the intent that they and
the survivors of them, and all other trustees for the time beiug, do,
and shall permit John Wesley, late of Lincoln College, in the Univer-
sity of Oxford, clerk, and such other persons as he, the said John
"Weslej^, shall from time to time appoint, and at all times during his
natural life, and no other person or persons, to have and enjoy the
free use and benefit of the said meeting-house and premises. That
the said John "Wesley, and such other person or persons as he shall
from time to time appoint, may therein preach and expound God's
holy word; and alter his, the said John Wesley's decease, upon
further trust and confidence, and to the intent that the said trustees
and the survivors of them, and the trustees for the time being, do
and shall permit Charles Wesley, late of Christ's Church College,
Oxford, clerk, and such other person or persons as he shall from
time to time appoint, and at all times during his life, and no other,
to have and enjoy the full use and benefit of the said meeting-
liouse and premises for the purposes aforesaid; and after the decease
of the survivors of the said Jolm AVesley and Charles Wesley, then
upon further trust and confidence that the said Richard Board-
man, and the rest of the hereinbefore mentioned trustees, or the
major part of them, or the survivors of them, and the major part of
the trustees for the time being, shah, and from time to time, and for-
ever thereafter will, permit such person or persons as shall be ap-
pointed at the yearly Conference of the people called Methodists in
London, Bristol, Leeds, and the city of New York aforesaid, and no
others, to liave and enjoy the said premises for the purposes afore-
said, provided always that the said person or persons so from time to
time to be chosen as aforesaid, preach no other doctrine than is con-
tained in the said John Wesley's Notes upon the New Testament,
and his four volumes of Sermons; and upon further trust and con-
fidence, that as often as any of the trustees hereby appointed, or the
trustees for the time being, shall die or cease to be a member of the
society commonly called Methodists, the rest of the said trustees
hereby appointed or of the trustees for the time being, as soon as con-
veniently may be, shall and may choose another trustee or trustees,
in order to keep up such a number of trustees tliat there may at no
time hereafter be less than seven nor more than nine. And tlie
said Joseph Forbes doth by these presents covenant, promise, and
agree to and with the said Richard Boardman, and the rest of the
trustees hereby appointed, that he hath not done, committed, exe-
cuted, or suffered, or caused, or piociired to be done, committc-d,

422 A History of Methodism in New York City.

executed, or suffered, any act, matter, or thing whatsoever, wherebj'
to charge or encumber tlie said premises hereby granted and released,
either in title, estate, or otherwise howsoever.

" In witness whereof the said Joseph Forbes, hath hereunto set and
affixed his hand and seal the day and j'^ear first above written.

" Joseph Forbes, [r-. s.]
" Sealed and delivered in the presence of us,

" And'w Gautier.
" Jno. C. Knapp.
" Received the day and year first within written, of the within named
Richard Boardman, and the rest of the trustees within mentioned, the
sum of ten shillings, current money oftlie Province of New York, being
the full consideration money within mentioned. Joseph Fokbes.
"Witness: And'w Gautier, Jno. C. Knapp."

APPENDIX E.

SUBSCRIBERS TO THK FIRST CHURCH.

Dr. Wakeley has given sketches of some of these subscribers, and
liis example is worthy of imitation. The substance of what he says,
and whatever else can be learned, will be staled as briefly as possible.*

Notices of Captain Thomas Webb and the Hicks and Hecks will
be found elsewhere.f Captain Webb, it will be observed, stands first
and with the largest subscription, £30. He also closes the list with
£3 4s., the interest due on his bond for money lent the church.
Paul Heck gives £3 5,s., and Jacob Hick £1.

After Captain Webb, William Liipton is the largest subscriber, giv-
ing £20, and afterward £10 more. He was the youngest of three
brotlicrs, and was born in Crofstone, Lancashire, Eng., March
11, ll'lS. In 1753 he came to America as quarter-master in the
Fifty-tifih regiment of foot. He served during the French War under
Captain Webb. That ho remained in America is duo probably to the
charms of Miss Joanna Schuyler, daughter of Brant Schuyler, a rela-
tive of General Schuyler. On the 31st of August, 1761, tlie Rev.
John Ritzman, of the Reformed Dutch Church, transformed Miss
Joanna Schuyler into Mrs. William Lupton, the groom being about
thirty-three years of age, the bride nineteen. They had five children.
The oldest, Brant Schuyler, became a minister of the Reformed Dutch

♦Unless otherwise specifled Dr. Wakeley's Lost Chapters, etc., \s the au-
thority for most of these sketches. + S'ie p. 23, and Appendix A.

Appk>I)I.\; E. 423

Church, and died in 1790. The name of Samuel, another son, is in
the "Old Book," signed to a receipt for money for his father. He
was a promising young mnn, and either a preacher or preparing for the
work, when by the sliiftiiig of the boom of a sloop, on which he was
sailing on the Hudson River, he was knocked overboard and drowned.
This was on June 8, 1789, when he was twenty-two years of age.

Mrs. Lupton died December 27, 1169, at the age of twenty-seven.
On October 19, 1770, Mr. Lupton married as his second wife Mrs.
Elizabeth Roosevelt, tlie dauglner of Lancaster Sj'ms, a vestryman of
Trinity Church. Rev. Mr. Ogilvie, assistant rector of that cliurch,
married another daughter of Mr. Syms. B}^ this second wife Mr.
Lupion had six children. Tiie oldest, William, was boru October
12, 1771. He was a man of very fine talents, and after a life spent
sometimes in plenty and sometimes in povert}^ died in peace in "Wis-
consin, March 3, 1853.

Mr. Lupton died in New York April 3, 1796, and was buried in a
vault luider John Street Church. Of lliat vault wo find a notice in the
'•Old Book." Under date of 1st of March, 1770, we read, " by boards
and carpenters work for the door of mj- vault, which Mr. Embury did
not separate from his ace, brot in £0 18s. 3(/."

Mr. Lupton was a little less tlian six feet liigh, of massive frame
and very imposing appearance.* He had a very large head, which
was bald in his later years. He wore a red velvet cap, and ruffles
around his wrists. Some of the old Methodists did not like this; it
seemed to them to savor too much of conformity to the world. But he
was ver}- much set in his way and somewhat eccentric, iliongh a good
man, and one wlio served the cause of God noblj' and commanded
great respect. He had the habit of uttering a sliort groan, or deep
guttural sound, which the people used to call " Lupton's grunt." f

* Miss Mary Snethen, sister of Rev. N. Snethen, lived with her brother in
the old parsonage in John Street in 1805-6. During that period slie went into
the vault under the church and saw the ooflln of Mr. Lupton. She said it was
the largest she ever saw.

+ In 1817, when the old building in John Street was taken down, the vault
where the body of Mr. Lupton lay had necessarily to be disturbed. Dr.
William Phoebus, who was present at the removal, says that two Irishmen
were employed in the work. They had just taken hold of Mr. Lupton's coffin
when they let go and rushed out of the vault greatly terrified. Dr. Phoebus
a,sked, "What is the matter?" They answered, " We heard a noise, we heard a
man groan.'" " Tut, tut ! " said the doctor ; " go back and move the coffin ; there
is nothing there that will harm you." Dr. Phoebus afterward said, "I heard
the noise distinctly, and I recognized Father Lupton's groan."— Wakeley's Lost
Chapters, p. 331. The reader must explain this to suit himself.
38

424 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

Mr. Luptoii was one of tlie original trustees, a merchant, and prob-
ably the most wealthy man in tlie society. For several years he
was treasurer, and the earlier entries in the " Old Book " are proba-
bly in liis handwriting, and are a model of neatness and correctness.
He was read}' to advance mone_v for the use of the ch\ircli when nec-
essary, as is proved by the following receipt:

"Received, New York, December 0th, 1786, of the Stewards of the
Methodist Church, twenty-one pounds, for one j^ear's interest due the
31st of August last, for a bond of three hundred and fifty pounds at
six percent. For my father, William Lupton.

"£21. Sam'l LuPTOX."

This is in the " Old Book," from which also we learn that as late as
1791 the clnirch still owed him £350, and paid the interest annually.

In the earlier directories of New York city William Lupton is re-
ported as living at Xo. 22 John Street. This was next to the parsonage,
which was No. 20, and it is said that the property is yet, or was a
fevv years ago, owned by Judge Samuel E. Johnson, of Brooklyn, to
whom it was bequeathed by Peter Roo?evelt, who inherited it from
his stepfather, Mr. Lnpton. While Mr. Lupton occupied it a fire in
tlie neighborhood put tiie church and his hooie in peril. The firemen
were trj'ing to protect the house, but he told them to save tlie church
first, tiius proving faitliful to what was said to have been his motto, " The
church first, and then my family." At the dedication of a church
Bishop Scott once pronounced a splendid eulogium on William Lup-
ton and the motto he adopted. He said: "Mr. Lupton's motto should
be that of every child of God. It should be written in our dwellings
over our firesides; it should be written upon the walls of our houses
of worship and upon our shops, stores, and offices, and especiall}--
should it be written upon the hearts of the members of the mystical
body of Christ, in bold capital letters — The Church first and then

MY FAMILY."*

Mr. Lupton was a loyalist, and, there is reason to believe, left the
city for a while after the British army evacuated it, but returned
in 1784.f

Next we have the name of James Jarvis, witli a subscription of
£10, to which he afterward added another £10. Mr. Jarvis was a

♦A copy of tbe Suuday Scrcice, prepared for the Methodists of North Amer-
ica, commonly called Mr. Wesley's Prayer Book, which once belonged to Mr.
Lupton, was afterward m the possession of the late Rev. Dr. Johnson, rector
of the Protestant Episcopal church at Jamaica, L. I. Mrs. McCabe, of White
Plains (see note p. 22), has a piece of needle-work said to be by the hands of
Mrs. Lupton. + Sabine's Histo)>/ of the Loitalist».

Ai'PEXDix E. 425

liatter, tlioiigli lie seems to have also dealt in various other articles,
as did the New York merchants generally at that time, like country
store-keepers of the present day.* He supplied Robert Williams
with his first new hat in America, as we see by an entry in tlie " Old
Book." f In December of the same year, shortly after Richard Board-
man arrived, he also, it seems, needed a new liat, which no doubt
came from the same shop, as its price was the same.

Mr. Jarvis succeeded Mr. Lupton as treasurer. He kept the ac-
counts accurately and beautifully until 1774. Then his name disap-
pears, but in the Me?-cury of November 14, 1774, Mary, widow of
James Jarvis, advertises to continue the hatter's business. He died
November 4, 1774, at 8 A. M., at the age of forty-two years, leaving
a widow and six children. Mr. Asbury was with him in his last hours
and attended his funeral, and next Monday met the class wliich Mr.
Jarvis used to lead. He says he '" found much love among them,
and by general consent appointed R. S. (Richard Sause) to act as
their leader." ;}:

Ciiarles "White gave £5. He and R. Sause were natives of Ireland,
were converted there, and came over together from Dublin at the
close of 1766. What his business was we do not know, but we find
in the "Old Book," "Received, New York, 6th of April, 1770, of
Mr. Wm. Lupton, seven pounds 5s. Gd. for Branches for the Methodist
preaching-house. £7 5s. 6c^. Charles White."

His friend, R. Sause, dealt in cutlerj-, and it is probable, therefore,
that White was a worker or dealer in metals. He was one of the
original trustees, was treasurer of the board during the Revolutionary
War, and at its close, being a loyalist, went to Nova Scotia with
John Mann. It seems, however, that he afterward returned to the
United States and lived near Lexington, Ky. Bishop Asbury, in his
Journal (May 13, 1790), after preaching at Lexington, says, "After

dinner I rode about five miles in company with poor C W .

Ah ! how many times have I eaten at this man's table in New York,
and now he is without property and without grace ! When about to
part I asked him if he loved God. His soul was in his eyes ; he burst
into tears and could scarcely speak — ' he did not love God, but he
desired it.' " Three years later, April 29, ] 793, tlie same Journal

* He advertises in the New York Mercurii of January 7, 1771, " Enplish
sail-cloth, gold loops and buttons, and spermaceti candles sold in French
Church Street " (now Pine, between Broadway and William Street) ; and on
December 1(5 of the same year he and Arthur Jarvis advertise their glass and
earthen store, between Barling's and Beekman's Slips, in the Fly.

t See p. 46. t Asbury's Journal, November 7, 1774.

426 A History of Methodism ix New YopavC'iTY.

says, " Rode through the rain to Lexington. I stepped at C. Wliite's
once more. that God may help him safe to glory! " We hear no
more of him, but these words of tlie bisliop have a tone of hope.
Let us trust that he has found his wish fulfilled.*

Richard Sause, White's fellow-immigrant, was, as already stated, a
native of Ireland, was converted there, and came over at the close of
1766. He gave £10 at first, and afterward £3 5s. He also was
treasurer for a time. With him Mr. Boardman, and probably the
other preachers, made tlieir home while in the city. In the "Old
Book" are the following entries:

"Jan. 30, MIO. To cash paid Mr. Sause for board and lode Mr.
Boards £12.

" Ap. 24. To cash paid Mr. Rich*! Sause for preacher's board, £12." f

Mr. Sause's name has been introduced out of its regular order in
the list, as it seemed appropriate to bring him in close connection
with his old associate. They appear to have been the most intimate
friends of Mr. Asbury in tiie New York societ}-, going with him fre-
quently on his preaching excursions to Long Island and Westches-
ter County, as we learn from frequent references in the bishop's
Journal. From the same source it appears that Asbury did not har-
monize as well with Lupton and Newton at first, though afterward
there is apparently a better feeling. Even good men do not always
agree perfectly in judgment.

Benjamin Huget, who subscribed £5, was, it is said, a grocer and
liquor-dealer on the corner of Nassau and Fair (now Fulton) Streets.
He was an assistant alderman and a loyalist.}:

Ciiristopher Stimets also subscribed £5. He was an alderman in

1763. §

Oliver Delancy, whose subscription is £6 lOs., and James Delancy,

* Jonathan P. Hick, late of Mount Vernon, N. Y., says that Charles White
was brother-in-law to his grandmother, Hannah (Dean) Hick.

+ His name, being peculiar, is often spelled incorrectly, as Sauce, Sourse, Souse,
etc. A fac-simile of his signature v/ill be found In Wakeley's Loxt Chapters,
p. 86. He was a cutler, and in the Mercuni, a newspaper of that day, are a
number of his advertisements. November 27, 1775, he has for sale a portrait
of John Hancock, Esq. This would seem to indicate a leaning- to the patriotic
side, but it is a question if it continued. After 1783 his name disappears, and
It is probable that he went to Nova Scotia with his friend C. White, and per-
haps, after that, to Encland. In a letter by Mr. Rankin to Mr. J. J. Staples, in
reference to the death of a son, Thomas Staples, at Mr. Rankin's in England,
he speaks of a Mr. Sause as assisting in the care of the young man. See p. 446.

i Sabine's HMoni of the Lo>intixts.

8 In the list his surname is wi itten In darker ink, and apparently by a differ-
ent hand.

Appendix E. 427

who gave £3 55., were wealthy and aristocratic loyalists, owning a
large piece of property through which Delancey Street was opened.
James was a son of ihe lieutenant-governor of the same name, who
died on the 30th of July, 1760, a little while before Embury reached
New York. Oliver was a brother of the lieutenant-governor, " and
one of the most zealous adherents of the royalist party. At the close
of the Revolution his estates, as well as those of his nephew James "
(in which ihe site of the Forsyth Streec Church was included), " were
confiscated and he went to England, where he died leaving numerous
descendants." *

We read the name of John Crugar for £5, and afterward that of
John Haris Crugar for £0 19s. 6d. Dr. Wakeley seems to regard
them as intended for the same person, but here he is probably in
error. One John Cruger was mayor of the city from 1739 to 1744,
holding that office during the celebrated Negro plot of 1741. His
son, who was known as John Cruger, Jr., was probably the sub-
scriber of £5, and was also mayor from 1757 to 1766. He was, at
least for a time, in sympathy with the people. He boldly withstood
the British officials iu tlieir attempts to quarter troops on the inhab-
itants of the city; was a delegate to the first colonial Congress, and
acted with R. R. Livingston and otiiers in behalf of the people in
the controversy aljout the stamps in 1765. John Haris Cruger, his
nephew, was chamberlain of the city at the beginning of the Revolu-
tion. He entered the royal army in 1777, and performed much re-
sponsible duty in South Carolina and Georgia, but does not seem to
have been as bitter a partisan as some of his fellow-loyalists. His
property, however, was confiscated, and he died in London in 1807,
aged sixty-nine. f

The Mr. Althorp who subscribed £3 5s. Od. should, no doubt, bo
A-pthorpe, the name of a family which owned a fine mansion on the
Bloomingdale road.:]: It was here that after the battle of Long Island
"Washington waited for some of his retreating troops, leaving only
fifteen minutes before the arrival of the British force. §

The names of several of the clergy of the Episcopal Church, as well
as of the laity, will be found in this list. No doubt their liberality
was partly due to tiie fact that the Methodists were regarded as con-

* Booth's Histm-y of yew Forfr, p. 5ti.
t Sabine's Histuru of the Loijalistn. vol. i, p. 343.

i Lamb's Hmtoru oj New York, vol. ii, p. ?.">. It was standing near Ninth
Avenue and Ninety-first Street until 1893, when it v.-as taken down.
8 Booth's HMorii of New York, p. S.it.

428 A History of Methodism in New York City.

iiected with the Church of England, and, until IT 84. were accustomed
to receive the communion at her altars. But none the less should
we recognize their gifts and remember their names with gratitude.

Dr. Samuel Auchinuty gave £2. He was rector of Trinity Church,
succeeding the Rev. Dr. Henry Barclay. For nearly thirty years he
ministered to that charge and was greatly beloved. He died in New
York Mareli 4, 1777. Like most clergymen of tlie Church of England,
he was a decided loyalist.

Rev. John Ogilvie (not Ogvi-lsvie), who was Dr, Auchmuty's assist-
ant, subscribed £1 125. 6d. He was a man of uiuHual excellencp, a
graduate of Yale College, and an eloquent preacher. He could
preach in the Dutch language, and was for some time missionary
among the Mohawk Indians. His wife, as has alreadv been staled,
was a sister of the second Mrs. Lupton. He was smitten with at'o-
plexy in tlie pulpit, and died a few days after (November 26, 1774).
at the age of fifiy-one. A portrait of him by Copley is in the vestry
oBBce of Trinity Church.

Tlien we have Rev. Mr. English as a subscriber to the same '
amount. Tiiis was, evidently, the Rev. Charles Inglis, who was also
assistant to Dr. Auchmuty, and succeeded him as rector of Trinity
Cliurch in 177*7. Ho resigned November 1, 1783. It was he to
whom General Washington, when in possession of tli.e city in 1776,
sent a message, stating that he '' expected to be at church on such a
Sabbath, and slioidd be glad if the violent prayers for the king and
royal family were omitted on that occasion." Mr. Inglis paid no re-
gard to the request, but prayed in the usual form. He made himself
peculiarly offensive to all who favored the cause of tiie colonies, and,
on the return of peace, went, with some royalists of his congrega-
tion, to Annapolis, Nova Scotia. He was consecrated bishop of that
province August 12, 1787, and died iu 1816, aged eighty-two years.

Grove Bend, who subscribed £3 5s., was a vestryman of Trini'y
Church from 1773 to 1778. In the Directory of 1786 he is put down
as a shop-keeper at 16 Smith Street.*

Of John Crook, who gave the same amount, we know nothing ex-
cept that in the "Old Book" we read, "1773, Nov. 2. To cash
paid Mr. John Crook, a draft in his favor by Mr. Webb, being for in-
terest due on his bond, £9 IGs. OfZ." In the same book, in the list of
furniture given for the preacher's house, we find "three table-clolhs
and two towels and two pillow-cases" put to the credit of Mrs. J.

* Either Cedar Street or William Street, between Maiden Lane and Hanover
Square.

Appendix E. 429

Crook. Mr. Pilmore, iti his Journal, June 6, 1770, speaks of going to
Harlem with Mr. Crooke.*

The name of Paul Heck (not Hick as it is printed in Dr. Wakelcy's
volume) stands next as a subscriber also for £3 Ss.f

Joseph Pearson, who gave £3 2s., may have been of the firm of
Pearson & Minthorne, to wlioui, on April 24, 1770, 15 shillings was
paid for lamps.J

Gose Courtland gives £2 18s. In the Directory of 1786 we read G-.
Courtland & Co., iron-mongers, 42 Dock Street (now Pearl Street, be-
tween Whitehall Street and Hanover Square).

Mr. Graliara gave £1 lOs. A Joseph Graham, and Hannah liis
wife, were among the members of the little flock at Bowery Village,
now Seventh Street, about the close of the last century. Perhaps
this was a sou of the donor here named. ^

James Jauncey, who subscribed £4 13s., was a prominent roy-
alist, though at first lie seemed inclined to take the side of the people.
He was a member of the Assembly. He afterwaid went to London,
where he was well known for the practice of relieving the poor at the
chapel doors and in the streets. Ho died suddenly at tlie door of the
Providence Chapel, London, leaving property worth £100,000.

The next name is that of a prominent member of the society, one
of the original trustees, and, next to Mr. Lnpton, perhaps the most in-
fluential. He gives £3 5s., but, unlike his brethren, ho is credited with
no second subscription. It may be suspected, however, that when
we read farther dowu the list Henry Newton More we arc to imder-
stand it not as the name of another person, but that the word more
is intended to indicate an additional subscription from Henry Newton.
And this seems the more probable as the amount of the second sub-
scription, £G 15s., makes, with that of the first, the round sum of £10.
He also lent money to the trustees, for which he received a bond.
He was the principal collector of the subscriptions, and treasurer
from 1786 to 1796. Among the receipts to wiiich his name is signed
is the following, which sounds strangely to us:

" Rec. New York, 4th of September, 1769, of Mr. Wm. Lupton fif-
teen pounds three shillings and one penny for candles for the house
and rum to workman. £15 3s. Id. Henry Newton."

* Methodist, vol. XX, No. 43, p. 6.

+ Fartlier on we liave Jacob Uicli for £1. There the letter looks more like
an i, thouRh there !■! no dnt over ll. Of the Hecks and Hicks, for what can be
deflnitely learned see Appendix A.

t "Old Book." § Wakeley's Loxt Chapters, p. 525.

430 A History of Methodism in New York City.

But then, and for many years after, in work or amusement, joy or
sorrow, winter or summer, intoxicating drink vvas tliought to be
necessary.

Mr. Newton was a bachelor and familiarly known as Harry New-
ton. In the deed of the land he is called a siiop-keeper. He was a
man of considerable influence and property, one of the original siock-
holdcrs of the Bank of New York, the oldest bank in the cit}-, hold-
ing two shares of $500 each.* He attended the old church in John
Siret-r,, until the building of iIjc new one in Second (now Forsyth) Street.
He and Mrs. Courtnc}-, an English lady of wealth, with whom he
boarded, occupied a pew in tiie .^onth-east corner of the church,
known as the high-back pew, being the only one of the kind in tJiu
house. It had a very high back and a crimson cnsliion. Mr. New-
ton died many years aj,o, and was buried in the church-yard at
Forsyth Stn er.f

Mary Newton, whose name stands farther down the list as a sul)-
scriber of £1, is probably the Mrs. Newton who afterward gave
crockery for the preaclier's house. She may have been,' as Dr.
Wakelev surmises, the mother or sister of Henry Nev/ton.

The Mr. Moral who subscribed £1 12s. Gd. Dr. Wakcley supposes
to be Jonathan Morrell. Ho was a man of some property and influ-
ence, and his wife was a member of the first class formed by Embury.
Thomas Morrell, afterward a preacher in the city, was their son.

Isaac Sebring, whose subscription was eight shillings, was a sol-
dier of the Revolution, and was at the battle of Long Island. Witli
Theodosius Van \V3'ck, named below, he formed the firm of Sebring
& Van Wyck. He was a leading federalist, and got up the subscrip-
tion to build Washington Hall, which covered most of the ground
on the east side of Broadwa\ between Chambers and Reado Streets,
afterward occupied by Stewart's dry-goods store. lie tinally be-
came very poor. He was an elder in the Reformed Dutch Church.:}:

Six shillino:s and sixpence is the subscription of Whitehead Cornal
(or rather Cornell). lie was a butcher living in Brooklyn, and a loy-
alist, who, after the war, went to Nova Scotia, but returned in n84.§

Of Lambert Garrison, who gave ten shil iiigs. all we know is that
he was a merchant and connected with tiie Chamber of Commerce.||

* Historil of the Bank of New York, p. 137.

+ Dr. Wakeley says he was the first steward, but Ashury's Journal (Septem-
ber 11, 1772) seems to g^ive that honor to Mr. C. (John CliaveK See p. 60.
i Old Merrhnnfs of New Yni-k, vol. iii. pp. 16. 18. 30.
g /f/sf. Ma(i!izi)tc, 1867, p. 361. II ( 'hamlier uf Commerce Memorial, p. 47.

Appendix E. 431

Edward Light no doubt should be Edward Laiglit. He gave £1.
He was a vestryman of Trinity Church from 1762 to 1784. He was
one of the leaders of the Sons of Liberty, an association for the pro-
tection of the people's rights. Laight Street was named after this
family.

Then we have Peter R. Levingston for £2, and afterward Philip
Levingstou for sixteen shillings and threepence. The Livingston
family descended from the Rev. John Livingston, a Scotch dissenting
minister, and became prominent in the history of New York. Philip
was a leader of the Revolutionary party and a signer of the Declara-
tion of Independence. He died June 12, 1788, aged si.xty-two. Peter
was, perhaps, his brotiier, a mercliant in the city. Tiieir cousin, Robert
R., afterward the first chancellor of the State of New York, was
the father of Calliariue, wife of tlie Rev. Freeborn Garrettson.

We have the name of James Boatman for sixteen shillings and
threepence, and afterward that of Garret Boatman for £1. It is likely
that for Beatman we should read Beckman. The family was promi-
nent among the citizens of New York, giving its name to Beekman
Street. Gerard W. (who would be called Garret) and James were
among its lepresentativesat that time. James, in 1763, built a man-
sion, which was still standing in 1874, near the corner of Fifty-tirst
Street and First Avenue.* Gerard lived at the corner of Hanover
Square and Sloat Lane f (now Beaver Sireet).

Of James Peters, who gave ten shillings, we only know that, after
the war, he went to New Brunswick. |

Abr'mMountany subscribed eight shillings. In the Directory of 1786
we find that to be the name of a brass-founder at 13 King (now Pine)
Street. A " Montague," however, whose first name seems to have
been Abrara, kept a tavern in Broadway, near Murray Street, which
was the liead-quartcis of the Sons of Liberty during the Revolution-
ary agitation. §

There are two joint, or partnership, subscriptions. One is that of
Thompson & Selby for eight shillings. || Afterward we have the name
of S;imuel Selby for £10. Asbury in his Journal, under date of April
23, 1780, writes, apparently at Mr. Gough's in Maryland: "Met
Brother Selby, whom I have not seen for near six years, one of my
old friends from New York, driven about by the commotion of the
present times; he, with great joy, fell upon my neck and wept."

* See p. 352. t Lamb's HiMoru of New York City, vol. i, pp. 569, 7.59.

X Sabine's Hixt. of the TM\inJi!<ts. S Booth s Hixt.of Neic York, p. 447.
II Tliey were saddlers, as we learn from advertisements of the period.

4:32 A History of Methodism in New York City.

New York was tlieu occupied by British troops, and Selby, it seems,
was not comfortable, perliaps not safe, there. In 1773, during the
excitement preceding ilie Revohition, when Boardman, Pilmore, Webb,
and Sou til well had left, he was chosen to fill one of the vacancies in
the board of trustees.*

Four subscriptions stand to the name of Rhilander, namely, "Will-
iam Rhilander, £1; Mr. Rhilander, sixteen shillings, and William
again, £1, and Benjamin and William, £1. They contribute altogether
nearly £4, and certainly deserve at least to be called by their right
name. It should be Rliinelander ; but all that can be said besides is
that a William Rliinelander subscribed for one share of Tontine stock
in I794.f

Captair> Davis subscribed ten shillings. In Holt's New York Ga-
zette and Weekly Post- Boy, Ocloher 24, 1765, we read: "On Tuesday
evening (October 22) arrived the ship Edward, Captain William Davis,
in nine weeks from London, and six weeks and three days from
Falmouth. . . . Captain Davis, who brought us last voyage the news
that tlie Stamp Act was passed, has brought tlie stamps themselves,
intended to enslave us." Was this the man ?

Rachel gave nine shillings, and Margaret seven. What other names
they Iiad, if any, we are not told. They were probably colored
women, and, from some entries in the "Old Book," appear to have
been afterward liired to take care of the preacher's house, for which
they received wages. Perhaps, though tlie amount they subscribed
was little, the good Master, who saw their gift cast into the treasury,
said, " Tliey have cast in more than they all," and their names, though
like that of the poor widow, not known on earth, will be remembered
by him, Rachel as a ewe of the flock of the Good Shepherd, and Mar-
garet as a precious pearl among the jewels of the King. X

Mrs. Deverix gave eight shillings. This, as we have said, should
be Devereux. Her husband was, it is believed, the captain of a
vessel. §

William Eustick (or Ustick), whose gift was £1, advertises m the
Mercury of October 5, 1767, as an "Iron-monger, at the sign of the
Lock and Key, between Burling's and Bcekman's Slips." October 15,
1785, the church paid him Is. Gd. for nails. Bishop Henry Ustick
Onderdonk, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, derived his second
name from the family, to wliom he was related on the side of his
mother. They were said to be inveterate foes to American freedom.

* See p. 68. + 0?f? Merchants of New Yorlu vol. lii, p. 224.

t Rachel means e've, and Margaret a pearl. § See p. 22, note.

Appendix E, 433

Henry Van Vleck gave £2 from the earnings of bis ships. He
was part owner of a line of vessels to London, among which was
the Snoiv Mercury, of wliich Capuiin Cornelius Haight was master,
who was probably the Captain Hecht who gave £3 4.s. Tiie Haight
family was prominent in New York and Westchester County.*

Dr. Beard subscribes £1 10s. Tliis was probably Dr. Bard, a
prominent physician of the time, who, with Drs. Middleton and Jones,
originated the Xew York Hospital.f Drs. Bard and Middleton are
also said to have been the first who dissected a human body in Xew
York, tiie subject being a criminal. J

Besides Racliel and Margaret, already referred to, some thirty other
names of maids, wives, or widows are to be found on the list. Xext to
the largest subscriber among them is Mrs. Lispenard, for £2 10s. 6c?.
Dr. Wakeley is probably right in saying that this was Mrs. Leonard
Lispenard, though I do not know on what authority. The Lispenards
were a French family, and Mr. Leonard Lispenard owned a farm ex-
tending from vrhat is now Centre Street to the Xorth River, througli
which Canal Street now runs. A part of it was famous as tlie Lis-
penard Meadows, of which a view has often been published. Lispen-
ard Street was within its limits. In the lease he is named as the
owner of land adjoining the plot obtained by the church. He was
one of the " Sons of Liberty," and a delegate to the first colonial
Congress.g He loaned to the trustees £600 on a mortgage. ||

David Clarkson, who was one of the signers of the lease of the land
on whicli the churcli was built, gave £1. He also was of a family of
property-owners wliioli gave its name to one of the streets. He was
a vestryman of Trinity Churcli for eighteen years. He seems to have
been a sturdy advocate of the rights of the people.^ His brother
Matthew was a popular ofScer of the American army.**

Tliomas Bell, who gave £1, was probably the author of the letter
which Dr. "Wakeley gives from the Arminian Magazine.\\

A little farther on, right after the subscription of Mrs. Buller, we
have that of Mrs. Bell for eight shillings. She may have been the
wife of Thomas Bell. J:}:

* Old Merchants of New Yor};, vol. iii, p. 182, etc.
+ Lamb's History of New York, vol. i, p. 761.
t Iliiftorical Magazine, 1859, p. 97.

§ Booth's History of New York, pp. il2, 477 ; Lamb's JJistory nf New York,
vol. 1, p. 223. U " Old Book," May 29. 1773.

TI Lamb's History of New York, vol. li, passim.
** Ibid., vol. li, pp. 101, 103.
++ See Appendi.x G. ti Dr. Wakeley has overlooked this name.

434 A IIisTOiiY OF Methodism in New Yokk City,

The Rev. Mr. Nizer who gave sixteen shiJliugs was uadoubtedly
tlie pustor of the Moravian Church in the city, as we leara that a
llev. Gr. Neiser held that position from 1765 to 1775.* Among tlie
n;unes of the P;ilalines who settled on Lord Southwell's estate in
Ireland in 1709 we have that of Neizer.f He may liave been an old
acquaintance of some of the Methodist families.

A. Beuinger gave £1. All that Dr. Wakeley tells us of him is thnt
he WHS well acquainted witli Philip Embury, and used to relate many
characteristic anecdotes of him. If, however, the author of Old Mrr-
chants of New York is to be relied on this Beninger (or Bininger) fam-
ily had a very close relation to tlie founders of Methodism in the
United States. He says : J "Christian Bininger, witii his wife and
son Abraham, came to Savannah in the vessel \i'\t\\ J. Wesley.
Within two days' sail of port Christian and his wife died. Abraham
was educated in Whitcfield's orphan house, Savannih. A large com-
pany of Morav'ans had petlled in that city. They afterward camo
north to Philadclphin, and carried young Bininger with them. Tliey
settled at Nazaretii, near Bethlehem, Pa. Young Abraham Bininsrer
was educated in the Moravian faith, with the intention of becoming a
preacher. When of age he settled at Christian Spring, a mile from
Nazareth, and there began preaching. At the same time he married
and becam? the father of four sons. He went as a missionary to St.
Thomas, in the West Indies. There he was told that 'none but
slaves were allowed to preach to slaves.' He forthwith sent a letter
to the governor of St. Thomas offering to become a slave in order to
save the souls of the Negroes. His letter was transmitted to the
King of Denmark, who, to show his appreciation of such devotion,
gave him permission to preach to any class in St. Thomas. On his
return from the West Indies he went as a missionary to the Indians.
He came to New York the year of Embury's arrival. He went with
Embury to Salem, took up a large quantity of land there, and erected
a lamily mansion, afterward in possession of A. M. Bininger, of New
York, his grandson. In 1760 Abraham, the eldest son, came to New
York to begin his apprenticesliip as tanner and leather-dresser in the
Swamp. He served seven years, but did not like the business. He
then commenced getting his 1 ving bj' day's work. Peter Embury, a
nephew of Philip, was learning chair-making. Peter had a sister,
Kate, who married xV. Bininger. Kate was a beautiful, buxoin
girl, and as smart as a steel-trap. Slie soon discovered that it was

* Greenleaf's Wv&tory of the Churches in New York, p. 279.

+ Cro^ik'a Trclaiul mvl American Mcthodi'fm, p. 26. J Vol. i, p. 144.

Appendix E. 435

up-hill work to support a faiuily ou the earnings of a day -laborer,
aim she proposed to assist by taking in washing and ironing. She
then bought a table to stand outside of the door and supplied it wiih
cakes and sugar-plums, and wlnle she was working she could keep
lier eye on it. Then cabbages, potatoes, fruits, tobacco, snuff, and,
finally, a few groceries were added. Tiiis was the foundation of the
great Bininger grocery house." * "When Peter Embury, his brother-
in-law, built liis store in Beekman Street Abraham carried the hod.
After a while he bought a horse and cart. Meanwhile his grocery
prospered. Isaac, liis brother, lived with the old people at Camden
Valley. He opened a store there which afterward became the greatest
between Albany and Montreal, and a wonder to the public. Rev. Dr.
Matthews, once pastor of the Garden Street Dutch Reformed Church
and chancellor of the New York University, said that the great event
of his boy-life was wlien he was dressed up in clouded stockings and
rode five miles from home on a load of wheat to see the great store
of Bininger. Isaac sent to New York for Abraham to come and join
him. He went, leaving Kate in charge of the shop in Augustus
Streetf At length it was decided that Abraham should come back
to New York and sell or barter away the produce, potash, etc., and
buy return goods. It was a journey of two weeks. After a few years
tliey dissolved, and Abraham opened a small grocery in Maiden Lane
and prospered." Perhaps this same smart Kate was the Mrs. Ben-
inger who lent " one green window-curtain " for the preacher's house ;
and when we read in the " Old Book," 1770, June 12, "To cash laid
out by Mr. Newton and Mrs. Bininger for the preacher's house-keep-
ing, £5 13s. 5c?.," it may be that at least a part of it was for goods
purchased at her store.

Abraham Bininger, Sen., it is said, became disgusted with the Mo-
ravians, having witnessed scenes such as are related by Jolin Wes-
ley.:): He left them, but never joined the Methodists, tliough his wife
did. He and Embury were the leaders of the band which moved to
Camden. § He attended Embury on his death-bed, || officiated at liis
funeral, gave him a grave on his ground, T[ and died at the age of

* In several of the earlier Directories we find his name, sometimes as a
Windsor chair-maker and sometimes as a grocer.

t Tliis was Barracks Street, now Cit.v Hall Place, where Philip Embur.v's housft
was. In the Directory of 1789 we have A. Bininger, grocer, 14 Augustus Street.

t ^Xes]ey's Journal . February 10, 1744, and December 32, 1751.

§ Letter of Rev. P. P. Harrower, Christian Advocate, vol. xxxiil, p. 76.

II Crook's Ireland and American Methodism, p. 133.

t The Methodwt, vol. vii, p. 329,

436 A History of Methodism in New York City.

ninetj'-one.* The name of Bininoer was for a long time associated
with tliat of a celebrated brand of gin. The Abraham Bininger who
carried on this business died in New York, October 14, 1870, having
accumulated some $250,000.

Tlie Nancy CrosfiU who subscribed £1 was probably the Mrs. Cros-
field who gave two table-cloths for the preachers house. She, or her
husband, also lent the church at least £100 on bond.f We learn
also that Ann Crossfield (probably the same person) " departed this
life in triumph of taith, Friday, December 16, 1785." ;}:

Thomas Taylor, who gave £1, had been a Methodist in England,
and reached New York October 26, 1767. About six months after
he wrote a letter to Mr. Wesley. (See Appendix F.) He was one of
those to whom the lease was given in 1768, but not one of the trustees
who took the deed of sale in 1770. One of that name was a member
as late as 1796.§

Mrs. Bartley, who subscribed £2, was no doubt Mary Barclay, the
widow of Rev. Henrj' Barclay, the former owner of the church
ground. 1|

One David Grim was known in New York as tlie Antiquarian tav-
ern-keeper. We owe to him much of ihe knowledge we have of the
city about the time of the Revolution.^ He was probably the person
wiio gave eight shillings.

Peter Van Schaick, whose subscription is £1 4s. must have been
about twenty-two years old at that time. Some two or three years
before, while a student at King's (now Columbia) College, he privately
married a daughter of Henry Cruger, a relative of the Crugers already
mentioned. He was a loyHli,«t, and went to England, but returned
after the war. He is describeil as an estimable man, an accomplished
scholar, and an eminent lawyer. He received tiie title of LL.D., and
was for many years a vestryman of Trinity Church. He died in 1832,
at the age of eighty-six.**

David Embury, who snb-^cribed £2, was a brother of Philip, ff and
removed witli him to Camden.

* Letter of G. G. Saxe, Christian Advocate, \o\. xli, p. 353.

t " Old Bcjuk," May 27 and October 7, 1793.

$ See Book i, A, p. 29.

§ Book i, B, p. 18. II See p. 28.

t Old Moxhants of New York, vol. iii, p. 10; Sabine's History of the
Loyal ids.

** Sabine's Historji of the Loi/alists; Historical Magazine, 1883, p. 343;
1873, p. 220 ; Wakeley's Lost Chaiitcr.% p. 99.

t+ G. G. Saxe, ChrMian Admcate, vol. xH, p. 353.

Appendix E. 43'7

Among the receipts in the "Old Book" we have the follow-
ing:

" Rec'd, New York, 13th Augt., 1770, of Mr. William Lupton, five
pounds in full, being allow'd me for loss of time and traveling ex-
penses in coming from Camden in the Coimtj^ of Albany to N. York
in order to execute an instrument relative to the Methodist Preaching-
liouse. £5. David Embuht."

In the aconnts we also have an entry of the payment, but nothing
to give any light as to what the instrument was. David was prob-
ably acting as attorney for Pliilip, and the business had no doubt
some connection with the deed of sale of the ground, which is dated
November 2, 1770.

Captain Thomas Clarke, who gave £1, was probalily the father-
in-law of Bishop Moore.

Charles McCivers (properly McEvers), a subscriber of £1 12s. 6d.,
was one of tlie founders of the New York Ciiamber of Commerce.*
The Widow McCivers, whose name appears afterward for £1 4s.,
was no doubt the widow of James McEvers, who was appointed dis-
tributer of tlie obnoxious stamps, but refused to take them on their
arrival, and resigned. His house, vvliere is now No. 50 Wall Street,
was broken into and the furniture destroyed. He died September 8,
1768, just before tlie church was completed.f

Isaac Low, who contributed £1 4s., was a prominent citizen of New
York. He lived on Dock Street,:^ where there were then many
handsome residences.^ From 1775 to 1783 he was president of the
Chamber of Commerce. || At first he favored the popular cause very
earnestly, but was afterward charged witli bad faith and dividing and
distracting tlie people und giving comfort and assistance to tlie British
government. His property was confi.scated, and he went to England,
where he died in 1791.

David Matthews, who gave sixteen shillings and threepence,
was ma3'or of tlie city from 1776 to 1784, the period of the Revo-
lution. He was a tory, was arrested by the patriots, and after
the war was president of the council and commander-in-chief at Cape
Breton. T[

* Lamb's Historjl of Neiv York, vol. i, p. 740.

+ 7bi(?., vol. 1, pp. 7;i2-737; Stevens's Chamber of Commerce Memorial,
Biographical Sketches.
i Now Pearl Street, between Whitehall Street and Hanover Square.
§ Lamb's History of New York, vol. i, p. 758.

II Stevens's Chamber of Commerce Memorial, Biographical Sketches.
% Sabine's History of the Loyalists.

438 A History of Methodism in New York City.

Of Thomas Witter, who gave sixteen shiUings and threepence, we
know only that he was one of the original members of the Masonic
Society of the city of New York.*

The name of Josepii Read is found twice, first for tliirteen shillings,
and then for £1 8s. He was a gentleman of property, for fifty-four
years an officer of Trinity Church, and his family gave name to Reade
Street.f

Thomas Elhson was vestryman of Trinity Church from 1781 to
1784. His subscription is sixteen sliillings.

Mrs. L. L., giving sixteen shillings and tlireepence, may be intended
for Mrs. Leonard Lispenard, giving an addition to the £2 10s. Qd. sub-
scribed before.

We find three subscribers bearing the surname of Marstin, John
and Tliomas each giving eight shillings, and Nathaniel £1 I'^s. dd.
John and Thom;is were both members of the committee of one him-
dred, and Thomas represented New York in tiie provincial Congress.
He married a daugliter of Leonard Lispenard. :j:

The name of Captain Randle is entered for sixteen shillings. In
1801 Captain Robert Richard Randall made a will, leaving the farm
of twenty-one acres on which he lived, in what is now the Fifteenth
Ward, and about seventeen thousand dollars' worth of other properly,-
to found a hospital or retreat for sailors. This was the origin of the
Sailors' Snug Harbor ou Slaten Island. This farm was in the neigh-
borhood of Grace Episcopal Church. Captain R. R. Randall was a
bachelor.g There was also a Captain Thomas Randall, who died in
1797, and was buried in Trinity church-yard. ||

Mr. Axiell, who gave £3 5s., married a sister of James De Pey-
ster.^f He lived on part of the site now occupied by the Astor
House.** It is said he was a descendant of David Axtell, a colonel
in Cromwell's army, who was beheaded at the Restoration. Ho is
described as "a gentleman of high honor and integrity." But he was
a tory, his property was confiscated, and he went to England and
died there. ff

Mary Ten Eyck, who gave eight shillings, was no doubt the Mrs.

* Old Merchants of New Yorh, vol. iii, p. 61.

+ Lamb's HMory of New York, vol. i, p. 692.

$ Ihi.d., vol. U p. 723, and vol. ii, p. 26.

g Old Merchants of New York, vol. i, p. 212.

II Stevens's Chamber of Commerce Memorud, p. 157.

f Lamb's HMoru of New York, voL i, p. 756.

** Ibid., vol. li, p. 207.

+t Sabine's Historu of the Lojyafiate.

Appendix E. 439

Ten E}-ck who afterward contributed •' one bed sprey " to the parson-
age furniture.

Next on the list is Henry Cuyler, witli a subscription of sixteen
shillings and threepence. This was probably Henry Cuyler, Jr., who
m 1769 built a massive structure on the corner of Rose and Duane
Streets for a sugar-house, and which was still standing in 1890.* It
is said he died in England.f

Charles Williams, a subscriber for sixteen shillings, was a vestry-
man of Trinity Church from 1747 to 1774.

Nich's Steverson, who gave £1, is probably Nicholas Stuyvesant,
a descendant of Peter Stuyvesant, the last Dutcli governor of N'ew
Amsterdam. He was a vestryman of Trinity Church from 1760 lu
1763.

The Walton House, built in 1752, in Pearl Street, was long a cele-
brated memorial of tlie family of that name.| Whether Thomas Wal-
ton, who subscribed £1, was one of that race we cannot tell. A gen-
tleman of tliat name, a patriotic merchant, died about 1773. §

John Watts, who gave £2, was probably the last city recorder un-
der the English government. || Tlie Watts family owned a fine estate
called tlie Rose HJl Farm, extending from about Twenty-third to
Thirtieth Street, and crossed by Second, Third, and Fourth Avenues.
The Rose Hill (Twenty seventh Street) Methodist Episcopal Cinirch
is on this property. The family lived at No. 3 Broadway. Watts
was a loyalist, and left the country, and died in Wales in 1789.^
The Leake and Watts Orplian Asylum owes its existence to a be-
quest of a yoiuiger John Watts, who died in 1836.

Al)r'm Lynson, wlio gave twelve shillings, was a merclinnt.**

Probably not to Anth'y Rntcas, but to Anthony Rutgers, should we
credit the sixteen shillings subscription that follows. Tlie estate of
which the church plot formed a part is said to have been the property
of " Anthony Rutgers, deceased." Rutgers Street derives its name
from the family.

Dr. Middleton gave sixteen shillings and threepence. He was a
loyalist, a professor in King's (now Columbia) College, and died in
New York about 1781. ff

* Lamb's HUst. of New Ywk, vol. 1, p. 760. + Sabine's Hist, of Loyalists.

i Booth's History of New York, pp. 385, 388, 389.

8 Stevens's Chamber of Commerce Memoi'ial, p. 170.

II Lamb's History of New York, voL 1, p. 757.

llbid., vol. li, p. 66; Sabine's History of the Loyalists.

** Stevens's Chamlier of Commerce Memorial.

ttSabine's Hist, of the LoyalMs ; also, notice of Dr. Bard, in this Appendix.

440 A History of Methodism in New York City.

Heury White gave £1. He was an eminent merchant, who in
17G9 did business at the "De Peyster House on the Fly," where he
sold " nails, tea, glass, sail-cloth, medicine, wine," etc. He was pres-
ident of the Chamber of Commerce and one of the consignees of the
obnoxious tea. His property was confi.scated, and he went to England,
and died in London in 1786.*

Thomas Moore gave £1 Is. He was a vestryman of Trinity Church
for Ave years.

The name of Elias Debruce, whose subscription was sixteen shil-
lings. Dr. Wakeley translates (and it would seem correctly) into
Elias Desbrosses. He was alderman of the East Ward for many
years, and warden and vestryman of Trinity Cliurch for a long time,
and distinguished for his benevolence. He left by will £500 for
clothing and eduftiting poor ciiildren of tlie Charity School. Desbros-
ses Street was called after the family ; but no descendants of his per-
petuate his name in the New York Directory of the j-ear 1890.

For Mr. Comaline, wlio gave sixteen shillings, we should prob-
ably read Crommeline; but wliether Daniel or Charles or Roljert
is uncertain. Robert was a vestryman of Trinity Church from
1750 to 1784. They were merchants and connected with the Lud-
lows.f

Dr. Kissam, whose snl)scripti(in was tliirteen siiilHngs, was an emi-
nent physician of the day, and of a family which has furnished many
prominent members of that profession.

On the 15th of May, 1775, at a meeting of the citizens of New York a
committee of one hundred was appointed to take charge of municip;d
afEairs until different arrangements should be made by tlie continental
Congress. Among the.se we find the name of Rudolphus Ritze-
man, evidently the same person as Rudolf Ritsman, who gave £1.
Shortly after, when four regiments were raised in New York at the
order of Congress, the lieutenant-colonel of the first was "Adolph
Ritzma, the son of the dominie of the Dutch Church," Rev. Johannes
Ritzema. Sad to say, he and another officer of the regiment proved
traitors. :[:

Thomas Vardell (not Tandrill) should probably be the name of the
donor of £2 6s. He was warden of the port and a loyalist.§

James Duane spared £2 from his lawyer lees as his contribu-

* Sabine's Histori) of the lyOi/a/i'sfs.

+ Ofd Merchants of New Ynrlu vol. iil, pp. 107, 108-11-^.

$ Booth's Hwtnr^i of New York, pp. 481-487.

§ Sabine's Hlst<mi <>f the Loyalists.

Appendix E. 441

tiOn. He was one of the most eminent in his profession, a mem-
ber of the old Congress, and tirst mayor of the city under the State
government. From Washington he received the lionor of being
tlie first judge of the United States District Court, under the pres-
ent Coiistituliou of the country. He was a vestryman of Trinity
Churcli from 1772 to 1777, warden from 1784 to 1794, and mayor
of the city from 1783 to 1788. Duane Street derives its name from
the family.

Theodore Yan Wyck also gave £2. He was assi^stant alderman of
the Dock Ward iu 1756 and alderman in 1764.

Thomas Jones, a lawyer, was recorder of the city 1769-72. His
property was couliscated, but the £1 14«. which he gave to the Meth-
odist chapel was safely invested where it could do good.*

The Yerpleck who gave £1 4s. must have been one of the

Verplanck fan ily well-known to New Yorkers.

Three Ludlows follow. Mr. Ludlow gives sixteen shillings and
threepence, William Ludlow £1 4s., and C. Ludlow £1. Afterward we
have another Mr. Ludlow giving nine shillings. Dr. Wakeley reads
G. for C. in the third name, but it is evidently C. However, one of the
two who are entered as Mr. Ludlow was probably Gabriel, a vestry-
man of Trinity Church from 1742 to 1769. He was afterward in the
British army, and went to New Brunswick and died in 1808 But the
C. Ludlow was no doubt Cary Ludlow, who about that time bought
a fine liouse, No. 9 State Street, near tlie Battery. In 1776 he went
to England, where he remained until 1784, but died in New York in
1815. His descendants must have deserted loyalism, as in 1824 some
of them gave a grand ball at the house in State Street to Lafayette,
then visiting this coinitry. The William Ludlow may have been his
brother, as he had one of that name.f Ludlow Street owes its title
to tills family.

Andrew Hamersley (for so, no doubt, we should read A. Hamsley)
is also commemorated by a short street. He, too, was a vestryman
of Trinity Church, holding that ofHce for twenty years, and gave
£1. He once held a commission in the army. The Directory of
1786 reports him as an iron-monger and dry-goods merchant, at

♦ This is on Dr. Wakeley 's authority. But there was another Thomas Jones,
a physician, and one of the founders of the New York Hospital. He married
a daughter of Philip Livingstone, and it is not unlikely that he was the con-
tributor.

+ Sabine's Historu of llie LoijnlMs; Lamb's HMory of New Ym% vol.
11, p. 446.

442 A History of Methodism in New York City.

46 Hanover Square ; he was assistant alderman of the Dock Ward in
1773. One of that name died in May, 1819, aged ninety-four.*

Peter Remsen was a dry-goods merchant, and died in 1771.-)- His
subscription was sixteen shillings and threepence.

Mr. Banyar, who subscribed £1, was no doubt Goldsbrow Banyar,
who was auditor-general in 1746 and deputy clerk of the council, etc.,
for some time. On a placard in the library of the New York His-
torical Society is a paper from his hand:

" The Lteutenant-Governor declares he will do nothing in rela-
tion to the St.\mps, but leave to Sir Henry Moore to do as he pleases
on his arrival. Council Chamber, New York, Nov. 2, 1765.

"By order of his Honour, G. W. Banyar, D. CI. Ccmy

The D. CI. Cou. signifies deputy clerk of the council. Mr. Banyar
died ut Albanj' in the year 1815. Sabine classes him among the loy-
alists.

The Mr. Yeats who gave sixteen shillings and threepence was
probably Richard Yates, a vestryman of Trinity Church, also classed
as a loyalist by Sabine. In 1786 one of that name was m business
at 28 Maiden Lane.

Fred'k Depoistor no doubt should be De Peyster. He gave six-
teen shillings and llireepence. But some thirty-five years after a
Miss De Peyster, perhaps a daughter, left a legacy of £300 to the New
York Conference, which yields about $00 annually to the fund for
Conference claimants. He was said to be of noble descent. He was
a loyalist, and went to New Brunswick, but afterward returned. |

Thomas Tucker gave £1 12s. He was a vestryman of Trinity
Church in 1784.

Cook is a name so common that when it has no prefix but Mr. it
is hard to identify the owner. Perhaps the Mr. Cook who gave four
shillings is the one referred to in the " Old Book," " 1784, February,
15. To cash pd Mr. Cook for the preacher's horse, £2 2s. 0(/."

David Johnston, whose subscription was £1 12s. 6tZ., was probably
the David Johnson who, in 1773, was elected a trustee. Some, at
least, of the preachers boarded with him, as is evident from entries in
the "Old Book." The Directory of 1786 gives the name, with ap-
pendage of Esq., at 17 Wall Street.

Of Isaac Sears, who gave £1, we learn that lie was one of tlie

* Histiirieal Magazine, 1873, p. 41 ; New York Spectator, May 2i, 1810.
■'i- Oiamher of Commerce Memorial, p. 158.
t SablDtt's History of the Loyalists.

Appendix E. 443

most ardt nt leaders of the Sons of Liberty.* At tl* battle of the
Liberty Pole, on the Common (now the City Hall Park), August 10,
1766, he was seriously wounded. In January, 1770, he and Waltt-r
Quackenbos detected three soldiers in the act of posting scuirilotis
placnls throughout the city, and each grasped a man by the col-
lar. The third soldier rushed upon Sears with his bayonet, attempt-
ing to free his comrade, but the Son of Liberty finding a ram's horu
near at hand, hurled it with such force in the face of his assailant
as to make him reel bnck from the shock, so that the captors made
their way with their captives to the mayor's office. This was the
beginning of the battle of Golden Hill, immediately in tlie neighbor-
liood of the Methodist church, in which the first blood was shed in
the Revolutionary War, anticipating, by some weeks, the celebrated
Boston massacre. In 1775 Sears was arrested for instigating the
people to resistance, but they rescued him on the way to prison. He
was a deleirate to the first provincial Congress and an officer in the
American arn)y.f

A lawyer, named William Wickliam, flourished about one hundred
years ago in the city. Perhaps he was the Lawyer Wickham
who gave nineteen shillings and si.xpence, and perhaps he was an
ancestor of Mayor Wickham. But why did he not give the additional
sixpence and make it Just £l.:j:

John Casuer gave £1. It is probable that he was the John Gassnar
whose name is signed to the first receipt in the " Old Book." It reads:

"Rec'd, Xew York. 17th Augt., 1769, of Mr. Wm. Lupton, £10
12s. 10(7. for painting and glazing done to Method't preaching-house.

"£10 12.S. 10*Z. John Gassx.^r." §

* Fresneau, in his political squib upon Gaine, editor of the New York
Mcrcurii, write:; :

*■' At thi'^ time arose a certain King SEARS,
Who made it his study to banish our fears.
He was witliout doubt a person of merit.
Great knowledge, some wit, and abundance of spirit.
Could talk like a lawyer, and that without fee,
And threatened perdition to all who drank Tea."

—Stevens's Chnmhcr of Commerce Memorial, p. 160.
+ Booth's Bistorij of New Torli, pp. 412, 417, 43i, 435, 448-450, 479, 480, 487.
X Lamb's Hiatoril of New York, vol. ii, pp. 32, 300.

§ About fifty years after one Peter Gassner, probably a descendant of John,
has dealings with the trustees of the Methodist Church. But he is in another
line of trade, not painting and glazing, but clothing. He sends in a bill for

4 J yds. coating, lis S") 63

Hose and bombazine [probably for one of the bishops or preachers], 1 81

Oct. 2'1. 1819. $~ ^^4

444 A History of Methodism in New York City.

Of Riclmrd Waldrou, who gave sixteen shillings, we know nothing.
But il is worthy of notice that of ail die subscriptions this is the
only one the payment of which is entered in the regular account.
Most probably the others were paid in before the account was begun.
It is under date of August 1, 17G9.

It is a pity we can say nothing of Mr. Samuel Schuyler, who gave
£3 4s. 3d. All we know is that he was of the Schuyler family, and
was probably related to Mr. Luptou's first wife.

And here tlie original subscription-list seems to have ended, and
t?ie amount is footed up, being £309 15s. Id. What follows is in
paler ink, and there is some difference in the penmanship, though
the hand may be the same. It seems to have been the result of a
renewed effort, and several of tlie names are the same as in tlie first
hst.

John Leake, however, who leads this rear-guard with a subscrip-
tion of £15, is a new name. Twenty years later a Jolin G. Leake,
gentleman, lived at No. 5 Fair Street (now Fulton, between Broadway
and Pearl Streets). This name is associated with that of Watt in the
Leake and Watt Orphan Asylum.

For what we know of Jolin Chave, who subscribed £5, we are in-
debted mainly to a letter to Dr. Wakeley from the Rev. Dr. S. R.
Johnson, of the General Theological Seminary, New York.* We
there learn that he was a British officer who came to America about
the time of the French war. He was converted while in the army,
and was noted, even among the Methodists themselves, for his very
strong attachment to Mr. Wesley. Having been in the army with
Captain Webb and Mr. Lupton, he entertained a warm affection for
them, and his intimacy with the Lupton family continued after the
death of his friend. He lived for some years at Newark, N. J., using
his property, wliicli was quite sutEcient for his support, frugally as
to his own wants, but generously to others. His property became
involved by the misfortunes of William Lupton, Jr., with wiiom an
arrangement was afterward made for his support. He resided for
some time in Greenwich Village, then a suburb of New York, now a
part of tlie city. Afterward he joined Mr. William Lupton in Wal-
ton, Delaware County, N. Y., where, about 1816, when not far from
eighty-si.x years old, he died and was buried. One who knew him
(Klbert Herring, Esq.) saj'S : " I never knew a man more entirely
devoted to the Lord ; his Christian spirit manifested itself in all he
did ; he seemed to live for Christ alone." It was his custom, when
* Lost Ch<ipters, etc., p. 539.

Appendix E. 445

lie :i\voke at night, to spond tlie time in prayer. A few weeks before
he ilifd he was ht-ard at niidiiignt siiiginu; his favorite liymns In the
morning- Mr. Lupton said to hun, '■ You felt qnite Hke singing last
night, Fatlier Chave?" " 0, yes," said he, " I felt so happy in the Lord
I could not help singing." He was a useful member of the Church,
occupying official position^. In Bishop Asbnry's Journal, under date
of September 1 1, 1772, he says, " Appointed Mr. C. to take an account
of the weekly and quarterly collections."* That this was Mr. Chave
is made certain by the following entry in the " Old Book," under date
of Augn.^t 12, 1773: "By class collections Rec'd by Mr. Chave be-
tween September, 1772, and Augt. 12th, 1773, £60 lis." At least one
entry of a similar kind is found afterward. Mr. Chave's name. ap-
pears also in the " Old Book," in another series of transactions, in
wiiich we sec his association with tlie financial affairs of the Church,
and those of the Lupton family. We read : " Sept. 5, 1787. To cash
paid Wm. Lupton, one year's interest, £21." - In September, of the
following year, the name of Mr. Chafe is substituted for that of Lup-
ton, and these payments continue from year to year, except that in
1791 William Lupton receives the mono}^, and that in the last entry in
1795 tiie name is spelt Chave. " I remember him in my childhood," says
Mr. Johnson, " sitting in his arm-chair on the piazza of Peter Roose-
velt's farm-house at Newtown, in 1807, and my memory yet brings
up to the mind his venerable form and whitened locks." f

John Staples subscribes £1. He was a native of Prussia, and his
wife, before he married her, is said to have been the widow succes-
sively of two sea-captains (Lynn and Lovegrove), both of whom were
lost at sea. Mr. Staples, as we learn from the " Old Book," was
elected trustee in 1773, :[: and in May, 1774, his name is found as joint
treasurer with Stephen Sands. He held this position witii different
colleagues most of the time covered by the accounts of tiiat book.g
He introduced into this coimtry the business of sugar refining. His
first refinery was in Rector Street ; the second, which was much
larger, was in Liberty Street, near tlie Middle Dutch Church. This was
afterward the famous sugar-house whore American prisoners suffered
so much during the Revolution. It appears also from the Directory
of 1786 that he carried on business as a grocer at No. 5 Maiden Lane.
In the "Old Book " we have the entry: " 1771, 11th Feb. To cash
pd. Mr. Staples Ibr sugar and wine, etc., 135. 9cZ."

Mr. Staples became wealthy, and moved in the best society. He

* See p. 60. + Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 541.

i See p. 68, note. § See treasurers, note, p. 135.

440 A History of Methodism in New York City.

was an intimate friend of the Rev. F. Garrettson, and it is said that
at his liouse Mr. Garrettson first met Miss ('atharine Livingston, who
afterward became his wife. A son of Mr. Staples, named John
Jacob, had a great genius for invention. He learned the trade of
watch-maker witli his father's intimate friend. Stephen Sands.* His
first patent was taken out under the presidency of Washington, and
after that he obtained one, at least, under every successive adminis-
tration down 10 that of W. H. Harrison. He was a very accomplished
gentleman and of great conversational powers. He married a beautiful
Quakeress, the daughter of Colonel De Courcy, who brought with her
S80,000. For a time he was very successful in business, but, having
speculated lieavily and indorsed imprudently, he finally became a
bankrupt, and involved his father also. The old gentleman had given
up business and retired to his country-seat at Newtown, L. I., liaving,
as he supposed, property sufficient to enable him to spend tlie evening
of liis life without care. But this sudden calamity overwhelmed him,
and he died in 1806, and was buried in Xewlown. His widow sur-
vived until 1821, and then died at the age of ninety, and was buried
by lier liusband's side. The son, in his old age, became a member
of ihe Willetl Street Clmrch, New York, and died in 1851, at the age
of eighty-two, and was buried witli his father.

Of two other sons of John Staples we have some account. One
was born while Rev. Tiiomas Rankin was in New York — that is, be-
fore June, 1778, and was named after him. He grew up to be wild
and reckless, a cause of much grief to his father, who would often
say, as the tears ran down his cheeks, '' Thomas, my son, the course
you are pursuing will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the
grave." The young man's health failing, lie visited England and died
there, at the house of Mr. Rankin, attended by Dr. "Whitehead, Mr.
Sause, and Mr. and Mrs. R inkin. From his death-bed he sent this
message: "Tell my father that tlie son whom lie said would bring
down his gray hairs witli sorrow to the grave will reach heaven be-
fore lie does." He died February 6, 1795, and was buried in London,
it is sai I, at City Road. Anotlier son was born during the Revolu-
tion, while Samuel Spraggs was pastor, and was named after him.f

* In tlie Directory of 1789 we have "John J. Staples, Jr., watch and clock
maker, 40 Water Street."

t Mrs. Marsraret Cooper, the mother of Peter Cooper, became a member of
Mr. Staples' class in 178H. Perhaps the Mrs. ?tapel whose name we And ear-
lier in the list giving sixteen shillings and threepence was the wife of this
John Staples.

Appendix E. 447

Stephen Sands, whose u;ime lias been mentioned in tlie sketch of
Staples, stands very properly in the list next to his old friend, sub-
scribin<i: also the same sum, £1. Of his birth and early Iiistory we
know nothing, but it is probable that he was a son of Joshua Sands,
of Sands Point, L. I. He was elected trustee in 1773, and he
and Staples succeeded James Jarvis as treasurer in 1774.* His
house was the tirst in America to receive Dr. Coke when he came, in
November, 1784. Drew, in his life of Coke, says that there he
"found himself in a region of hospitniity and tViendship." Whatcoat,
also, who was witii Dr. Coke, says in his Journal, '"We were kindly
received by our Christian friends, Messrs. Sands and others." He
also boarded the preachers, as appears by the following receipt,
wi ich, Dr. "Wakele}- says, "now lies belbre me, in his own handwrit-
ing, on a little piece of paper that has been singularly preserved:

" Rec, January 9th, 1776, of Mr. Eichard Sause, five pounds fiteon
shillings and sevenpeuce, being part of the class collections to pay the
preacher's board. £5 1 5s. Id. Ftiiphen Sands."

Mr. Sands was a watc-h-niaker, and advertises (September 2, 1779,)
1' om 189 Queen S'reet. Rev. Ezekiel Cooper, in liis Journal, says,
'•Mr. Sands was a local preacher."

Philip Ebert, £1. All tliat we know about him besides is what we
find in tliis entry :

"1772, Nov. 24. To cash paid Mr. Boaidman, the £10 that was bor-
rowed from Philip Ebert. and is now p^id by order of Philip. £10."
In 1787 a Pliilip Eliert was excluded for slandering the preachers.

Thomas Dimcan was a celebrated m< reliant of that day. In
February, 1767, his house in Hanover Square was burned, and his
wife and four children, who were sick with the small-pox, lost their
lives. One daughter threw herself from the window, and escaped,
and another was out at nurse. Tt is SMid that Mr. Duncan never
smiled afterward. f Perhaps his donation of £1 12s. was partly the
result of his affliction.

The largest contribution from a woman is that of Mrs. Anderson,
£3 45. This in itself entitles her to remembrance; but if we do not
misinterpret two entries in tlie " Old Book " she is worthy of greater
credit than nt first appears. TTe read: "1772, July 16. To cash
paid Mrs. Anderson, part of her wages, 16 — " (sixteen shillings).
And again, " Nov. 5, to cash paid Mrs. Anderson, her wages in full,

* Of his .service as treasurer see note, p. 135.

+ O'd Mnrhdiifii of New York, vol. ill, pp. iaS-110; New Yoilc Mcrcur)j
and Gazette. February 10, 1707.

448 A History of Methodism ix New York City.

£3 lis." She seems to have eaiued her livuig by labor, and perhaps
her contribution was that of a widow, and siiould be set down bj' the
side of tliat of her who gave the two mites, the most liberal subscrip-
tion of all.

John Bowden, like Philip Ebert, gave £1 ; and of him also we
know nothing except what we find in the " Old Book." Under date
of November 22, 1770, we have the entry:

" To cash pd. By Mr. Bowden to take Mr. Boardman and Bring
Mr. Pil'e (Pihnore) from P. Town, £0 4s. Od" (P. Town is Piiila-
delpliia or Princeton.) But the name of Miss Elizabetii, or Betsey,
Bowden appears frequently from May 15, 177S, onward. Slie re-
ceived interest for money loaned to the church. At first the amount
was £600, but in a year or two it would seem that some payments
liad been made on the principal, and at last we have an entry of the
p.ij'ment of £50, with whicli the transaction apparently, closes. She
nia}' liave been the sister or daughter of Mr. Bowden.

Thomas Brinkloy, whose subscription was sixteen shillings, was
born in Pliiladelpliia, and married Mary, tiie sister of Jolin Staples.
He' was a soldier in the War of the Revolution, and one of tlie guard
who watched over Major Andre and conducted him to the place of
execution. He died February 5, 1795, aged forty-six years. His
wife survived him several years, and was buried in the same grave,
in tlie burying-ground of the old Forsyth Street Clnirch. A portrait
of liim is said to be in the possession of his granddaughter. His son
John was an honored member of the Allen Street Church, and left a
legacy of a thousand dollars to the Missionary Society.

Lewis Faugers is set down for £3 4s. In the list of trustees
chosen in 1785 (see page 86) we find the name Lewis Faugre. The
correct orthography is undoubtedly Faugere, as we find it most fre-
quently in the "Old Book," most generally with the prefix Doctor.
He held a bond for which he received annual interest.

A few names follow, but they are eicher those that we have had
before or such as we c.ui get no information about.

APPENDIX F.

LETTER OF T. T. (THOMAS TAYLOR) TO MR. WESLEY.

This letter was found by Rev. Charles Atmore among the papers
of Rev. Christoplier Hopper. Little is known of the aut'.or. He
probably did not remain long in the city, as his name, though in the

Appendix F. 449

li.sl of trustees to whom the lease and the first deed of sale were
given, is not among tliose who took the deed of 1870. We might
suppose the Mrs. Taylor who lent certain articles for the furnish-
ing of the preachers' house (see Appendix K) was his wife, but he
writes as if his family were not with him.

••New York, Ajnil 11, 1768.

"Rev. and Very Dear Sir: I intended writing to you for several
weeks pasr, ; but a few of us had a very material transaction in view.
I iliereforo postponed writing until I could give you a particular ac-
count tliereof; this was the purchasing of ground for building a
preacliiug-house upon, which, by the blessing of God, we have now
concluded. But before I proceed I shall give you a sliort account of
the state of religion in tliis citj-. By tiie best intelligence I can col-
lect, there was little either of the form or power of it until Mr.
Whitefield came over, thirtj' years ago ; and even after his first and
second visits there appeared but little fruit of liis labors. But during
his visit fourteen or fifteen years ago there was a considerable shak-
ing among the dry bones. Divers were savingly converted; and this
work was much increased in his last journey, about fourteen years
since, wheu his words were realh' like a hammer and like a fire.
Most part of tlie adults were stirred up ; great numbers pricked to
the iieart, and, bj^ a judgment of charity, several found peace and joy
ill believing. The consequence of this work was, churches were
crowded, and subscriptions raised for building new ones. Mr. White-
lield's example provoked most of tlie ministers to a mueli greater de-
gree of earnestness. And by the multitudes of people, old and
j'oung, rich and poor, flocking to the churches, religion became an
honorable profession. There was now no outward cross to be taken
up therein. Nay, a person wiio could not speak about the grace of
God, and the new birtli, was esteemed unfit for genteel compan3\
But in a wjiile, instead of pressing forward, and growing in grace,
(as ho exhorted tliem), the generality were pleading for the remains of
sin and the necessity of being in darkness. They esteemed tlieir
opinions as the very essentials of Chrislianitj', and regarded not lioli-
ness, either of heart or life.

" The above appears to me to be a genuiue account of the stale of
religion in New York eighteen months ago, when it pleased God to
rouse up Mr. Embury to emf)loy his talent (vvhicli for several years had
been hid, as it were, in a napkin) by calling sinners to repentance, and
cxliorting believers to let their light shine before men. He spoke at

450 A History of Methodism ix Neav York City.

first only in his own house. A few were soon collected togeilier and
joined into a little societ}', chiefly his own countrymen, Irish Germans.
In about three months after, Brotlier Wliite andBroiher Sause, from
Dubhn, joined them. They then rented an empty room in their
nei.u'hboi-hood, which was in the most infamous street in the city, ad-
joining the barracks. For some time few thought it worth tlieir while
toiiear: but God so ordered it by his providence, that about fourteen
months ago Captain "Webb, barrack-master at Albany (who was con-
verted three years since at Bristol), found them out, and preached in
his regimentals. The novelty of a man preaching in a scarlet coat soon
brought greater numbers to liear than the room could contain. But his
doctrines were quite new to tlie hearers ; for lie told them point
i)lank, ' tliat all their knowledge and religion were not worth a rush,
unless their sins were forgiven, and thej- had " the witness of God's
Spirit with theirs that they were the children of God." ' Tins strange
doctrine, witli some peculiarities in his person, made liim soon taken
notice of; and obliged the little society to look out for a larger house
to preach in. They soon found a place that had been built for a rig-
ging-house, sixty leet in length and eighteen in breadth.

"About tliis period Mr. Webb, whose wife's relations lived at
Jamaica, Long Island, took a house in that neighborhood, and began
topreacii in his own house and several other places on Long Island.
Within six months, about twenty- four persons received justifying
grace, nearly half of them wiiites — the rest negroes. While Mr.
Webb was (to borrow liis own plirase) 'felling trees on Long Island,'
Brotlier Embury was exhorting all wlio atieuded on Tiiursday even-
ings, and Sundays, morning and evening, at the rigging-house, to
flee from tlie wrath to come. His hearers began to increase, and
some gave heed to his report, about the time the gracious providence
of God brought me safe to New York, after a very favorable passage
of six weeks from Plymouth. It was the 26ili day of October last
wlieu I arrived, recommended to a person for lodging; I inquired of
my host (who was a very religious man) if any Methodists were in
New York ; he answered that there was one Captain Webb, a strange
sort of man, who lived on Long Island, and who sometimes preached
at one Embury's, at the rigging-house. In a few days I found out
Emburj'. I soon found of what spirit he was, and that he was person-
ally acquainted with you and your doctrines, and that he had been
a helper in Ireland. He had formed two classes, one of the men,
and the other of the women, but had never met the society apart
from the congreg-ation. although there were six or seven men, and as

Appendix F. 451

many women, who had a. clear sense of their acceptance in the Be-
loved.

" You will not wonder at my being agreeably surprised in meeting
with a few here who have been and desire again to be in connection
with you. God only knows the weight of affliction I felt on leaving
my native couutrj-. But I have reason now to conclude God intevided
all for my good. Ever since I left London, my load has been re-
moved, and I have found a cheerfulness in being banished from all
near and dear to me, and I made a new covenant wiili my God, that
I would go to the utmost parts of the earth, provided he would raise
up a people witli whom I might join in liis praise. On the great deep
I found a more earnest desire to be united with the people of God
than ever before. I made a resolution that God's people should be
my people, and their God my God; and, bless his holy name, I have
since experienced more heartfelt happiness than ever I thought it
possible to have on this side eternity. All anxious care about my
dear wife and children is taken away. I cannot assist them, but I
daily and hourly commend them to God in prayer, and I know he
hears ray prayers, by an answer of love in my heart. I find power
daily to devote myself unto him ; and I find power also to overcome
sin. If any uneasiness at ah affects me, it is because I can speak so
little of so good a God.

"Mr. Embury lately has been more zealous than formerly; the
consequence of which is that he is more lively in preachmg; and
his gifts as well as graces are much iucreascd. Great numbers of
serious persons came to hear God's word as for tlieir lives; and their
numbers increased so fast that our house for six weeks past would
not contain half the people.

" We had some consultations how to remedy this inconvenience,
and Mr. Embury proposed renting a small lot of ground for twenty-
one years, and to exert our utmost endeavors to build a wooden tab-
ernacle ; a piece of ground was proposed ; the ground-rent was agreed
for. and the lease was to be executed in a few days. We, liowever, in the
meantime, had two several days for fastiug and prayer for the direction
of God and his blessing on our proceedings; and providence opened
such a door as we had no expeciaiion of. A young man, a siucere
Christian and constant hearer, though not joined in society, not giving
any thuig tov/ard this house, offered leu pounds to buy a lot of ground,
went of his own accord to a lady who had two lots to sell, on one of
which there i.s a house that rents for eighteen pounds per annum. Ho
found the purchase money of the two lots was six hinidrcd pounds.

452 A History of Methodisji in New York. City.

which she was willing should remain in the purchaser's possession,
on good security. We called once more on God for his direction,
and resolved to purchase the whole. There are eight of us who are joint
purchasers: among whom Mr. Webb and Mr. Lupton are men of
propert}'. 1 was determined the house should be on the same foot-
ing as the orphan house at Newcastle, and others in England ; but as
we were ignorant how to draw tlie deeds, we pnrcliased for us and
our heirs, until a copy of the writing is sent us from England, which we
desire may be sent by the first opportmiity.

" Before we began to talk of building, the devil and his children
were very peaceable: but since this affair took place many ministers
have cursed us in the name of the Lord, and labored with all their
might to stop their congregations from assisluig us. But He that
siiteth in the highest lavighed them to scorn! Many have broken
through, and given their friendly assistance. We have collected above
one hundred pounds more than our own contributions ; and have
reason to hope in the whole we shall have two hundred pounds ; but
the house will cost us four hundred pounds more, so that unless God
is pleased to raise up friends we shall yet be at a loss. I believe Mr.
AVebb and Mr. Lupton will borrov/ or advance two hundred pounds,
rather than the building should not go forward; but the interest of
money here is a great burden — being seven per cent. Some of our
brethren proposed writing to you for a collection in England; but I
was averse to this, as I well know our friends there are overbiu-dened
already. Yet so far I would earnestly beg: if yon would intimate our
circumstances to particular persons of ability, perhaps God would open
their hearts to assist this infant society, and contribute to the first
preaching-house on the original Methodist plan in all America (ex-
cepting Mr. Whitefield's orphan house in Georgia); but I sliall write
no more on this subject.

" There is another point far more material, and in which I must
importune your assistance, not only in my own name, but also in the
name of the whole society. We want an able and experienced
preacher, one who has both gifts and grace necessary for the work.
God has not, indeed, despised the day of small tilings. There is a
real work of grace begun in many hearts by the preaching of Mr.
Webb and Mr. Embury; but altiiougii tlicy are both useful, and their
hearts in the work, they want many qualifications for sncli an un-
dertaking; and the progress of the Gospel here depends nuich upon
the qualifications of preachers.

" In regard to a preacher, if possible we must have a man of wis-

Appendix F. 453

dora, of sound faith, and a good di-^ciplinarian: one whose heart and
soul are in tlie work ; and I doubt not but by the goodness of God such
a tlame will be soon kindled as would never stop until it reached the
great South Sea. We may make many shifts to evade temporal in-
conveniences ; but we cannot purchase such a preacher as I have de-
scribed. Dear sir, I entreat you, for tiie good of tliousands, to use
your utmost endeavors to send one over. I would advise him to take
shipping at Bristol, Liverpool, or Dublin, in the montii of July, or
early in August: by embarking at this season he will have fine
weather in his passage, and probably arrive here in the month of
September. He will see before winter what progress tlie Gospel lias
made.

" With respect to money for the payment of the preachers' passage
over, if they could not procure it, we would sell our coats and shirts
to procure it for them.

" I most earnestly beg an interest in your praj'ers, and trust you,
and many of our brethren, will not forget the church in tliis wil-
derness.

"I remain with sincere esteem. Rev. and dear sir, your very aff^^c-
lionate brother and servant, T. T."

APPHNDIX G.

LETTER OF THOMAS BELL.

The following letter, Dr. Wakelcy says,* is copieij from the Ar-
minian Magazine. The writer seems to have bei'ii .-i lucclianicf

"Charlestox, S. C. Mnj i:!, 1769.

"Very Dear and Affectionate Brother: WJicu 1 came to New
York I Ibund that our business was not very ploutiful for strangers.
Though there is a good deal of business in the toA n it is entirely
overstocked with trades-people ; but what added iiio<t lo my satisfac-
tion was, I found a {'ew of the dear people of Ciod iu it. There is
one Mr. Emmery, one of our preachers, that catue from Ireland nine
years ago. Latelj"^ there were two that came froui Dulilin. They
have met together, and tlicir number has increased; ind they have
built a large new house, which cost them six luiudicd ]iounds ster-
ling. Tliey are very poor iu this world. Theyexix-c .issisiauce from
England, but I often used to tell them they need not. for many of Die

* Lost Chapters, p. 113. tSec Apixuilix E.

45-i A History of Methodism in New York City.

people of England were very poor themselves; and tliey that had of
ihis world's goods did not care to part with them. There is another
of our preachers who was a captain in the army; he was convinced
of the truth before he left England : his name is Mr. Webb. God
has been pleased to open his mouth. So the Lord carries on a very
great work by these two men. They were, however, soon [sore ?]
put to it in building their house: they made several collections about
tiie town for it; and they went to Philadelphia, and they got part of
the money there. I wrought upon it six days.

" New York is a large place : it has three places of worship of
the Church of England in it, two of the Church of Scotland, three of
the Dutch Church, one Baptist meeting, one Moravian chapel, one
Quakers' meeting, one Jews' synagogue, and one French Reformed
chapel. Among all these, there are very few that like the Methodists.
The Dutch Calvinists have preached against them. Many of tlie peo-
ple of America have been stirred up to seek the Lord by Mr. White-
field ; but what his reason could be for not forming them into clnsses
I do not know. Thomas Bkll."

APPENDIX H.

THE EMBURY BIBLE.

This is an octavo volume, nine inches long by si.v and three quar-
ters wide, and has been rebound. Inside the cover we liave the fol-
lowing statement, in the neat hand so well known to all who were
acquainted with the writer :

" THE EMBURY BIBLE.

" This precious Book was owned and brought to this country by
Phili}^ Embury, who emigrated from Ireland in 1760. He was the
First Methodist Preacher in America, and built with his own hands, and
preached in, the First Methodist Church on this Continent. He formed
the first Methodist Socictj'-in the City o^ New York, and subsequently,
the first in the town of Ashgrove, where he died in Christian peace
Aug., 177.3.

" In the division of his personal effects among his children. This
Book fell to the lot of his son Samuel, who removed to St. Armand,
Canada East, where I found liira in 1819 while traveling on Durliam
Circuit, and of whom I purchased this Priceless Volume.

" Laudo Deum Veruin. Fitch Reed."

Appendix H. 455

The type is what is called black letter, or old English, very much
like the Germuu type, and the paper is thick. T!ie title-page reads:

" THE BIBLE,

translated according to the Ebrew and Greeke and conferred with
the best Translations in diners Langnages. With most profitable
Annotations upon all the hard places and other things of great im-
portance as may appear in the Epistle to the Reader. And also a
most profiiable Concordance for the ready fuuling ont of any thing in
the same contained.

" ^ Imprinted at

" London by Robert Barker

" Printer to the King's most

" Excellent Majestic

"1611."

On the title-page to tlie New Testament is written the name
"Phil. Enibnry." It is a copy of what is called tlie Geneva Bible, a
version higlil}' prized by the old Puritans, who clnng to its use some
time after King James's translation was issued. Its fir.«t edition was
dated 1560, and between that year and 1616 more tlian thirty editions
were printed. The last of which we have any account was pub-
lished in 1644. It is worthy of remark that this Embury Bible was
printed in ihe same year with the first edition of the King James, or
Authorized Version.

At first sight there appears to be little difference between this and
the translation we have been accustomed to use, but a closer exami-
nation will reveal many variations besides the one observable in Em-
bury's text. It is the celebrated " Breeches Bible," so called because
Gen. iii, 7, is rendered, " They sewed figge-leues togetlier and made
themselves breeches."

The Rev. Fitch Reed, through whom this volume came into the
possession of the John Street Church, was pastor there in 1833-4.
At the centenary meeting, in 1868, he gave a more particular ac-
count of the way in which he obtained the book. In 1819 he was
sent to Durham Circuit, Lower Canada. It was a wild country,
sparsely settled, terrible roads, and hard fare, with plenty of work.
He went one night to stay with a family by the name of Embury,
not dreaming of any connection between them and Philip Embury.
At bed-time he was asked to lead in family worship, and a Bible was
handed to him. It was very dilapidated — ready to drop to pieces.
It was printed in German text, and on the title-page of the New Tes-
30

456 A History of Methodism in New York City.

lament he found tlie name " Pliil. Embury." " Brollier Embury,"
said he, "was Philip Embury any relaliou to you?" "Why, yes;
he was my father, and I am tlie oldest sou." Being asked to give
the history of tlie book, he said his father brought it with him to this
country in 1760, that it was the only copy of the Scriptures he had
till the day of his death, and also that he took it into the pulpit with
him to use at the dedication of the Jolin Street Church, taking as his
text on that occasion Hos. x, 12. Being asked, "You have no doubt
on that question?" "None at all," said he. "I know it was so;
and after his death, I being his eldest sou, the Bible lell to my lot."
Mr. Reed bought it of him for the price he would have to pay for a

new copy.*

♦

APPENDIX 1.

EMBURY'S LAND PURCHASE.

In the Colonial Hli<tory of the State of New York. vol. vii, p. 902, is
to be found tlie following item. It is given in full, as some of the
names may lead to the discovery of other facts of interest in connec-
tion with it:

Governor's nAine,
and tlate of grant.

Lieutenant-
Governor Col-
den, 31st Oct.,
1765.

s of the grantees

Qnit rent in
sterling money.

Philip Embury.
Peter Embury.
Jas. Wilson.
Jo* n Wilson.
George Wilson.
Moses Cowen.
iTIiomas Proctor.

2s. %d. per
100 acres.

Situ.ation of the land, and quality.

A tractot land in the C' 'un-
ty of Albany, backward of
and adjoining lolandsgrant-
ed to Ryer Schenueiliorn
and others, etc., containing
8,000 acres, and the usual
allowance. \

As far back, then, as 1765, before he began to preach in New York,
Embury had been arranging for a country home. When Thomas
Aslitou, of Dublin, came, in 1769, his attention was perhaps directed
to the same neighborhood through Embury's instrumentality, and he
formed a settlement near Cambridge, to which was given tlie name

* John Street Centenary Memorial, p. 21.

+ " The tract on which they settled was leased from Hon. James Duane,- after-
ward Mayorof New York, and was known as Duane's Patent. Tlieywere at
first to pay annually $1 per KKI acres ; afterward, ten bushels of wheat on the
1st of February, at Troy. Embury always paid in money, and never came into
the wheat arranpfement."— 7Vie Methndi.st, vol. vii, p. :^~'9. How this state-
ment can be made to harmonize with that above u not clear.

Appendix I. 457

of Asligrove. Embury went to " the town of Salem, in a section
then known as West Camden, a little to the south and west of Cam-
den Valley, and about six miles north of Asligrove." * Many others
of the Irish Palatines, including David Embury, Paul and Barbara
Heck, the Dulmnges, Tellers, Laurence, Morgan, and other families
followed.

On July 1, 1775, after Embury's death, Mrs. Embury sold this
properly for one hundred and thirty pounds, f

APPENDIX J.

WERE THE EARLY METHODISTS TORIES?

Not long after the Revolution a Methodist preacher, at the close of
a sermon at White Plains, N. Y., invited those who wished more par-
ticular religious instruction to remain for a while. Among those
who accepted the invitation was an old gentleman wiio was a very
zealous tory. He had got the idea that Metliodist preachers were
employed by the government of Great Britain for political purposes,
and that If tliey succeeded in bringing the colonies back to their al-
legiance they were to receive the tithes or tenth of every thing.
Having opened the meeting, the preacher proceeded to question each
in turn, and this old gentleman, happening to be the first he ad-
dressed, replied, " I am a friend to government." Tlie preacher told
him that he had nothing to do with that subject ; his inquiry related
to his religious state. The old man, supposing he liad not been ex-
plicit enough, replied, " I am a friend to King George." After the
preacher had satisfied him that his mission was of a religious char-
acter, and liad nothing to do with politics, he took his hat and lelt
the room, saying, "If that is the case I am done with you.":|:

This old gentleman was not alone in his mistake. Tlie idea that
the Methodists were loyalists, or tories, was very prevalent, and no
doubt often obtained for them the favor of partisans of the British
government and the hostility of tlie patriots. A paper dated at
Baltimore, May 4, 1777, saj-s, "It is a certain truth that all the de-

*G. G. Saxe, Cltristian Adnncate, vol. xli, p. 2.53.

+ Letter of Rev. B. Hawley, D.D., Cltristian Advocate, vol. Ixlii, p. ;J40.

t Memoir of Ab. Miller, of White Plains, by tlie Rev. P. P. Sandforil, Chris-
tian Advocate, vol. xxi, p. 72. See also Methodist QuarlerUj Review, 1833,
p. 206.

458 A History of Methodism in New York City.

nomination called Metliodisis (with us) are enemies to our cause,
under the mask of religion, and are countenanced by the tories.
One of their preachers did lately, in this place, tell his hearers tliat
every man killed in battle would certainly go to hell." * This is no
doubt a misrepresentation, but it must be admitted that there was
some ground for the opinion, especially as to Xew York city and its
vicinity. And when we consider the facts there does not seem to be
any reason to be ashamed of the truth.

It must be remembered that no moral principle was directly in-
volved in the Revolutionary conflict; the question was a political
one. The American part}^ claimed that the country was wronged
and oppressed by the English government, and that therefore it was
right and wise to resist. The rest of the people were no doubt
divided in seniiment. Some probably fully sympathized with the
British government, and were willing to submit to anj^ thing rather
than risk breaking the ties that bound them to tiie land that still was
regarded as home. Otliers, acknowledging that there was cause of
complaint, still hoped that peaceable measures would bring relief at
last, and yet others, as the Quakers and many oiher devout Chris-
tians, believed it their dutj' to submit to any thing rather than en-
gage in a civil war. This may have been timidity in some cases, but
in others it was conscientious abiiorrence of bloodshed. The Meth-
odists were naturalh^ of tliis class, though outside of New York and
its vicinity their sympalliies were generally with the cause of Amer-
ican freedom.

Again, Mr. Wesle}- was a zealous loyalist. \ His views were pub-
lished and had their influence. Most of the preachers, too, were but
recently from the old country and generally expected to return before
long. If, therefore, the Methodists, next to tlie members of the
Church of England, were among the warmest adherents to the British
crown it is cause neither of surprise nor censure.

And tiiis is especially true of Xew York Methodists. "When the
Palatines were driven out of German}' they were kindlv received by
the British government and homes provided for tiiem in Ireland and
elsewhere. Gratitude made them loyal, and their descendants were
not to be censured if they erred in that direction. Thomas Webb and

* Historical Magazine, 1863, p. 177.

+ But not bitter nor obstinate. There Is evidence that he desired the gov-
ernment to use milder means, and that after the conflict was over he wished
his brethren In America to "stand fast in that liberty wherewith God had
so strangely made them free." See Ch7-it<tian Advocate, vol. Ixiii, p. ii4.

Appexdix J. 459

William Luptou had been officers of the Britisli army, and their alle-
giance to the government tliey served was not discreditable.*

In tlie library of the New York Historical Society will be found cop-
ies of the poll-lists for 1761, 1768, and 1769. We read there how James
Jarvis, Peter Embury, William Lupton, Henry Newton, David Em-
bury, Philip Embury, Paul Heck, Richard Sause, and Thomas Webb
voted. Though the lines of party division were not very clearly
drawn at those dates it is observable that they voted for men who,
almost without exception, were afterward prominent loyalists.

Now, having admitted so much, we must be allowed to claim that
mnny of the Methodists of that day, probably the most of those of
native birth, were true patriots. There is evidence that William
Watters, Philip Gatch, Richard Ivy, Joseph Everett, Thomas Morrell,
Thomas Ware, and William Mills were true-hearted Americans, and
that Asbury was in heart with the patriots, f Morrell, it is well
known, served faithfully and honorably in the American army. The
record of the Metliodist Episcopal Church has been such that she can
well afford to admit any such drawbacks as are implied in the facts
above stated.

For many reasons American Methodists should thank God for
Francis Asbury. But another is added when we review the political
question. He alone, of all Mr. Wesley's earlier missionaries to this
country, seems to have rightly imderstood the matter. He evidently
became very soon an American at heart. :]: Others, as Rankin, Shad-
ford, and Rodda, would not, and perhaps could not, stay. He remained,
tliough compelled to spend some of the time in jjartial retirement.
His unwillingness to accept the office of superintendent without the
vote of the Conference shows how fully he had imbibed the spirit of
his adopted country. The Rev. H. Boehm, for some time his travel-
ing companion, says: "Though he loved the land of his birth, yet he
loved most ardently the land of his adoption." "When I was with
him in Canada he said to me, 'England always had the wrong foot
foremost in regard to America.' " §

Asbnry's notice of the death of Washington is simply eloquent:
"Slow moved the northern post on the eve of New Year's day, and

♦Watson, in his Annals of New Yor-k, says the Methodists were deemed
loyalists.

■\- Clirlfitian Advocate, vol. xxxix, p. 3.54.

i May it not be that this was one cause of the unfriendliness of Lupton and
Newton ?

^ Re miniscences of Rev. H. Boehm, p. 45:5. See also an article by T. V.'arc,
in Methodist Qiinrterly Review, 1832, p. 103.

460 A History of Methodism in New York City.

brought the heart-distressing information of the death of Washing-
ton, who departed this hfe December 14, 1799.

"Washington, the calm, intrepid chief, the disinterested friend,
first father and temporal saviour of his countrj- under divine protec-
tion and direction ! . . . Matcliless man ! At all times he acknowl-
edged the providence of God, and never was he ashamed of his
Redeemer. We believe he died not fearing death. In his will he
ordered the manumission of his slaves — a true son of liberty in all
points." *

APPENDIX K.

FURNITURE FOR THE PREACHERS' HOUSE.

"One page of the "Old Book'" is headed, •" Furniture bought for
the Preaching House." The list is:

" ] Bedstead and Safe, £2.

" 1 Feather Bed, Boulster and Pillow. |

" 1 Safe. I

"Small Furniture, 15s.

" Pr. new Sheets. "§

On the next page is a list of "Furniture borrowed for the Preach-
ing House, and from whom." It reads:

"4 chairs, 1 night-chair, 5 pictures, 3 tables, pr. And Irons,
Chaving-dish, || Tongs and shovel, and two Iron pots, from Mrs.
Taylor.

"1 Set. of Bed curtains and a Snial Looking-glass, from Mrs.
Trigler. ^

" 2 Blankets, from Mrs. Newton.

" 1 green window curtain, from Mrs. Jarvis.

" 1 green window curtain, from Mrs. Biuinger.

"4 Tea spoons, from Mrs. Sauce."

Turning over the leaf we find "An Acct. of Household Furniture
belonginar to the House aloted for the Methodists Preachers to live in
in New York: "

* Asbury's Journal, January 4, 1800.

+ Tbese, according to the treasurer's account, weighed 67 pounds, at 2s. 4(7.,
costing £7 16s. 4d.
t Probably an error— a repetition of the first entry.

§ The treasurer records that these were 11 yards at Us. M. Total, £1 Cs. 7(J.
II Chaflnj? or shaving [?1.
II This was an ancestress of Mrs. Henry C. AVeelis, now of Bayside, L. I.

Appendix K. 401

A gridiron and pair of Bellows,* from Mrs. Sennet.
" 6 China Cups and Saucers, from Mrs. Earnest.
" 6 Ciiiua Soup plates, pr. Salts, and B]-ead Basket, from a friend gone

to England, f
" Tea Chest and Canisters, from Mrs. Ledbetter.
" Washhand Basin and Bottle, Cham'r Pot and Sauce Boat, from

Mrs. Newton.
"•| doz. cream-color plates and a Dish, from Mrs. Jarvis.
" 1 Dish, Swine-glasses, pr. emits. Table Cloth and Towel, from Mrs.

Moore.
" 3 Burnt China plates, 2 Do. cups, 4 Silver teaspoons and 1 picture,

from Mrs. Harrison.
" 6 knives and forks, from Mrs. Sauce.
" 1 Copper Tea Kettle, from Mr. Clias. Wliite.
" 2 Table Cloths, from Mrs. Crosfleld.
" 1 Bed Qnilt, from Lupton.

" .3 Table Cloths, 2 Towels, and 2 Pillow Cases, from Mrs. J. Crook.
" 1 VVinsor chair and ci'.shion, from Mrs. Heckey.
" 3 Pictures, from Mr. Newton.
" 1 Bed Sprey, from Mrs. Ten Eyck.
" Red Rug.
" Knive Box, from Wm. Deane."

APPENDIX L.

PREACHERS' HOUSE.

The old building, in antique Duicli style, seen in the engraving of
the church (p. 37) which stood partly in front of the chapel, was the
" Preachers' House." ^ It was a small frame building, one story and
a half high, with a basement partly above ground, which was the
home of the sexton, whose wife generally kept house for the preach-
ers. Stairs in the rear connected it with the chapel. It was a
gloomy place, with very few windows, and cold as a barn in winter. §
It was, however, better furnished than many a Methodist parsonage
fifty years later. || It contained a small library for the preachers,

* How many now know what this article is? t Perhaps Thomas Taylor.
i The name " Parsonage " was not used then ; indeed, in the writer's recol-
lection, some fifty years ago, that title was rather strange to Methodist ears.
§ W^akeley's Lost CliaiJtcrs, p. 2~0. II Appendix K.

402 A History of Methodism in New York City.

among which were Prideaux's ConnecfAons and Coke's Commentary*
There was also a ch'culating Ubrary for the people, consisting of re-
ligions biographies and the writings of Wesley, Fletclier, etc. Most
of it is now scattered, tliough a few old books still remain which
probably belonged to tlie original collection. t

APPENDIX M.

THE DATES OF THE ADDRESSES OF RELIGIOUS BODIES
TO PRESIDENT WASHIXGTOX.

This question has given rise to some discussion. Tlie following is
the result of an examination of the matter:

In the Gazette of the United States, of May 20, n89, we have an
" Address of the ministers, church wardens, and vestrymen of the
German Lutheran Congregations in and near tlie city of Philadelphia."
This was, therefore, as far as we can learn, the first action of any
church officials in this line. Only a portion of the Lutheran Churcii
was represented in it; but the same may be said of the action of the
Conference in New York, though ilie participation of the two bi.-^hops
gave it wider significance.

The address of the General Assembly of the Presliyterian Church,
then in session in Philadelphia, representing the wliole of that body,
is dated May 26 ; that of the Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in Xew York city. May 29. Both are published in the Ga-
zette of June 6, where it is said that the address of the Presbyterians
was presented "yesterday; " but the date of the presentation of that
of the Metliodists is not specified. In the New York Daily Adver-
tiier, however, of June 3, is the address of the Methodists, while that
of the Presbyterians is not given until June 8, when it is said to have
been presented on -'Friday last " (June 5). It therefore appears that
the Lutherans were altogether the first ; the Presbyterians the second
in taking action, but the third in presentation; the Methodists the
third in action, but the second in presentation. A full account of the
affair will be found in Dr. Bangs's History of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, vol. i. pp. 280-286. It may be well to add that, as Dr. Coke
embarked for England on June 5, any action in which he participated
must have been of an earlier date.

Mr. Mon-ell (Bangs's History, vol. i, p. 281) refers to certain strict-
* Old Book, Jan. 2.5, ITVO. + Wakeley's Last OmiAers, p. 220.

Appendix ^I. 403

ures on Dr. Coke's connection with the matter. No doubt he had in
view the following: communication. It is in the Daihj Advertiser of
June 17, 1789. The italics and tiie spelling of Mr. Wesley's name
are given as found.

■'to the printer.

"Sir: Observing ilie name of Thomas Coke to an address to the
President assuming the title of Bishop of tlie Methodist Episcopal
Church of America, I beg leave to inquire, llirough the medium of
your paper, of .'■ome well-informed and patriotic member of that
Church, whetlier Bishop Coke was the same man that was known in
England hj ilic name of Doctor Coke, and particularly during tlie war
by tlie name of Utie Dr. Coke, and who was connected with and an
assistant to Mr. Jolm Wesly^ boili in the pidpit, pen, and press, when
lie preached and wrote most vehemently against the Rebels, as they
tlion thought proper to term us ? I am induced to this inquiry from
a regard to consistency and the interests of religion. If the same
little Dr. Coke I refer to lias translated himself from Mr. Weshfs so-
cieties iu England to the Bishopric of tlie Metliodist Episcopal Ciiurch
in America, he ought to give us full proof of his political conversion.
Doctor Coke in England taught the highest Toi-y doctrine — the king was
the Lord's anointed, and our righteous resistance, although sanctioned
liy the wisest and best citizens of that country, was, in liis opinion, Re-
hdlion. He supported Mr. John Wesley in all that he chose to advance
in support of Lord North's ndm\mRlr-dtion. Tlie sword and desolation
was his motto— :/b?- America; and it was of the king and ministers'
mercy that the advocates of America in Englaiid were not consumed.

•'If BisJiop Coke is this snme Doctor Coke, no American, but a Brit-
ish suliject, uniformly opposed to us in principle and conduct througli
the whole of tlie war, is it not the extreme of hypocrisy for such a man
to take the lead of the Episcopalians in an address to the President of
our republican Government? I am sir. An Inquirer.

''June 16."

To this there is an answer on June 19, nearly a column long, by
" A Member of the Methodist Episcopal Church," who says he was
not a member during the war. He admits that it is the same little
Doctor Coke, but as to the doctor's present sentiments he refers ;

1. To the twenty-third Article of Religion in the Discipline brought
over by Dr. Coke for adoption at the Christmas Conference. It relates
to the rulers of the United States.

2. To tlie liturgy, of which he was also the bearer, containing a
prayer for "the supreme rulers of the United States."

404 A History of JVIethodism ix New York City.

3. To tlie doctor's own extemporaneous prayers.

4. To sermons preached by him in the city, and one in particular
on "the commencement of the millennial year."

On June 24 " Inquirer " replies to tlie length of more tliaii a column.
He admits tlie loyalty to America of many members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. In a postscript he asks, " When, where, and by
whom Dr. Colo and Mr. A sbury received episcopal consecration?"

APPENDIX N.

CLASSES m FP:BRUARy, 1793.*

Only two of these classes are mixed. Nearly one half of tliem meet
on Sunday, and two of these at an early hour in the morning. Only
three meet in the evening, except those held aftei' preacliing.

WUITl'; CLASSES.

Days of

Meeting.

Sunday-.

8i Monday..

lOj " ....
ll;Tuesday....

12 "

1.3 " ....

14 Wednesday.

15 ;;

16 Thursday . .

i7j ;'

18 '•
1 "

19 Friday

•20

Leaders' Na.mes.

Abraham Russel..
Stephen Rudd

Wm. Cooper

Jonas Humbert. . .

Wm. Valleau+

Wm. Henry... .

Dan'l Carpenter t
George Courtney
Henry Newton...
Peter McLean...

John Cooper...
John Bleecker
Philip Arcularius

John Staples

Daniel Coutant. .
John Staples. . . -
William Cooper.
John Sprosen —
John Bleecker §.

Wm. Grant

Dan Carpenter. .
Andrew Mercein
Abm. Brower .

Female.

Male.

Female.

Male.

Time and Place of Meeting.

Old church, 7 o'clock winter, 6 in
summer

Old church, 8 winter, 7 in the
summer

Bro. Sands, 9 o'clock

Old church, aftermorningpreach-

ino

New church, after morning

preaching

Mr. Daniel's school-house, 2

o'clock

In ye poor House at i o'clock . . .
New church, before preaching.

Old church, 3 o'clock

Old church, 4 in winter, 5 in sum-
mer

Mrs. Coflfman, 4 o'clock

Old church, 3 o'clock

Mrs. Gethen, 4 o'clock

After preachiuf:

Female. [New church, 4 o'clock

" ] After preaching

" iNcar his dwn house, 4 o'clock..

Female. 'Olil cliurcli, 3 o'clock.

" !4 (I'cldck, (lid church

Mixt. Evcuinsj: at liro. ('rum's

Female. Tliursil:iy at Cailiarine Holly's,
" |4 winter, 5 in summer, old church

Class of men and women at 3 mile stone met by Wm. Valleau Wednes-
day evening

18
29

14
18

25
29
33
22
21
23
35
45
31
31
30

23
579

* Ki'oin Book i, B, pp. 56, 57.

} Erased and Moses West written over

t Erased and Elias Vauderlip written over.
§ Erased and Valleau written over.

Appendix ^.

465

COLORED CLASSES.

Days of

Meeting.

Sunday.

Leaders' Names.

J no. D;ivis.

Coin's Warner..
Joseph Rice

....'Robert A. Cuddy

" Elias Vanderlip*

Monday.... G. Courtney +.. .

Sex.

Female.

Time and Place of Meeting.

Evening, old church, in the sum-
mer, new church

At his school-house in the morn-
ing

Preaching house in the afternoon
Old church in the evening

Total 31 Feb., 1793.

Total Aug. 34, 1?93, whites 6.39

" blacks 154

T,,ta\ "SS

16
34
33
35

143

728

APPENDIX O.

LIST OF THE CLA.SSES, LEADERS' NAMES, AND WHEN
THEY MEET, TAKEN SEPTEMBER 8, 1802, BY THOMAS
MORRELL. X

There are forty-.six classes (No. 35 being repeated), and as at tlie
preceding Conference 937 members were reported tliis will give an
average of ratlier more tlian twenty to a class. All, with two excep-
tions, were exclusively either male or female. Both of these were at
the two-mile stone, and have the same leader— Yark. Besides these
there were, of the whites, 13 composed of men and 23 of women; of
colored, 4 of men and 7 of women — in both cases nearly twice as many
female as male classes. Five leaders have each two classes. About
one third of them also meet at private houses, and only five were held
in the evening. Twenty-four met on Sunday; one at 6 A. M. and
three at 7 A. M.

WHITE CLASSES.

Days of
Meeting.

Sunday.

Leaders'

Names.

Sex.

Van Wyck. . Male.

Cooper I "

Davis Female

Time and Place op Meeting.

Gilman§.
Hick

Male.

* Erased and Paul Hick

* From Book ii, pp. 2, 3.

Old church, 7 o'clock, morning.

His work-shop, Bowerv, 9 o'clock, morning.

Corner of Fayette & Henry Street, 9 o'clock,

morning.
Bowery school-house, 9 o'clock, mornmg.
I Division Street, 9 o'clock, morning.

t Erased and Israel Disoaway written over.
§ Erased and Redstone written over.

466 A History of Methodism in New York City.

Days of

Leaders'

Sex.

Time and Place of Meeting.

Meeting.

Sunday. ....

Praul

Male.

At Bro. Jaquish's, 9 o'clock.

Mead

At Bro. Lion's, 9 o'clock.

Ketchum...

S'orth Church, 9 o'clock.

Henry

Bowery school, noon.

10
11

Jeffery*....
Russell

Bowery Church, noon.
John Street Church, noon.

Elsworth . .

North Church, noon.

Carpenter. .

John Street Church, 4 o'clock, afternoon.

" . • ■

VarK

2 mile stone.

Praul

Female.

Bowerv Church, 4 o'clock.

Lion..

Second Street, at Forrest's, 1 o'clock.

Monday

Cooper

Women

Bro. Lvons, Fisher Street, 3 o'clock.

Dugalls

Pump Street, 4 o'clock.

Smiths

Old church, 4 o'clock.

Barney t . . .

North Church, 3 o'clock.

?.1

Hick

Davis's, 3 o'clock.

Sayres

No. 5 Barclay Street.

Tuesday

Stllwell

Hanuau Street. Price's, 3 o'clock.

Fowler

Bowerv Church, 4 o'clock.

Browerst...

Old church, 3 o'clock.

Wednesday.

Arcularius..

Old church, 4 o'clock.

'•

Knight

North Church, 5 o'clock.

Stagg

No. 91 Harman Street, 4 o'clock.

«t

Bonsall

Old church, 3 o'clock.

Dawson —

Bowerv Church, 3 o'clock.

Thursday . .

Gilman's...

North Church, 2 o'clock.

Mead's

Bowerv Church, 4 o'clock.

:is

Preacher's .

OW church, 3 o'clock.

Friday

Marsh

Old church, evening, after preaching.

Vark

Both.

Meets at church 2 mile stone, evening.

3.") Sunday Sipkins. . .

36 " Polntiers.

Thompsons.
Cooks

Collins .

Miller.
Scott. .
i Marsh.

43,Tuesday. . . . Matthison . .

44i " Parks

45 Thursday . ■ iBarney §•. .

COLORED CLASSES.

Men. Old church, 6 o'clock, morning.

Peter Williams, 7 o'clock, morning.
" African Church, 7 o'clock, morning.
Women Evans, near African Church, 4 o'clock,
I afternoon.
" iSchool-house, No. 13 Barclay Street, 4

o'clock, afternoon.
" lAfiican Church, 4 o'clock, afternoon.
Men. ^African Church, noon.
Women jNo. 45 Ann Street, Dinah Forbes, 4 o'clock,
1 afternoon.
" lOld church, evening.
" Bowery Church, evening.
" 'old church, evening.

APPENDIX P.

OFFICIAL MEMBERS.
This list of class-leaders seems to have been made in the fall of 1812,
and is in Book viii, latter part. Those marked thus * have been

* Erased and Shepherd written over.
i Erased and Merceln written over.

t Erased and Jefferies written over.
§ Erased and Myers written over.

Appendix P.

467

crossed off, and if a new name is substituted it is given here in brack-
ets, after tlie original:

Abraham Russel,
John Davies,
Samuel Sears,*
[Wm. Barton,]
Thomas Carpenter,
Robert Tollree,*
Cornelius Polhemus,
Philip Arcularius,
William Mead,*
James Shepherd,
Charles Gilman,
Israel Disosway,*
Abram Hart,
Paul Hick,
Samuel Elsworth,
Joseph Smith,
David Renney,*
John Shaw,
Joseph Graham,
Samuel Stilwell,
Peter Parks,
Chancey Carter,
John Westfield,
Edward Sturma'n,
James Donaldson,
George Taylor,
Abraham Knapp,
Abraham Coddington,

George Inness,*
George Philips,
Simeon Price,
John Inness,*
David Crawford,
Nathaniel Tucker,*
John C. Totten,
Jacob Bolmore,
Benjamin Farrington,
Christian Bourdett,*
Safety Magee,
Edward Hopper,*
Aaron Baldwin,
Gilbert Coutant,
John Vander Pool,
Stephen Dando,
Peter Westerfield,
John Bartine,
David Woolley,
Weat Munson,
Laban Clark,*
[G. W. Pittman,]
Peter Crosthwaite,*
James N. Hyde,
Peter Cokeleet,
Ralpii Hoyt,
James Collins,
Tliomas GrifEcn,*

George Pine,*
Thomas Eames,
Natiianiel Coit,
John M. Shatsel.*
Joshua Marsden.*
Eliphalet Wheeler,
Andrew Wheeler,
William Evins,
R. Mathison,
James Demarest,

Wiley,

James Shepherd,*

Paradise.

James Oystou,
Thos. Pitts.

J. P. Morris,
S. Goodrich,
G. Van Cott,
Martin,

Bakewell,

A. McDougall,
Wm. Collins,

Sutton,

Thos. Whitlock,
Wm. Carter.*

[• Hawley,]

H. Stilps,

John B. Buckmaster,
Wm. Carter,
Nath'l C. Hart.

Joseph Piggiit, William Mosemau.

Sauuiel Ho[)piug, Lancaster S. Burliuc

There are also, in Book x. page 2, etc., a list of trustees, local
preachers, and exhorters ; in Book xiii, A, a list of class-leaders
(about one hundred) without date, but from internal evidence prior to
the Stilwellite secession ; on page 15 of the same book a list of local
preachers in 1820, and page 16 a list of stewards.

On page 17 we have a register of the names of the clas.s-leadors
in the Methodist Episcopal Church in New York, A. D. 1820.

"Leaders' meetmg, either in sections or general, on the second Mon-
day evening every mouth.

468 A History of Methodism in New York City.

" In leaders' raeeting, 1. Stewards receive the class-money. 2. Wlio
among the probationers may be admitted (more particularly in tlje
sectional leaders' meeting). 3. Inquire into the state of the classes,
absentees^ etc. 4. State of the leaders' minds and manner of meeting
class. No debating, nor any vote taken except when there may be an
application for license to exhort. Preacher gives advice. So I under-
stand Disciphne. Aaron Hunt."

A list of class-leaders which follows seems to liave been made out
shortly after the Stilwellite secession. In the same book also are
rolls of the Quarterly Conference for 1824, 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, and
1831, this last being the latest in which the whole city was in one
circuit.

APPENDIX Q.

METHODIST WORSHIP IN NEW YORK CITY SIXTY-FTYE
YEARS AGO. <

Methodism has not changed as to doctrine; her discipline and
usages remain substantially the same; and yet there is sufficient dif-
ference in the aspect and services of a worshiping congregation to
give interest to a description of them as they were some sixty-five
years ago. Let us suppose it about tlie year 1825. The engravings
of John Street and Duane Street churches will give an idea of what
a Methodist meeting-house looked like then. They were perfectly
plain, perhaps a httle gloomy in aspect, by reason of the dark-colored
stucco with which their stone walls were coated. At least this was
the case with the four larger ones, namely, John Street, Forsyth
Street, Duane Street, and Allen Street; Bowery Yillage (now
Seventh Street) and Greenwich Yillage (now Bedford Street) were
small frame buildings. The interior walls were wliitevvushed, but
kept neat by the frequent use of lime and brush. The wood-
work of the pulpit and gallery fronts and sujiporting columns was
also white. The seats were slate-colored or drab, or in some cases
a dark green with chocolate or mahogany-colored trimmings on the
top.* Tlie floor was imcarpeted, sometimes sanded; on the aliar
and pulpit stairs there was generally a plain carpet. Light was fur-
nished by lamps in which sperm oil was burned. In the altar were
two settees, usually wooden-seated, and a few chairs, and a plain

* In John Street the trimmings were of mahogany, the material being a
donation.

Appendix Q. 469

table, perhaps of mahogany or dierry,* as were also the allar-rail and
book-board. In most cases the pulpit was high, resting on one pillar,
and was reached by a flight of steps generally on one side only; it
was also small, giving but little room for any but the officiating minister.
A tall eight-sified goblet, with three sides removed, will give a good
idea of its appearance. In some cases there was a sounding-board
over the pulpit, looking like a great extinguisher, but with a flat sur-
face beneath.f The book-board was without a cushion, and on it
rested a Bible and hymn-book, neitlier of them gilt-edged. The win-
dows were generally furnished with green outside blinds, and in
some cases on the men's side there were between them rows of pegs
on which hats couid be hung. A clock was attached to the gallery
opposite the pulpit, and behind it sat the choir, the most of whom
were members of the society.

The Discipline of the Church at that time contained the following
question and answer: "Is there any exception to the rule, 'Let the
men and women sit apart ? ' There is no exception. Let tliem sit apart
in all our churches." The middle aisle, if there was one, i<v a par-
tition half-way between the two aisles, was a dividing line over which
neither sex dared to trespass. If in tlie course of the services a man
ignorantly or intentionally seated himself on the women's side the
sexton or one of the trustees would go to him even in the middle of
the sermon and ask him to go to his proper place. The women's
side would frequently be crowded, while there were vacant seats
among the men, but the rule must not be relaxed. In the writer's
earliest recollection of the old Duane Street Church two or three of the
front seats on the male side were for some time occupied by women,
and he supposed that this had been permitted to relieve the over-
crowding of the ladies, until one day he heard from the pulpft a notice
that the practice must cease, and the sheep of the feminine gender
return to their own part of the fold. Husband and wife could walk
together to the church, but must then separate, enter at different
doors, get seats perhaps in distant parts of the house, and be seriously
annoyed in finding each other at the close of the services, especially
in the evening. This rule of separation was carried so far that in at
least one case the door-yard in front was divided by a fence, and

* The first coramunlon-table with a marble top in any Methodist church in
tbe city was seen at the dedication of the house in Greene Street. It was a
Kift, but was a "stone of stumbling and rock of offense " to some.

+ The pulpit of the second John Street Church, however, was lower, largei-,
and had no sounding-board.

470 A History of Methodism in New York City.

under the end gallery a liigh partition prevented all comrauntcation
between the sexes. The seats in the corners on each side of the pul-
pit being generally occupied by aged and prominent members who
responded pretty heartily to the services, these were known as the
"Amen" corners. The congregations were generally large, benches
being often needed in the aisles, and the pulpit stairs and altar filled,
and the kneeling-board around the altar occupied by cliildren.

The Metliodists of that day were plain in apparel. Many of the
men, especially the older ones, wore straight coats and white cravats
wiihout any knot in front. What were called Quaker or coal-scuttle
bonnets, made of drab or black silk or satin, were the head-gear of
the older si.-ters; llie younger wore plain straw or other material, of
simple shape, and without flower or featlier or bow or any ribbon
except what was necessary for ties. Simple neatness was tlic gen-
eral rule.

There were three sermons oo tlie Lord's day, at 10:30 A. M., at
3 P. M., and in the evening at 6:.'50 in the winter, 7:30 in the summer,
and 7 in the fall and spring The afternoon congresations were at
least as large as any. Sunday-school met at 9 A. M. and l::-!0 P. il..
and the children occupied the galleries with their teachers at Ijotli the
morning and afternoon services, i.nkss especially excused at tlic
request of their parents. Week-evening services were half an hour
later than those of Sunday, varying also with the season. Tliesc?
were a prayer-meeting, generally on Wednesday evening, a sermon or
lecture on some otner evening, differing in the different churches, and
class-meetings on most of the other evenings.

As the hour of worship approached the people began to pour in,
bringing their hymn-books with them, as they had no private pews in
which to "leave them. Every member bowed the head for a few
moments in silent prayer. Just before the time of beginning, the
Sundaj'-school could be heard tramping up the gallery stairs, of
course not as quietly as might be. The chorister took his place,
perhaps first leaning over the front of the gallery to compare his
watch with the clock, and, if he thought the latter incorrect, setting
it to the right moment. Not unfrequently a hymn or set piece
would be sung by the choir while the congregaii..n was gatliering.
If a new preacher was to occupy the pulpit, especially if he wore
one the people were pleased with, he was likely to be greeted
as he entered with the verses beginning, '■Welcome, welcome!
blessed servant," etc. After kneeling in the pulpit he arose and
selected the hvmns and lessons. The hymn was announced by the

AiTiiNDix Q. 471

page, not the number, as all the books, however varying in size,
were paged alike; even some spurious or unofficial editions, though
introducing some additional hymns, vi^ere arranged so that the first
lines would fall on the same page, as in tiie authorized collection.
The hymn having been read, the congregation rose, and under the
leadership of the choir began the service of praise. No instrument
was used ; even a tuning-fork in the hands of the chorister had to be
handled quietly. Tiie iiymus were apt to be of a triumphant, joyous
tone, such as, " Come, ye that love the Lord," "How happy are they,"
" Arise, my soul, arise," " for a thousand tongues, to sing," etc. The
tunes were of the same class. Majesty, Lenox, Norihfield, etc. The
music might not please the ear of a scientific critic, but as worship
it was hearty, and Methodist singing was an attraction in those days.
Sometimes there was a balk in starting, and two or three efforts
might be made before all went on smoothly, and the pitch might
not be exactly correct, but serious embarrassment did not often
occur. No list of hymns had been given to the choir, and they and
tlic congregation did not know what was to be sung until the
preacher announced it. That all might be able to join, and as some
liad no books, it was the practice to line the hymns, sometimes
even to that extent as to divide the verses, the preacher reading
two lines, and, when tlie congregation had sung tiiem, reading two
more. This practice is still continued in tlie Southern States, espe-
cially among tlie colored people, and also in England. At the time,
liowever, of whicli we are now speaking it was customary to read
only the first two lines of each verse in the opening and closing
hymn ; the second was not lined, and the congregation remahied
seated while it was sung. The last two lines of a liymn were
generally repeated, and when the tune required such a repetition
these lines would be sung four times or more. The prayer that
followed would be earnest, importunate, and expressed in words an<l
tones which implied faith that it would be answered. Unless it wa.s
exceedingly^ spiritless it was responded to with loud ameus, and
perhaps with shouts of gladness. The people bowed their lieads
while it was oiiered, and many of them knelt on the floor. The Script-
ure lessons followed, another hymn was sung, the congregation sit-
ting, and then tiie sermon began.

The idea that Methodist preaching in those days was of an
exceedingly hortatory character, though in some respects correct,
must be received with much allowance. Very solid doctrinal ser-
mons were often preached, in which Scripture was largely quoted,

472 A History of Methodism ix New Yokk City.

witli frequent reference to chapter and verse. Many were of a po-
leniical or controversial tone. Calvinism in its unadulterated form
was still taught in many pulpits, and the minds of the people were
ofteji bewildered and their spiritual welfare periled by questions
eonceruing decrees, foreknowledge, election, and reprobation and
perseverance. Old Methodists enjoyed it when their preachers gave
these errors a shrewd and hearty blow, and shouted almost as much
over the defeat of John Calvin as over the conversion of souls,
because they believed the one would prepare the way for the other.
Still, a sermon that was enjoyable and profitable then would be
about as well received now. There were more uneducated men in
tlie ministry tlien, but there were many wlio would compare favor-
ably with the best of our day.

Generally the attention of the hearers was at least as close and
respectful as now, but there were some interruptions to which our
congregations at present are not liable. Children of all ages were
brought to church ; little ones but a few months old not un frequently,
and sometimes the crying of a strong-lunged babe would almost drown
the voice of the preaclier and seriously disturb the attention ol the
audiei ce. Older children would be restless, and father or mother or
broiher or sister would take them out and wait in the lobby until the
services were over. Some mischievous boy in tlie gallery would,
perhaps accidentally, though as likely as not intentionally, drop a
penny or a marble which would roll down from step to step, dis-
tinctly heard in every part of the house. Human nature in the
young was the same then as now, and Sunday-school teachers or
sextons had to reprove and jjerhaps pull the ears of some talkative
or giggling boy or girl. The fainting of some person in the congre-
gation was a more frequent occurrence; crowded houses and perhaps
not as good ventilation being the cause. Sometimes, loo, as was the
case in earlier days, Satan, in the person of some of his children,
came also when the sons of God were gathered together and tried to
annoy them. But generally the sermon flowed on without interrup-
tion to its close. And that close was not reached as soon then. A
sermon only half an hour long, except in the evening, wlien a prayer-
meeting was to be held, was a rarity. Three fourths of an hour was
the usual time, and it was more likely to exceed than fall short of
that. Sometimes an exhortation would follow the sermon, and the
morning congregation not be dismissed until half past twelve.

Tlio sermon was not followed immediately by a prayer, as now.
The coFection was taken, during which the choir generally sang a

Appendix Q, 4 73

piece of their own selection, tlie notices were given, another hymn
was sung, the congregation ytanding, and a praj-er, frequently of
some length, followed, closed with the benediction while all were on
their knees. This order of exercises was invariable: the time had
not yet come when each congregation did that which was right in
its own eyes.

Tiie evening sermon, at least in the winter, when the hour of opening
was earlier, was generally followed by a prayer-meeting. Sometimes
the congregation would be regularly dismissed, so that all wJio wished
could retire, but more frequently a hymn was started, and while it
was sung the brethren came into the altar, seekers were invited for-
ward, and it was a disappointment if there were no conversions.

At the foot of Duane Street, on the North River, stood the hay-
scales, and in their neighborhood was the house of fire-engine
No. 1, known among school-boys as -'Old Hayseed." Almost in-
variably as soon as tlie prayer-meeting in the Duane Street Churcii
had got fairly started an alarm of fire would be raised, and " Old
Hayseed " would be rattled past the door at an imusually rapid pace
and with extra shouting by the company. In a few moments she
would return in the same style. There was no fire, but the Meth-
odist meeting must be disturbed.

Class-meetings were held in the basement or at private houses on
week evenings or afternoons and at various hours on Sunday. These
were generally either all male or all female. Sometimes, especially in the
summer, prayer-meetings were held at five or six o'clock in the morning
on the Lord's day, and in some cases on week-days. The old custom
of preaching at five o'clock in the morning, so strenuously maintained
by Wesley, had fallen into disuse, but was occasionally practiced. "

In seasons of great excitement prayer-meetings would be in prog-
ress at the same time in different parts of the house, circles liaving
gathered about two or three or more seekers. This was the usual
custom before the practice of inviting to the altar was introduced,
and, though generally abandoned, was sometimes renewed in seasons
of extraordinary interest. Watch-nights were usually held in all tlie
churches, and were expected to be services of unusual solemnity.
Sometimes they were kept up all night, the exercises being at the
church until after twelve o'clock, when thej' were frequently ad-
journed to a private house.

On Christmas eve, after midnight, some of the choirs would ser-
enade the preachers and other official and favorite members of tlie
church.

474 A History of Methodism in New York City.
APPENDIX R.

EXTRACTS FROM ACCOUNTS OF STEWARDS, 1827 TO 1831.

The estimating committee in 1827 were Tliomas Roby, John C.
Totten, Xathaniel Jarvis, James B. Oakley, Thomas Fairweatlier, and
Robert Matliison. Their report was, for

Thomas Burch $800

Nicholas Wiiite 750

Robert Seney 580

Julius Field 550

John J. Matthias 510

Noah Levings 550

Rev. L. Clark, P. E 239

$3,979
During each of the following years there is generally an increase
in the estimates.

We get glimpses also of the old system under wliich our fathers
worked. Then the Discipline provided that each preacher should re-
ceive what was called quarteragp, amounting to $100 for himself, the
same amount for his wife, $16 for each child under seven years of
age, and $24 for each over seven and under fourteen. This left to
the estimating committee only the duty of fixing the amount to be
paid for the table expenses of the family. The committee of 1828
resolved that the weekly allowance for each preacher for board be
two dollars and fifty cents, and the same for his wife; for each
child under seven years of age eighty cents, and each over seven
and imder fourteen one dollar. It was also resolved that forty-eight
weeks should constitute the year (the General Conference had met
that year, thus throwing the New York Conference about four weeks
later than usual). So, taking the case of one of the preachers for that
year, we have :

Siilary. Board. Total.

Rev. and wife $200 00 $240 00 $440 00

4 children under 7 years 64 00 153 60 217 60

1 cliild over 7 and under 14 24 00 48 00 72 00

Allowance for wood .... .... 60 00

Miscellaneous expenses .... .... 90 40

$880 00
This was the largest allowance for that year; the lowest was $525,
to a preacher who had no children.

Tiie receipts were by quarterly and class collections. The quar-

Appendix R.

475

terly cullections varied from about $340 to $5:50 ; once they were
only' $21G, but only half the churches re|>orced. John Street was
generally the largest contributor, once paying in more than $140,
but Allen, Forsj'tii, and Duane followed closely, and sometimes Allen
Street stood tirst. The class collections varied from $150 to $440 a
month, and the different churches gave in about the same proportion
as in the quarterly collection. The income for 1S27-8 was:

Class collections $2,989 00

Quarterly collections 1,675 G7

Total $4,G64 67

In 1828-9 the income was:

Class collections $2,849 99

Quarterly collections 1,751 06

Total $4.G01 05

In 1829-30 we have a printed report, a copy of which is given.
There is no report for 1830-1.

Report of the Stewards of the Methodist Episcopal Church
FROM JuxE, 1829, TO May, 1830, inclusive:

Class Cullections.

June

July

August

September

Ocloljer

November

December

Januarv

Febrnary

March

April

Quarterly Collections.

July $259 43

October 481 50

January 410 69

April 456 54

$257

304

269

240

307

321

369

307

288

291

384

$3,339

- 1,708

$5,048

PAYIIENTS

Rev. Samuel Luckoy.

" Coles Carpenter.

" Jesse Hunt

" Ileman Bangs. .

" George Coles. . .

" Samuel D. Fergu
son

" D. Ostrander, P.E
Preachers' expenses

attending Conference

and moving to the

city

Stationer}-, including

class-books

Furniture, etc. . . .
Counterfeit bill . . ,

852

836

699

889

709

520

3i;j

87 99

$5,011 75

Balance to new ac-
count

36 28

,048 03

Errors excepted.

JoHX C. TOTTEN, Treasurer.

476 A History of Methodism in New York City.

APPENDIX S.

THE PREACHERS' MEETING.

As soon as tliere were two or more preacliers stationed in the city
they would naturally meet occasionally for consultation. These meet-
ings no doubt gradually became regular, but it is not likely that at lirst
any records were kept. But there are still in existence the minutes
of an association of the stationed and local preachers "for conversa-
tion and mutual improvement on moral and religious subjects." These
began January 22, 1817, and the association consisted at first of the fol-
lowing preachers: Daniel Ostrander, Joshua Soule, William Thacher,
Luman Andrus, Arnold Scholefield, Thomas Mason, Joel Ketchnm,
Mitchell B. Bull, Jonathan Lyon, John Hih, Jesse Merritt, James Collins,
M. H. Smith, Ebenezer Washburn, Samuel Merwin, Benjamin Griffen,
Jolin Daulton, aSTathan Banes, Sf^th Crowell, Samuel Howe, Nicholas
Morris, Jr., John Boyd, Joseph Santford, Horace Bartlett, Aaron
Hunt, William (properly Billy) Hibbard, Tobias Spicer. The names
of Laban Clark, Thomas Thorp, Humphrey Humphries, and Freeborn
Garrettson were added later. The meetings were held on Wednes-
day evening, at the parsonage in Forsyth Street, and a chairman and
secretary were elected at each meeting. The last record is dated
August 18, 1819. With the exception of some action as to the hour
of closing evening services and in regard to the Wesleyan Seminary
the proceedings seem to have been altogether of a literary character.
It is probable, therefore, that the meetings for church matters were
still held, most likely on Saturday mornings.

Two small books contain the minutes of these business meetings
from July 3, 1824, until the division of the city into two circuits, and
those of the East Circuit until May 1.3, 1837. The sessions were
held on Saturday at 9 A. M., generally at the house of the preacher
in charge, and were attended only by tlie traveling preachers of the
city, with occasional visitors. A copy of the order of business
will give the best view of their character: 1. Probationers received.
2. "Transfers. 3. Received by Certificate. 4. Removed by Cer-
tificate. 5. Deaths. 6. Vacant classes. 7. Disorderly persons and
complaints. 8. Notices. 9. Appointments. 10. Withdrawn. 11. Ex-
pulsions. 12. Classes met. Slight changes in the order, etc., were
made from time to time, but the programme was substantially
the snme.

Appendix S. 477

A few extracts from the record will illustrate the Methodism of
the day.

The first meeting was at the parsonage in Forsyth Street, on Satur-
day, July 3, 1824. There were present, Peter P. Sandford (in charge),
P. Rice, T. Mason, J. B. Stratten, E. Brown (S. Buslinell, sick) ; also
L. Clark, P. E. T. Mason was elected secretary. The following order
of service in public worship was agreed oil. Morning. 1. Lesson from
the Old Testament. 2. Singing and prayer. 3. Lesson from the New-
Testament. 4. Sing a few verses. 5. Preach. 6. Sing. 7. Pray and
pronounce the benediction. The Lord's Prayer to be used uniformly
in the morning service. The lessons may be omitted on sacramental
occasions. Afternoon same as the morning, omitting the second lesson
and the Lord's Prayer (if you choose). Evening the same, omitting
lessons and Lord's Prayer. At the meeting of July 10 it was " agreed
tliat it is not expedient in general to preach funeral sermons, and
when they are preached to be done by the preacher in his regular
course, except in some special cases," etc. On June 3, 1826, this
resolution was renewed, and it was also "agreed that baptisms be
attended to uniformly in the afternoon, before preaching, and that it
is inexpedient to baptize infants without a certificate." * And on
January 30, 1830, it was resolved to preach no funeral sermons
except for aged oSicial members and aged matrons. On Feburary
27, 1830, the meeting disapproved of holding sessions of Sunday-
schools during the hours of public service. f In the minutes of
August 28, 1830, S. D. Ferguson, the secretary, has writien opposite
the names of S. Luckey, S. Merwin, and H. Bangs, " gone to college."
They were probably attending some meeting in repard to the "Wes-
leyan University at Middletown. On January 8, 1830, D. Ayrts, E. J.
Moore, and J. L. Phelps proposed a plan for raising funds for tiie
superannuated preachers, etc.

As an illustration of the close rein kept on the preachers it Wbs
resolved at the meeting of September 10, 1831, " chat Rev. C. Prindlo
be permitted to attend a four-days' meeting this week on New
Rochelle circuit, and that if Brother Washburn supplies his appoini-
ments in tlie city he be permitted also to spend the Sabbath on said
circuit. Carried unanimously. Resolved, also, that Rev. S. Landon be
and is hereby authorized to accompany the presiding elder to Long
Island next Sabbath, provided he gets his appointments filled in the
city satisfactorily. Carried unanimously." In preparing for the dedi-
cation of the second Forsyth Street Church, in 1833, the board of
* See p. 193. + See p. 208.

478 A History of Methodism in New York City.

trustees took measures to invite certain preachers to ofBciate, which
led the preachers' meeting to vote that tliey had " transcended tlieir
powers, and that the preacliers feel it tlieir duty not to accede to tht-u-
arrangements."— Minutes of September 21, 1833. When, in 1832,
the city was divided into two circuits, of course two meetings were
held, and when, a few years after, the churches became .separate
charges, a general meeting, but altogether of an unofficial character,
was recommenced. The stationed preachers of the city met on Satur-
day, as before, for consultation, exchanges were arranged and notices
distributed, and essays and debates introduced, as in the meetings
begun in 1817. Finally the day was changed to Monday, preachers
from other places admitted, and the meeting gradually assumed its
present character. It is now "composed of such traveling preachers
of the Methodist Episcopal Church and such local preachers having
charge as may live in New York ciiy or vicinity, and shall sign the
article of organizaiion," etc. Its officers are selected from the New
York, New York East, and Newark Conferences alternately.

APPENDIX T.

PRINTED PLANS OF APPOINTMENTS.

What was the date of the first printed plan we cannot ascertain,
but the first of those given below must have been one of the earliest,
and the other is certainly the last for the united city. The copy of the
first IS found pasted on the inside of the cover of the book numbered
10, and is signed Daniel Ostrander, August 31, 1816. It includes
only seven Sundays, the last being a repetition of the first, and begin-
ning another round, as is shown by certain figures at the bottom of
the table, which it has not been thouglit necessary to print. Nor are
all tlie churches given. Two were thought sufiicient. There are six
on the plan, namely, John Street, Second (Forsyth) Street, Fourth
(Allen) Street, Two Mile Stone (Seventh Street), Greenwich (Bed-
ford Sireet), and Duane Street. There were five stationed preachers,
and the three additional sermons were by the book agents, Sonic
and Mason, and J. Lyon, a located preacher. Other local preachers
were no doubt called into service when the stationed preachers were
filling the outside appointments mentioned in the second note, or
were unwell.

Appendix T.

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480 A PIisTORY OF Mkthodism IN New York City.

Tlie other (for wliich the writer is indebted to D. T. Macfarlau, Ksq.,
of Yonkers N. Y.) is headed •' A plan of appointments for the preacli-
ers on the New York Circuit, from May, 1831, to June, 1832. Hours
of service at half past ten o'clock in the morning and tliree o'clock
in the afternoon ; in the evening at half past six o'clock until the
1st of March; thence to the 1st of April, at seven o'clock; and
thereafter at half past seven o'clock. Week-day evenings always
half an hour later than the Sabbath." Two months only are given as
sufficient to show its character:

Months.

John Street.

Forsyth Street.

Willett Street.

Allen Street.

Bowery Village * .

Greenwich Village +.
Broadway Hallt

Duane Street

Upper Greenwich §.

Manhattan Island. .

or
Second Street

House of Refuge.

—

June.

July

!22

* Now Seventh Street.

* Afterward Greene street, now Asbury.

t Now Bedford Street.
§ Now Eighteenth Street.

Appendix T.

481

In the right-haud margin is the list of the preachers, traveling and
local, given below, with their numbers as on the plan. The homes of
the traveling preachers only are printed here. The work of the local
preachers was mainly in the outskirts. A little study of the figures
will show that the various planets revolve in regular orbits and at
stated periods :

4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

12.
13.

D. Ostrunder, P. E.
S. Merwin, 1 2 Forsyth Street.
L. Pease, 216 Duane Street.
S. Martindale, Bowery, 4 doors

above Vauxhall Garden.
B. Goodsell, Willett Street.
S. Laridon, 38 Bayard Street.
J. Clark, 43 Jolin Street.

B. Sillick, 130 Allen Street.

C. Prindle, 69 Bedford Street.
N. Bangs, 48 Rivington Street.
J. Emorj^, corner ot Bank and

Washington Streets.
B. Waugh, 14 Hamersley

Street.
W. Phoebus.
M. H. Smith.

,, 81

Amos Street.

14.

N. U. Tompkins.

15.

P. Craiidall.

16.

J. CoUard.

17.

W. Manning.

18.

A. Piggott.

19.

Doctor T. S. Barrett.

20.

W. Burnet.

21.

N. Whitehead.

22.

J. G. Kent.

23.

Rice Roof.

24.

M. Stan dish.

25.

Doctor D. il. Reese.

26.

W. Lomas.

27.

R. Anderson.

28.

F. D. Macfarl;in, Jr.

29.

A. Cuninglnm.

Week-evening preaching: Tuesday evenings at Duane and Allen
Streets; Thursday evenings at Forsytli Street and Greenwich; Fri-
day evenings at John Street, Willett Street, Bowery Village, and
Broad wa}' Hall.

Sacrament in all our churches (except Upper Greenwich and Man-
hattan Island) on the second Sabbatli of each month.

Quarterly collection on the first Sabbatli in Julj', October, January,
and April.

Preparatory meeting of the stewards and leaders belonging to tJie
several churclxes on the first Monday evening of each month.

Leaders' meeting on the second Monday evening of each month.

X stands for sacrament at Upper Greenwich and Manhattan Island.
Baptism on the afternoon of the first Sabbath of each month.

( Printed and sold by J. C. Totten, No. 9 Bowery.)

482 A History of Methodism in New York City.

APPENDIX U.

LOVE-FEAST TICKETS, ETC.

Were a Methodist of the early part of the century to visit the
church at this day he would perceive many changes, but none, per-
haps, that vi^ould seem of so serious a character as in the matter of
class-meetings, love-feasts, and band-meetings. These last were, it is
true, falling out of use, and the section of the Discipline which treated
of them was taken out in 1 856 ; but sixty-five years ago they were still
in existence. They were composed of " two.or three or four true be-
lievers, who have confidence in each other," and "all must be men, or
all women, and all married, or all unmarried." Tlieir meetings were to
be seasons of most thorough confession and closest Christian fellow-
ship.* They were never obligatory on the members, and were gen-
erally regarded as means to be used by those who were especially
zealous for the highest religious experience. But attendance on
cla«s-meeting was a necessary condition of membership, and tlie
names of those who neglected this were soon removed from the
record. As a testimonial of their faithfulness in this respect they re-
ceived tickets once a quarter, without which they could not gain ad-
mission to the love-feasts. Of these tickets Dr.Wakeley gives a num-
ber oi facsimiles, some of which are here reproduced, with additions.

The first we give is found on page 195 of Dr. "Wakeley's Lost
Chapters, etc., and is written :

October 1, 1769.
P.salm cxlvii, 1 1.

The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear
him : in those that hope in his mercy.

Hannah Dean, 75.
Rdbt. Williams. K York.

The signature in Dr. Wakeley's book is a facsimile. The Hannah
Dean to whom it was given became Mrs. Paul Hick. Dr. Wakeley
(p. 195) says " the tradition in Mr. Hick's family is that these figures
(75) represent the number of members in society at that date." Is it
not more likely that the tickets were numbered, partly to prevent im-
position, as some might get up counterfeits to gain access to a Meth-
odist love-feast? On page 415, however, we have a printed ticket,
which is dated a month earlier. Shortly after Mr. Boardnoan came
* See Discipline previous to 1856.

Appendix U. 483

tickets were printed (see Old Book, March 31, 1770), and tlie next is
probably one of these and is one of the first surviving of a series which

!y »;«»:« »;«»!«>x<»K<»x< »x<»:<<»x<»;« »:«»:«»!«»x<i^

-K May, '74. ??

■^ . . ^

y>. Believe iii the Lord your God, so shall you ^

^ be established ; believe his Projohets, so ^

^ shall ye prosper. ^

^ 3 Chro. XX : 20. U ^

^ HannaJi Dean. s5

•i»!«»K<»:« >xo);«»;«»:« »;«»;« ^>x<»;«»x< »:^c»;«»:<^ %

continued almns-t unchanged for more tlian seventh' years. Some time
between May, '74, and April 10, 1775, Hannali Dean became Hannah
Hick; but the Scripture moito on her ticket of tlie last date is Xlie
same. In 1785, we are told, the style of tlie t'ckets was changed;
tliej' bore the name of the seasons (spring, summer, etc.) instead of
the months. This continued until 1 793 ; then they varied for a few
years, and then returned to the use of the seasons. The two given
below are of this period — they boar the name of Rebecca Burling, the

cj AUTUMX, 1800. %

March, 1794
Xow is the accepted time

2Cor.vi,2. ^ I "°™"^'

f& g But joy Cometh in the

^ Psalm XXX, 5.

Rebtkah Burling. W ^ Eehecca Burling.

wife of the well-known and highly -honored Lancaster S. Burling. That
of Hannah Hick in 1801 varies a little in appearance from those before.

C. AUTUMN, 1801. 2

Salvation is of the Lord. %

Jonah ii. 9. ^

Hannali Hick. S

After some years it became customary for citiier the leader or
preacher to sign the ticket.* Some time before 1824 a different sys-
* See Wakeley's liost Ctuipters, pp. 420-432.

484 A History of Methodism in New York City.

tem of dating was introduced. Instead of the seasons it was 1st qr.,
2nd qr., etc., these quarters being, not of the civil, but the Conference
year, as will be seen on the next ticket. This is of the 3rd qr., Jan.,

4.<-«> <—> <♦*> <«-»> <— > <— > <— > <— > <«-> <— > <— > <•*> <♦*> <— > <«->^

t i

y Elisa Seaman. Y

t t

X The light of the body is the eye; if therefore X

•* thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full -5'
I of light. Matt, vi, 22. |

I 3 Qr., Jan., 18-42. |

I B. Griffen. %

4.<«-.> <«-►> <♦«> <♦♦> <•♦> <«-►> <♦♦> <«-►> <♦♦> <«-►> <♦♦> <♦♦> <♦♦> <♦♦> <»*>4.

1842, and is among the last of the old form. In July of the same year
it appeared as here given, and since then has undergone no change.

c®

Eliza Seaman, ilemher.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

FOUNDED A. D. 1784.

^ QUARTERLY TICKET, JULY, 1842.

<^ B. Griffen, Minister.

^ He shall deliver thee in six troubles, yea, in seven
°g there shall no evil touch thee. — Job v, 19.

°f) Though troubles assail, and dangers affright,

°f) Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite,

°% Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,

'^ The promise assures us, the Lord will provide.

The regulations as to love- feasts were very strict. They were held
quarterly and with closed doors. Any person not a member might
secure admission once or twice by getting a permit from tlie preacher
in charge. At a stated time fifteen or twenty minutes after the
lioiir of opening (or after the bread and water had been distributed)
the doors were closed, and even leaders or preachers coming then
were liable to be excluded. This was to prevent the meeting being
disturbed by late comers.

It was the custom with some to break off little crumbs of tlie bread

Appendix U. 485

and pass them to those sitting near, and receive the same in ex-
change. This practice had nothing to recommend it, and was some-
times repnlsive, especially when a good sister's fingers bore traces of
the suuff she liad been using.

APPENDIX V.

SEXTONS.

The first sexton of John Street Church of whom we have any
record was John Murphey. Some time before July, 1770, he re-
ceived £1 12s. "for taking care of the house." The second was
Belthazer Creamer, to whom a payment was made before November
26, 1770. It is said he was a kind of police officer or constable.*
Two receipts from him are in the " Old Book," the signatures to
which are in a good, bold business hand. From them it appears that
he received £18 5s. yearly. As late as January 28, 1779, we have
an entry, " To cash paid Creamer for Jiis Negro's attendance as sex-
ton for three months and three weeks, £2 10s. 8d" f

Robert Duncan was afterward sexton, but whether immediately
after Creamer or while Peter "Williams was absent during the war :}: is
not clear. The name of Duncan does not occur in the accounts in
the '• Old Book," but that may be because there is no full record of
items of expenditure from May, 1774, to May, 1778. Then, under
date of May 15, we have, "To cash paid Peter the sexton from class
collections April 13, 1776, £?, lOs.g Mr. Dunciin was a native of
England, where he married Elizabeth Thomson. Both of them were
members of the Weslej'-an Society. They emigrated to this country
before the Revolutionary War, were wrecked on their passage near
Nova Scotia, and after much difficulty reached New York. The
society in John Street, having been frequently imposed upon by per-

* Sihoi't Uixtoricnl Account, p. 6.

+ In the interval Peter Williams, of whom we shall speak presently, acted as
sexton a part of the time. Perhaps he is the one referred to in Creamer's last
receipt, and was afterward sold to Mr. Aymar. During part of the Revolu-
tionary War he lived near New Brunswick, N. J., with the Durham family, his
wife being their servant, having come with them from St. Christopher's. Mr.
Aymar's nnnie does not appear in C(mnection with that of Peter until June 10,
1783, when the trustees bought him for forty pounds ; but of that hereafter.

i Wakeley's Lo.sf Chapters, p. 430. Short Hb^torical Accmmt, p. 6.

§ If this was Peter Williams it would indicate that he was sexton until the
spring of 1776.

486 A History of Methodism in New York City.

sons from the other side of the Atlantic, were shy of them at tirst ;
but after they presented their certificates gave them a cordial wel-
come. Willie sexton he resided in the parsonage. He was a poor
man, but exceedingly useful, and so much respected for his deep
piety that those who wished instruction in spiritual things would often
say, "Come, let us go and see Robert." During the war, so great
was their confidence in his honesty, many Methodist families in-
trusted to him their valuables, which he placed in the vaults among
the coffins, where they were kept safely. He died of bilious fever,
near the close of the war, at the old parsonage. As he passed away
he shouted, '• Victory 1 victory ! Glory to God ! I have gained the
victory at last ! " Samuel Spraggs and John Mann, the two preach-
ers, who were both with him, immediately began to sing, " Rejoice,
for a brother deceased," etc.

Mrs. Duncan was an excellent singer, as was also her daughter
Elizabeth. Elizabeth's sweet voice, attractive person, and amiable
spirit, won the heart of Abraham Wilson, Jr., whose father, a
wealthy business man, wished him to marry a young lady of property
and position in society. The father did not oppose, and found that
his son had a good wife. Abraham Wilson, Jr., died in Norualk,
Conn., and his widow, at the age of eighty-six, in Xew Jersey.
Their oldest daughter married Jonathan Griffith, who was for a long
time a member of the Methodist church at Elizabethtown, N. J.
His son is the Rev. Edward M. Griffith, and a daughter is the wife of
Rev Francis Asbury Morrell, son of Rev. Thomas Morrell, both of
the Newark Conference. Who immediately succeeded Duncan is not
known. There are two entries in the " Old Book " of payments to
" Joseph, the sexton," dated August 7, 1778, and March 17, 1779, and
after that for a year the record is simpl}^ "Paid sexton,'" etc. ; but
on April 17, 1780, we read, "Cash paid Peter, 4.v." Then we have
payments " to sexton," interspersed with two to " Richard, sexton,"
until November 20, 1782. In the following June the purchase of
Peter Williams was made, and for some time there are no records of
payments for sextons' services. Peter had become the property of
the Church, and as such it was entitled to his services, but as ilie
amount paid by him does not quite reach forty pounds, it is likely
the diff"erence was credited to him for his labor. He made his last
payment for his freedom on November 4, 1785. Two more entries
follow, the last of which is June 15, 1787, "Paid Peter Williams in
full for last j-ear's service, £1 1 2.s. Ofi." There are two more payments
to liim, it is true, but these are for "Schuyler, the sexton," and then

Ari'ENDix V. 487

Peter's name disappears from the accoiiut of payments for sexton's
services ; but on the opposite page, where money received is entered,
we luive credits to him for burial fees as late as August, 1795, and the
records of the '-Old Book " close witli September of that year.

Of " Joseph " and " Richard '' we can learn notliing. The custom
prevalent then of using only one name for colored people gives ground
for supposing that they were of that race. If so, however worthy
they may have been, their fame is eclipsed by that of their fellow-
African, wiio shines so brightly, that he is generally regarded as
pre-eminently the sexton of old John Street Clnn-ch.

Peter WiUiams, we are told, "was sexton for a time during the
early and latter part of the War of the Revolution." * It is his like-
ness which is seen in the middle door of tlie old church, as shown in
the large colored engraving. Dr. Wakeley gives a portrait of him
from a pauiting that was in tlie keeping of his adopted daughter, and
is said to be by a Frencliman from St. Domingo. He was short and
stont, and vvben, in liis later years, tlie loss of his hair had left his
iiead as smooth as a glass ball, he wore a wig. f

He was born in New York city of pure African parentage. Tlieir
owner was of the Boorite family, and lived in Beekman Street
Peter's parents occupied part of the building in whicli the cow was
kept, and, m speaking of his birth, he used to say, " I was born in as
liumble a place as my Master." He had seven sisters and two broth-
ers, and was the only Metlicdist among them. He was converted
when Embury and Webb were preaching in the rigging-loft, and his
adopted daugliter said to Dr. Wakeley, " He always thought Captain
Wet)b was something wonderful. When they talked of great preach-
ers Captain Webb was always brought on to the carpet." His wi^e,
Mary Durham, a native of St. Christopher's, one of the West India
islands, was two years older than lie. It is said she " was beautiful, full
of good sense, and distinguished for consistent piety." Tliey were a
happy couple. Peter's master (at least during the latter part of his
servitude) was James Aymar, a tobacconist, who taught him the
business. Mr. Aymar was a loyalist, and after the war was obliged
to leave the country. Peter then worked for the father of the late Dr.
Milledollar, who was also a tobacconist, but afterward began business
fur himself.:!: His store was in Liberty Street, and being lionest and

* Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 429. If so, Duncan's term of service must
liave occupied the interval. t Ihid., p. 448.

i Dr. Francis says he was a rival of " the famous hi>u3e of the Lorillards."-
Old Neil Forfr, p. 150.

488 A History of Methodism in New York City.

courteous he did a good business, and fioally owned his house and
store and considerable other property. "Pig-tail'' and '"nigger-
heads " were the titles of certain kinds of tobacco, and it is said that
in buying the latter he never asked for it by that name, but called it
" them things." He could neither read nor write, but Molly could
read a little. His son kept his accounts. " He was proverbial for
his good nature ; liis black face shone all over witli kindness. He
was a cheerful and liberal giver, and was especially interested in the
welfare of his own race, aided in the churches tlu-y built, and in 1801
laid with his own liands the corner- stone of Zion's Church at the
corner of Leonard and Church Streets."

For seven years Peter and Molly lived in the old parsonage and
took care of tiie preachers, most of whom were single men. Molly's
name appears also in the " Old Book " iu connection with wages re-
ceived by her. Her account was distinct from his, and she received
her money in one amount at the close of the year. She was lady-like
and intelligent and a model of neatness. The late Mrs. Mason says:
"Brother Williams would, on special occasions, when a number of
preachers were in the city, invite a company of ministers and their
wives to dine or take tea at his humble dwelling. I was sometimes
a guest on such occasions. The table, spread with taste, would be
bouniifnlly covered with specimens of his wife Molly's culinary art
in viands and confectionery which might challenge competition with
the best cooks. Molly was famed for making excellent pies and
cakes. With patriarchal hospitality they would stand and wait on their
guests, pleased to see them enjoy their repast." It is said that " at
a certain time Bishop Asbury and a number of preachers came to
dine at Peter's house. Peter went bowing into the parlor, paying his
respects to his guests, and began to count them, pointing with his
finger. He began with the bishop, and counted eleven, and then
made a long pause before one who had left the Methodist for another
Church. Then he said, ' Eleven — and you ' (another pause). ' A
Judas, T suppose you would say,' rephed the deserter. ' As you
please, Mr. L.,' said Peter; 'I did not say it. But you had better re-
turn to your mother, the Methodist Episcopal Church.' " As any one
familiar with old New York Methodism will readily surmise, this was
Dr. Thomas Lyell, Pilmoor's successor in the Protestant Episcopal
Church in Ann Street. Mr. Lyell had sufiScient good sense and good
temper to appreciate the humor of the incident.

Perhaps, too. Dr. Lyell thought he had the better of Peter when
Peter junior left the Methodists and became a member of his church

Appendix V. 489

in Ann street. Young Peter was an only child, amiable and intelli-
gent. His talents gained the esteem of Bisiiop Hobart, and aller be-
ing eniploj-ed for a time as a lay reader lie was ordained a minister
of the Protestant Episcopal Church and became pastor of St. Philip's,
a colored congregation, in Center Street. He was very useful, and
much beloved by his people and his brethren ni the ministry. Ke
died October 18, 1840, alter only two hours' illness. His congrega-
tion afterward purchased the Methodist church edifice in Mulberry
Street and took possession of it in May, 1857. Since then it has re-
moved to IGl West 25lh street.

It seems probable from what has already been stated that Peter's
services as sexton ceased, at least for a time, about 1787.* He proba-
bl}'-, however, continued to act as undertaker, and he and Peier Parks
no doubt clothed mo.st of the old Methodists in their last r. bes aiid
committed them to their final resting-place.

And at last the time came when he and his good wife needed the
same offices for themselves. Molly was two years oldir than her
husband, and died in 1821, two years before him. She was buried
in the north-east corner of the old ground connected with the For-
syth Street Church. The Rev. Tobias Spicer and tiie Rev. Tliumas
Lyell, the Episcopal clergymen referred to above, officiated. In Feb-
ruary, 1823, Peter died of paralysis, and as burials were no longer
permitted in the Forsyth Street church-yard he was laid in the bury,
ing-ground of St. John's Episcopal Chiu-ch. His funeral sermon was
preached in John Street Church by Dr. William Phoebus.

As already stated, Peter was born in slavery, and his master being
a loyalist and compelled to leave the country after the war. ho was
liable to be sold into hands that might not be agreeable to him. To
save him from this, and to enable him to obtain his freedom, the
trustees of the John Street Church, acting no doubt on the wishes of
the church, bought him for forty pounds. This was on June 1 0, 1 783.
Some two weeks before (May 27) Peter, in anticipation, probably, of
tlie purchase, placed in their hands his watch, valued at five pounds.f
From that date onward we find entries of payments from time to
time, the sums varying from two to five pound.s, until under date of
February 17, 1786, we read: "By cash received of Peter Williams in

* C. R. Disosway, Esq., says, in a note to the writer : " Peter Williams did
not acl as sexton of John Street at any time during the current century. How
late he served during the last century I cannot say."

+ This watch was either boiiRht back or presented to him again. It was in
the hiinds of his adopted daughter after his dt-ath.— Wakeley's Lrat Vlian-
tcrs, p. 468.

490 A History of Methodism in New York City.

full of all demands on the 4tli of November, 1785, £5 7s.'' The
amount footed up comes to £35 7s; but perhaps a part was paid in
services, of which no account was entered. And yet, strange lo tell,
not till eleven years after was his emancipation paper executed. This
paper, whicli Dr. Wakeley found in tlie possession of his adopted
daugiiter, is given by him in Lost Chapters, pp. 463, etc. Noe.xplaua-
tion or defense of this transaction is needed. It was a purchase of
slave property such as John Wesley would never have censured,
and if Methodists had never bought nor held slaves under any other
circumstances the Church would never have been rent asunder by
the question.*

But we must go back some thirty-five years and follow the succes-
sion of other sextons. Between March 21, 1786, and Fanuary 12,
1787, we have payments to Joshua. John, and J. Slidel, or Slydell,
which look as if they were for sextons' services. The correct name is
piobably Joshua, as we find it so in the list of Abraham Russell's class
in 1787. f On April 2, 1787, the name of Schuyler appears. His
first name, as we afterward find, was Bernard. His salary was
twenty pounds a year, and he received regular quarterly payments
until, under the date of March 29, 1790, we read: "Cash paid
Schuyler's widow for sexton's salary to 1 April, 1790, £2.0s. Oc?."

In the latter part of 1789 the church in Second (now Forsyth)
Street was completed, and henceforth when we read of payments for
sextons' services we mny not always be able to tell which church is
referred to. As far as can be ascertained Thomas Holdrop served
John Street from July 1, 1791, to July 1, 1792, for fifteen pounds a
year. He was followed by James Ryley (or Riley), whose salary was
the s;inie, and he was in ofBce when the accounts of the "Old Book "
ended, six years and three months after. From that time we have
no definite information as to the sextons of John Street, except that
we find in one of the old books a scrap of paper, on which is a re-
ceipt from Isaac Collard to James Smith, dated December 1, 1811, in-
cluding, among other items, $12 50 for "the en re of John Street
meeting-house for three months." % James Thompson, whose name
first appears in the "Old Book" July 17, 1790, served, it is most
likely, in the new church (Forsyth Sireet) for ten pounds a year. The

*The larger part of the material of tbis sketch Is derived from Wakeley's
Lost Chapters, pp. 426-479. In no part of that volume has Dr. W. rendered a
greater service to those interested In the history of New York Methodism than
here. tBook 1 .A, p. VS.

$C. R. Disnsway. F,sf|., says, in a note to the writer, that Mr. Collard is the
only .sexton he remembers.

Appendix V, 491

last payment to liim is recorded April 7, 1791. Peter Parks probably
followed him, and was sexton of Forsyth Street when the records of
the "Old Book" close.*

A few words here as to early Methodist burial-places. There were
vaults under the first John Street Church; there was a burial-ground
connected with the Forsyth Street Church, and in it a number of
vaults ;f and there were vaults and a grave-yard also at Bedford Street
and at Duane Street. Afterward ground was purchased at the corner
of First Street aud Second Avenue, where many were interred. At
the Eighteenth Street Churcli a number of excellent vaults were
built, and when the church at Harlem (now St. Jame.s) stood on its old
site, where now Lexington Avenue crosses 125lh Street, there were
vaults in the rear of it. Greene Street had a burial-ground in 36th
Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues (Nos. 333 and 335).
There were vaults also in tlie rear of the Sullivan Street Church.
There was also a cemetery at Williamsburg, now Brooklyn, Eastern
District.

APPENDIX W.

SINGING AND CHORISTERS.

SiXGixG has always occupied a prominent place in the worship of
Methodist congregations. Making but little use of any thing like a
liturgy, this was the only part of the services in which the people
could unite vocally, and they made good use of the privilege, singing
"lustily and of good courage." Philip Embury was, we are told, an
excellent singer, and he soon had the assistance of three musicians
belonging to the Sixteenth regiment of British troops, then stationed
in the barracks. Their names were James Hodge, Addison Low,
and John Buckley. J But good voices and glad hearts, thought essen-
tial in "making melody to the Lord," were not all that was neces-
sary. The need of some training in the science of music was soon
felt, and accordingly we find in the " Old Book," under date of April
24, 1*770, this entry "To cash pd. Mr. Doughty, for instructing in
singing, £2 6s."

* This is the man whose testimony is piven in Appendix A, p. 412, and of whom
the incident of the two boys at the love-feast is related, p. 140. C. R. Disosway,
Esq., in a letter to the writer, says he thinks he was a man of considerable
property.

t A record of burials there is In the hands of the trustees of that church.

* Testimony of Peter Parks, p. 23.

492 A History of Methodism in New York City.

From that time, however, we have n ithing on this subject for more
than thirt}' yetirs. Tlie venerable Daniel Ayres, who was so long
the leader of the choir in John Street, says : * " My first recollections
of the singing were in 1803, when tlie precentor led from the altar.
I believe his name was Flanagan, who tauglit the school attached to
the church, f One Sunday afternoon he appealed to the preacher to
desire tlie people to follow the leading voice. The leading men after-
ward met in the altar after service to practice ps-almody. Among
them I remember Stephen Daudo, Charles Marsh, Joseph Cooper,
David Wilson, etc. The music dragged. In May, 1806, on a beautiful
Sabbath morning, a gentleman first appeared in the class of good old
David Renny. His dress of tine drab cloth and a fine presence were
unique. At tiie leader's request he made the closing prayer ; his music-
al voice and choice words attracted my notice as unusual. This was
Mr. James Evans, from Manchester, England ; one of the best singers I
ever heard, and to my surprise then he could read any music at sight.
He formed a choir at once of such material as he could find, soon
oroducing an improved style of music, taking possession of the little
front gallery. In 1808 lie published David's Companion, by authority
of the General Conference — a good book, of which a second edition
was issued in 1817. This was used until the publication of tlie
Methodist Harmonist, in 1822.:|: Mr. Evans left to sing at Ziou's Prot-
estant Episcopal Church, and died at Richmond, Ya.

David Wilson succeeded Mr. Evans. He was a good singer and a
happy Cliristian; but was soon called to his reward. §

Daniel Ayres followed in 1809, and continued until 1839. Under
his charge tlie choir was celebrated for its excellent music. There
are some yet living who can recall it with great pleasure. The most
of the choir were members of the church. They bought their own
music and provided a place to praciice. No instruments were per-
mitted. In these, as well as some other respects, the contrast with
the present time is marked.

The leading female singer in John Street for many years was Miss

♦Letter to the author, and article in ChriMian Advocate, vol. xli. p. 249.

tXtiis was probably Christopher Flanagan, a converted papist, who came to
this country before the Revolution. He was a local preacher, and in October
23, 1793, was paid sixteen shillings for " assisting in preaching." He died in
]805.

i The compilers of the HarmonM were John M. Smith, Daniel Ayres, John
D Myers, and G. P. Disosway. See its preface.

S His widow died in 18.56. A daughter, their only child, became the wife of
Mark Stephenson, M.D.

Appendix W. 493

Hannah Baldwin. She was born in 1758, and at the age of twenty
montns beciinie bhnd from small-pox. Awakened under the preach-
ing of Joseph Pilmoor, she joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at
tlie age of fifteen j-ears, and was a member for sixty-flve years. She
was an excellent singer, and knew all the hymns. She was of a very
cheerful, happy spiriD. She wore a plain bonnet, and, it is said, never
put it on without facing a looking-glass.* Her relatives were Kpisco-
palians, and wished her to be buried in their ground, but she told
them, "When I united with the Methodists I said. This people shall
be my people, and their God my God; where they die will 1 die, and
with them will I be buried." She died in 1837, and her funeral serv-
ices were held in the Greene Street Church, a sermon beiug preached
by Rev. D. Ostrander.f

As to the singing in the other churches, Mr. Ayres says: "I
remember good Simeon Price and Joseph Johnson, leading from the
altar in Forsyth and Allen Streets." ^

It is said that a choir was first formed in Forsyth Street in 1817.
Robert Smiirc was the first leader, and among his successors were
William Hendricks, Ralph Hoyt (afterward an Episcopal clergyman),
Tliomas Harley, and Richard Sliarp.

For many years George Higgins was the leader in Duane Street.
His voice was one of tlie most powerful the writer ever heard, and
yet at times exceedingly soft and musical. It was well adapted to
camp meetings.

APPENDIX X.

METHODIST BOOK CONCERN.

In the Miiuites of 1789 John Dickins, the preacher stationed in
Philadelphia, is also appointed book sfeward, and he had charge of
the publishing business from that time until his death, in 1798. In
1796 Ezekiel Cooper was appointed, and the business was continued
in Philadelphia until 1804. Its removal from there seems to have

* C. R. Disosway, Methodist, vol. xlii, p. 35.5.

i- Christian Advocate, vol. xii, p. Si. The writer has a list of the John
Street choir, furnished by the late Daniel Ayres.

$0f the latter it is related that a slip of paper having been put Into his seat,
on which were the lines,

" Sometimes too fast, sometimes too slow.
Sometimes too high, sometimes too low,"
he never would lead any more.

494 A History of Methodism in New York City.

been the result of a desire to keep Mr. Cooi)er in charge, and an un-
wilUngness to have any preacher remahi in one place beyond the
usual term. The Philadelphia Conference of 1803 voted to remove
it to Baltimore, but to this Mr. Cooper objected, and at the General
Conference of 1 804 New York was fixed upon as its place.* No
ground can be discovered for the statement of Dr. Aikinson {Centen-
nial History of Methodism, p. 321) that in the General Conference of
that year (1804) "Baltimore and New York were competitors for the
Concern ; " at least they were not in the sense of putting in any claims
for it. Indeed, " It is very evident, if Philadelpliia parted with the
Book Concern without regret. New York held no jubilee of welcome
on its arrival. So far as it appears it came unsought."

But there has been some uncertainty as to the various locations in
which tiie business has been carried on in New York, and to settle
this question, if possible, the volumes of the New York Directory iiave
lieen examined. These were found in the library of the New York
Historical Society, and they furnish a line of testimony almost perfect,
corroborated also by the catalogues on the last pages of several old
vohnnes published at the time. The conclusions are as follows : In
1804, when the removal to New York took place, E. Cooper and J.
Wilson were tlie agents or book stewards, as they were then called.
(In the Minutes of 1805-6 Mr. Cooper is also appointed to Brooklyn
and Mr. Wilson to New York, and in 1807 Mr. Cooper is set down
at New York and Mr. Wilson at Brooklyn. In 1808 the General
Conference relieved the agents from all pastoral duty, and also limited
the total term of their service to eight years.) It is said that the
business was first established in a small room in Gold Street, and this
is probably correct, although no testimory to that effect is to be
found in the Directory. But in 1805 the Directory reads: "Meth-
odist Book Store, 249 Pearl Street;" and there it seems to liave
remained until 1808 or 1809. In 1808 Wilson became senior agent
and D. Hitt assistant, and from 1809 to 1816 the Directory locates
the store in Church Street. (Numbers vary, however; they are 139,
168, 192, owing probably to a change in the numbering of the
street, as both 139 and 192 are said in the catalogues to be at the
corner of Wiiite Street. Now 192).f

* Liiqht on Enrlfi 3Ietho(li!fm, p. 279, etc.

+ Rev. D. Devinne gives tlie following account of a visit to the place at this

pp;io>1 He says it was a plain two-story house with no vestiere of a shop. He

usei1 the brass knocker on the door .several times, and at last a very lordly-

• looking frentleman appeared at the head of the stairs. He was dressed in

ancient costume, short breeches, white stockings, white vest, black coal, and

Appendix: X. 495

Mr. Wilson died in 1810, and Mr. Hitt was sole agent until the
General Coaference of 1812, when Thomas Ware was made assistant.
Tliey were succeeded at the General Conference of 1816 by Joshua
Suule and Thomas Mason, and not long after the business was
removed to 41 John Street, where it occupied two lower rooms. This
house was afterward the residence of Francis Hall, Esq. (See Chris-
tian Advocate, October 11, 1833.) The Directory of 1817 gives no light
on the matter, but m 1818 it is 41 John Street. In 1820 N. Bangs
became senior agent, with Thomas Mason as assistant, and in 1821 we
tind the business in Chatham Square. (The number is sometimes 5 and
sometimes 2 ; 5 is probably correct.) In 1823 and 1824, however, it is
55 Fulton Street. In 1824 John Emory became assistant. Up to thia
date the Concern had no printing-office, their work being done by
various parties — for example, John C. Totten, J. J. Harper, Myers &
Smith, and Abraham Paul. A bindery, however, had been opened in
1822 in the basement of the Wesleyan Seminary building, on the west
side of Crosby Street, between Howard and Grand Streets. In Sep-
temljer 20, 1824, printing was begun, and shortly after the seminary
building was purchased. This was a substantial brick building, 65 by
40, standing a little back from the line of the street. In 1827, more
room being needed, a new front was put up, without removing the
original front wall, thus giving additional space thirteen feet wide.
(These later items are from an article in the Youth^s Instructor of
October, 1828.)

In 1833 the building 200 Mulberry Street was occupied. Tliis was
burned in Feburary, 1836, but immediately rebuilt, and has just been
sold and vacated (January, 1890). Tiie property at 805 Broadway
was purchased in 1869, but occupied only as a store and offices. The
new building, Fifth Avenue, corner of Twentieth Street, was occupied
in the close of 1889.

APPENDIX Y.

MEMBERSHIP IN NEW YORK CITY.

Down to 1838 the total membership has already been givrn for
each year; after tliat the number in cacli Church is to be found in its

hair combed very artistically. Without saying: a word he came down the stairs,
pas^sed into another room, where the books were piled up on the floor, and
handed me one book. I pave him a silver dollar and he gave me si.x cents
chaiifje. It was D. Hitt. " I tried," says Mr. Devinne, " to make small talk,
but it would not run."— r?ie McthodM, vol. xvi, p. 343.

496 A HisTOKY OF Methodism in New York City.

history. This table gives the sum for each year, and marks the in-
crease or decrease. It includes all nationalities, and probationers
as well as full members, as only in this way could the progress of
the Church be shown. The annexed district is not counted. If we
pass at all beyond the limits of Manhattan Island it might be said,
not improperly, that the statistics of New York city Methodism
should be made up from the whole region within a radius of Gfty
miles from the old John Street Church.

The task of preparing this table has been a difBcult one, partly be-
cause of the frequent indistinctness of the figures in the printed
Minutes. From that and other causes also there may be some errors,
but it is believed to be suEBciently correct for all practical purposes.

DATE.

NUMBER.

INC. OB

DEC.

PATB

NUMBER.

INC. OR DEC.

1773

180

1810

2,200

Increase

200

1774

222

Tncrea.se

1811

2,454

254

1775

200

Decrease

1812

2,594

140

1776-

132

1S13

2,478

Decrease

116

177V

1814

2,563

Increase

1778 to 1783 no

reports.

1815

2,443

Decrease

120

1784

Decrease

1816

2,572

Increase

129

1785

no report.

1817

2,853

281

1786

203

Increase

143

1818

3,158

305

1787

275

1819

3,180

1788

330

1820

3,218

1789

360

1821

2,155

*Decrease 1,063

nno

024

264

1822

2,437

Increase

282

1791

636

1823

2.706

269

1792

641

1824

2.539

Decrease

167

17 93

793

152

1825

2,623

Increase

1794

710

Decrease

1826

2,930

307

1795

755

Increase

1827

3,289

359

1796

786

1828

3,477

188

1797

881

1829

3,839

'•

362

1798

900

1830

3,955

116

1799

818

Decrease

1831

5,021

1,066

1800

776

1832

5,433

412

1801

835

Increase

1833

5.224

Decrease

209

1802

937

102

1834

5^249

Increase

1803

995

1835

5,287

1804

1,018

1836

5,493

206

1805

940

Decrease

1837

5,703

210

1806

1,056

Increase

116

1838

5,533

Decrease

170

1807

1 .463

407

1839

6,156

Increase

623

1808

1,754

291

1840

6,413

257

1809

2,000

246

1841

6,722

309

* Due to the Stilvvelllte secession, etc.

Appendix Y.

497

DATE.

NUMBER.

INC. OR DEC.

DATE.

NUMBER.

INC. OR DEC

184-2

7,775

Increase

1,053

1867

11,504

Increase

111

J843

9,780

2,005

1868

11,958

454

1844

9,478

Decrease

302

1869

12,626

668

1845

9,571

lucrease

1870

12,546

Decrease

1846

9,495

Decrease

1871

12,443

103

1847

9,326

169

1872

13,012

Increase

569

1848

9.348

Increase

1873

12,808

Decrease

204

1849

8,953

*Decrease

395

1874

12,855

Increase

1850

8,948

1875

12,441

Decrease

414

1851

9,307

Increase

359

1876

12,354

1852

9,103

Decrease

204

1877

12,078

276

1853

9,322

Increase

219

1878

12,140

Increase

1854

8,956

Decrease

366

1879

12,881

741

1855

8,439

517

1880

13,160

279

1856

8,606

Increase

167

1881

13,200

1857

8,550

Decrease

1882

13,583

383

1858

10,699

Increase

2,149

1883

13,541

Decrease

1859

10,816

117

1884

13,667

Increase

126

1860

11,426

610

1885

13,828

161

1861

11,739

313

1886

1.3,783

Decrease

4.')

1862

11,036

Decrease

703

18S7

13.378

405

1863

11.111

Increase

1888

13.814

Increase

436

1864

lu.405

Decrease

706

1889

13.927

113

1865

10,337

1890

13,707

Decrease

220

1866

11,393

Increase

1,056

APPENDIX Z.

CHURCH DEBT.

There is so much irregnlarity in the system of making: up the re-
ports of debt that it has often been difficult to ascertain the precise
amount. The following table, however, is believed to be substan-
tially correct, and contains all that has been found:

1772 £11 O.s. Od.

1802 2.487 3s. 2d.

1803 2,380 8'?. 8d.

1818 117,000 00

1819 27,438 27 Increase $10,438 27

1820 32,558 53 " 5,120 26

1821 33,749 55 " 1,19102

1822 35,446 66 " 1.697 11

* No report from the German work this y ar.
the decrease at least 300.

This would have dimlui.shed

498 A History of Methodism in New York City.

182H $36,398 29 Increase $95163

1824 :i6,106 11 Decrease 292 18

1825 35,657 39 " 448 72

1826 31,883 00 " 3,774 39

1827 36,441 44 Increase 4.558 44

1828 ;.... 32,506 68 Decrease 3,934 76

1829 36,237 11 Increase 3.73ii 43

1830 34.707 11 Decrease 1,530 00

1831..., 37,657 11 Increase 2,950 00

1882 67.339 11 " 29,682 00

1833 78,773 67 •' 11,434 56

1834 89,798 67 " 1 1,025 00

— besides a mortgage of $5,000 on the biirying-grouud at Williams-
burg.

NDEX.

Aobott, Benjamin, 115.

Atldiess of Coiifereuce to Pre^ideut
Wasliington, J 03.

Addresses of reliKious bodies to Presi-
dent Washinfftoii, idi.

African Church, Zlon's, 156.

Alanson Church, 337.

Allen Street Church 181,273,294; Me-
morial Cluirch, 291; revival, 252

Altar, inviting to, 170; rail in John
Street, 85.

America, when the Palatines came, 9.

Anderson, Cornelia, 8.<; Mr.s., 4i/.

Andrus, Luman, 174.

Apiiointments, Plans of, 478.

A )thorpe. Mr., 427.

Asbiir.v, Bishop, 55-.57, 58, 59; ap-
pointed assistant, 61 ; to New York,
6); a true American, 459; bill for
horse keeping, 176 : controversy with
Lupton and Newton. 01. 04, 09; in
New York, 81, 82, ,S9, '.»2, 95, 101, 102,
113, 118, 1^1, 124, 120, r.)H, ]3:t, 141,
14-., 147, 150, 151, 100, 102, 103, 106,
167,169, 175, 176, 178, 185, 190,200;
on heresy and schism, 138 ; reguiat-
inir the New York Society, 59.

Asbury Church, 313 ; churches, 332,
3:33 ; Society, 332.

Ashgrove, 49.

Ashton, Thomas, 45, 49, 162 (note).

Assistance Society— Minutes of. Pref-
ace, viii ; organized, 175.

Attorney Street ; Colored Mission,
372; Wesley Chapel, 361.

Authorities, Preface, iv.

Auclirauty, Rev. Samuel, 428.

Avenue A Mission, 339.

Axtell, Mr., 438.

Aymar, James, 485 (note), 487.

Ayres, Daniel, 493.

Baldwin, Hannah, 492.

Bangs, Heman, 233 ; sermon at Allen

Street, 256 ; Nathan, 182.
Bank Street, 355.
Banyar, Mr. (Goldsbrowl, 442.
Baptism, First recorded, Preface, vi

(note).
Baptisms, certificates required, and

other rules in regard t.i, 193, 477.
Barclay, Rev. H., 28; Mrs. Mary, 28,

436.

Bard. Dr., 43 '.

Barracks Street. 17.

Battery Park, 405.

Beauchamp, William, 14^,

Bedford Street, 178, 293.

Beekman, Garrett, 431 ; Hill, 352 ;

House, 3.52 (note) ; James, 431.
Bell, Mrs., 433; Thomas, 34, 433 ; letter

of, 453.
Bend, Grove, 438.
Bethany Chapel, 3T5.
Bininger, Abraham, 434; Kate, 434.
BishDp, Truman, 169.
Black Harry, 92, 108.
Blatrbiirne, William, 186.
Bleecker, John, 1.37 (note).
BIODiuiML'-diile M. E. Cluirch, 308; Mis-
sion, 358.
Boardman. Richard, 43, 47, 66 ; returns

to England, 60 ; subsequent history,

67 (note).
Boehm, Henry, 37 (note), 4.59.
Book Concern, 166, 493 ; corner-stone

of building in Mulberry Street, 273 ;

purchase of site in Mulberry Street,

313 (note).
Books, Preachers cot to publish, 46 ;

quoted, Prefsice, iv, etc.
Bowden, Elizabeth, 448; John, 448.
Bowery Church, 285 ; village, 153, 291.
Boys at love-feast, 140 (note).
Brewery, Old, 403.
Brick iri the church, 3.59 (note).
Brinkley, Thomas, 448.
Broadway Hall, 261, 313; Mission, 358.
Broome Street Colored Mission, 372.
Brown, Ebenezer, 238.
Brtish, Jacob, 114 (note), 136 (note).
Buck, Valentine, sermon at Willett

Street, 298.
Burch, Thomas, 247.
Burial-grounds, 491 ; not advisable

near churches, IHl mote).
Bushnell, Samuel, 238.

Calvary Church, 37.5.

Camp-ineeting Committee, Minutes of,

Preface, viii.
Cannon Street, 301.
Card-party, 10.
Carpenter, Coles, 2.50 ; Thomas, der.th

of, 241.
Casner. See Gassnar.

500

Indkx.

Centenary Church (Morrisania),381.

Centiiil Cliurrh, 3,21.

Centri' stivct Mission. 402.

Charity Scliool, 112, 15:3.

Chase, Henry, a43.

Chave, John, (30. 444.

Chelsea Church, 327.

Cherry Street, 336.

Chew, Thomas S., 87 (note).

Children, Conversion of several, 168 ;

instruction of, 90.
Chinese Mission, 401.
Choirs introduced. 188.
Cholera in 18:32, 2tj9.
Choristers, 491.

Christinas Conference, 1784, 83.
Church extension work, 408; feasts
observed, 132; Home, 40ti; of the
Saviour, 368.
Circuit divided, 266.
Clark, John, 135, 263; Laban, 187;

Captain Thomas. 437.
Clarkson, David, 433.
Class, First, 22; leader, ambitious,
226; leaders in 1793, 464; in 1795,
132; in 1802, 465. See also Official
Members.
Cloud, Robert, 91, 106.
Coate, Michael, 150.
Cochran, Samuel, 194.
Coke, Thomas, 82, 85, 95, 103, 123 ; and
the address to President Washing-
ton, 463.
Coles, George, 251; sermon on read-
ing, 299.
CoUard, Isaac, 490.

Colored mission, 372; orphan asylum,
3.56 ; people, nrst reported separately,
91 (note).
Communion, preparation for in John

Street, 84 ; table bought, t)6.
Conference, first, 65 ; first in New York,
101; Christmas, 82; General, first
delegated, 1!:)0; intervals between
Irregular, 108, 118; Thatcher's ac-
count of, 147 (note).
Conferences, select at first, 240 (note).
Cook, Cornelius, 98 ; estate of, Preface,

vii ; Mr., 442 ; Phineas. 192.
Cooper, Ezekiel, 87, 88, 122, 128 ; ser-
mon to Deists, 131.
Coppers, Surplus, 95.
Cornell, Whitehead, 430; Memorial

Church, 366.
Courtland, Gose, 429.
Courtney, Mrs.. 430.
Covel, James, 227, 229.
Crawford, Joseph, 173.
Creamer, Belthazar, 485.
Crommeline, Mr., 440.
Crook, John, 428.
Crossfleld, Mrs. (Nancy), 436.
Crowell, Selh, 170, 227.
Crugar, John, 427; Haris. 42..
Cushions in John Street Church, Com-
plaint of, 241 (note).
Cuyler, Henry, 439.

David's Companion, 492.

Davis. Caiitain. 432.

Di'aidiK'ss Home. 407.

Debt, Table of, 497 ; as apportioned to

the cliurches of the West Circuit, 27u.
Deeds, 28, 53, 414, 416, 419.
De Groot, Mrs. Joanna, 179 (note).
Deists, Cooper's sermon to, 131.
Delancy, James. 110, 426 ; Oliver, 426.
Dempster, James, 69; John. 70.
Depeyster, Frederick, 442 : legacy, 163,

442.
Desbrosses, Elias, 440.
Deverick, Mrs., 22 (note), 432.
Devinne, D., 203, 243.
Dickins, John, 79 ; Asbury's sermon at

ordination of, 92.
Disturbine worship, 74, 75.
Division of circuit. 2()6 ; property, 274.
Dorcas Societv, 250 (note).
Doughty, Mr. 491.
Dow, Lorenzo, 227.
Drummond, Thomas, 199,
Dry Dock, 3:38.
Du'ane, James, 440 ; Church, 288; Street,

143, 288.
Duncan, Elizabeth, 486 ; Robert, 48) :

Thomas, 447.
Durbin, John P., sermon in Allen

Street, 255.

East 82d Street, 373.

Eiist 86th i-treet, 274, 309.

East 118th Street, a50.

East 111th Street, :308 ; 109th Street, 368 ;
110th Street, 368; 113th Street, 368.

Ebert, Philip, 447

Edmonds, Samuel, 34.

Eighteenth Street, 260, 318; has old
charter, 319.

Eleventh Street, a39.

Ellison, Thomas, 438.

Emanuel Church (colored). 373.

Embury Bible, 454; David, 48, 436;
Kate, 434; original name of, 411
(note) ; Peter, 4.34 ; Philip, birth and
conversion, 6; embarkation, 8; ar-
rival in New York, 14 ; first sermon
in New York, 18 ; house of, 17 ; not
a subscriber, 34; land purchase of,
456 ; concordance presented t s Pref-
ace, V ; removal frotn New York, 48;
subsequent history of and death, 49 ;
grave of, 50; Mrs., Christian name
of, 7 (note* ; after his death, 50.

Emery, Nathan, 198.
Emory, Bishop. 411.
Evans, James, 492.

E.xhorters in 1811 and 1812, 190. (See
also Official Members.)

Fanaticism, reproved by A. Hunt, 169.
Faivwcll te.xts by T. Morrill, 119, 125.
Farriiigton, Townscnd H.,:359.
Fast on account of yellow lever, 12o.
Fnugnre, Lewis, 448.
Ferguson, S. D., 258

IXDEX.

501

Ferris. Ira, 2(il.

Field, Julius, -Mb.

Fiuaucial system in 1820, 211: orig-

iually t'dugre^^ational, 215.
Fiftieth Street (Lexluglou Ave.). 341 ;

ilieekuian Hill), 3.52.
Fiftv-tlftli Street (German), 395.
Fiftv-sixth Street, 378.
Firiy-thiicl sti-eet, 347.
First cliuri'li, plan of, 26; cost of, 3.5;

list of members, 99.
First Methodist books printed in Amer-
ica, 45.
First Methodist Episcopal Centennial

Church in New York city, 278.
First Methodist Episcopal Church, 278.
First missionaries from England, 43.
First preacher's wife in New York, 81.
First Wesleyan chapel (Central), 321.
Fisk, Wilbur, sermon in Allen Street,

253.
Fitzgerald, Aunt Annie and Uncle

Billy, 317.
Five Points Mission, 402.
Flanagan, Christopher, 492.
Forbes, Joseph, 29.
Fordham, 383.
Forsyth Street, 285; building of first

church, 104, 109 ; second church.

270; preachers for dedication of

second church, 477.
Fortieth Street (German), 392.
Ffirty-Orst Street (43d Street), 308 ;

(St. Luke's), 365.
Forty-fourth Street, 347.
Forty-third Street, 308.
Foster, Thomas, 97 (note).
Four-days' meetings, 253.
Fourth Street (Allen Street), 294;

(Washington Square), 330.
Franklin Street, 361.
Free Tabernacle, 346.
Frtnich Mission, 399.
Fruit after many days, 34 (note).
Funeral sermons, 477.
Furniture, .51, 146, 460.

Garrettson, F., 99 ; death of, 249.

(Jasner, John, 34,443.

Gii-ssnar, Peter, 443 (note).

(ieorge. Bishop, in New York, 249.

German churches: Blinn Memorial,
397; Bloomingdale, 392; Fifty-fifth
Street (St. Paul's), 395; Fortieth
Street, 392; Harlem, 396; Melrose,
394; Miscellaneotis, 397; 1.58th
Street, 394 ; 156th Street, 394 ; 114th
Street, 396; Port Mission, 397; St.
Paul's, 395; Second Street. 391;
Thirty-si.xth Street, 392 ; West Side
Mission, 397.

" (iod Save the King," sung by soldiers
and congregation, 74.

G' Men Hill, 27 ; battle of, 443.

(ioodsell, Buel, 200; sermon in Allen
Street, 2.55.

Grace Church, 370.

Graham, Mr., 429.
Gieen, Lemuel, 122.
Greene Street, 261, 26.5, 313; Bible-
class, 316.
(ireenwich Village, 178, 293.
(jiiiii, David, 4M.

(irouud at John Street leased, 199.
Guier, Philip, 4.

Hagerty, John, 87.
Haggadorn, John, 140 (note),
llamersly, Andrew, 441.
Hammett, William, 118.
Harlem, 305 ; Mission, 260, 300.
Harlev, Thomas, 493.
Hebard, E.. 214.
Hecht (Haight), Captain, 43:3.
Heck or Hick, 409 ; Mrs., and the card-
players, 16; home of. In Ireland,

413 ; grave of, 414.
Hedding Mission, 342.
Hendricks, Williatn, 493.
Heresy, Bishop Asbury on, 138.
Hessians worshiping in John Street,

73.
Ifibbard, Billy, 210.
Hick, Jacob, 15; Jonathan P., 21

(note) ; Paul, and Mrs. P., graves of,

414.
Hickson, Woolman, 97, 98.
Higains, George, 493.
Holdrop, Thomas, 490.
Holiness, Errors in regard to, taught,

244.
Home for the aged, 406 ; Mission, Jane

Street, 333; St. Christopher's, 407.
Hope Church, 377.
Hosier, Henry. 92, 108.
Howe, Samuel, 203.
Hoyt, Ralph, 493.
Hudson Church, 143, 288.
Huget, Benjamin, 426.
Hunt, Aaron, 167, 224 ; Jesse. 2.51.
Hutchinson, Aaron, 127; Ann, 128;

Robert, 128; Sarah, 160; Sylvester,

127.
Hymns used about 1766, 19.

Incorporation, Proposed changes in,

218, 220.
Inglis, Rev. Charles, 438.
Instrumental music opposed, 299.
Italian Mission, 401.

Jane Street, 333.

Janes Church, .347.

Jarvis, James, 424; death of, 69.

Jauncey, James, 429.

Jessop, William, 117.

Jewe'-t, William, 242.

John Street — first church, plan of,
20, 27; subscription paper for, 29;
subscribers to, 30, 422; the flr.st In
America, 36: described, 37, 38 ; ded-
icated, 41; preparing for communion,
84 ; new seats proposed, 137 ; old
material of, 310, 312 (aote) ; Second

502

Index.

Church, 203; Tliird Church, 278,
379 ; escaped burning, 278 ; contro-
versy as to sale of, 2S1 ; altar, 85 ;
clock, 284 ; coniinuniou vessels, 285;
monuments, 285.

Johnston, David, 412.

Jones, Thomas, 441.

Keith, William, 177.
Kendall, David, 127.
Kennady, John, sermon at dedication
of Second Allen Street Church, 182.
King-sbr:dge, 380.
Ki'jp's Bay, 344.
Kissara, Dr., 440.

Ladles' Home Missionary Society, 338,

392, 408.
Laight, Edward, 431.
Lambert, Jeremiah, 80.
Land bought in 1785, 8:5; bought in

1786, 90; leased to Michael Moore,

199.
Land on, S., 262.
Leaders' meetings— form of business.

407; minutes. Preface, viii, 185;

paper presented to, in 1813, 195.
Leake, John, 444.

Lease of ground in John Street, 414.
Lee, Jesse, 152; appointed to New

York, 1799, 151 (note) ; conversion,

45; Wilson, 131. -
Levinss, Noah, 248.
Lexington Avenue, 341.
List of members, 99.
Lispenard, Mrs., 4;33, 438.
Livingston, Peter, 431 ; Philip, 431 ;

Robert 11.. 431.
Local preachers in 1795, 132 (note) ; in

179G, 140 (note) ; in 1800, 1.53; in 1811

or 1812, 190 (note) ; on West Circuit,

1831, 271 (note).
Lottery ticket, .52.
Love-feast, at Conference of 1.90, 115 ;

1791, 116; last in first John Street

Church, and first in second, 203

(note) ; .strict regulations as to, 484 ;

tickets, 482 : two boys at (note), 140.
Low, Isaac, 437.

Loyalists ? Were the Methodists, 457.
Luckey, Samuel, 258; sermon in Allen

Street, 25fl.
Ludlow, Carey, 44) ; Gabriel, 441 ; Mr.,

441; William, 441.
Lupton, William. 61, 64, 69, 422 ; grunt,

423 (note); motto, 424; Mrs., needle-
work of, 424 (note).
Lyell, Thomas. 488.
Lynch, William, 90.
Lynson, Ab., 439.

Madison Avenue, 373 ; Street Mission,

337 ; and Catheriue Street, 335.
MaBlt, John N., 252 (note).
Manhattan Island, 316.
Manhattanville Mission, 301, 37').
Maun, James, 120 ; John, .53, 7(i.

Marcliinton, Philip, 78.

Mai-garet, 432.

Mariners' Methodist Episcopal Church.
:336.

Marriages, First recorded, Preface, vi
(note).

Married preacher. First In New York,
81.

Marsden, Josh.ua, 159, 197.

Martindale, Stephen, 236.

Marslin, John, 438; Nathaniel, 438;
Thomas, 438.

Mason, Thomas, 240.

Matthews, David, 437.

Matthias, John B., 248; John J., 248.

McC:(imbs, Laurence, 126.

McClasky, John, 149.

McEvers. Char.es, 437 ; widow (James),
437.

McKennis, British agent, 130.

Members, earliest lists of. Preface, vi ;
in Seventh Street, 154 (note) : lists
of, 99 (note), 106 (note), 120 (note*,
132; received 1791,130; 1804, 167;
1807, 171 ; 1808, 174; 1809, 176; 1810,
178; 1811, 185; 1812, 191; 1813, 193;
1816, 201.

Membership, Table of, 495.

Merrick, John, 106.

Merwin, Samuel, 165; sermon in Allen
Street, 254.

Methodism, origin of in England, 1 ;
favored by lories, 73 ; in New York
in 1800, 152 ; in 1821, seen through
foreign eyes, 238.

Methodist worship, described, 408 ; dis-
turbed, 74, 75.

Methodists before Embury, 3 (note).

Middleton, Dr., 439.

Mission House, 296.

Moral, Mr.. 4;».

Moravians, 43.5.

Moore, Thomas, 440.

Moriartv, John, 98; Peter. 98.

Morrell, Thomas, 105, 119, 125 ; fare-
well texts, 1791, 119; 179,3, 125.

Morris, Nicholas, 211.

Morrisania, 381.

Mott Avenue, 389.

Mountany, Ab., 431.

Mourning in churches disapproved,
257.

Mulberry Street, 323.

Munson, Wait, questions by, 195.

Mm-phey, John, 485.

Newton, Henry, 61, 429 ; Mary, 430.

New York, early history of, 9 ; in 1760,
10; map of, in 1760, 10; Methodism
as seen through foreign eyes In 1824,
238

Ninth Street, .338.

Nichols, Andrew, 140.

Nizer, Rev. Mr., 434.

Norfolk Street. 332.

Norris, David, 34.

North Church, 288.

Index.

503

North River Church, 288.
North New York, 385 ; Mission (St.
Stephen's), 380.

Official members in 1795. 132 (note) ; in
1790, Iryj(note); in 1811, 190 (note) ;
in 1812, 46(5 ; in 1820, 167.

Osrilvie, Rev. John, 428.

Old Book described. Preface, iv ; last
records in, 13.5 (note).

Old Brewery, 403.

Old records. Preface, v.

One Hundred and Fifty-second Street,
3t)2.

One Hundred and Fourteenth Street,
(German), 396.

One Hundred and Fourth Street, 370.

One Hundred and Ninth Street, 368.

One Hundred and Twenty-fllth Street,
376.

One Hundred and Twenty-third Street,
375.

Ostrander, Daniel, 158 ; and instru-
mental music in Willett Street, 299 ;
sermon in Allen Street, 255 ; in Wil-
lett Street, 299 (note).

Palatines, in Germany, 3 ; in Ireland,
4 ; in N. Y., 15 ; receive Methodism,
4, 5 (note) ; Wesley's visit to, 5, 6, 8 :
embark, 8 ; arrive, 14 ; speaking Ger-
man, 15 (note) ; second party arrive,
15.

Paper allowed to preachers, 47 (note).

Park Avenue, 274, 309.

Parks, Peter, account of origin of
Methodism, 22 ; sexton, 491.

Pastor, asked for, 35.

Pastoral visiting, Asbury's idea of, 130.

Pearson, Joseph, 429.

Pease, Lewis, 260 ; sermon in Allen
Street, 256.

Peck, Phineas, 174.

Perry Street, 355.

Peters, James, 431.

Pewed churches. First, 271, 321.

Philadelphia, contribution to the New
York Church,. 35.

Phoebus, William, 106; death of, 365.

Pilmoor, Joseph, 44, 53; returns
to England, 66; subsequent his-
tory, 67.

Plans of appointments, 478.

Police needed, 76.

Political preaching, 131.

Posthumous influence, 24.

Prayer-meetings, plans and leaders,
188.

Preachers, appointment and support in
1813, 195; described bv Marsden in
1802, 159; during Revolution, 76;
"gone to college," 177; house, 461;
meeting, 476 ; salary and duties, 47 ;
to lead classes, 192; under close rein,
477.

Presiding elder, first in New York, 87.

Prindle, Cyrus, 264. i

Prisoners, Visiting, 130.
Probationers, admission to classes and

love-feasts, 189.
Promiscuous seating, 276.
Property, division of, 27'4; of church

in 1829, 259; some in John Street

leased, 199.
Pulpit and altar in lecture-room at

John Street, 85 (note).
Purdy, Jonathan, 256.

Quarterly Conference, Rolls of, In
1834, 2(3, 29, 31, 468.

Queries by Asbury, 59.

Questions presented to leaders' meet-
ing, 195.

Rachel, 432.

Handle, Captain, 438.

Rankin, Thomas, 62-64.

Read, C. Joseph, 438.

Reading, Sermon on, by G. Coles, 299.

Records, First, of baptisms and mar-
riages. Preface, v, vii, viii.

Reece, Rev. R., view of New York
Methodism in 1824, 238.

Regulations for New York Church, 47,
59.

Remsen, Peter, 442.

Revival at Allen Street, 252; at Willett
Street 298.

Revivals, 79, 113, 137, 141, 168, 175, 214.

Revolution, Church in New York dur-
ing, 72.

Rhinelander, Benjamin, 432; Mr., 432;
William, 432.

Rice, Phineas, 194.

Richardson, Marvin, 199.

Ridge Street, 372.

Rigging-loft, 25.

Riley, James, 490.

Ritzman, Rudolph, 440.

Riverdale, 380.

Rivington Street, 361.

Roberts, George, 136.

Robertson, John, 184.

Rodda, Martin. 69, 70.

Rogers, Evan, 125.

Rose Hill. 302.

Ross, William, 233.

Ruff, Daniel. 70.

Rum provided for workman, 429.

Rutgers, Anthony, 439.

Sacramental vessels at John Street,

285.
St. Andrew's, 358.
St. Christopher's Home, 407.
St. James, 305.
St. John's, 347.
St. Luke's, .365.
St. Miirk's, 371.
St. Paul's, 323; German, 395.
St. Stepli^Mi's, 380.
Salary of Hrst preachers, 47.
Sandford, Peter P., 184.
Sands, Stephen, 447.

504

Index.

Sargent, T. F., 149.

Sause, Richard, 83, 78, 426 ; appointed
leader, 69.

Schism, Bishop Asbury on, 139.

ScholeQeld, A., 201.

School proposed, 202.

Schuyler, Bernard, 486, 490 ; Samuel,
444.

Seaman, Richard, 264.

Sears, Isaac, 442.

Seating, new plan of, 268 ; promiscu-
ous, 276.

Sebring, Isaac, 430.

Second Avenue, 350.

Second Church, 285.

Second Street (Forsyth Street), 285.

Second Street, present church, 257, 265,
270, 316.

Second Weslevan Chapel, 323.

Selby, Samuel, 431.

Seney, Robert, 245.

Sermon, Embury's first, 18.

Services, early, 47 ; in 1794, 129 ; order
of in 1824, 477.

Seventeenth Street, 342.

Seventh Street, 153; dedicated, 274,
291.

Seventy-flrst, 358.

Seventy-sixth, 366.

Sextons, 485.

Shadford, George, 62, 03, 66, 67.

Sharp, Richard, 493.

Shoemaker's ground, 27.

Short sermon by G. Coles, 252 (note).

Sillick, Bradley, 263.

Singers to sit together, 188.

Singing, first teacher, 51 ; and choris-
ters, 491.

Sixteenth Street Mission, 342.

Sixty-eighth Street, 358.

Sixtv-first Street, 358.

Sixty-seventh Street, 358.

Slidel, J., 490.

Smart, Robert, 493.

Smith, Daniel, 124 ; Eben, 176 ; Hazael,
1T2; James M., 184; Joseph, 38
(note).

Snethen, Nicholas, 164.

Soldiers disturbing worship, 74, 75.

Soule, Joshua, 213.

South Harlem, 368.

Southwell, John, 33.

South Yonkers, 380.

Spicer, T., 210.

Spraggs, S., 76, 77.

Sproson, John, 111, 135 (note).

Stagg, Abraham, 316.

Stapel, Mrs., 446 (note).

Staples, John, 445; John, Jr., 446;

Thomas, 446.
Statistics, 495.
Stead, Henry. 241.
Stebbins, Cyrus, 146, 161.
Steward, First, 60.

Stewards, in 1795, 132 (note) ; 1796, 140
(note); accoimts of, from 1827-31,
474 ; appointment of, 1819, 217.

Stilwell, Samuel, 226 ; William M., 227,
230, 231.

Stilwellite secession, 215.

Stimets, Christopher, 426.

Straiten, J. B., 237.

Strawbridge, Robert, 37 ; Chapel and
John Street, 36.

Strebeck, George, 122.

Stuyvesant, Nicholas, 439.

Subscribers to first church, 30, 422.

Subscription paper for first church, 29.

Sullivan Street, 330.

Summerfleld, John, 234.

Sunday service book, 83.

Sunday-schools, not to instruct those
who attend day-schools, nor during
hours of public service, 208.

Superannuated preachers, Plan for re-
lief of, 190.

Swedish Church, 398.

Talbot, Samuel Q., 97, 98.

Taylor, Thomas (T. T.), 35, 436 ; letter
to Wesley, 448.

Ten Eyek, Mary, 438.

Tenth Avenue Mission, 354.

Thacher, William, 112, 147, 164.

Thirtieth Street, 327.

Thirtv-llfth Street, 354.

Tliirtv-fourtii Street, 345.

Tliirty-seventh Street, 344.

Thomas, Samuel, 174.

Thompson and Selby, 431.

Thompson, James, 490.

Thorp, Thomas, 208.

Tomkins Street, 361.

Tories? Were the early Methodists,
4.57.

Totten, Joseph, 135.

Tract Society, Wesleyan Female, 203
(note).

Treasurers from 1769-96, 135 (note).

Tremont, 383.

Trials, church. Records of, 190.

Trlgler, Mrs., 460.

Trinity Church (34th Street), 345;
(118th Street) ffiO.

Trustees in 1773, 68 ; 1782, 78 ; 1783,
78; 178.5, 86; 1795, 131; 1796, 140
(note); 1798, 144; 1811 or 1812, 190;
1816, 201 ; 1819, Preface, ix ; 1S20, 211 ;
July, 1820, 232; 1821, 232; 1822, 236;
1823, 237 ; 1824, 238; 1825, 241 ; 1826,
244; 1827, 247; 1828, 250; 1829,2.57
(note) ; 1830, 260 ; 1831, 261 ; 183^,
265 ; 1833, 270 (note) ; 18:34, 271 ; ex-
cited election, 1795, 131; minutes.
Preface, ix ; number increased, 257 ;
stewards of 211.

Tucker, Thomas, 442.

Tunes, Old, 19.

Tunnell, John, 91.

Twentieth Street, 318.

Twenty-fourth Street (Chelsea), 327;
(second church), 348.

Twenty-seventh Street, 302.

Two niile stone, 15.5, 291,

Index.

505

Universalism in the New York Society,

137, 138.
Upper Greenwicb, 318.
Upper Morrisania (Tremont), 383.
Ustick, VVilUam, 43;i.

Van Schaiek, Peter, 436.
Van V'leek, Henry, 433.
Van Wyck, Tbeodore, 441.
Vardell (Vandrill), Mr., 440.
Verplanek, (V'erpleck), 441. '
Vestry Street, 271, 321.

Waldron, Richard, 444.

AValgrove, Samuel, 179.

Walton, Thomas, 439.

War of 1814, 300.

Ward, Francis, 173.

Ware, Thomas, 1*3.

Washburn, Ebenezer, 201.

Washington, Address to President, 103,
463.

Washington Heights, 362.

Washington Square, 330.

Watts, John, 439.

Webb, Captain, 23, 24, 62, 433, 487.

Wells, Joshua, 142.

Welsh Mission, 400.

Wesley's contribution to the chapel,
35; visits to the Palatines, 5, 6, 8.

Wesley Chapel (John Street;, 36 (Attor-
ney Street), 361.

Wesleyan Seminary, 207 (note).

West Farms, 387 ; and West Chester,

action of preachers' meeting in 1825

as to, 387.
West Harlem (Calvary), 375.
Whatcoat, Richard, 83, 119.
Wheeler, Eliphalet, 144 (note).
White, Charles, 23, 425; Henry, 440;

Nicholas, 245.
Whiteflelrt, George, proposed as bishop,

2 (note).
Wickham, Lawyer, 443.
Willett Street, 296.
Williams, Charles, 439 ; Molly, 485, 488 ;

Peter, 485, 486, 487; emancipation

of, 489; Peter, Jr., 488; Robert, 44.
Willis, Henry, 97.
Williston, Ralph, 163.
Wilson, David, 492 ; John, 161. "

Wine for preachei-s, 51.
Witter, Thomas, 438.
Woodlawn, 387.
Woodstock, 390.
Workheart, George and Eva, 110, 111,

(note).
Worship, Methodist, about 1825, 468.
Wright, Richard, 57.

Yates (or Yeats), 442.
Yearbry, Joseph, 63.
Yellow fever in New York, 118, 136,

141, 145 (note), 168.
Yorkville, 309, dedication of, 274.
Youngs, J., 343.

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