THE

METHODIST QUARTERLY REVIEW.

OCTOBER, 1855.

ART. I.-THE FIRST CHAPTER IN THE HISTORY OF
AMERICAN METHODISM.

ABOUT a hundred and fifty years ago, a colony of Germans from the Palatinate emigrated from their fatherland and settled upon the rich and fertile lands of the county of Limerick, in the west of Ireland. Their descendants are still called Palatines; and although they have long since lost the language of their ancestors, yet they have not lost their German character for industry, thrift, and honourable dealing. They are among the most wealthy and prosperous farmers of the country.

When Mr. Wesley and his lay "helpers" found their way into that part of the country, about the middle of the last century, these Palatines were among the first to receive the doctrines which they preached, and to experience their wondrous and transforming power. Among them was a youth by the name of Philip Embury, who records his conversion in the following language:-" On Christmas day, being Monday, the 25th of December, in the year 1752, the Lord shone into my soul, by a glimpse of his redeeming love, being the earnest of my redemption in Christ Jesus, to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen." Mr. Wesley was in the county of Limerick in August, 1752; but whether he was immediately and directly instrumental in the happy change of Philip Embury, we have now no means of knowing; but they were personally acquainted with each other.

Between the accession of the house of Hanover in 1714, and the war of Independence, a very large number of Protestants from the north and west of Ireland emigrated to this country, and settled in the southern part of New-Hampshire, in western Massachusetts, in the city of New-York, in New-Jersey, in the western part of Pennsylvania, in the Great Valley of Virginia, and in the rich parts of FOURTH SERIES, VOL. VII.-31

North and South Carolina, especially upon the Yadkin and Catawba. These valuable emigrants soon became an element of great force in the polyglot population of the colonies; and entering with characteristic spirit into the struggle for our national independence, they furnished the American army some distinguished commanders, among which were Sullivan and Stark. President Jackson, who was born on the Waxhaw Creek, N. C., in 1765, was of this race. But the influence of this class of emigrants upon our political character and destiny is greatly overshadowed by another historical fact of far greater significance and importance. Two of the most numerous and powerful religious bodies in the United States arose chiefly out of this emigration-the Methodist Episcopal and the Presbyterian Churches. The Presbyterian Church was everywhere planted by these emigrants; the celebrated Tennent family, who were among its earliest pioneers, having come over about 1718. The origin of the Methodist Episcopal Church was on this wise:

Among those who settled in New-York, about 1765, was Mr. Embury, before mentioned, who had now become a local preacher. This must have been previous to September of that year, as he had a son born to him on the 24th of that month in John-street in that city. Several other Irish Methodists also emigrated about the same time; but finding none of the same profession, and being as sheep without a shepherd, some of them soon wandered from God; and so far did they depart from their duty, as to indulge in the frivolous and sinful amusements of the world.

But they were soon to return to their duty and to their God, and to be the humble pioneers of a mighty and glorious work on this continent. Among these emigrants was a pious family by the name of Hick, from Ballingrane. One evening the mother of this family went into a company of these backslidden Methodists, of whom Mr. Embury was one, and finding them engaged in card-playing, she immediately seized the pack and indignantly threw it into the fire. Then turning to Mr. Embury, she exclaimed, "Brother Embury, you must preach to us, or we shall all go to hell, and God will require our blood at your hands." Alarmed and astonished at this earnest and unexpected reproof, and willing to say something to justify himself, Mr. Embury replied, "How can I preach, for I

This "elect lady," whose maiden name was Barbara Ruckle, before her emigration to America lived in a house opposite the present Methodist Chapel in Ballingrane. The house is not now standing; but members of the family still survive in that place, and her descendants, "to the third and fourth generation," are yet found in the Methodist churches in New-York.

have neither a house nor a congregation?" "Preach in your own house, and to our own company first," was the ready reply. To this reasonable proposition he consented. An appointment was accordingly made, and Philip Embury preached the first Methodist sermon on this continent, in his own house, to five persons only. He soon formed a class consisting mostly of his own countrymen, the German Irish. This was in the latter part of 1766. About the close of the year they were joined by two brethren by the name of Louse and White, from Dublin. They now began to take courage in their new enterprise.

Soon a private house became too strait for the infant congregation, and encouraged by their success they rented a room in the most infamous part of the city-near the barracks-invading the very precincts of the powers of darkness, and making war upon ignorance and vice within their own domain. One day, while engaged in worship in this obscure temple, supposing themselves

"Little and unknown,

Loved and prized by God alone,"

the humble worshippers were amazed and even somewhat alarmed by the appearance, in their midst, of a stately and dignified figure in the uniform of a British officer. They feared insult and molestation. But they soon observed that he knelt with them in prayer, and were also further gratified and surprised to see that he demeaned himself with the most reverent propriety. He immediately made himself known to them. It was Captain Thomas Webb. He had been a lieutenant under the gallant and impetuous Wolfe at the capture of Quebec in 1759, where he had lost his right eye, and had been wounded in the arm. About the year 1765, after great internal struggles and much mental distress, in which he almost despaired of the divine mercy, he was happily converted to God, and joined the Methodist society under Mr. Wesley. It was not long before he made his first attempt as a public speaker, in Bath, England. The congregation with which he was waiting being disappointed of their preacher, he was called upon to address them, which he did with such acceptance, as soon to induct him into the office of a local preacher. Soon after this event, he was appointed barrack-master in Albany, in the province of New-York, whither he immediately removed with his family. Here, establishing “a Church in his own house," several of his neighbours desired permission to be present at his family worship, which was granted. To these he soon adopted the practice of addressing a word of exhortation; and thus Albany became one of the first scenes for the display of Wesleyan

zeal and devotion, although with no immediate results. Being in New-York, about this time, he heard of the little society under Mr. Embury, and in the true spirit of "a soldier of the cross," he was not ashamed of the great difference between their social position and his own, and sought them out. His first interview with them has been described. This event constituted an era in their progress.

Captain Webb now began to preach among them. The novelty of a man in regimentals with his sword and chapeau laid at his side preaching the Gospel of peace, immediately attracted crowds to hear. The preacher was a man who eminently united the more noble characteristics of the soldier with the esprit du corps of the religious body to which he belonged. His bluntness and earnest zeal, while he declared to his astonished auditors "that all their knowledge and religion were not worth a rush, except their sins were forgiven, and they had the witness of the Spirit with theirs, that they were the children of God," but increased the surprise and amazement of some, while others, more thoughtful and considerate, were led to seek this "pearl of great price," and to take the kingdom of heaven by violence."

Soon this place, also, was too small for them, and they began to look around for more ample accommodations. Presently they found a rigging loft, eighteen by sixty feet, not distinguished, indeed, by architectural proportions and adornment, but fully answering their immediate wants. It was at once fitted up for their reception, and thither the infant society repaired, thinking themselves truly happy in their unexpected enlargement. This building, thus identified with the early history of American Methodism, was recently standing, No. 120 William-street, an honoured memorial of the labours and successes of the past. Here Mr. Embury preached on Thursday evenings, and twice on the Sabbath; and here his humble auditors, in the glorious hope of finally worshipping in the great temple above, wept and prayed and sang and shouted, while God gave an increase both of grace and of members.

In the mean time Captain Webb removed to the neighborhood of Jamaica, Long Island, where his wife's relatives resided. Here he also commenced preaching, first in his own house, and then in various other places. In the course of six months twenty-four were converted to God, about one-half of whom were coloured people. Persons of this unfortunate race were also among the "first-fruits" of Wesleyan labours in the city of New-York.

While Captain Webb, to use his own language, was thus engaged "in felling trees on Long Island," the little society in New-York, finding even the Rigging Loft not half large enough to accommodate

the multitudes that attended the preaching, seriously began to think of erecting a place of worship. But serious and formidable difficulties presented themselves in the very outset. At this time there were but two classes in the society, one of men and one of women, and of these there was but one person of property besides Captain Webb, viz., a Mr. Lupton. In this emergency, they at once betook themselves to God by prayer and fasting for his direction. While thus engaged, Mrs. Hick, the lady before mentioned, received an answer, attended with great sweetness and power, "I the Lord will do it;" while at the same time a plan of action was suggested to her mind, which, upon being presented to the society for their consideration, was adopted. Lots were accordingly purchased, and arrangements made to build. At this stage of their progress one of the society thus wrote to Mr. Wesley:

"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 endeavours to build a wooden tabernacle; a piece of ground was proposed; the ground-rent was agreed for, and the lease was to be executed in a few days. We, however, in the mean time, had two several days for fasting and prayer, for the direction of God and his blessing on our proceedings; and Providence opened such a door as we had no expectation of. A young man, a sincere Christian and constant hearer, though not joined in society, not giving anything toward this house, offered ten 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 is a house that rents for eighteen pounds per annum. He found the purchase-money of the two lots was six hundred pounds, 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 property. I was determined the house should be on the same footing as the orphan house at New-Castle, and others in England; but as we were ignorant how to draw the deeds, we purchased 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 opportunity.

"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 laboured with all their might to stop their congregations from assisting us. But He that sitteth in the highest laughed 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. Webb and Mr. Lupton will borrow or advance two hundred pounds, rather than the building should not go forward; but the interest of money here is a great burdenbeing 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 overburdened already. Yet so far I would earnestly beg: if you 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."