and not a few in the journal of Mr. Garrettson. At the time we are now speaking of, he says, "I was rejoiced to converse with one who, a few weeks since, was a great enemy to religion, but has now a broken heart."

Mr. Garrettson continued his labours in these parts of the country among his old friends with various success, and oftentimes exposed to much fatigue and suffering, until September 3, when he was preparing to take his departure for Charleston, S. C, but was arrested in his progress by the arrival of Dr. Coke, who was empowered by Mr. Wesley to organize the Methodist societies in this country into a separate and independent church. On this event he makes the following reflections: "In the evening news came to my room that Dr. Coke had arrived. I felt a spirit of rejoicing, and hastened down stairs to receive him. I was somewhat surprised when Mr. Wesley's plan of ordination was opened to me, and determined to sit in silence. I thought it expedient to return with him to a quarterly meeting held in Kent county, where I expected to meet Mr. Asbury, and a number of the preachers. About fifteen met in conference, and it was thought expedient to call a general conference at Baltimore; and that I should decline my expedition to Charleston. I was accordingly appointed to go and call a conference. I sat out for Virginia and Carolina, and a tedious journey I had. My dear Master enabled me to ride about twelve hundred miles in about six weeks; and preach going and coming constantly. The conference began on Christmas day."

Dr. Coke in his journal alluding to the same event, says, "Here I met with an excellent young man, Freeborn Garrettson. He seems to be all meekness and love, and yet all activity. He makes me quite ashamed, for he invariably rises at four in the morning, and not only he, but several others of the preachers. Him we sent off, like an arrow, from north to south, directing him to send messengers to the right and left, and to gather all the preachers together at Baltimore on Christmas eve."

CHAPTER XI.

State of the societies at the conclusion of the war-Destitute of the ordinances Mr. Wesley solicited to supply this deficiencyFinally consents-Ordains Dr. Coke, who arrives in America, in company with Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey-Christmas Conference-Mr Asbury ordained a superintendent, and Mr. Garrettson and others, elders-He volunteers for Nova Scotia-Pastoral letters-Embarks for Halifax-Stormy passage-Kindly received at Halifax, preaches and forms a society-Makes a tour into the country, and preaches with success--Account of the AllenitesLetter to Mr. Wesley-Mr. Wesley's answer-Visits LiverpoolSociety doubled by his labours-Commencement of Methodism in Liverpool-Visits Shelburne-Kindly treated by the rector of the parish Society increases amidst opposition-Returns to Liverpool -Thence to Halifax-Correspondence with Mr. Wesley, Dr. Coke, and Bishop Asbury-Anecdotes and reflections-Leaves Nova Scotia for Boston-Origin of Methodism in Boston-Mr. Garrettson preaches there-Passes thence to Providence-Newport-NewYork-Philadelphia-to Baltimore, where he attends conference.

We come now to a very important era in the history of Methodism, as well as in the history of our country. After a long and severe struggle, the revolutionary war ended in the independence of these United States. With the annihilation of the political power of Great Britain over this country, ceased all its ecclesiastical jurisdiction. While, however, the contest lasted between the two countries, the Methodist societies had continued to increase under the faithful labours of the preachers, Mr. Garrettson and others; but these preachers not being ordained, the societies had remained destitute of the ordinances, only so far as they received them from the hands of other ministers.

This deficiency in the ministrations of the Methodist ministry, as has already been observed, had occasioned much uneasiness in the societies. From time to time, Mr. Wesley had been solicited to grant them relief; but being unwilling to disturb the order of the church to which

he belonged, until the independence of this country had been achieved, and acknowledged by the English government, Mr. Wesley remained deaf to their solicitations. This event, however, so auspicious in its consequences to this country, to the church, and perhaps I might add to the world at large, tended to remove all scruples from his mind respecting the expediency of the measure. He saw a large field opened for the future usefulness of a well organized ministry; a ministry constituted according to the Scripture model. To this work, with a view to supply the spiritual wants of so many thousands who were looking to him for direction in this important affair, Mr. Wesley believed himself providentially called. He, therefore, with all the despatch the nature of the business would allow, concerted measures for the organization of the Methodist societies in America into a church, according to what he considered to be the primitive model.

With a view to accomplish this object, Mr. Wesley first directed his attention to the most suitable men and means. Thomas Coke, LL. D., and a presbyter in the Church of England, had been led by a train of providential circumstances to connect himself with the body of Methodist preachers in England, and had, for a number of years, been one of Mr. Wesley's most active and efficient assistants. Mr. Wesley had received unequivocal proofs of his entire devotedness to the cause of his divine Master, of his hearty concurrence in the general plans of usefulness to the souls of men; and of his firm attachment to the doctrines and discipline of the Methodist societies. To him, therefore, Mr. Wesley directed his attention as the most suitable person to organize the societies in this country into a church, and to be the instrument of furnishing it with the ordinances of the gospel. Accordingly, being assisted by other presbyters of the Church of England, on the 2d day of September, 1784, Mr. Wesley set apart Dr. Coke as a superintendent of the Methodist societies in

America, and gave him letters of ordination. At the same time Mr. Wesley, with the assistance of Dr. Coke and Mr. Creighton, another presbyter of the Church of England, ordained Messrs. Richard Whatcoat and Thomas Vasey, who had volunteered their services for America, as presbyters, and recommended them to the brethren in this country. They accordingly accompanied Dr. Coke, who left England in the month of September, 1784, and arrived in this country, at New-York, on the third of November following.

It is not my intention to enter into a detailed account of the transactions of this period. Those who wish for such an account, and for the arguments in vindication of the conduct of Mr. Wesley, Dr. Coke, and Mr. Asbury, in these important matters, may consult Moore's Life of the Messrs. Wesley, Drew's Life of Dr. Coke, Lee's History of the Methodists, Vindication of Methodist Episcopacy, and the Defence of our Fathers.

We have already seen the manner in which Mr. Garrettson was employed in calling the preachers together, and the opinion expressed by Dr. Coke of his diligence and activity, his meekness and love. The preachers, about sixty in number, assembled in Baltimore, December 25th, 1784, and held what has been designated the "Christmas conference." The plan recommended by Mr. Wesley was unanimously approved of by the preachers present; and on the 27th of the same month, Mr. Francis Asbury, according to the appointment of Mr. Wesley and the unanimous vote of the conference, was consecrated by Dr. Coke, assisted by Mr. Otterbine, a German minister, of undoubted piety, and for whom Mr. Asbury entertained an affectionate and high regard, and other elders, to the office of a superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Church. According to Mr. Lee's History of the Methodists, there were thirteen elected to the office of elders, eleven of whom only were ordained at the conference.

Among those consecrated to this office was the subject of this memoir.

At the conclusion of the revolutionary war, a number of persons who still retained their attachment to the British government, removed to the province of Nova Scotia. Among these emigrants there were some who had been members of the Methodist society in this country; others had emigrated from Europe. These were as sheep without a shepherd. They therefore expressed a strong desire to have Methodist missionaries sent among them. As their circumstances and wishes became known to Dr. Coke, he deeply interested himself in their behalf, and contemplated making them a visit, but was providentially disappointed by a violent storm, which finally compelled the captain, with whom the Doctor sailed, to seek a shelter in one of the West India islands. At this conference, therefore, through his solicitations, Mr. Garrettson volunteered his services for Nova Scotia. While preparing for this enterprise, he wrote the following letters, one of which appears to be addressed to members of some former charge, and the other to a respected friend :

My dearly beloved friends and brethren,

"Peace and consolation attend you for ever, through Jesus Christ, Amen! I had great expectation of paying you a visit before I took my departure to some other quarter of my Master's vineyard; but had not had an opportunity, being confined to other places. I send this epistle, hoping it will, in some sense, supply my lack of service. Through the mercy of our God I enjoy health of body; and blessed be his dear name, I think my love and zeal for his glory are as great as ever; desiring to spend, and be spent in the best of causes, not counting my life dear, so I can win souls, and at last stand blameless before the throne of my God, not having on my own righteousness, but a righteousness through the faith of the Son of God.