CHAPTER XXIV. TOUR TO VIRGINIA, BALTIMORE, AND PHILADELPHIA CONFERENCES.

Again we turn our faces toward the North. The first night we were the guests of a brother of Bishop M’Kendree, who was overjoyed to see us, and treated us in a friendly manner.

We went to Newbern, N. C., and on Sunday had four sermons: Thomas Lasley preached at sunrise from Gen. xlix, 10, “The scepter shall not depart,” etc.; Bishop Asbury at eleven from Heb. xii, 1, 2. The race, the witnesses, the judge, and the prize, were the topics he dwelt upon. At three Bishop M’Kendree from Jer. iv, 14, “O Jerusalem,” etc. Brother Merritt at night from 1 Tim. ii, 22, “Flee youthful lusts,” etc.

On Friday Bishop M’Kendree left us to go direct to Norfolk, and Bishop Asbury and I went out of our direct route to Edenton. We borrowed two horses, that our tired animals might rest, and arrived at Edenton after dark. Well might Mr. Asbury inquire, “Are we riding for life?” It was exceedingly cold, and I suffered severely. We stayed at William Hankins’s. In the evening I walked to the church and preached, and in returning took a cold that had like to have cost me my life.

On Sabbath there was a tremendous snow-storm. So after all our pains the bishop preached to only six men and twelve women. In the evening I preached to the Africans. We never forgot these sable children.

During this route I suffered more than the martyrs. For a fortnight I had high fevers every night; and then riding all day in the cold, my sufferings were intolerable. I became so weak that I had to be helped on to my horse, and then, though I could hardly sit upon him, rode thirty and forty miles a day, with cold winds beating upon me.

Bishop Asbury describes our route: “My flesh complains of cold riding and the labor of preaching. May I be made perfect through sufferings! Saturday brought us through rain and snow, without eating or prayer, to William Birdsong’s. On Monday, February 5, we wrought our solitary way through the woods to Allen’s bridge. The Widow Pennington received us. Her husband is dead, she is sick, her children irreligious. O misery! O mercy!... We have passed like a mail through South and North Carolina. I solemnly sympathize with my dear Brother Boehm. He has suffered greatly in his journey; an awful cough and fevers. Lord, what is life?” From this I think the bishop doubted my recovery. My sufferings can never be told. The day we rode to Petersburgh we stopped to rest in the woods, and I lay down upon a log, for I was too weak to sit up. The time came to start, and I told the bishops (Bishop M’Kendree had now rejoined us) to go on and leave me there. I felt as if I would rather die on that log than go on. They were all attention and full of sympathy. Bishop M’Kendree prepared me a little medicine, and I drank it, and then ate a little. They lifted me from the log on to my horse, and in this plight I rode to Petersburgh. When we arrived there, about sundown, I was so weak they had to lift me from my horse and carry me into the house. The ride was most tedious and painful. At Petersburgh we found a kind home at Sister Harden’s.

The Virginia Conference commenced its session in Petersburgh on Thursday, February 8, 1810; but I was so sick that it was six days before I could go to the conference room. On Friday Bishop M’Kendree, seeing how ill I was, took me into his room, and was my nurse and physician. He administered medicine to me, and watched over me with all the kindness of a father. If I had been his only son he could not have treated me more tenderly. When he was under the necessity of being absent, his traveling companion, Thomas Lasley, continued with me, and was very attentive and kind. The family we put up with were all kindness and affection. What a debt of gratitude I owe them! “I was a stranger, and they took me in.”

Under God I owe the preservation of my life to Bishop M’Kendree. Blessed man! I had often waited on him, for he was frequently an invalid. On his first episcopal tour he was afflicted with asthma, and needed much attention, and it afforded me great pleasure when I could do anything to relieve him. Sometimes he could not lie down, and suffered exceedingly. And yet I have often thought his continental tours were a great benefit to him, and prolonged his life. The open air and the exercise on horseback did him good.

On Wednesday, the 14th, I was able to go to the conference room. Then I heard Bishop Asbury preach an ordination sermon from “Lo, I am with you alway,” etc. It was full of instruction and encouragement to Christian ministers. Immediately after the sermon Bishop M’Kendree ordained the elders. In the afternoon I heard a profitable sermon from Edward Dromgoole.

The next day at noon the conference adjourned, and immediately Bishop Asbury and I started for Richmond. I left Petersburgh with a heart overwhelmed with gratitude. I wrote, “The Lord made use of Bishop M’Kendree in saving my life. May the Lord abundantly bless him; also this kind family.”

Forward we went to Richmond, then to Fredericksburgh, through heavy rain and deep mud, not the best weather for an invalid. Here the bishop preached. Onward through Dumfries, one of the oldest places in Virginia. Mud, mud, mud! deeper, and still deeper, till we were in danger of being stuck.

At Alexandria the bishop preached from, “If any man speak,” etc. We went thence to Georgetown to Henry Foxall’s. Speaking of Washington city, the bishop exclaimed, “O what a world of bustle and show we have here!” If he thought so in 1810, what would he think if he could revisit Washington city in 1865?

Jesse Lee was then chaplain to the House of Representatives. I went with him to the capitol. He first prayed in the House of Representatives, and then we went to the Senate, and there he offered prayer. He and the chaplain to the Senate took turns, praying alternate weeks in both houses. Lee was much respected as chaplain. His prayers at that time were short, fervent, and patriotic.

In coming north with Bishop Asbury in 1810, at the south of Washington we met John Randolph, that peculiar genius and unequaled orator of Roanoke. He was riding, and had his dogs with him in the carriage. He always thought much of his dogs, and took them with him to Washington. His complexion was very dark, and his eyes were black.

On Saturday, February 24, we reached Baltimore, and put up with Sister Dickins. Then I went to see my father, and he went with me to the Baltimore Conference. He loved to attend the conference, and wished another interview with his life-time friends, Bishops Asbury and Otterbein.

On Lord’s day I heard my aged father preach in Otterbein’s Church from 1 Cor. iv, 20, “For the kingdom of God is not in word,” etc. Of course it was in German. At three o’clock my colleague, Jacob Gruber, preached in Otterbein’s Church, from John v, 25, on the spiritual resurrection. It was a lovely sight to behold the venerable Otterbein, my aged father, and Newcomber, all together worshiping in such delightful harmony.

On Wednesday evening I preached at Otterbein’s Church, on Matt. xi, 28, 29, in my mother tongue. My father concluded with an impressive exhortation and prayer. This was my father’s last visit to Baltimore, his last interview with Otterbein, and the last time he ever attended an annual conference.

Twelve were received on trial at this conference; among them John Davis, long an ornament to the Baltimore Conference and a pillar in the temple of Methodism; and John W. Bond, the last traveling companion of Bishop Asbury. Among the elders ordained were Gerard Morgan, (father of N. J. B. and L. F. Morgan,) Job Guest, and Alfred Griffith, who has recently retired from the work. The bishop wrote thus: “If we want plenty of good eating and new suits of clothes, let us come to Baltimore; but we want souls.”⁠[27] This will give an idea of our entertainment in Baltimore.

The conference adjourned on Saturday, March 17, and Bishops Asbury and M’Kendree, and my father and Thomas Lasley, immediately left for Perry Hall, where Sister Gough treated us with the usual kindness.

On Monday we rode to Henry Watters’s at Deer Creek. He was seventy-two years old when we were there. He was a brother of William Watters, and in this house William was born and converted. One of the earliest Methodist churches in Maryland was erected on the farm of Henry Watters. It was in this chapel the famous conference was held in 1777,⁠[28] when the English preachers, with the exception of Mr. Asbury, gave up the field, and returned to their native country. The old homestead is still in possession of the family of Henry Watters, Esq., the oldest son. He is a class-leader in the Church. What imperishable memories cluster around the sweet rural mansion where Pilmoor and Boardman, Coke and Asbury, so often lodged and prayed!⁠[29]

This was Bishop Asbury’s last visit to Deer Creek and to the Watters family. He was here the year after he arrived in America, namely, 1772, and often afterward, and had witnessed thrilling scenes. He wrote mournfully, in his journal, “I parted at Deer Creek (ah, when to meet again!) with aged Father Boehm and my ancient friend, Henry Watters.” It was his last interview with his friend Watters. My father and the bishop met but once more.

I accompanied the bishop through the Peninsula before the session of the Philadelphia Conference. On Thursday, at Elkton, I heard Bishop M’Kendree and George Pickering preach. The latter was raising money for a church in Boston, so he came to the Peninsula, the garden of Methodism, for sympathy and funds. He found both, as the sequel will show. This was Bishop M’Kendree’s first tour through the Peninsula. We went to Bohemia Manor, where there was preaching, and we were entertained by Richard Bassett.

We continued traveling and preaching every day. On Saturday at Friendship meeting-house. Sunday, at Smyrna, Bishop Asbury preached from 2 Chron. xxxii, 25, 26, “But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him,” etc. George Pickering spoke afterward, and then a noble collection was taken for the Boston Chapel. Here Bishop Asbury wandered among the tombs, and his heart was affected as he looked at the graves of those he loved, and with whom he had worshiped years before.

On Monday we were at Dover, and the bishop preached in the chapel. Mournfully he wrote: “Most of my old friends in this quarter have fallen asleep.” We went to Barratt’s Chapel, where George Pickering preached on “By whom shall Jacob arise,” etc.; then Bishop Asbury, on Heb. x, 38. We stayed with Andrew Barratt, Esq., son of Philip Barratt. Onward we went till we reached the Sound Chapel, and after the bishop preached we stopped with my old friend, Arthur Williams. We had ridden fourteen hundred and sixty-six miles on horseback since we left Charleston.

We went to Snow Hill. The bishop wrote: “Lodged at Samuel Porter’s, the steward of the circuit; he is a solemn man in his appearance, as an official character ought to be.” On Tuesday bishop M’Kendree preached at eleven at Captain Downing’s, and Bishop Asbury at night.

On Wednesday, April 11, at Curtiss’s Chapel, and then went to Francis Waters, Esq., at Potato Neck. He was a sterling man and a sterling Methodist. He was the father of Francis Waters, D.D., and of the wife of Freeborn Garrettson, Esq., of Rhinebeck, N. Y. The bishop here wrote: “I rode to Francis Waters’s at Potato Neck. They kept me busy: I must preach; I am senior; I have been long absent; some never expected to hear me again; possibly I may never come again. I am reminded that such and such I dandled in my lap. The rich, too, thirty years ago, would not let me approach them; now I visit and preach to them. And the Africans, dear affectionate souls, bond and free, I must preach to them.”

Next day we preached at Potato Neck, and lodged with Lazarus Maddox. He was one of the best men I ever met with. On Monday Bishop Asbury preached at Ennalls’s Chapel, and we dined with my early friend, the widow of Harry Ennalls. I have given but a part of this memorable tour through the Peninsula. Everywhere the bishops were hailed as holy apostles, everywhere they preached with power.

On Thursday, April 18, the Philadelphia Conference commenced its session in Easton, Maryland. Here the early Methodist ministers were persecuted. Joseph Hartly was imprisoned, but he felt the “word of God was not bound,” and through the grates of his jail he “preached deliverance to the captives,” and many were converted, and the persecutors liberated the prisoner for fear he would convert the whole county.

There was a camp-meeting connected with the conference. There was much feeling under a sermon preached by Bishop Asbury from 1 Peter ii, 21-23, on the example of Jesus. A number were converted on the camp-ground.

John Emory, afterward bishop, and Laurence Laurenson, were received on trial with others. This was one of the most harmonious conferences I have ever attended. Bishop Asbury was delighted, as will appear by the following: “What a grand and glorious time we have had! how kind and affectionate the people!” On Friday the conference adjourned. My appointment was read off thus: “Henry Boehm travels with Bishop Asbury.”

On Saturday we went to Henry Down’s at Tuckahoe. Bishop Asbury and he were bosom friends. We rode fifty miles this day to Dover, and Bishop M’Kendree preached in the evening. We stayed at Richard Bassett’s. Bishop M’Kendree preached at Dover on Sunday, the 22d, at eleven, and Asbury immediately after. Then I went to Smyrna, and Bishop M’Kendree preached there. Have such laborious bishops been seen since the days of the apostles?

We went to Chester, where Bishop Asbury preached the funeral sermon of Mary Withey. Chester is the most ancient town and county seat in Pennsylvania. Very early William Penn was here, and Whitefield preached in this place to thousands. Here lived Mary Withey. She was a woman of superior talents, and kept one of the best public houses in America. As early as 1798 I was her guest with Dr. Chandler, and was often at her house in after years. Her husband during the Revolutionary War was for King George; she was for America, a decided Whig. Washington was often her guest, and she took great pains to entertain him well, Mr. Asbury early became acquainted with her, and in 1800 was at her house with Bishop Whatcoat, and he wrote thus: “On Saturday we dined with Mary Withey, now raised above her doubts, and rejoicing in God. Through her instrumentality a small society is raised up in Chester, and she hath fed the Lord’s prophets twenty-eight or more years.” What a splendid eulogy upon Mary! Now we have there a membership of over three hundred, a very pleasant station. What would the old landlady say if she could revisit Chester and contrast the present with the past?

Mr. Asbury went eighteen miles out of his way to preach the funeral sermon of Mary Withey. This he did in the Chester Church May 5, 1810. He makes the following interesting record: “She was awakened to a deep inquiry respecting the salvation of her soul while I officiated at her house in family prayer. This was in 1772, on my first journey to Maryland. She had lived twelve years a wife, forty-four years a widow, and for the last thirty years kept one of the best houses of entertainment on the continent. In her household management she had Martha’s anxieties, to which she added the spirit and humility of Mary. Her religious experience has been checkered by doubts and happy confidence. She slept in Jesus.”

NORTHERN TOUR TO PITTSFIELD, NEW YORK CONFERENCE.

We made a visit to Burlington, N. J., to James Sterling’s. A whole volume might be written concerning this estimable man and his family. It is difficult now to appreciate the position they once occupied. James Sterling was a prince in our Israel.

Having the company of George Pickering we went to New Brunswick, where Bishop Asbury preached in the court-house to three hundred people. We had no house of worship, and there was but one family that entertained Methodist preachers. It was a family by the name of Poole, who made us very welcome. It was years after before we got much of a foothold in this beautiful place. The Rev. Charles Pitman was the first stationed preacher, and he was favored with a glorious revival. He was then in his prime, and he helped to give character and stability to Methodism in New Brunswick. Now we have three flourishing Churches there.

The next day we went to New York and stayed with John Mills, Esq. Bishop Asbury preached in old John-street. He made this record in his journal: “We are in New York. Great times here. Two new houses within the year.⁠[30] I preached in 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.”

It did not come down, however, till the venerable bishop was in his grave. It was not till May 13, 1817, the old walls were demolished after an appropriate address by Rev. Daniel Ostrander. Then it was not done without powerful opposition; but the energetic William Thacher succeeded in raising the necessary funds for the new edifice. Now the third church edifice occupies the site.

On Saturday we left New York and went to Sherwood Vale, the next morning to White Plains, and the bishop preached from Heb. vi, 9, 10. Methodism was early introduced into White Plains, which is the county town of Westchester. Indeed this has been one of its strongholds. Here a memorable battle was fought during the Revolution, and here is “Washington’s headquarters;” and in the very room Washington occupied the first Methodist sermon in the town was preached, and the first Methodist class formed.⁠[31]

On Monday we left for Pittsfield, Mass. We reached Amenia, and put up with Father Ingraham. Amenia has been a stronghold for Methodism many years, and we have here an excellent seminary. Two annual conferences have been held here. The Ingrahams, the Hunts, and others have been strong pillars of Methodism in this place.

We passed on to Lenox, Mass., which is indeed a gem among the mountains, and then to Pittsfield. We put up during the conference at John Ward’s. We have ridden from Charleston more than two thousand miles. This would be but little by railroad or steamboat, but much to perform on horseback, as any one would find out by trying it.

Here lived the excellent Robert Green, who was a Methodist preacher of the old stamp and brother of Lemuel. Methodism was introduced into Pittsfield in 1790. The first Methodist sermon was preached by Freeborn Garrettson. The Rev. Robert Green formed the first society in this place. He was the main pillar of the society and ornament to the Church, and an honor to Methodism.

Both Bishop Asbury and M’Kendree were at the conference. On Saturday evening I heard Francis Ward preach. He was an excellent brother, a fine penman, and for several years secretary of the New York Conference. On Sabbath morning Bishop Asbury preached from Phil. iii, 17-21; Bishop M’Kendree in the afternoon.

Bishop M’Kendree presided at the conference most of the time. The brethren were not as familiar with his method as Bishop Asbury’s, and at first it did not go very smoothly. He was more systematic; but they soon got used to his ways, and most highly esteemed him.

The conference lamented the loss of one of its brightest ornaments, the Rev. John Wilson. He was a very pure spirit. He was book agent, and I used to do business with him and also correspond with him, as I attended to the interest of the Book Room. He was a Christian gentleman, an able preacher, a superior scholar, a good penman and accountant, and an able businessman. He died suddenly of asthma in New York city, January 28, 1810. His brethren say such were his excellences that even envy itself must be turned into praise, and malice and hatred into veneration.

Half a century has made a great change in the members of the New York Conference. Of the eighty-four who were present in 1810 but two remain, Laban Clark and Marvin Richardson. Fourteen were received on trial, among others Arnold Scolefield and Tobias Spicer.

The conference adjourned on Saturday, but the bishops and several of the ministers remained over Sabbath. We were the guests of the venerable Robert Green.

On Sabbath Daniel Hitt preached from “We have not received the spirit of bondage,” etc.; and Bishop M’Kendree, in the Congregational Church, in the afternoon, from John viii, 31, 32, on Christian Freedom.