all her courts, by all her ministers, in all her ordinances, till she 'girds herself every where with strength,' and shines forth in perfect truth and holiness, as the light of the world,' the joy of the whole earth.'

A SHORT MEMOIR OF JOHN GARRISON, ESQ.

Late of Brooklyn, Long Island ;

TOGETHER WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF METHODISM IN THAT PLACE:

BY THE REV. NOAH LEVINGS.

SHOULD any apology be thought necessary for embracing in the same paper both the topics named at the head of this article, it may, perhaps, be a sufficient one to say, that the life of Mr. Garrison, during the whole of his Christian course, was so identified with the history of Methodism in Brooklyn, that it seemed to the writer difficult, if not improper, under existing circumstances, to give the one and not the other. A fair opportunity also thus presents itself of doing both at the same time, and perhaps with the greater advantage. Mr. Garrison is now no more he is gathered unto his fathers-he sleeps in Jesus,-and God has wiped all tears from his eyes. This solemn dispensation of Divine providence, so deeply interesting to the church of God, and especially to the bereaved family of the deceased, has afforded us an opportunity of testifying our respect for the memory of one who, amidst all the vicissitudes which marked the history of the church in his day, undeviatingly adhered to those principles of Wesleyan Methodism by which our communion is distinguished.

We are not in possession of the information requisite to enable us to give a minute and detailed account of the early years of Mr. Garrison; nor is it indeed necessary. There are very few men the incidents of whose lives, prior to their conversion to God, possess sufficient interest to be worthy of record. That important event, however, is, in the history of man, the beginning of months.' It forms a new and interesting era, and is worthy of being indelibly engraved not only on the memory, but also on the records of the church. There are, indeed, grounds of a general similarity of character among all men, both before and after they are brought to God. And although circumstances in the details of human life may doubtless constitute shades of difference among men in an unregenerate state, yet, in one respect at least all mankind are alike before they are brought to the knowledge of the truth: All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.' One and the same evil nature actuates all. The carnal mind is enmity against

God; it is not subject to his law, neither indeed can be.' And the change by which we are brought from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, is not more marked and evident than is the identity of new character formed by it. For 'being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' And 'being made free from sin, and become servants to God, we have our fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.'

These remarks may serve in place of a particular account of the infancy, childhood, youth, and early manhood, of the subject of this memoir. We infer from them, as a given point, that he was a sinner in common with other men. Indeed, he ever spoke of his early years as having been spent not only in neglect of the duties of religion, but also without God and without hope in the world. A favorite expression with him was, 'I am a sinner saved by grace.' And while his account of himself was doubtless true, in fact, it tends the more fully to show, how correct were his views of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and how deep and genuine were his convictions of it, as existing in himself.

Mr. Garrison, according to an account found in his own handwriting, and subscribed with his own name, was born at Gravesend, Lond Island, August 25th, 1764. While quite young, his parents removed from Gravesend, and fixed their residence in Brooklyn. Soon after this his father died, and he was left in the care of his mother.

It is peculiarly interesting to us, who live more than half a century from the period when Methodism was first introduced into the United States, to look back and reflect upon the lives and labours of those single hearted, holy, and zealous men of God, through whose instrumentality he wrought such wonders in the land. It is a most pleasing duty to aid in the least degree in snatching from under the descending cloud of time, any scraps of the early history of Methodism, which may be obtained either from old records, or from the memories of the few yet living, who saw the foundations of the first temple laid. And we shall find these fathers and mothers in Israel far from being backward to communicate what they can remember on this interesting subject. The very mention of the names of the first preachers they saw and heard, and through whose instrumentality they were brought to God, throws a glow of pleasantness over their aged countenances, and for a moment seems to annihilate the years that have rolled between. They fancy themselves in the midst of those early and happy days, and with an eloquence peculiar to the tongue which speaks from the abundance of a full heart, they recount the wonders of divine grace, speak of the piety, zeal, and diligence, of the early preachers, together with their persecutions and sufferings for Christ's sake.

There are yet living a remnant of the first class ever formed in Brooklyn. From them we learn that the first Methodist preacher,

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that ever lifted up his voice in Brooklyn in favour of salvation by grace through faith,' was Thomas Webb, who was at that time a captain in the British army. This pious and zealous officer began to preach in his own hired house' near the barracks, in the year 1766. Some time subsequently to this, he visited Brooklyn, and preached the Gospel to the Dutch inhabitants residing there. How often he preached in that place we know not; but it is certain he never formed any society in Brooklyn. From Brooklyn he passed on to Newtown, and Jamaica, and planted the Gospel in those places. The novelty of a minister dressed in the garb of an officer of the army, and uniting in himself the no less singular and apparently inconsistent characters of the warrior and the messenger of the Prince of Peace, could not fail to excite much attention, and drew crowds to hear this singular man preach the Gospel.

The second man of whose preaching in Brooklyn we have any account was Woolman Hickson. Of this man of God his biographer observes, He was of a promising genius, and considerable preaching abilities; upright in life, but soon snatched away from the work by a consumption, and in the midst of his usefulness: seven years in the work.' His first sermon at Brooklyn was delivered in the open air, from a table, in what is now called Sands-street, directly in front of where the Methodist Episcopal Church now stands. At the close of his discoure, Mr. Hickson observed, that if any person present would open his house for preaching he would visit them again. A gentleman by the name of Cannon accepted the offer, and promised to prepare a place for the reception of the congregation. This place was no other than a cooper's shop, which Mr. Cannon used to prepare in the best way he could for the accommodation of the people. And He who disdained not to be manifested in a stable, and cradled in a manger, owned his word when delivered even in an humble shop. And why not, when he has so often employed mechanics, as well as fishermen, to dispense his word to man? He did own the labours of his servants, and in a short time Mr. Hickson formed a class of several members. This class, which was the first ever gathered in Brooklyn, must have been formed about the year 1785, or 1786. From this time Brooklyn continued to be visited occasionally by the preachers stationed in New York, and by the local preachers residing there. At this time also, the whole of Long Island was but one circuit, and but one preacher was appointed to it. At what particular time Brooklyn became one of the regular appointments in this circuit, we cannot say. We have nothing certain concerning the history of this part of the church until the year 1793. The preachers appointed to Long Island for that year, were Joseph Totten and George Strebeck. They laboured alternately a month in Brooklyn and a month in other parts of the Island. By this arrangement they were enabled to supply Brooklyn constantly with preaching and other pastoral duties. As yet there was but one class, and

the leader was Mr. Nicholas Snethen, subsequently a zealous, useful, and popular preacher, but since, we regret to say, strangely alienated from his first church-love, and now no longer of us. This was also a memorable year with Mr. Garrison. It was during this year that he found the pearl of great price. His mind had been exercised for several months on the subject of religion. He saw, as he expressed it, others striving to save their souls and get to heaven, while he was living in neglect of the important duties of religion. What were the particular means by which he was awakened to a sense of his lost condition we know not, but it was most probably by the preaching of the Gospel; as it is distinctly recollected by his surviving and afflicted widow, that he was in the constant practice of attending the ministry of the word for some time previously to his expressing a concern for the salvation of his soul. The preaching of the word, together with the example of many of his neighbours, who were turning to God from the error of their ways, was doubtless the means, under God, of bringing him to the knowledge of the truth. His mind was much exercised in relation to his spiritual and eternal interests, and withal not a little so respecting also the distinguishing doctrines of Calvinism. His best views of the Divine character, and of the word of God, forbad him to believe a sentiment which, in spite of all the metaphysical subtilties of its advocates, at once makes God the author of sin, and destroys the moral agency of man. Not being sufficiently versed in theology to connect the various parts of the Scriptures, so as to be satisfied of the language they speak on this subject, he was very desirous of having it presented in a clear point of light. In this he was gratified; for about this time a public debate was held between two ministers, the one a Methodist and the other a Baptist. With whatever ability on either side this controversy was conducted, and however fruitless such debates in general are, the result to Mr. Garrison was an entire settlement of his mind in favour of general redemption, and the free moral agency of man. From this time he became more than ever in earnest for the salvation of his soul. His conviction of sin was deep and pungent, and his conversion clear and satisfactory. It was testified to him by a witness from heaven, agreeably to Romans viii, 16, The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.' This important event Mr. Garrison thought worthy of record; and hence we find on a blank leaf in an old family Bible, the following note, written with his own hand and signed with his name: November 27th 1793. This evening the Lord Jesus Christ spoke peace to my soul, and forgave me all my sins, by the witness of his Spirit witnessing with my spirit. JOHN GARRISON.'

Without questioning the genuineness of the work in instances where the evidence is not at first so clear as to enable the individual to designate the precise moment when the change takes

place, it is certainly matter of gratitude, with all who can speak thus confidently on this subject. It enables the young Christian most successfully to withstand the temptations of the adversary, which generally come in like a flood on this very point There is, however, reason for those who can speak the most confidently, to rejoice with trembling; for while those whose evidence is not so satisfactory, are in danger of falling into doubts and fears, these may be in equal danger of trusting too much to the work of a moment whereas our salvation is as much by grace through faith,' and this too as the gift of God, after regeneration as before it. Without me,' says Christ, 'ye can do nothing.' However clear the evidence of Mr. Garrison's acceptance was to himself, his whole Christian course, and especially his dying testimony, went to show that these were his views on this important subject. Having experienced this happy change from darkness to light, Mr. Garrison, with his beloved companion, who had been made a partaker of like precious faith on the eighth of the same month, joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. Some time perhaps in the course of the following year, Mr. Snethen being called to a more public sphere of labour in the vineyard of the Lord, Mr. Garrison was appointed leader in his place; and it is worthy of remark, that from that time to the day of his death, a period of thirty-six years, he ever held this important and responsible office in the church. And how well he discharged its duties, let his bereaved and weeping class testify.

In the year 1794, the Methodist Episcopal Church in Brooklyn assumed a more prominent character than it had done before. On the 19th day of May 1794, the first Board of Trustees was elected. This election took place at the house of Mr. Peter Cannon, (before mentioned,) and resulted in the choice of John Garrison, Thomas Van Pelt, Burdett Striker, Stephen Hendrickson, Richard Everit, and Isaac Moser.

The steady adherence of Mr. Garrison to the interests of the Methodist Episcopal Church, may be readily inferred from this additional fact, that he continued by reëlections to sustain the office of trustee in the church for the space of thirty-six years. This fact, together with his being a class leader for the same length of time, speaks much in favour of his personal piety, and of the confidence reposed in him by the church. Indeed he was not the creature of circumstances,-carried about with every wind of doctrine. Nor did he suffer himself to be governed in his religious course by the fluctuations of his own feelings.

It was during the early part of this year also, that the first Methodist Episcopal house of worship was erected in Brooklyn. The corner stone of this building was laid by the Rev. William Phœbus, and subsequently a sermon was delivered upon the foundation by Mr. David Buck, from Isaiah xxviii, 16. After this house was raised and enclosed, and before it was finished, Mr.