1791. Kentucky, F. Poythress, Presiding Elder. Limestone circuit, Peter Massie, Lexington Henry Birchett, David Hag- Nos. in Society. 137 6 Tho. Williamson, J. Tatman, 520 1459 94 Madison circuit seems to be dropped this year, or blended with Danville; in 1812 it is again placed on the minutes. This year there were in society west of the mountains, in addition to the above. In Pittsburg circuit, 136 Pennsylvania and Virginia side, 317 4 774 10 This year Peter Massie died. By the brief account of his death, as it appears on the minutes, we find, that "Peter Massie" had been "under the profession of religion for some years. He felt some declension în spirit and practice of religion for a season, but was afterwards restored. He laboured faithfully in the ministry for upwards of three years, confirmed and established in the grace of God and useful. An afflicted man who desired and obtained a sudden death, by falling from his seat and expiring Dec. 19th, 1791, in the morning about nine o'clock, at Cumberland on the Western waters. Though thus briefly noticed, the death of one of these early heralds of the gospel, all we have to lament on this score, is, the want of materials to add a few remarks more. He was the first that died on the "Western waters in the harness; there is something that endears us to those who, imitating the example of the blessed Jesus, live and labour and die for our good. Let their memory be had in "everlasting remembrance." Peter Massie, I am informed, before he embraced religion, made a miraculous escape from the Indians. Being with a party who entered their country, he was pursued so close that when near the Ohio river, not knowing how to escape, he threw himself down the bank into the weeds. The Indians arriving just at that instant on the top of the bank, and he observing them, concluded flight was vain, laid still, whilst he beheld every muscular movement of their painted faces above him. They supposing that he had got off by swimming or otherwise, left the bank, and he escaped! He is, we trust, now far from all danger. VOL. IH. 59 1792. The first day of May, Conference was again Kentucky, F. Poythress, Presiding Elder. Nos. in Society. 149 7 John Sewell, B. Northcott, This year Mr. M'Henry was appointed Presiding Elder of Holstein, Green, New-river and Russell circuits, the two former being somewhat connected with the west. 1793. Conference was again held in Kentucky this year, the 6th of May. Kentucky, F. Poythress, Presiding Elder. Lexington, John Ball, Gabriel Woodfill Hinkstone, (taken from Lexington ct.) Richard Bird, 242 8 401 30 20 340 24 270 50 2082 136 Danville, Wm. Burke, John Page, J. Sewell, 548 Cumberland, Henry Birchett. 1794. Conference was held on the 15th of April this year. Kentucky, F. Poythress, Presiding Elder. 374 G 20 John Metcalf, Tobias Gibson, 410 Limestone circuit, Richard Bird, Lexington Hinkstone Danville Cumberland Salt-river Thomas Scott, 1795. Conference was held this year 1st of May. Kentucky, F. Poythress, Presiding Elder. Limestone circuit, John Page, 1796. There was no Conference appointed in Kentucky this year. F. Poythress, P. Elder. Limestone, Henry Smith, - 2110 91 Lexington, Thomas Wilkerson, Hinkston, Aquilla Jones, Danville, Benjamin Lakin, Salt-river, John Watson, Shelby, (taken from Salt-river ct.) Jeremiah Cumberland, John Buxton, Wm. Duzan, Sugg, Guilford, ( Burke, 313 13 503 43 Died. Henry Birchett was the second, who it appears fell sword in hand. We omitted his death under date of 1794, that we might couple it with the third youthful missionary, Francis Acuff. "Henry Birchett was from Brunswick county, and state of Virginia, and was between five and six years in the ministry; a happy and useful man, who freely offered himself for four years service on the dangerous stations of Kentucky and Cumberland. He might have returned at the Kentucky Conference 1793, but finding there was a probability of Cumberland being vacated by the preachers, notwithstanding the pain in his breast, and spitting of blood, the danger of the Indians, and prevalency of the small pox, he went a willing martyr, after asking the consent of the Bishop and the Conference. We hoped his life would have been preserved, but report saith that he departed in much peace, at Cumberland, on the western waters, in February 1794. He was one among the worthies, who freely left safety, ease and prosperity, to seek after and suffer faithfully for souls. His meekness, love, labours, prayers, tears, sermons and exhortations, will not be soon forgotten; he wanted no appeal from labour, danger or suffering. His willing heart said with Isaiah, Here am I, send me. And notwithstanding the Presiding Elder told him he thought it more than could be required of him, expressing his fears of his life, his willing heart apparently said, "If I perish, I perish." Thus nobly he for Jesus stood, bold to seal the truth and his labours with his blood. This was the language of his heart and practice, No cross, no suffering I decline, Only let all my heart be thine. Who can doubt of his eternal rest, or fail to say, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." "Francis Acuff, three years a travelling preacher; a young man of genius and improveable talents, and apparently of a firm constitution; was much beloved and greatly lamented by his family and Christian friends. He was born in Culpepper county, and brought up in Sullivan county, near Holstein, in the state of Tennessee. He died in August 1795 near Danville in Kentucky, in the 25th year of his age: thus dropped the morning flower, though flourishing in the morning, in the evening cut down and withered. He was soon called away from his labours in the Vineyard to the rest that remaineth for the people of God. A singular, yet an interesting, occurrence took place after Mr. Acuff's death. An Englishman by the name of Wm. Jones, who when a boy had migrated to America, was sold for his passage for four years on his arrival in Virginia. He served out his term with fidelity; though he was a man of great simplicity of manners and very moderate abilities, yet he conducted himself with great propriety. Billy, as he is called, through the instrumentality of Methodist preaching, was awakened and led to embrace religion. Under his dear brother Acuff's preaching he had been often greatly blessed. He had became acquainted with him, and heard him on Holstein in Tennessee, where he resided; hearing of his death, Billy resolves upon visiting his grave! His only desire was to visit the repository of the remains of his affectionate brother and friend. After planting corn," said he to me, "I started and travelled through the wilderness. I heard of the Indians killing people by the way, but, I put my trust in the Lord, for I knew, that he was able to protect me from the savages. When I came to the rivers I could wade the water, or if there were ferries they would put me over the rivWhen I was hungry the travellers would give me a morsel of bread, till I came to Mr. Greenes' in Madison county, and inquired for our dear brother Acuff's grave! The people looked astonished, but directed me to it. I went to his grave, felt my soul happy, and kneeled down and shouted over it, and praised the Lord!" Shouting Billy, as he is called, still lives in Kentucky, happy in religion, a monument of humility and ers. simplicity of soul. He has exercised in his peculiar way till his voice is now musical and very affecting. He labours for food and raiment only, looking for his possessions in another and a better world. This year there appears on the minutes a general order for a fast day, on the first Friday in March; and thanksgiving the last Thursday in October. Infidelity was now raging. Paine's Age of Reason was destroying thousands. The following is selected for its appropriateness to the present, as well as to those times, and its similarity of language used by the venerable Bishop Asbury in preaching GENERAL FAST. It is recommended by the general travelling ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, that the first Friday in March, 1796, should be held as a most solemn day of fasting, humiliation, prayer and supplication. It is desired, that it should be attended to in all our societies and congregations, with sabbatical strictness. That we should bewail our manifold sins and iniquities, our growing idolatry, which is covetousness, and the prevailing love of the world-Our shameful breach of promises, and irreligious habits of making contracts, even without the attention of honest heathens to fulfil them-Our superstition, the trusting in ceremonial and legal religion-the profanation of the name of the Lord-The contempt of the Sabbath even by those who acknowledge the obligations we are under to keep it holy; for many make no distinction between this and a common day, and others make a very bad distinction, by sleeping, walking, visiting, talking about the world, and taking their pleasure.Many also in various parts of the country, profane the sacred day by running their land and water stages, waggons, &c.disobedience to parents, various debaucheries, drunkenness, and such like. To lament the deep rooted vassalage that still reigneth in many parts of these free states-To call upon the Lord to direct our rulers, and teach our senators wisdom-That the Lord would teach our people a just and lawful submission to their rulers-That America may not commit abominations with other nations of the earth, and partake of their sins and their plagues. That the gospel may be preached with more purity, and be heard with more affection, and that he would stop the growing infidelity of this age, by calling out men who shall preach and live the gospel-That the professors may believe the truths, feel the power, partake of the blessings, breathe the spirit, and obey the precepts of this glorious gospel dispensation-That Africans and Indians may help to fill the pure church of God." THEOPHILUS ARMENIUS. Feb. 16, 1820. (To be Continued.) |