carnal mind is enmity against God. In a dissipated way, I took up a volume of the life of Wesley; its novelty engaged me; I read it with attention, and I felt it a duty to seek the favour of God. I began by setting my face against a known sin-a right eye-and praying for grace and mercy, trusting these good endeavours would find favour. But hearing a sermon by Mr. Newton, on the "chief corner stone," I found I had built upon the sand. I now began to ask in the all prevailing name of Jesus Christ, and was shortly answered; my besetting sin was taken from me, but looking back exultingly, it returned. This hurt me so much, that I left off prayer, conceiving myself unworthy to be heard. Still reading Mr. Wesley's life, I began again praying earnestly for faith in Jesus. I left off asking for health or any other earthly thing. Being fully intent on my salvation, I was exceedingly depressed in spirit, mourning all day, and at night watering my pillow with my tears. My sister wished me to see Mr. Clarke, her class-leader, and I bless God for my acquaintance with him. He exhorted me to pray for a manifestation of God's pardoning mercy, and for that alone; a fortnight after this, he prayed with me in a most fervent manner, and took leave of me. Immediately I felt a sensation not to be described; with hurried step I paced the room, bursting into a flood of tears; but they were sweet tears of joy, and such as I had never shed. I cried out, "My God, is not this the blessing I have been so long seeking." I felt it was: I was filled with peace and joy in believing; some doubts returned, and I asked a farther manifestation; but, (as it were casually,) opening the bible on " The fearful and unbelieving shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone," Rev. xxi. 8, and instantly on Isaiah vii. 12, " But Ahaz said, I will not ask a sign, neither will tempt the Lord;" I relinquished it immediately as a sin. Since this period I have had many temptations; but I know that my Redeemer liveth, that God is with me, and that nothing shall prevail against me. "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name." C. NEWMAN. (To be Continued.) Religious and Missionary Intelligence. For the Methodist Magazine. Short Sketches of revivals of Religion among the Methodists in the Western Country. No. 3. AN ACCOUNT OF THE RISE AND PROGRESS OF METHODISM IN THE WESTERN COUNTRY, GENERALLY. 1797. Conference was held this year the 1st of May, at Bethel School, a large three story brick building built by Mr. Poythress, on the bank of the Kentucky, in Jessamine county. It is like now to go to decay. Mr. P. had used great exertions to accomplish the undertaking, but being old and infirm, and censured by some for the ineligibility of the situation, and the expense of the building, being a man of integrity and very nice feeling, the most serious consequences resulted. It will ever be found a vain attempt to establish colleges, such as Cokesbury and Bethel, unless there be a town or settlement, not only of the religious, but of citizens capable of duly appreciating the advantages of such an institution. 1797. Kentucky, John Kobler, Presiding Elder. Francis Poythress, supernumerary. Limestone circuit, Aquilla Jones, Lexington Hinkston Danville Salt-River Cumberland Jer. Lawson, Tho. Allen, Nos. in Society. 416 8 274 14 325 10 409 16 H. Smith, Wm. Kavanaugh, 226 5 The circuits were reduced to their former bounds. - 1740 53 In Tennessee, Cumberland, 201 26 333 16 534 42 1798. Kentucky, Valentine Cook, Presiding Elder. Limestone circuit, Jeremiah Lawson, Cumberland Brought forward, John Kubler, Wm. Burke, Nos. in Society. 296 13 John Page 23 10 1338 51 Tennessee, {Green, 1799. Kentucky and N. W Territory, Francis Poythress, Presiding Elder. Cumberland, Limestone, John Buxton, Lexington, John Watson, Hinkston, John Kobler, Danville, Wm. Burke, Cumberland, John Page, Green, Wm. Lambeth, Miami, N. W. Territory, Henry Smith, Conference was held this year at Bethel Acad emy, 1st of May. 1800. No Presiding Elder this year. Limestone circuit, William Algood, 1672 65 580 51 2252 116 1801. Wm. M'Kendree, P. E. Kentucky and N. W. 2751 179 N. Western Territory, Natchez, There was no return from Kentucky and Tennessee this year, that of the last year was taken. We have now brought up an authenticated sketch of the rise and progress of Methodism to the period of the commencement of the great revival of religion in Kentucky and Tennessee. The number in society, in Europe and America, now were, In Europe 109,961 In Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and the West-Indies, 13,667 In the United States and Canada, 72,874 Total 196,502 For this year the Conference was held in Tennessee, at Ebenezer, Oct. 1st. In 1802, Kentucky, Tennessee, and the N. W. Territory, assumed the title of the "Western Conference." In this Conference, in 1810, the following is a correct view of the progress of Methodism in the Western Country, within the space of about eight years. White-Water 479 5 "Lord thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth, and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God!" What hath he wrought! The Western Conferences were held alternately in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Lewis Hunt, a very useful young preacher, died 8th December, 1801.-See Minutes page 288. A few minutes before he expired, looking at the blood settling under his nails, he exclaimed, I have no more doubt of my salvation, than I have that I yet exist," and died away with a smile. Tobias Gibson, a native of South-Carolina, born in Liberty county, on Great Pee-Dee, November 10, 1771. He was admitted on trial in 1792, and filled the following stations :Bush-River 1792, Santee 1793, Union 1794, Holstein 1795, Edisto 1796, Santee 1797, Charleston 1798, Anson 1799, Missionary to the Natchez 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, 1804. The 5th day of April, 1804, he died at the Natchez, Claiborne |