G4 History of Methodism 



spring in the depth of winter. On the next day, Fri- 

 day, the 6th, about eight in the morning, they landed 

 on a small uninhabited island over against Tybee, and 

 first set foot on American soil. Led by Governor 

 Oglethorpe, they went to a rising ground where all 

 knelt down and gave thanks to God for the safety of 

 their voyage. At the first more regular service they 

 were greatly comforted by parts of the second lesson 

 (Mark vi.) ; in particular the account of the courage 

 and sufferings of John the Baptist; our Lord's direc- 

 tions to the first preachers of his gospel, and their 

 toiling at sea and deliverance; and with these com- 

 fortable words, " It is I, be not afraid." 



And now, as they stand in readiness to sow the first 

 seeds of Methodism in territory allotted by Provi- 

 dence for cultivation to the South Carolina Confer- 

 ence, let us look for a moment at the portraits of John 

 and Charles Wesley, drawn by a master's hand, and 

 suspended in the halls of grateful memory: 



About the middle of March, 1730, I became acquainted with Mr. 

 Charles Wesley, of Christ Church. I had a weight upon toy heart 

 which only prayer could in some degree remove. I prepared my- 

 self to make trial of the value and comfort of society, being a little 

 recovered. One day an old acquaintance entertained me with some 

 reflections on the whimsical Mr. Y> T esley, his preciseness and pious • 

 extravagances. Though I had lived with him four years in the 

 same college, yet so unable was I to take notice of any thing that 

 passed, that I knew nothing of his character ; but upon hearing this 

 I suspected he might be a good Christian. I therefore went to his 

 room, and without any ceremony desired the benefit of his conver- 

 sation. I had so large a share of it henceforth that hardly a day 

 passed while I was at college but we were together once, if not oft- 

 ener. After some time he introduced me to his brother John, of 

 Lincoln College. "For,'' said he, "he is somewhat older than I, 

 and can resolve your doubts better." This, as I found afterward, 

 was a thing which he was duly sensible of; for I never observed any 

 one have more real deference for another than he constantly had for 



