70 History of Methodism 



were appointed to Savannah, and Mr. Charles Wesley 

 and Ingham, to Frederica, in the Island of St. Simon, 

 where Governor Oglethorpe had fixed his residence. 

 Mr. Ingham, in company with the governor, set out 

 for his appointment in advance of Charles Wesley, 

 who was to have spiritual oversight of the people, 

 and although leaving Savannah on Monday, the 16th 

 of February, did not reach Frederica, in consequence 

 of a stormy and perilous voyage, until Sunday morn- 

 ing, February 22, 1736. He found the people engaged 

 in shooting, walking up and down through the woods, 

 and turning the day into one for sporting. By his 

 request the governor immediately put a stop to this 

 desecration of the Sabbath, and after he had break- 

 fasted they joined in the litany. On the next Sun- 

 day, February 29, he discoursed to the people on the 

 proper observance of the Lord's-day, and reproved 

 them, in a friendly manner, for their immoralities, set- 

 ting forth the heinousness of the sin of Sabbath - 

 breaking and the dreadful consequences that would 

 necessarily follow. A few received his admonitions 

 kindly; but one man answered him openly, that these 

 were new laws in America, and the greater part being 

 hardened, instead of reforming raised heavy com- 

 plaints and accusations against the preacher. His 

 parsonage was a small circular space of ground in- 

 closed with myrtles, bays, and laurels, in the midst of 

 which a fire was kept up by night, before which he 

 slept in the open air, with two blankets for his bed. 

 His daily employment consisted in holding public 

 prayers early in the morning, before the people began 

 their work, and at night after they had finished it; in 

 visiting the families and taking care of those who were 

 sick. For awhile he had the good word of everybody, but 



