14G History of Methodism 



States. Few men as public ministers were better known or more 

 beloved. He was a simple-hearted, child-like man ; of good learn- 

 ing for his opportunities. He had a large fund of Scripture knowl- 

 edge, was a good historian, a sensible preacher, a most affectionate 

 friend, and a great saint. He had been declining in health and 

 strength for eight years, and for the last twelve months sinking into 

 a consumption. I am humbled. O let my soul be admonished to 

 be more devoted to God ! 



Henry Willis was born on the old Brunswick Cir- 

 cuit in Virginia, was a classmate of Mr. Tunnell in the 

 ministry, and the first man ordained deacon and elder 

 by Bishop As bury after the Christmas Conference. 

 He pioneered Methodism across the Alleghanies into 

 the Holston country in 1784; and unable to reach 

 Baltimore in time for the Conference, in consequence 

 of detentions in making his way through the mount- 

 ains in the depth of winter, he stopped at Mr. Henry 

 Fry's in Culpepper county, Virginia. Freeborn Gar- « 

 rettson says: 



He was a light in the Church for many years. At a very early 

 period in the work I met him in Virginia, took him by the hand, 

 and thought he would be a blessing to the Church; and so he 

 proved. His habit was slender, though he traveled many years ; 

 but want of health at length induced him to take a supernumerary 

 relation. His zeal and love for the cause continued to the day of 

 his death, and rendered him exceedingly useful in his neighborhood. 



Thomas Ware says: 



He stood preeminent. I knew him well. He was a manly genius, 

 and very intelligent. He well understood theology, and was a most 

 excellent minister. His life as a traveling and local preacher, and 

 as a supernumerary, was, I believe, unblemished. I followed him to 

 the South as far as North Carolina, to the East as far as New York, 

 and to the West as far as Holston, and found his name dear to many 

 of the excellent of the earth. His physical powers, however, were 

 not sufficient to sustain the ardor of his-mind. But of this he was 

 often wholly unmindful, until his bow nearly lost its elasticity, when 



