In South Carolina, 151 



judgment by the force of argument. These instances, 

 however, were rare, for his preaching generally resem- 

 bled a smooth-flowing stream, keeping within its nat- 

 ural bounds, but now and then having its placid sur- 

 face disturbed by passing a gentle declivity over a 

 pebbled bottom. It therefore gradually and imper- 

 ceptibly instilled »itself into the understanding, and 

 won the heart by its own native force rather than by 

 any sudden effort of the orator's tongue. But the 

 best praise of his preaching is found in its effects. 

 The unction of the Holy One attended his word, and 

 made it life and salvation to the souls of multitudes. 

 His labors extended almost from one end of the United 

 States to the other, until at length, in 1816, having 

 preached his last sermon on 2 Peter ii. 5, "But grow 

 in grace," and having transmitted sundry messages 

 to absent friends — in particular this one: "Give my 

 respects to Bishop McKendree, and tell him that I die 

 in love with all the preachers; that I love him, and 

 that he lives in my heart " — he departed this life in 

 great triumph, and was buried in the city of Balti- 

 more. 



Bishop Asbury left Baltimore on Wednesday, Jan- 

 uary 5, 1785, and, in company with Mr. Hickson, 

 on Saturday, the 8th, reached Mr. Fry's, in Culpepper 

 county, Virginia, where Mr. Willis had stopped on his 

 way to the Conference, and on the next day preached 4 

 ordained him deacon, and baptized some children. 

 Mr. Willis now joined himself to their company, and 

 when they arrived at Carter's Church, in Virginia, Mr. 

 Asbury ordained him elder, January 18, administered 

 the sacrament, and held the love-feast. The Lord was 

 with them in each of these services. They continued 

 their journey together through the counties of Stokes 



