186 History of Methodism 



lie lived it. One intimately acquainted with him 

 writes thus: 



I have lived a near neighbor to Brother Partridge for upward of 

 twenty years, and can with satisfaction say that he was the greatest 

 example of piety 1 have ever been acquainted with. As a minister 

 of the gospel he knew the strength of his abilities, and never ap- 

 peared to soar above them. In preaching he was experimental, 

 practical, and plain, and none were at a loss to understand him. 

 He drew his divinity out of the Bible, and read authors but little; 

 but the Scripture was his constant study, and he was profitable to 

 many. He deeply lamented the growing departure among us from 

 primitive Christian simplicity, and earnestly warned the societies 

 among whom he labored against it. His labors and life he wished to 

 close together. His last sermon Avas on these words: "Walk in wis- 

 dom toward them that are without." That evening he was taken ill 

 (14th May)— his illness increased ; physicians were procured, but in 

 vain. His colleague asked him whether he was ready for the final 

 summons. He said, "Yes; for me to die is gain." His speech left 

 him, and on Saturday night after he was taken he breathed his last. 

 Thus he lived, thus he died. "The memory of the just is blessed." 



Ira Ellis was a native of Virginia, and Avas admitted 

 into the traveling connection in 1781. He continued 

 his ministerial labors with distinguished ability for 

 some thirteen years, and filled divers appointments 

 from Philadelphia in Pennsylvania to Charleston in 

 South Carolina. Bishop Asbury has put on record 

 this high estimate of his talents and character: 



He was a man of quick and solid parts. I have thought, had 

 fortune given him the same advantages of education, he would have 

 displayed abilities not inferior to Jefferson or Madison. But he 

 had what is better than learning ; he had undissembled sincerity, 

 great modesty, deep fidelity, great ingenuity, and uncommon power 

 of reasoning. He was a good man, of even temper. 



Like most of his fellow-itinerants of that day, Mr. 

 Ellis located in 1795 through domestic necessities. 



John Smith was a native of Maryland, and was ad- 

 mitted on trial in 1784. He labored faithfully for ten 



