252 History of Methodism 



Moore county. The number of communicants are 

 about two hundred. The Baptists have a number of 

 societies and churches, but are likely to be soon out- 

 numbered by the Methodists, whose popular doctrines, 

 plans, zeal, and diligence are better calculated than 

 any other profession to make proselytes of the com- 

 mon people. Within the orbit of their circuits are a 

 number of places for stated preaching in the county. 

 We have also a few Quakers — orderly, industrious, and 

 worthy members of the community." Four years sub- 

 sequent to this prediction of the growth of Methodism 

 in the Deep River country, the whole territory in 

 North Carolina, south of the Cape Fear, was covered 

 with a net-work of appointments for preaching, con- 

 veniently accessible to the people, and embraced in 

 well-arranged circuits, extending from the sea-board 

 westward to the Yadkin and Catawba rivers. 



The old Bladen Circuit, in the twenty-fifth year of 

 its history, was in the pastoral care of a young man, 

 in the second year of his ministry, whose name has 

 become immortal in the annals of Methodism. James 

 Osgood Andrew was born May 3, 1794, near the town 

 of Washington, in Wilkes county, Georgia. His fa- 

 ther was a native of Liberty county, in the same State, 

 and was a member of the Midway Church (Congrega- 

 tionalist), of which the Rev. Mr. Osgood was at the 

 time pastor. As a mark of the high regard he felt for 

 this minister, he named his son after him. Having 

 lost the greater part of his property in the War of the 

 Revolution, he removed to the up-country, where 

 James was born and brought up. The country was 

 then almost a wilderness, and of course afforded very 

 few educational facilities. Such,'however, as were in 

 reach were assiduously improved by the lad, whose 



