328 History of Methodism 



Then followed a prayer rich in evangelical thought, 

 and altogether pertinent to the occasion. But the 

 sermon was yet to come, and he was not relieved alto- 

 gether of his anxiety, especially as the text that was 

 announced required the skill of a master- workman. 

 The Doctor said he actually turned his eyes downward 

 to the floor that he might not see the ungainly form 

 that rose up in the pulpit before him. The preacher, 

 however, launched forth fearlessly into his great sub- 

 ject, "and in fifteen minutes," said the Doctor, "I 

 found myself straightened into an erect posture, but 

 absolutely enchained by a burst of eloquence, a mel- 

 low blaze of rich thought as rare as it was overwhelm- 

 ing; and to this day my recollection of that discourse 

 places George Dougherty in the very front rank of 

 American preachers. He filled my ideal of an able 

 minister of the New Testament." 



A similar incident occurred at the General Confer- 

 ence in Baltimore in 1804. It was announced that the 

 Bev. Mr. Dougherty was to preach at a certain church 

 that night, but who was Mr. Dougherty? Nobody 

 knew him; it was only known that he was a delegate 

 from South Carolina. The hour of service came at 

 last, and with it a very large congregation. The 

 members of the General Conference were out in great 

 force. "I was there early," said an old preacher, 

 giving his experience of that night's work, " and took 

 my seat convenient to the pulpit. The congregation 

 was waiting for the preacher, and all eyes were di- 

 rected to the door through which he was to enter. 

 Now I saw a fine-looking man enter and advance 

 toward the pulpit. That's the preacher; but no, the 

 stranger took his seat in the congregation; and several 

 times I was thus disappointed. At length I saw a 



