OUR REPRESENTATIVE TO THE GENERAL
CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH, U.S.
...Is it not, therefore, matter of moment to both
countries that the bond of brotherhood should be
strong between the two great Methodist bodies in
the United Kingdom and the United States? ...We,
therefore, regard the occasional interchange of
representatives between these two great Methodist
bodies, not as mere matter of form, or courtesy,
or fraternal greeting, but of great practical
advantage to both countries. The impression made
in these countries by the visit of Bishop Simpson
and the Rev. Dr. McClintock, three years ago, will
not soon be effaced. That made upon the mind of
the American brethren the previous year, by the visit
of the Rev. Dr. Hannah and the Rev. Dr. Jobson to
their General Conference at Indianopolis, we have
reason to believe was not less happy. Next month a
most cordial letter will be forwarded from the
British Conference to the General Conference, to
meet at Buffalo. In that body the Canada Conference
will be also ably represented...
Between Irish and American Methodism there is a
peculiar relation. In or about 1756, the first
emigrants from our Societies sailed for America.
Among some of the earliest was Robert Strawbridge,
a Local Preacher from Drumsna, Co. Leitrim. He
settled in Maryland, and there formed, probably
some of the first Methodist Societies in America.
In 1760, Philip Embury, a Local Preacher from
Ballingrane, Co. Limerick, with other members of
the Society in that place, emigrated to New York.
Shortly after another company followed from the
same neighbourhood, including Mrs. Barbara Hick,
of Courtmatrass. Finding Embury wanting in zeal,
as she conceived, for the salvation of his
countrymen and the wicked around him, this devoted
mother in Israel, by her burning words, aroused him
to put forth fresh effort. About 1766, he organised
the first Methodist Society in New York, and there
built the first Methodist Church in America. From
this event our American brethren date the beginning
of their history. During the century that has
elapsed Irish Methodism has sent to the Church, thus
planted by her sons, a large annual contribution of
members, Class-Leaders, and Local Preachers. Not to
speak of Canada - which has been no exception to the
benefit derived - Irish Methodism has, unquestionably,
this moment, more than double the number of members
and Ministers in America than she has in Ireland. Is
it not then fitting that two bodies, thus so closely
allied, should occasionally interchange their
friendly greetings, even by the personal visitation
of their respective Representatives?...
