Undated — John Kobler’s Account of The General Conference of 1792

ADDENDA

This volume was in page proof when the items in this addenda came to light. It was too late to annotate these. Miss Sara C. Stevenson of Delaware, Ohio, a great-great-niece of Daniel Hitt, had heard of the effort to collect the letters, and advised us of a collection of letters in an old ledger which her family had put in the library of Ohio Wesleyan University. One of her relatives had made copies of a large number of letters written to Daniel Hitt by early Methodist preachers. There are 334 letters altogether. Among these copies of letters there are sixteen Asbury letters to Daniel Hitt. Nine of the Asbury letters had been printed somewhere before, and we had already included them in this volume. “The letters are the property of the son and daughters of Richard T. Stevenson, Ph.D., D.D., Head of the Department of History at Ohio Wesleyan University, 1893-1919. He was the grand nephew of the Rev. Daniel Hitt. The letters are on loan to the Library of Ohio Wesleyan University.”

Some of the correspondence in the ledger is that of members of the Hitt family, Samuel, Benjamin, and Martin. Letters are also included from Thomas Coke, John Dickins, Philip Bruce, Thornton Fleming, James Quinn, Enoch George, and others. The volume is a valuable find. The other things included in the addenda speak for themselves. The O’Kelly items shed further light on the schism to which Francis Asbury refers so often.

We hope that as a result of this study many more letters may come to light. It is a great source of disappointment to us that after five years of research many more letters have not been found. However, it will be seen that the materials included in this addenda tie in well with the other letters. Little new information has been added.

JOHN KOBLER’S ACCOUNT OF THE

GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1792

Thursday, November 1 at eight o’clock in the morning the ministers met 114 in number, at our new Chapel. Bishop Coke (who had just come from Europe) was our President in Conference.

It was first agreed upon “that our morning meeting was to begin precisely at 9 o’clock, and adjourn at one in the afternoon.

2nly The afternoon meeting is to begin at half after 2 and adjourn at five. Secondly, A moderator was chosen.

It was his business first.

1. To keep order in the Conference.

2. That no person should speak above fifteen minutes without the consent of the Conference.

3. To call the speaker to his subject when he wanders from it.

4. If two rises together, one of whom has spoke before, the latter shall be preferred.

Thirdly, It was agreed upon that no old rule should be altered without a majority, and no new one established without the consent of two-thirds. Fourthly, That any of the members of our church might have the privilege of siting in the house during the Conference to hear the debates. Fifthly, Bishop Asbury made application for a committee which consisted of five members. This was granted. Their business was to consult with the Bishop in points that was critical, and give their judgment in matters that was dark.

First proposition.

“Shall there then be a delegated conference or not. Brother P. and Bro. As. spake with great propriety & cast much light upon the subject.

3 votes (I think) was for it, & 95 against.

Secondly, who shall appoint the station of the preachers. It was readily granted the Bishop.

Thirdly, “If any preacher think himself injured shall he have an appeal to district conference.”

This motion seem to ly heavy on the minds of many. A great many arguments was advanced in favour if it, and many objections raised against it. I was struck with fear that some of the brethren was rather too warm, & by the delivering their arguments, was giving way to a false zeal. Yet prayer was made without ceasing for union and harmony among us. After two days strong debate the matter was determined viz. They shall have no appeal. My fears were again alarmed at the looks of some. The next morning when the Conference met there came in a letter, subscribed by Bro. O’Kelly which was his farwell to the Conference. Said he, “I am now giving way to the overflowings of a ful heart that he was always afraid our superintendents was on a stretch for power, and what had took place the night before had established him in his opinion. This breach gave a sudden shock to the whole body and every member I believe bore its part, tears flowed from every face. About three of the young preachers that was wedded to Bro. O’K. absented themselves and no more appeared in Conference. In three or four day they all left town, and what they have in view no one knows but themselves. [John Robinson, John Allen, William McKendree, and Rice Haggard left.]

After this the conference proceeded regular to business. Revised the government and rules of our church, repeald some small parts, & made a few additions where they were deficient. I believe that Love & unanimity subsisted largly in the souls of the brethren near the conclusion. I heard several thanking God for the satisfaction which they felt, respecting matters that had just passed & taken place.

Nov. 15, Conference concluded: and we commended each other to the grace of God by prayer intercession & giving of thanks.

John Kobler’s Journal, Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference (Lovely Lane Museum)