INCIDENTS AND CHARACTERS IN THE EARLY HISTORY OF METHODISM IN
CHARLESTON, SC, AND ALABAMA

By

The Reverend John Elmore DuBois

Edited by Elizabeth A. DuBois
(c) 1998  DuBois Publishing Co. All rights reserved.

PROLOGUE, cont.

       While I do not propose to burden the reader with my personal
history,
it is due to myself and to the memory of my father and mother to say
that I was reared a Methodist.  Indeed, my ancestors were all of this
faith.  My father before me was Methodist minister, and my mother died
happy in this belief.  It is natural then that I should feel deep
interest in everything pertaining to the rise and progress of Methodism.

  A history of my early life and education would introduce not only
historic Methodists, but Presbyterian, such as Rev. Wm. Capers (of whom
Bishop Wightman has so well written) and Dr. Palmer, or New Orleans; but
lest I grow too prolix I will hasten on.

ONE
CHARLESTON, 1798-1820

       In the earlier days of Methodism in Charleston the churches were
not
separate charges as now, but were supplied by two ministers--one called
the senior and the other the junior.  The church was, without cause, in
bad repute, and suffered many cruel and afflicting persecutions. 
Sometimes they worshiped outdoors and in shanties; and after they got
houses they were frequently disturbed by bands of lawless and wicked
men, and even by the legally constituted police force of the city.

        The minister sometimes in the midst of his sermon was assaulted,
his
congregation broken up, and himself seized, dragged out on the streets
and treated in the most cruel and shameful manner.  One man especially,
about this time, gave them much trouble.  He was an Englishman named
Ham----. It seems that he had more brains than soul.  Through selfish
motives he withdrew from them, organized a church of his own, and came
near wrecking the whole enterprise.

[To be continued...]

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