Vol 2, pages 1-100 - My Primitive Methodist Ancestors

72 PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.
a native of historic Epworth, and was of Methodist parentage. In the
Magazine for 1784 there is given a remarkable dream of the Last Judgment dreamed
by the father of Samuel, to which his conversion and that of his four brothers was
directly attributable. He removed to Market Weighton and became a Primitive
Methodist local preacher, and in September, 1820, went out to travel. We shall soon
meet with him again at Malton, and especially at Darlington, where he finished his
course. From a branch Leeds became a circuit in 1822, having no fewer than ten preachers
down for it on the stations, of whom John Coulson is the first. The same year Quarry
Hill chapel was built, which through many changes
still survives as one of the historic
chapels of Primitive Methodism. This year was also notable for the action taken by
the December Quarterly Meeting in sending two missionaries to London, of which we
shall have to speak more fully in another connection.
In 1823 the fourth Conference
was held at Leeds. Apart from the action taken in regard to the new hymn book,*
perhaps the most noteworthy transaction of this Conference related to the establishment
of a Preachers' Friendly Society. It was ordered that one preacher from each circuit
should attend a meeting at Hull, on August 24th, for the purpose of making the needful
arrangements, but with the fettering proviso that " the preachers shall not be allowed
to beg for the establishing of the fund." We are not surprised to learn that this
restriction, felt to be so galling, was removed the very next year. Though the religious
services in connection with the first Leeds Conference are said to have been powerful
and fruitful, and the hospitality of the Leeds friends exceedingly hearty, yet,
we are
told by W. Clowes, there were several matters of a trying nature to occupy the attention
of the delegates. As a whole, considerable progress had been made during the year,
but some of the circuits had become embarrassed, and the Connexion was entering
within the penumbra of its temporary eclipse. The Conference over, Hugh Bourne
thought it his duty to write an admonitory letter to the preachers,t at the same time
asking them to contribute towards the relief of the embarrassed circuits. The appeal
met with little response four pounds, which included one pound given by himself,
being the net result. This
moved him further to address "A Private Communication,"
reflecting strongly upon certain "runners-out of circuits," and pointedly calling
attention to particular cases of irregularity. The drastic character of this " private communication"
naturally created heart-burnings, and ensured warm discussions at the
annual meeting at Halifax. Of the second Leeds Conference that of 1818 of which
Thomas King was the President, and Emerson Muschamp, of Weardale, the Secretary,
little need be said, as it does not appear to have been concerned in any weighty matters.
Let some of the administrative changes through which the original Leeds Circuit has
passed be briefly chronicled. First, Bradford (to be hereafter referred to) was made
a Circuit in 1823, then Otley was taken from Leeds, and for two years (1824-5) ranked
as an independent circuit.
Dewsbury also stood on the Conference Minutes
1824-8 as a circuit in its own right. Afterwards both Otley and Dewsbury reverted
* See ante., vol. ii., p. 10.
t"A number of our Yorkshire circuits, with one in Derbyshire, and some of the Lancashire
circuits, are considerably embarrassed ;
and some of them are grievously embarrassed." H. Bourne's
Letter to the Preachers, June 6th, 1823.