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Excerpts from-
History of Methodism in Ireland:
Wesley and his times
By Charles Henry Crookshank

Author of A Methodist Pioneer and Memorable Women of Irish Methodism in the Last Century

BELFAST

B S ALLEN SON & ALLEN UNIVERSITY HOUSE

London

T WOOLMER

1885

Contents

CHAPTER XXX 1779 Labours of T Barber Promising young converts Kilkeel Faithful discipline and its reward Labours of Rev J Creighton H Moore enters the itinerancy Coleraine Ballycastle Mr and Mrs Cather T Payne British Conference William M Comock in Enniskillen Conversion of D Bradshaw Esq. A remarkable dream and its results The Lisburn circuit Public discussion Mr Mill Kilkeel Dromore Three men under sentence of death converted Tha work in Bandon Skibbereen first visited pgs.328 38

CHAPTER XXXIX 1788 Charlemont Circuit Cork Conversion of Mrs Blatchford Dublin prosperity division in the Society A tobacco case turned to good account The Conference Conversion of Mrs Connolly also of a young persecutor S Wood in Passage A Society formed in Cashel Fourth Sunday school in Ireland Fermanagh Terrible end of one persecutor conversion of another Societies formed in Loughgall and Crew bridge Death of Hugh Pugh pgs.440 50

Pg 320 Chapter XXX 1778 At Clones he preached in the fort to very large and increasing congregations and observes, "There is something very peculiar in this people they are more plain open and earnest than most I have seen in the kingdom Indeed some of our Irish Societies those in Athlone, Limerick, Castlebar, and Clones- have much of the spirit of our old Yorkshire Societies. Early morning meetings were regularly and numerously attended in this town there was much life in the Society and the zeal and consistency of the members had a good influence on the community at large." This was particularly manifest in the case of horse racing. There had been annual races in the neighbourhood to which great crowds resorted when a silver plate or cup purchased by public subscription was the chief object of competition. But such was the moral influence resulting from the conversion of so many respectable inhabitants that sufficient subscriptions could not be raised and the races ceased. Of the leading members one was a cousin of the Rev Willard Thompson, Mr Andrew Thompson, a faithful and laborious leader who went regularly six miles on the Sabbath morning to meet a class. Another was Mr Bernard Connolly who when passing the chapel one evening was induced to enter and the result was his conversion to God so that he became very useful, and a third was Mr John Armstrong who had under his care a class for the religious instruction of youths in which he was much acknowledged of God.

HISTORY OF METHODISM

Page 333-334

William M Cornock who had been zealously labouring in the county of Donegal and had succeeded in forming several Societies was called out into the itinerancy and appointed to the Enniskillen circuit. Although Methodism had been in the county of Fermanagh for sixteen or seventeen years it was only now that it obtained a footing in the town of Enniskillen where a few became members of the Society. They were much threatened by the inhabitants yet no harm was done. At Drumbullion upwards of forty joined the Society and at Florence Court the membership increased from about twelve to sixty. Of those who in this neighbourhood were brought under the influence of Methodism the most noteworthy was Daniel Bradshaw Esq. He was a lineal descendant of the pious Bedell Bishop of Kilmore and in 1765 when about twenty years of age purchased and made his residence at Violet Hill where he was on friendly terms with the noble family of Cole. Here he got acquainted with the Methodists and through the Divine blessing became anxious about his soul. Lord Enniskillen observing the change in his spirit determined to draw him away from association with those who had caused this as he thought unnecessary seriousness and with this object invited him to an entertainment at his house to which Mr Bradshaw went very reluctantly. But as soon as the frivolous amusements of the evening began he slipped away went to the usual preaching service and before it concluded was enabled to believe with the heart unto righteousness. He immediately joined the Society was soon appointed a leader and opened his house for the preaching of the Gospel. In time that neighbourhood presented a changed appearance new classes were formed and the once Sabbath breaking country became a land of prayer and praise. Lord Enniskillen and his family seeing the great moral transformation in the people became favourable to Methodism and his descendants have continued so to the present day. Mr Bradshaw also during a long life gave clear and strong evidence of his deep love for God and sincere attachment to the Society

. Page 444-445

The Conference met on July the 8th (1788) under the presidency of Dr Coke all the preachers in the kingdom were present. The increase in the membership was nine hundred. Thirteen new candidates were received on trial to whom two others were added during the course of the year. There were two deaths John Mayly worn out in the service of his blessed Master and John Burnett a very pious devoted and useful young man from Dublin who only travelled one year and whose end was remarkably triumphant. William M Cornock sen was left free to go to the West Indies as he had long desired. Here he commenced a mission in Dominica laboured with a zeal which plainly evinced that he had the interests of souls much at heart. Multitudes flocked to hear him preach and many received the word with joy. Within a few months not less than one hundred and fifty persons were led to inquire what they must do to be saved In the midst of these toils and triumphs he was smitten with a fever which proved fatal and thus he was called to enter into the joy of his Lord.

At the close of the Conference Dr Coke accompanied by Mr and Mrs Henry Moore, Mr and Mrs Connolly of Clones and several preachers embarked for England in order to be present at the British Conference which was held in London. From these associates Mrs Connolly (Margaret Hanna Connolly/Cross) who had only been a short time married was impressed with the necessity of conversion. During the sittings of the Conference she made her home with Mr Moore in the house adjoining City road chapel and here after enjoying a season of prayer with the family the Holy Spirit descended and created her anew in Christ Jesus. She then became a Methodist and continued heartily identified with the Society in Ireland and afterwards in America during the remainder of her protracted life.*

CHAPTER XXXIX 1788 445

*Heroines of Methodism pp 124-125

Index-
Bradshaw Daniel 334
Bradshaw Miss 296

Wesley Historical Society
VOLUME 2
PRIVATELY PUBLISHED PRINTED FOR THE SOCIETY 1900

Page 136. May 23 Clones. One of the leading members here at time was Andrew Thompson cousin of the Rev. Wm Thompson, first President of the Conference after the death of Wesley. Another was Mr Bernard Connolly, and a third Mr. Jno. Armstrong

For an overview of Methodism in Britain see the main article: Methodist Church of Great Britain

The Methodist Church was founded by John Wesley and his younger brother Charles Wesley during the 18th century initially as a movement within the Church of England. John spent much of his time preaching in Ireland and is said to have visited forty-two times, spending six years of his life on the island.

Wesleyan Theology remained close to the Anglican criteria of scripture, tradition and reason. It has been suggested that nobody who lived in the 18th century has influenced more people in the years since then John Wesley, and in the dissemination of that influence Irish people have played a significant role.

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