Accessions to the Society in that region were more in number and stronger in wealth and social influence than in more northern communities.

It was at Baltimore that Asbury fixed his residence--so far as a Methodist bishop, ranging the country with incessant and untiring diligence, could be said to have a fixed residence.
The record of the successive annual conferences of the Methodists gives a gauge of their increase.

At the first, in 1773, at Philadelphia, there were reported 1160 members and 10 preachers, not one of these a native of America.
At the second annual conference, in Philadelphia, there were reported 2073 members and 17 preachers.
The third annual conference sat at Philadelphia in 1775, simultaneously with the Continental Congress.

It was the beginning of the war.

There were reported 3148 members.