Their preachers were principally Englishmen with British sympathies.

The whole order was dominated and its property controlled by an offensively outspoken Tory of the Dr.Johnson type.[202:1] It was natural enough that in their public work they should be liable to annoyance, mob violence, and military arrest.

Even Asbury, a man of proved American sympathies, found it necessary to retire for a time from public activity.
In these circumstances, it is no wonder that at the conference of 1778, at Leesburg, Va., at which five circuits in the most disturbed regions were unrepresented, there was a decline in numbers.

The members were fewer by 873; the preachers fewer by 7.
But it is really wonderful that the next year (1779) were reported extensive revivals in all parts not directly affected by the war, and an increase of 2482 members and 49 preachers.

The distribution of the membership was very remarkable.