With the exception of 319 persons, the entire reported membership of the Methodist societies lived south of Mason and Dixon's line.

The fact throws an honorable light on some incidents of the early history of this great order of preachers.
In the sixteen years from the meeting in Philip Embury's house to the end of the War of Independence the membership of the Methodist societies grew to about 12,000, served by about 70 itinerant preachers.

It was a very vital and active membership, including a large number of "local preachers" and exhorters.

The societies and classes were effectively organized and officered for aggressive work; and they were planted, for the most part, in the regions most destitute of Christian institutions.
* * * * * Parallel with the course of the gospel, we trace in every period the course of those antichristian influences with which the gospel is in conflict.

The system of slavery must continue, through many sorrowful years, to be in view from the line of our studies.