and twenty-eight; of those Mr. M'Kendree had ninetyfive, the remainder being divided between E. Cooper and Jesse Lee; it was the largest majority by which any bishop has been elected, except Bishop Asbury. He was consecrated to the office of bishop, or superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Church, on the 17th of May, 1808, in the Light-street Church, by Bishop Asbury, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Garrettson, Bruce, Lee, and Ware, who were the oldest and most prominent elders in the ministry at that time.

Bishop M'Kendree immediately entered upon the duties of his office with that zeal and diligence which had exalted him in the eyes of his brethren; and Bishop Asbury felt himself greatly relieved, both in the active duties and responsibilities which had been resting upon him since the death of Bishop Whatcoat. Bishop Asbury remarks, in his journal: "The burden is now borne by two pair of shoulders instead of one; the care is cast upon two hearts and heads."

For the first year of Bishop M'Kendree's exercise of the episcopal office he was almost continually with Bishop Asbury, who introduced him to the work, the Conferences, and the preachers. Their route took in nearly all parts of the United States, and a part of Canada, and required them to be moving in all seasons of the year. They visited, prayed, and preached, from Maine to Georgia, along the sea-coast; on the north and west they skimmed along the lakes, the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers; and in the interior their steps were known among the damp swamps, and rich prairies, and magnificent mountains of the Alleghany ranges. The roads, in the best seasons, were but poor-in the wet seasons miserable. They lodged sometimes in the

houses of the rich, but quite as often in the log-hut or cabin, and not unfrequently they camped out in the woods.

The following extract from Bishop Asbury's journal contains a lively picture of the situation and thoughts of these two devoted and talented servants of God:-" My flesh sinks under labour. We are riding in a poor thirty-dollar chaise, in partnership-two bishops of us; but it must be confessed that it tallies well with the weight of our purses. What bishops! Well-but we have great news, and we have great times; and each Western, Southern, together with the Virginia Conference, will have one thousand souls truly converted to God. Is not this an equivalent for a light purse? And are we not well paid for starving and toil? Yes, glory to God!"

The General Conference of 1812 met in New-York, and was composed of members from eight Conferences—of men whose Christian character and talents had placed them foremost among their brethren. The growing state of the field seemed to call for an addition to the superintendency; but after a full interchange of thoughts it was considered best to let the subject rest as it was. Bishop Asbury had been meditating a visit to his native land; but at the suggestion of his brethren he relinquished the idea, and remained at his post in the itinerancy as efficiently as his age would allow.

Within a month after the adjournment of the General Conference, the United States declared war against Great Britain, and the hostilities occupied the minds of the people, greatly to the injury of the work of the Lord. Bishop Asbury continued, however, to attend the Conferences, in company with his colleague, upon whom devolved by far the greater part of the labour; yet the presence and coun

sel of the senior was at all times a source of the highest gratification. The bishops pressed on together, both east and west of the mountains, and to the south, where the work was rapidly extending. So great was their energy and activity, that in the tour of the year 1812 they travelled over six thousand miles in eight months, attending the sessions of nine Conferences, and assisting at ten camp-meetings. This was herculean labour, especially if we consider how poor were the facilities of travel in those days.

The year 1813 was marked with much distress along the lines between the Canadas and the United States, on account of the war, and it affected the societies to some extent. But it did not stop the progress of the work elsewhere, and the bishops were pleased to see that there was a great increase in the members for the year. Bishop Asbury continued to grow weaker, and the more duties fell upon the shoulders of Bishop M'Kendree, of whom he spoke in terms of the highest eulogy.

The summer of 1814 found the bishops quite inefficient. Bishop Asbury was seized with inflammatory fever at Bethel, in New-Jersey, and for a while his life was despaired of. For twelve weeks there was no record in his journal, yet he was able to take up his itinerant course, and be at Chillicothe, Ohio, by the latter part of August. His progress, however, was by slow stages, and with much pain.

In the West he found Bishop M'Kendree confined to the house, having been thrown from his horse, and so badly injured that his usefulness for the whole season was destroyed. This derangement, however, was but a temporary one, and as soon as the bishops were able they passed on

for the South, and presided at the South Carolina Conference.

From this time forth the labour of the superintendency was confined principally to Bishop M'Kendree, for Asbury never recovered from the sickness of which we have spoken. "His countenance was fallen and pale; his limbs trembled, and his whole frame bore marks of decay. Indeed, there was something in his appearance which, while it indicated a 'soul full of glory and of God,' struck the beholder with an awe which may be better felt than described."

But he was generally at his post, and would be found at the Conference, taking his accustomed seat, and preaching one sermon; but beyond this his labours were few, except the judicious counsel from his lips. The administration of Bishop M'Kendree was highly satisfactory, both to the preachers and the membership, and he had already acquired high standing in his office. His energy and selfsacrificing spirit animated those around him with the zeal which is necessary to the itinerant minister. His splendid preaching talent was a model for their own; and his clear, cool judgment, was a worthy example of the manner to rule in justice and wisdom.

The year 1816 opened graciously, for peace was restored to the country; and although the religious world had not yet recovered from the calamity of war, yet the prospect was encouraging that a general revival of religion was about taking place. It was, however, a year marked in the history of our denomination as one of grief, for it marks the death of the great and holy Asbury.

None felt this loss more than Bishop M'Kendree—but not because of the additional labour imposed upon him:

this was slight, as it only lacked a month of General Conference, when the vacant post could be filled. It should be mentioned also that Dr. Coke had died on

the 3d of May, 1814. This left the whole responsibility of the episcopacy resting on Bishop M'Kendree.

The General Conference of 1816 met at Baltimore, and found the Church with only one bishop, and his health greatly impaired, although he was still able to perform the duties of his office. Bishop M'Kendree opened the Conference with an address, in which he set forth the general state of the work, and the necessity of making some additions to the superintendency.

The committee to whom the latter portion of the address was referred, reported with promptness, and recommended that two additional bishops be elected and consecrated. Accordingly, on May 14th, the Conference proceeded to an election, and Enoch George, of the Baltimore Conference, and Robert R. Roberts, of the Philadelphia Conference, were elected, and in due time they were consecrated, and entered upon their work. It is only necessary to state, that the new bishops were men whose piety, talents, and particular qualification for the office were well known, and who received the confidence of the whole Church. Their subsequent course, as long as they lived, showed that the Church had acted wisely in their election.

The General Conference had established the Mississippi and Missouri Conferences, making the whole number eleven, and these under the care of three bishops. It had again been urged by some that it would be for the best to divide the work and appoint a bishop to each portion, but the majority were in favour of the itinerant superinten