Here I saw for the first time the excellent but eccentric Billy Hibbard. When the roll was called the secretary read the name “William Hibbard.” There was no response, and Bishop M’Kendree said, “Brother Hibbard, why don’t you answer to your name and not keep the conference waiting?” “I will,” said Mr. Hibbard, “when he calls my name.” “Is not your name William?” “No, sir.” “What is it?” said the bishop. “Billy,” was the answer. “Billy!” said the bishop, with great emphasis; “that is a little boy’s name.” “I know it,” said Mr. Hibbard; “I was a very little boy when my father gave it me.” Then the conference was convulsed with laughter. When his character was examined it was objected that he was practicing medicine. Bishop M’Kendree inquired, “Brother Hibbard, are you a physician?” “I am not,” he replied; “I simply give advice in critical cases.” “What do you mean by that?” asked the bishop. “In critical cases,” said Mr. Hibbard, “I always advise them to send for a physician.” There were one hundred and twenty preachers belonging to this conference. It began in peace and fellowship, which seemed to increase toward the close, and then a gracious shower of blessings descended on the preachers. The trustees of the Methodist Church in New York were ever kind to Bishops Asbury and M’Kendree, and they took good care of their horses. As a part of the history of the times, and as a curiosity, and to show the generosity of the trustees, I transcribe an old bill that has been carefully preserved in good order fifty-five years: 1809. BISHOP ASBURY, TO PETER ALEXANDER ALLAIRE, Dr. 20th May. To keeping 3 horses from 8th of May, on hay, at 4s £7 4 0 To 9 quarts oats per horse, per day for each horse, say 27 quarts per day, 324 quarts, at 4d 5 8 0 To keeping 1 horse from 8th of May, on hay, at 4s 2 8 0 To 78 quarts of oats, at 4d 1 6 0 To bleeding bishop’s horse, phisick, fetching, etc. 0 16 0 -------- £17 2 0 -------- $42 75 Received payment from MR. ABRAHAM RUSSEL, PETER ALEX’R ALLAIRE. Abraham Russel was a noble man; he was indeed a pillar in the Methodist temple. The three horses, one was Bishop Asbury’s, the other Bishop M’Kendree’s, the other mine. The bill was made out to Bishop Asbury. At another time Bishop M’Kendree paid for his horse-keeping. When the trustees heard of it they sent him an apology and refunded the money.