On Monday we started for Monmouth, in the Province of Maine. (Maine was then attached to Massachusetts, and was not admitted into the Union till 1820.) We fell in with John Broadhead, George Pickering, and Elijah Metcalf, who were on their way to conference. They were most excellent company. We went as far as Saco Falls, and as Methodist homes were scarce we went on our own hook and put up at Moody’s tavern. The day we reached Monmouth we stopped at a tavern, and the following scene is described by the Rev. Ebenezer F. Newell: “After we had rested half an hour Bishop Asbury said, ‘We must have prayers before we leave; I will go and give notice to the landlord, and some of you must pray.’ I followed him to the bar-room to learn his way of proceeding in such a case. He said, ‘Landlord, we are going to have prayers in our room, and if you or any of your family wish to attend we should be happy to have you.’ ‘Thank you, sir,’ he replied; ‘please wait until I speak not only to my family, but my neighbors.’ Soon they flocked in; we sung and prayed, and melting mercy moved our hearts. When our bill was called for we were told there was no demand against us, and were requested to call again.”[23] The course of the bishop surprised Brother Newell, but to me it was almost an every-day occurrence in traveling. It was Asbury’s invariable custom. Even the night before, where we put up at the tavern, the bishop proposed having prayers; they objected, but he insisted upon it, so we had prayers both evening and morning. On Thursday, June 16, 1809, the New England Conference commenced its session. Both Asbury and M’Kendree were present. This was Bishop M’Kendree’s first visit to New England as superintendent, and everywhere he was regarded with peculiar interest. We put up with a Brother Derbin. There was peace and good order throughout the session from beginning to end. There was a camp-meeting held in connection with the conference. I preached on the camp-ground to about eight hundred on Friday, from Matt. xi, 28, 29. Doctor Stevens in his Memorials says: “M’Kendree was present, but we have no notice of the part he took in the proceedings.” Perhaps I alone am left to supply the deficiency. First, he presided, with dignity, a part of the time. Secondly, he preached two never-to-be-forgotten sermons: the first on Saturday at noon, from Rom. vi, 22, “But now being made free from sin, ye become servants to God, and have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” The dignity, freedom, fruit, and end of a Christian were dwelt upon, after which Bishop Asbury ordained twenty-two deacons. At three o’clock John Broadhead preached from John iii, 1, “Behold what manner of love,” etc. Adopting love was his glorious theme, which he handled in a workmanlike manner.