Dr. Bangs, in his History of Methodism, vol. iii, p. 374, speaks of the revival in the city of New York in 1806, and says: “It was during this powerful revival the practice of inviting penitent sinners to the altar was first introduced. The honor of doing this, if I am rightly informed, belongs to Brother Aaron Hunt, who resorted to it to prevent the confusion arising from praying in different parts of the house.” This has been for years stereotyped, and is interwoven into history. The doctor expressed himself cautiously, for he said, “If I am rightly informed.” The truth is, he was not correctly informed. Aaron Hunt was no doubt the one who first introduced its practice in New York, but it existed previously in other places. The Rev. Henry Smith of Baltimore Conference wrote a letter to Dr. Bangs when he was editor of the _Advocate_ asking that this error in his history might be corrected. In it he stated he had invited mourners to the altar as early as 1803, and adds, “It was not a solitary case or a new thing, but often practiced with success.” I know the practice commenced much earlier than 1806. As early as 1799, when in company with that eminent revivalist, Rev. W. P. Chandler, on Cecil Circuit, at Back Creek, after preaching, the doctor invited mourners to the altar. Nearly a score came forward, and twelve men experienced the forgiveness of sins that day, and among them Lawrence Laurenson, who became one of the most popular and useful preachers in the Philadelphia Conference. That was the first time I ever saw or heard of mourners being invited to the altar. During the revivals on the Peninsula in 1801, and the two following years, as well as at the camp-meeting in 1805, it was the invariable practice to invite mourners to come forward. The Rev. Richard Sneath, one of the best of ministers, with whom I fought side by side the battles of the Lord, has thrown light on this subject. In a letter to Dr. Coke, dated Milford, October 5, 1802, he says: “On January 25, 1801, at St. George’s, Philadelphia, after Mr. Cooper had been preaching, I invited all the mourners to come to the communion-table that we might pray particularly for them. This I found to be useful, as it removed that shame which often hinders souls from coming to Christ, and excited them to the exercise of faith. About thirty professed to be converted, and twenty-six joined the society.” Mr. Sneath says also: “In 1800 and 1801 I added on Milford Circuit upward of three thousand members.”[10] So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed. The scenes were pentecostal. It is difficult to realize them now. CHAPTER XIV. DOVER CIRCUIT, 1806—SICKNESS AND DEATH OF BISHOP WHATCOAT.