EV. WILLIAM GUIREY was converted in Philadelphia the preaching of Dr. Wrangle, a minister of Reformed Church of Sweden. After the return of Dr. Wrangle to Europe, Capt. Thomas Webb, a lieutenant in the English Army and a local preacher in the Methodist connection, came to Philadelphia and was received with open arms by those who had embraced the [65] gospel under the ministry under Dr. Wrangle. At the request of Capt. Webb, Joseph Pilmoor and Richard Boardman were sent over by Mr. Wesley. They landed in Philadelphia in 1769. The beginning of Capt. Webb's ministry in Philadelphia, marked the beginning of Mr. Guirey's connection with the Methodists.

      Mr. Guirey was a trial member of the Conference in 1795-'96, and traveled in Virginia. His name disappears from the Methodist minutes in 1797. He sympathized with, and soon became associated with Rev. James O'Kelly, and was one of the most prominent of his preachers. In all the General Meetings of the day, William Guirey was always considered one of the leaders. He is noted for being the author of the "History of Episcopacy in Four Parts, from its Rise to the Present Day." The book contains no imprint of the publisher or date of publication, but from a statement in the preface, it is to be inferred that it was after his labors in Georgia, and the reading of O'Kelly's Writings, in part. In his preface he begins by saying, "It is not required that an author should assign his reasons for committing a work of any kind to the press; it is supposed the work will fully evince the motives by which it is actuated." Rev. Guirey was in Georgia in about the year 1806, and possibly several years before this time. He came from that state to North Carolina, and preached near Hawfields, in 1806, under whose preaching Joseph Thomas, later known as the White Pilgrim, was converted. Thomas says, "In October, 1806, I heard William Guirey preach the gospel. His words came to my heart, I like a nail fastened in a sure place.' He wounded me, but I was not immediately healed.'" This same preacher attended the Conference or General Meeting at Raleigh, in 1807. He further states in his preface, "That a small volume on this subject [Episcopacy] may in this country (the back counties in [66] Georgia), be exceedingly useful, if properly executed, will readily be admitted by every lover of religious or civil liberty." In many places it would seem that he could be located, but he conceals his identity. The "History of Episcopacy" by him was doubtless written some time between 1800 and 1810, evidently not earlier or later. Mr. O'Kelly's "Apology" was not issued till 1779-1800, from which Mr. Guirey's "History" contains quotations. And it was advertised for sale in Philadelphia about the year 1810-1811.

      In 1809, the "great meeting" was held at Shiloh, in Halifax county, Virginia, and he, "the man," says Joseph Thomas, "under whose sermon my eyes were opened, preached the first sermon to an attentive congregation," which was moved under his "powerful discourse." About four months later, at Barrett's meeting house, in Southampton county, Joseph Thomas says, "A large congregation collected. Besides Brother B. [Barrett] and myself, W. G. [William Guirey] who was known to be a great preacher attended with us. Brother G. preached, to the people with his usual power which was ever great and almost sure to affect them." At candle-light the Lord's Supper was administered by him (Brother Guirey), and "God's people, to whatsoever society they might belong, . . . . were invited to come forward to the table, to sit and eat together in love, and let it be known to all men that they were Christ's disciples."

      In 1810, the General Meeting was held at Pine Stake church in Orange county, Virginia. It was here that discussion between O'Kelly and Guirey waxed so warm on the subject of baptism. Mr. Guirey favored immersion for baptism, and Mr. O'Kelly held to the former custom of pouring and sprinkling. This led to a division and doubtless called forth the book entitled, "The Prospect before Us, by Way of Address to the Christian Church, by James O'Kelly," which is a [67] discussion, in part, of baptism. The division at this Conference also gave rise to the formation of the several conferences, viz.: Eastern Virginia, North Carolina and Virginia, and North Carolina. But it was several years before these different sections fully developed into regularly organized Conferences.

      It is recorded that, in 1811, "Elder Wm. Guirey, from Virginia, has lately visited them [the church in Philadelphia], and preached several times to general satisfaction." At this time he resided at Salem, Caroline county, Virginia. This same year (1811), the General Meeting was held in Caroline county, beginning on first Friday in October. From Fredericksburg W. G. [William Guirey] was accompanied by Joseph Thomas to his home. Elder E. S. [Elias Smith] joined them. From Guirey's home they went on together to the "great meeting." Returning from this meeting, he loaned Joseph Thomas his gig horse, to make a preaching tour out westward to Winchester, Virginia. The next year 1812, in April, Joseph Thomas again visited him at his home in Caroline county, near Chilesburg. The Rev. Mr. Guirey had married the daughter of Mr. George Phillips, and he now resided near his father-in-law's home.

      In his "History" he furnishes not a little information concerning early Methodism, not only in the United States but in England as well. His writings are characteristic, readable, attractive, clear, but bitter when he wants them to be so. The life of Guirey would make an attractive and profitable study. He was probably near seventy, and not less than sixty-five years old, when he died. [68]

[LCM 65-68]