In 2013 the descendants in the USA of David Gordon, an early Irish preacher, who had lovingly cared for his preaching diary and handwritten hymnbook, handed it to their local Conference archives for safe keeping.
When the significance of the diary was realised it was felt that the rightful home for this fascinating manuscript was the archives of the Methodist Historical Society of Ireland.
The handover of the diary is planned for 1 May 2014, at the MHSI Archives at Edgehill College. Making the presentation will be Rev. Dr Bob Williams, General Secretary of the UMC General Commission on Archives and History. Welcoming him will be officers of the Society, together with the President of the Methodist Church, Rev. Dr Heather Morris and the American Consul General, Gregory S. Burton.
The diary listing his preaching appointments and hymns belonged to David Gordon (1757–99) who was born in Ballymena. He entered the Methodist Itinerancy in 1785 and died 15 years later. He was instrumental in the conversion of Gideon Ouseley, the most celebrated of and effective Irish evangelist of his day.
