CHAPTER FOURTEEN

THE LAST TWO YEARS, 1814-16, February 9, 1814 March 4, 1816

            The most interesting thing in this letter is Asbury's reference to Coke. Coke's wife had died, and he was free to travel again. Like Asbury, he had a roving disposition. He was to die on the Indian Ocean and be buried in its waters as he sailed on his missionary journey.

                                                                        NORTH CAROLINA[No entry in Journal, 1852 ed.,                                                                        from January 23 to February 20; however, he was in                                                                       North Carolina.]

                                                                        February 9, 1814

To Zachary Myles[A layman of Baltimore. (See preceding letters. May 5, 1804, and January 5, 1809.)]

My dearly beloved in the Lord:

            May great grace support us in these days of judgments! Such has been my prayer. The weather, my affliction (having had six or seven serious fits of the breast-pleurisy) have prevented me from making much use of books or pens, and I have not preached much. I have had to groan, being burdened, not that I would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Indeed I have felt more like a man of eighty than one in his sixty-ninth year.

            Oh Asia! Oh Africa! Oh that the seed of Abraham by his Isaac might live before Jehovah! Of the work of God in America, I cannot say but saints and citizens are humbled; but perhaps not enough. When and where the people can hear the word, they give attention to it. I cannot speak of great numbers coming into fellowship. If we number two hundred and fifteen thousand this year, we shall do well. I begin to hope, as our troubles become more serious, they will be more sanctified. I hope Dr. Coke will devote the last of his days nobly, not in making many books, but in his apostolic mission in those two vast quarters of the globe, Asia and Africa. My prayers and good wishes shall follow him and his missionaries.

            I have nearly finished my mission, having traveled annually a circuit of 3000 miles, for forty-two years and four months; and if young again, I would cheerfully go upon another. We are well kept, if the Lord keeps us. Your letters are always welcome to me and my select friends. At any time or place, your presence and letters will be invited and accepted by me.

I am, yours,

                                                                        Francis Asbury

                                                            The Methodist Magazine, XXXVII (1814), 639

Preface to Wesley's Primitive Physic

Republished by Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury

            In the days when there were few doctors, Wesley thought it necessary to do some practicing medicine himself. He published a book. Primitive Physic. On the frontiers of America there were even fewer doctors than in the British Isles. Asbury at times, like Wesley, thought it was his duty to prescribe for the sick. Sometimes his prescriptions were very crude as, for instance, a concoction of sugar and rusty nails. However, this book was edited by Henry Wilkins, who seems to have been an eminent doctor.

                                                                                                1814[The fifth edition was dated 1814.                                                                                              The Wesley work printed there was the                                                                                              twentyseventh edition, corrected.]

To the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Friends and Brethren:

            The grand interest of your souls will ever lie near our hearts; but we cannot be unmindful of your bodies. In several parts of this extensive country, the climate, and in others the food, is unwholesome; and frequently, the physicians are few, some of them unskillful, and all of them beyond the reach of your temporal abilities. A few small publications excepted, little has been done by physical books, in order to remove these inconveniences; and even those have been written in Europe, and do therefore partake of the confined ideas of the writers, who could not possibly be fully acquainted with the peculiarities of the various diseases incident to a people that inhabit a country so remote from theirs.

            Simple remedies are, in general, the most safe for simple disorders, and sometimes do wonders under the blessing of God. In this view we present to you now, the Primitive Physics [Henry Wilkins, M.D., was the editor of the Family Adviser, or a Plain and Modern Practice of Physic: Calculated for the Use of Families Who Have Not the Advantages of a Physician, and Acquainted to the Diseases of America, to Which Is Annexed Mr. Wesley's Primitive Physic, from 5th ed.. New York, 1814. He was the son of Joseph Wilkins and was born in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. They moved to Baltimore. (Jacob S. Payton.) Asbury makes at least three references in the Letters to the work which Wilkins did on the Journal. However, Asbury is not sufficiently explicit to tell how much Wilkins did. He married the daughter of Samuel Owings, one of Asbury's early converts. His wife was the leader "of the first female class" in Baltimore.] published by our much honored friend John Wesley. But the difference being in many respects great between this country and England, in regard to climate, the constitution of patients, and even the qualities of the same simples,-we saw it necessary for you, to have it revised by physicians practising in this country, who at our request have added cautionary and explanatory notes where they were necessary, with some additional receipts suitable to the climate.

            In this state we lay the publication before you, and earnestly recommend it to you.

As we apply all the profits of our books to charitable purpose, and the promoting the work of God, we think we have some right to intreat you (except in particular cases) to buy only our books, which are recommended by the Conference, and signed with our signatures: and as we intend to print our books in future within the States, and on a much larger scale than we have hitherto done, we trust we shall be able soon to supply you with as many of the choicest of our publications, as the time and temporal abilities of those of you, who do not live a life of study will require.

            We remain, dear brethren, as ever,

                                                                        Your faithful pastors,

                                                                        Thomas Coke

                                                                        Francis Asbury

                                                                        Library, Methodist Publishing House, Nashville,                                                                                    Tennessee

            After reporting on the state of the church in the United States and a little on England, Asbury reverts to another denunciation of the married preachers. It is dear that the difficulties caused by traveling made it hard to keep the work supplied with preachers, and, being a bachelor, he had some obsession against the marriage state.

                                                                        NORFOLK, VIRGINIA

                                                                        February 16, 1814

[To David Young][ Presiding elder, Muskingum District, Ohio Conference.]

Dearly beloved David:

            Great grace attend us in this day of trouble and casting down. I am sorry you should feel any difficulty, or delicacy; in writing to the dearest friend, and father you have in the world: that twice, every day, speaks for you at a throne of grace: feebly in body and mind, yet claiming sincerity. I presume not one of the nine conferences, but are straightened for preachers, and more abundantly, for holy zealous men. Alas! Alas! Nine conferences, a charge of souls, scattered from Quebeck to New Orleans, from St. Marys to Lasco Bay near 3000 miles; and 1500 from east to west.

            We two poor aged worn out men are the chief, scattered shepherds over the scattered sheep! our presiding elders crying out, like the woman to the king, in a famine, "Help oh King!"[ II Kings 6:26.] Then said the king, that felt as a poor man; where with all shall I help thee, if the Lord does not help, out of corn flour or the wine vat.

            A sentimental practice prevails, that it is only proper for single young men to travel; so after they are married quit the work, possibly they may allow it proper for aged married men to travel. As to age, the property, the connection and incumbrances of some preachers' wives it will be best to pass into shades! I am grieved to hear that in your section as in Brother Quinn's;[ Quinn was presiding elder on the Scioto District, Ohio Conference.] there are roots that have wormwood and gall. Alas my dear brother, oh let great David see to his own house', yet little David and the preachers must pray on, preach on faithfully. We have European good news, an African mission-Bishop Coke gone to Asia, one report says with the other 10 missionaries, I hope they will join Buchannon.[ "The Church Missionary Society began its work in 1799, and arose out of the discussions of the Eclectic Society, of which John Newton, Richard Cecil, John Venn, Charles Simeon, and other leading evangelicals were members. It was at first called the Missionary Society for Africa and the East, but its present name was adopted in 1812. The men of Clapham were its ardent supporters, with Wilberforce and Charles Simeon at the front. The advance of ritualism has not diminished its intense evangelical fervor. "It was through Charles Simeon's influence that Claudius Buchanan Buchannon and Henry Martyn were appointed chaplains of the East India Company, with Stipends of 1,200 pounds a year. Buchanan had been sent to Cambridge at the expense of Henry Thomton, having been previously brought to the feet of Christ by a sermon of John Newton's." (Hurst's History of Methodism, III, "British Methodism," 1190-91.) (Frank Baker.)

] All societies in Europe stirred up to send missionaries. Increase in the mother connection 7000 in the Kingdoms. In the missions 2000. A church built in the city of London for the seed of Abraham.

            The Tennessee Conference,[ See Journal, October 3, 1813, for references to Tennessee Conference.] in a conference capacity, as one of the nine, acting for the whole, decided upon the impropriety of our intended journey to Mississippi, the shortness of time ? the desperate rupture of the Greeks. The sacrifice was thought none too great a risk; the nine conferences for a small half of the 10th. I find no cure for almost perpetual motion, only ride a day, and stop another to breathe and strengthen. I am ill able to perform the half of family duty. I find no cure for old age! finally I am afraid of being a bill of cost to the people. You must certainly employ local aid if it is good, and do the best you can. Of the general state we are humbled in the ministry and united in conferences, we have Discipline; as to increase, I calculate on little or none; if we fill up our wastage, expelled in one circuit 250. Frank Travis,[ Francis Travis was the preacher on the Fountain-Head Charge on the Cumberland District in 1813. Asbury plays on Travis' name.] Travisis them.

            The American people have not at any period in my judgment manifested a more open or willing ear to the Gospel than at present, but oh marrying and giving in marriage, as in the days of Noah, primitive celibacy long before popish had any existence, is totally to be abolished, the bachelors at 69 despised. But if leaving the traveling connection was not almost as canonical as priests marriages we would not dare to open our mouths or scratch a pen about celibacy. Bible Societies 60 pound sterling in one year in all possible languages. The Gospel word shall be spread over the whole earth! I heard a Presbyterian minister say the Emperor of Russia was president of a Bible Society. Some of our people complain we present preachers, do not preach our own experience; that we do not preach sanctification as a distinct work, that we have changed sanctification into justification, and do we want to change our Episcopal form of church Government into Presbyterian? as well as change the Doctrine? As ever yours,

                                                                        F. Asbury

                                                                        Methodist Historical Collection, Ohio Wesleyan                                                                                    University Library

            Asbury is sending on to Stith Mead some of his plan for visiting in the Virginia Conference. The references to Augusta and Georgia were personal to Mead as he had been in that section of the church.

                                                                        HANOVER, VA.

                                                                        March 7, 1814

[To Stith Mead][ Pastor at Hanover, Virginia, on Meherren Meherrin District. The district was named after the river.]

My dear Stith:

            Great grace attend us. We have had many cold hungry rides together but there remains a rest for the people of God, and ministers of our Savior, the son of God. If, by divine permission and divine assistance, we shall visit the south in 1815, in the 70th year of my age, and 54th of my ministry; and 43rd of my American Mission, it will be my wish to come from Milledgeville to Salisbury, by the month of January 25. My wish will be to pass through the Yadkin District, to good advantage, traveling one day, preaching the other. That is traveling every other day, and preaching every other day, on my way to conference, to be held at Lynchburgh.

            I shall request you to write to Brother John Early,[ Early became a bishop. At this time he was presiding elder of Meherren District, which included Petersburg, Greensville, Mecklenburg, Cumberland, Amelia, Brunswick, Bedford, Lynchburg, and Manchester (now South Richmond), all in Virginia.] to write to Edward

            Cannon,[ Edward Cannon was a pastor on the Norfolk District, at Princess Ann, in 1813.] to meet me at Salisbury January 25, and to order my appointments through the Yadkin District, and travel with me. I also desire John Early to make some appointments over in Bedford, that he, John Early and Brother Hines,[ Cannellem H. Hines, one of the pastors, appointed to Greensville on the Meherren District, 1813. (See Minutes, 1814, for above appointments.) ] to come up with me as soon as convenient, and that I shall wish to be in Lynchburgh two days before the sitting of conference. This will we do if God permits. Georgia, is in 2 Districts-Oconee- Ogeechee-Lewis Myers resides in the former, Joseph Tarpley in the latter, in Augusta Whitman Hill. The work groweth in Georgia, and South Carolina. Oh my brother let us make the best of time, it is short! because iniquity will abound. The love of many people and preachers is waxing cold, and we should be warmer than ever we were in the work of God. I am as ever yours

                                                                        F. Asbury

                                                                        Drew University Library

            Criticisms have been made of Asbury that he was not interested in the German-speaking people. The letters, and especially this one, show how great his interest in the Germans was. He had, as is shown, a very real problem; and that was getting preachers. Asbury had had the Discipline and the Hymn Book published in German.

                                                                        CHAMBERSBURG, PA.

                                                                        July 7, 1814[The envelope has July 9th.]

[To Jacob Gruber][ Pastor of Light Street Church, Baltimore.]

            Great grace be with us. Brethren my heart's desire and prayer to God is that Israel might be saved. I am willing to go and to die, I could wish myself accursed from the example of Christ, perhaps he might mean crucified. I suppose we English Americans hold 4000 traveling and local preachers and living exhorters to supply 3 million of souls annually. I say 200,000 Germans, and their descendants, on the east side of the Ohio including Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, not one gospel minister among them; perhaps 100 settlements and congregations vacant.

What are the Lutherans, what are the Reformed, the Friends, what are the Albrights, but---and opposers of Methodists, what are the United Brethren among so many? But you may ride a circuit or let it alone, you may meet in class-or let it alone. Should my life be spared, to return which is very doubtful, one more attempt for a German missionary, a kind of presbytery preaching at least half their time in German. Lay out the country perhaps for various meetings quarterly but taking our complete form of discipline (and hymn books), German translation and putting them into every settlement house. And when there is a good German settlement and a prospect, let one missionary stay and work till a regular society is formed, and given unto the circuit preachers. Yet let the missionary visit them quarterly to remove difficulties, to explain things the English preachers cannot, for want of language.

            Where is the money to support 4 missionaries? Make collection once a quarter and let them dividend [Asbury occasionally uses this word in this connection. ] with Baltimore and Philadelphia conferences. Where are the men, Jacob Gruber, Henry Boehm, John Swartswelder and William Folks.[ These were the German-speaking preachers.] Now, think on this, for God's sake, for Christ's sake; and for the sake of many thousands of souls, that live in blindness. Mind you preach English half your time, and receive all the help they can give of entertainment. But see if in 45 years we have preached in Pennsylvania. We have 6000 members in the old circuits and need Philadelphia left out as a city. Think it over, consult your God, and your brethren. As the most active man I think, you ought to preside, as a ruling elder, and there ought to be a strict discipline, like a well regulated flying army.

            I am your feeble Father; and let it be known, that one of the grand acts of his life was a capital mission to the American Germans, but lived not to finish it, or that the conferences did not see eye to eye with the Bishop in the undertaking or that the missionaries, the men of his choice, though well qualified, and of full descent from father and mother, and educated in the German language and of sound constitution; yet would not nobly volunteer; but I hope better things though I thus write. I hope the Lord will direct us; and make the path of duty plain. My soul has been without a doubt, or a cloud in all my affliction, though the greatest, I have ever experienced, and the most difficult to recover from. My copy was incorrectly made, employed an amanuensis not having written more than three letters 13 weeks. I am if possible more than every yours,

                                                                        F. Asbury

                                                                        P.S. You let John Swartswelder see this letter.

                                                                        Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore                                                                            Conference (Lovely Lane Museum)

            America was in the throes of war. The church had suffered losses, preachers had died, and Asbury had been ailing more than usual. He was in very poor health and describes himself as a walking skeleton. As usual he is reporting statistics and urging the preachers to watch and pray.

                                                                        PITTSBURGH, PA.

                                                                        July 23, 1S14

[To Christopher Frye][ Presiding elder on the Monongahela District, Baltimore Conference.]

My Son:

            Great, great grace attend us in these evil exile days a line marked out, Oh may churches, pastors, people escape the dreadful slumber and be all awake! I hope you are pleased and diligent and useful in your new station. No more the glorious increase of 8, 10 or 18 or 20,000 added to the church; thro wasting sickness! and the thousands called to expeditions! The never to be forgotten Otterbein [Philip William Otterbein, who helped to ordain Asbury general superintendent at the Christmas Conference, 1784. (See Note 37, letter, August 5, 1813.)] said to me many years ago that war was the greatest judgment of God, and unproductive of any good because we would always be looking to men, means, and measures, and naturally forget God! Who should set every man against his brother?

            Last year Wm. Mills,[ Pastor of the Freehold charge on the West Jersey District in 1813.]

 hale, healthy, was found dead in his room or bed! This year Peter Moriarty [Presiding elder on the Ashgrove District in the New York Conference.] was found dead in his bed! And formed? for his coffin, carried next day to one of his quarter meetings; one of the healthiest men in the New York Conference. At Philadelphia Conference Bishop McKendree and myself parted, some thought never to meet in times. Six weeks confinement, almost, given up by my doctors and friends, if the gates of death were near, they were gates of glory to me! Reduced beyond measure, total loss of appetite, 16 times blistered, 6 glistered,[ Not clear.] 3 times bled-heaven glory all in sight! the work of God plain to view the rectitude of my intention in all my labors, my martyr's life and readiness for a martyr's death! If God did hear the prayer, incessant prayers of the church in Philadelphia and New York, I can say, but my desire was certainly a touch of the prevailing epidemic. The head, the whole organical powers, the chest, the vital powers all prostrate! 3 hours rest only in a night, incessant cough! powerful expectoration! I am now a walking skeleton. I go in the way of duty. The greatest soul to preach and do duty, but bodily and mental powers weak!

            Oh brother attend to all parts of your important duty in health next to the atonement and assurance of the justifying and underlying practical righteousness of Christ. It comforts me that I began so soon, and made such haste and to think on the souls sent to glory! Oh if the Methodists will walk by the same rules; in 50 years more British and Spanish America will be peopled with the gospel, and saints if it is 6 or 10,000 miles in length! Oh the Bible societies in Europe and America, spreading truth over all the world! Oh Africa! Oh Asia! The Isles of the sea! Come home the seed of Abraham! I hear of nothing special in the work of God. I write very few letters. I am sorry I shall not see you but I must weep over our eastern brethren. The New England Conference insolvent, in almost starvation. We have been longing for our Western Conference. I guess we do not fill up our loss by wastage expulsion and death this year. We shall come short in numeration, with lost 1,000 and so I fear every year as long as the war lasts. And no marvel we have not subjects by hundreds and thousands to attend our meetings, they being called out by thousands east, west, north and south.

            You will write, on to Milledgeville, Georgia in November, if you please. Bishop McKendree his horse, his money fails, 200 miles to New England, his benevolence would not let him take his dividend. Possibly we receive this year only 140 dollars. I ride in state but what is to support me, a horse, 5 dollars in change, 20 dollars from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh, from Jan. 16th to July 23rd, still on road we go in the strength of our God in the line of duty. I suppose Bishop McKendree will pass in about the 5th or 6th of August, but we must creep along as well as we can. If you have an opportunity of writing to Cincinnati, send on my love to all the fathers and mothers in travel, brethren and sisters. Tell them pray on, pray on, watch on, fight on, to the end. I remember the little children. God be gracious to us all as I am if possible more than ever yours with all the church of God, father, friend and brother,

                                                                        F. Asbury

                                                                        Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore                                                                            Conference (Lovely Lane Museum)

            Nelson Reed was one of Asbury's tried and truest friends. He has been a presiding elder and is coming to the time when he should be moved. Asbury wishes Reed to know of his interest in him. Senator Worthington according to the letter is to deliver the letter, and Asbury recommends the Senator.

                                                                        WORTHINGTON, OHIO

                                                                        August 26, 1814

[To Nelson Reed][ Presiding elder, Georgetown District. Asbury was at Senator Worthington's. This letter was sent by hand of Senator Worthington to Reed. It was addressed to Nelson Reed in care of Dr. Samuel Baker, Baltimore, Maryland.]

My dear Nelson:

            Here we have Perry Hall,[ Reference to lovely Perry Hall, home of Mr. Gough in Maryland. (See Journal, August 21, 1814.)] as also Bazaleel Wells, Stubenville, Ohio. Perry Hall continued. Oh my dear, I can truly say with Fletcher;[ John Fletcher, the English Methodist preacher who wrote the famous Checks to Antinomianism.] that the uncommon attention of my friends; the unwillingness they have showed, to let me go to glory; (of which I have had the fullest confidence; the brightest views; is my greatest trial.) Well I pant! I cough! I speak hoarsely! I pray, I speak, sitting. I am slowly gaining strength. I love my own, the church: I hope to love them to the end of life, to love forever! I am willing to move in the line of duty, little in state, like the great. Our traveling is expensive in 600 miles, we have found by the founder" of one, of the purchase of another horse and road expenses, a call to appropriate near 100 dollars; but hope to save the lame horse. Could I be an hewer of wood, or drawer of water, a beggar for the camp of Israel, here I am a moving skeleton.

            Oh my soul feels for our bleeding country, bad times! worse to come! Oh what a desire I have to preach, Oh what bodily debility! What am I spared for and that I shall not leave this new world in distress; be taken from the evil to come like hundreds of the people of God that have died with the prevailing fever. Am I given back to the prayers of the Church of God? Am I spared to mourn over the judicial blindness! Egyptian darkness! That hath taken riveted hold, of the rulers of the united kingdoms, and United States, and provinces? Am I spared to see the spirit of heresy the spirit of schism rise up in the Church of God? Am I spared to see a laxity in discipline among the ministry and members in the Church of God? Am I spared to see numeration decreasing 1,000 in a year? The work of God drooping, and dying generally. Newspapers read with such attention, Bibles shamefully neglected, conversation that ought to turn upon God, religion, and his work, all about the world. Shall I be spared to see two men God hath shewed me ought be appointed in unity, and trinity, in our Episcopacy, one high in merit, long in labors every where. Oh Daniel highly favoured of God, Oh Saul, man of mind.

            It is not proper, after 40 years friendship we should tell our friends, could we tell how we love them. Dear brother you for age stand as such, and an equal, you always sat like a son at my side. It will be mercy, yea miracle, if ever I see Baltimore, again, or if Baltimore seeth another conference in peace. I rejoice to hear, (but not officially, that the work revives) in Baltimore. I presume your term will expire in the District next March. You will think (should it rest with me in part), a district, a circuit, a station. For this cause sometimes it seems the case, shall man leave in some degree his spiritual father, and his mother, the Church and cleave to his wife. Philip Bruce [He was a presiding elder for many years.] either to save himself, or the Church; said he would quit the district; because if he rested, those under his charge would do the same, without considering the difference of age, or strength and that he had borne the burden for near 40 years. I have feebly spoken in almost every place, feeble enough! I have taken the holy Book into my hands but twice to preach or expound. 1 have friends in fellowship, and only congregational Methodists.

            I need not be a burden to city societies, that collect and expend annually 2,000, 3,000 or perhaps 4,000 dollars per year church expenses, poor preachers, and collections. Select friends, seeing my ease have housed me in a conveyance, if possibly they may restore my health. My whole affliction (unlike my last sickness was epidemical) I lay it wholly to unseasonable exposedness in traveling, and damp weather.

            Senator Worthington [See the Journal, August 21, 1814.] will bear this letter, should you see him treat him with respect, he is a worthy friend of mine; but not joined with any society of religious people. John Wesley Bond [Bond was his traveling companion.] without exception is the best aid I ever had, of a young man, only too attentive to me. I shall be highly indebted to Baltimore Conference for my present aid. Oh, when brought by affliction as low as dribbling infancy, and even now a boy 6 years of age would excel me in strength, and motion. My mouth has failed. I cannot even eat without difficulty, food to supply; the late physick or age or affliction, thank God for eyes. I have read Saurin,[ Saurin's Sermons were read by Asbury frequently.] Oh he makes me feel little. When I review my life, and labors, I say purity of intention, diligence no more. My justifying, sanctifying, practical righteousness all in and from Christ, heaven opens Glory Glory Glory. I cannot give any account of Bishop McKendree. I am waiting his arrival in the neighbourhood of Chillicothe. Present me to dear Nancy and all my male and female friends. We will pray on, suffer on, we shall rest, and reign with Jesus, there all our family, national, and personal, and church troubles shall end, I am thine,

Still, in the Saviour

                                                                        F. Asbury

                                                                        Drew University Library

            Asbury's zeal and spirit are revealed here. The Norfolk society seems to be in a good spiritual state. Asbury is reporting on Europe as well as America.

                                                                        MYRICK'S, VIRGINIA,

                                                                        February 8, 1815

[To the Society at Norfolk, Virginia]

Dearly beloved in the Lord:

            Grace and peace and health and life, spiritual and temporal and eternal, attend us in our Great Redeemer. You are happily united. You use all the means of grace. You love as brethren and sisters in Jesus. You are frequent and fervent in prayer, you visit the sick and comfort the mourners and sooth the sorrows of the afflicted and dying. Surely we will not fear the terror by night, the arrows that flyeth by day, nor the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noon-day.

            Let a thousand fall at our sides and ten thousand at our right hand, the Almighty, can preserve us, if we set our love and confidence on, and in Him.

            John Early [John Early, the Virginia presiding elder who later became a bishop.] wrote you your friend, Francis, was coming quick to see you. Sampson like, he at other times would go out, as his body cannot keep pace with his mind, a failure in his health, the providence of God, and things generally preventeth his visits once a year. It is not enough we have rode since the month of June 3,000 miles, I would have rode 1,200 from the South Carolina to the Virginia Conference, but the man, the horses fail, roads in bad order, of the affliction in head not heart, we are in immortal? Till our work is done. So after traveling 700 miles last month, so after coasting from Milledgeville to Charleston, and New Bern and Tarborough, we are taking a straight course to Lynchburgh.

            You ask, watchman, what of the night! We believe the morning cometh and also the night! in the Church of God and this continent. But God's ministers are greatly humbled and united; so also the people of God. Your friend feeleth for you, he still moveth as he hath done from 15 years old to the 6 month of 70th year of his age, for 49 years he hath visited seaports in Europe and America; he delighteth to do it, still the popularity of these places, the communication, the privileges, the opportunity of preaching to such multitudes of the inhabitants of the sea, upon land.

            The brethren help those sisters that are doing good. The pious of all denominations in Europe are awake. Sending the printed word into all lands and languages, sending missionaries to Africa, Asia and isles of the seas, educating children in Sabbath schools, the bringing home Abraham's children, and if two parts of the earth should be cut off and die the third shall come through the fire; and yet a little while and Lebanon subject to high cultivation shall be counted for a forest, yet judgment shall dwell in the wilderness and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The increase of about 30,000 in two years in the Methodist Society in Europe still declareth God is with His church. His ministers and the latter day glory sweetly drawing near.

We must commend you to God and the word of His grace. Yours in Jesus,

                                                                        F. Asbury

                                                                        Roanoke Chapel,[ Roanoke Chapel is by some (Coke and Rankin) placed in North Carolina. Asbury, Early, Bennett, Meade, and Mason placed it in Virginia. It is not clear where the original chapel was; but it was in St. Andrew's Parish, which was the Brunswick Parish. There is no evidence of any Established Church preaching in the section of North Carolina referred to before 1749; and Roanoke Chapel, an old Established Church, was built in 1733 or 1734. The quarterly conference records for 1798 to 1805 show Roanoke Chapel on the Greensville Circuit. The book kept by Edward Dromgoole is in the Dromgoole collection at the University of North Carolina library. (See William Meade, 0/d Churches and Families of Virginia, II, 476-77.)] Brunswick County, Virginia

            P.S. We desire the stationed preacher or some person may read the epistle to the Society in Norfolk.

            The Historical Society of the Philadephia Conference and Old St. George's Methodist   Church, Philadelphia

A Letter of Jesse Lee to Bishop William McKendree

            In 1814 Jesse Lee was on the Cumberland and Manchester charge in the Virginia Conference with Jacob Hill. At the meeting of that conference at Lynchburg on February 20, 1815, it was announced that he would receive his appointment at the Baltimore Conference at Baltimore on March 20, 1815. He was there appointed to Fredericksburg in the Baltimore Conference. Lee objected to the method of appointing him. It was in fact a transfer. Lee took the position that he had been left without an appointment. In order to explain Lee's controversy with Asbury, this letter is included in the collection.

                                                                        PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA

                                                                        March 15, 1815

[To William McKendree][ This letter was sent in care of Mr. Ryland, Preacher's House, Light Street, Baltimore.]

Dear Brother:

            Since I have returned home, I find it will be necessary for many reasons, for me to abide in this part of the world the present year. Had I have been treated [See Jesse Lee's letter to Asbury, April 10,1815, for the remainder of the story.] as a Methodist Preacher at last Conference, in having an appointment made me, if it had been at Boston, I should have acknowledged it as a regular appointment. But to say I should have my station "From the Baltimore Conference" was a right that no Bishop possesses, and such treatment as I never received from any Bishop before. Of course, you have now no power to give, and I have no inclination to receive any appointment within the bounds of the Baltimore Conference. If you send me an appointment within the bounds of this Conference, I shall attend to it as a regular appointment.

            Observe, my objection lies against sending a preacher to any other Conference to receive his appointment, and not against his being appointed at his own Conference to a Circuit in the bounds of another Conference. Admit the principle, that you have a right to give me no appointment now, and to say I shall receive it at Baltimore; when I come there, you may say I shall receive it at Philadelphia &c &c. Thus I might be sent around the States the whole year, and have no appointment, in violation of that Rule which says "The Bishop shall appoint the Preachers to their Circuits." I shall expect you to send my appointment from Baltimore [The Baltimore Conference began on Monday, March 20.] as soon as convenient. I am as ever yours &c.

                                                                        Jesse Lee [For a discussion of this letter and that of                                                                          April 10, 1815, to Francis Asbury, see W. L. Duren,                                                                          The Top Sergeant of the Pioneers, ch. xv, 145-55.]

                                                                        Emory University Library

A Letter of Jesse Lee to Francis Asbury

            Jesse Lee was one of American Methodism's earliest and greatest pioneers. It was he who wrote A Short History of the Methodists in the United States of America. He came very near to being elected to the episcopacy at the annual conference of 1800 when he tied with Richard Whatcoat on the second ballot. On the third ballot Whatcoat was elected by a majority of four votes. This letter is one of the most interesting in the collection; and though not an Asbury letter, it was written to Asbury.

                                                                        NANSEMOND, VIRGINIA

                                                                        April 10, 1815 [See letter to William McKendree,                                                                              March 15, 1815.]

To Francis Asbury

Dear Sir:

            When I went to the Conference at Lynchburg last July I went prepared to meet with great opposition from you; knowing that it was your time for electioneering for the next General Conference, and according to custom I expected you would try to sink me in the esteem of the preachers, and give me some appointment that you believed I could not well attend to, in order that I might not be elected to the next General Conference. But I was fixed to go to the worst place you could appoint, and at least make a trial. But I was surprised to find when the appointments were read off, that it said that I was to receive my appointment from the Baltimore Conference. I said nothing, but knew you had trampled Methodism under your feet. I afterwards spoke to McK.[ William MeKendree.] and told him that I had no idea of leaving this Conference, and in certain cases I could not; but told him, after I returned home and saw how matters were, I would write to him: And he promised that he would write to me from Baltimore, and let me know where my appointment was.

            I wrote to him that for certain reasons I could not leave this part of the country, but was willing to take an appointment in the bounds of this Conference. He did not comply with his promise. I waited at Petersburg till April, and on All Fools-day, I received a few lines from one of the preachers stating that McK. said I was to go to Fredericksburg. But he did not say whether it was for the Town, or the Circuit, and I have no inclination to go to see.

            The Rule is that. "What are the duties of a bishop? To fix the appointments of the Preachers for the several circuits?" You gave me no appointment, you violated this rule. I never was treated so before at any Conference. If you had asked me if I would go to Baltimore to take an appointment, I would have told you No. If you had made me an appointment to Boston, I would have acknowledged you had a right to do so, if it had been read out in our own Conference. But it appears as if you were determined to be my enemy till you die.

            It is high time for you to lay aside all anger, wrath and malice. After you have degraded me for years in my appointments, and cannot make a tool of me, or induce me to fall in with all your whims; you at last have trampled Methodism under your feet, and usurped a power that never belonged to you, in refusing to give me an appointment, thinking thereby to sink me. But you are mistaken. Yet I will not say of you and myself, as you once said of yourself and Wesley. When you wrote to Shadford you said, "Wesley and myself, are like Caesar and Pompey: one would bear no equal, and the other would have no superior." I am willing to have a superior; but I never will submit to your unconstitutional proceedings. I wish you to act immediately on receipt of this, and give me an appointment.

           I shall be at Petersburg about the first of May. I shall expect your letter; if you determine to give me no station say so, and then I shall declare open war against you. If I receive no direction from you, my plan is to go into Brunswick Circuit, where there is a vacancy. If you write to me, and say I may go there, I shall let the matter drop. You know I have business in Georgia that calls for my attention, and I wish to go from next Conference and settle it, if I can.

                                                                        I am as ever yours,

                                                                        Jesse Lee[The Virginia Conference was held in Lynchburg in 1815. Asbury stated that the people of Baltimore wished Lee to be sent to that city and indicated that it was his wish. The bishop was indisposed, and John Early read the appointments.        Lee's name was not in the appointments. A note at the foot of the appointments said, "Jesse Lee will receive his appointment at the Baltimore Conference." Lee felt that he was transferred without notice or consultation. Some days later he received a letter from the Baltimore Conference telling him that he had been appointed to Fredericksburg, Virginia. He was very much disappointed at the appointment and refused to go. The General Conference of 1816 was in the offing. When he was removed from the Virginia Conference, the brethren there did not elect him, nor did the Baltimore Conference to which he was transferred. Lee felt that he had been transferred to prevent his election to the General Conference, and this accounts for the harsh letter. Lee had been chaplain to the Congress in Washington; and though this was not popular with the brethren, Asbury wished to place him close to Washington and expected to put him in Baltimore. Evidently he could not make the appointment. Lee persisted in not going to Fredericksburg. During the year he traveled through the Meherrin District, assisting preachers there. He also visited Norfolk and finished the year on the Brunswick circuit, acting as a substitute for C. S. Mooring. At the Virginia Conference, held in Raleigh, January 24, 1816, Lee took an affectionate leave of the conference and went to the Baltimore Conference at Georgetown. At the close of the conference he was stationed at Annapolis. While there, Asbury died at the Arnold home in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. When Lee heard of the death of the bishop, he felt as if a "friend had been smitten down at his side." He published the following sketch of Asbury shortly afterward.

"He was always of a slender constitution and yet never spared himself, but ventured through the greatest difficulties and dangers, in order to preach to the people and to attend to the preachers. He was an excellent preacher; and his gift in prayer was exceedingly great. He was deeply pious, remarkably fervent and constant in prayer. His peculiar talent was for governing the preachers, and taking care of the Church of Christ. He generally rose early in the morning, traveled many miles in a day, preached often and slept but little. He was generally known throughout the United States, much esteemed and greatly beloved. His presence was generally courted, his advice requested, and his directions attended to. It pleased God to spare him for many years; and, at last, to give him an easy, safe, and happy passage out of this world. And his numerous friends have no room to doubt but that their loss is his infinite gain. He has not left behind him many, if any, to equal him in the Church to which he belonged. And notwithstanding, his loss is, and will be, greatly lamented. We have full confidence in the Lord and he will take care of and provide for his Church."

Asbury's body was removed from Spotsylvania County and placed for a time in Eutaw Street Church, Baltimore. There was a large procession which followed the body. Minton Thrift, who wrote his memoirs, said Jesse Lee "with a deep and profound sorrow, united in these funeral rites." "The scene was solemn and impressive. Mr. Lee's countenance bespoke the emotions of his mind. A dignified sorrow, such as veterans feel, while following to the grave an old companion in arms, was evinced by his words and countenance. They had suffered together, and had long fought in the same ranks; the one had gained his crown, the other was soon to receive it." This account is from the Life and Times of the Rev. Jesse Lee, by Leroy M. Lee, his nephew.

Asbury's body was later moved to Mount Olivet Cemetery, Baltimore, where it rests today.

]

                                                                        Emory University Library

            Asbury had come to Wilmington to attend the Philadelphia Conference. He had received another letter renewing the invitation of the British Conference to visit England. Gradually his health has been getting worse. He speaks in terms of "changing worlds." He expresses the hope that, if he cannot visit England, he might be able to get to Canada.

                                                                        WILMINGTON, DELAWARE

                                                                        April 18, 1815

[To the British Conference][ This letter was sent to Joseph Benson, editor of The Methodist Magazine.]

Dearly beloved in the Lord:

            Fathers and Brethren in the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, we wish grace, mercy and peace to be more abundantly multiplied unto you through the merits, intercession, and righteousness, of the son of God. We have rejoiced to hear of your prosperity and increase of professional members of society, and on the other hand, we are humbled and deplore our decrease of professional members of society, but we are looking forward when the Lord God of Glory will uncover the right arm of his power and give you or our sons in the Gospel to see greater days than we have ever seen, of the pouring out of the Spirit of the God of Glory.

            We have received your last letter, of your readiness to receive us, could we visit you according to our former wishes and intimations, and we hope should the divine providence and will of God be fully manifested to us, we shall be ready, not only to change countries, but to change worlds; but your aged friend is now in the ninth month of the first period of the age of man, having been more or less asthmatic for about sixty years, feeble in his limbs, but more abundantly in his lungs, unfitted for public service in a great measure, as also for social intercourse and common communication. And Oh! was he to visit his native land it would not be in all the strength and health and vigor of the former days of his youth, that could satisfy the wishes of his soul in congregations; nor in social or personal interview even to answer questions consequential and satisfactory to his friends and his own good wishes.

            For a few years past, we have had serious times in the Church and in the land. In the Church many of the laborers have been taken from the evil to come both from among the aged, middle aged and young traveling and local preachers, and among the people more than ordinary number have peaceably and many triumphantly died in the Lord, so that with us if not universally yet generally to die is to die in Christ, and this hath greatly comforted us in all our tribulations, so that many precious souls the fruit of forty seven years labor and are clear gains in glory. In the land the rod of affliction still is felt and more than ordinary mortality among our citizens.

            We hope you continue in the Apostles doctrine and fellowship and breaking bread and in prayer. Oh my brethren, plainness of dress, plainness of speech, simplicity of manners such as marked the primitive Methodists and the Apostles and Martyrs of the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us be cautious not to feed the pride of the understanding of the people by fine words and elegant composition, neither by building grand houses and making fine music either vocal or instrumental. It is a strange way to think of feeding people's pride to convert their souls. Remember one saying, fasting, said our Father,[ Wesley frequently stressed the spiritual value of fasting and in his latter years bemoaned the fact that Methodists were neglecting this self-discipline. What Asbury has especially in mind is probably a passage in Wesley's sermon on "Causes of the Inefficacy of Christianity," preached at Dublin in 1789 and published in The Arminian Magazine the following year. In it Wesley says: "While we were at Oxford, the rule of every Methodist was, (unless in case of sickness,) to fast every Wednesday and Friday in the year, in imitation of the Primitive Church. ... I fear there are now thousands of Methodists, so called, . . . who . . . have entirely left off fasting." (Frank Baker.)] "God led us to this at Oxford," and he certainly led that order of men to many great and good Gospel truths and practices. We have the fullest confidence if we had asked the nine annual conferences, "Shall we present your Christian salutations to your Brethren in the British Conference assembled?" that in a moment they would have lifted the right hand of approbation and fellowship. Bishop McKendree feeleth a great interest in your spiritual prosperity and usefulness.