CHAPTER NINE
FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1804 TO THE END OF 1806
May 31, 1804 December 27, 1806
George Roberts had been a problem to Asbury. For some reason Asbury thought Roberts had been thinking of becoming an Episcopal preacher in New York. In this letter Asbury feels that Roberts is not willing to go where he may be sent. However, Roberts did move to Baltimore in 1804. He stayed there until 1806 and then located to practice medicine and support his family m Philadelphia, He also became a local preacher and was loyal to the church. He had a record of devoted service.
SOUDERSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA
May 31, 1804[The date and place are not given; however, it seems clear that this letter was written at the Philadelphia Conference. It was evidently written before the letter of June, 1804.]
To George Roberts
My dear Brother:
I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ to preach the Word. If you love me, now is the time to show it. I fear there is something at the bottom. What have you wanted? The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. How do you know but this is a judicial dispensation to beat off your hold from earth. You wrote me you were studying Physic. I felt! Your brethren have heard and felt, and have had their confidence perhaps shaken. What is hidden in our Connection? God will correct us by each other. If you leave the work, if you dare, let God himself vindicate his own cause. How will your enemies colour away ---- and say you meant to settle in Philadelphia, locate, and attach yourself to those people.
If you do not consent to take Baltimore 3 or six months as your family will permit, I prophesy evil concerning you and your house and when I find men will not be persuaded, I give them up, and consent that they shall do as they will do. I had my fears about the Lectures.[ Roberts took time for either study or lecturing.] I felt! In prudence I did not reply.
I am your aggrieved brother, father and friend,
F. Asbury
P.S. I have not time to write nor dry my letters.
Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference (Lovely Lane Museum)
Though George Roberts had been in an uncomfortable situation in Philadelphia due to the friction over the division of the churches, he evidently did not want to move. Very probably the extended entry of June 24 in the Journal is a reference to Roberts as well as to others. It is an interesting account of the reactions of preachers to their appointments.
June -, 1804[This letter was dated only 1804, probably New York State.]
To George Roberts[In 1804 George Roberts was moved from Philadelphia to Baltimore. (See Minutes, 1804.)]
O my Brother:
I am sorry you should think I am under unfavorable impressions concerning you. But how many stock bricks must I take out of the wall before it is finished. How shall I cover my retreat in Brother Wells[Joshua Wells was appointed to Philadelphia in George Roberts' place. (See Minutes, 1804.)] appointment, he protested seriously against going to Philadelphia, you must get his consent to go to Philadelphia. I shall not appoint Brother Bunn,[ Seely Bunn had been pastor of the Baltimore Circuit and was changed to Washington City and Georgetown. (See Minutes, 1804.)] this I can cope with. But so it is I am out at sea some leagues. I am lost upon the sea of changes like a cork upon the water. Oh, any port in a storm, it is like the sailor. I am yours still,
F.Ay.
Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference (Lovely Lane Museum)
The envelope of this letter is addressed to "Major Van Cortlandt, Peeks Kill State of York." At another place on the envelope there is "Turkeyhoe Tuckahoe, the Sherwood house in New York, June 20, 1804" It seems that the letter was written on that date. This letter was found among the Van Cortlandt collection in the New York Public Library. Was this "Governor" Van Cortlandt or his son to whom Asbury has written? He refers to visiting the "Governor" in 1799. This letter is the same general pattern as the letter of August 29, 1797, but is evidently to another person. Asbury is pleading with him to become a Christian. "Governor" Van Cortlandt was already a Christian; and Boehm, Tipple, and others say he was a Methodist. This letter was evidently written to "Governor" Van Cortlandt's son, Pierre, Jr.
June 20, 1804 [This date is on the envelope but may be incorrect.]
To Major Van Cortlandt [Pierre Van Cortlandt, Jr., was born in 1762 and died in 1848. He entered the office of Alexander Hamilton. He served in the affairs of New York State but did not become as famous as his father and brother. In 1801 he married Catherine Clinton, daughter of George Clinton. He lived at Peekskill in the family home. He was an officer in the militia after the Revolution. (Arthur Bruce Moss.)]
Grace mercy and peace attend you and the family. I have heard of the[The end of the page is torn off. ] cloud that came over your sky when the sun of your temporal prosperity, shone with bright beams. I had hoped from my information that not a bone had been broken:[ There is no explanation of the accident.] but since I came nearer it seems my information was not correct. I bless God your life was spared, if you go like Jacob halting, and praying all your days. Your call from necessity will be to more domestick life: may it be sanctified to your reconviction and saving conversion to God.
We are looking, we are longing for the salvation of God in the wealthy parts of our continent where the policy and prosperity of this would take up so great a place in the minds and pursuits of men. The God of Glory, far to the west hath caused the light of Zion to appear and arise and shine. I doubt not but thousands are annually converted to the Lord, and the poor, the slaves have the gospel preached to them.
My dear friend let me write from ---[ The second page is torn off at the top. ] love upon my part, danger -- --- I must urge the great concerns. ---- ---- I can do it in such a manner will know it: none will hear, but there is a witness to my fervent prayer for your spiritual and eternal interests. This is the way: I must repay the attention you have been pleased to repay to me.
I have had a year of labor of near 5000 miles and of attending seven conferences, besides the General Meeting rising in November, and very important in the organization. One hundred thousand, four hundred and seventy thousand souls, besides the many thousands that attend our ministry at seasons, it must be very great, with their connections and domesticks.
We live in a time of peace, and in general plenty, surely this is the time to gain religion, heaven and happiness. Oh ring? free and remember your convictions, your promises, your anguish, your fear, when in danger of death. Now say it to heart, he is a man of prayer and you will be a man of grace, a man of God. What will not the Lord do for you, what may he not do with you, if you neglect so great a salvation. ---- ----[ The third page has the top torn off.] a good God may yet ---- ---- Simon's Calamity may ---- ---- you, if you will forget your --------- in the prayers of a mother, a sister and wife,[ Mrs. Cornelia Beekman lived with her brother at Peekskill.] a friend, the ministers of Jesus, the people of God: not only that your life might be spared but your soul:[ Pierre, Jr., became an Episcopalian and was a warden in the church at Peekskila for years. (Arthur Bruce Moss.) ] this is the grand object, let this affliction say to you as the voice of God. I have cut you off from the world in some degree that you might seek my face. I recollect a son of praying parents by a gun lost the sight of both eyes, he did not return to the Lord but his dear? Wife was taken away, then he sought the Lord, if I may so speak: to give himself. Great work to bring you home. Oh that at last you may cry out, Lord I see thou wilt have my head and Thou shalt have my heart, and my all, as my God and my all. Please to present my Christian salutation to Sir[The salutations are to his father, mother, and wife.] and Madam, and your Lady, I am most sincerely, most affectionately yours,
F. Asbury
New York Public Library
Thomas Lyell, who is the subject of discussion in this letter, was pastor in Boston in 1802 and 1803. In 1803 Kibby was listed with Thomas Lyell at Boston. Lyell located in 1804 and later entered the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church. George Pickering was presiding elder of the Boston District. In 1804 Kibby is listed alone as the pastor in Boston.
BUXTON, N.H.
July 14, 1804
To Epaphras Kibby
My very dear Brother:
May grace and peace attend you now and ever. I wish to explain myself and intentions to you; I had no expectation nor desire that Brother Lyell should have returned to Boston last year; but he is a man of so much address that for many years hath obtained that indulgence from the episcopacy, and people, no other man hath had. I never was in the business of his coming to Boston fully; Brother Whatcoat began, and carried on the matter. I was surprised when Brother Lyell wrote me Brother Pickering thought he Lyell had better return to Boston. I doubted: and notwithstanding his age in the connection, (which I generally honor, by giving a charge to such). Was it to do again, he should have had his name after yours. I believe he influenced you to write; to me he has a most insinuating address. I am sorry you were treated so improperly, at present we can do no better, as I think, than to station you a second year, in Boston.
May God help you to be faithful. God is with us we hope, 20 souls have been brought out already. I am in haste you will see, as I am always in haste. My own love to the preachers,
F. Asbury
New England Methodist Historical Society, Boston School of Theology
This letter has to do with Asbury's horse Jane. Asbury loved his horses. jane and old Gray were among his favorites. He wrote most about Jane. In the letter to George .Roberts on August 12, 1801, Asbury says, "Last night Mr. Cough's famous saddle horse, 200 dollars price, laid and died by the long side of my very supple joynted Jane, had she died, should she die, the Mf of my personal estate is gone, real estate I have none.'1'1 Again in the letter of September 27, 1801, he says, "My mare's back is swelled up Iam obliged to ride down the high mountains, because I cannot walk, and Jfflie does not know how to crook her joints down these precipices.'" She must have been a low-country-reared horse. On July 26, 1802, near New York he records in his Journal, "I had to wait in a boat, tormented by heat mi flies; still worse for my poor brute, who made an attempt to leap out sito the bay; had she been loose, and myself at a distance, poor Jane mid probably have been overboard." Again he reports on Jane on June 2, IS04,"/ reached Radnor. Here my little Jane was horned by a cow, and lamed: she is done perhaps forever for me; but it may be all for the best." In this letter he wishes he had her to take along.
MANLEY'S, PENNSYLVANIA[Manley's was in or near Philadelphia. (See Journal, August 10, 1804.) ]
August 10, 1804
[To Whom?] [There is no mention of the person with whom Jane was left. However, there is a name on the back of the letter which could be Radnor. Asbury refers to visiting a place, Radnor, at this time.]
My dear Brother:
May grace and peace (attend) you and the family. You will be pleased to deliver my mare Jane to Mr. Cooper. I have desired him to sell her at the price of fifty dollars. I am inclined to keep the mare I bought of Mr. Konagee.[ Evidently unknown.] You ought at least to have what is reasonable for the keep of her. This I have desired Mr. Cooper to settle with you. Had Jane been within my reach I might have taken her along, but I am just returned from a 1250 miles journey, to meet the New York and New England Conferences and I am now on a 900 or 1000 miles route to Kentucky Conference; therefore what is not ready, I must go without, I cannot settle my own little matters unless I am just at the moment. I am with Christian salutations to you and all friends.
F. Asbury
The Historical Society of the Philadelphia Conference and Old St. George's Methodist Church, Philadelphia
Here is another letter to Zachary Myles. Again Asbury is concerned wifi British affairs. He is concerned with incorrect reports of his activities durin, the period of the Revolution when he was in Delaware and confined to the state.
PERRY HALL, MARYLAND[Place not given. Probably Perry Hall, the Gough home. (See Journal, Aug 14-15,1804.)]
August 16, 1804
To Zachariah Myles[See note on Zachary Myles, letter May 5, 1804. Frequently called Zachariah.]
My dear Brother:
May grace and peace attend thee and thine. I present you our minuh for the present year; as you are pleased to accommodate me with British papers. God has done great, very great things for us this year; we are able to extend our ministry to the very utmost bounds of the empire of the United States; and the Canadian provinces. 9000 net increase, besides the filling up all the deficiency of deaths, expulsions, removals, by emigratiory from east to west. By our people going into remote, and solitary place where the settlements are very small; we may upon a consideration, oft! mortality of this year, I judge, have added not far if any short of 20,0(X
At our New England Conference held far east in the District of Main we had near 50 souls professed converting grace and many quickened and awakened. We are boring forward. Camp meetings in the State of Jersey and New York to commence next month, we hope hundreds will be converted at quarter meetings and thousands this year.
I have observed an error in Mr. Atmore's [Charles Atmore was author of Atmore's "Memorials." (See Journal and letter Atmore, June 3, 1803.)] performance of my co cealment in the State of Delaware, that was at Judge White's, whose s( is now Senator in Congress. It is a mistake. I had access to the house Governors Rodney, and Bassett, and Dr. Magaws. I went where I thought fit in every part of the state, frequently lodged in the houses of the reputable people of the world and we had a great work. I think near 18 were added in that state during my stay, about 20 months. I suppose I Coke received some misinformation as he was hasty, notwithstanding took no state oath first, or last, no man molested me.
I have taken the number of local preachers all but the Western Conference. I suppose this number and names will be about 2000 and 1000 exhorters. These will supply the travelling connection, not merely with boys but good and able experienced men. We have, you will see, near 400 travellers.[ Traveling preachers. ] I have sent two copies, one for your brother[William Myles. ] and another for yourself. I am late returned from a visit through Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and all the Eastern States; Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, the District of Maine, and Vermont. It has cost me the --- of 1350 miles from and back to Baltimore. I am now faring for about 800 miles to the Conference in Kentucky, as you will see next October; at Mount Gerezim. Kentucky, which was a few years a dangerous frontier, is the centre of the western front of our empire where we behold a second part of the new world. I am affectionately yours as formerly,
F. Asbury
Drew University Library
Asbury, though passing near Daniel Hitt, had not seen him and therefore writes again. He is greatly concerned with camp meetings. He tells about them and instructs Hitt as to how to conduct one.
SHEPHERD'S TOWN, VA.[ Now West Virginia.]
August 22, 1804
To Daniel Hitt[Daniel Hitt, presiding elder in the Alexandria District, Baltimore Conference. (See letter of January 21, 1804, to Hitt.)]
My very dear Hitt:
May the God of glory attend thee in the grand cause of Christ and souls! My route through the Genesee turns out to be through New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. The New England Conference held in Buxton, district of Maine, four days and nights. We had between forty and fifty souls converted, a number awakened and quickened: it was great in the eastern blasted country. The preachers appeared greatly animated.
My Jane is wounded: I have changed my beast. I had to call for the Minutes, and had to wait for the revised form to be sent on by mail to Baltimore. I am greatly gladdened to hear that three camp-meetings are appointed: the first in the State of New York; the second in New Jersey, both in September; the third in Maryland, Pipe Creek, near the Chapel.[ Stone Chapel, the Strawbridge church. On August 5, 1804, Francis Asbury says in his Journal: "New York is the valley of dry bones. 0 Lord, I lament the deplorable state of religion in all our towns and cities."] I am alone, I have taken the most social way. My journey since General Conference has been about 1350 miles. I have passed and repassed all thf States north-east of Maryland. I have felt for the preachers in the east part of the work. I have told our preachers in Baltimore they ought to go out to the graveyard every Sabbath. 0! alas for the towns and cities, the are very dead. We must go upon extraordinary ways and means, and the ( Lord will work till thousands are brought to the Lord. I am so sleepy thine heavy weather, and I am so weary withal, I cannot write sense. Do write to me, to Charleston, a narrative of the work in your district. Daylight 1: going; I must conclude. I think never did a General Conference [See introduction to letter to Ezekiel Cooper, May -, 1804.
] sit longer with more ado, and do less; and perhaps the less the better.
I am, as ever thine,
F. Asbury
P.S. I judge you will find it best to have two stands. If the work should break out at one, you can go to another. I wish you to be singularlity careful of order: sixteen or twenty men as watchmen, to have their hour of watching. I would have them to bear long, white, peeled rods, that the; may be known by all the camp, and be honored. Let them be the most respectable elders among the laity. Keep the preachers, travelling and( local, listed; and call all upon duty. I believe, after we have established this credit of camp-meetings and animated the citizens, we must storm this devil's strongholds. I hope the people will be as independent as they cai at the Conference in Winchester.
F. A.
The Quarterly Review of the M.E. Church, South, XV (1861}, 158,159
M'Caine refers to this letter by saying that it was one of the letters in hi possession that had never seen the light. It is not clear to whom it wa, written. M'Caine used this letter to argue against Methodist episcopacy saying that it was as "anti-Christian" as the Church of England or this Church of Rome. It should be remembered that M'Caine was one of the men who were called Reformers and who started the Methodist Protestant Church. It is rather astonishing to read Asbury's opposition to collegian qualifications for the ministry.
August 30, 180[The date is not certain, but M'Caine puts it August 30, 1804, the day it was re ceived and labeled. (See M'Caine, Letters on the Organization and Early History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 153.)]
To Alexander M'Caine
The heat, my indisposition, and haste, make my writing worse thai bad. I have no correspondent in England. I should be afraid of committing myself. In compliance with my character, I answer all letters. I cannot say but Dr. Coke may use policy to attach the British connexion to him. Some have thought he only wished to get off from his engagements to the Americans, and never would visit the continent again. But I should not wonder if he should be upon the continent in less than a year. And I how not how soon death may put me out of his way. Some are bold to say, I am the only person in his way.
Perhaps the Doctor's letter transpiring may not be so unpleasing. The British must know he pledged himself in a most solemn manner[The word "manner," it is presumed, was intended to have been written; but it is not in the original.] to the Americans, this the Conferences remind him of, and tell him he has changed his ground. I have lately seen David Simpson's plea for religion. The greatest of all, it is England's warning. He proves that the Church of England is as anti-Christian as the Church of Rome. He has confirmed me in my opinion, and he says Reformation or Ruin.
I fear the Methodist connexion like ours will be more honorable than holy. Simpson,[ "Asbury says David Simpson proves that the church of England is as anti-Christian as the church of Rome. And is not Methodist episcopacy as anti-Christian as either? Whatever arguments will prove the former will unquestionably establish the latter. Indeed, we think, all things considered, it is more anti-Christian, than either the church of England or the church of Rome-a point that shall be brought under review in the progress of these letters. 'Reform or Ruin' is the watchword for Methodists. Mr. Asbury gives a side blow at Dr. Coke and his 'collegiate qualifications,' and a tremendous thrust at these Methodist preachers who aspire after the honors of D.D. Away with such nonsense. Methodism was more prosperous before it was loaded with iach excrescences than it has been since." (M'Caine, Letters, 153.)] like a true reformer, renounced all relation to the church of England, and not, like the great Watson, take 2000 pounds or 3000 pounds for his work. All establishments, all collegiate qualifications for the ministry, must be done away. God is as able to make prophets and apostles out of fishermen, ploughmen, or carpenters, and tentmakers as he ever was.
F. Asbury
Alexander M'Caine, Letters on the Organization and Early History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1850, 152-53
Asbury still had not seen Daniel Hitt, the presiding elder, though he was passing through his district. In those days of poor communication it was difficult to get in touch with a person. Asbury is reporting on what he has found. He is thinking of appointing Hitt to preside at the next conference (see letter, November 10, 1804).
PHELP'S, NEAR WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
November 7, 1804
To Daniel Hitt[Daniel Hitt, presiding elder of the Alexandria District. ]
My dear Daniel:
You will be surprised to hear of my passing this way. I have been sick upon Monongahela and Ohio about sixty days. I must needs preach at Union Town[Pennsylvania. ] and Jacob Murphy's,[ Jacob Murphy's was near Union Town. There the Methodists had preaching in Murphy's barn. ] ride twelve miles through the hot sun, and some rain. This brought on a chill and burning fever every day, with a most inveterate cough. I used emetics, two; the second cleared me. I was bled four times, and blistered four. I was part of my time at Harvey Stevens's,[ Stevens was upon the Monongahela. (See Journal, August 16, 1803.) ] and two weeks at Beck's.[ John Beck's, near Ohio River in West Virginia. (See Journal, October 21, l804.)] I had no intermission, but only a remission, for fifty days. I gave up my visit to the Eastern Conference. Brother Whatcoat[Bishop Whatcoat. ] came up with me, and stayed till two days of my recovery. I came off as soon as the Indian summer came on. I came from Beck's (from Sabbath to Sabbath) to Cresap's.[ Joseph Cresap's. (See Journal, November 3, 1804.)]
I am now on my way to Charleston. I must make the best of good weather. I have written to appoint a president. I believe it will come to that in time. I am in no doubt or fear but the connection will do as well or better without me as with me. The presiding elders have more local. knowledge: they have more personal information of the preachers and circuits. I only go because it is my appointment from the Conference, and to cast in my mite; and I cannot be idle.
I am happy to find the work of God is reviving to the westward. I shall be pleased to have a narrative of the work in this district. God certainly has a controversy with this land: many that will not be mended will be ended, or mended and ended both. America is the infant of Divine Providence. He must begin to correct, he will correct us Himself: he will not let others do it. I make no doubt there is not a single spot but will feel in time (and turn) the rod of God. The sinners in the cities are not sinners above all the Galileans. I anticipated the pleasure of seeing you; but time is short: I must improve every hour of fair weather and sun.
I am as ever, thine,
F. Asbury
The Quarterly Review of the M.E. Church, South, XV (1861), 159
As Asbury traveled to the south, he passed through the Alexandria District. On November 10 he records in the Journal that he wished to see Daniel Hitt. Since he did not see him, he writes this authorization for Hitt to preside over the Baltimore Conference on April 1, 1805. However, when the time came, Asbury opened the conference. (See Journal, April 1, 1805.)
NEW TOWN, VIRGINIA
November 10, 1804
To Daniel Hitt[Daniel Hitt, presiding elder of the Alexandria District, Baltimore Conference.]
As I am going to the South, about 1400 miles passing and repassing, and hope to attend the South Carolina and Virginia Conferences, I feel my weakness, and calculate upon the probability of a failure in attending the Baltimore Conference to be held in Winchester, April 1st, 1805. These are to appoint you, according to the power delegated to me by the late General Conference. You must preside in the Conference as I have done, and do all things with a single eye to the glory of God. Admit, examine, elect, and station the preachers; and God will be with and bless you. Given under my hand this 10th day of November, 1804.
Francis Asbury
P.S. Mark well! Should Bishop Whatcoat be present, his want of sight is such, he cannot preside, but he will be as counsellor, and may ordain. F. Asbury
The Quarterly Review of the M.E. Church, South, XV (1861), 159
Little is known about this letter. The facts in it are the only clues. No reference has been found to it, nor does it appear to have been printed. A list of the books printed up to 1794 and shown in Phoebus, Beams of Light on Early Methodism in America, indicates that the letter was later than 1194, as none of the books mentioned here is listed there. The agents appointed in 1804 are shown to be Ezekiel Cooper and John Wilson. A new edition of the Discipline was printed in 1804. The letter deals with the business of printing, and Asbury was criticizing the work.
[Autumn, 1804][ There is no date attached. The agents Cooper and Wilson were appointed in 1804, and the Book Concern was set up in New York in the latter part of the year. (Phoebus, Beams of Light on Early Methodism in America, 282.) ]
To Ezekiel Cooper[There is no person addressed on the letter, but it seems to be to Ezekiel Cooper. "The book business was carried on in Philadelphia under the management of Ezekiel Cooper until 1804, when it was moved by a vote of the General Conference to New York, where it was carried on under the control of the same gentleman, aided by Rev. John Wilson as assistant editor and general book steward.
"When the business was moved to New York, Mr. Cooper was allowed $600 a year and, although he was 'principal editor' and was receiving the above salary from the book room for his services, he took charge of the society in Brooklyn, Long Island, and insisted upon receiving from that society the disciplinary allowance of a travelling preacher. Such was the statement made to the writer by those who paid the money. Be it, however, as it may, his name stands on the Minutes of 1805 and 1806 as being stationed in Brooklyn. In 1808, Mr. Cooper's constitutional term of service expired, and the General Conference of that year, being so well pleased with the manner in which he managed the 'Concern,' voted him a bonus of $1000, so said the reports of the day." (M'Caine, Letters, 11.) ]
We got your address and have drawn upon you for 150 dollars as our dividend of the profits coming from the Book Concern. You will doubtless expect that we should address you as the agents to whom we have intrusted the management of our Book Concern and that we make such abbreviations and give you such directions as we think necessary.
Many mistakes were chargeable in your binders for misplacing the pages, have been discovered in the samples and the binding there is quite \ too slight.
The Life of Mrs. Hester Rogers,[ Mrs. Hester Ann Rogers was one of Wesley's women leaders, "one of the most saintly women of that first generation of Methodists." (Fitchett, Wesley and His Century, 496.)] we think it proofed too light on the: paper and the bindings are indifferent, although the papers and bindings of the Life of the Revd. Mr. P. Dickinson[The Rev. Mr. Peard Dickinson was an English Methodist preacher. He was Wesley's clerical helper and had been curate at Shoreham. There are several references in Wesley's Journal and Letters to him.] are better yet. We think it also a dear [?] book.
We wish you immediately to circulate an edition of the discipline, leaving out the different tracts, the Articles of Religion, ordination, etc., ^ and to have it stitched in blue or some other colored paper.
We wish you also to print a volume of sermons written by Mr. Thos. Walsh.[ Thomas Walsh was a Methodist preacher. Asbury read the volume during his confinement in Delaware. (See Journal, July 17, 1779.) "Walsh became one of Wesley's most gifted and saintly preachers." (Wesley, Letters, III, 40.)] Joseph Everett[Joseph Everett was bom in Maryland June 17, 1732. He was appointed to the Lancaster Circuit in Virginia in 1785. He was one of the preachers at the Christmas Conference of 1784. Everett is called the father of Methodism in the northern neck of Virginia. He had been brought up in an Anglican home but was converted from a life of vice during the New Light revival. Everett was awakened by Asbury and became an outstanding preacher. He was responsible for much of the growth of the church on the eastern shore of Maryland and Virginia, where he served as presiding elder. He served on several districts as presiding elder from 1796 to 1803.] can procure a copy.
In your abilities and integrity to promote the interests of our book concern, we repose the utmost confidence and hope and believe you, will do everything in your power to procure the best materials and to have the work executed in the most correct and elegant manner. At the same time we depend on you to collect all our money of the debt due to the institution as you possibly can. You will please accept of our best wishes for your individual happiness in this and the world to come.
F.A.
Signed by order of the Conference W. P. C.[ William P. Chandler was secretary of the conference. The Philadelphia Conference had management of the Book Concern. A standing committee was appointed on it. After Dickins' death Ezekiel Cooper was chairMon. Thomas Ware, John McClaskey, Christopher Spry, William McLenahan, Richard Swain, Solomon Sharp, and Charles Cavender were the other members.]
The Historical Society of the Philadelphia Conference and Old St. George's Methodist Church, Philadelphia
Letters have come from Daniel Hitt which were replies to Asbury. Asbury is answering with further news of the work, north and south, as well as Kentucky. He sees many signs of revival.
NEW BERNE, N.C.[ Spelled Newbern now.]
January 26, 1805
To Daniel Hitt[Daniel Hitt, presiding elder of the Alexandria District, Baltimore Conference. He was a Virginian who began to travel in 1790. Hitt was one of Asbury's and McKendree's traveling companions and was for eight years the Book Agent in New York. He served as a presiding elder for eighteen years and remained unmarried. He died in Washington County, Maryland, in 1825. (See Stevens, History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, IV, 79.)]
My dear Daniel:
May the spirit of holy Daniel and a holy God fill thy soul. I received thy two letters at too late a period to be answered from Charleston. I found it proper to move as soon as Conference expired. God is good to me. I found, as I proceeded southward, my health increased. To my joy, I found brother Whatcoat had returned from the western states in good health, all things in good order, almost everything done my letter anticipated; but my letter not received till after the Conference; increase of eighteen preachers in the Kentucky Conference; two thousand members; South Conference, eleven preachers, few located; increase of members, fifteen hundred, notwithstanding the deaths and great removals to the west, whose membership must be suspended for a time.
We had great love and union, but little money. I believe the Conference in the south was near one thousand dollars insolvent. Our married men sweep us off in the circuits, and share a great part of the bounty of the hundred and sixty dollars, Charter Fund and Book Concern. Yet such ii the consequence of the work: we employ all we judge worthy. I calculate upon twenty thousand added to the societies, and twenty thousand dollars insolvency. We must not have gold and grace. God will give us souls for wages,
We overseers find this the very nick of time, in the winter season, to visit the seaports; these give us an opportunity of preaching to hundreds of the inhabitants of the sea. Our town stands are of great magnitude: by being present, I feel their importance, especially when we can get the Jews and Gentiles to work it right. I find it a matter of very great heartfelt concern to settle the frontiers of the sea, as well as the frontiers of the east, west, and north. We have the following towns which call for stationed, preachers: Augusta, Columbia, Camden, Georgetown-yes, oh that H could command Savannah also! In the North Carolina State, Fayetteville, Raleigh, Wilmington, New Berne, Washington, Edenton, Poor Halifax, then Portsmouth,[ Virginia.] Norfolk, Petersburg, Richmond, and some others; for when we can come at a square of two miles, and two thousand souls, it is an object that we shall not perhaps find in a circuit; besides comers and goers, as we generally say. We gain in this town, upon Trent [Trent River.] a dark place.
A poor local preacher labored and preached till he was called home: now God has visited his children and neighbors; one hundred souls have been brought in. The work grows in Georgia and the Carolinas. I can see a surprising difference everywhere since the year 1785. Oh, what prospects open in 1805! I am lengthy; I am loving; you are liberal in writing to me. You have my letter that was lost by this time. I have a letter from Joshua Taylor[Pastor at Portland, Maine. (Minutes, 1805.) ] informing me of the success of our Conference in the Maine-of a camp meeting and several happy seasons in the Maine. Glory! I thank you for the printed account. I have a written one from Billy Thacher.[ William Thacher, presiding elder in the New York District. (Minutes, 1805.)]
The famous Abner Wood is turned Baptist from stem to stern. He was going on till they suspended him preaching Baptist-like upon the New London Circuit: now our Discipline is a human invention: Jocelin[Augustus Jocelin or Jocelyn. (See Minutes, 1804.)] is rebaptized. See our great Conference men. We must have some drawbacks.
They judged the campmeeting near Suffolk, Virginia, was the greatest ever known. Four hundred professed in four days. Baltimore and the Point look up. The fire of God is broken out in the city of Brotherly Love Philadelphia; near one hundred souls converted. God's thoughts are not as ours, nor his ways as our ways. I received a long letter from brother Willis.[ Henry Willis, one of earliest preachers. He died in 1808.] I have only to add, he and myself have served the Church, the
one above forty years, local and traveling, the other between twenty and thirty. We must leave the government to younger men now.
You know my thoughts on the local eldership; they are yours. As to any valuable ends he contemplated, I can see none in his letter that might not be answered, as to their usefulness; but a judicious presiding elder might secure. The South Conference wrote a letter to the trustees of the Charter Fund, applauding gratitude for their attention. By brother Cooper[Ezekiel Cooper, pastor in New York. He had been Book Agent in Philadelphia. Asbury had to use pressure on him to move. (See letter above, May, 1804.) He continued to be Book Agent in New York. (See Minutes, 1804.)] a letter is sent that they are well under way in New York, and much work on hand. At least I am happily disappointed, he is gone to New York to stay. I am always pleased to be disappointed for the best. B. Jones, Gibson, N. Walters, and W. Lee,65 all, I have heard of the deaths. Now, brother, perfect love; live it, preach it. I have marked the kindling of a fire in the Latin and Greek Churches, so called, the French and Russians, the British at the bottom. I saw it some time, but it is likely to break out, it will probably involve the whole world. What can we say? Let us make haste to promote the work of God. It shall be well with the righteous. I am thine.
F. Asbury
George G. Smith, Life and Labors of Francis Asbury, 226-28
This is a follow-up of Asbury's letter of July 14, 1804, to Kibby. Kibby has had a year in Boston as pastor by himself. Thomas Lyell, who had been the senior pastor there, had gone to the Episcopal Church. In 1805 Kibby was appointed pastor at Providence, .R.I. Asbury is reporting on the work.
PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA
February 16, 1805
To Epaphras Kibby
My dear Kibby:
May great grace and peace attend thee and thy charge. I was pleased to hear that matters were pleasing in Boston. Brother Atwood lodging in the same house put me in mind to write a line. God is good to me to thousands. I hope that there has been 500 extraordinary meetings where 12, 20, 30,40, 50, 100, 200 or more precious souls have been invited, converted, or restored, and sanctified at a meeting. You have heard from the Maine, I have heard from thence and almost every part of the Continent, I calculate 1805 to be the greatest year that ever was known in America or the world;, only let the preachers of a holy gospel, be holy, and Laborious. |
We see the fruit of our labors where we have gone on meeting, 3M years and 20 years enlarging, and building new houses. The children we have, after we have lost our other, some by death, and division, and backsliding; say the places are too short for us, make room that there may be places for us to come. Oh glory, glory we have added for the present year 29 preachers for probation in the Two Conferences, West and South Conferences and about three thousand five hundred members of society.
I have traveled in 6 months and a half, exclusive (of Sabbaths, and some little stay at towns) three thousand, three hundred miles, those have been fall, and winter months, very severe weather. But God is good, do all you can-my dear soul, my dear son, for God, he will help you, my time is short you will judge; but love constrains. Present me to all the faithful and prospering Brethren. You can write to me to Baltimore in April and if later, to Philadelphia and York. Everlasting love be with thee. I am as ever yours,
F. Asbury
New England Methodist Historical Society, Boston School of Theology
This is more of an introduction and recommendation of Ira Ellis than it is a letter. There is a long account of Ellis in the Journal. He is locating and intends to travel through the church. It is not clear as to what he was to do. He followed O'Kelly as presiding elder on the South District in Virginia and was there until 1805.
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, VA.
February 17, 1805
To the Ministers, Members, and Friends of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States
With our Christian salutations we send, greetings. Grace, mercy, and peace be multiplied to you, through Jesus, our Lord. We have thought it proper to recommend our beloved brother, Ira Ellis,[ See account of Ira Ellis in Journal, February 17, 1805.] to your pulpits and attentions. One that has travelled fourteen years, extensively, faith-' fully, and acceptably, nine years he has labored locally, preserving always' a good ministerial and Christian Character; he hath filled the various stations among us, having exercised the offices of preacher, deacon, elder, and presiding elder. We give him the recommendation we think his standing and services have merited in our connexion; he is going upon business of consequence to himself; he may also be as attentive as circumstances will admit to the ministry of the word of God, at all times and places where he can have a congregation. Given under our hands this 22nd day of February
Francis Asbury
Richard Whatcoat
Asbury's Journal, 1852 ed., February 17, 1805
An invitation had been extended by the members and friends of Olive Branch Church for the next meeting of the Virginia Conference. After consideration Bishops Asbury and Whatcoat politely advise them that Norfolk has been chosen as the seat of the next conference.
EDMUND TAYLOR'S, N.C.[ The Virginia Conference was in session then at Edmund Taylor's in Granville County, North Carolina. At that time this was part of the Virginia Conference.]
March 5, 1805
To Members of Olive Branch Chapel, Virginia.[ There were four preaching places near the present site of Olive Branch Church at Gasburg, Woolsey's Barn, Dromgoole's, Mason's, and the old Olive Branch. Olive Branch and Woolsey's were used at the same time. (See Early's Journal.) However, Woolsey's and the others ceased to be preaching places; and Olive Branch, though it was moved, is said to be the descendant of the others.]
Very dear Brethren:
We feel ourselves under obligations to you together with our other brethren and friends at and in the neighborhood of Olive Branch Chapel for your particular respect for and attention to (our) The Virginia Conference. We accordingly received your petition and therein found your most sincere request that this conference should be appointed to sit next at Olive Branch.
We thought it our duty and interest to pay attention thereto and we undoubtedly were more attentive when we heard of the divine approbation of God to it in owning and blessing the labors of and making the Word exhibited there, spirit and life, so that many souls will praise God in time and in eternity. Great joy indeed to us, to you and to all Zion's lovers. Therefore brethren if conference is so great a blessing as to cause remembrance in time and eternity we should remember others when it goeth well with us. Therefore as conference has never been in Norfolk, though they have repeatedly petitioned for it, we have favoured them with the next which will commence on Friday the fourteenth of February, 1806. Dear brethren we most earnestly request that you would join with us in prayer to the great head of the church that He may make it spirit
and life to our Norfolk brethren and friends that hundreds and thousand of them may help us praise God in time and eternity--
We remain dear brethren, yours affectionate in the bonds of a pure gospel.
Francis Asbury
Alexander M'Caine Sec.
This letter was the property of Lucy Gray Kendall (deceased), associate editor of The Upper Room, a descendant of Edward Dromgoole. It is now in the Southern Methodist University,
The following letter has its own introduction.
EDMUND TAYLOR'S, N.C.[ The Virginia Conference had been in session at Edmund Taylor's. ]
March 8, 1805
An affectionate address from the Virginia Conference[This address was originally prepared for the South Carolina Conference, the! altered for the Virginia Conference, later altered for other conferences. It is interesting to see the differences in the address as it went down to the local church. The South Carolina original has not come to light.] of the Methodist Episcopal Church to all their official Brethren, local preachers, class leaders, and stewards, in their Quarterly Meeting Conferences in the Districts and Circuits of their charge.
Dearly beloved in the Lord:
Grace and peace attend you with our salutation to all saints. Possibly in your local situation you have not taken perfect knowledge of what God hath done for us a society, in the space of thirty-five years; we have not only planted, but have made a very gracious progress at the gospel in tH seventeen United States, and in the Territorial Settlements, as also into the two Canadian Provinces, as may be seen by the Annual Minutes. What hath God wrought? We contemplate the happy hundreds already gone to Glory; and more than one hundred thousand now in fellowship with us, and the children and servants of our Brethren must still greatly augment our charge, to Christianize and spiritualize all these, we might calculate upon half a million of souls that stand in this relation to us. Again when we consider all those who regularly attend our ministry, a;
our own members, we might calculate upon one million, probably one sixth part of the inhabitants of these United States. Should we take the distance of land from St. Mary's in Georgia, to Passamaquoddy Bay [An inlet of the Bay of Fundy.] we might find it to be 16 or 1700 miles, and from the extremities of the_ Districts of Maine to the Natchez would be found upward of 2000 miles.
What, but a traveling ministry, and a very rapid one too, could have spread themselves, over such a part of so great and yet unexplored Continent westward in so short a time, opening and settling from 3 to 6 hundred miles and verging to a thousand miles in the width thereof. We have upwards of 400 traveling, and 2,000 local preachers, with exhorters, the latter a source from whence we can draw supplies to replenish and strengthen our traveling connections. 0 Brethren, help us by all and every laudable means in your power, what should not men do and suffer for souls, after the example of Christ, and in obedience to his word, our Local Brethren can keep our congregation together, by preaching in the absence of the traveling line.
They can promote class-meetings, order and union among the Societies. They can see that none enter in among the Flock, to pervert or draw away disciples after them. Our Local Brethren, highly esteem the traveling plan; some of them have spent their happiest and most useful days in the work; the Local Ministry, can help us greatly at Camp and Quarterly Meetings, they can promote prayer meetings, and when the work of God breaks out in a society can nurse the good cause. When the Traveling Ministry are obliged to go on to their daily appointments, they can be always ready, if disappointments are unavoidably made by the traveling Ministry, to fill their places. When modesty or self-diffidence prevails among the traveling ministry, to ask the people to contribute a mite, the Local Brethren can exhort and urge the Societies to liberality, to give for their support, that could have been full and free, and probably independent if they had been able to have tarried at home. But the word of God, was like a fire shut up in their bones; they were weary of forbearing and could not stay at home. Indeed it is not possible to calculate upon the good that has been done since the sitting of the General Conference in May, 1804, from what has fallen under the notice of this Conference. There has been perhaps 2 or 300 camp and extraordinary meetings, when souls have been convicted or converted from 10, to 15, 20, 30, 100, 200 and, in one extraordinary case 400. And who can conceive what may be done in twenty years to come. Oh! Brethren, was there ever such a time like this. Help, help by your prayers, preaching and purses. Many of our traveling Ministry are married men, and do not receive above $82 per annum to support a wife and children; and whenever we have a surplus in our conferences, we do not Bank it or give it where there are no just claims, but send it on to the poorer conferences in the more extreme parts of the North and East.
To conclude, such fields are opening, so many preachers to preach, and so many people to pray, and such multitudes to be converted, what shall we see in twenty years to come, if the traveling and Local Preachers are united, preaching the same Doctrine, approving and enforcing the same Discipline, and shall seek by every lawful means, Ministerial and Christian union among themselves, and among all Christian Ministers and Societies Thus living and walking as dear Children, what will not a good gracious God do for us?
Francis Asbury
Signed in, and by order of Conference, 8th March, 1805.
Drew University Library
It is interesting to note that though Asbury had appointed Daniel Hitt\ preside over the Baltimore Conference in a letter of November 10, ISO' now that the time had come, Asbury was there. This letter has to do wi^ some property Philip Sunderman had left to the church.
WINCHESTER, VA.
April 1,1805
To Thomas Morrell[Pastor, Elizabethtown, New Jersey, in 1804. Moved in 1805.]
My very dear Brother:
Grace and peace attend thee. By a clause in Elder Ware's[Thomas Ware, presiding elder on the Jersey District. ] letter; a Philip Sunderman,[ Sunderman evidently lived at or near Woodbury, New Jersey. ] hath left the Episcopacy of our church his executors, of his estate, to be applied in charity schools. "To him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not it is sin." These are to desire you my old trusty friend, to apply to the Clerks office in Woodbury, for a copy of the will. What we do is upon the wing of a minute, at that time, or place; or it may lay over for a year, or for time. If there is instruction how to apply that property, we will do the best we can, by the aid of seven councils, that is the seven conferences.
If this briefing can be acted upon, I shall require you, and another man of your choice to take from us the power of an attorney to act for us. Let this matter be in readiness by the 29th of May. Brother Whatcoat[Bishop Whatcoat.] shall if life and health permit see you with myself. I have no time for more information. It is now 6 o'clock, at 8 o'clock our important Baltimore Conference will be open. Mine and Brother Whatcoat's will and our love to you.
F. Asbury
Garrett Biblical Institute Libra
Asbury shows some concern because he had not heard from Coke. It had been the custom of Asbury to send an annual letter to Coke when he was in England, reporting on the work; and Asbury refers to that here.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND
April 15, 1805
To Thomas Coke[Coke was in England.]
My very dear Brother:
Grace, great grace let it rest upon thee. I have been wanting to hear from you, but there has no letter as yet appeared. The winds, the waves, the wars, or something hath prevented. I have sent you an annual epistle that will give you a general view of four of the yearly conferences that have had their setting in great peace and good order. The menace of numbers so far, upwards of seven thousand, increase of preachers fifty, several returned to the work, that have been located.
It was thought I was going home last fall but I was returned again to serve and to suffer a little while.
I am as ever thine,
Francis Asbury
Emory University Library
There are several copies of this principal address extant. It was prepared
for the South Carolina Conference. However, it seems to have been used as a basis for the addresses from the Virginia and Philadelphia conferences, probably others. Part of this address is the same as that to the Virginia Conference, March 8, 1805. However, there are differences.
Address to Quarterly Conferences on Delaware District'[The original of this address was prepared for the South Carolina Conference and was then altered for other conferences. This evidently went to the Delaware District and to the charges from the Philadelphia Conference. A copy of it is still on the quarterly conference Minutes at Onancock, Virginia. (This copy was taken from the Onancock Minutes. The South Carolina original has not come to light.)]
CHESTERTOWN, MD. May 7, 1805
[To the Onancock, Virginia, Quarterly Conference]
Dearly beloved in the Lord:
Grace be unto you, and peace, and love be multiplied. It is scarcely possible for you, in your local situation, to have correct views of what our God hath done for us as a people in the space of thirty-five years. We think it a duty we owe to you to make the following statement. The Gospel, by our ministry, has made a glorious progress through the seventeen United States, the territorial settlements, and Canadian provinces, as may be seen by our Annual Minutes. Should we compute the distance from St. Mary's in Georgia, to Montreal, in Canada, it would be found to be seventeen or eighteen hundred miles; and from the extremities of the district of Maine to the Natchez, two thousand miles.
What but a traveling ministry, and a very rapid one too, could so extensively propagate the Gospel in the midst of so much opposition. There are now more than one hundred thousand souls in fellowship with us, and perhaps six times that number who look up to us for ministerial services, and to hear the word of life, which you know by happy experience to be the power of God unto salvation, as well as many thousands of happy souls whom we doubt not have already gone to glory. We have upward of four hundred traveling preachers, besides about two thousand local preachers and exhorters; a source from whence we can draw supplies to strengthen and replenish our traveling connection.
We unanimously express our high regard for our local brethren, many of whom have long traveled, labored, and suffered with us in the vineyard of the Lord, and others who would have traveled but for secular affairs. Dear brethren, we acknowledge your great usefulness. You cheerfully labor with us when we are present, preserve the union of the societies, keep up the congregations and prayer meetings when we are absent, and your influence can and does do much in raising class collections for our support. Our apparent increase (in the Philadelphia Conference) this year is small, owing in part to migrations to new settlements, and the uncommon sickness and mortality of last autumn. But when we bring into view the great wastage among twenty-eight thousand seven hundred and twelve, and the number necessary to repair that wastage, we shall see that the number received must have been very considerable to give us an addition of six hundred and twenty four.
Our finances for the present year are better than they were last, owing in part to the Albany district (where the deficiencies were usually great) being attached to the New York Conference, and yet many of the preachers were deficient more than twenty-three per cent., though they received nothing for their children. The circuits which have given liberally will please accept our thanks. We have received eight preachers upon trial, and discontinued-from their probation, and are exceedingly sorry to add
that some of their cases were truly humiliating and distressing; nevertheless the Lord hath in great mercy blessed us with unusual moderation and peace, through the whole of our critical decisions.
Dear brethren, we have labored and suffered with you and for you, and are willing and determined so to do. We have confidence that you will endeavor to walk worthy of your vocation, and unite with us in all laudable endeavors to promote the Redeemer's kingdom. Let us in love continue to watch over and pray for each other, keeping the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace until we are come to the fullness of the measure of the stature of Christ, that may finally rest with him forever.
F. Asbury
Signed in and by order of the Conference William P. Chandler, Sect.[ Secretary of the Philadelphia Conference.]
Quarterly Conference Minutes, Onancock Methodist Church, Virginia
The Philadelphia Annual Conference was in session at Chester Town, Maryland. There is no reference in the Journal to this item of business. The Chartered Fund was still in its infancy and was just being incorporated. Directions are given in the letter to the conference as to procedure.
CHESTER TOWN, MARYLAND
May 7, 1805
To the Conference of Methodist trustees now sitting in Philadelphia
We viewed your communications including a statement of the products of the Chartered Fund for this year and do gratefully acknowledge your fidelity in the superintendence of the interest of the institutions. You will honor our draft for 120 dollars.
We are sorry you have not been able to collect the debts due to the institution, particularly Mr. Henry Ennell's word and the money arising from the sale of the plantation given to Mr. Dickinson and sold by your agent? To Mr. Rogers.
We are informed that the above moneys are now ready to be paid and that they would have been paid some time past but Mr. Dickinson and Mr. Rogers[The names are not repeated in the original.] did not know who to pay the money to. As you are the only guardian of the chartered fund you are hereby directed and requested to collect and bring into operation the above moneys as soon as possible.
We have carefully considered your memorial and particularly your advice to print the articles of operation? Of the chartered fund with the minutes but think it would not be prudent to present them because it might give an advantage to those who seek an auction to misrepresent us. We have nevertheless advised the presiding elder to procure the acts of incorporation and to state and explain them to the people.
Please accept our best wishes for your prosperity and happiness and the happiness of your families.
We are dear brethren. Yours in love.
F.A.
Signed by order of the Conference W. P. C. (Chandler) Secy.
The Historical Society of the Philadelphia Conference and Old St. George's Methodist Church, Philadelphia
At this time Asbury was disturbed greatly because of the possibility losing some of his preachers, notably George Roberts and Ralph Williston. All along some had been going to the Episcopal Church, such as Joseph Pilmoor, George Strebeck, Thomas Lyell, now Ralph Williston. This letter to Daniel Hitt and that of August 3 deal with the matter.
NEW YORK, N.Y.
May 22, 1805
To Daniel Hitt[Daniel Hitt was presiding elder on the Baltimore District in Baltimore.]
My dear Brother: .
With my usual salutation, grace and peace. Report says that two of our stationed preachers have been treating with a broken congregation, collected and then deserted by Mr. Strebeck,[ George Strebeck, who had left the church in 1793. He had first gone with the Lutherans to Pearl Street Church, New York. They built a larger church on Mott Street. This later became an Episcopal church. (See letter, July 28, 1805.)] first awakened, some by Methodists, then Germans, then Strebeckers, now Robertsonians[Refers to the possible defection of George Roberts, pastor in Baltimore. Roberts located in 1806. However, he went into medicine and remained a faithful local preacher.] or Willistonians.[ Ralph Williston went to the Episcopal Church. He is shown as withdrawn in 1806. He was pastor at Fredericktown, Maryland, in 1805.]
It is said the latter hath written to them, and is expected on in a few days. Now for this man to send a vague letter to me at Conference to take a station, and because it was not his wish, to begin to treat in Baltimore with a messenger sent by the Strebeckers to get them a preacher! And who is it to be? Mr. Roberts or Mr. Williston. I am told the latter is expected in this city to see how it will work. Should he come, I hope that Brother George[The Rev. Enoch George, presiding elder of Alexandria District. Hitt was at the time presiding elder of the Baltimore District. They had exchanged districts. George later became a bishop.] and your self will supply his place immediately with Brother Jefferson,[ Hamilton Jefferson was on the Frederick Circuit (Maryland), Alexandria District.] and get some local brother to take the circuit; then let him find a place where he pleases. The secret of the matter was, our city preachers were invited to preach in that church, till they found they were made of such stubborn stuff they could not be seduced by them.
Report says they are deeply in debt, and Mr. Strebeck has drawn off all he can to be High Episcopalians. I think that you ought to talk seriously with George Roberts, to know what he means to do; that if he is about to resign his office, another may be put in his place-Brother Bloodgood.[ John Bloodgood, pastor of Baltimore Circuit.] If any change should take place, let me know by letter, in New York, by the third week in July, that the Minutes may be properly printed, who have withdrawn themselves, or the changes in the stations. You may tell Brothers Roberts and Williston you are ready to fill their places whenever they choose to resign.
I have had but one day in the city. I am going out this morning. I have visited a glorious camp-meeting upon Long Island; it was a blessed time. Many souls were blessed. We are looking forward for the coming of Christ in the North. If any thing special turns up, write; and how your camp-meeting came out at the Springs.[ Bath Springs, Berkeley County, West Virginia.] I am sorry we should have ministerial juggling. Mr. Gough[Henry Dorsey Gough, Asbury's old friend of Perry Hall, Maryland.] hired some British soldiers to work for him in the time of the war, he sounded them, if they would like to stay in America; they said perhaps they might in some future period, but they must go home and discharge their duty to their king and country, and their answer was "Honor, sir; you know, honor!" I wish these holy ministers of Jesus Christ would cry out, "Honor, honor!" and honestly and faithfully tell the Conference, "We will serve you no longer." We do not, we have not, trifled with them: why should they treat us in such a manner? Henceforward we have need to call upon the absentees to let the Conference know by letter, saying, "We mean to take a station this year; any one you can give us"; if not, "We mean to take such or such a station, or none at all."
Our Philadelphia Conference, by an appeal that called their attention a day, sat seven; and we ought to sit ten days, if we cannot do our business without. What, to hear with some certainty, two of our elders should begin a treaty with other people, as soon as the Conference is over, to leave their station! I confess my confidence is greatly gone. Finally, I wish not to precipitate matters; but would any man of the world employ a man and be satisfied, if he found that same man treating with another, and to leave his former employment? Brother George and you will be as one; take counsel; act with your usual moderation and prudence. I am, with respect, yours,
F. Asbury
The Quarterly Review of the M.E. Church, South, XV(1861), 313-14
A Letter of Thomas Coke to J. Walter Fountain
Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke were devoted to each other, yet thef^ did not see eye to eye. The temperaments of the two men are disclosed in\ some of their correspondence. Much speculation has been caused by their ' disagreements. The Coke correspondence is introduced here to clarify the situation. Two letters are put together to introduce the matter. Several letters follow, and the correspondence needs to be considered as a whole. Coke had recently married, and in the spring of 1805 he wrote what had been called his "circular" letter to America. Many copies were sent out. It seems that every member of the New York Conference received it. This letter was sent to the Rev. J. Walter Fountain of the Baltimore Conference.
A second letter which Coke wrote on January 10, 1806, follows the circular letter. However, there were evidently intervening letters. The references in the letter to Alexander M'Caine are to other letters than the circular letter, though the circular letter seems to have begun the discussions.
NEW CHAPEL, CITY ROAD
LONDON, ENGLAND
June l, 1805
[To Revd. J. Walter Fountain] [Pastor of Talbot Circuit, Chesapeake District, Philadelphia Conference. This letter was the circular letter referred to several times in the letter and sent to members of the New York Conference and others.] .
Very dear Brother:
Before you have received this letter, you will probably have heard of the alteration which has taken place in my state of life by marriage. I therefore feel it my duty to write to you in the fullest and most ingenuous manner, in respect of my relation to you, and the Methodist connexion in the United States of America.
About ten years ago, when it was the unanimous judgment of the General Conference, that the Episcopacy needed to be strengthened, I proposed to reside with you for life; in consequence of which the most solemn engagements were entered into on both sides. The fulfilment of these engagements was delayed, with the consent of the Conference, by various circumstances then unforeseen; but I have never broken them in the smallest instance: and am now as willing to fulfil them as ever I was at any moment since I made them. My most beloved wife is also equally willing. She is indeed a twin soul to myself. Never, I think, was there a more perfect congeniality between two human beings, than between us.
But on the other hand, I should be the most ungrateful of husbands, if I trifled with her health, or feelings. It therefore does not appear at all probable that I shall make you another transitory visit. I cannot think of leaving my most dear wife for so long a time as a transitory visit would require; nor can I think of making her cross the Atlantic ocean twice for such a purpose. If we come to you at all, we come for life. But if we come for life, we come under the most express, permanent and unalterable conditions; except in the case of the death of Bishop Asbury, in which case I should consider it as my duty to sail for America, as soon as possible. But before I mention these conditions, I must make some observations respecting my venerable and highly esteemed friend Bishop Asbury.
As far as I know my own heart, I can most truly say, that I have not a wish in my soul to intrude in the least degree on the labors of Brother Asbury. As long as he can regularly visit the seven annual Conferences, you do not want me. But if he was so debilitated that he could not attend the seven Conferences, I should be willing to come over to you for life, on the express condition that the seven Conferences should be divided betwixt us, three and four, and four and three, each of us changing our division annually; and that this plan at all events should continue permanent and unalterable during both our lives. I trust that our gracious Lord will continue so to strengthen Brother Asbury, that the necessity or expedience of this plan may not happen. But if it does, the annual Conferences, or the general Conference, must be consulted on the business, and I have no doubt but they will determine with the utmost sincerity, and irrevocable integrity. I promise also on my part to abide most sacredly by my engagements, and to be yours entirely for life, if you judge it expedient, on the conditions before mentioned. Nothing in that case shall detain me in Europe for a moment after I have settled my affairs, but such anillness on my wife's or my own part, as will absolutely incapacitate her or me from going on ship-board: for I can by no means leave her behind me.
But there is no present appearance that we shall be detained on the above account. My wife is one of the best of women: she breathes the genuine spirit of a Christian pilgrim, and would go with me anywhere, yea, through fire and water, in the will of God. My health has not been so good as it is at present, I think, ever since I first visited America or even then, praised be God. The constitution of my beloved wife is a very delicate one; but with great care and attention it is my opinion that it is likely to bear the fatigues of travelling for many, many years. She has been indeed brought up in a most tender and delicate manner, and therefore needs conveniences through life, which others not brought up in the same tender way have no need of. But the Lord has blessed her, and me through her, with a sufficiency to supply both her and my wants, in every respect, without being burdensome to any society.
We were married on the 1st of last April, and in six weeks we travelled about 400 miles; and in a few days we are going on another tour of about 600, in which we shall cross the Irish Channel.
I must now observe that I do not intend, by any of the observations I have made, to derogate, in the smallest degree, from the worth and integrity of my old, venerable, and worthy friend, Bishop Whatcoat. I have, ever since I knew him, held him in very high esteem; but his age and infirmities render it impossible for him now to take even half the work entirely under his own care as a bishop. But I am truly thankful to find, by the accounts I have lately received from America, that he is able to meet Bishop Asbury at many of the Conferences. |
There is no remarkable revival in the British or Irish circuits at present, but there has been a gradual increase in Britain. Our missions, both at home and abroad, prosper very much. I have sent to Brother Cooper and Brother Wilson a printed account of their prosperity, which I lately drew up. I bless God that the Committee which the Conference has granted me to aid me in the management of the finances of the missions, to answer letters, etc. etc. have shown such attention to the business, and have afforded me such aid, that I am now assured that the missions may be carried on with spirit without me, notwithstanding the fears of my British brethren in conference concerning them.
Favor me with an answer to this letter, directed to me at the New Chapel, City-Road, London; and give me some account of the work of God in your district or circuit. Accounts of the great revival in America are exceedingly pleasing and profitable to our congregations in Great Britain and Ireland, and to the readers of our magazines. I wish you could see all my heart: if you did, you would find it as much as cordially attached to the American Methodists as ever it was in any part of my life.
I now leave the whole to the gracious disposal of our God; and recommend you, as I do daily, in humble and earnest prayer to his gracious protection. Remember me and my dear wife in your prayers; and believe me to be, what I most sincerely am,
Your very affectionate Brother,and faithful Friend,
T. Coke
The following letter to M'Caine, though out of place here, throws further light on the correspondence Coke had with the brethren in America.
TRURO, CORNWALL, ENG.
January 10 1806
To Alexander M'Caine[Not addressed, but evidently Coke sent the letter to M'Caine. M'Caine was secretary of the General Conference.]
My very dear Brother:
I wrote to you by the last packet, a letter for the Baltimore annual conference, in conference assembled, in answer to their official letter sent to me by you. If you hav
