Chapter 1

BEFORE COMING TO AMERICA October 26, 1768 - August 27, 1771

This is the first Asbury letter which has come to light. He was still in England, and it was written to his parents to inform them of his removal from the Colchester Circuit to Wiltshire. His mother had evidently grieved greatly because of his leaving home. He admonishes her not to mourn. The most interesting thing in the letter is his reference to Nancy Brookes. Because he was a bachelor, it has been rather taken for granted that he was never interested in any woman. However, it would appear here that he had been. He was twenty-three years of age when this letter was written. In this letter he shows much of the burden for souls which characterized his ministry.

WILTSHIRE, ENGLAND

October 26, 1768

[To his Parents][ This letter has been broken up at times and parts redated. It seems to be one letter. It was addressed on the envelope to Joseph Asbury at Mr. John Worleye's, Esqr., at Hampstead Hall, near Birmingham, Staffordshire. His mother's name was Elizabeth. ]

My dearly beloved in the Lord and also Parents Dear:

Being moved from the place I was in, I think it my duty to let you know and I hope you will not repine or be uneasy. I am now in health and strength and very well contented, settled upon my good behaviour in Wiltshire. There are two preachers of us in the round. We have many places and in general a loving good natured people, so I see nothing to complain of; there is no want of any thing, for our bread and water are sure, only there is a great want in me of wisdom and grace for the work; but I hope my God will supply all my wants. We spend our Sundays at Portsmouth and Salisbury; there we have two large congregations and very large and good preaching houses. I had no choice this year, and now I think I am as well settled as I could desire. As to temporals, that is the least of my cares. If my heart is upright I shall not want them I am sure.

I hope, my dear Mother, you are more easy. Why will you mourn in such a manner If you have given me to the Lord let it be a free will offering, and don't grieve for me. I have cause to be thankful that such a poor, ignorant, foolish, unfaithful, unfruitful creature should be called to the work, chosen of man, and I hope and trust, of God; though I have done enough to both to cast me off for ever.

I wonder some times how anyone will sit to hear me, but the Lord covers my weakness with his power. I trust you will be easy and more quiet. As for me, I know what I am called to. It is to give up all, and to have my hands and heart in the work, yea the nearest and dearest friends. And I am content and will do it. Nay, it is done. Christ is all to me. Let others condemn me, as being without natural affection, as being stubborn, dis- obedient to parents, or say what they please. It does not alter the case, for it is a small matter with me to be judged of man. I love my parents and friends but I love my God better and his service, because it is perfect freedom, and he does not send me away at my own cost, for he gives me to prove, as my day is, my strength is, and it is my meat and drink to do his will. And tho I have given up all I do not repent, for I have found all.

I saw Mr. Pawson [John Pawson was one of the early lay preachers. He was assistant on the Stafford- shire Circuit on which Asbury's parents lived. In 1785 Wesley ordained Pawson for Scotland. He was elected president of the fiftieth conference, which was held at Leeds, July 29, 1793. (See Drinkhouse, History of Methodist Reform and Methodist Protestant Church. I, 109.) ] at Stroud. He seems like a loving agreeable young man, sensible and understanding in the things of God. Give my love to him. Do tell Mr. Pawson to tell Mr. King where I am, and the people at Broadmarston, and any others to direct to me at the new chapel house in Salisbury. There you must direct. I am in very good health.

Nancy Brookes,[ See letter, June 7, 1784. ] your manner of speaking made me to begin to think and wonder. I know very well that it becomes me to be without partiality and if you or any other will convince me of it I would be ashamed of it, and shake it off as I would the mire of the streets. I don't say but I may be guilty of it, but I do not know wherein and in regard to what [] passed when I was over at Barr, I can't tell wherein, and it is a pity, but you had told me or would do it. My time was short. I was with all the people but you, I think, and also I was at your house but you were not at home. I could [have] been as glad of your company as any one at Barr, and wanted it but could not have it, but my dear heart, I shall think no more of it if you don't, tho it gave me some little pain. For who is offended, and I burn not. Dear child I have travailed in birth for you and never sought any,[ The letter is torn here. ] ----- God is my witness, but his glory and your good. And tho you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, you have not many fathers, for in Christ I have begotten you to a lively hope. My dear child, I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy, lest as the serpent beguiled Eve, you should be drawn from the simplicity of the gospel.

Watch and pray and pray for me and all will be well, dear father. I hope you love and cleave to Jesus. Have you victory over sin and that which has in time past most easily beset you Oh dear father, labour to increase as with more of God, to be holy and without blame before him in love.

Sister Smith you have many trials, one upon the back of another, but you can't trust. Set up your Ebenezer and say hitherto the Lord has helped you, and he will if you look to him in every trial, and help you to keep your garments always white. Oh child contend for this. Don't give it up, sooner give up your life than this. I do and will affirm that the blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin, and if no one will stand with me I will stand alone. I was not taught it of man nor you either. If He was a man He might make us give it up, but the work is the Lord's, Oh live by faith in the Son of God every moment, and he will make way for you through the water and fire in all our temptation. Help keep us to prove his utmost salvation, his fulness of love. Pray, pray, watch and pray.

Friend Thomas Smith where are you Yet out of Christ, host to Christ, shake yourself from the dust, arise and fly to Jesus, the City of refuge. Make haste my dear friend, make haste, the avenger of blood is at your heels. Oh cry earnestly and instantly, "Jesus thou Son of David have mercy on me."

Now Moley Sheldon also, there is nothing but complaining in your streets and maybe you are ready to say, ---[ Some words are effaced along here. ] I doubt there never will be a child, your like, the woman with the bloody issue that spent all she had and now no better, --- But you perhaps have no spirit, --- or else you would fall upon Jesus, the last shift when you are lost under --- as in yourself. Then you will submit to come to Jesus and pray like her from behind, but if it is with this, if I may but touch him, I shall be well. Oh may you be driven by extreme want to Him and fall nigh.

To my friend Sheldon, Oh my dear heart where are you, tossed like a ship upon the ocean, here and there, but no rest. Return to Jesus weeping ---[ Letter torn. ] to Him and give a devorce to your sins. He will receive you and comfort you with a sense of his love. See the Harbour, make for it not- withstanding it is high. He may put forth his hand as he did to Peter and save you if you reflect on Jesus. You cannot help but love him, but you may say, my heart is worldly, hard and unfeeling. He shall maybe this moment cast a look, melt it into love, thy love, thy flinty heart shall turn and get it.

See the victory, Mrs. Brookes. Do you find comfort in Jesus and stay your soul on Him You may answer to this but I am very weak and the world follows and sticks close. Look to the strong for strength, He the Lord will free you from this plague of earth this moment. Oh cry to your God this moment.

To Mother Perkins, do you love Jesus Do you increase with the in- crease of God If so watch and pray and go home and prosper.

To Betty Willkes, are you following the humble Nazarene, Jesus the joy and desire of the whole Christ above and below Oh go on, pray and watch, and hate the thing that is evil, and God, even you have God, shall give you his blessing and care for your soul and body.

To Sarah Weston, I hope it will be given you to go on through evil report and good and be a faithful follower of the Lamb which your soul wishes and desires and prays for you, my dear heart. We must learn to look from persons and things to the immovable, unchangeable God. He is a rock and his work is perfect. My love to John. I wish and desire and pray that he may have repentance and remission of sins, that both your souls may be bound up in the bundle of life. Farewell and prosper and that you may pray much.

To Sally Brookes, I hope to hear, dear child, that your hard heart is broken and that the hand of God presses your love, that you give up every vanity, over you be love and be wedded to the king's son and be brought into the banqueting house and his banner. That you must not expect me to write very often, it is so far, send me a letter quick.

Remember to tell Mr. Pawson you need only direct for me at the Chapel House in Salisbury. I cannot by any means come over till the Conference, so you must not desire it, but I hope to see you then. I think if I can to go to the Leeds Conference, it will be in my way,

these from,

F. Asbury

Drew University Library

This letter, like the first to his parents, shows Asbury''s devotion to his mother and his concern/or his parents' salvation. He has been moved since the last letter.

TOWCESTER, ENGLAND [This is the second letter which has come to light.]

November 6, 1769

[To his Mother]

Dear Mother:

I am sorry that you should be so troubled on my account, seeing I am in health, and in the Lord's work. I hope you will be more easy for the time to come. I am glad you are in peace. I wish it may be real and lasting, and flow like a river. It is good to seek the peace of the Church, for in it

you shall have peace. Dear mother, be diligent to be found of the Lord in peace, without spot and blameless; to be holy, and full of love. All our work for eternity must be done while the lamp of life is in; therefore let us mind our own business, and get our own work done, that is absolutely necessary to be done, that we may with joy face the messenger death, and sweetly remove to the Zion above the land of rest and pure delight.

Give my duty to my father, and my love to all friends. I do find much of the goodness of God to my soul, so that he leads me on my way by his power, and enlarges my heart in his work. Blessed for ever be his holy and dear name! You may send me a letter when you can, and let me know how you do. I have much work on my hands and am put to it for time to do what I want.

The bearer of this receive as myself. He is one that I esteem. Provide for him and his horse. That you meet together often and in love, and labour to keep one another warm, to stir up one another from day to day, and to build each other up in the holy loving faith. Keep close to our people and preaching, and keep at a distance from those that hold the --- tenets. Stand fast in the truth as you have been taught, and be sure that love is of God. He that loveth, is born of God. Holiness is of God. He that is holy belongs to God. So much holiness and love, so much religion.

From your son, in a measure dutiful, through grace,

F. Asbury

Drew University Library

This letter indicates that Asbury was still at Towcester, though it was written from Weedon.

WEEDON, ENGLAND

July 20, 1770

[To his Parents}

Dear Parents:

I send these few lines to let you know that I am well, and that I had your last, though I have put off writing through the hurry of business. At present I find myself a little at rest to write to you, though in past life various have been the exercises of my afflicted mind, and still I cry out, Woe is me! for I am a man of unclean lips. A want of holiness bows me down before God and man. I know that I am not what I ought to be, in thought, word, and deed. And 0 how hard to be borne is this, when well considered. Thou tellest another he should not speak evil. Dost thou

Thou that sayest another should have no unholy desires, hast thou such in thy heart When I meet with fightings without and fears within, my heart trembles, my courage fails, my hands hang down, and I am ready to give up all for lost. I despair almost of holding out to the end, when I think of the difficulties I have to wade through. I can say with Job, I would not live alway. Or, 0! that thou wouldst hide me in the grave! Or with Jonah,

Tis better for me to die than to live. Oh! the peaceable dead are set free. The bliss that I covet, they have.

At this time I am in trying circumstances about the people and places;

but sometimes I please myself that I shall go hence and leave these parts. But then I shall take my nature with me that starts at suffering, and the devil will be hard at my heels to tempt me; and if my trials are different, still they will and must come.

I do not expect to stay here another year. Where I shall go I cannot tell. Most that know you ask after you, and give their love to you,-Miss Tyers, in particular, and her mother, and Mrs. Spencer. I read those lines to Betty Gent and her husband, and both of them seemed much affected. I have been most of my time in Bedfordshire since you left me. Mr. England's people are well. They have had the things you sent; not one broken. I hope both of you will keep on in the good way of God, and will seek to him, that you may increase with the increase of God. In so doing you will do well.

If you write, let it be quickly. Direct to Towcester. I believe I shall go to the Conference, and when that is over I will come home, unless some- thing very pressing fall out. And if so, I will watch for an opportunity, and will take the first to come home. If I do come, it will be about the first Wednesday after the Conference. If I do not come, I will send a letter by some preacher. Give my love to all friends. I am glad to hear of your prosperity. May the Lord increase it a hundred fold in every soul, and among the people in general.

So prays your unworthy son, yet in dutiful respect,

Francis Asbury

Drew University Library

A Mr. Andrews had written to Asbury evidently asking him to find a schoolmistress. It occurred to Asbury that Mrs. Bright might be able to fill the position, and he wrote the/allowing letter from Basingstoke. Asbury was admitted on trial in 1767. His appointments were Bedfordshire; helper to James Glassbrook, 1767; Essex, 1768; Bedfordshire, 1769; South Wiltshire, 1770. In 1770 Richard Whatcoat succeeded him in Bedford- shire.

May 1, 1771

BASINGSTOKE, ENGLAND [South Wiltshire Circuit. ]

May I, 1771

[To Mrs. Mary Bright [A member of Wesley's household. ] the Foundery, near Upper Moorfields]

My dear Sister:

Grace and peace be multiplied to you, so that you may be kept in the evil day and be upheld, by the everlasting arms, thro' all trials, inward and outward. I had a letter from a friend of mine, Mr. Andrews,[ Andrews, a carpenter, presented the famous pulpit to City Road Chapel, London ] in Hertford, in it he gave me an account of a person he had had in his house for a school mistress, but he had turned her away and I judge he must want another. I think it would do for you. Observe that he is a person that has a school under his own roof, at his own expence, for boys and girls. He has a man to teach the boys and I suppose wants a woman for the girls. They are very spiritual people, they are well known at the Foundery. It (Hertford) is but 20 miles from London. You may write to him to know his mind and to know on what terms he will take you, and what your work must be, what the children must be taught, and then you will know whether you can do it. I have thought of it some time as I have been look- ing out for you, but I did not think you would have gone to London so soon but I take the first opportunity to write. You may make use of my name and tell him I directed you. The direction to Him must be thus :To Mr. Abraham Andrews, a Carpenter in Castle Street, Hertford.

From one that wishes you well and is your friend and Brother,

F. Asbury

Christian Miscellany, 1864, 252. Transcribed by Frank Baker

A Letter to Mrs. Asbury from Four Affectionate Sisters, Parishioners of Francis Asbury

The four members of Francis Asbury's flock in a letter to his mother express their deep regret over Asbury1 s decision to go to America.

WHITCHURCH, ENGLAND August 27, 1771

[To Mrs, Asbury}

Dear Mrs. Asbury:

We have heard that your son is going, or is gone, to America. We expected he would call on us, to bid us farewell. But as the time is expired, we must give up our hope. So we have troubled you with a few lines, by way of inquiry if you were willing to part with him, and he willing to part from you We think it must be an instance of much trouble to both, for indeed we were very much grieved when we heard Mr. Asbury was going there. The intent of writing this is to beg the favor of you to send us a few lines, as soon as possible, that we may be informed of the particulars of this long journey, if he is gone; for we can scarce believe he is so mad, and to desire another letter from you the first time he writes to you from abroad. Indeed the Lord has made him a useful instrument to many here, and he will not be easily forgotten by us. Indeed, our dear sister, you have great reason to rejoice in the Lord, in that your son is also a son of God, and an heir with the Lord of glory. But this is no doubt a time of distress to you and your husband; and we in some measure mourn with you for the loss of him for so long a time. But we hope the Lord will restore him again in peace, to the joy of your hearts. We all" join in respectful love to you, and remain

Your affectionate sisters,

S. Faithorn

Mary Farmer

M. Butler

Elizabeth Web

P.S. Pray send as soon as possible. Direct to Mrs. Faithorn, Whitchurch, Hants.

Drew University Library

Darlaston, Staffordshire May 23, 1766

Dear Frank

I take this opportunity of informing you, that I shall not be at those places, and shall expect you to see them supplied in due time. It is true another preacher is come; but he goes immediately into the low round; in the mean time I wish you would hearken to those verses of Hesiod:-

"Let him attend his charge, and careful trace The richt-lin'd furrow, gaze no more around: But have his mind employ'd upon the work."

Then I should hope to hear that your profiting would appear unto all men. You have lost enough already by gazing all around; for God's sake do so no more. I wish I could see you on your return from Hampton on Sunday evening. I shall be at Wednesbury if it please God. I have a little concern to mention. I hope you'll call.

I remain yours affectionately,

W.Orp

The Methodist Magazine, 1831, 190-91