Chapter 11

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1808 THROUGH 1810

May 27, 1808 September -, 1810

Thomas Roberts was an old friend of Asbury's. The letter is really a yiport to his friend in England of some of Methodism's progress in America.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

May 27, 1808

To Thomas Roberts[A preacher in England. He married Coke. Probably at his and others' request

Asbury sat for his picture. (See Journal.)]

My very dear Friend and Brother:

May great grace be multiplied to you and yours, in our Lord Jesus Christ! I have heard of and from you. I thankfully accept your letter, and love. Our American letters to the British Conference,[ Those letters were not received by the conference. (Editor's note in the magazine. ]

and Bishop Coke, you will see; and by them you will know our state. We in the United States, have had great liberty, peace, and plenty. It is a wonder we are not worse; and our shame, we are not better. We have upwards of one hundred and fifty thousand members; and possibly between two and three thousand official men, in our church; and no small number, gone to glory. Yet, may we not fear that, in our membership of multitude, we have unawakened, half-awakened, or hypocritical, or formal, or backsliding souls!

In our ministry, are we all free from the love of honour, ease, or interest We rejoice, with trembling; notwithstanding, the seventeen states are open to us, and our spiritual prospects are great and good. I have nothing of consequence to send you; but my love and good wishes, and frequent prayers, are engaged for the Methodists in Europe. The superintendents did not sign the letters to the venerable Conference: we felt modest, lest we should applaud our own praises. Assure them, we bear great good-will to the Conference. We have, as we think, established a moderate Wesleyan Episcopacy; perpetuated, in words, the good old Methodist doctrine, and discipline; with a representation of one,[ Asbury is reporting the decision of the General Conference of 1808, which established the delegated system of representation.] for five members in every yearly conference, to meet once in four years the General Conference. Except our orders, in the ministers, and church-form, and members, we keep as close as we can to the first rules and principles of old Methodism. To the God of all grace I commend you. My love to all the holy brethren and sisters in Jesus. I am your's in Jesus,

Francis Asbury

P.S. Please to inform any or all the brethren, that their letters will be acknowledged by me, with any books or pamphlets. We ought to increase in knowledge. Farewell. Let us meet in glory. I am now in the sixty-third year of my age, and forty-sixth of my labors, travelling and locally. Time is short! May we be always ready!

The Anninian Magazine, XXXII, 131-32. Transcribed by Frank Baker

There are two of these extracts from letters. Ezekiel Cooper and Joshua Wells, the "city lords" had led attacks on the presiding eldership. They wanted the office to be elective.

BALTIMORE, MD.

May 27, 1808 []

[Extracts of a letter to T. L. Douglass][ Bennett, Memorial of Methodism in Virginia, indicated that this letter was written after the close of the General Conference of 1808. The conference met May 6-26.]

[To Thomas L. Douglass][ Presiding elder on the Yadkin District, North Carolina, in the Virginia Conference.]

Such a deliberate attempt to take away the last remains of Episcopacy, deprives us of our privileges, wholesale and retail. Ah! have I lost the confidence of the American People and preachers or of only a few overgrown members that have been disappointed and the city lords who wish to be bishops, presiding elders, deacons, and to reign without us-over us

Oh, to assault a man they know can neither fight nor fly! For was it a man's covenant, I could soon show General George Washington[Reference is to Washington's refusal to run a third time for President.]- resign.

Francis Asbury

William W. Bennett, Memorials of Methodism in Virginia, 584

The General Conference, meeting in Baltimore in 1808, sent this address to the British Conference. In the address they acknowledged the British Address and endorsed many of its remarks.

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

May 27, 1808

To the British Conference[A reply to the request from the British Conference.]

Your request for the continuance of our beloved Brother, Dr. Coke, among you, has been taken into the most serious and solemn deliberation in our Conference: and in compliance with your request, a vote has past, that he may be continued with you, until he may be called to us by all the annual conferences respectively, or the General Conference. We are, however, not insensible of his value, nor ungrateful for his past labors of love.

Our venerable Father, Mr. Asbury is still spared to us; and not withstanding he carries the weight of threescore and three years, he had been enabled regularly to visit all the annual conferences, and to preside in our General Conference. We esteem this a peculiar blessing.

As the pious Whatcoat[Bishop Whatcoat.] is taken from us to his eternal reward, we have elected and set apart our beloved Brother, William M'K-endree to fill his place as joint superintendent with Mr. Asbury.[ The address was signed by the committee, the P.S. by Asbury and McKendree.]

By the Committee, Ezek. Cooper Daniel Hitt Joshua Wells

Wm. Penn Chandler, Secretary

P.S. Our Brother, Samuel Coate,[ Samuel Coate was appointed by the Methodist Episcopal Church to Canada in 1796. He married a niece of Philip Embury, and they were known as "The Handsome Pair." Coate was eloquent; "he swept like a meteor over the land, and spellbound the wondering new settlers." Coate was again appointed to Canada in 1804, becoming presiding elder. The conference of 1807 set him free to canvass funds for a new chapel at Montreal. Although Asbury and McKendree vouched for his trustworthiness, this mission was the beginning of Coate's deterioration, which led to his withdrawal from the ministry in 1810 and to his failure in business and a penurious death. (Frank Baker.)] has returned from England under a deep impression of gratitude for the kindness he has experienced among you. Among due investigation, we are satisfied concerning the purity of his motives and integrity of his conduct in his late visit to make collections for the Montreal church; and we join him in thanks for the many marks of favour and love he has received from you.

Francis Asbury

William M'Kendree[McKendree was born in King William County, Virginia. He was presiding elder of the Cumberland District when elected. (See excerpt of Asbury's letter to Douglass, page 396; Paine, Life and Times of William McKendree, 132; also ordination certificate, 119.)]

"Minutes of Several Conversations, at the Sixty-Sixth Annual Conference, begun in Manchester, July 31, 1809" Transcribed by Frank Baker

A Letter of Henry Boehm to Mrs. Brightwell

This letter of Henry Boehm's has a postscript which is Asbury's. As the letter and the Journal indicate, Asbury had been sick at the Brightwell's.

JOHN BECKS WEST

OHIO COUNTY, VIRGINIA[Beck's farm, just across the Pennsylvania line, was a stopping place of Asbury.]

July 31, 1808 To Mrs. John Brightwell

Very dear Brother and Sister:

Agreeable to promise I now lift my pen to give some information how we are and how we got along. After we left your house on Thursday[This letter was written back to the Brightwell home, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, where the bishop had been so ill for the ten days July 18 to 28, 1808, to reassure them of his condition. (See Asbury's Journal for these days.)] last, we came on about ten miles when we stoped about one hour and got some refreshment, then we made another move and rode to Washington, [Pennsylvania.] 14 about 17 miles, about 8 of which we rode in a heavy rain. This was a day of toil and pain on behalf of Father Asbury, but he was much better next morning than it was possible to expect according to human appearances, so that we set off about seven o'clock and rode to our friend Becks about 20 miles, and rode about 4 miles out of our way. We came in about 3 o'clock. He is now very much fatigued, but pain is rather subsiding.

For my part I bless God for health of body and peace of mind. Through grace I am bound for Canaan's happy land. I trust, my dear friends you're blest with health and much of the presence of the Lord. The kindness shown to us by you will never be forgotten. May heaven bless you and yours. I am,

Yours in the Lord,

Henry Boehm

P.S.[ This postscript by Asbury is crowded into five lines at the extreme bottom of the letter].

Great grace be with the whole family. Incredible toilsome is sitting so dead upon the horse, every step down hill deep pain, and ready to pitch over the horse's head, but a good hot bath helped. Oh sister, your kind hand and offices will not be forgotten on earth or heaven. Pray three times a day. Seek perfect love. Farewell. Remember to all friends. Peace, peace.

F. Asbury

The Historical Society of the Pittsburgh Conference. Transcribed with notes, W. G. Smellier

The interest that Asbury had in his preachers is expressed here in his reference to praying twice a day for Jacob Gruber. The chief object of the letter seems to have been to direct Gruber to find a place for the conference. The Baltimore Conference had been set for Harrisonburg, Virginia, to be held on March 2, 1809.

CAMDEN, SOUTH CAROLINA

November 18, 1808

To Jacob Gruber[Jacob Gruber was presiding elder on the Greenbrier District, West Virginia. This letter was sent to him at Harrisonburg, Virginia.]

My dear Jacob:

Great grace, great peace and prosperity attend thee as a Christian and minister. I thank you for letters and thank God that hath helped you to be faithful and crowned your labors; possibly I never fail to pray for you twice every day. My friends may think I flatter when I talk of being unwell, did not the loss of health and limbs proclaim, and crutch and staff declare, from Baltimore to Charleston 2000 miles, 7 states and one territory. Be assured our prospects never were so great in the western continent, 2 new districts, 3437 increase, 84 preachers stationed, our camp and quarter meetings are prevalent all over the continent. I hope we have gained in the summer and fall, what we lost in the spring by conferences and changeable weather. As to a place to hold conference, I have no choice. I know no houses now, but Mr. McWilliams near the church, you must do the best you can. Bishop McKendree has visited the Missouri and has travelled 200 miles more than I have, he is in health, I am as ever thine, F. Asbury

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

Asbury was smarting under the attacks on the presiding eldership which he considered attacks on himself. Here he refers to the opposers.

To Thomas L. Douglass[Thomas L. Douglass, presiding elder, Yadkin District, Virginia Conference.]

In former times I have been impartial, indifferent, and have appointed good men that I knew were for a Presbyterian party;[ The presiding elder question had been agitated almost from the beginning. In 1800 it was attacked in the General Conference. In 1808 this effort was repeated. Some wished to make the office elective. Ezekiel Cooper and Joshua Wells led the fight. The effort was defeated. However, Asbury considered these efforts an attack on the episcopacy. Asbury refers to those who would overthrow the episcopacy and the presiding eldership.] but since they have made such an unwarrantable attack upon the Constitution in the very first General Conference after adoption, I will only trust such men as far as I can see them; and let such men know that I know their principles, and disapprove them. One argument might have been used at General Conference-that at the Constitution Conference (i.e., of 1808 which formed and adopted the Constitution) when the Constitution was ready for adoption, it was suspended to try what afterwards would be secured in it -who shall appoint the presiding elders-last then, and three or four times over. But behold and wonder! Oh, my son, we must fix our eyes steadily upon pages 23, 24 of our Discipline.

Francis Asbury

William W. Bennett, Memorials of Methodism in Virginia, 584

It is said that Methodist hymnody had its beginnings in America. John Wesley in 1737 at Charles Town, now Charleston, South Carolina, published his first book of hymns. In 1780 he and Charles published the large hymnbook entitled A Collection of Hymns for the Use of People Called Methodists. In 1781 Robert Spence published a pocket hymnbook which was largely a compilation of the hymns of the Wesleys, but without their permission. In 1785 John Wesley published a pocket hymnbook for the use of Christians of all denominations. Wesley sent over to America a number of psalms and hymns to be attached to the Sunday Service of the Methodists of North America. With other occasional services. London. Printed in the year MDCCLXXXIV. These books and a letter were presented to the Christmas Conference in Baltimore, 1784, and the book adopted. It became the first official Methodist hymnal and was called/^ Collection of Psalms and Hymns. It was not very satisfactory and was used only a few years.

The Pocket Hymn Book soon came into America, and it became very

popular. It was reprinted in 1790 and became the second official American hymnal. It can be seen from this preface and letter that several hymnbooks were used in the early days of American Methodism. The earliest came from England. However, the Congregational Church had a hymnbook in America earlier. The title page to this shows that it was the first edition of the hymnbook A Selection of Hymns from various authors. The twenty-first edition of the Methodist Pocket Hymn Book was published in Philadelphia in 1796.[ Signed by Coke and Asbury.] It was revised and improved and had already gone through thirtyfive editions in 1805.

Methodism was born as a singing church. There is evidence of Asbury's interest in the hymns. It should be remembered that all these hymns had to be learned, that there were no instruments in those Methodist churches and no choirs. One could wish that Asbury had related something of the methods of teaching the people to sing in the churches. A question was asked in the conference of 1784, "Question 14, How shall we reform our singing Answer, Let all our preachers who have any knowledge of notes, improve it by learning to sing true themselves and keeping close to Mr. Wesley's tunes and hymns."[ See McCutchan, Our Hymnody, 9-10. Also Minutes of Some Conversations between the Preachers in Connection with The Rev. Mr. John Wesley. Begun at Ellis's Preaching-House, Virginia, April 30th, 1784, and ended at Baltimore, May 28th, following, 65.] A copy of the Pocket Hymn Book published in Philadelphia in 1798 has been found. It has essentially this same preface.

--1808

To the Members and Friends of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Dear Brethren:

You are presented with a choice and complete Pocket Hymn-Book, revised, containing a collection from the Rev. John and Charles Wesley, and other authors, of excellent and evangelical Hymns, suitable for private devotion (when you would wish to speak to yourselves in Hymns and Spiritual Songs) as well as for family, social and public worship: and we trust you will be much assisted by the present publication, in the performance of these important parts of divine service.

The Hymn-Books which have been already published among us, are truly excellent-The Select Hymns, the double collection of Hymns, and Psalms, and the Redemption-Hymns, display great spirituality, as well as purity of diction-The large Congregational Hymn-Book is admirable indeed, but is too expensive for the poor, who have little time and less money. The Pocket Hymn-Book, lately sent abroad in these States, is a most valuable performance for those who are deeply spiritual, but is better suited to the European Methodists, among whom all the beforementioned books have been thoroughly circulated for many years. But all the excellencies of the former publications, are in a great measure, concentred in the present, which contains the choicest and most precious of the Hymns that are to be found in the former editions; and at the same time is so portable, that you may always carry it with you without the least inconvenience.

We are the more delighted with this design, as no personal advantage is concerned, but the public good alone-For, after the necessary expenses of publication are discharged, we shall make it a noble charity, by applying the profits, arising therefrom, to religious and charitable purposes.

No motive of a sinister nature has therefore influenced us in any degree to publish this excellent compilation. It has received the approbation of the Conference, and contains many valuable Hymns which some of the former editions have been scrupulously applied as above, so the same appropriation of the profits of the present shall be conscientiously observed. We must therefore earnestly entreat you, if you have any respect for the authority of the Conference, or of us, or any regard for the prosperity of the Connection, to purchase no Hymn-Books, but what are signed with the names of your Bishops. And as we intend to keep a constant supply, the complaint of our congregations, "that they cannot procure our Hymn-Book," will be stopped.

We exhort you to Sing with the Spirit and with the Understanding also:

and thus may the high praises of God be set up from East to West, from North to South; and we shall be happily instrumental, in leading the devotion of thousands, and shall rejoice to join you in time and eternity.

We are. Dear Brethren, Your faithful Pastors in Christ,

Francis Asbury,

William M'Kendree

A selection of hymns from various authors, designed as a supplement to the Methodist Pocket Hymn Book, compiled under the direction of Asbury, 1808. Rare Book Department, Library of Congress

From Charleston[Asbury arrived in Charleston in time to preach twice on Sunday, December 4. (See Journal for these days.)] South Carolina, to New Hampshire was almost from one end to the other of Methodism in that day. Thus Asbury was keeping in touch with the whole connection. Trouble with his foot has handicapped his getting around, but he has gone along on crutches. He reports on the work to Elijah Hedding.[ Presiding elder. New Hampshire District. He became a bishop in 1824.] Asbury shows a keen interest in camp meetings.

CHARLESTON, S.C.

December 3, 1808

To Elijah Hedding

My dearly beloved in the Lord:

Grace and peace be multiplied to thee as a minister and Christian. What a consolation it is to hear of the glorious work of God in every conference, district, circuit and station, more or less so in the course of the year. I heard a little boy named after our bishop at or near 18 months[A very precocious child if true.] of age, sing after other children to "shout, shout, we are gaining ground, Halelujah." It is so in no age or place, never was there in any country such a work of God and so great order, number for number. I do hope that 3 million out of 7 million are in some sense, gracious, praying souls.

In a journey of 2000 miles I had to attend conference, camp meeting, 8 or 9 meetings by encampments, and as I was on crutches like an old soldier not in garrison, but on the fields where victory over sin, sinners and Satan was gloriously gained. God in his Providence and my own imprudence, traveling 70 mountainous miles in 24 hours and drinking cold water gave me an awful fit of rheumatic pains, and rendered me unable to stand, walk or kneel, but I sat down, and taught the people. The Lord must humble me under such a weight of honor, and love, and to correct my imprudence.

One Western Conference commands the Western Empire territory far beyond the boundaries of the old 13 United States, 7 districts, increase of members, 3437, stationed preachers 84, land rich, emigration and population, incredibly great. We who superintended the West and South Conferences cannot answer our own minds and the people and preachers for riding less than 3000 miles each year, sometimes when it is proper together, and when we have time to labor, we take different directions.

We think that our Annual Conferences cannot be held in solitary towns, but by encampments, 30 or 40 tents. The preachers could be boarded by friends from small towns around upon the ground; only 40 have a retired place for the sitting of conference. Great frugality, prudence, diligence, and good order are fitted for these times of outpouring of the spirit of God. You must bear with the old man and 6 preachers in town besides visitors. My heart is full of good wishes. We have to redeem times. I came too at Camden, but behold a campmeeting called our attention. The people set traps, cut down branches of trees to make tents and cabins and our summers all the year. December here is like June north. My love to all our charge if you please. I am firmly, faithfully, loving, the servant of you all, for Christ's sake.

F. Asbury

Historical Society a/Pennsylvania

This is an unaddressed letter and is very much like the preceding letter to Elijah Hedding. Asbury is reporting on the growth of the church.

CHARLESTON, S.C.

December 6, 180,

[To whom][ There is no evidence as to whom it was addressed. Since it seems to be to a presiding elder, and since Philadelphia and the Book Concern are mentioned, it could have been to William P. Chandler, presiding elder of the Chesapeake District which included the city of Philadelphia.]

My dear Son:

Peace be with thy spirit. If my children all love me as I love them; and would take as great a pleasure in hearing of the work of God as I do, they would stand in need of my rule of discipline to order them to write to the Bishop, an account of the work of God, yearly. In the west, increase, two new districts, 3437 members, stationed 84 preachers in the western Empire. Possibly 2000 miles in length, 600 miles in width, only the length of 20 years. What hath God wrought. In traveling west through Maryland, from Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, N. Carolina, S. Carolina, high, low and middle lands, town and country, the work of God is visible and glorious. Conference, camp meetings, quarter meeting, camp meeting every district, circuit, more or less, two upon one ground in a year. We shall prevail, we do prevail. God is with us, better and better, order everywhere.

The Lord has been pleased to humble me under such prosperity and affliction of the people, by putting me out of the use of my knees, and feet, yet then I did not fail to preach, and pray and carry my crutches as the sentry conquered fields of spiritual victory. Oh brother, wisdom, moderation, energy, order, union, love, fervent prayers, fervent exhortation, unremitting diligence, frugality! Temperance, charity to the poor. Our poor preachers in the east now are, and will be in the most distressing cases, not receiving at quarter meetings more than their traveling expenses. We must help them or they will sink beneath their burden. The superintendency must bestir themselves. We have collected for them already in the city. The Philadelphia Conference ought to give up both dividends to the north and east, indeed, it seems as if the Book Concern would be done if we are not very careful. I am ever thine, my love to all the preachers and people in the Lord.

Francis Asbury

Drew University Library

A statement from Alexander M'Caine makes a good introduction to this letter. M'Caine was a follower of O'Kelly. It is to be remembered that M'Caine was a severe critic and withdrew from the church.

"Previous to the year 1808, it was the right of every traveling preacher who had traveled four years from the time he was received on trial by an annual conference, and was in full connexion, to attend the General Conference; but from this period, none but those who were elected by their respective annual conferences as delegates, had a right to a seat in that body. This change proceeded from the same principle which induced Mr. Asbury, informer years to prefer a ''council' to a conference; because the latter was, or might be, too unmanageable for him, who wished to have everything done according to his own good pleasure. The 'council' was composed of but few, and these were presiding elders, who always were, and always will be, the

bishop's creatures and tools; but in a conference there might be some staunch republicans, and noble-minded ministers, such as James O'Kelly, who would disdain to prostitute their talents to subserve the ambitious views of any ecclesiastical despot. That this change in the economy of Methodism was brought about by the influence and exertions of Mr. Asbury, the following extract from one of his letters, now lying before me will prove." (M'Caine''s Letters, 163.)

1808[The letter is not dated.]

To Alexander M'Caine[Reference to conference of 1784.]

If our title had not been the Methodist episcopal church, and if the English translation had not rendered the Episcopi, Bishop, in the Epistles of Paul to Timothy and Titus, well contented am I to be called superintendent, not bishop! I was elected and ordained superintendent,[ One of the preachers.] as my parchment will prove. Does the Scripture say the Elder shall be the husband of one wife by some man's rule of reasoning, we might prove, because we have no express Scripture, but they say we are the same order, then why not the same name in Greek and English Why not Deacons and Bishops of the same order this all churches agree in, they are not. It is an easy matter for our brethren, members and ministers, that move in narrow circles, to talk to little purpose. Be assured, if there ever should be an equitable Delegated General Conference they will have no power to change the constitution, but to choose men to superintend the whole continent, as their predecessors have done, married or single.

Francis Asbury

Alexander M'Caine, Letters of the Organization and Early History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 163

One method that Asbury used to keep in touch with England is shown in this letter. He had several friends who were in constant touch with their kinsmen in England, and he corresponded with them with a view to getting news back and forth. In a day when means of communication were slight, Asbury felt the importance of spreading news and information.

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.[ According to the Journal, 1852 ed., Asbury was in Georgia on the fifth. He did not reach Fayetteville until the twelfth. However, this may be one of the mistakes in the Journal.]

January 5, 1809

To Zachary Myles[Zachary Myles, the merchant in Baltimore, gave Asbury news from England. He was a brother of William Myles, the English preacher.]

My dear Friend; I

God be gracious to thee and thine, now and ever! I thank you for your letter. I greatly rejoice to hear from my mother's house, the chamber of her that bore me. My mind shares in the prosperity, and mourns in the adversity of that venerable branch of our society, the British Connexion. I think the missionary plan is greatly owned of God. We have sent two from the Western, and three from the Southern Conference. Our Western Conference extends over the Western Empire of the United States, about 1700 or 2000 miles. We have seven districts belonging to that Annual Conference. The last time it met we admitted seven preachers, stationed eighty-four, and the increase of members in the last year was 3437. The Conference was held, by encampment, eight days. At the Southern Conference, we admitted sixteen preachers upon trial, the increase of members belonging to that Conference, was 3088. Finding the travelling ministers to be only about 62, I called for an extemporaneous account of the local ministers. The names and number then given were 201.

I think that the preachers belonging to each of the seven annual conferences (separately taken) in the United States, are about 300, including such as are local, and that they preach to about 3, if not 400,000 souls annually. I feel myself failing in my strength, being in my 64th year, and 43d of my travelling ministry; and each conference being five times larger than it was formerly. Bishop McKendree and I travel together at present, and no earthly consideration has, and I trust never will have, for a moment, any influence on our minds. If we live in the confidence of the preachers and members of society, and above all, in the approbation of our God; and see the increase of the kingdom of Christ we are happy. But all we do is nothing without Christ. I am, to you and Sister Myles, the same in affection.

Francis Asbury

The Methodist Magazine (1809), 265

This letter was said to have been written in 1809. It was written at the Baltimore Conference. The Baltimore Conference met at Harrisonburg, Virginia, March 2 to March 8. The Journal indicates that they had German preaching. Asbury had been most friendly with the German brethren. Philip Otterbein assisted in his ordination. Others were lifelong friends.

March -, 1809

[To the Conference of the United Brethren]

Very dear Brethren:

We, the members of the Baltimore Conference, being deeply sensible of the great utility of union among Christian ministers and members (as far as circumstances will permit) in carrying on the work of God and promoting the interest of the Redeemer's kingdom, viewing you as friends and brethren engaged in the same glorious work with ourselves, have, after mature deliberation, thought proper to offer to you the following terms, in order to establish a closer and more permanent union among us.

1. We think it advisable for your own good and prosperity that each minister or preacher who is acknowledged by the United Brethren should receive from your conference a regular license, which may introduce them to our pulpits and privileges and prevent impositions, as there are many who profess to be in union with you that are not acknowledged by you. And we would further advise that you favor each of our presiding elders with a list of the names of those ministers so acknowledged and licensed by you within the bounds of his district, that there may be no difficulties in admitting them to our privileges. And we would further observe that all our traveling ministers and preachers have their names printed in the minutes of our annual conferences, and our local ministers and preachers have credentials of ordination, or a written license, and we hope that you will admit none to your privileges calling themselves Methodist preachers but such as have their names on the minutes, or as are licensed as above mentioned.

2. As we have long experienced the utility of a Christian discipline to prevent immorality among our people, we would earnestly recommend to you to establish a strict discipline among you, which might be a "defence of your glory." Our Discipline is printed in your language,[ German. (See copy. Rare Book Collection, Library of Congress.)] and we would recommend it to your consideration, to adopt it, or any part of it that you in your wisdom may think proper, or any other form that you may judge best. And that under a discipline so established you make use of every Christian and prudential means to unite your members together in societies among yourselves. By these means we think your people will become more spiritual, and your labors be much more successful under the blessing of God.

3. All those members among you who are united in such societies, or may hereafter be united, may be admitted to the privileges of class-meetings, sacraments, and love-feasts in our church, provided they have a certificate of their membership signed by a regularly licensed preacher of your church. And to prevent inconvenience, we wish you to furnish each of our preachers with a list of the names of all such members as . may be in the bounds of their respective circuits, that they may know who are your members.

In order further to establish this union, which we so much desire, we have given particular instructions to our presiding elders and preachers who have the charge of districts and circuits where the United Brethren live, to admit your preachers and members, as above specified, to our privileges, and also to leave a list of the names of your preachers and members in the bounds of their respective districts or circuits for their successors, that they may have no difficulties in knowing whom you acknowledge as preachers or members.

Thus, dear brethren, you may see that we sincerely wish to accommodate you as far as we can consistent with the discipline which binds us together as a spiritual people. We think that we have proposed to you such terms of accommodation as will meet your wishes, and if carried into operation among you, we hope and believe a door will be opened for the general usefulness among and with each other. We are persuaded that the great Head of the church will smile on us and own our labors of love, and we shall be blessed in seeing our children converted to God and become useful members of that church which they may choose.

And now, dear brethren, we commend you and your charge to God, praying that the Lord may be with you, and bless you in your conference, and bless your honest labors to promote his glory and the interest of Christ's kingdom in the world.

We are, dear brethren, your sincere friends and brethren in Christ.

Signed by order and in behalf of the conference.[ The answer to this letter was written by Martin Boehm et al. in May, 1809, and printed on pages 796 ft. of History of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, by A. W. Drury. Wtterbein Press. Used by permission.) (Lawrence Sherwood.)]

Francis Asbury

William McKendree

A. W. Drury, History of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, 796

The Brightwells of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, had befriended and nursed Asbury in his illness the year before. He had received a letter from^ Mrs. Brightwell, and this is the answer.

ROCKINGHAM, VIRGINIA[This letter was written by Asbury during the time he was holding the Baltimore Conference session of 1809 at Harrisonburg, Rockingham County, Virginia. (See Journal, March 2, 1809.)]

March 4, 1809

[To Mrs. John Brightwell]

My very dear Sister:

Since I wrote my former letters, yours came to hand. Many a time I have thought of and prayed for you. It gave me uncommon satisfaction to receive a letter. For although I have been a child of pain and affliction from my birth to the 64th year, my affliction at your house[On his trip through western Pennsylvania in 1808 the bishop suffered a severe illness, and he was cared for in the home of John and Mary Brightwell from July 18 to 28. This letter refers to that experience. The Brightwells lived in Fayette County.] excelled, and I was afraid that I might have spoken or done something that might have grieved your mind, as you had to run to my help all hours of day and night, and in cases the most delicate even to lift me off the stools.

But oh my sister, what kind returns You do not want for this world. It must be your soul, you will never know heaven upon earth till you gain sanctifying grace. Seek Seek it! Seek it now, in every means by faith, and in bearing every cross! And doing every duty, be fervent in family and private prayer. Let your religion be God, let him be your home, your all!

I thank you sister for all your kindness. Next summer[(See Journal, August 16, 1809.) He did visit the Brightwells again.]

I hope, and if I do not see you then I hope to meet you in glory. If we meet on earth let it be full of God, if in heaven full of glory. My love to Brother Brightwell and all friends.

F. Asbury

P.S. A little token-only year pin. Books are an encumbrance or I would send one.[ The reference to the token and the books appears at the end of the letter. One can only conjecture about them.]

The Historical Society of the Pittsburgh Conference. Transcribed with notes by W. G. Smeltzer

Seely Bunn, one of the preachers, was appointed to Baltimore. Evidently Neal and Burneston were prominent laymen in the church at Baltimore, and Asbury needed their help in getting Bunn received there. He takes advantage of the opportunity to make observations on the difficulties he was having with local and retired men.

BATSTO FURNACE, NEW JERSEY

April 21, 1809

[To Brethren Neal and Burneston][ Evidently two laymen in Baltimore]

My dear Sons:

Great grace. I cannot command you as my children but humbly entreati you to take another burden and blessing. Seely Bunn[Seely Bunn, a preacher, was appointed to Baltimore.] cannot ride a circuit if he had a horse, our stations are full in the Philadelphia Conference; the brethren in Wilmington boldly refuse to receive him, on no other consideration, but inability to support him. I have been visiting these | parts in pain, and peace, and power. I heard that there was a wish for; another preacher in Baltimore, when conferences are wide in magnitude j as New York, and Philadelphia, 100, each or upwards; it is not so easy j to support them and find them work. My abstinence, my daily labor, and such shocks of opposition, such locality[Reference is to preachers locating. Not clear as to meaning of abstinence here.] in the ministry called travelling; it is very serious. Philadelphia Conference holds 10 or 11 '. preachers, supernumerary and superannuate without stations, claiming 1800 dollars or 2000[Total claims upon pensions.] annually. The doctrine is you have no right to locate a man without his consent.

What the end of these things will be possibly I shall not live to see, but I doubt it will not be good. As you are all oeconomy and tho you have wives you have not children. Sister Roberts,[ Wife of George Roberts. He had located in 1806 and was practicing medicine in Philadelphia. He was at this time a local preacher.] and Bunn are blessed women. I think it providential, as we could not foresee you had but 3 preachers sent from conference. I hope you will receive them gladly. The peoples' feelings are fine, and so are mine. I told the conference in Philadelphia I was willing to serve as long as I could please, and if not I must be supernumerary as Bishop McKendree brought it out, and he expected to be absent from some conferences if the preachers, and I may say, people do not accommodate themselves to me; but you have obeyed present and absent, you have collected some money. I applied it, some a part, to our chair,[ Carriage.] now rendered useful by stiff new shafts and I have bought a horse at 76 dollars out of my own pocket, my own, and reserved the balance of the money over what paid the carriage for the suffering brethren in New England. I am, very dear sons, yours in the Lord Francis Asbury

P.S. To Brethren Neal and Burneston. We have need to give ourselves wholly to God and seek the Lord by fasting and prayer that the spirit of the world may be cast out the Church.

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

Here are three letters put together. Asbury included in his letter to Thomas Coke a letter to Mrs. Coke. Coke sent the letters on to Joseph Benson to be published in The Methodist Magazine, and Coke's letter is attached. In Asbury's letters to Bishop and Mrs. Coke he shows his great devotion to Coke. There are indications that Benson edited the letters.

STATEN ISLAND, NEW YORK

May 2, 1809

[To Bishop Coke][ Part of this letter was published in The Methodist Magazine of February, 1810. (See Coke's letter at close of this letter.)]

My dearly beloved Brother:

May the goodwill of him that was with Moses, dwell with thee, and bind thy soul, and the soul of thy dear wife, in the spiritual, and eternal bundle of life! Myself and Bishop McKendree feel gratitude to thee, in receiving thy double letter. Our present prospects upon the continent, for piety, are exceeding great, and good. I fear, yet I hope temporal prospects will not operate against the work of God! First we congregate exceedingly largely in all the 17 states. A greater decency and attention are manifest in cities, towns, and in all parts of the country (whether we have tired opposition; for you know we American Methodists pray, and preach, and sing and shout aloud); but so it is; and I am inclined to think a general conviction prevails.

In some of our towns and cities, thought to be the most unpromising, we have had signal revivals of religion, for instance, Charleston and Camden in South Carolina, and Fayetteville in North Carolina and New York. In Georgia admissions in one circuit last year about 600. In the West Conference with about 84 travelling preachers we spread over a tract of country, taking of the western claims of Virginia, and North Carolina; a space nearly equal to the ancient 13 United States (on the east side the continent.) Here the attention of the General Superintendency is drawn every year, by a northern passage near or upon Lake Ontario, and Lake Erie, on our return from Kennibeck River in the East. Its our country, we have to expand over 5000 miles in about 8 months, 7 conferences of six hundred preachers. And there are belonging to the Baltimore and Philadelphia Conferences about 100 preachers each, and it is now time to form a Northern, for the eighth conference.

            As to quarter meetings, woods, and camp meetings, we have left off to number the congregations, or the subjects of grace, of hearers it is thought sometimes from one to ten thousand, converts from 80 to one hundred on a common scale of things at a meeting. In the State of New Jersey last year at 5 camp meetings in the district, it was hoped 500 souls converted, one hundred at each meeting. In Bohemia Manor,[ The Bassett plantation in Delaware. ] near Richard Bassett's Mansion house, a camp meeting held ten days; most wonderful day and night. People from Pennsylvania, Delaware, Baltimore, and perhaps Virginia and New Jersey, it being near the waters of the Chesapeake. We have made greater impressions in the States of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, in 4 years last past than in 30 in times past, it is nearly so in the southern states. Our numbers may rise to 8 or 10,000 upon our minutes for the last year but the wastage by death; removals, and expulsions will be felt with you, and with us, according to the whole number.

            We have a weighty married ministry. Our insolvency will be possible 8 or 10,000 dollars this year, our eastern brethren possessing nearly equal numbers with other conferences of preachers and more married preachers, and only about 10,000 people to support them. We have been begging near 1000 dollars from Georgia (onward as we came along, only private J donations chiefly from preachers) they feel the want, and use, of a General Superintendency. I am now sinking under the weight of labors, and the 64th year of my life. Last year I had to travel upon crutches several hundred miles. The face of the country is such that I cannot use wheels j without great trouble, and expense, yours is a very different country.

            One thing, my dear, respecting yourself, I think you should quit by degrees too much composition. I am afraid you may injure your health by writing so much. My journals lie by, I cannot permit them to be published unless a third copy was taken. I have not time, nor men. They were written in such haste, and my feelings are very fine and perhaps, if the people knew my sufferings, I should be in more danger than I am in at present. Now only the person[Bishop McKendree was traveling with Asbury. (See letter, January 5, 1809.) However, Henry Boehm was assigned to be his traveling companion in 1809. (See, Minutes, 1809.) Asbury speaks of McKendree preaching on May 5. (See Journal, i May 5.)] that attends me, can know the whole and he the outward man only knows. I am reduced to sit down now to preach. I avoid preaching every day, and twice a day if possibly I can, but often drawn by plans I am made to preach every day, and my Assistant is to help, but it is sometimes midnight or break of day, before he comes to his lodging, he by night, myself by day, and twice in the day. I feel at times so in the spirit; a whole hour is soon gone, the people say it is so many years since you were here, and we never expected to see you again; and whether Bishop Coke is a small man, or great man, if an appointment were made for him, all the British Conference would not substitute him to the people.

            I feel distressed for Bishop Whatcoat's poor relations, what he left will be of little consequence if they ever get it. Was it not that my calls are great I would out of my own pocket do something about it. A widowed family in this country, whose Father served God, the connection and myself; this family [Reference to family of Robert Williams.] reduced by their careless management of property have called my all... in what words will not express.

                                                                        F. Asbury

                                                                        May 2, 1809

My dear Sister Coke:

            I have had nothing to plead for my want of Christian politeness in not personally addressing thee, elect lady, in my letter to Bishop Coke. Let your goodness pardon me in this. I am happy to hear from persons that have seen your manners, as being meek, modest, and unassuming, that you take a part in the work of charity, piety, and labor, in the word and doctrine. Excuse me Madam, I am a friend to female followers of Jesus, possibly. I preach to millions, and am served by thousands annually, add to all, my Mother was a woman of and among millions.

            No country upon earth can produce finer women than we have in America, but connections, affections, relations are such that few enter into a sort of exile, and have no certain dwelling place. I am now sitting in a room in Conference with you, altho 3000 miles apart. And a sudden pang went through my heart, farewell my Country, my dear friends, oh my dear, my paper! my heart! my eyes! my tears!

                                                                        F.A.

            P.S. I am almost unmanned. Take care of Brother Coke, he must not write so much at this time of life. No words shall speak my love to you two in one.

            The following is written down the inner margin and is obviously addressed once more to Coke himself. It was intended to be a postscript.

            I am sorry my letter is so incorrect. But still the full heart hath not imparted half. I think with pleasure that there are very few sea ports or inland towns, but what we have posted ourselves in from Savannah to Boston, a coast, in its bays, creeks and shores possibly 2000 or 3000 miles and we are going on to Portland and utmost limits of the Eastern United States line. We strive to do all we can for the Africans, the poor sailors, and soldiers. 0 what a field we have, we have you. We read carefully our dear Father Wesley's Journal.

            Bishop McKendree is the man of your choice and mind; the General Conference was certainly directed of God. Beyond all expectation he is received with great confidential respect by all the conference and people, he helpeth me greatly but you know the mill-stone of appointments. This may possibly be my martyrdom but there cannot be better company of men upon earth to govern, but we have the people, the gifts, the support. You understand it will please me to present officially my Christian and ministerial salutation to my brethren in the British Conference most heartily.

                                                                        F.Ay.

            The following letter as an appended note to the letter above was sent by Coke to the "Revd. Joseph Benson, the Connexional Editor of Publication."

My dear Sir:

            I beg of you to copy out just what you judge proper of this that I may have it returned to me, when I have the pleasure of meeting you, Deo volente, in London. You may add, if you judge it expedient, as a note as follows:

            Dr. Coke begs leave to inform his respected friend the Editor, that this letter was mislaid, otherwise it would have been sent to him sooner. I am, my dear sir

                                                                        Yrs, affy, & faithy.

                                                                        T. Coke

            Lamplough Collections, British Conference. Transcribed by Frank Baker

            According to the Journal, August 6 was Sunday, and Asbury preached in the courthouse in Bedford. He was staying in the home of a Yorkshire Mon. He says that a presiding elder put his feet upon the banister of the pulpit while he was preaching, and that it was like a thorn in his flesh.

                                                                        BEDFORD, PA.

                                                                        August 6, 1809

[To Jacob Gruber][ Presiding elder on the Greenbrier District. Letter addressed to Oldtown.]

My dear Jacob:

            Grace, peace, wisdom, diligence, prudence, courage, and everything a preacher and a presiding elder needs be multiplied to thee in Jesus our Lord. Our prospects are great and good. I have seen 3000 miles since January 9 to July 31, along shore and northerly to the Canadian lines. I have tried awful roads, and dreadful rides upon horses or upon wheels. Camp meetings, camp meetings. Oh Glory, Glory! But I fear backsliding among old professors,[ Professing Christians.] and some sudden conversions not sound nor not lasting, and many Methodist families have neither the form or power of godliness; yea practical religion is greatly wanting. I have started for 2000 miles by Cincinnati to Charleston, there you will meet me with a letter if you get in a good harvest this fall in camp meetings.

            Bishop McKendree took his route from Gennessee to Erie in order to make a visit more extensively in the west. I have to answer his appointments, and mine, and letters also. I have been sorely set by water, and too many appointments, 30 letters to answer and but a day to stop, high waters. I am not on crutches yet. Increase of preachers 103, located 40, increase of members 11,000. It might have been 20,000 had not General Conference taken the attention of 130 chief men, some 2, others 3, others 6 months from the work.

            Union is found. New York conference paid $112 to married in proportion to single. New England paid after making the preachers account for all they received in property, $100 married, 50 single some near a thousand dollars of charity sent that was collected in conferences. Mark, I am most fervently in prayer night and day. Thine,

                                                                        F.A.

Methodist Historical Society of Baltimore Conference (Lovely Lane Museum)

            It is evident from the contents of the letter that Asbury is upset by some of the brethren, especially by James Smith. Smith held some of the prominent appointments and was a leader among the reformers who started the Methodist Protestant Church. However, he died in 1827 before the Methodist Protestant Church was organized. Asbury associates him with the other disturbers from O'Kelly on down.

                                                                        PELHAMS, OHIO

                                                                        September 15, 1809

[To William McKendree][ Bishop McKendree had been traveling with Asbury. However, Asbury says in the Journal, "As I cannot often meet Bishop McKendree, and meeting we cannot be alone for talk, I wrote a letter of counsel to him." There is no salutation. (See Journal.)]

Francis Asbury's advice submitted to the united and better judgment of the President Bishop, and Ohio Annual Conference. 1-the spirit of error, superstition and schism is rising and spreading in the west, when it is dying in the east. Would it not be well to appoint a committee to answer Mr. James Smith[James Smith was on the Lancaster Charge of the Philadelphia District in 1809.1 Also there was a James Smith on the Washington City Charge of the Potomac District and a James M. Smith on the Pownal Charge of the Rhinebeck District. The James Smith referred to here is the one who came to be known as "Baltimore" Smith in contradistinction to "Philadelphia" Smith. James "Baltimore" Smith began to preach at sixteen years of age. He was a man of high intellect and an able debater. He died in Baltimore in 1827, after taking an able and earnest part among the reformers of the church. From 1822 to 1825 he contributed to the Wesleyan Repository and to Mutual' Rights. (See Drinkhouse, History of Methodist Reform and Methodist Protestant Church, I, 545.)] completely, once for all, and those of the same party. Suppose to print it in Cincinnati and appoint some person to correct the press. 2. Make an apology, we are not on equal ground to bring railing accusations, hearsays, or write, by-that we cannot follow Mr. O'Kelly,[ Asbury lists several persons who were disturbers in the church, beginning with O'Kelly, who withdrew in 1792. It is clear here that the movement for reform did not lack for leadership.] from first to last, the progress of his opinions and party, neither Mr. Elias Smith,[ Elias Smith was bom June 17, 1769, the son of Stephen and Irene Smith of Lyme, Connecticut. Elias Smith was ordained an evangelist in 1792 while living at Lee, New Hampshire. He was ordained as a Baptist. For a time he preached in New England. For a very short time he was a Universalist. He began a journalistic career in 1802. In 1803 he composed "The History of the Anti-Christ." In 1803 he published a brochure, "The Clergyman's Looking Glass," in which he severely attacked the clergy, especially the ministers of the Episcopal Church. He was against public taxation for preachers. Sometime after 1804 he started a magazine entitled A Christian's Magazine, Reviewer and Religious Intelligencer. On September 1, 1808, there appeared the first issue of the Herald of Gospel Liberty, "the first religious newspaper ever published, so far as is known." His publishing ventures caused him barely to escape mob violence at times, He moved to Portland, Maine, in 1810 and published the Herald of Gospel Liberty there. However, the next spring he moved to Philadelphia and published it once in two weeks in Philadelphia. In 1815 he moved back to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and published his autobiography in 1816. In 1816 he moved to Boston and practiced medicine for a time there. However, he continued the Herald in Boston for a time. In October, 1817, he again embraced Universalism. He had been in connection with the O'Kellyite Christian Church for a time. At a session of the New Hampshire Christian Conference in 1823 Smith publicly renounced Universalism and did again before the same body in Durham in 1827. He was restored to fellowship in the Portsmouth Christian Church (O'Kellyite) in 1840. He died in 1846. He was considered one of the reformers who worked with the O'Kellyite Christians. He died on June 29, 1846, in Lynn, Massachusetts. (See J. Pressley Barrett, The Centennial of Religious Journalism 299-316. Christian Publishing Association.)                   ] that has sent his abuse and false reports to the Gospel Herald. Neither are we at liberty to retail truth upon Mr. William Guirey,[ William Guirey was author of The History of the Episcopacy in Four Parts, (Rare Book Collection, Library of Congress.) Guirey embraced religion under Dr. Wrangle of the Reformed Church of Sweden, who held a successful meeting in Philadelphia. Wrangle returned to Sweden, leaving his converts without a shepherd. Guirey welcomed with six others Captain Webb when Webb came to Philadelphia. In 1795 and 1796 Guirey was a member on trial in the conference and traveled in Virginia. In 1797 his name disappeared. He became associated with O'Kelly but later separated from him on a doctrinal difference. (Drinkhouse, History of Methodist Reform and Methodist Protestant Church, 111.)

]

neither Mr. William Hammett [William Hammett occasioned the split in the church of Charleston, South Carolina.] or perhaps, we might dig up something bad as sheep or hog stealing, either to trace or tell all we know of persons that have separated from and spoken perverse things of us, to draw disciples after them.

            3. Be careful to take correct testimony from all persons accused, written by their own hands, day and year and month!

            4. The conference doings of B. Burke, Blair,[ William Burke and J. Blair were on the Hinkstone Circuit of the Kentucky District in 1809. (See Minutes.}] our troubles show there must have been eavesdropping and that we were wise, to admit none but such as we know are parties concerned because we may see when they will be offended, and leave us. They would clown and misrepresent many things to our disadvantage and tell them to the world and send their books about the continent to people, that must receive their testimony, true or false, because they can receive no other, men that have left us, men we have expelled, our bitterest enemies.

            5. As to sovereign majesty bishop, pope, we do not play with titles and names.

            6. As to politicks, it is a delicate subject. The Methodist individually, by individuals, have been insulted but not as a body, they are better known and have better confidence from the Government. We do not believe till better informed that there is a travelling or local preacher among the 3000, but embraces conscientiously the 23 articles of our religion, but it is the common cry, mad dog, popery; popery, the keys. Politicks, enemies to the American Government, even of men, that estimate it above every other Government, but this is not strange when this reproach has fallen upon some faithful continental officers, that passed all the toil of eight years continental Revolutionary War.

            7. His mistakes [James Smith.] in his not being permitted to come into conference to plead his own cause or bring his witnesses did appear at the conference.

            8. Anything severe or that cannot be vindicated in any person in dealing with him concede, say perhaps this might have been done better or we wish it had been done better, or it might have been done better.

            9. Of his ordination and examination, let Brother Quinn[Isaac Quinn was on the Clinch Circuit, Holston District, in 1809. (See Minutes.) James Quinn was presiding elder on the Muskingum District in 1809. It is not clear which Quinn is meant. Both were in the Western Conference.] and Finley[The Minutes show that James Finley was admitted on trial into the Western Conference in 1810.] give testimony. If he did not submit to a growth in grace and salvation from all sin, as taught by John Wesley, even if men are justified and sanctified at once.

            10. Of his ordination, if he was not asked all the questions proper in ordination and if he did not answer those questions and if the bishop had not the form of Discipline in his hand which he always attendeth to, and if Smith did not design to make out, the bishop wished to give J. Smith a dispensation from the letter of ordination and not give him the whole of the questions, and answers in deacons order, that punctuality is always observed that it is not the bishop's manner to depart from rule and order and letter.

            11. Tell him that if we have mistaken his meaning, his written statement gave us room to believe that he believeth in infant purity directly opposed to Watts, Wesley, Fletcher and all gospel divines, that we believe he denieth the doctrine of original sin and the depravity of the human minds and souls of infants and he must maintain infant purity, that he has refined upon Fletcher till he is carried from Calvinism to Arianism and has | mistaken Fletcher.

            12. Ask him what the Methodists have done for him and what he was before he knew them. Ask him if his divine portrait of a Christian will justify his saying or writing so much evil of some good men --- and if we are to judge ---- of his piety, by his practice, if he has not written by guess, by hearsay. Is that according to Scriptures any more than speaking evil, and above all evil speaking, printed falsehood (evil speaking) is the most dangerous, it is by this thousands will be misled, writing and speaking evil of us and that to our bitterest enemies, and suppose the general or state governments, should take up our preachers and raise a general persecution. One that has left them says they are enemies to America, he passes for a wise goodman and shows his innocency; and their guilt.

            Let men take care how they alarm. We arm the civil government against the church or state or preachers of the gospel. Be sure to get their correct testimony in certificates, be correct in printing, he or his printer has blundered greatly, be very particular once for all, a complete answer only, let all our preachers traveling and local subscribe for me and sell them generally and stop the triumph. Conclude he and his church will be nonentities, no body, no party, must conclude J. Smith is one of the unaccountables of the unaccountables as all heretics and schismatics generally are, they dash at the most sacred truths, holiest characters and say they are not in sport. Let it be urged he denies the doctrine of original sin that cannot be generated, it is the transgression of the law in adults.

            The transgressor must know the law and willfully act the transgressor, the law is a transcript of the divine nature, the image of him that is invisible and will oppose sin in the root but to suppose that infants have no sinful nature or anything to do with sin, will they know the law and willfully commit sin, is like Baptist logic (that) infants cannot repent and believe, infants are not fit subjects of baptism, indeed I think preachers and writers have spoke and wrote. We know by Scripture inference, infants are subjects of baptism, we know by pure revelation infants have been subjects of heavenly glory and it would seem that infants martyred by Pharaoh and Herod might shine among the martyred saints and Christians. But that infants are justified, regenerated and sanctified as adults, I doubt if Scripture will bear us out. I perceive J. Smith wished to save his own bacon and writing and railing against government, he should be suspected of opposing all government, human and divine.

            All men of sense know that our church government was founded before the Federal Government [Asbury claims that the Federal government got some of its pattern from the Methodist Church. The Methodist Church was set up in 1784, and the Constitutional Convention took place in 1787, and the union was formed in 1789.] and state rights in that x cross system, so that whether they designed it or not they copied our government as far as humans could follow or ought to follow a divine government, all offices being elective except offices of special trust and confidence as presiding elders and bishops. To submit the reelection of bishops once in 4 or 6 years, would they subvert the divine, we do not reelect an elder or deacon local or travelling unless they forfeit the right by immorality and are suspended or expelled. I think a master reputation may be made that will make them appear very small in their own eyes, great as they are in their own.

            We grant our Presbyterian brethren, they freely confessed they were mistaken when certain documents were given. But what to those that have to do with men, that know nothing about writing controversy that will not ask fair questions or give an answer, that cannot understand an argument, admit no Scripture but the Bible and that when it condemns their system and conduct. We see the cloven foot, what high praises, Mr. Smith gives to each of the preachers, whilst he bitterly reflected upon others. We shall do well to observe that the leveling system, it goes directly against the order and government of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and the whole Patriarchal church government when these ancient saints were prophet, priest and king, each in his order-nay the order of the church in the wilderness by Moses, in the house of Aaron, then the 3rd order by Solomon when the temple was built. 4th. The order of Christ in his ministry and church. The complete order of the apostles in the Acts and the Epistles, to Timothy and Titus, apostolic men.

            The apostle did not say the old Testament and the apostles are sufficient. They wrote forms of discipline for separate churches when cases of order and discipline called for such. These levelers say the scriptures are sufficient, granted, but in mass the Holy Word gives many changes in

doctrine, we only select from Scripture for doctrine, and for discipline in epitome or very small selections. If these levelers were consistent why not only the Scriptures, and quit preaching or any comment at all. How shall we try a man's doctrine but by a standard, so his spirit and temper, his word and practice. If any man appeals from the Scripture where shall we follow him, where shall we find him, how shall we judge him, support his cause against our conduct dealing with him, shall not we appeal to Scripture against his conduct toward us, by the same rule.

            Mr. Smith from his own account has been tried and tenderly dealt with by Elder Gruber[Jacob Gruber was presiding elder in the Greenbrier District. There is no James Smith shown in Gruber's district from 1807 to 1809. (See Minutes.) Asbury seems to be reporting Smith's grievances. There is no record in the Minutes of expulsion.] once at quarter meeting, then by conference, and the bishop at his ordination and lastly by the quarter meeting at which he was expelled and 5th, he did, Mr. Smith did not come to his grand court of appeal where justice would have been done, all valid testing would have been admitted for and against him and he would without doubt have been proved in judgment of Scripture an heretic by denying the foundation doctrine of the Scriptural original sin and held as such by all the ancient and present churches in the whole earth. As a schismatic by attempting a division in the ministry and membership of the church to which he belonged and with great policy and address, now ask is this the kindness to thy friends, fathers and brethren. Then ask is this doing as you would wish to be done by. Then ask if you believe either the Methodist church to be corrupt in doctrine and discipline and administration as your book represents, do you wish to be a minister or member in it.

            Are we not in a free country, what right have you or any man to preach by the hour and speak and write by the day against us and put a weapon into the hands of wicked men and all that hate us to beat us. We will be pleased no doubt to hear it told, the Baptist and other denominations read your book, pleased that you have found out the Methodists and come forth like an honest man, and expose them and give suitable warning to the churches, and the states to take care: that there are men of desperate minds, enemies to all churches, but their own, enemies to the American Government; the best upon earth. But let it be told that Mr. Smith, order or no order, church or no church, he is drawing away disciples from the Methodist but he is no party Mon. Oh, yes Brutus is an honorable man and so they are all, when they revile the mother that has born" them-Yea when the lame are turned out of the way-who was it that brought this hand upon her, Jesus was agonizing and sweating in dust and blood in the hour of darkness, the midnight of suffering, who brought this band here, it was Judas! What Judas, Judas, the steward, the leader, the local preacher, for money, small sum, 30 pieces of silver, yet Judas was an honorable man or how could he be taken notice by honorable men. Judas was an honorable Mon.

            If men would leave the Methodists like men, not to say like Christian members and not preach so violently, and not write so bitterly against the people. But we cannot form peace, not truce with such men. This is the way Satan leads these men to keep up their credits, they lose as Methodists, when they withdraw from our union and set up for themselves. These dwellers rail out against Kings, why not against the president of the United States that in his election right professes kingly and imperial powers and with his Senate can form treaties of peace, or make war. With these levelers all the historical information of the primitive churches for 4000 or 5000 years stands for nothing and Scripture on that subject is a blank.

            It is an open attack upon every reformed church upon articles and confessions of faith and on Convocations, General Assemblies, Synods, all associations or meetings of ministry of every order. They are not fifth monarchy men that would not set up the kingdom of Christ but anarchy men. Let every man and-do what is right in his own eyes, and if called to an account let him appeal from the judgment of any man or men to his own; plead Scripture corrupted, teach heresies, new and old errors, wolves in sheep's clothing and wolves in wolves' clothing.[ The conclusion to the letter has been lost.]

Methodist Historical Collection, Ohio Wesleyan University Library

            Though there is no name to indicate to whom this letter is written, it had a letter attached written by Boehm to Jacob Gruber; therefore it must have been written to Gruber. Asbury has had letters from some local preachers in Kentucky. It seems that one had been in Douglass' district, and Asbury wished to know what had happened.

                                                                        GREEN COUNTY, TENNESSEE

                                                                        October 22, 1809

[To Jacob Gruber][ No addressee, but believed to have been written to Gruber.]

My dear Son:

            Grace, mercy and peace be multiplied unto thee in Jesus our Lord. Excuse my employing my aid[Evidently Henry Boehm was bis traveling companion. Boehm included a letter.] and your brother. As Bishop McKendree takes his part of the work, I am not so correct in answering letters; in the 65 years of my age, and 39 years of my ministry in the service. After some serious conversation and letters, I have prevailed upon Bishop McKendree to preside on all the Conferences, it is with pleasure and peace I retire. If we had another man of equal mind I could as cheerfully give up the stationing the ministry; this I must do a little longer, the work is too great for one man: it must be divided. To compose the minutes, obtain the knowledge of all the circuits, to be well acquainted with gifts and qualifications of all the preachers, and to visit the whole continent is an Herculean employment. The local ministry in Kentucky last addressed us on the subject of elders or ministers, and the result of General Conference on that subject. We wrote them a passivick letter desiring them to be temporate and meet us; as they have done this year, one or two seemed warm, one said he had been in your district and in Brother Douglass' charge; that men of great respectability, of that order were waked up to join in address with their brethren in Kentucky in ministry.[ The sentence is not clear.    ] I wish you to be very prudent and cautious not to irritate in the least degree but advise them to speak or write their minds to the Bishops and General Conference, rather one by one, than in united address; only expressing their firm attachment to Methodism and the travelling connection. We Bishops are prepared to meet any thing they say being as we always have been friends to their cause properly brought forward, in the union of the body. Refer them if you please to write unreservedly to us. If you please write to us in Charleston, if you have time to reach us before the 5 of January. We see great prospects, and great difficulties. Many different preachers sent from the Western Conference, single 40, married 80, very few over. I have enjoyed great health of body and peace of mind. I am as ever yours,

                                                                        F. Asbury

            There is in addition to Henry Boehm's letter a P.S. of Asbury's-same handwriting as above. Boehm's letter omitted.

            P.S. If you will give us the most perfect character of every circuit, and every preacher, traveling, yea local preacher in your charge, promote if possible Fridays, by the order and authority of the quarter meetings, Fridays as days of fasting, humiliation and intercession. The church, the continent calleth loudly for it to hear the rod of God on Europe, how awfully upon the seat of the beast,[ Reference to book of Revelation.] oh and possibly most parts of Europe and the world. May we hear and fear. I hope 8 conferences will give, in the year 1810, 600 camp meetings and thousands converted.

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

            A Letter of the Rev. William Spencer to the Rev. John Robinson Concerning James O'Kelly

            Here are introduced a letter and a part of the Journal of William Spencer whose unpublished manuscript The Experience &c. has been preserved. The letter throws light on the O'Kelly controversy in the South District of Virginia by a preacher who served under O'Kelly, the presiding elder on the Williamsburg Circuit in Virginia 1789. O'Kelly was the leader of the schism which split the church in 1792.

                                                                        November 14, 1809[This letter was written to John Robinson by William Spencer who had served with Robinson on the Williamsburg Circuit in Virginia in 1789. Spencer had married and desisted from traveling in 1797. Robinson left the church in 1792 when he went off with James O'Kelly and others to form the Republican Methodist Church.]

[To John Robinson][ John Robinson was one of the preachers who walked out of the General Conference of 1792 with James O'Kelly. The others were Rice Haggard, John Alien, William McKendree, and perhaps some others. Robinson did not follow O'Kelly into the Christian Church, but he with Edward Almond and Thomas Hardy continued for a while to cany on the Republican Methodist Church. (See MacClenny, The Life of Reverend James O'Kelly, 126.)]

Well-beloved Brother:

            You will receive this as a mark of pure, disinterested Christian friendship. I think you may with propriety say that if you are acquainted with no other man upon earth, you are, at least, acquainted with me. Our friendship and Christian acquaintance began about the memorable year of our Lord, 1788; and notwithstanding there has been, since that time (from appearance, at least) some little differences between us, which caused much sorrow to my mind, yet I can, with much truth say, that I have never lost sight of old times, when, like a well-match'd yoke, we sweetly, and blessed be God, most successfully pulled together in the Gospel plough,[ Spencer refers to his appointment as junior preacher with Robinson on the Williamsburg Circuit in 1789. It was a tremendous circuit and extended from Richmond to Hampton. O'Kelly's district included Amelia, Mecklenburg, Bedford, Orange, Hanover, Williamsburg, Cumberland, Brunswick, Greensville, Portsmouth, Sussex in Virginia, and Bertie, Camden, and Halifax in North Carolina.] to the astonishment of multitudes, who were constrained to acknowledge the finger of God! The blind did indeed receive their sight, the lame walk, yea, leap and praise God with joyful lips; the spiritually deaf heard the joyful sound of salvation, and great was the consolation of believers.

            Numbers told me that it was the most convincing proof that it was God's peculiar prerogative to send by whom he would send, that ever they knew in all their lives. They had been favored with what is commonly called wise and great preachers, and yet no visible good was done! A sad gloom seemed to rest upon the minds of the people, when, all on a sudden (as it were) two poor little, unimproved striplings entered the circuit, with nothing scarcely, but "Repent or perish, believe or be damned, turn or burn; Hell fire will be the doom of all the ungodly, &c." The mighty power of God attended these poor Endeavours! At the sound of these Rams' horns (crooked as they were) the towering walls of Jericho fell flat to the ground! The devil's strongholds were attacked, and many, yea, vast numbers of his faithful subjects deserted their infernal prince, and came over on the side of our adorable King Jesus. Surely if ever there was a Work of God since the World began, it was this! Robinson and Spencer never performed such wonders as these! God does, sometimes, yea, commonly, make choice of such instruments to carry on his work, as man would never think of; and his reason for so doing is very obvious, namely, that "no flesh (as Father Paul asserts) should glory in his presence." God will have the honour of all the good that is done upon earth: and 0! how glad my soul is of it.

            What transpired this first year of my endeavouring to sound the Gospel trumpet, left such a blessed, sweet, reviving, animating savour upon my spirit, that it has never worn off, and I hope in God, never will, in time, nor through Eternity. I hope to meet many in the Day of the Lord, who were brought home to our dear Jesus this memorable year! Some are gone before us, and many are still behind, "burning and shining lights," who do, by their upright and holy lives, "shew forth the praises of him who hath called them out of the darkness into his marvellous light."

            When it so happened, my dear Brother that by the means of one poor, fallible man (you know who I mean O'Kelly) a spirit of division crept in among us, my soul did truly mourn in secret places before the Lord. Instead of "Glory to Jesus, Glory to God, I am happy I am bound for Heaven, 0 Brother! I love you, 0! Sister, I am bound to meet you in Heaven, &c." I say, instead of this blessed, heavenly talk, it was "Government, Government, Government, we shall all be ruined, we shall be oppressed to death, we and our children are lorded over! Popery, popery! Despotism! Despotic power, and whatnot![ "Is it not shocking, my dear Brother, that a man of his despotic, or overbearing spirit, should pretend to cry out against Despotism I felt his spirit many times while he was my presiding elder, and it made me tremble and dodge like a puppy: and I dare say my dear Brother felt something of his spirit in that sad day when Damaron was about to be ordained. Thank God, I am not now under his Tyranny. We may, with propriety say to such a man, 'Physician, heal thyself.' " (William Spencer, The Experience &c.) The note was appended to the letter to Robinson by Spencer.]

            Now it was that Hell triumphed with infernal joy! Now it was that Brother had his sword, oh! the ugly-looking sword of contention, drawn against Brother and even Sister and Sister were at it too! Was this a work of God No! No! No! Well, what is the upshot of the whole Let truth speak for itself. In the name of God, I ask, where is the fine Church that poor man talked so much about I have never seen nor heard of it yet.[ "He came through my circuit shortly after he separated from the Methodists and, in order to proselyte me, told me that he was going to form a new church, not suffering one Brandy-stiller, Brandy-seller, nor Slaveholder to be a member of it. The next thing I heard of him was, he was taking into his new church those slave-holders he himself once expelled from us! I said. Lord, what is man And took my leave of him." (William Spencer, The Experience &c.) The note was appended to the letter to Robinson by Spencer.   ]

            Poor man, sure enough; well he may be dejected. I do by no means "rejoice at calamities;" far from it: at the same time, I am glad, and do most heartily rejoice when I see such characters mortified; because I am fully convinced that nothing else under heaven is likely to give them a true sight of themselves.

            Mr. Bunyan talks about one "Will-be-Will." "This Will-be-Will (says he) is a clever fellow when he is in the right, but, when he is in the wrong, he is a terrible, mischievous fellow indeed." 0! when a man has truth on his side, or even has probability in view, in the name of God, let him be bold, let him be zealous and courageous. But before all this appears, a man ought to be possessed with good evidences that he is in the right. All is not gold that shines; neither is everything that looks like zeal, true and genuine zeal. Jehu had a mighty zeal, but what sort of a zeal was it Exactly such a zeal in my humble opinion, as poor old, unhappy Dadda O'Kelly has.

            Meantime, I would ask, what has become of the old despotic church, its government, its human heads, its rules, &c. &c. &c. Answer, Glory to God, I am quite willing it should answer for itself. Where is the despotism Glory to God, I feel it not. I, for one, am a blessed, happy, free member of this oppressive church, as it is called by some: and it is at this very day in a growing, thriving condition.

            Now, my beloved Brother let me tell you my whole heart (as it were) about you. From my first, happy acquaintance with you, I have looked upon you, not only as a man of genuine piety, but as a man of good sense and sound understanding, and therefore, a man of this description, will, I think, when he is convinced that he is in an error, retract, and pursue a different course. "What is honor" (says one.) Answer "To confess what is wrong, and do what is right." Now, is there anything dishonorable or ugly in this By no means. No man living is in a state of infallibility;

therefore, it is noble for me and all to say to God and man, "What I know not, teach thou me."

            My dear, I am by no means, laboring to convince you that you erred in leaving the Methodists; the matter is so plain that no argument is necessary. You are fully convinced, I make no doubt: but I do not think you erred so much yourself in any thing, as in putting too great and too implicit a confidence in the judgment of a poor, fallible man. I, myself, loved the same man, even to a fault, and if there was a man upon earth better calculated than any other, to proselyte or lead me astray, he was the very man: this I believe, you think is the real truth; and I was, in reality upon the very tilt (as it were) of following you and him when you turned your backs upon us; but, if I had, I should, in a little time, have acknowledged my mistake, and taken shelter again most joyfully, in the old fold, with my beloved, happy, free Brethren. Our present new Bishop William M'Kendree, broke off when you and others did, but in a little time, saw his error, acknowledged it, and behold, what he has come to! Has he dishonored himself by acknowledging that he was not infallible

            I write to you, my dear Brother in the manner I do, because, since we were together at Rough-Creek, it has been hinted to me that you do not intend to come back into the old fold. I was surprized to hear this because, if you remember, in our conversation the night we staid at Sister Madison's you told me that you fully expected to come back, and moreover, you said that I might tell it to whom I pleased. I am, by no means persuading you to come back; if you can grow, and thrive, and fatten in your present pastures, better than you can among us, do pray, my dear, enjoy yourself where you are. I only tell you what I do think will be best for you and your rising family, as well as for those who stand off with you: if you do not see and think as I do, no harm done, no harm done! If there are defects in our Government, we are still improving, and often meeting together, to see what amendments can be made for the better. Our Church Rules are not like the laws of the Medes and Persians: all these things you know, therefore, come back, come back, and help to fight the devil, &c., and gain more souls to Jesus. Farewell! "Come on, my Whitefield, since the strife is past,

            "And friends at first, are friends again at last."

            These were Charles Wesley's words to George Whitefield, after a long separation between them. Let David and Jonathan now come and unite closer than ever, and live and die in the Gospel-harness. Amen. I remain your loving Brother,

                                                                        William Spencer

            N.B. You may, if you please, communicate the main drift of this letter to Brother Almond, as equally intended for him. W. S.

T          The following is quoted from The Experience &c. of William Spencer, Volume 1. This part of The Experience &c. is in journal form; and the excerpt is an account of what happened at Chickahominy Church, Virginia, in 1789. The first and last volumes of Spencer's books belong to Dr. Robert B. Pierce, pastor of Broadway Methodist Church, Indianapolis. The other volumes have not been found but are supposed to be in Williamsburg, Virginia. Asbury gives a similar account of his visit to Chickahominy Church on September 3, 1790. See Journal for that date.

            "I shall never forget a meeting I had one memorable Sabbath Day at a noted, large, brick church called Chickahominy Church in James City County near the town of old Williamsburg. No doubt but that they and the awful things that happened there that day are still fresh in the memory of the inhabitants of James City. A vast multitude of people used to assemble at this church both from the town of Williamsburg as well as the country round about, and on this day there was (as usual) a numerous congregation. Numbers who met here came for no other purpose but to make sport of the worship of God, to curse the preachers, and mock and laugh at those who would cry aloud to God for mercy, or shout the praises of their blessed Redeemer. Such bold champions for the devil would take care to be at church time enough to get choice of the pews, and the most advantageous parts of the galleries to serve their turn, in order that they might have a clear view of the shouting Christians, or, noisy fools, as they were pleased to call them; and after they had diverted themselves with them in the church, they would go out in great numbers and set up a mighty huzza in the churchyard, by way of derision. But on this memorable, awful day, of which I am now speaking, it pleased Almighty God to give these daring, infidel rebels such an alarm, that they entirely forgot their devillish sport.

            "As I was riding by myself to the church, thinking how I had been repeatedly grieved at the shameful, ill behaviour of many who attended here and fully expected to meet with the same trial again to-day, unless God was pleased to work in some unusual way to prevent it, I turned out into the woods, alighted from my horse, fell on my knees, and cried to God to make use of some means that day that might alarm those daring enemies to religion, who might be at church with no other design but to mock at, and despise his worship, &. I went on my way to the church; vast numbers were there before me, and they were still coming on every side.

            "It was in the month of August, and the weather amazing sultry. I began to preach about 12 o'clock; presently after, thunder was heard, and an awful cloud came up, which looked terrible indeed! The people ran out to secure their saddles, &, in the mean time I gave out a hymn, which was sung till the congregation was composed: presently the rain began to descend, the lightnings to flash, and the thunder to roar! The poor, daring, wicked rebels were pretty quiet and tame, while the Almighty seemed to threaten them with immediate death and destruction! A trifling countenance could not be seen among them! It was the most awful cloud that I remember to have seen in my life, and it lasted a considerable time. A carriage was struck with the lightning but a few steps from the door, and such alarming peals of thunder never did I hear before! There was no running out of the church now! All were glad to keep their places. So we

 had a listening multitude for once, at this place.

            "It was awful to behold the fine ladies in their rustling silks, almost frightened to death with the streams of lightning and the awful thunder. They would catch hold of one another, in the greatest consternation, as if they expected every moment to be struck dead, or, as if they expected Christ was then coming in the clouds to judge the world! I made use of the opportunity; and while my awful God was thundering from heaven, I .endeavored to thunder out the terrors of his holy law against the workers of iniquity! Christians shouted aloud the praises of King Jesus, while mourners fell and cried for mercy and every sinner's countenance was as pale as death! In the midst of this truly awful meeting, one woman got powerfully converted, and a shout of praise and thanksgiving seemed to pierce the very heavens! Who but the devil will refuse to praise God when a poor sinner finds mercy and obtains forgiveness for all his sins Jesus says 'there is joy in heaven among the angels when a poor sinner repents and turns to God;' and surely, there is great reason to praise him upon earth for the same mercy. This woman leaped up, and praised God with a loud and joyful voice, while the dear children of God joyfully joined in the heavenly work. Sinners were astonished to see Christians happy at such a time as this! The louder it thundered, the louder the Christians shouted, and the more awful did the poor sinners look! It brought to my mind that terrible day, when 'the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.'

            "Between three and four hundred souls were added to the church this year in Williamsburg Circuit. The people were constrained to acknowledge that this was indeed the work of God, and not of man. I heard some of the old professors observing that 'they had had wise and experienced preachers among them for several years past, and that they saw little or no revival of religion. God was pleased to send two striplings, Robinson and Spencer, among them, and a great revival through their instrumentality had taken place!' "

            The Experience &c. of the Reverend William Spencer. Property of Dr. Robert B. Pierce, Broadway Methodist Church, Indianapolis, Indiana

Jacob Gruber was one of Asbury's most dependable preachers. He was of German extraction. He was ministering in a section of the country where there were many Germans, and Asbury shows his solicitude for them.

                                                                        NORFOLK, VIRGINIA

                                                                        January 26, 1810

[To Jacob Gruber][ In 1810 he was presiding elder, Monongahela District, Baltimore Conference.]

My dear Jacob:

            God be gracious to thee my son, the presiding elders of our Israel, are always on my mind, frequently named by me, before the Lord, always twice, if not thrice a day. My letters are all valedictory, for what I know (I mean the last). I did not answer yours in Charleston finding nothing that called special attention, presuming you had not received a letter I wrote from Buncombe. The South Carolina Conference held in Charleston, was great to the members, society, and citizens. The increase of members 3000, prospects of the work far exceeding our most exalted expectation. Lovely blossoms of young men of families, a little above par, for learning and estimation.

            I have felt a great concern for the lost sheep of the house of Germany, we have but only you two boys,[ Henry Boehm and Jacob Gruber spoke German.] that can Germanize, one with me, hitherto. You will expect that the superintendency would be unwise to remove you from one field and not put you with a larger if possible to meet and serve your father's countrymen. Prepare, prepare my son, be always ready for every call of God and your Guides. I lament the want of pure practical religion, family and private prayer, and fasting, reading the scriptures, teaching, instructing the children. Our presiding elders should lecture the people closely in quarterly lovefeast, about class meeting, dress, and many Christian duties.

            The rich are coming in, they bring their daughters, Methodist preachers marrying, falling! Oh Lord help the locating, leaving the work, never counting the cost preachers. Lay these things together my son! You may' lay this letter among your papers, you may read it when I am absent, perhaps when I have done riding at the rate of 10,000 (yet but 3000 as we are so much detained,) miles a year, 200 miles a week11 or in 4 days meeting, 8 conferences of between 6 and 700 ministers, writing 100 letters, preaching 200 sermons, but what is this without the power of God to bless the Spirit, to aid the merit of Christ, to atone. Great prospects, great dangers await us this year. Let Zion's watchmen all awake and take the alarm and advice they give, I am yours in the Lord.

                                                                        F. Asbury

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

            Two main concerns disturb Asbury's mind, his Journal and the Baltimore Road prisoners. For some time he had been trying to get his Journal into print. He wanted to leave something for posterity.

BETHEL, MARYLAND

March 22, 1810

[To Nelson Reed][ At the rate of two hundred miles a week he would have traveled more than ten thousand miles a year.      " Presiding elder, Baltimore District.]

My dear Nelson:

            Great grace support thee. Die! Die! my brother in the field, in the harness! Our conference was not as bad as I feared, nor as good as I hoped, believed, desired and prayed. It is reappointed, I am content. I have not done it. I wish to do all for the best. Some circumstances; his family; and visiting Virginia,[ McKendree was born in King William County, Virginia. However, he became ' identified with what was then the West. His grave is on the Vanderbilt University Campus, Nashville, Tennessee.] extensively, will prevent Bishop McKendree from visiting the west of Maryland next year, as I wished. I purpose not to be at Georgetown near the first of March. You will lay out in your wisdom a plan of 10 or 12 days through Prince George's, St. Marys and Calvert, so as to come in the day before the eve of conference. I have this in view; not to go by Baltimore again, but from the Federal City.[ Federal City. "The first communication on record, in arrangements for laying out this city, is from the pen of Gen. Washington dated on the llth March, 1791: which in a subsequent letter of the 30th of April 1791, he calls the Federal City. The name which it now (1830) bears, City of Washington" was adopted about four months afterward, probably without the knowledge of General Washington. In a letter addressed to Major L'Enfant by the first commissioners as follows, dated "Georgetown, Sept. 9, 1791." (The letter follows.) "Historical sketches of the Ten Mile Square forming the District of Columbia with a picture of Washington, 1830," by Jonathan J Elliot, 95, 96. (Jacob S. Payton.)]                  

            I wish to spend 5 or 6 days at Foxalls,[ Henry Foxall, an Englishman, who knew Asbury's mother, was converted in Ireland. He came to America and had foundries in Philadelphia and Georgetown. He was a wealthy man and gave the site and provided the funds for the new church, the Foundry in Washington. He died in England in 1823. (See Boehm, Reminiscences, 412-13.)]

 in reading about 1000 pages of my journal[Several persons worked on the Journal-Dickins, Wilkins, Haskins, Hollingsworth.] in the 3rd copy now taking by John Dickins, and Dr. Wilkins,[ See note on Wilkins, Preface to Wesley's Physic, - 1814, note 4.] in order to correct some names of places, and some other matters, and leave as perfect a copy behind me as I can. Every thing personal, geographical, and prolix will go out, the most spiritual, and historical parts will be reserved. My reason for stopping at Georgetown will be to take my appointments right; I shall be welcome; I shall be retired. You will write me fully to Lancaster by the last of July, you will scan a plan, and prepare to travel with me. Be assured my dear son I have no jealousy of your administration, no want of confidence in you. You have, you will labor for souls, you and myself at this time of life might seek our ease, but we dare not, least lest we should be damned.

            My dear I feel! I feel! for the Baltimore Road prisoners. Oh that some local brother would consent to preach to them every Sabbath, one that could gain their confidence, they are degraded far below domestick slavery, but their rights as they respect the Gospel, they ought not, no State should dare to rob them of this. Oh help those outcastes, those dregs of human nature, precious, perishing souls. Like going from Jerusalem to Jericho, ; they have fallen among thieves, they have stript them by leading them into sin, wounded them, leaving them half dead, politically dead by the law, sunk into heathenism, but oh let them have the Gospel, do, do my dear do something for them if possible, save these from utter destruction and sweeten the bitters of their affliction, I advise not any other persons but the preacher and his prisoners, be his congregation, perhaps two could attend, one to preach and one to exhort. Your last letter came back to Baltimore. I am thine,

                                                                        F. Ay.

                                                                        Drew University Library

            The reports in the conferences on additions to membership seem to have been poor. Asbury thinks that the preachers and people are resting on their lees. He calls/or special days of fasting and prayer.

                                                                        SMYRNA, DELAWARE

                                                                        March 24, 1810

[To Lewis Myers][ Presiding elder on the Ogeechee District, South Carolina Conference.]

My dear Lewis:

            God be gracious unto thee, my son. Nothing but official duty and the glory of God, and good of the church moves me to write. Our Baltimore conference has addressed a most serious epistle, to the people, their charge, failing, they are upon their lees, a small increase in numbers June, first Friday, and November, Friday first, as days of most serious fasting, and prayer, solemn worship, and service of God. If you will write to all the presiding elders, for as many of the preachers and people as find liberty to join with us. Our country, our church, will call loudly upon us to cry mightily to God. I fear both the Virginia, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York conferences in part are on their lees. In the New England conference God the Lord is breaking out in the uncovering of the arm of his power. Bishop McKendree in good spirits, on the Chesapeake while I am on the Delaware District, 1200 miles since we left dear Charleston.

            G. Pickering [Presiding elder on the Boston District.] present, (begging) from house to house, and congregation to congregation for Boston Chapel, we must collect 8000 dollars or our credit will fail. Mark it well, we do not command, only recommend these days of fasting. I was well pleased that our brethren in the Baltimore conference were prompt in duty. The address or epistle is exceedingly close to the point, prints to be read in our quarter readings by presiding elders, in the societies by the preachers. We began and ended the Virginia and Baltimore conferences in great harmony, humiliation, abstinence and prayer, perhaps we might have about 20 souls converted in each.

            Brother Boehm[Henry Boehm, his traveling companion.] is greatly taken up with his friends, his horses, and temporal burdens. Love to thyself, and all my brethren and joy in Jesus. F.Ay.

                                                                        Duke University Library

            There had been some correspondence between Wesley and Asbury and others concerning recognition of preachers in America who had been members of the British Conference or vice versa. This was not a great problem.

                                                                        NEW YORK, N.Y.

                                                                        May 12, 1810

            To any of the Preachers and Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America["This is one of the few examples of an official transfer from British to American Methodism. William Blagborne was bom in 1754, admitted on trial by the British Methodist Conference in 1785. He came under Coke's eye. He adopted 'some singular opinions . . . respecting the uncertainty of all things, arising from the evil effects of the French Revolution' and settled as a supernumerary at Futford, near York. In 1808 he came once more into the active ministry, at Stroud, but for a short time only. His stay in America was not very long. He returned to England and died Saturday evening, March 2nd, 1816. He was buried in the City Road Chapel, London." (Frank Baker.)]

            I recommend Reverend William Blagborne [(See Journal, May 12, 1810.) Asbury saw Blagborne. ] for many years a member of the British Conference and well recommended to me by Dr. Coke and others.

Given under my hand this twelfth day of May one thousand eight hundred and ten.

                                                                        Francis Asbury

            Transcribed by Frank Baker from the original formerly owned by him

            In writing to Coke, Asbury is emphasizing the fact that the church is resting on its lees. As usual when he writes to Coke, Asbury reports in general on the connection. Part of the letter is addressed to Mrs. Coke.

                                                                        WINCHESTER, NEW HAMPSHIRE

                                                                        June 2, 1810

To Thomas Coke [Coke was in England.]

My dear Bishop:

God be gracious to my dear brother and sister in Jesus. It would be my duty, and delight to write to you every six months from the south and north end of our world, if I had time, and things of equal consequence to you, me and others. I lament, our centre, ancient conferences,[ Reference to older conferences in central part of country.] preachers and people, in towns, cities are too much on the lees. The first Friday in June past, and first Friday in November, appointed as days of abstainence abstinence and humiliation, exhortation, prayer and rigid fasting. Oh that God would hear and answer. I doubt if in the 8 conferences we shall have an increase of more than 10 or 12,000. We feel, oh we feel! The burden of located men in our traveling connection, loss of time, expenditures of money, and in moving great families expensive, and difficulties, many. Admissions of preachers may rise from 80 to 100 or perhaps not so large; but we have received 70 in 6 conferences.

            As to building houses, taking new places, extending to the extremities of our borders, to the most distant settlements, and forming, and enlarging congregations, we excel. Now is the time of danger, many rich people have joined us, we monopolize religion in some places, all together; as if the offence of the cross was ceasing. At Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Stephen Bamford from Nova Scotia, received ordination to deacons, and elders orders. I fear we do not prosper as we ought to do in Nova Scotia, as well as we might. In 1795 the number on our minutes[See Minutes, 1810.] was 1000.1 have not seen the returns on the British minutes. It is possible our New England Conference next year will be held in Vermont, this will place me very accessible to New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and lower and upper Canada; I have long wished to explore British America,[ Some of the Canadian churches had gone along with British Methodism. The churches along the St. Lawrence were under Asbury. In 1828 these separated from U.S. Methodism. (See George F. Playter, The History of Methodism in Canada, 239.)] if it would be your wish, and the desire of the British conference, which I highly venerate; also the advice of the New England Conference; and not disagreeable to the missionaries, in these provinces.

           I fear that unless you could appoint traveling superintendents, that would annually visit all the societies, circuits, towns, and stations, to exercise some episcopal powers, in superintending, and stationing, you will not prosper. We collect, if I may speak by guess, funds, and collections, 10,000 dollars per year, expended upon less than 700 preachers, 400 of which are married at least. We have committees, attitudes! returns from stewards and elders, also some married men loose, one thing, and some almost half their time, family afflictions and such like that we may give at the rate of 300 dollars per year to married men when we pay well for half work. People in the states, and provinces are growing wealthy, and able in many places, to support their preachers, and ought to support them. I have seen circuits and districts, just tied on, to Baltimore and Philadelphia Conferences to be supported, when the people have been well able to support their own preachers. I am looking forward to the next General Conference, to lighten my load, of another grand branch;

increased as this connection may be by that time to 200,000 members, 1000 traveling preachers, possibly 2000 local. It will be too weighty for me; at 67, and 41st year of my age in America; should I be able to move, as one of the fathers, only to give advice, it will be well.

            My dear Sister Coke, you continue to sit at the feet of Jesus, you wash the saints' feet, you feed the poor, you council the preachers' wives; and cement the body, they will know you, and love you. Hold your hours of devotion morning, noon, and evening. Do by soft persuasion if you can restrict Bishop Coke from too much pen work. I am most heartily your brother, and friend. My dear Bishop and wife, and all friends.

                                                                        F. Asbury   ;

            P.S. My task is in riding 5000 miles 8 months of the year ------ Sabbaths, quarter meetings, and camp meetings, and indispensible rest, and 8 conferences 6, 8, or 9 days each conference. God is my house, the Church is my spouse, and my mother, the preachers my brethren and sons in the Lord, the sisters, my sisters, and daughters, in Jesus. Oh pray! pray! for us as we do for you frequently.         

                                                                         F. Ay.

            P.S. Mark it well when the people and conferences pay their own preachers, they will see that they do their work; I fear that our charter and book concern that give 440 dollars per year per share to 8 conferences, will be a snare to us. When the Philadelphia Conference loaded on supernumeraries, the people shut up their liberal contributions; and sunk a 1000 dollars in one year; resolved their money should not go to support those that did not labor. If you have given the Brethren support to foreign missions, you will hardly ever wish to take it away! British charity is great, it is able ---- if it should be abused, I do not say ;'(is, but I fear it is, or will be.

            If I was to have it in my power to visit Nova Scotia I fear the brethren would not name me. I hear you ordain for foreign mission publickly, its well; but who shall rule, and station I feel we are all one in Jesus; and ought so to feel. Not many days since I saw Brother Blagborne; I honored him, as recommended by you. Stationed this year, Southern Conference 72, Western 82, Virginia 75, Baltimore 85, Philadelphia 73, New York 84, N. England 85. If I was to guess it would be that the Methodists annually in the 17 States, and territories, we congregate 2 or 3 million. I should hope half a million in British America. But my calculation may be far too large, and incredible was it not for our towns and cities, and conferences encamping and being to --- in the States, and great quarter meetings and camp meetings 2 to 3 and 5000 people. I fear they fail in Canada and Nova Scotia in camp meetings and field and meeting. I have recommended you can ---

                                                                        Garrett Biblical Institute Library

            It is not known who Mrs. Mary Warfield was. It seems quite evident that she had been a preacher's wife. Asbury is giving her advice as to her spiritual life and family responsibilities. There was a Charles Warfield on the Huntingdon Circuit of the Susquehanna District in the Baltimore Conference in 1807.

                                                                        WORCHESTER, N.H.

                                                                        June 4, 1810

[To Mrs. Mary Warfield][ The letter is addressed to Lane's Creek, Maryland. ]

My dear Mary and loving Sister:

            Grace and peace be multiplied to you and family and all the sisterhood that labor with those that labor in the word and doctrine. It was impossible for you to count the cost of being a wife and mother and a traveler. Great the care and burden you must and will bear but it will daily increase as your family groweth up and you will become weak. Oh, my sister, be careful of the morning, noon and evening, private moments. Speak to all the sisters, aged and young, rich and poor. Pray with them, preach to them powerfully in companies. Do a good part in these works of God. My time is short. Old Moses has but one war and a few months to be in the wilderness till forty.[ Asbury was referring to almost forty years of ministry.] This charge is gone in part and will be in hands defaced. We are all mortal, let us haste to meet our God, our Christ, our Kingdom, our crown of glory, our rest from suffering and pain. I am making ready, so are you Mary I hope, now in Jesus, farewell and prosper. I am sincerely, your father, brother, servant, friend for Jesus sake.

                                                                        F. Asbury

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

            Zachary Myles was one of Asbury's close lay friends who kept him in touch with England. Here Asbury reports of the work, as he frequently did to the preachers.

                                                                        SHIPPINSBURG, PA.

                                                                        August 9, 1810

[To Zachary Myles][ Merchant in Baltimore.]

My dear Brother[Although this purports to be a "copy" of one of Asbury's letters, there is little doubt that the editor of The Methodist Magazine, Joseph Benson, has taken considerable liberties with the original. (See The Methodist Magazine, 1810, 483.) (Frank Baker.)]

            The God of all grace and consolation be with, and bless you and yours. Our Minutes were sent late to the press, and are not yet in circulation. We have stationed at the Western Conference 82 preachers; at the Southern 72; at that of Virginia, 75; Baltimore, 85; Genesee, 63; New York, 84

New England, 85; and Philadelphia, 73; in all, 619 preachers. The annual duty of our superintendents is great. They have to visit eight conferences; and make arrangements for near 620 preachers. They have to ride near 6000 miles in eight months through wildernesses and devious lonely wilds: sometimes are water-bound, but never weather-bound. We added 99 preachers this year, 51 have located. I do not doubt but some of our preachers labor and suffer as much as ever, but I fear others of us are growing slothful. I rejoice that we hold the truth of the Gospel.

            I know not a man in the ministry among us that holds the unconditional infallible perseverance[Asbury was contrasting the Methodist theology with that of Calvinism. ] of the saints. Sabbath-meetings, quarter-meetings, and camp meetings are very numerous, and of building preaching-houses there is no end. Other denominations are imitating us in watch nightmeetings, society-meetings, and women's prayer-meetings. I expect this fall will be a time of great ingathering. I must smile at the strictures of men of small and sour minds upon our administration. What was America 200 years ago What was Methodism 40 years ago There was everything to be done, things were not made ready for our hands. Could the preachers come from Cumberland and Kentucky to Baltimore Conference Or from Georgia and South Carolina to old Virginia Or from Boston and the District of Maine to New York Or from Upper Canada to New York Or from Lake Ontario to Philadelphia or the Eastern Shore These questions must be answered in the negative. It was no small task for young men to go among the Indian depredators; and from fort to fort, as Wilson Lee did, with his life in his hand, to preach the Gospel.                            

            I thank you for your European information. Present me to your Brother.[ The Rev. William Myles, Methodist preacher of England. (See letter of August 16, 1804.)] Write to me whenever you please, as most of the letters fall into my hands. I have no retreat. I cannot do what I wish, i.e. answer all the letters sent me by preachers. But I do not write, save on special, occasions, to any but those that write to me. Bishop M'Kendree is not in good health. He had taken the North-West-Route, intending to go to the banks of the Missouri, from whence he was called by his Episcopal office. We hope to meet at the Western Conference. I commend you to God, and the word of his grace.

                                                                        Yours in Jesus,

                                                                        Francis Asbury

            The Methodist Magazine, 7870, 483. Transcribed by Frank Baker

            The Genesee Conference has been held, and Asbury is passing through Pennsylvania on his way to the western country. He makes a report to Lewis Myers of his travels and the state of the church. It is interesting to note the report of the work in Canada.

                                                                        CHAMBERSBURG, PA.

                                                                        August 10, 1810

[To Lewis Myers][ Presiding elder on the Ogeechee District, South Carolina Conference.]

My dear Lewis:

            The God of all grace and consolation help them to war a good warfare. It is not all gold that shines, we must or shall have some chaff among the wheat, but thank God it is not all chaff. I might add to the catalogue of evils, our married as well as young men failing, elders spending half their time at home and bending for a morsel of bread. We are losing the spirit of missionaries and martyrs, we are slothful, we can only tell how fields were won, but by our brethren and sisters, not by us. Since I parted from Charleston about 4000 miles and 2000 more to close the year, but what is that to the arrangement of 620 traveling preachers, to hear their murmurs and complaints. I say let me like old Moses fill up my 40 years. I shall soon be out of your way.

            Genesee Conference has exceeded our hopes. For an infant conference great, near 40 members, some aged and wise, stations 63. Upper Canada preachers came in a body. Our societies, circuits, preachers, all stay in the tides in that country, the preachers had to scatter along 5 or 600 miles to conference, to Philadelphia 3 or 4 months, and New York Conference. Sometimes no representation of circuits but presiding elders. Many evils are now provided for, and will be cured but woe to the bishops, 6000 miles in 8 months, taverns, bridges, toils, tolls, woods, wilderness. Oh what scenes await us, poor Bishop McKendree, in ill health, but he has gone on to sweet Missouri Banks, from whence he was called to the Episcopal chair.

            I have lately read Milner, he is too unctuous but a modest writer, but a gentle Calvinist of considerable information, but he did not live to finish his work: the (4th) volume was written by his relation, a D.D. Thank you for your account of places but we shall hardly clear Kentucky by the 15 of November. Possibly I may aim at Georgia. Oh let us not lose sight of original depravity, the witness of the spirit, diligence in duties and all good works. I am in brief-so let us teach and live. Thine,

                                                                        F. Asbury

                                                                        Duke University Library

            It is not clear why Asbury is writing to Henry Smith as if he were a presiding elder. He takes up the case of Brother dark, but who this was is not clear. One wonders about the reference to Cassell. Here are other references to the recent Genesee Conference.

                                                                        LITTLETON, PA.

[To Henry Smith][ A preacher stationed at Fredericksburg, Virginia. (See Minutes, 1810.)]

My dear Brother:

            God be gracious to thee in all thy labors, and sorrows. We serve the Lord Christ; let us be faithful, time is short. Thomas Budd [Budd, a preacher stationed in Philadelphia, who died of a pulmonary affection. (See Minutes, 1810.)] is gone. Oh! how anxious apparently, was he and dear Cassell about the church, as if afraid to trust their father. Especially at the General Conference could I be so correct in matters of evil tidings; I have felt, I have feared, I have heard of the state of that society; I am glad matters are no worse. I hope your labors will be blessed yet, in the town and country. If Brother dark will not be satisfied, why not try his gift in another place or places.

            This year, hitherto, has been marked with conferences, building house beyond any former years. Genesee Conference promises to be among the foremost in number, and prosperity; near 40 members, in its infancy, some aged; stationed 63; commands 600 miles length and 200 in width, seated at the distance of 400 miles from Philadelphia, and New York Conference seats. Increase this year 11,000, preachers 51. The 8 Conferences will cause the Episcopacy to ride 6,000 miles in 8 months through strenuous lonely wilds to lodge and live any where, at vast expenses. It is no small matter to support 2 men and horses one fourth of our time at Public expenses, swimming, wading deep waters, hanging over hazardous rocks, black swamps, mountains.

            Oh keep close to the doctrines of deep depravity, salvation by grace, good works, holiness. The August packet has fallen into my hands, 20 or 30 letters to answer and to pay. Brother McKendree is gone to Missouri, if he does not faint or die by the way. He is in ill health. Pray for him, for me, for all. Fit up your house where it is before winter if you can. I cannot retreat to write letters, we must move along daily. I am very heartily thine,

                                                                        F. Asbury

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

            Some account is given here of Asbury's travels with especial reference to the new Genesee Conference and his visit to Canada. Bishop McKendree has not been well but has gone on to Missouri. Asbury was visiting Martin Boehm.

                                                                        LITTLETON, PENNSYLVANIA

                                                                        August 11, 1810

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

My dear Frye:

            God be gracious to thee my son, and give grace, wisdom, faith, patience, diligence to rule in righteousness in our Israel and that among a wise and a jealous people, that will have intimations that we lord it over the Lord's heritage. We must suffer persecution if it is among imperious or false brethren. It is my method only to speak when spoken to, when upon paper unless something special comes in my way. But modesty keeps you from writing I presume being new in the Station. The present year hitherto had been remarkable for conferences, congregations, crowds; building houses beyond any former year: woods meeting, camp meetings, quarterly meetings, multitudes! multitudes! As this has been a fruitful year, temporally I hope in the end, it will be spiritually and our Genesee Conference exceed by far our greatest expectations near 40 members! This new infant conference could boast-first institution stationed 63 preachers.

            Canadians generally attended conference, commands 600 miles at least in length, 200 in width, 400 miles from former seats of conferences held in New York and Pennsylvania. It promised to cure evils that could not have had a cure in preachers admitted into connection, such as a preachers being 4 months absent, spending 20 dollars in going to conferences and losing the time.

            You will write to Camden, Columbia or Charleston, South Carolina in November. Oh, Brother preserve harmony among both orders of our ministry. Call all you can into operation! I lament the ill health of BishoJ McKendree, may I never be called back to hold the chairs of annua conferences. I retired for life. The Bishop's stomach and bowels fail but he has gone on to Missouri, if he does not droop or die by the way.

            Minutes not in circulation, increase of members 11,000, of preachers 51 netted by taking out location. Episcopacy to ride 6000 miles in 8 months Not rest but labor at conferences, the August packet of 20 or 30 letter fallen into our hands. Our labor, our expenses, our devious roads, brin. upon publick expenses one fourth of our time; 2 men, 2 horses, 4000 mile we calculate already this year and 2000 more if we live and move as yoi design. Oh the power of God and prayers of the people. I am thine, a ever in Jesus

                                                                        Francis Asbury

            Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference (Lovely Lane Museum

            The camp meetings are very much on Asbury's mind. He is setting down directions for the buildings. He wanted more permanency in the places the'; were held.                            

                                                                        PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA 1                                                                                     August 25, 1810

[To Jacob Gruber][ Presiding elder on the Monongahela District, Pennsylvania.]

My dear Jacob:

            God be gracious to thee in all thy sorrows and joys, labors and cares Nothing but the spirit of martyrdom and apostolic labors and suffering can succeed in the day of prospects and difficulties and opposition. If out encampments could be paid in every circuit and the bottom part of, meeting house (built) about 100 feet long and equal width, fences up about 5 feet height, a good floor, strong back benches, partition in the middle passages on the sides, strong gates that would be the holy place, as mud as one seat space left before the pulpit for mourners. In the front seat Ie all the officials sit. If the ground was floored it would be dry very soil for public worship. I have happily laid my hands upon Baxter's "Re formed Pastor," printed at Washington, excellent, I had one but lent it till I had lost it. I recommend it to you and wish you to recommend to at the traveling and local preachers. I rejoice that the Presbyterians have piety enough to abridge such a book.

Mr. Wesley had a mind to abridge it, oh that he had done it. I believe they have taken the essence.

I am yours,

                                                                        Francis Asbury

            Charleston, Columbia, or Camden in South Carolina, write me in November how you come out in general when you get your Camp meeting wheatfields in. Myself or Bro. Boehm will write to thee.

                                                                        F.Ay.

P.S. Portrait Smith Lectures.

Baxter is excellent, super-excellent and excells the whole. Oh that it could be printed in our press.

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

            The date of the Short Creek Camp Meeting is the reason for this letter. The camp meetings were becoming so numerous that it was necessary for Asbury to pick some and miss others.

                                                                        PITTSBURGH, PA.

                                                                        August 26, 1810

[To Jacob Gruber][ These notes were at the bottom of the letter. Reference to portrait not clear.]

Dear Son:

            I think now so far as we can look into futurity, I have no intention to be at Pike Run next year nor Pittsburgh. About 7 weeks after the 26 of July, 1811, I might possibly get up to Short Creek after taking New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore in the way to the west. In which case you might appoint Short Creek camp meeting. It might come near the second or third week in September.

                                                                        F. Asbury

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

            For the third time in recent days Asbury is writing to Jacob Gruber. He is attempting to satisfy the West Wheeling Circuit. He gives his views on the duties of the presiding elders.

                                                                        BARNESVILLE, OHIO

                                                                        August 30, 1810

[To Jacob Gruber][ Letter not designated but probably to Jacob Gruber as Asbury is writing about Pittsburgh and affairs on Monongahela District, where Gruber was presiding elder.]

My dear Son:

            God be gracious unto thee and grant that thy bow may always abide in strength and the arms of thy hand made strong by the mighty God O: Jacob. As it is the wish of the West Wheeling people, that the circuit shouk be under your care; and I am told you are willing, to take the charge,; submit. I shall make no change in the minutes. I think the loss of time and expenditure of money is so much that it would be well if half the preachers could stay on the district, if they would not stay all the time a home, instead of the circuit. This western country is rich, ought to support their preachers; if not in money, in property of any and all kinds, except whisky, skins, wheat, rye, oats, corn or any victuals for the family, which the stewards ought to have an account of, and charge as quarterage; that the quarter meetings ought to know what is done for the preachers upon the circuits,

            Tell the preachers plainly you must get your reward where you do youll work. I hope as you reform in other things in the district you will in this money business. Our Funds are small enough to support our widows orphans, superannuates and worn out preachers. I feel the burden, '. can scarcely help seventy married preachers losing one 4th or one 3rd o their time and paid for the whole, presiding elders losing half their time or not spending more than 23 weeks in a year in the districts. It is such men that bring this weighty office into dishonor. Oh Timothy keep that which is committed to thy charge.

                                                                        I am still thy Father,

                                                                        F. Asbury

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

            It can be seen from this letter that the presiding eldership was still under attack. The General Conference of 1812 was the first delegated Genera Conference. Asbury considered an attack upon the presiding eldership to bi an attack upon the episcopacy. Here he asserts the fact that he had bee\ appointed a general superintendent before the first General Conference o 1784. He is referring to Wesley's appointment of him.

                                                                        September, 1810

To Christopher Frye[Excerpt from a letter to Christopher Frye, presiding elder on the Greenbrier Distrio now West Virginia.]

            Perhaps there may be a struggle in the next General Conference, whether the government shall be Presbyterian and local, or Episcopal in its small remains. If the poison of electioneering obtains, woe to presiding elders They are the Bishops' men; keep them back. But it will remain to know what powers are recorded, what the General Conference ceded to the delegated Conference-and if in dismembering the Episcopacy they will not dissolve themselves and violate the constitution. Bishop McKendree may say, "They made me; let them unmake me." I cannot say so altogether; if I was made at all by the hand of the Lord and good men, I was made before they were; before some forward children were born or bom again. I cannot cast them off. I cannot do without them, if they can do without me. I must continue in the ship, storm or calm, near the helm, or before the mast. As long as I can, I will be with them.

                                                                        Francis Asbury

            William W. Bennett, Memorials of Methodism in Virginia, 583

           This letter has no date or place. It seems to be in connection with some trouble Nathan Bangs had in New York City.

[To Nathan Bangs][ See letter to Bangs, page 459.]

My dear Son:

            God be gracious to you and remember you, like David, in all his troubles. I am sorry, seriously sorry, I have not written to you, if I have not written. I am almost sure I had your name upon the docket; but I run, I flee, I forget. I feel for you, my dear, in a tumultuous city, a numerous society, and strange mixtures of people. And we have our work; I suppose I have at least near a thousand letters and papers put into my hands a year, all calling for some responsibility. From the first day I saw and read you I loved you with peculiar affection. I love Brother C. :[ Probably Joseph Crawford, presiding elder on the New York District. Formerly he was a traveling companion of Asbury.] I love you all;

you have been my good, obedient, suffering children.[ Probably more to this letter, but not preserved by Stevens.]

                                                                         F. Asbury

                        Abel Stevens, Life and Times of Nathan Bangs, D.D., 187