Chapter 14

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

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

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

February 9, 1814

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

My dearly beloved in the Lord:

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

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

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

I am, yours,

Francis Asbury

The Methodist Magazine, XXXVII (1814), 639

Preface to Wesley's Primitive Physic

Republished by Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury

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

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

To the members of the Methodist Episcopal Church

Friends and Brethren:

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

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

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

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

We remain, dear brethren, as ever,

Your faithful pastors,

Thomas Coke

Francis Asbury

Library, Methodist Publishing House, Nashville, Tennessee

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

NORFOLK, VIRGINIA

February 16, 1814

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

Dearly beloved David:

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

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

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

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

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

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

F. Asbury

Methodist Historical Collection, Ohio Wesleyan University Library

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

HANOVER, VA.

March 7, 1814

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

My dear Stith:

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

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

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

F. Asbury

Drew University Library

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

CHAMBERSBURG, PA.

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

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

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

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

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

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

F. Asbury

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

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

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

PITTSBURGH, PA.

July 23, 1S14

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

My Son:

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

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

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

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

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

F. Asbury

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

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

WORTHINGTON, OHIO

August 26, 1814

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

My dear Nelson:

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

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

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

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

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

Still, in the Saviour

F. Asbury

Drew University Library

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

MYRICK'S, VIRGINIA,

February 8, 1815

[To the Society at Norfolk, Virginia]

Dearly beloved in the Lord:

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

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

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

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

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

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

F. Asbury

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

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

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

A Letter of Jesse Lee to Bishop William McKendree

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

PETERSBURG, VIRGINIA

March 15, 1815

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

Dear Brother:

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

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

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

Emory University Library

A Letter of Jesse Lee to Francis Asbury

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

NANSEMOND, VIRGINIA

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

To Francis Asbury

Dear Sir:

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

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

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

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

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

I am as ever yours,

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

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

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

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

]

Emory University Library

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

WILMINGTON, DELAWARE

April 18, 1815

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

Dearly beloved in the Lord:

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

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

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

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

            And we wish you great success in the Lord and we shall consider ourselves as highly honored to receive an official letter from you every conference. And take a pleasure in making a communication to our annual conferences. And if we cannot visit the United Kingdoms we are not without some feeble hope of visiting the United Provinces.[ Canada.]

            And now dear brethren we commend you to God and the word of his grace, and are yours, in the bonds of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,

                                                                        Francis Asbury[This official letter of greeting to the British Conference was in the hand of a scribe. The signature is added by Asbury himself, very slowly and tremulously. (Frank Baker.)]

                                                                        Methodist Book Room, London: Letters of Methodist                                                               Preachers, V, 2. Transcribed by Frank Baker

            M'Caine had been retired since 1806, having gone into teaching. Colhouer in Sketches of the Founders of the Methodist Protestant Church gives the background of Asbury's request for "The Focus."

                                                                        PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA

                                                                        April 30, 1815

[To Alexander M'Caine][ M'Caine retired to become principal of a boys' school. He later with Nicholas Snethen helped to organize the Methodist Protestant Church.]

Dear M'Caine:

            This following I write is highly momentous, "The Focus"[ Says M'Caine: "In order that all may understand the import of the following request, it may be proper to inform them that for several years before Mr. Asbury's] upon the great book. Have you begun Keep your book always by you. Begin book after book; general history and contents: mind, mind, mind. I stir up your pure mind; make the best of every moment. A small introduction, of a few pages, will tell what stations the author hath filled. It hath been upon my mind for years; but who I should fix upon, it is Alexander M'Caine. I must as your Bishop, father and brother, bind it upon you. As formerly and as ever, thine,

                                                                        Francis Asbury

                                                                        T. H. Colhouer, Sketches of the Founders of the                                                                                   Methodist Protestant Church, 95

            M'Caine had located in 1806 to support his family. It seems he was not satisfied with his work at the boys' school and wanted to travel again. Asbury had designated M'Caine as the person best qualified to write a history of early American Methodism and a commentary on the Scriptures, one to be called "The Focus." He had modestly protested that he could not find the inspiration to get the commentary started. This letter was sent to M'Caine shortly after Mrs. M'Caine's death and about nine months before Asbury died.

                                                                        PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA[July 1, 1815, Asbury met Francis Hollingsworth at Little York, Pennsylvania. He was in Philadelphia on June 25, Differences between dates of Letters and the Journal are hard to explain. (See letter to M'Caine, April 30, 1815.)]

                                                                        July 1, 1815

[To Alexander M'Caine][ M'Caine became the writer for the reformers' position in reference to the laity and the episcopacy. He wrote the History and Mystery of Methodist Episcopacy, the Defence of Truth and Letters on the Methodist Episcopal Church. Drinkhouse says:

"Unhappily, like James O'Kelly, he was irate, somewhat overbearing, bold to bluntness and handled personal characters ungloved." He was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1768 and was educated for the Roman Catholic priesthood. He came to America to Charleston, South Carolina, in 1788, when he was twenty. He volunteered for the ministry under William Hammett and was received into the conference in 1797. He retired in 1806, but re-entered the ministry in 1815 and traveled until 1821. After that he worked with the reformers and the Methodist Protestant Church. (Drinkhouse, History of Methodist Reform and Methodist Protestant Church, I, 176, 271.)]

My dear Son:

            You cannot ride a district or circuit; you are past the meridian. Still we have work enough. Should you return to your mother's house, the chambers of her that bore you, perhaps you might be employed orderly and quarterly in Augusta, Savannah, Columbia, Charleston, Camden, Fayette, Georgetown, Wilmington, Newbern, Norfolk. You could not be too much confined. You are very positive about the key; but where materials can be had of the very best kind, you can do it, if you give up your time and mind, and only be called off to preach. Those leisure hours might be well spent for future generations. I have been reading these fifty years, and have never seen what meeteth my mind, I mean an universal focus taken from all authors worthy of notice.

                                                                        Thine the same,

                                                                        Francis Asbury

            T. H. Colhouer, Sketches of the Founders of the Methodist Protestant Church, 95

            The Chartered Fund was the basis of the pension plan of the church. Asbury was not satisfied with what the Baltimore Conference was doing.

                                                                        MARTIN BOEHM'S, PENNSYLVANIA[Martin Boehm was a Mennonite preacher, father of Henry. Martin, with Philip William Otterbein and Christian Newcomer, started the United Brethren Church.]

                                                                        July 5, 1815[According to the Journal, Asbury was at Boehm's on July 27 and 28. He went from there to Hollingsworth's and was there working on his Journal on July 5. (See Journal.)]

[To Nelson Reed][ Presiding elder, Baltimore Conference, Baltimore District.]

My dear Brother:

            As Senior Presbyter we send the inclosed papers to use, or not as you please. But I think it is time, after 40 years, to decide whether the people in the charge of Baltimore Conference can support their preachers, whether they will have to be on the sickly fund 3 or 400 dollars annually. If you hand these mite subscriptions, they will be located to Baltimore Conference, and then if you as conference are supplied the draft of funds will go forward to other conferences. As to our Book Concern and Charter [Sometimes called Chartered Fund.] Fund may like ---- if the Presbyterian party gained ground. But if God Almighty and his Eternal raise me up again I shall shew how they have already taken my right, that of judging what was proper to come before annual and General Conference. Ah I move, and I move, there it began, I am unalterably thine

                                                                        F. Asbury

                                                                        Drew University Library

            Asbury was becoming more feeble, though his Journal says he was better because of the hot weather. However, this letter, as some of the others,shows that he was not as alert. The letter deals with the criticisms which had come from the preachers and people in reference to the appointments on the Carlisle Circuit.

                                                                        SHIPPENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA [This letter has neither place from which written nor date. However, several of the names listed here were on the Carlisle District in 1815. (See Minutes.)]

                                                                        July 10, 1815

[To Jacob Gruber][ Presiding elder on Carlisle District.   ]

Dear Son:

            You will find a large letter at Littleton from your best Friend. We have missed our mark, or the conference, in receiving unqualified men. As for the people, they rise up, and the preachers also, as if there was only one station, of consequence, that's our own. The preachers often, as there was only my beloved self the Superintendents might with great ease provide for me much better than they do. Oh we have heard their murmurs, felt their discontents, founded chiefly in self and discontent, and ignorance but I murmur Hanna [Robert Hanna.   ] must be changed: with whom we are not clear. Leech,[ Caleb Leech. ] as Sam Montgomery pleases so well, Brother Hanna by no means to have a charge, any where. I had R. Burch; [Robert Burch was presiding elder on the Carlisle District in 1814. ] had Will Hunter and had the society done right William Hunter would have managed well in Carlisle, as it is, they are upon low water mark. And among a people so wealthy to talk about quarterage not be paid, in the circuit, if the town is taken off.

            If you think it will not do to strip Carlisle off Jingling [Asbury sometimes plays on words.    ] Leech can do better, and Leech would jingle in Bedford. When I see, hear, and feel the state of the church, my soul is roused relief to offer but cannot relieve, Brother Reily[James Reily. ] is all in all, he can please if Awkvick [Auckwick, Pennsylvania.] would spare him. Bro. Hunter James, will oversight a little, and Thomas Askins and local men might spring up, a little. The quarter meetings coming together, the change would possibly be done with greater ease immediately, the sooner the better. In the excessive heat we move slow. I feel now no steam boats, no dodging through the woods. Upon smooth roads and good horses, I would ride 10 thousand miles a year. I cannot tell who to trust but the Great Shepherd. We are dying, dying, dying, we see it, feel it not. I would attend 5 Conferences, out of ten alone that we might visit districts and circuits and stations to converse with our local official members to know the signs of the times. I feel in the neighborhood 70, what do young men feel                              

                                                                         F. Asbury 

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

            A second letter to Jacob Gruber within a few days shows clearly the Asbury was not up to his old self in composing his thoughts. Here he is concerned with ordination. The letter is difficult to read, and phrases are not always connected. However, the letter is remarkable for its interpretation and defense of the American system.

                                                                        LITTLETON, PENNSYLVANIA [According to the                                                              Journal, Asbury was at Somerset on July 19, 1815.]

                                                                        July 19, 1815'

[To Jacob Gruber][ Presiding elder, Carlisle District, Pennsylvania.    ]

My dear Son:

            Great grace attend us in this evil prosperous world, as in the day c adversity. Now if ever wrestle, preach, pray, cry aloud, stamp with ye foot, smite with both hands, wake saints, sinners, seekers, preachers also. Tb Lord help us, we are going down stream. I fear a ---[ Not readable. ] The --- our own not excepted. The delegates in New York 16. Daniel left Thomas Elected.[ Daniel Hitt and Thomas Ware were the editors and Book Agents.] New England hath seen enough of Presbyterianism, an independence not to covet more of it amongst our Methodism. I hope w shall have but one Presbyterian Conference in which the Presiding Elder" how aged, pious, useful, or wise they be, they shall be reprobated, K taking an office P.E. presiding elder.

            After 20 years the cloven foot of heresy is coming. J. O'Kelly denie the God that bought him, pleaded for a universal appeal from the Superintendency in point of stations. His wisdom did not say, to whom, t where they should appeal! But that I presume it to be the presiding elder upon the district, as long as he pleased, the stationed, and circuit preacher back to his own place. Then instead of custom, orders had to take place 40 years, presiding elder too, stationed elder. The Doctrine now b Swillers Thought all Bishops, all elders. Oh friends and Delegates ( the General Conference will be all Bishops. Presbyterians say where are your 3 orders I answer in the oracles of God. Deacons, Acts vi, ( Elders, Acts xiv, 23, Apostles ordination. Acts xiii, 2, 3. Where the Deacons Apostolic Elders No. 1 men, the Elders, apostles not No. 1. J

            But this thundering tale, John Wesley was not ordained, with a third Apostolic ordination, say wise men his election by the preachers was amply complete; this Mr. Wesley had trouble from the American preachers, from first to the last till he sent ordained men to the continent. In thirty years he has proved himself an apostolic man. John Wesley executed ordination by hundreds, had exercised all the powers of an apostolic man of God! For 30 years. Query, had the elders a right to administer ordination in the Apostolic Days They had not, nor supreme rule in the church. They had a ruling power subject to Apostolic control, by person or letter. See it in Ephesus by Timothy, an apostolic man! Paul's Epistles to Titus, and Timothy, that Timothy had the same power in Ephesus as Titus in Crete; Paul, I have left there in Crete, to ordain elders in every city as I appointed thee. Bischoff is a German word, a chief minister of the church, it is neither Latin, Greek, nor Hebrew, but German, Saxon, Tuetonik, the most ancient German language.

            John Wesley was ordained I presume by 2 English Bishops, first deacon, second elder, then according to Presbyterian talk a bishop. Some say some pillars in our order will give way the Church, will be formed and ----[ Three lines badly defaced.] Not ---- men, sensible ---- among the Presbyterians. ---- own Government no right of imminence, to be up with equality and a few men dare travel, that wish to do it but afraid. Ah a thousand vacant congregations, one man has charge of 3 congregations Lutherans and Reformed 6, 8, or 12 high and low Dutch. Dr. Coke died near the land of Asia, was found dead upon the cabin floor! Buried at sea! Possibly with intense application to the Portuguese language, as thousands in Asia speak that language. I cannot speak his excellency, the last and greatest of the Oxford Methodists and ---- taken in every ----.

            You have in the mite subscription, miniature. If the ---- and people will approve you can get a book like a long folding Psalm Book. present to yourself and all the official department, every member, every friend. There is no compulsion; do it or not but do it right if at all. When Baltimore Conference will be independent of the friends we cannot say. Twelve pounds sterling British Quarterage England conferences settles as in the subscription paper. Bishop McKendree being unwell, left me to serve alone in New England. To preserve life, as I thought we have left him to serve alone in Genesee.

            My health is by this means better. I go on in heat but prudent haste to Ohio Conference. In the printing press, Dr. Coke's legacy and mine, scripture notes on the discipline ---- evils and ---- of ---- it will --- but we must attend the Conferences one after another, but as long as I can do anything and am welcome to call, I shall do my best to see as many conferences annually as possible. I could seriously wish one letter annually from all Presiding Elders, copied by the senior Presiding Elder in quarterly reports of the work from all the Presiding Elders, compiled by Nelson Reed if you all send in November 30, 1815. Still as ever yours

                                                                        F. Asbury

            P.S. Our legacy is for our own ministry and all these our people breaking union in spirit is schism, false doctrines of God, heresy whether to Son or Spirit.

                                                                        Drew University Library

            David Young was in that part of the country where the camp meetings were going strong. Asbury had just come into his district and was writing to him defending the Methodists in their ordination of preachers. This was very much on Asbury's mind at this time. It seems that there was more to the letter; but if so, it has been lost.

                                                                        MUSKINOUM, OHIO

                                                                        August 12, 1815

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

My dear David:

            Oh what rich supplies of grace we need for penitence, in such degenerate and desperate sinners, oh justifying grace, yet more sanctifying grace always and always pure. But to the ministers of the Gospel of penitence, pardon, and purity, to such characters and cases, we have to do with. Oh the things impossible with men. Surely our sufficiency is, has been and shall be from God. I am now about writing my valedictory to you among 52 of the order of presiding elders. Oh when I scan the spot of earth, from the north and northeast, and south and southwest, and due west, I say 3000 miles length 1000 to 1500 width. And this to be laid out and oversighted by 10 or 12 conferences and superintendents, dividing the work.

            Oh when I consider the sections of the work in districts from 52 to 62 presiding elders quarterly superintendency, oh what men of steel they ought to be in their bodies. Oh what men of God, they ought to be, each in charge of from 12 to 15 traveling, 150 locally official men, holding perhaps 220,000 members in the church of God. I presume to congregate 2 million annually, taking our charge by weeks, months, years, in families, classes, societies, quarter and camp meetings and conferences. We have a slender body of 700 traveling preachers, some old drones, some pert ignorant boys like partridges with the shell. It helps not to say we ourselves were boys, but not such as some of these that will possibly never be men of God, blessed by God, for a more invisible able body, 3000 local men.

            As to our Apostolic order, you are as well satisfied as the pure oracles can make you. First that the great apostle of our profession ordained the 12 and 70 which were not only disciples but apostles, that cried out (Lord increase our faith) see Mark iii, 14; Luke x, 1; John xv, 16. That these chief men that the Germans call bischoffs, our translators often put in a German, or French, word and this is the dreadful name, that has been butchered by so many who have borne it in the Latin, Greek and English Church. You are perfectly convinced of three orders in the Apostolic Church deacons, elders, apostles from Acts vi, 6. Men expressly nominated deacons (by Paul), full of the Holy Ghost and great preachers at the time of their ordination. You are well satisfied from Acts xiv, 23 as also Titus I, 5 expressly named ordained elders; and as is presumed, that Paul and Barnabas, not having received apostolic orders from the great head of the Church; that at the grand Antiochian Conference for the opening the Gospel to the heathen world Paul and Barnabas were ordained. See Acts xiii, 3 with a clear statement of that conference, chief men present the election of the holy. Let no man come to quibble and say were these deacons elders by gradation. Were these elders ordained afterward, chief men apostolic The sacred history is silent. What Church has been so minute as to publish all their acts and orders. If I give names, acts and orders deacons, elders, apostles, chief men, take my testimony or deny the gospel ordination altogether.

            It is acknowledged this country is the capital of Presbyterianism, being supplied from different nations, and orders from the Baptist independents as are the Eastern churches. As to the Episcopacy of the Latin church, we totally disavow it. As to the Episcopacy of the English church, their local Episcopacy, deacon and elders, we equally disavow it. Its introduction would locate and disorganize. What a surprizing case it is, our Presbyterian brethren in connection are desperate against Calvinism,[ There are many evidences of early Presbyterians being more Arminian in their theology than Calvinist. ] and yet contend for their government. Oh locality,[ Reference to preachers who located.] love of ease, let us fleece the people; let them pay us a great price for one seventh of our labor, let us choose our stations and the people choose their ministry, let us take something for little or no services. They might see in Philadelphia, in New York Conference that God is and will depart from them.

            In fine how will the traveling plan be supported without apostolic order exercised by Paul, a prisoner by Epistles, authoritative sent from Rome into Greece by truly apostolic men, Timothy and Titus, one to Crete, the other Ephesus. These holy men could show their letters of orders to the churches from a man they well knew. And what must we do to gratify our brethren Confess we have been out of gospel and order candidly; confess we have appointed 3 orders and there is but one Not yet. Perhaps we have ordained 4000 deacons, 4000 elders and 4 bishops all wrong John Wesley was ordained but twice, first deacon then elder, 40 years exercizing apostolic powers but some say he was ordained by --- a Greek bishop. Some of his preachers were ordained I know but I have never fully believed the testimony. John Wesley was called upon to ordain for America by all the people and preachers.

            As one man called I told you my knowledge of Presbyterianism was small having forgotten their history. I doubt of the existence of that order of things to have been more than three or 400 years, and till that it was not contended for one order and the government of the church by elders altogether. This order of things must have grown out of the dissensions from the Latin, and English Church, the bishops not dissenting with the elders.

            I believe that the Presbyterians, Independents, and Baptists stagger too in faith to this day, or why ruling ordained elders in the Presbyterian Church that take so great a part in the Discipline of the church, and the Lord's Supper Why deacons so honorable in the Independent and Baptist Churches How can we support a traveling ministry without apostolic order it is next to impossible You will ask how do our people do in England by committee bad enough, Dr. Coke was Bishop of the missions, he chose men and found money. So must we, one doctrine one discipline One quarterage

            I presume the English committee sit; making cobweb hangings, building ropes of sand. I am told they begin to read, off Staffordshire, if stationed. You please to stopt sir, he cannot go, it will not do, and so on they go. Oh said one, that we had been under the order of Methodists in the United States, thats the plan. Brother Asbury can do better and preachers formed, graduated in time, the superintendents are here and everywhere, and there. It is not so, but some brethren, hence I believe some of the dear aged men died broken hearted, overrun with boys and want of good order. Oh, say their power, usefulness and order of presiding elders, numerous and well regulated quarterly meetings, but they have so few official members can attend. Their families [Preachers' families. ]wont starve[The letter is badly defaced at the bottom of the page, and the remainder is not clear.]

                                                                        Francis Asbury

                                                                        Methodist Historical Collection, Ohio Wesleyan                                                                                    University Library 1

            The main interest of this letter is the reference to the inflammatory letter sent by a member of the Baltimore Conference. The following letter, which is almost certainly a letter to Joseph Frye, throws considerable Sight on this.

            Appended to this letter is a letter evidently from John Wesley Bond on the same matter.

                                                                        NEAR ORANGEBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA                                                                                  December 9, 1815

[To Joseph Frye][ Presiding elder, Potomac District, Baltimore Conference. The letter is not addressed, but it is very probably to Joseph Frye.]

            Oh Timothy! Oh Joseph! Keep that which is committed to thy charge; fear as all the dreadful calamities of life and death and hell; a departure from God, as a Christian, a preacher and presiding elder. Take care of thy health, thy soul, thy district. Of myself I die daily. Do the prayers of the preachers and people of God prevail for me The Lord is coming forth generally; the fishermen are about minding their nets, the hunters beating the mountains. I was sorry to hear that a brother, a member of your conference, should send out an inflammatory letter, if pursued will destroy Methodism, root and branch; who shall appoint the presiding elder The answer; the Annual Conference. This motion, and question last General Conference, could only be the opening wedge to split the whole system to pieces. Poor man he was not appointed presiding elder. Thine as ever in the Son of God Christ, Jesus our Lord.

                                                                        F. Asbury

            P.S. I thank you for your letter. Alexander M'Caine[For some reason M'Caine is at the bottom of the letter. It could be that the brother referred to above was Alexander M'Caine. He was disaffected at the time and later left the church.]

Dear Brother,

            As Bishop Asbury is kind, etc.[ John Wesley Bond was Asbury's traveling companion, and he evidently wrote this letter. It refers to the "letter Father Asbury alludes to" and ties in with the letter to Joseph Frye. There is more to the letter, but it is badly defaced and cannot be put together. Dear Brother:

As Bishop Asbury is kind ---- a part of his paper I gladly embrace the opportunity of sending you this assurance not only of high esteem but of much affection. Dear Brother I rejoice much that you remain with the Fathers of Methodism in doctrine, discipline, and love, this I have never had any doubt of-but all are not so. The letter Father Asbury alludes to I found in the West, it manifests indeed that former proceedings were designed only as "an opening wedge." It calls for an electioneering spirit among our preachers and people to alter the present order of Church government. This is to be done by sending no member to General Conference who will not vote for their new measures, it provides among other things that there should be but one grade in the ministry-all Elders. That we should have no more bishops but superintendents elected every four years-The presiding elders also elected-a committee also elected to station the preachers, with much more such stuff. I felt the more mortified that those letters (for there were three or four of them at least but all I believe from the same man) should come from a member of the Baltimore Conference ---- I have no doubt that God will overturn the mat ---- of uneasy men, but it is a serious thing that the ---- should be exciting the people to holiness, should draw ---- to vain jangling which do only engender strife ---- holding the Church together should --- more than 20,000 --- land. Others may no doubt, will think for themselves but for my part I have no doubt a meeting has been held in Hell how to stop the progress of Methodism. Its influence is extending-Camp meetings are bearing down all before them-something must be done-divide them-draw them from the simp---

                                                                        John Wesley Bond]

                                                                        Drew University Library

            The care of the preachers was a lifelong burden upon Asbury. He shows his concern for them continuously. He has almost reached the end of his road; yet the distressed ministers, wives, and children must have relief. Thus he attempts to raise a subscription. A dollar was a real gift then. This is a most interesting document, and it is fortunate it has been preserved. However, the totals of the figures do not seem to balance.

                                                                        January 1, 1816

            A SUBSCRIPTION[One of Asbury's last administrative acts was for the benefit of those preachers and their families who were in financial distress. He sent around a circular outlining his plan and on at least one copy added a supplement in his own hand. For a facsimile of the first donations to the "Mite subscriptions opened, and continued for the year 1816," see E. S. Tipple's Francis Asbury, facing p. 294. (Frank Baker.)] PRESENTED TO THE MINISTRY, TRAVELING AND LOCAL: THE MEMBERS AND BENEFACTORS OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH: FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING, BY SMALL DONATIONS, A SUM SUFFICIENT TO AID AND RELIEVE THE DISTRESSED MINISTERS, AND WIVES AND CHILDREN OF THE MINISTERS, AND TO INTRODUCE AN EQUALITY OF QUARTERAGE AMONG OUR BRETHREN, AS FAR AS MAY BE PRACTICABLE.

            It is the boast of the British Connexion that they have continued their quarterage at the same rate as fixed by their venerable founder, Mr. Wesley! When the American General Conference raised the quarterage of the preachers, they calculated on an increase of their funds by the Book Concern, and the establishment of a Charter Fund: After all these sources are drained by different appropriations they come greatly short of supplying them agreeably to the Form of Discipline. Some of the Annual Conferences settling at thirty-one dollars the unmarried, and sixty-two dollars for the married preachers; and the children are generally excluded from receiving anything in the settlement.

            No person is permitted to give more than one dollar.

                                                                        Francis Asbury

            There follows a passage signed by Asbury as below. It does not seem to be in his handwriting.

SUPPLEMENT

            British Methodist preachers' quarterage is £12 sterling per year. American Methodist preachers' quarterage per year until 1800 was $64, when the General Conference with long debate and a small majority raised it to $80. And we seriously doubt whether it has ever been paid to more than one-sixth of our number of preachers, and that only in the most wealthy parts of our work. The mite subscription made general and universal first promises that when any of our young preachers are stricken with any uncommon affliction; when not knowing where to go for support, that their quarterage and traveling expenses may be paid them quarterly. It will also provide for those sudden, great, and injurious vacancies, between conference, by putting it in the power of the presiding elders to employ faithful local preachers who may travel for a quarter of a month as the case may be, that they may have their quarterage paid to them as traveling preachers-and lastly to enable us to send out German, French, and Spanish Missionaries.

                                                                        F.A.

Jany. 1st 1816"

Amount76 brought over from old paper

Reuben Harris 1.00

Rev. Samuel Bushnell .50

Rev. William Swayze .50

Rev. Elijah Wooley     1.00

Rev. Wm. Anson 1.00

Rev. L. Marvin .40

Rev. W. Sharp .25

Rev. Wm. Pop .25

Rev. Peter Bussing .25

Rev. Gilbert Lyon .25

Lewis Russ 358

Rev. Wm. Jewett 1.00

Rev. T. Ostrander .50

SUBSCRIPT

Rev. James Smith  .25

Stephen Nichwin 1.00

Rev. John Crawford 1.00

John Taylor 1.00

Reuben Taylor 1.00

Nancy Taylor 1.00

Matthias Swain 5.00

Rev. Gersham Pierce .25

Rev. Heman Bangs .50

Rev. Joseph Bangs .125

Pierre Van Cortlandt

Arnold Scholefield 1.00

Rev. Smith Arnold .50

Rev. Daniel Brayton .25

Rev. Tobias Spicer .50

Rev. Jacob Ward 1.00

William Snyder 1.00

Henry Snyder 1.00

Abel Inliss 1.00

William Boyle 1.00

John Ward .75

Wm. Spire 1.00

Rev. Robert Green 1.00

Rev. Lenas Adams 1.00

Abraham Bowie 1.00

Lewis Packard .25

Rev. George Pickering 1.00

Rev. Joseph D. Merrill 1.00

Rev. Joel Steele 1.00

Ephm Wiley .25

Jerusha R. Steele .50

Rev. Oliver Beale 1.00

Rev. Orlando Hands 1.00

Rev. John Lindsey .50

Rev. Wm. Winman .50

Rev. Wm. Marsh .50

Jno. Wittelby .75

Rev. Joshua Thondell .50

Rev. Solomon Sias 1.00

Rev. Jacob Sanborn 1.00

John Warren 1.00

Rev. John W. Shandy 1.00

Rev. Edward Hyde 1.00

Rev. Francis Asbury 1.00

Rev. John W. Bond78 .50 Amount brought in by

J. W. Bond 31.62

Rev. J. Baker 1.00

Rev. P. Munger .50

Rev. David Kilborn 1.00

Rev. Ben. Sabin 1.00

Rev. Ebms Blake .50

Rev. Warner Banister .50

Artemas Stebbins      .50

Totals $5.00

Amount brought over 5.00

Elias Marble.50

Rev. Barry Jones.50

Rev. Daniel Fillmore 1.00

Rev. Daniel Wentworth.40

Rev. John Atwell.50

Rev. Richard Emery.50

Joel Winch 1.00

Rev. Benj. Hazelton.25

Rev. Martin Rutter.50

Rev. Elisha Streeter.25

Rev. John Adams.50

Rev. Jeremiah Davis 1.00

Rev. Benja. Burnham.50

Rev. Thomas Tucker.50

Rev. James Jaques.25

Rev. Robert Hayes.50

Rev. Orin Loomis.50

Rev. Isaiah Emerson.50

Rev. Joshua Nye 50

D. H. Osburn..50

Rev. Eleaser Wells 1.00

Jason Walker.25

Rev. Ebenezer Newall.25

Rev. Leonard Frost.50

Rev. Josiah F. Chamberlain.50

Rev. Philip Munger.50

Totals $18.69

Amount brought on by J. W. Bond       31.625

Totals $50.22^

Received of the above of John W. Bond

All of these men are Stewards

Daniel Fillmore

John Lindsey 

Jacob Sanborn

Received also one hundred dollars private donations

Daniel Fillmore

John Lindsey 

Jacob Sanborn

Unity June 2nd, 1815

Rev. Daniel Fillmore           1.00

Rev. John Lindsey            .50

Rev. Jacob Sanbom            .50

            The N.E. Conference79 not being able to meet the salaries of the preachers raised them only to 31 dollars to the single and 62 to the married preachers and children in proportion-

Jacob Sanborn and Daniel Fillmore were stewards

Amt. brt. over          $250.26

Rev. Walter Griffith          1.00

Rev. Thos. Verstrom         1.00

Rev. Robert C. Matton        1.00

Rev. Daniel Fraley          1.00

Rev. David Sharp          1.00

Rev. Isaac Quinn           .50

Cynthia Quinn            .50

Rev. Francis Sandrews        1.00

Rev. Samuel Brown          1.00

Rev. Charles L. Weidell        1.00

Rev. Moses Cramer          .50

Rev. Wm. McMahon         1.00

Rev. Kresley Morris         1.00

Rev. Benj. R. Hoten         1.00

Rev. H. B. Bascom          1.00

Totals 263.76

Paid the Ohio Conference      100.00

Balance         163.76

            Received of these within subscriptions, in behalf of the Ohio Annual Conference one hundred dollars; given under our hands Sept. 15, 1815

Stewards:

Marcus Lindsey

John Dew  

Thomas D. Porter

Received of these within subscriptions 92 dollars to be appropriated to the children of the married traveling preachers who had received nothing from the quarterage or circuit. From under our hands Sept. 20th, 1815.

M. Lindsey

T. D. Porter $92.00              

John Dew

Amount brought down $163.76

Rev. John Dew 1.00

Rev. William Adams 1.00

Rev. O. W. Spencer E. G. Case 1.00

Amount brought over $263.06

Eliza Baker .50

Eliza Sheppard .50

Edward Sanderson 1.00

$26(4).06

Warren Moore .50

Clarissa Moore .50

William Babb 1.00

$267.06

            Received October 27 in behalf of the (Tenn.) Annual Conference Two Hundred and Sixty-Seven dollars, six and a quarter cents from the Mite Subscription.

Stewards:

James Dixon

James Gwm J

            The preachers deficiencies in the Tennessee Annual Conference for 1815 was $1313.731.

            The different collections for the benefit of the preachers afforded a dividend of $55 to the single and $116 to the married preachers from the Mite Subscription for the benefit of the children of married preachers $100 affording a dividend of ten dollars to each child. J. Dixon.

            Mite Subscription opened and continued for the year 1816.

Rev. Francis Asbury 1.00

Rev. John W. Bond 1.00

James Wynn  1.00

Rev. Jeremiah Sell .25

Rev. John Bloom .50

James Jenkins .25

John M. Cherry .25

James Mills .25

Isaac Moore .12

John Mitchel .25

Millie Holt .25

Claudius Allen .25

Pleasant Reed .06

Elliott Grills 1.00

Wesley Harrison 1.00

            Proceedings of Wesley Historical Society, II, 203, description of a printed leaflet owned by H. W. Ball, to which Asbury has added in writing the "Supplement." Transcribed. by Frank Baker. The original is in Drew University Library. One part of it is reproduced here.

Address to Conference of 1816

            This is Asbury's last address to a General Conference. It was written on January 8, 1816. Two addresses were read to the General Conference which met in Baltimore in May. One was the valedictory address (not this as some historians say) which was written to Bishop McKendree in 1813 and which is included in this volume of letters. The address of 1816 was also read to the conference as Thomas L. Douglass, the secretary, affirms at the end of this document.

            Copies of the address of 1816 were printed in the New York and Nashville Advocates. The address appeared in the New York Advocate of March 16, 1916, page 344. It also appeared in the Nashville Christian Advocate, March 10, 1916, page 305, though the copies differed. The original of the New York Advocate copy is not in the handwriting of Asbury. The original of the Nashville Christian Advocate copy is in the Wofford College library. This also is not in the handwriting of Asbury. Both of them are thought to be the handwriting of Thomas Mason who served as Asbury's amanuensis for the Joseph Benson letter of January 15, 1816, which follows.

            The copy used here has been taken from the New York Advocate. It has been compared with the Wofford College copy. The original of the copy in the New York Advocate is in the Drew University library.

            It is interesting to note how great a part the O'Kellyite schism played in the life of early American Methodism and how Asbury even twenty-four years after had it so much upon his mind. By that time the Christian Church (Republican Methodist) had become a very important movement in eastern Virginia and North Carolina.

            In this address Asbury has much to say about the Book Concern, and he makes suggestions about the constitution with some proposed changes.

            Also there are references to other matters to be brought before the conference. This letter and the Benson letter were written at the home of John Whetstone near St. Matthew's in Calhoun County, South Carolina, and dictated to John Mason, the presiding elder.

                        UP THE RIVER SANTEE, 70 MILES FROM CHARLESTON, SO. CA.

                                                                                                January 8, 1816

            Francis Asbury Senr. Superintendent in the 45th year of his charge in and over the Methodist Episcopal Church in America, in his address, counsels, and advices to the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church appointed to be held in Baltimore the first of May, 1816.

Most dearly beloved in the Lord:

            My loving confidential Sons in the Gospel of the grace of God, in Christ Jesus, great grace rest upon you. The God of glory cover your assembly and direct all your acts and deliberations for the Apostolic order and establishment of the Church of God in holy succession to the end of time. Only recollect as far as your observation or information will go, what God hath done by us in Europe and America in about 70 years in Europe, and less than 50 years in America, and what wonderful things he may do for us and our successors in future years if we stand fast in the Gospel doctrine and pure Apostolic ordination, discipline and government into which we have been called and now stand.

            We are prepared, and, if called upon, to prove and demonstrate even in your assembly, not from uncertain Church Histories and testimonies, but from the pure Oracles of the New Testament,-Three distinct ordinations, their distinct powers rising in gospel order by constituted degrees, one over another, and under the government, and distinct in names, that is to say Apostles, Elders, and Deacons. We will enter the sanctuary of divine truth, here we shall stand, this is our ground.

            If we were called upon to prove and demonstrate 1st, the doctrine of depravity, 2nd the doctrine of redemption and justification through the Son of God, and 3rd, the doctrine of Sanctification, we would rest it wholly upon the pure Oracles of God; and as Church-order, government and discipline must be of God we believe, though it is not of equal consequence to the great and essential doctrines, we believe according to its importance and weight, plain and pure.[ The parts of the address put here in italics were not in the original draft now owned by Wofford College. In the two copies there are many differences in capitalization of words and some changes of prepositions.] Apostolic example and testimonies from the word of God. We reject all human authorities, because they are human authorities. We receive all divine testimonies as testimonies from God and the Son of God.

            We think that among the very best, and greatest human authors who have written to admiration on the great truths of God, yet have written large volumes on different subjects and have made large extracts from other authors, have been led into seeming or real inconsistencies, which might be made use of by their enemies as contradicting some of the great truths of gospel doctrine and order, which they had nobly defended in some of their other writing, and that by oversight, and that we scruple not to say of our great John [John Wesley. ]  the divine.

            You yourselves having only read his own works think and believe you find some strong Calvinistic expressions in his own writing and doubtless you would find many more if they are not corrected in the fifty volumes of his Christian Library extracted from Puritan-Calvinistic writers. Our old Father in the last grand Fletcher controversy was most severely pressed by his Calvinistic opponents on these Calvinistic phrases left in his own works and in the Christian Library. Your Father [Francis Asbury.] when a youth became possessed of Mr. Wesley's writings, and for some years almost laid aside all other books but the Bible, and applied himself exceeding closely in reading every book that Mr. Wesley had written because he had such ways and means of obtaining the use of them without a purchase. And lastly it is an argument of leaden weight with us against human authorities, that reformers in all ages have been exceedingly shackled by human authorities, and granting their validity when they would contend with the ancient Idolatry and superstition of the ancient and corrupt churches, they should be told that this great saint, and that great saint, and the other great saint, in the first second, third and fourth centuries, and that they had written or spoken in favor of pardons and penances and prayers to the Saints, and masses, trans substantiation and all the abominations of the ancient and fallen churches still more horrid and abominable.

            With respect to the General Conference, not only the Senior Superintendent but many of the Eldership who are men of deep understanding and sound judgment and long experience, have lamented exceedingly that the General Conference have not found out a happier method as well as temper of mind in doing their business; that they did not put upon themselves a stronger gospel bridle and a more spiritual curb and an Apostolic helm to steer like the Jerusalem and the Antiochian Conferences. They elected their Apostles or Bishops,-Barnabas and Saul, and ordained them by most solemn fasting and prayer and laying on of hands, possibly the hands of those which had been ordained by the Son of God himself, chief men, men of highest order of God in the Church.

            As it respects the substance of the business which is to be done, it is common and plain and must come in order in every sitting, like the business which must be done every sitting in the Annual Conferences and brought forward by the President and that although it is very different from the Annual Conference, yet to be brought forward to regular and steady order by the president.

            The Bishops and the most judicious Elders that have been members once, twice, thrice of Genl. Conference are of opinion that we ought to have a wise and most judicious and standing Genl. Committee of safety, of good council, men that know or ought to know what the Israel of God ought to do and deliver it in all cases of motions brought into Conference of a critical and doubtful nature, with the members of Genl. Conference in Conference, and that they should be committed to the Genl. Committee for their most serious deliberation and consideration in order to know if possible their bearing and operation, through all the Conferences; and whether they are constitutional according to the established order of things in our Oeconomy and whether these motions tend to order or disorder, to union or disunion, through the whole body. Let every individual in the Church of God be assured and every body of ministers know that holy and good men in every age of the Church, that hundreds with us both godly and united and loving people believe it to be an evil and bitter thing, a sin of sins, a mass ["Mother" instead of "mass" in Woffbrd College copy.] of evils hardly to be described or enumerated, to divide the true spiritual body and members of Christ; and so destroy a number of souls for which Christ hath died, and to make those who are united in bonds of sacred union, to turn them into enemies to each other and to put weapons of destruction into each other's hands, and to be like one that ["Who" instead of "that" in Woffbrd College copy.     ] had been a great sinner-a great Saint-Witness of the grace of God, led away by James O'K.[ James O'Kelly. ] to groan upon a dying bed with a backslidden heart! Oh! that unhappy division, witness Captain Butt, who died not far from Norfolk in Virginia. We believe that a correct testimony could be taken of this case and signed by his surviving Christian friends and kinsmen in the profession of religion, who know him well. Ah! nor he alone, but how many simple brethren and sisters and perhaps hundreds and thousands of poor slaves, when the Local preachers and leaders who had charge of large bodies of them were taken from us by James O'K.

            A brother Hobbs of Brunswick county in Virginia, a respectable citizen and good member of society had the charge of about two hundred colored people a few years ["About two years" in Wofford College copy.] ago, and possibly at this time, and kept them in good order, defended them from violence and watched over their souls as one who should give an account of them to the preachers and to God. And what was the plea, or what were the reasons which many of these simple people gave who followed James O'K. He told them that the Bishop was so & so, and so, and of i'lch a character-and the Discipline was so, and so, and so, as some of you must have heard or read. The people had been blessed and their passions had been moved under Mr. O'K.. this was one reason. The second, "He was a wise and understanding man, he must know-he was too good a man to tell known and wilful lies upon men and things."

            Indeed some of the most respectable men in the counties of Virginia were led away. Witness, Genl. Wells, whose brother Willis Wells was a faithful local preacher, liberated all his slaves in the midst of opposition, had a great charge, was a very useful man, influential among the white people and a great, great useful man among the slaves. This good man and his flocks scattered and broken would not come near us nor be seen by us till at a Camp Meeting near Suffolk. God reached Willis Wells' heart,- he came back deeply affected with the last and least remains of his flocks, and his family connections lived a few years and died with us we hope in the Lord. 0 the mercy! O the goodness! and the depth and the riches of the grace of God! Genl. Wells, of whom we wrote above, it is reported, we did not ask him the truth of it ourselves, but we have some confidence in our friends that at the beginning of the division, as one of the chief officers of the county of Surry, when he heard the public report, delivered in sermonizing, concerning that "English man and Bishop," that he said "If he was that bad man as represented, he ought not to be suffered to travel through the country, but ought to be taken up and put in prison." This same Genl. Wells was afterwards we trust happily converted to God, he and his family united to the Methodists, and after a few years we hope died in the Lord. The Senr. Superintendent had a few happy interviews with the Genl., in one of which he told the Superintendent that his Bro. Willis after he had left the Methodists and had joined, what they called themselves "The Republican Methodist," began to be uneasy in his mind concerning men and things and the order of their Church; and told his troubles to his elder brother-the Genl., and the Genl. advised him to "go back to the old side," but no; not 'till he came within sight of us and had the cork of prejudice taken out of the bottle neck, and had the power of God to reach his heart as at the first, and cause him to know that God was with us still.

            I was not able to attend the South Carolina Conference, but was seriously afflicted about 32 Miles off, and the Junr. Bishop[William McKendree.     ] must know fully, that Mr. Hammett's [William Hammett's schism.] people, after many troubles and distresses, came over and joined themselves with us, a few of whom had once been members of our Church before, but a considerable number of them never had. But now after a partial union for several years we are told they are willing to come and stand in the same relations to us as that all our houses and congregations are. And where are the scattered remains of the followers of James O'K. Is there a small body at Ruff Creek, Mecklenburg County, Virginia where the division first began Have they signified a great desire to return and possibly have been prevented by our having had a Diotrephes [Thomas Rankin.] instead of a Barnabas for a leading character. Is there a small body in Caroline County old Virginia[ The reference is to the general meeting held in Caroline County, Virginia, in October, 1811. Caroline was William Guirey's home county. Most of the O'Kellyite churches in Virginia were represented. Elias Smith (see note to letter of September 15, 1800), editor of Herald of Gospel Liberty, was present. The unnamed church in which they met had formerly been Methodist. The question asked was "Can Christian Brethren of the South unite with Christian Brethren of the North" (the New England group led by Elias Smith). They agreed upon a union; and in 1815 the Virginia Christians were represented in the United States General Convention at Wyndham, Connecticut. The union was broken off in 1844. Sometime after the Caroline meeting William Guirey became editor of The Christian Sun in Suffolk, Virginia. It is not clear whether Philetus refers to Guirey or Elias Smith. (See MacClenny, The Life of Reverend James O'Kelly, 160-65.)] It must be small after Philetus [Reference to O'Kellyites.] has scattered, torn and done his wicked part among them.[ In the New York Advocate this paragraph is included. It is not in the Wofford College copy.]

            First, on your grand stationary concern, in what City will you settle it New York, Philadelphia, or Baltimore Will you have it near the centre of 2000 miles of the Atlantic coast, where the disadvantage of shipping your books will not be great contrasted with any other port Will you establish it on the United States grand Western road, preferable to any other road, where waggoners may drive 20-30 miles a day, no desperate rocks, no dead horses, no broken leg waggoners, horrible! horrible! It is almost a sin to trade upon the Pitt road. Will you establish the Book Concern where in about 280 miles you can have your books landed at Wheeling or elsewhere and shipped in good order to Chilicothe, to Cincinatti, at the mouth of Kentucky River, Louisville, Nashville ["Nashville" was not in the Wofford College copy.] Natchez, New Orleans, the whole Western country which promises to be the glory of America and a market for one third, if not one half of your books. Will you appoint your agents in every place where your books are to be unshipt and shipped, except where they are immediately consigned to the Presiding Elder in his District Will you give commissions to your agents as other men do that you may have your business well done Will you appoint three agents, or book Stewards First an Editor, secondly a clerk, and thirdly one to enumerate and pack and ship all your books in good order. Shall they be men that come to your employment not as apprentices or journeymen, but as complete masters of the business and shall each in his order be accountable to the Annual Conference and Senior effective Bishop, each man for the failure of his own department and be subject to be put out of office, and another to be put in his place 'till the sitting of the next Genl. Conference and that by the Conference where the concern is stationed and the Steward may be a member of the Conference

            How will you keep your press pure Both from any new publications presented from Europe or America: not to print anything against established doctrines which you hold sacred, discipline and Church government How will you order reimpressions of books in common use, how will you correct some things which many preachers and people now complain; that they ought to be expunged How will you gather up broken fragments of Books Will you charge every Presiding Elder to take care of these, to number and sell those that are saleable and to take the money to Conference and take the direction of the Senr. Bishop, as also to recover all doubtful debts-and that the Senr. Bishop shall hasten and direct all remittances in the best order. He shall enquire as he passes through the Annual Conferences what books are most wanting and not to be had and order an immediate impression. Shall he read, revise and correct all books which shall be printed or reprinted at your press Shall he do it or cause it to be done Will you make him strictly responsible for this work If he shall want aid he can command it, either out of the junior Superintendents, or the Presiding Elders, but make him accountable to the Genl. Conference.

            And will you order that the Stewards in the Book Concern shall be held to a strict accountability to the Senr. Bishop and Conference where the concern is established and carried on And now you know the man and his communication I recommend to you to put your concern in the grand office of Insurance, by giving away annually $1000 or $1200 worth of books. Let every annual Conference be equally privileged to give away $100 worth of books of what is called unsaleable, books which our purchasers of taste either have purchased, or do not choose to purchase, but books which our poor, and other poor people will gladly receive and profit by them; and let the Senr. Bishop or junior by his order call for the account of books given away to that amount in every Conference in the union. See a part of the duty of a Bishop in Form of Discipline, Sec. 4.-

            Ques. 3. What are the duties of a Bishop

                        Ans. To travel through the connection at large.

            5. To oversee the temporal and spiritual business of the Societies. And why should not this extend to the building of the houses, and not only to the collection and appropriation of monies to every claimant in the conference, and be more immediately exerted in our grand Book Concern in which should there be a failure or an insolvency and a defraud what a lasting blot upon us as a branch of the Church or God! And who is security for us and how shall our creditors be preserved from suffering by us What confidence can they have now in us but that we have been able to meet our payments equal to, or perhaps beyond many other concerns; and that we have now stock in hand, and that our religious character and our oeconomy is such, that we shall be fair and honest and confidential traders.

            The approaching General Conference we have confidence has been made up of men of such sound judgment and long experience, and such faithful laborers and coming together from such distances, at such labor and expense, not only equal to, but superior to all former conferences, that they will be purely Apostolic; that they will do away from among them deceit and guile and everything like electioneering, and any thing like what we call religious swindling in sacred things, open faces and united souls.

            On the amendment of the Constitution, which they are authorized to do in the constitution, to reduce the delegation and representation, that is, instead of one member for 5,-one member for 7. [The amendment was adopted.  ] The [The Wofford College copy begins "Of the."] propriety, i.e. the reasonableness, justice, of the measure, at present we can say but little; but at a proper time and place, if called on, fill a small volume of argument. First should the Genl. Conference be located to the centre of the Atlantic coast Here are four ancient Conferences, one is the centre and seat; what more, a second is little more than a hundred miles distance, and a third another hundred more, and a fourth another hundred more. How easy of access is the Genl. Conference to these Conferences. How light their labor and expense, how much smaller their loss of time, how much greater security that every member of them will take his seat. Only take a short view and see the distances, and difficulties, and vacancies. And suppose forty-five Presiding Elders and thirty-five men of equal talents, great and highly responsible stations, in Towns and Cities where we have manifestly taken the lead and stand almost alone; and other societies pretty generally out of blast. Such prodigious congregations of white and black, and such large Societies of both-now to have such consequential preachers absent from their respective charges three, four, five, some six months-again be it known to us, to all, some member or members of this General Conference must come, must come twelve hundred miles, one thousand miles, eight hundred miles, seven hundred miles and six hundred miles the least. Several of them leave not only their charge, but their wives and children through changeable seasons and hard rides to Genl. Conference. Take it from the life, South Carolina and Georgia, one six, the other seven hundred miles, representatives to come to Genl. Conference. Six large highly consequential Districts, every One of the P. Elders elected, nine important Town Stations, and twelve preachers in these nine stations and six of them elected. You will not start, for many of you must see and know something of that great and yet unexplored and unsettled part of the great western country promising to be not only the glory of America but the glory of the whole Earth.

            We think it our duty to inform you that before the sitting of the Genl. Conference in 1820 it will be our duty to have an Annual Conference for every month of the year, seven upon the Atlantic coast, members numerous, and in the Western country five, and for all the Bishops to attend according to order and old establishment of things, as many Conferences as they can, if their number is large and never be absent if they can possibly attend together unless the necessity of things should compel them to meet according to seasons, and circumstances and distances, to meet two Conferences at one time and to have time to cross the vast arrangement of hills and mountains from Tennessee to South Carolina, properly to begin the annual round.

            Why we have not formed the Mississippi Conference, one of the Superintendents nearly superannuated, the wilderness at the seasons we had to go and return often impossible and impassable. But oh, what we have felt,[ The Wofford College copy has "suffered."] for the forming a flourishing Genesee Conference,[ The formation of the Genesee Conference subjected Asbury and McKendree to much criticism. Several of the annual conferences took action in the matter, and finally the General Conference of 1812 was asked to pass upon it. This it did effectually by the t       unanimous adoption of the following resolution: "Moved that this General Conference,       do consider that the Genesee Annual Conference is a legally constituted and organized Conference." (Note from the New York Advocate.)] treatment! Oh! severer for severe! but not from any of you. 0 let the Lord judge and give judgment in this important case. We have suffered, we have suffered, but our judgment is with God. There is a clause in the minutes that shews, as we think, serpentine crooks,[ Doubtless a reference to conference boundary lines, for at this conference the boundaries of the conferences were defined.] form new Conferences if we had a sufficient number of new circuits, and that we should not do as we always have done, take any old circuits from ancient Conferences, without the consent of the Annual Conferences. Now where is our right to do as we always have done and been judged to do right We must form a given number of circuits, a given number of districts and then form a Conference, and what number of circuits, and what number of districts, and yet be open to implication, from vicious minded men And, by the bye, where is the right of the Genl. Conference May it not be suspended by the Episcopacy's forming all the future Conferences may it not be usurped by an annual Conference How will you secure your own rights, the rights and claims of the Superintendency in this business Suppose you should direct the Senr. officiating Bishop for several years to gather the Eastern, Western, Northern lines and boundaries of the different Conferences, and suppose, what possibly will be the case with three Conferences, they can be settled and bounded, East, North and South, but the West unlimited, new purchases, new settlements, going out towards the South Sea. Suppose then for safety and good order and to give each his right, you should make it the duty of your Senr. officiating Bishop to prepare and lay before you a most correct statement and plan of each Conference, lines and boundaries, and give each its nomination. Then present it to the Genl. Conference that they may according to their order of doing things, approve and confirm, or condemn and reject.

            There is one case that may be submitted to you after first observing that your Senr., almost Superannuated, Superintendent may doubt of his having done right in the goodness of his heart to lighten his load,[ "Burden" instead of "load" in Wofford College copy.] to silence the cry of power, power, and designing men who know how to exaggerate and make the worst of everything. "You can't have a Conference but when the Bishop pleases, and where he pleases, and he is wiser than hundreds of you. He cannot be mistaken. He is so virtuous he will always do right, and 0 that this could be so said and proved by large and wise bodies." Suppose you should not take away the right of the Annual Conference in this case but give it a laudable direction and a regulating rule to go by, that if there are four, five, six or seven districts in the Conference, then and in that case the Annual Conference should take their seats in order, regularly through the whole. Yet still the Annual Conference shall have full liberty to choose any place they please within the district which may give a very agreeable choice, and their accommodations now exceeding greatly ["Great" instead of "greatly" in Wofford College copy.] excel those places where the first and second generation of the traveling preachers almost ["Almost" was placed before "constantly" in the Wofford College copy.] commonly and constantly assembled in old times. This will prevent any Conference, or Conferences, if so disposed in future to sit in one place 13 times in 17 years and 10 times in 15 years, and the latter removed by compulsive necessity twice to other places, and when possibly there might be found in the districts composing this Conference half a dozen or a dozen, comfortable, good places, and the brethren in these places sending petition after petition, solicitation after solicitation, till they have been wearied, grieved, offended and might justly cry out, "Why this partiality"

            But O the great and grand and important question. How many additional Bishops shall we have Shall we certainly want to oversee and direct this great work of God Fear not, look to the great head of the Church. Your governors shall come forth out of yourselves, and the Holy Ghost shall direct your choice as in the Antiochian Conference. When they had fasted and prayed, the Holy Ghost said, by one holy man, separate me Barnabas and Saul, yea, and why not, Timothy and Titus, for the work whereunto I \ have called them. They must be formed in all things after the pattern shewed us in the mount, able Ministers of the New Testament, real Apostolic men filled with the Holy Ghost. But what does our order of things require of them Not such as can be performed by superannuated or supernumerary preachers, but by men just past the meridian, that have already proved themselves not only servants but mere slaves, who with willing minds have taken with cheerfulness and resignation frontier stations, with hard fare, laboring and suffering night and day, hazarding their lives by waters, by lodging indoors and out, and where Indian depredations and murders have been committed once a month or perhaps once a quarter, by the sides o/the path they have trod, and in the houses and cabins where they have lodged, and upon some of the persons they have been in social habits and intimacy with, and even upon their own brethren of the local and traveling ministry. They ought to be men who[The Wofford College copy had "that" instead of "who."] can ride at least three thousand miles and meet ten or eleven Conferences in a year, and by their having had a charge of local Conferences from sixty to an hundred Official characters, to have presided in and to have directed well all the business of the whole with every member, having received and graduated exhorters, preachers, deacons, and elders in the local line, ready to all the duties of their calling, always pleasant, affable, and communicative,-to know how to behave in all company, rich or poor, impious or pious, ministers and professors of our own and all denominations, but more abundantly to remember to the poor the gospel must be preached, and always to condescend to men of low estate.

            But on the management of our temporal concerns we are not fully satisfied how they are to be corrected and made better, what part the Genl. Conference ought to take and have taken, and the Bishop should take in the annual Conferences, should be held and strongly bound, and to set justice always before mercy; and we have printed and told other churches and ministers and any persons who could read our books, that Single men should receive so much, Married men so much, and the preachers' wives and widows so much, and preachers' children so many dollars to seven years and so many dollars till fourteen years of age, and so the Orphans of preachers, that have died in the work. We have formed dwarf and stagnated funds and what have they yielded to pay these great demands $340 per Conference.

            In 1800 with long debate and a small majority the Genl. Conference raised the quarterage from 64 to 80 dollars, and have one sixth, nay, one seventh of the traveling connexion [The editors of the Discipline, William Phoebus, Nathan Bangs, and Daniel Hitt, with the Book Agents were instructed to omit this word from the Discipline, substituting for it in every place "church," "community," or "itinerancy" as the grammatical construction might require. (Note from the New York Advocate.)] been paid up according to our order of things Have not many received one third, others two thirds, and have gone from the Conference very easy and very happy, knowing that the Conferences had done them justice and they had no more for them, by fixing the standard and giving each man his dividend If we pay up or attempt it, we must know what we have to pay. Doubtless many of our people and abundance of our preachers,-to be paying money to preachers' children till they are fourteen years of age,-we shall never be satisfied or reconciled to it, whether they claim it from the circuit or from the funds of the Conference, because it will draw almost incredible numbers to claim upon us! Moreover, many of these children may have been born afore their parents were either Local or traveling preachers, and may be as it sometimes is the case that good men may have the very vilest of children. And we have known cases in which the Conferences have had deep exercises in their minds from year to year about employing preachers apparently because of the wickedness of their children. And possibly we may be giving money to children of desperate characters-who ought to be put to some business at eight years of age. This is the ground we, i.e. the action, recommend to the Genl. Conference. We will meet here and embrace a great number that have been born in the Church of God under the Ministry of their parents.

            We will give to all children of traveling preachers twenty dollars or their parents may claim it first in the Circuits and Stations where they labor and be permitted to bring forward their own deficiencies and each man the deficiency of his wife and all his children not eight years of age and at that period they shall be dismissed and have no more claims on the Conferences, whether their parents are alive or if they are the Orphans of preachers that are dead. But what method shall we take Add to all our other collections the General and universal mite subscription and that every preacher that has a charge in a Station, in a Town, or in a Circuit, to all the male and female members, to all the friendly people that shall come into his way or he shall go into their way, and bring his money to Conference in a proper book with every one's name and every one's money, and let every Annual Conference be watched and charged that they pay to every faithful laborer what is their due and no more; that they shall not receive from any person or persons sums of money or make any appropriations of them but to answer just demands of their Conference, and let every One of the Superintendents take care, and especially the Senr. Superintendent, that all surplus of money shall be handed along till the whole of all the Conferences receive in justice what is due to them as quarterage, if not the whole yet as high and as equitable as we can possibly go.

                                                                        F. Asbury

            I certify that the preceding unfinished Address was left by Bishop Asbury, in its present form, at his death, and was read in General Conference in Baltimore in May, 1816.[ The Thomas L. Douglass note is only on the New York copy. On the original manuscript in Woffbrd College there are two notes as follows:

1. This document was found with the papers of the late Rev. Daniel Asbury and carefully preserved by his son, the Rev. Henry Asbury.

J. B. Anthony

2. This document is now sent to be deposited in the archives of Historical Society of the So. Ca. Conference.

Jacob B. Anthony Nov. 20, 1860 ]

                                                                        Thomas L. Douglass, Secy.

            Wofford College, original copy used in Nashville Advocate, March 10, 1916. Drew University, second copy used in New York Christian Advocate, March 16,1916

As Asbury came to the dose of his life, he put down in this letter which was written by his amanuensis, Thomas Mason, a resume of his ministerial life and especially his relationship to Wesley. It is probably the most important of all his letters and perhaps the most interesting. It gives an insight into his relationship to the British brethren and especially tells of his conflicts with Thomas Rankin, whom he calls "Diotrephes."

                                                                        SOUTH CAROLINA

                                                                        January 15, 1816

[To Joseph Benson][ The original letter is in the Methodist Book Room, London, Letters of Methodist Preachers, Vol. V, Folio 3. Francis Asbury signed the letter, though it is written in the hand of Thomas Mason. This is indicated on the letter. The letter was printed in Paine's Life of William McKendree and in Duren's Francis Asbury. Mason's copy of the letter is in the Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Georgia. (L. E. S. Gutteridge has transcribed the original.)]

            My venerable and elder brother [Asbury was older than Benson. (See note to letter of April 22, 1813.)] in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ and the glorious ministry of the gospel of the grace of God, all hail:

            We have lived to see better days than our predecessors and ancient contemporaries. I recollect not to have seen your face, to have known you, or to have the least passing interview with you; but when I was a youth between fifteen and sixteen years of age, you were a man, and President [Benson was not actually "President" of Kingswood School (there was no such office) but classical master. (Frank Baker.)] of Kingswood School, which must be, in my calculation, between fifty and fifty-five years past. Though I was active some years, and frequently called upon to supply [Mason at first wrote "supplier," then altered it to "supply" and added the "to" above the line. (Frank Baker.)] for the traveling connection, and traveled the first year nine or ten months (though less or more, I cannot say correctly) in the Staffordshire Circuit, the Circuit in which I lived, in the place of William Orpe,[ Dates are confused. (See British Minutes.)] the four Conference years[Asbury was stationed by the conference as follows: 1767, Bedfordshire Circuit;

1768, in charge of Colchester or Essex Circuit; 1769, Bedfordshire Circuit; 1770. South Wiltshire or Salisbury Circuit. (Frank Baker.)] that I traveled were in Bedford and Salisbury alternately. From thence I came to America and am now in the forty-fifth year of my mission, which will close next October the twentieth.

            I have been broken, breach upon breach, by affliction, so that I am at present completely superannuated, having passed, last August, the twenty first, the first period of the life of man; and it has been for some years past a permanent sentiment with me that in such a case no man high in office, however great in qualifications, should stand in high responsibility in the Church of God, but rather retire and give place to younger and stronger men in body and mind, such as our junior superintendent, to whom I have ceded the presidential chair of every Annual Conference for these seven years past. It was also my pleasure, when present, always to give Dr. Coke the president's chair. Glory to God, our houses are set in order! Our order of things is such that we have about fifty-five presiding elders, that by turns of four years at farthest, yet movable at any time when the episcopacy judge of the importance of the case. These presiding elders serve a probation of seven or fourteen years in large and very consequential districts and have their quarterly meeting Conferences of the official departments of the local ministry, possibly in some large circuits of long standing, that compose from sixty to eighty, or near one hundred members and examine characters, try cases, admit and give authority to exhorters and local preachers, examine local preachers and local deacons for election and ordination to deacons' and elders' office in the Annual Conference. These presiding elders, in the absence of a bishop, and rule well, are counted worthy of double honor. In the absence of a bishop appointed by him, if not appointed to be elected by the Conference to preside in, and do the business of the Annual Conference. And we have the pleasure to believe that such is their age and improvement that we have not only a half a dozen, but a dozen, if called to preside in an Annual Conference, who would do it with ease, dignity, and correctness, assisted by their brethren, the presiding elders.

            If a bishop, at any distance where a mail can go, has consequential business to the whole Conference, he has only to communicate to one man; he to write to the other presiding elders; they to communicate to the men who have charge of stations and circuits; the work is done.

            Bishops in Greece or Rome, what have they been in frightful forms What have they been, men or fiends Bishops in our age, among the Presbyterians and Independent Churches, the Baptists, and the commonality of the people are ready to suppose that a bishop is a tyrant, the same as a pope, dreadful, dangerous creatures. Possibly some very wise men, with all their Hebrew, Greek and Latin, have not found out the pure derivation of that word. It is very near to a perfect German word, in both consonants and vowels, admitting the German pronunciation and the English pronunciation to differ, "bischoff," the chief minister. With us a bishop is a plain man, altogether like his brethren, wearing no marks of distinction, advanced in age, and by virtue of his office can sit as president in all the solemn assemblies of the ministers of the gospel; and many times, if he is able, called upon to labor and suffer more than any of his brethren; no negative or positive in forming Church rules; raised to a small degree of constituted and elective authority above all his brethren; and in the executive department, power to say, "Brother, that must not be, that cannot be," having full power to put a negative or a positive in his high charge of administration; and, even in the Annual Conference to correct the body or any individual that may have transgressed or would transgress and go over the printed rules by which they are to be governed, and bring up every man and everything to the printed rules of order established in the form of Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America.

            It is an established maxim with us that if a man is not well taught and practiced in obedience to know how to serve, he will never know how to have command or be fit to take any office in the Church of God, and that stubborn, disobedient men must be mended, though it will take much time and more labor.

            Several brethren among us have sincerely wished that there could be some mode of communication and union, such as can take place, considering distance and circumstances, and administration, and order, between us and the parent society. We have hoped it would be for the best, then again we have feared we should not find safe hands to put our business into the British Conference to conduct, and that misunderstandings and misrepresentations might bring us into trouble and bring on a greater separation; and I can truly say for one, that the greatest affliction and sorrow of my life was that our dear father,[ John Wesley.] from the time of the Revolution to his death, grew more and more jealous of myself and the whole American connection; that it appeared we had lost his confidence almost entirely. But he rigidly contended for a special and independent right of governing the chief minister or ministers of our order, which, in our judgment, went not only to put him out of office, but to remove him from the continent to elsewhere, that our father saw fit; and that, notwithstanding our constitution and the right of electing every church officer and more especially our superintendent. Yet we were told, "Not till after the death of Mr. Wesley" our constitution could have its full operation.

            For many years before this time we lived in peace and trusted in the confidence and friendship of each other. But after the Revolution, we were called upon to give a printed obligation which here follows, and which could not be dispensed with, it must be: "During the life of the Rev. Mr. Wesley, we acknowledge ourselves his sons in the gospel; ready, in matters belonging to church government to obey his commands; and we do engage, after his death, to do everything that we judge consistent with the cause of religion in America and the political interests of the States, to preserve and promote our union with the Methodists in Europe."[ This engagement, entered into at the Christmas Conference of 1784 and published in the first Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, was rejected at the Baltimore Conference of 1787 when Coke tried to enforce its provisions. It is interesting to note that, although control from England was thus overthrown, the promise to co-operate continued in force and was honored. (Frank Baker.)] Our people and preachers were coming out of their childhood, they thought for themselves. If this obligation was necessary, why not introduced in former years, in better times Matters are strangely changed; much blood has been shed; the minds of the citizens of the United States and the United Kingdom must be exceedingly changed and soured against each other, and the state of things will never be as it has been between the two countries. Some said that the citizens of both countries are so much alike that we shall have war again in ten, twenty, or thirty years. Foreigners by thousands coming to our country and cursing their own; pushing themselves into office, and blowing the coals of strife; magnifying small offenses; raising mountains out of molehills; a word and a blow;

 stricken by wicked and imperious officers that don't know their duty; putting to death a most ancient and noble British character; and a grand and noble and generous and affable American character dying swiftly. And yet both sides crying out, "If you cannot lead us, you shall not drive us"; and both sides going to driving as hard as they can with fire and sword.

            Mr. Wesley is to this day, and always has been, respected and loved by hundreds and thousands in America as a great apostolic man; and hundreds of children continually named after him-yea, thousands. In America some of our enemies know that of all the good and holy men that our dear John the divine of London, and John[The Rev. John William Fletcher (1729-85), vicar of Madeley, whose biography was prepared and published by Wesley and later by Benson himself. In 1775 Wesley had abridged Samuel Johnson's famous pamphlet "Taxation no Tyranny" and had republished it as A Calm Address to our American Colonies. The attacks on this pamphlet turned Fletcher's attention for a time from theological controversy to what he called in a letter to Benson "Christian politics, a branch of divinity too much neglected by some and too much attended by others." He followed his Vindication of fVesley's 'Calm Address to our American Colonies' (1775) by American Patriotism in 1776, extracts from which he reprinted in the Bible and the Sword issued the same year. When the government tried to reward him for these political writings, Fletcher replied: "I want nothing, but more grace." (See Tyerman, Wesley's Designated Successor, 347-53.) (Frank Baker.)] the divine of Madeley, at the time of the Revolution, had written more on worldly affairs than any gospel men in Europe or America. I spare the dead, and yet I think that a degree of justice is due to the memory of such an apostolic man as John Wesley, I perfectly clear him in my own mind, and lay the whole business upon Diotrephes,[ Evidently Thomas Rankin, the preacher who Asbury felt had poisoned Wesley's mind. Rankin was very close to Wesley.] of the Tower of London. Little did I think that we had such an enemy that had the continual ear and confidence of Mr. Wesley. This I believe from good testimony, eyeand earwitnesses, who, some years after, when they saw that my mind was so deeply afflicted that I did not get clear of it for some years after Mr. Wesley's death. Dr. Coke and John Harper[An Irish Methodist preacher who went to the West Indies and later to the United States. 1" Manchester Conference, 1787.] told me what they had seen and heard and known and felt. Dr. Coke said that as often as Mr. Wesley went to see Diotrephes, he came back with his mind strangely agitated and dissatisfied with the American connection; that he did not know what to do to put him to rights; And the counsel of Diotrephes, in a full Conference, was in substance this: "If he Diotrephes had the power and authority of Mr. Wesley, he would call Frank Asbury home directly." John Harper was the man who was present in the Conference116 and heard this advice given and told me several years after in America with his own mouth. Yet I spare the dead and must write the truth, that he Diotrephes wrote to the Messrs. Wesley for counsel and advice in our critical situation, advice which we thought truly apostolic and worthy of the minister of the gospel of the Son of God, in substance was to give as little offense as possible either to Jew or Gentile or to the Church of God; to have nothing to do with the affairs of this world if he could help it, and mind the business of our spiritual calling. Diotrephes made this instruction pretty public among the preachers and the people, and then they charged him with violating every part of it. He was positive beyond all description that the Americans should be brought back to the old government, and that immediately. It appeared to me that his object was to sweep the Continent of every preacher that Mr. Wesley had sent to it and of every respectable traveling preacher from Europe who had graduated among us, whether English or Irish. He told us that if we returned to our native country, we should be esteemed as such obedient, loyal subjects that we should obtain ordination in the grand Episcopal Church of England and come back to America with high respectability after the war was ended.

            Francis did not believe it; and he possessed a senior right after the removal of Boardman and Pilmoor,[ Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmoor, the English preachers who were the first official Methodist missionaries to come to America. They returned to England in 1774 when the fires of the Revolution began. Pilmoor later returned to America and became an Episcopal clergyman in Philadelphia.] and God had given him souls for his hire and souls for his charge among the people, and a number of eminent preachers, both traveling and local, wanted nothing but a man to go in and out before them to give them, if we had not books, order and discipline by the word of mouth. Francis thought as he had possession, it was best to hold it, especially when abundance of respectable members said, "Will you leave us Will you leave us" And it was the general language of the American people and preachers that those preachers from Europe who were dissatisfied with the measures of the country, had better go home.

            At the death of Mr. Wesley, two of his European disciples asked another, "Who will preach his funeral sermon Who will write his Life" They corrected themselves by saying: "Mr. Wesley has written his own life better than any other man can write it." And 0 that it had been so![ Thomas Coke and Henry Moore had written a life of Wesley.] or that if anything had been done, it had been after the model of the Life of the Vicar of Madeley, compiled by Joseph Benson, which has been made an unspeakable blessing to my mind in reading it. It has been impressed with great weight upon my mind for several years that it was my indispensable duty to write to some person in London or elsewhere a true and correct account, because I think that Mr. Wesley has been reproached beyond anything that was thrown upon him before that period by the London writer[John Whitehead, M.D.] of his "Life." You will examine, as an early contemporary of the Oxford Methodists and the last branch of that order, you will see in substance that with respect to the American ordination Mr. Wesley is represented as invading and usurping all Church order.[ Whitehead had many scathing things to say about Wesley's ordinations. He maintained that Wesley's principles and his practices were at variance and that Coke's machinations were really responsible for the tragic error. He concluded that the ordinations were "spurious and of no validity" and that Wesley would never have "adopted so misshapen a brat as this scheme of ordination so full of confusion and absurdity had not his clear perception of things been rendered feeble and dim by flattery, persuasion, and age." (John Whitehead, M.D., The Life of the Rev. John Wesley, II, 418-38.) (Frank Baker.)] And yet the author grants if Mr. Wesley had been elected and chosen by the American preachers and people, it would have been in gospel order and proper. Did that author know, or was he ignorant Why did he write in the dark When people of Mr. Wesley's charge in America, many thousands, under total privation of the ordinances of God, and most of the Episcopalians had deserted their stations and Churches from almost every part of the continent. The Presbyterians held no open communion. The Methodists could not become Presbyterians in sentiment, they would not be Baptists, neither Independents.

            When the preachers first came to the continent, with what affection they were received! Multitudes came forward as constant hearers and members of the society, and immediately the tables of the Lord in their former Churches were closed against them. When our brethren would say, "0 that you had been ordained to administer the ordinances of God to us!" it was of no account to say the Episcopal bishops would not ordain us. "Mr. Wesley should have ordained you." And thus for fourteen or fifteen years hundreds and thousands of preachers and people crying continually the universal election of Mr. Wesley to ordain ministers for America, because he was, as we believe, an apostolic man, admitting upon trial and into connection the preachers of his charge, governing and stationing every one of them, that he came short only in ordination. Now, sir, I submit it to you, if Dr. Whitehead's "Life" of Mr. Wesley, if there is power and authority in any part of your body, in justice to Mr. Wesley (asking no mercy), when called upon by hundreds and thousands for so long a time to exercise the third branch of apostolic power in ordination, and that hundreds and thousands, preachers and people have blessed and praised God for the wisdom given to Mr. Wesley and the Baltimore General Conference in 1784, to form upon such pure principles a truly apostolic Church, the success which has attended the labors of its ministers. We must say that Dr. Whitehead's history must be corrected according to this testimony, or suppressed, as containing a defamation of that man of God, Mr. John Wesley, and the whole body of American Methodists, We feel determined to stand in apostolic order and gospel ground. Acts xiii, 2, 3-"Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And with fasting and prayer they laid their hands on them." And Acts xiv, 23-A distinct name, office and order-elders in the Church of God. (Acts vi, 6.)

            Never since was any man, for so many years, called upon to ordain ministers for America; never since could a people be so overjoyed and conform so universally as with one heart and mind. This was what we wanted and requested from year to year; and we have obtained it at last. Bless God and bless Mr. Wesley!

            We do not suffer one officer in the Church of God to assume or invade the rights of another; a licensed exhorter to be always attempting to preach; a traveling or local preacher must not baptize without ordination; a deacon, traveling or local, administer the Lord's supper but under the order of an elder. On no account will we suffer the elders to ordain alone, but to come forward when called upon by the bishop, in names and numbers, to assist in the ordination of elders. We do not suffer our presiding elders to invade any singular rights of the episcopacy.

            This simple method which we have followed from the beginning in the management of our temporal affairs: our stewards are elected in every conference. They call first on every preacher belonging to the conference to know what they have received for quarterage in the stations and districts wherein they have labored the year past. By doing this they come immediately to a sight, what preachers have already received their full demand and what preachers are deficient, according to our rules of discipline. Then they call for all the collections that have been brought in, with $200 per conference from the book interest and $140 from the Chartered Fund, small matters! and the dividend must be made among twelve conferences in the year instead of nine.

           We send you our mite subscription [See mite subscription included with Asbury's letter dated January 1, 1816. ] to let you see what additional wonders we can perform by the blessing of God, more especially when we hear such accounts from your side of the water, of all the churches that have been maintaining the local ministry sending out traveling ministers to the ends of the earth. We wish them success in the name of the Lord. They are coming right at last! But hail Wesley, hail Oxford Methodists, who, seventy years ago, formed an apostolic society and sent forth their traveling preachers in apostolic order! Blessed be God that a number of simple men from the Oxford Methodists were directed to establish an apostolic Church and put the government in the hands of traveling preachers! And yet there must be men that cannot continue to travel and others that sincerely wish, but have it not in their power, to travel who may be useful and enjoy all their rights and privileges in their local state, and the traveling minister held sacred and made the very best of all their superior privileges.

            And concerning ordination, that it ought to be held sacred and considered as the helm of good order, we believe. In every age of the Church it has been, and now is, held sacred.

            We have heard of a few simple people here and there, hardly worthy of being members of the church, pleading their right to sit down with each other, if it be every day, and receive and administer the Lord's supper one to another; therefore, we conclude that churches and societies ought to examine well what bearing their sayings and doings will lead to, whether they will introduce division and confusion, or unity and good order in the house of God, in the body of Christ.

            Will you, my dear Sir, do what you can, at this late hour of life, as our agent to the British Conference And, if you please, call a confidential and younger man to your assistance. Will you examine well any letters and communications from America, and judge how far it may be proper to print any of them in the United Kingdoms, and where and in what manner any difficulties may be explained and methods of gospel order be brought into operation We have planted, we have watered, we have taken a most sacred charge of Upper and Lower Canada for about 22 years.[ (See letter of April 18, 1815.) Asbury visited Canada in 1811. He hoped to go again.] They form two respectable districts in the Genesee Conference. They lie side by side on the northern banks of the St. Lawrence, and the United States' districts and circuits on the south. The souls of our people in Canada are exceedingly precious to us. They are a willing people; prompt to pay their preachers. They say: "Tell us what to do, and we'll do it."

            Exclusive of the most ancient, who came from various parts of Europe, the additional and increasing inhabitants now, of both provinces, are multitudes of refugees who went from the United States at the time of the Revolution, Many others have preferred the Provinces to the United States; and there are at this time large family connections on both sides of the line; and many preachers that have changed and interchanged. The manner in which Montreal was taken possession of, and is now held, will not, cannot, be dispensed with by the General Conference, by the Annual

 Conference, or by the presiding elder of Lower Canada. Thomas Birch, one of His Majesty's subjects, late from Ireland, was sent to Montreal in the very moment of time, just at the commencement of the war, and was permitted to stay a year longer than our constitution grants, (the state of the case justifying it), and returned to the United States with an honorable recommendation from the society. That Samuel Montgomery should be sent, with the greatest expedition, six hundred miles to supply the place of Thomas Birch, that Samuel (one of His Majesty's subjects, late from Ireland) should be prevented from taking his charge by the British missionary! And who is to examine Mr. Williams's [Richard Williams had been sent to Montreal by the British Conference at the

request of William Bennett, general superintendent of the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick District, but without the knowledge or approbation of Henry Ryan, the presiding elder. There was a breach in Montreal and some bitterness; and British American co-operation in Canada, already insecure, threatened to turn into open warfare. (Frank Baker.) Barclay and Playter have discussions of the Canadian difficulties for this period. (See Barclay, Early American Methodism, I, 188 ft., and Playter, History of Methodism in Canada, I, 143 ff.)] conduct Mr. Bennett, of the province of Nova Scotia The British Conference or the Directors of the Missionary Society

            Henry Ryan, presiding elder of Lower Canada, made a visit to Montreal by order of the bishops and Genesee Conference, he has obtained testimonies which will be handed forward to the agent of our affairs, presented in their order. We, as ministers of Christ, think it a sin of sins to divide the body of Christ. There was special caution given to Thomas Birch, Samuel Montgomery, and Henry Ryan; and we have good reason to believe that, possibly two-thirds of the society in Montreal would put themselves under the government of the American connection. But we shall bear long, suffer long, and make every explanation, till the charge is given up to us. Whether the thing has been done through ignorance or through the influence of wicked and designing men, we shall give our fathers and brethren time to inform themselves and time to correct their conduct, for we are sure that our episcopacy could never act so out of order as to send a preacher to take possession of a charge so important under the oversight of the parent connection. And yet, in this business, we would touch that venerable body, or any authoritative part of it, with the tenderness of a feather dipt in oil.

            Respected brother, may our presiding elders address their letters to you, when cases of a singular nature shall occur At present, Francis, your friend, with great difficulty, has dictated this letter.

            One thing more. Upon this continent we are crowded with French people, like polite heathens and barbarians to us. We want French Methodist preachers. Despairing of obtaining any from the traveling connection, since we have read your reports, our only hope is that some of our brethren from Jersey and Guernsey will come over and help us. We have employed an accomplished young Frenchman, of an extensive acquaintance with the French Methodists in those islands, to write for us, and see if such a man as we want can be obtained. And can you aid in this matter It is our wish that a preacher, that is willing to come to America, to be well recommended by our brethren that know him, to our agent, Mr. Benson, on whose recommendation we shall depend.

            My love and a thousand thanks to Mr. Blanshard [Thomas Blanshard, Book Steward] for the Minutes; to Mr. Marsden,[ George Marsden, secretary of the Wesleyan Missionary Society.]

 for the reports, hoping they will continue their goodness from year to year. Let them direct to any part of the United States, to myself or the junior bishop or bishops, whose names will be known upon the Minutes of our Conferences. And should our Father and Brother Benson have any special call and communication to make, be sure to make it to one of the presiding elders, and the business will be taken up in good order. Instruction will be given by the bishops to the presiding elders, that they may be called to write to the agents of our American affairs, in London or elsewhere, and possibly to be written to from the men of our confidence in Europe.

            And now may the God of all grace, with the eternal Son and everblessed Spirit, be with us through time and for ever and ever! Amen.

                                                                        Francis Asbury

            I, Thomas Mason, who wrote this letter, salute my fathers and brethren in the Lord.

            P.S. Mr. Wesley could not come himself to America, but he sent one [Coke.] that was well qualified. Dr. Coke and myself, were so liberal as to submit ourselves to an election, before Francis was ordained to his office as Bishop and Superintendent, at the first General Conference in Baltimore, December, 1784.

            Dr. Coke, notwithstanding his visits were transitory, was very useful, both as a divine and as a classical man. He was esteemed by hundreds and thousands in America; his writings will be read with attention, his memory will be precious. The Americans knew his worth, and knew not only his labors and travels, but some of his sufferings, as he was oft compelled by necessity to take up with very mean lodgings through some of the extreme parts of our country, and at a very early settlement; as Francis who generally attended him, and many others can witness: add to this, that every visit, he had to cross and re-cross the Atlantic. 'Tis true Dr. Coke had his troubles in America, and it is as true, that Francis Asbury had his troubles. And we heard that Mr. Wesley had his troubles, and no wonder, when he was told, and possibly made to believe, that no sooner had he granted the Americans what they wished than they declared themselves independent of him.

            Had we not lived in all good confidence and fellowship for fifteen years no complaint on our side-and no complaint that we heard of from Mr. Wesley Why then should our generous minds be called to enter an obligation which we never had violated, and I believe there was no intention to violate And I must believe that the Americans were the greatest friends Mr. Wesley had through Europe or the world. They had read all his books that had come to hand, they heard of all his excellencies, his labors, sufferings and success. And who with them but Mr. Wesley! almost every large and steady family among the old disciples must have a Wesley among the children. Francis had been charged (and perhaps very properly) with being a man of a gloomy mind, and sometimes a prophet of evil tidings concerning ministerial men, but many of his brethren after proper trial have confessed if they were evil, they were true in the end.

            Mr. Wesley wrote concerning Diotrephes, honest George [127 George Shadford] and Francis, "You three be as one-act by united counsels." But who was to do that with Diotrephes Francis had a prior right of government by special order and letter from Mr. Wesley a few months after he had been in the country; and if he could not exercise it in the cities, where the first missionaries that came over were located by necessity, having no proper men to change with them: yet Francis in the country endeavored to do the best he could. Matters did not fit well between Diotrephes and him, and poor Francis was charged with having a gloomy mind and being very suspicious and so, and so and so. It would be presumed because Francis was a little heady that Diotrephes wrote to Mr. Wesley to "call Francis home immediately." Be it as it might, Mr. Wesley wrote such a letter to Francis, and Francis wrote in answer that he would prepare to return as soon as possible whatever the sacrifice might be. Then Diotrephes said, "You cannot go, your labors are wanted here." Francis said, "Mr. Wesley has written for me, t must obey his order." Diotrephes said, "I will write to Mr. Wesley and satisfy him." Shortly after came a letter from Mr. Wesley to Francis in substance thus, "You have done very well to continue in America and help your brethren when there was such a great call."

            And now my father and brother, I know not a man in the British Connexion to write to, they are the children of forty-five or fifty years, you are the man and you were the Father when they were children. I leave these things with you to make any use, or no use of them. I have confidence in you that you will not make a bad use of them.

                                                                                    F. A.

                                                                                    This is endorsed by Joseph Benson, "Jan.                                                                                              1816."

            Two copies of this address are extant: one in Methodist Book Concern, London, in Letters of Methodist Preachers, Vol. V, Folio 3, transcribed by L. E. S. Gutteridge, and the other is in Emory University Library.

            Though Asbury is very near the end of his life, he still shows great concern for the appointments. There is reference here to the subscription which was being circulated in the church, a copy of which is included with these letters.

                                                                        February -, 1816[This letter was evidently written in early 1816. It refers to the subscription which was being circulated then and at the time of Asbury's death.]

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

            I recollect your letter, I could not write. I was hawking up blood. I judged it lay with you as any presiding elder to take up a stray or mend a conference case. A man fit for no station was sent back in mending and accommodation. An old steady preacher said Brother B. Mervin must change a brother. The people will not receive him. He was in the circuit a few years back, he offended the people generally, he will not do. Yes, said Francis, I sent him back to the west end but commodation altered it, but I was mute. I have wished one letter once a year, an abstract from all the statements of presiding elders showing the general state of the narrative[Asbury was still concerned to have a history of early Methodism.] of the whole work in that conference it might be seen with other and a general narrative of the work printed, it would save money and labor. I cannot write now as in days past.

                                                                                    Francis Asbury

            P.S. As to the printed subscription paper it is a plan of benevolence you may use or not. It has met with most general applause among our own people, and hearers and almost all. It should be booked as ours is. I presume we have furnished a relief to every conference and perhaps sent 2000 dollars and over last June-12 months.

            Methodist Historical Collection, Ohio Wesleyan University Library

            This is the last extant letter of Asbury. Two great concerns are still with him. These are his preachers and the German-speaking people. He shows his especial love for John Wesley Bond, who was his traveling companion and who was with him at the end.

                                                                        MYRICK'S, BRUNSWICK COUNTY, VIRGINIA

                                                                        March 4, 1816

[To William McKendree ][ Bishop McKendree.]

My dear Son:

            Were it proper and possible, I should greatly enjoy to be near thee and the conferences, but perhaps I should weary myself, as I have done, and hinder more than help you.

1. If I may say anything of the stations: does Joseph Frye[Joseph Frye was presiding on the Potomac District and Christopher Frye on the Monongahela District.] hold his zeal If so, there is no man more fit to preside in the Monongahela District.

2. If we take up German missions, it must be spiritedly. I wish we had four men who would offer freely, and serve faithfully, married or single; our hymn book translated; a thousand copies of Discipline,[ The references here are to the German editions of the Hymn Book and Discipline. The Journal of Bishop Christian Newcomer throws much light on Asbury's relationships to the United Brethren. Newcomer first visited a Methodist conference at Pipe Creek, Maryland, 1801. He attended the General Conference in Baltimore in 1804. He relates what happened at the Harrisonburg Virginia Conference in 1809. He names those who preached-Asbury, Roberts, Pitts, and George in English, and Boehm, Gruber, and himself in German. A committee was appointed to talk with him about union between the two churches. Newcomer took with him a resolution to be presented to the United Brethren Conference. It dealt with union and the exchange of tickets for the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The United Brethren decided that they would recognize each other's tickets for the Lord's Supper, but on other matters "we must have time to think." As long as Asbury lived, there were frequent visits of the United Brethren preachers to the Methodist Conferences. Union was often discussed among the preachers. See Christian Newcomer's Journal for repeated references to Asbury and the Methodists. (Samuel S. Hough, Christian Newcomer, His Life, Journal and. Achievements, 1941.)] correct from the General Conference. If they will not sell, give them away to the people. Send a missionary to Schuylkill District, Susquehanna, Carlisle, and Monongahela, presiding elders holding cash to pay the missionaries quarterly, the missionaries making collections and being accountable for these also to the conferences.

            I wish the change of Boehm and Roberts,[ Henry Boehm was presiding elder on the Chesapeake District, and Robert R. Roberts was presiding elder on the Philadelphia District.] because of Henry's usefulness in German.

            We have covered the three hundred dollars to Virginia Conference. If either Baltimore or Philadelphia is deficient one or two hundred, we are ready.

            Had I power to be present, the stewards would have a correct account of all we have received at conferences and expended upon road expenses. In 1815 I asked thirty dollars, they sent forty.

            The incredible toil of Wesley Bond [John Wesley Bond was with Asbury.] is only known tome; I must reward him. His character is good; he has attempted to moderate his sermons;

preaches to acceptance, generally beloved by the preachers and the people.

I have written to the General Conference,[ Address to the General Conference of 1816.] wish you to see it. I have written to Mr. Benson, and wish the General Conference to hear a copy of the letter read.

In great love,

                                                                        F. Asbury[Asbury's last letter was written in Virginia, the state which had seen more of his travels than any other state. Tipple and others indicate that he visited the state 84 times. However, the investigations that have been made in reference to his visits to Old Virginia (including the present West Virginia) show that he visited this area more than 120 times. Asbury traveled on from Myrick's in Brunswick County, Virginia, to Richmond. About the middle of March he reached Manchester (now South Richmond) and stayed with his old preacher friend John Potts (retired). Father Courtney came to see him there, and they made plans for the local preachers. After remaining a few days in Manchester, he crossed the James River to Richmond and lodged with Archibald Foster. Here he remained for a week. He interviewed Bishop Moore of the Episcopal Church here. They talked of the work of the two churches. Then on Sunday, March 24, he preached his last sermon, having to be lifted into the pulpit. On Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday he traveled from Richmond to Mr. George Arnold's in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. On Sunday about eleven o'clock he called on John Wesley Bond, his traveling companion, to sing, pray, and expound the twenty-first chapter of Revelation.

"When he could no longer swallow or speak, seeing the distress of his friends, he looked joyfully at Brother Bond and raised his hand. When asked if he then felt the victory complete, exerting all his remaining strength, he raised both his hands, and in a few minutes died without a struggle or groan, as a weary child sinks to sleep upon its mother's breast. He died on March 31, 1816." (See Paine, Life and Times of Bishop McKendree, 183, and Bennett, Memorials of Methodism in Virginia, 606-15.) See map of Asbury's journeys in Virginia facing page 238

]

Robert Paine, Life and Times of Bishop McKendree, 181-82