August 27, 1771 — to Mrs. Asbury
WHITCHURCH, ENGLAND
ASB_VOL3.PDF, PDF page 26
A Letter to Mrs. Asbury from Four Affectionate Sisters,
Parishioners of Francis Asbury The four members of Francis Asbury’s flock in a letter to his mother express their deep regret over Asbury’s decision to go to America.
WHITCHURCH, ENGLAND
August 27, 1771
[TO MRS. ASBURY]
Dear Mrs. Asbury:
We have heard that your son is going, or is gone, to America. We expected he would call on us, to bid us farewell. But as the time is expired, we must give up our hope. So we have troubled you with a few lines, by way of inquiry if you were willing to part with him, and he willing to part from you? We think it must be an instance of much trouble to both, for indeed we were very much grieved when we heard Mr. Asbury was going there. The intent of writing this is to beg the favor of you to send us a few lines, as soon as possible, that we may be informed of the particulars of this long journey, if he is gone; for we can scarce believe he is so mad, and to desire another letter from you the first time he writes to you from abroad. Indeed the Lord has made him a useful instrument to many here, and he will not be easily forgotten by us. Indeed, our dear sister, you have great reason to rejoice in the Lord, in that your son is also a son of God, and an heir with the Lord of glory. But this is no doubt a time of distress to you and your husband; and we in some measure mourn with you for the loss of him for so long a time. But we hope the Lord will restore him again in peace, to the joy of your hearts. We all1 join in respectful love to you, and remain Your affectionate sisters,
S. Faithorn
Mary Farmer
M. Butler
Elizabeth Web
P.S. Pray send as soon as possible. Direct to Mrs. Faithorn, Whitchurch, Hants.
Drew University Library
Notes (1)
- It is interesting to read the following letter written to Francis Asbury by the Rev. W. Orp (sometimes spelled Orpe) in 1766. In spite of what his superior thought of his start, Asbury had done well, as the above letter from the ladies proves. Orp was an assistant to Wesley, as the preachers were called in the early days, and was on the Staffordshire Circuit in 1766. The assistant acted as preacher in charge, or superintendent; and the preachers associated with him were helpers. Orp was evidently a stern man and believed in discipline. Darlaston, Staffordshire May 23, 1766 Dear Frank, I take this opportunity of informing you, that I shall not be at those places, and shall expect you to see them supplied in due time. It is true another preacher is come; but he goes immediately into the low round; in the mean time I wish you would hearken to those verses of Hesiod:— ‘‘Let him attend his charge, and careful trace The richt-lin’d furrow, gaze no more around: But have his mind employ’d upon the work.” Then I should hope to hear that your profiting would appear unto all men. You have lost enough already by gazing all around; for God’s sake do so no more. I wish I could see you on your return from Hampton on Sunday evening. I shall be at Wednesbury if it please God. I have a little concern to mention. I hope you’ll call. I remain yours affectionately, W. Orp The Methodist Magazine, 1831, 190-91 ↩