January 9, 1775 — to Edward Dromgoole
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
ASB_VOL3.PDF, PDF page 38
Asbury was appointed to Baltimore in 1773. In 1774 he was appointed to New York, but to change with Thomas Rankin in Philadelphia in three months. Evidently the change had been made as this letter was written from Philadelphia. Edward Dromgoole was appointed to Baltimore in 1774, but seems to have changed to Kent Circuit before January, 1775, as the envelope is addressed to Kent County. Dromgoole had followed Asbury in Baltimore, and Asbury planned to go back. There was some misunderstanding between them. On February 17, 1775, Asbury records in the Journal that he had a letter from Robert Strawbridge saying, “Mr. Dromgoole concurred in sentiment relative to my going to Baltimore.” On Saturday, February 25, 1775, Asbury packed to leave on Monday for Baltimore. He arrived on time and stayed until May. The Minutes show that Asbury was appointed to Norfolk in May, 1775; and Dromgoole was appointed to Brunswick, both in Virginia.
PHILADELPHIA, PA.
January 9, 1775
[TO EDWARD DROMGOOLE]1
My dear Friend:
Having this opportunity I send you a few lines to let you know that I am still the same, not offended, as you were afraid; but as my influence and fellowship among the young preachers2 has been much suspected, as stirring them up against those they should be in subjection to. I have dropt writing for ye sake of peace. Be assured I wish you good luck in the house of the Lord.
Am glad you have got such a large field of action. If you would do good you must live to God and give up every idol and not let one stand in the Temple of the Lord; [may] your soul make the words of God your study day and night. Always account yourself a learner, only when you go to preach take care of trifling, if you are free, use your liberty, prize your freedom. Remember you have escaped as with ye skin of your teeth —— but weak in body, hope my heart —— has been for sometime. I expect to stay here 2 months but know not where I shall go after. Give my kind love to all inquiring friends. Don’t be discouraged that you are left alone, the Lord I hope will stand by you.
I am in much love and tender care as ever yours in the Best of Bond, FRAN. ASBURY
On the envelope:
To Edward Dromgoole Kent County c/o Ed. Gibbs
University of North Carolina Library
Notes (2)
- Dromgoole was one of the earliest of the preachers. He had come from Ireland and appears in the Minutes in 1774 when he was admitted on trial. His greatest work was in Brunswick County, Virginia. Here he preached with George Shadford in the Great Awakening. He traveled from 1774 to 1780 and from 1783 to 1786 and located in Brunswick. He retained his local preacher’s license and preached regularly. He accumulated some wealth and reared a family, some of whom became distinguished. The collection of Dromgoole’s papers in the University of North Carolina Library is one of the outstanding early Methodist collections. This and two other letters of Asbury are in that collection as well as letters from John Dickins, John Hagarty, Devereux Jarratt, John Wesley, and others to Dromgoole. (See minutes.) ↩
- Those who like Strawbridge wished to perform the ordinances. ↩