September 20, 1783 — to John Wesley
WEST JERSEY
ASB_VOL3.PDF, PDF page 50
The conflicts in America between the Calvinist and the Arminian points of view are brought out here. Asbury was having his troubles with the preaching in other churches. He is pointing out to Wesley how necessary the ordinances are and how preachers are needed to administer them.
WEST JERSEY
September 20, 1783
[TO JOHN WESLEY]
Rev. and very dear Friend:
Since I wrote to you from [New] York,1 I have been travelling through various parts of West Jersey. We have within these three years past made large strides in East and West Jersey. In the most public, and some of the extreme parts, a few hundreds have joined us, of different denominations. We are much beset with a mixed people, warm for their own peculiarities in doctrines and forms. I could not have thought that Reformed churches had so much policy, and stubborn prejudices. No means are left untried to prevent us; but we know and feel that God is with us. I fear the prospects of peace and prosperity unnerve our zeal for God. There appeared to be a more visible work of God in the Jerseys, last year, than there is this; though I hope believers are in some measure faithful. It is a time of general sickness and mortality in most parts near the water.
I heard yesterday of the death of a man, who twenty years ago was a Baptist preacher. By something wrong in his conduct he was silenced, and backslided from God; yet retained his Calvinian principles, and disputed continually with our preachers and people. Last spring he died, recanted his opinions, and desired it might be written; but the people around him would not do it. He confessed it was his resting upon, and disputing about his notions, that prevented his seeking, and obtaining the restoring grace of God. I was told the Baptist minister refused to preach his funeral sermon, because he died a heretick to their faith.
I see clearly that the Calvinists on one hand, and the Universalians on the other, very much retard the work of God, especially in Pennsylvania and the Jerseys, for they both appear to keep people from seeking heart religion. Maryland does not abound with Calvinism; but in Virginia, North and South Carolina, and Georgia, the Baptists labour to stand by what they think is the good old cause. I think you ought always to keep the front of the Arminian Magazine2 filled with the best pieces you can get, both ancient and modern, against Calvinism: they may be read by future generations.
Is Methodism intended for the benefit of all denominations of reformed Christians? Can a Quaker, as well as a member of any other church, be in Society, and hold his outward peculiarities, without being forced to receive the ordinances? It is well known that all dissenters, when any of their members join us, turn them out. This is done out of policy, to get them from us altogether; but they will be tired of this, when they suffer by it. I reverence the ordinances of God; and attend them when I have opportunity; but I clearly see they have been made the tools of division and separation for these three last centuries. We have joined with us at this time, those that have been Presbyterians, Dutch, and English, Lutherans, Mennonites, low Dutch, and Baptists. If we preach up ordinances to these people, we should add, “if they are to be had, and if not, there can be no guilt.” If we do any other way, we shall drive them back to their old churches that have disowned them; and who will do all they can to separate them from us.
The friendly clergy are located and do but little for us. If young men of our connection should get ordained, it will not do well. No person can manage the lay preachers here so well, it is thought, as one that has been at the raising of the most of them. No man can make a proper change upon paper, to send one here, and another without knowing the circuits and the gifts of all the preachers, unless he is always out among them. My dear sir, a matter of the greatest consequence now lies before you: If you send preachers to America, let them be proper persons.3 We are now united; all things go on well, considering the storms, and difficulties we have had to ride through. I wish men of the greatest understanding would write impartial accounts; for it would be better for us not to have preachers, than to be divided. This I know, great men that can do good, may do hurt if they should take the wrong road. I have laboured and suffered much to keep the people and preachers together: and if I am thought worthy to keep my place, I should be willing to labour and suffer till death for peace and union.
If I should be spared, I purpose to write from Baltimore; and then I will send you a parcel of letters and papers, that you may see how that division arose, spread, and was healed. Please to write, and tell me your mind with great freedom; if your confidence is the same with respect to me as it formerly has been.
I am, as ever, yours in Christ,
F.A.
Drew University Library
Notes (3)
- Before the War of American Independence, Wesley’s chief correspondent in the American colonies was Thomas Rankin. On April 5, 1783, Asbury “heard the news that peace was confirmed.” The report was premature. There began a new era of British-American Methodist co-operation; but now Francis Asbury was the correspondent-in-chief, and the colonies soon became the United States. Asbury asked Wesley’s advice on the new situation, but at the same time made it clear that it was not possible to take up just where things had been left off before the war. Already before the receipt of this letter Wesley was convinced that in Asbury he had a man upon whom his blessing could rest as the leader of American Methodism. Three days earlier he had written to Edward Dromgoole in Virginia: “I am persuaded Bro. Asbury is raised up to preserve Order among you, and to do just what I should do myself, if it pleased God to bring me to America.” On October 3 Wesley sent a directive to the American preachers (through Jesse Lee), which contained the phrase, “I do not wish our American brethren to receive any who make any difficulty of receiving Francis Asbury as the General Assistant.” This letter would only confirm Wesley’s certainty that this was the man he needed, revealing as it does Asbury’s charity, his catholicity, his Arminian theology, his tact and shrewd administrative ability, and above all his glowing spirit of evangelism. The fact that Wesley knew that such a man as Asbury was available was undoubtedly a crucial factor in his epochal ordinations the following September. (Frank Baker.) ↩
- The Arminian Magazine: consisting of Extracts and Original Treatises on Universal Redemption, a monthly magazine first appearing in 1778. As its title implied, it was in origin a theological weapon, directed chiefly against such Calvinist periodicals as The Spiritual Magazine and The Gospel Magazine (of which Augustus Toplady was editor). Although the Methodist emphasis on universal salvation continued to be stressed, the scope of the magazine was gradually (and wisely) broadened. In actual fact “future generations” still read this work, not (as Asbury anticipated) for the light it throws on theology, but on historical figures such as Asbury himself. (Frank Baker.) ↩
- Wesley’s concern for the intake of suitable preachers from the Old Country had already been shown in his letter of October 3, 1783, to Asbury. He could not have received Asbury’s letter in so short a time. BRISTOL October 3, 1783 Dear Brother, 1. Let all of you be determined to abide by the Methodist doctrine and discipline published in the four volumes of Sermons and the Notes upon the New Testament, together with the Large Minutes of the Conference. 2. Beware of preachers coming from Great Britain or Ireland without a full recommendation from me. Three of our travelling preachers have eagerly desired to go to America; but I could not approve of it by any means, because I am not satisfied that they thoroughly like either our discipline or our doctrine. I think they differ from our judgment in one or both. Therefore, if these or any other come without my recommendation, take care how you receive them. 3. Neither should you receive any preachers, however recommended, who will not be subject to the American Conference and cheerfully conform to the Minutes both of the American and English Conferences. 4. I do not wish our American brethren to receive any who make any difficulty of receiving Francis Asbury as the General Assistant. Undoubtedly the greatest danger to the work of God in America is like to arise either from preachers coming from Europe, or from such as will arise from among yourselves speaking perverse things, or bringing in among you new doctrines, particularly Calvinism. You should guard against this with all possible care; for it is far easier to keep them out than to thrust them out. I commend you all to the grace of God; and am Your affectionate friend and brother, John Wesley The Letters of John Wesley, VII, 191 ↩