May 29, 1789 — to the Friends of Cokesbury College

Several important documents have come to light which give information on Cokesbury College. This is one of them. This is a report of the progress at Cokesbury and also an appeal for support for the college. It seems that a large percentage of the students were orphans. Cokesbury College burned down in December, 1795, and was not rebuilt.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK

May 29, 1789

TO THE FRIENDS OF COKESBURY COLLEGE

Dear Brethren:

It is hardly possible for you to be sufficiently sensible of how great Difficulty and at the same Time of what Importance it is, to bring up Youth in the various Branches of Learning and pure Religion. To attain this valuable End in our Seminary of Learning, we have drawn the Reins of godly Discipline closer and closer, even to the Expulsion of one unruly young Man. Our President (Dr. Hall) displays Learning and Piety, and convinces us by his own Performance and those of his Pupils, that he is a Scholar.

We had the Pleasure at our last Visitation, to observe several of the Youths displaying Strength of Memory, and Propriety of Pronounciation in their public Speeches delivered in their Mother-Tongue; others discovering a considerable Knowledge of the Latin and Greek Classics, and others a mathematical Genius. The Industry and Efforts of three of the Youth’s in Gardening, gave us no small Satisfaction. Each of them chose his little Spot in the rude State of Nature, fenced it, cleansed it, formed it into little Beds and Walks, and raised therein a Variety of pleasing Plants and Vegetables. Above all, several of them have been, and now are, under gracious Impressions, and some truly converted to God. Four are boarded, and they and three more educated, gratis.

But one Thing is still wanting,—some warm Exertions in behalf of our College at this Time. The Building we hope will be completed this Year; for the accomplishing of which, and discharging all our Debts, about Two Thousand Pounds (Maryland Currency) will be necessary. We hope that at least two Thirds, if not three Fourths, of the Benefits of our Institution will be of a charitable Nature, and then it will be blest indeed! It will be so much devoted to the pure Service of God, and the Benefit of the States, and our Society in particular, and be conducted to so disinterested a Manner, that we may safely depend on the Blessing of God, and in a great Measure on the Obedience of the Scholars.

We thank you most sincerely for all that you have done; and have every Reason to confide in the Benevolence of your Hearts for the future. The Cries of the Fatherless and the Widows prevail, yea, they must melt, and move your Affections, and you cannot but help us in the present Instance,—andGod, even your own God, shall give you his Blessing. We remain, dear Brethren, as ever,

Your faithful Pastors, and devoted Servants for Christ’s Sake, THOMAS COKE,

FRANCIS ASBURY

Printed copy in Drew University Library