October 3, 1789 — to Thomas Morrell

Morrell had great success in building the church and received the appreciation of Asbury.

[PHILADELPHIA, PA.]¹

October 3, 1789

[TO THOMAS MORRELL]²

My dear Brother:

I am pleased you have made out so wonderfully. I can figure in my own mind the difficulties you have had to struggle with. The hints you gave are very just as to the management of temporalities. The members are welcome to act, but who are to appoint them is the question? I find it hard if a preacher cannot draw a collection for a mission, or conference, or station, without complaint. I have nothing at all to complain of, and it would have been impossible to have carried your great design into execution without your method. My appointments are made through East Jersey, where I have not been for this two years past. Was it not for this you should see me in [New] York next Sabbath week.

The Lord is glorious throughout the continent. Baltimore, the work goes on rapidly indeed; we have eight hundred in society. I expect an earth quake of the Lord’s power will go from east to west, and from north to south; but few circuits but the work revives. I am, with great respect, thine, FRANCIS ASBURY

J.B. Wakeley, Lost Chapters Recovered from the Early History of American Methodism, 348-49