November 16, 1789 — to Ezekiel Cooper

The Council as a governing body was adopted in 1789 and lasted until the first General Conference in 1792. It was made up of the bishops and the presiding elders. It was to be called at such time as the bishops decided it should be held. The first meeting was held in Baltimore on December 3, 1789. Philip Bruce and James O’Kelly¹ were delegates from Virginia. Their districts covered most of that state. O’Kelly was the chief “malcontent.” However, Bruce was loyal to Asbury. Bruce had the larger district,² including all the territory from the Chesapeake Bay to and including what is now northern West Virginia, and from the Maryland line on the Potomac River to the York River. The southern boundary followed that river west until it turned north from King William County to the Rappahannock River. The boundary followed the Rappahannock River to its beginnings on into West Virginia. James O’Kelly was ever stirring up opposition. His antagonism was now venting itself against the council.³ Asbury felt that O’Kelly was behind the whole movement to incorporate the church. Many of them had been deeded to Asbury and the Methodist preachers for their use and none others and for the preaching of the gospel as incorporated in Wesley’s four volumes of Sermons and his Notes on the New Testament. Evidently the idea to incorporate churches tied into the plans of some of the “malcontents” to strip Asbury and the Connection of its power. Asbury sees the plan as that of ministers rather than laymen. This was an early fight between those for and against the connectional system.

FISHING CREEK [DORCHESTER COUNTY], MD.

November 16, 1789

[TO EZEKIEL COOPER]⁴

My dear Brother:

I am of opinion that the Act of Incorporation will probably stand a prosperous poll. If any thing can be done to let it, I wish you to move every spring against it. You have just ideas of this political scheme. It will not do for us. We have no church property but our churches; who will contend with us for these, or put us out of the possession of them? I am persuaded that many of the members of these churches who pray for incorporation, when they feel the effects, will cry out against it. You can do something with the Eastern Shore⁵ members, and you may use all your influence if it is not too late. God has been wonderfully with us at all our quarterly meetings. I think we shall have wonderful times. I am thine in haste and much love,

F. ASBURY

P.S. It may plainly be declared what this bill is: that it is a Jesuitical plan. Why did not the people form and present this bill, and not the ministers? I doubt not but that the people will feel properly when it comes into operation, and they will cry under their burdens.

If you could be spared to go to Philadelphia.⁶ I should be glad, for Satan is strongly forted in that city. There is heavy work, you may be sure. I was thinking we should see more about these matters at the Council.⁷ Garrett Biblical Institute Library