November 12, 1790 — to Ezekiel Cooper

Ezekiel Cooper, best known later as the Book Agent of the church, was at this time pastor of Annapolis (Maryland) Circuit. Asbury had been down the Peninsula as far as Accomack Courthouse, and on the way back he preached on Friday to a full house at

Bolingbroke, in Maryland.

BOLINGBROKE, MARYLAND

November 12, 1790

[TO EZEKIEL COOPER]¹

My very dear Brother:

I am fully agreed that you should write as you dictate. We have been labouring by heavy strides through the Peninsula,² with some living, others very dead. It seems as tho’ the work will go on in Accomack³ in spite of Satan and the B——nts. We have a little stir in some part of Somerset.⁴ I am fully convinced of the necessity of a constant Spirit of prayer in private in families, societies and publick. Strive my dear to push all you can to prayer. I am in hopes we shall collect $200 or near this trip for the college⁵ but I shall want near $400. Our house will fill swiftly and hope we shall see matters in a more promising state. Many poor are pressing upon us and this is my greatest consolation. I have had my pleasing prospects of employing a teacher or two if I am not disappointed. We have had a perfect unanimity in all the Conferences, and great peace. The work revives in New York, and goes on in Jersey. In the latter state it is thought that not less than six hundred souls have been converted in six months, and it still goes on.

My soul is in peace, my breast is pained. Long rides, large congregations, quarterly meetings every day.

Peace be with thy spirit! As ever thine,

F. ASBURY

Garrett Biblical Institute Library