[December 10, 1790] — to Thomas Morrell
ASB_VOL3.PDF, PDF page 115
Because of the damaged condition of this letter, at the top there is no name of the person to whom written, no place from which written, and no date. However, because of its internal evidence it is quite clear that it was written to Thomas Morrell and that it may have been written on December 10, 1790. Jesse Lee was presiding elder on the New England District in 1790. He was moved in 1791. Thomas Morrell was presiding elder on the New York District in 1790. His parents lived in Elizabeth Town (now Elizabeth), New Jersey. On several occasions he was sick and went home. (See Journal, July 27, 1795.)
Robert Cloud was pastor in New York in 1790 but was made presiding elder in upper New York in 1791 (names of districts not in Minutes at that time). If Morrell was sick, then Cloud would naturally be called upon to help out with the district. This experience would put him in mind for the presiding eldership, and it did. Asbury refers to Jesse Lee calling for help in New England District. The Minutes show that Matthias Swaim, who was in New Rochelle, New York, was moved to the New England District. Asbury also refers to the Council which was held recently and which Morrell missed. That was held in Baltimore on December 1, 1790.
Early in 1791 Asbury took Morrell with him as his traveling companion. They went down to the South. Morrell had overtaxed his strength, and Asbury took him to save his life.1 [BALTIMORE, MD.]
[December 10, 1790]
[TO THOMAS MORRELL]2
My very ——
No news from yourself gives me painful fears of your disposition of body and retiring no doubt to Elizabeth Town under the wings of a tender parentage. Oh how sickness and death disappoint our expectation. Should your sickness and inability continue I have written that it would be expedient for the elders as it can be made convenient to visit the quarter meetings. Brother Lee calls aloud for help. If you can send a supply to him it would be well. The work of God in our view has suffered for want of laborers, many sick, disabled, dispirited and dead. I know how you will feel. I was dumb for many months and at death’s door, given up by my friends, lost to the church and the world, but God almighty raised me up. You will feel dejection and suffer more in mind than body. Should you live, a southern and softer air might be obtained could you be removed there to. I was where, in England, the winters cold and the northern states likewise, an heavy cough and continual tickly frequent sore throat, rheumatic complaints; these are almost gone by going southerly every year. My dear brother, give yourself to God. You cannot judge of your state, not laboring or having his benefit of religious society—will so deject your soul. I feel indeed that you will feel in reality my love to you, great expectations from you, your sagacity will soon discover. You are ready to the utmost and beyond your power, the Lord lets! not to see you in Council, then to hear of your being obliged to go home. Although I have written to Brother Cloud it is with submission to you. If able to go or order, who shall attend Quarter meetings and circuits?
Yours as ever
FRANCIS ASBURY
Thomas Morrell Collection, Friends of the Middle Border Museum, Dakota Wesleyan University, Mitchell, South Dakota
Notes (2)
- Stevens, History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, III, 147. ↩
- Thomas Morrell was born in New York City, November 22, 1747. His mother was a member of Philip Embury’s first class. They moved early to the present Elizabeth, New Jersey, where there were no Methodists, and joined the Presbyterian Church. At the outbreak of the Revolution, Morrell formed a company of volunteers, was made captain, then major, and later was severely wounded. He was taken to his father’s house in Elizabeth Town by permission of George Washington. Later he became a merchant with his father in Elizabeth Town. He retained the friendship of George Washington and conducted Asbury and Coke to see Washington May 29, 1789. He was converted in 1785 by John Hagerty, the Methodist, when Hagerty was preaching in Elizabeth Town. About three months later Morrell left the mercantile business and started preaching. Hagerty made appointments for him. On his third or fourth attempt to preach Morrell felt that he had failed as a preacher and decided he had not been called to preach. However, three people came to see him and told him they had been converted by his preaching. He started the church at Chatham. Morrell entered the conference on trial in 1787 and was appointed to the Staten Island Circuit, which included Elizabeth Town. His ministerial labors mainly included New York, Philadelphia, and Charleston, South Carolina. In spite of several severe illnesses he lived to be an old man. He kept a journal and wrote in his journal when he was ninety years old a summation of his life and gratitude to God. On August 9, 1839, he died rejoicing. His last words were” ‘Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me,’“ and, “All is well.” (See Stevens, History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, III, 141-50.) ↩