September 16, 1791 — to the Brethren in the United Societies of The Methodist Episcopal Church in America

The concern of Francis Asbury for the education of the youth is shown repeatedly in the Journal and the letters. Here is more concrete evidence of what he wished to see done. It is clear that so far as he was concerned, it was to be Christian education. This appeal was printed with the Minutes of 1791.

NEAR SALEM, NEW JERSEY

September 16, 1791

TO THE BRETHREN IN THE UNITED SOCIETIES OF THE

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN AMERICA

Dearly beloved in the Lord:

I rejoice to see so many thousands of the present generation, happy subjects of knowledge and grace. A real concern for the rising offspring and the children yet unborn, has been very weighty on my mind for many years. We have been at no small expense to provide a house¹ for refined education to serve whose wealth and desires lead them to improve the minds of their children. This will not extend to all, neither will it meet the ideas and wishes of those who have personal and located interests. What I now recommend, as your duty and privilege is to give the key of knowledge in a general way, to your children, and those of the poor in the vicinity of your small towns and villages.

It is submitted to your serious consideration, providence and charity, whether a plan of Christian education may not be brought into execution. In every large society, where the members are able and willing, to build a school-house for your sons, and to appropriate land, to employ a single, skilful, pious young man of the society; fix his salary according to that of a travelling preacher; or if a married man, the same with that of a married preacher. The worship of God in the school-house should be reading the word of the Lord, singing and prayer, every morning and evening. Playing strictly prohibited. A lesson in the instructions weekly committed to memory, to enjoin manly exercises, as working in the garden or field, or walking, reading, or speaking in public, or bathing. To admit the children whose parents are not in our society, by paying and submission to the rules, to take as many poor of our own, and others as you can. To build a separate school for your daughters, and put these under a gracious woman of abilities, to learn to read, write, sew, knit, mark and make their own clothing, to have their religious exercises and instructions the same as your sons, to expel the false obstinately wicked and incorrigible of either sex. The elder can spend a day in the school once in two weeks to see how both parts of education are attended to. It might be well to elect and appoint three men, wise, good and willing, as trustees or stewards, to serve a year; in order to manage the temporalities, visit at set times, admit or expel, after consulting the elder; and three very discreet, godly women for the daughters, who shall do the same.

The school may be erected and finished, clear of debt or rent, for one hundred pounds. Some pious people will probably, at their death, leave legacies; and annual subscriptions should be opened through the society and for any others that will assist. A charity sermon once a year, and public collections may be necessary; perhaps sixty or seventy pounds will be sufficient for the annual expense. The sisters must collect amongst their own sex, and also see how the mistress performs her duty. These schools may be open on Sabbath days, two hours in the morning, and two hours in the evening, for those that have no other time. We have but small hopes of coming properly at the lambs of the flock, till you have schools of your own rounding, and under your direction, that neither yourselves nor the teachers may be under any restraints from refractory men. If what I have advised, with any improvement, shall be found acceptable, it will give rest and joy to my mind. I have served you almost twenty years. I can only say they are your children I want taught, and can assure you it is in my heart to live and die with and for, both the parents and children.

Your Brother, Friend and Servant, for Christ’s sake,

F. ASBURY

Recommendatory Caution

Mark Well!

OUR brethren and friends, are desired to be more cautious how they receive strange preachers; especially to preach; unless their names are on the minutes or they can shew a parchment or a certificate from the presiding elders, or some elder in the district they may say they came from. Minutes of the Methodist Conferences, annually held in America from 1773 to 1794 inclusive. Copy owned by J. Manning Potts