February 18, 1792 — to Freeborn Garrettson
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
ASB_VOL3.PDF, PDF page 144
Freeborn Garrettson was one of the earliest and most dependable of Asbury’s preachers. In 1784 he went as a missionary to Nova Scotia, being assigned there by the Christmas Conference. However, he stayed there only a short time, coming back to the United States in 1785 and being assigned to Shelburne. Asbury reports that all was well in Virginia; but before the end of the year O’Kelly led his schism into the Republican Methodist Church, which was established in Surry County, Virginia.
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
February 18, 1792
[TO FREEBORN GARRETTSON]1
My very dear Brother:
After a cold and trying, tedious journey, we are safe in Charleston. It has been a consolating time to me. Oh, my soul thou hast trodden down strength! I feel heaven in my soul daily. Peace, sweet peace, reigns through the whole work. All is unity with our brethren in Virginia. We expect the General Conference will meet, provided Dr. Coke can attend, the first of November. I trust we shall know what Israel ought to do in all things of moment. I do not intend to hold conference in New York till after yours in Albany. The conference in New York will be the 27th of August. We have been favored with a revival in the western parts of North and South Carolina and Holston also. We must look for a general spread of religion. You will do well to examine carefully into the state of religion in families, and the leaders, stewards and local preachers at quarterly meetings. Is thy own soul deeply baptized into God? We can be saved from the least and low remains of sin. Oh how many lose or leave their first love! How few can bear affluence and prosperity! Who would think a man should preach so acceptably and act so diabolically as some have? Let us watch and be sober. I hope to see thee as I pass New York to the eastward, then we can fix my flight through Connecticut as I shall be on horseback. I wish to explore a way from Springfield among the Green Mountains to Albany. Thanks as ever
F. ASBURY
Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference (Lovely Lane Museum)
Notes (1)
- Freeborn Garrettson was presiding elder in northern New York in 1792. The districts are not named in the early Minutes. It was he who had gone out in 1784 at the direction of Asbury to call the preachers to the Christmas Conference. ↩