January 22, 1794 — to John Kobler

John Kobler was one of Asbury’s most dependable preachers, as this letter indicates. Asbury is giving directions for the Western Conference in case he could not be present.

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA

January 22, 1794

[TO JOHN KOBLER]¹

Dear Brother:

Notwithstanding I have enjoyed very little health since the first of August, having had inflammation, lameness, influenza, fever and colds, I have been struggling along to the present day. I have been frequently desired by the preachers and people to give up coming to the westward. I never consented until a few weeks past, believing myself unable and that it might probably endanger my life. But it appeared like an indication of Providence at that time unknown to me, that I should transact all my temporal concerns respecting Kentucky at the Conference in Petersburgh. I was then in a languid state not knowing what would befall me, and I have been much more so since.

I have herein enclosed a plan of the stations of the preachers which I should be glad should take place, but you must do as well as you can in cases of failure of contingences, and I desire you, if Brother McHenry² should not be present, you must take the Presidency of the Conference, and go through in regular order, taking their names, numbers, and election, if any of them should have the right of deacons election, which is two years probation.

I have desired Brother Poythress,³ if possible to meet me at conference at Brother Mitchell’s,⁴ Bottetourt, May 26 to present me with the Minutes and information of the district, as I shall require and that we may give him such advice and direction as we judge necessary. I wish likewise to see you there for the same purpose as it may be needful for you to continue the oversight of the Holston District. If there should be any deacons, elect, they may take ordination there if you come. I shall likewise want the Minutes of your Conference. If our aged brother that went to Russell is not useful, and unacceptable to the people you must try what is the judgment of the Conference concerning him, if the majority is against him he must locate himself.

If I should be able to visit the western country next year you may consider the matter in your Conference and we can talk it over, should we meet at Bottetourt, whether it would not be best for the Cumberland, Kentucky and Holston Districts to meet in the new territory about the first of May, the conferences in Baltimore, Petersburgh and Charleston will be held late in the fall and early in the spring, so that I shall have no conference but yours to attend for several months and can make more time and better weather. I feel very unwilling to give up the western country altogether but whether I shall be able to come every year I doubt with me, but if we should meet we can fully talk these matters over. I conclude and am as ever thine in love,

FRANCIS ASBURY

Drew University Library