[March 23,] 1794 — to John Kobler

On March 22 Asbury records in the Journal his great concern for the brethren in the Western Conference. On March 23, Sunday, he says he has written several letters westward “to supply my lack of service.”

[WHITE] RIVER, NORTH CAROLINA

[March 23,] 1794¹

[TO JOHN KOBLER]²

My very dear Brother:

I am sorry it is not for me to come westward. You will do the best you can for Holston. May the first, 1795, I must try the mountains again. If ordination is needful for any for deacons, they may meet me at Mitchell’s³ May 26, 1794, or you may meet me and let us take some counsel together and you will be able to give me some just account of the state of the Holston District. If the Lord is with you wonders will be wrought and you shall go on valiantly. I hope Brother Lindsay⁴ has grace, his gifts are small, his language is not much improved. He may do with a steady man, to direct him. The poverty of the church is exceeding great for preachers, yet not so great as the demands to different and distant parts. I have declined taking a person that is fit for the circuits with me, the call is so great. If you are straitened for money, you must let me know. I think you had better meet me and tell me all you hear at Mitchell’s. I am much better, but coming about 400 miles by riding it in 10 or 12 days, cold lodging and rains has given me rhumatick touches. I am now going where I have not been for years. I wait the providence of God in my moves. My dear Brother, press purity on thy own soul, on the souls of the preachers and the people there. That is the spot we feel our glory is departing. We must preach holiness plainly, pointedly, now to be obtained by grace through those, in great love as ever,

F. ASBURY

Drew University Library