February 17, 1796 — to Mrs. Martha Haskins
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
ASB_VOL3.PDF, PDF page 178
A most interesting insight into Asbury’s attitude toward the women is reflected in this letter. It was written with the intent of stirring up prayer meetings among the women. Asbury wrote to the wife of Thomas Haskins. Haskins was a grocer in Philadelphia, though he had been a preacher. Mrs. Dickins, wife of Book Agent John Dickins, and Mrs. Daniel Ruff were preachers’ wives.
CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
February 17, 1796
[TO MRS. MARTHA HASKINS]1
My very dear Sister:
My soul longeth for the prosperity of Zion. Oh that the sisters would establish prayer meetings once a week. Will you and sister Dickins2 and those about the square? Oh if we had a spirit of wrestling prayer, we should see great, very great things. I have written to the brethren. Having a little time I remember the dear sisters. I trust they love God and me, and will listen to my advice. We have a woman’s prayer meeting in this infant society.
Oh my sister you have a suffering, dying life but the grace of God is sufficient for you. Some bitters are good for the soul as well as the body. I wish that those among you who are sick, let those that are healthy and more able come to the rooms of the weak. Oh, perfect love. I am resting, reading and writing. I think on the dear souls, my children, and think perhaps my God will bless some little instruction I may give their souls. I have thought you would take your flight soon. Oh may you soon be ripe for glory.
I can only preach publickly every Lord’s day. My congregations, 1000 or 1200 souls. I am at times greatly led out for souls. It is low times with the new sort of Methodists. We have had several souls brought to God, and I am sure if there were half a dozen prayer meetings in Philadelphia, in private rooms, men and women [apart], we should have great times. Women are weak, but remember Eve, and Sarah, Miriam, Deborah, Hannah, Shebah’s Queen, Elizabeth, Anna, Phebe and such like, bring the gifts to enrich the temple of God. Some of you may be powerfully quickened in perfection, love, and go in triumph to glory shortly. I am with great respect thine. If my advice is taken, I shall find you all aflame for God when I may come in July. Sister Ruff3 is gone. Oh my sister how shall I rejoice to hear it said, your old friend is gone but she was uncommonly happy before she died.
Thine in Jesus,
F. ASBURY
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Notes (3)
- Wife of Thomas Haskins. Letter addressed “near 4th Street, Philadelphia.” She was Martha Potts before her marriage. ↩
- Mrs. John Dickins. ↩
- Mrs. Ruff, the wife of Daniel Ruff, the preacher, had died. He entered the traveling connection in 1774 and traveled until 1781, when he evidently “desisted from travelling” because of marriage. ↩