[August, 1796] — to His Parents

This letter is not dated, nor is the place from which it was written given. However, Asbury says he is beginning the fifty-first year of his life, hence 1796. It was written before October 20 as indicated and probably written in the summer. Since Asbury did not refer to the Cokesbury fire, the letter may have been written in 1795. [PHILADELPHIA, PA.]

[August, 1796]

[TO HIS PARENTS]

My own dear Father and Mother:

I have received several letters expressive of your paternal love and gratitude towards me. I have often revolved the serious thought of my return to you. To say nothing of the State of Europe, and Britain, or the society, with whom I claim, in England. I have frequently asked myself, Can you retire to a single circuit, and act as a lay preacher, and step down? This is not my difficulty, if I know my own heart. With humility and self-abasement I may say, one hundred thousand respectable citizens of the new world, and 300 travelling and 600 local brethren, would advise me not to go. I hope the voice of the people is the voice of God. At present we have more work, than faithful workmen. We have a state or two out of 17 states¹ and territories, that call for help, and we are not able to supply them and support it.

I am like Joseph, I want to have you near me. I am not ashamed of your poverty; and I hope after so many years professing religion, you will not be wanting in piety. I have considered you have that which is my joy and glory; that you have had open doors above 40 years for religious exercises, when no other would or even dared to do it. It is a serious subject whether you think it is your duty still to keep a place for preaching, or if upon your removal the Gospel will be taken from poor Barr!² Yet, when I think you have no child, nor friend that careth for you, the distress of the land, and high prices of provisions, I wish to see you, and have you near me. ‘Tis true, whilst I live you will live also; if I keep my place and piety. I have passed the slippery paths of youth; and am now entering the 51st year of my life, I have very different views and feelings. I have had the burden of a school, hastily called a college,³ by Dr. Coke. I gave that up into the hands of trustees made by law. I study daily, what I can do without. One horse, and that sometimes borrowed, one cloak, one great coat, one coat, one waistcoat, (the last coat and waistcoat I used about 14 months), 4 or 5 shirts, 4 or 5 books. I am in doubt that if I should be called away you will not be provided for so well as among those I have faithfully laboured for this 24 years. It is true, you are not immortal, anymore than myself, judging according to the nature of things you may go first, one or both of you. All these things I have weighed in my mind. I wish you to reconsider the matter, and ask much counsel of God, and your best and most impartial friends.

I have received information of thirty guineas put into the hands of Mr. Suckley, to remit to your service. I received a letter from Brother Rhodes on your behalf, for which I am much obliged to him. On the subject he wrote to me, let him know I avoid all worldly incumbrances. Our Book interest is in the hands of John Dickins, in Philadelphia. Brother Dickins⁴ keepeth a stationers shop. Should he choose to receive his grammars in sheets, without the British constitution, he may safely send them. The Americans think their own constitutions the best. John Hagerty, in Baltimore, keepeth a stationery. He may trade with him also. Should the grammars come over by our General Conference, the preachers may take some. I shall remember you by Dr. Coke. I wish my dear parents to consider the matter and send me another letter between this and the 20th of October. Whether I be present or absent, dead, or alive, I trust my friends in Baltimore will take care of you, by my help.

You have spent many pounds upon Christian people, I know from my childhood. Happy I was when this was done; and I hope it will come home to you in mercy. You must make it matter of much fasting, and prayer, before you attempt anything. You must not expect to see me above once in a year. I hope the accounts I have had of the piety of you both are not too large. May you ripen fast for glory. We have not any extraordinary displays of the power of God. America is the young child of God and providence, set upon the lap, dandled upon the knees, prest to the consolating breasts of mercies in ——. But we are not as thankful as we ought to be. The — — of the church I wish to make the cause of ——. I stand in such a situation, and relation for the state of the ministry and people. I may have a thousand letters of information in a year, while swiftly moving through the continent every year.

The time certainly is drawing near when universal peace shall bless the earth: when distracted Europe, superstitious Asia, blind Africa, and America shall more abundantly see the salvation of our God. Oh let us be much in prayer. For the health of my body and by the desire of my friends, I stop two months, in the soft climate of Charleston, South Carolina, the winter months, to avoid the rains. It is supposed my complaints have been derived from changes of lodging, and weather. I must travel rapidly for 10 months. My kind love to Brother Rhodes. I remember well seeing him at Witney, and his giving his horses something when sick. I am as ever your unworthy but loving son

F. ASBURY

The envelope has

Joseph Asbury Hampstead Hall near Birmingham Staffordshire Drew University Library