November 11, 1796 — to Nelson Reed

BETWEEN THE GENERAL CONFERENCES OF

1796 AND 1800

November 11, 1796 - May 9, 1800

CHAPTER 6

The General Conference of 1796 had been held in Baltimore. Asbury had been entertained by the Reeds. Now he is writing back to them with an appended letter to the society. He was traveling through Virginia and had stopped at two taverns on the way. Bishop Coke was along, and they had rested with the Parrot family in Richmond. He wrote this letter at the Walthall’s near Chesterfield Courthouse, just outside of Richmond, across the James River.

CHESTERFIELD, VIRGINIA

November 11, 1796

[TO NELSON REED]¹

My very dear Brother:

I am under great obligations to you and my dear Sister Reed for every expression of love and service to make life comfortable, whilst under your roof. We have rode near 200 miles since we made our departure from Baltimore, two nights lodging in taverns,² well entertained for our money. I have travelled with a sore boil on my cheek. I have contemplated my case to look forward for 4 years to have to ride 6000 miles a year. I thought I would not suffer myself to pass another General Conference and be left so, yet here I am in the same circumstances as before. I am flattered but not released. I shall be obliged, if you will read the following lines to the society in my name.

“Dearly Beloved in the Lord, the stationed and local ministry, leaders, and members of the Society in Baltimore.

“My being absent from or present with you cannot alter my affection for, care over, or love to you. I hope what I am about to write is from God, and for your good. The Sacramental and Love Feast Communion you hold together, in my humble opinion, is not sufficient. Your classical fellowship is very local. It is impressed upon my mind that the want of prayer bands is somewhat supplied in the men’s and women’s classes. I most devoutly wish and desire that if not once in a week yet once in two weeks the whole body of the society should meet alone, as the church of God to participate in each others joys, and sorrows, trials, consolations, cares, fears and decisions, hopes, wishes and feelings, that you may speak, and pray, and sing together. I humbly hope it will be rendered a special blessing. It will be needful to give tickets to all the society; who should be admitted at the side doors of the church or meeting house. The Lord is returned to his place, when he will visit us again we know not.

“Let us exhort one another, and use every means. I judge it will be highly necessary for the leading members to meet once in 2 weeks for the temporal interests, and once in 2 weeks for spiritual purposes, and the improvement of their own souls. What I have recommended is a part of old Methodism, as it is practiced at New York and was kept up by the societies in London. It will be much for the advantage of the society to bring all the gifts into the storehouse that there may be meat in the Lord’s house that if any good is communicated to any soul the whole may have the benefit.” I am as ever your faithful friend and brother,

F. ASBURY

Drew University Library