[June 18, 1798] — to John Dickins

There is considerable evidence that Asbury was most sensitive to the criticism which came to his ears from time to time of his personal habits. Because he sold books and because he sent money to his parents as regularly as possible, rumors spread around that he had means. He frequently explains his manner of living and his poverty.

[NEW YORK, N.Y.]¹

[June 18, 1798]

[TO JOHN DICKINS]²

My very dear Brother:

As life with me now is a greater uncertainty than heretofore, I am concerned to communicate these few lines to the public, not doubting but they will give information and satisfaction to the candid and conscientious. It may be thought by those who measure others by themselves, that I have gained much honor, ease, power, and interest in my station in the Church of God. Nay, I have lived upon the providence of God and the charity of a few friends.

My method for many years has been to keep an account of what has been given me without solicitation. I have also kept an account of what I have expended annually, charging the connection with my salary of sixty-four dollars per year and my travelling expenses, as another preacher. When I have wanted a horse or carriage my friends have provided for me. My friends of Maryland, Delaware, Philadelphia, Jersey, and New York have chiefly communicated this supply. As to Virginia or the Carolinas, (except in a few extraordinary cases), as also Georgia, and the western and eastern States, I have visited them, taking nothing unless in extreme want on my side, or in great benevolence of my friends on the other. As to the college,³ it was all pain and no profit, but some expense and great labor. From the Preachers’ Fund the conferences can witness for me I have taken nothing. Of the book interest you can witness I have received nothing. Of the Chartered Fund I am independent, and wish to keep so. Of money brought to conference, or collected publicly at times, it has been appropriated with the nicest equality to the wants and deficiencies of the preachers, but not any to me.

You have settled my annual accounts and have the book charge. Brother Nelson Reed⁴ will do me the justice I demand, he having had the settling of the college books and my accounts. Brothers T. Morrell⁵ and Philip Bruce⁶ have had a most intimate acquaintance with my temporal affairs, and the inspection of my yearly accounts; yet after all I must die, to prove, my last will and testament, that I have not made my gain by the Gospel of Christ. And should I die as poor as I have lived, it will be said by suspicious, ungenerous men that I have made appropriations in my lifetime. I shall call upon the conferences, John Dickins, Nelson Reed, and Thomas Morrell, as witnesses to the truth of what I have written, as a debt of duty and of love they owe me, who am their brother and companion in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ.

FRANCIS ASBURY

W.P. Strickland, The Pioneer Bishop, 195-97