June 6, 1801 — to George Roberts

Asbury’s foot infection caused him to be confined in Philadelphia for two months, thereby missing the New York Conference. The foot trouble as described in the Journal was a sinew strain. He had the constant attention of Dr. Physick. The church in Philadelphia was undergoing severe divisions as the Journal and subsequent letters show, and the malcontents both in and out of Philadelphia were giving him great concern. The immediate malcontent

reference is to the Philadelphia Conference.

PHILADELPHIA, PA.

June 6, 1801

[TO GEORGE ROBERTS]¹

My very dear George:

I have been under an alarm with my foot, the Doctor² has pronounced a second and severe operation necessary; this morning he doubts, and hath applied a blister, to lay it open to see if any thing improper should remain under neath. The thoughts of not going to [New] York and the east sunk me down, and old Father³ also, but the lame and blind will take the prey.⁴ I am much afraid Brother Whatcoat will lose his sight in part or whole, he will ride and preach himself blind. We have had a great time in Conference. This day the Conference⁵ closes with the petition of the malcontents. I highly disapprove of any thing coming before the Conference, it is a bad precedent; I plead not guilty. I had the leave of absence for operation upon my foot. I beg leave to suggest if I am to have a suit of clothes that they may be my own colour light blue,⁶ the excessive heat of this country, and we being so exposed perpetually to the sun, it must be so for my health and the important work to the east. I hope to be able to go. I am as ever thine,

FRANCIS ASBURY

Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference (Lovely Lane Museum)

This letter to George Roberts is one of the most interesting because of Asbury’s direction to get him a suit, “my own colour, light blue.” (See letter, June 6, 1801.)