June 11, 1801 — to Thomas Haskins

This and the following letters to Thomas Haskins throw light on the address to the trustees at St. George’s Church and its contents. A summons had already gone to make a reply to the address. Asbury felt they were proceeding with haste. He pleads for patience and resignation.

PHILADELPHIA, PA.

June 11, 1801

[TO THOMAS HASKINS]¹

My very dear Brother:

I shall take it as a distinguishing favor if you will send me the double letter² Brother Whatcoat and myself wrote in great confidence and conciliatory affection to you. You have heard of a summons of a reply to our Address.³ I hope that more patience and resignation will prevail, and you will wait awhile, your haste will undo your cause as it hath done already. I know now from what quarter it first sprung that I had committed myself to an impeachment at the General Conference, by conveying official commands to the presiding elder by local preachers.⁴ When I had more of the difficulties of Philadelphia brought before me at Camden I concluded I would not write any at all upon the subject, matters had been carried with such an high hand, upon both sides, and Brother Whatcoat was absent from me at that time; and when he came he advised a joint letter; therefore if my letter is detained, and a second improper use made of it, it will make a breach between me and my old brethren, friends and children in Philadelphia that perhaps will not be healed.

FRANCIS ASBURY

The Historical Society of the Philadelphia Conference

and Old St. George’s Methodist Church, Philadelphia.

Transcribed by Albert W. Cliffe