August 12, 1801 — to George Roberts

As usual Asbury is suffering. This time it is the intermittent fever. Here he is writing about appointments.

PERRY HALL, MD.

August 12, 1801

[TO GEORGE ROBERTS]¹

My greatly respected Brother:

If it is a pleasure to you to see and to answer my letters it ought to be reciprocal on my part. I have had something like an intermitting² fever ever since I came to Perry Hall. It is with difficulty I can perform family duty when I have such pure air, good living and lodging. I think of afflicted thousands, I fear coming to the city till a change of weather. You say sore! I was by riding three days; I was sore for six! For this cause I want leather breeches, that will ly close to the skin, but they must have strings at the knees, if possible.

As to the case of brother M’Caine.³ I shall invade the presiding elder’s place,⁴ that hath a special charge of the district in my absence, and preside. If I was to advise, it would be for brother Toy⁵ to take the charge of the Point, for a few weeks, and he can attend to the building. He knows how things ought to be done. God has honored him, and the society in the city, I also. As to the case of brother M’Caine he had not; as I thought made up his own mind. I left him to his own providence, only I told him in substance to forebear working. If he chose to go to Charleston I should submit, but should fear he would not come back, or perhaps leave the work.

If Brother Toy would lend Brother M’Caine his horse, M’Caine, might ride into the forest, to any, or many, of the Friend’s Houses, and to the good air and water, to Robert Carnan’s⁶ or up to Pipe Creek; or he might conduct me to N. Snethen.⁷ I should hope that Brother Toy⁸ would help matters along at the Point, perhaps better than any other man; if the Light Street preachers, could go sometimes to the Point. I am waiting for cooler weather, yet I hope at all events to be in Light Street congregation on Sabbath morning; but it appears to me, I should be right down sick if I was in town now.

This family calls my attention a little at this time. I hope God is determined to bring back * * * * *⁹ to himself. Give thyself no trouble about any thought for me, but the buckskin to save skin, and I shall have to leave my velvet ones. Last night Mr. Gough’s¹⁰ famous saddle horse, 200 dollars price, laid and died by the long side of my supple joynted Jane, had she died, should she die, the half of my personal estate is gone, real [estate] I have none. If any letters send them. I am as ever thine,

F. ASBURY

P.S. I cannot think I shall have any time to answer brother M’Caine as I have sent him to his own home on direction of his elder.

Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference

(Lovely Lane Museum)