[December 31, 1801] — to the Trustees, St. George’s Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

From this letter one can conclude that matters were much better at St. George’s in Philadelphia. It is tantalizing not to have more of the facts as to what were the real points at issue and how they were divided. Phoebus in Beams of Light on Early Methodism in America speaks of a “serious and ugly dispute” which was in the church. Because of this the debt had not been paid. Asbury is congratulating the trustees on what had been done and urging them to build a parsonage. One group had left the church to form the Academy Church, and those who were left had extended themselves to retire the debt.

[CAMDEN, S.C.]¹

[December 31, 1801]

[TO THE TRUSTEES, ST. GEORGE’S CHURCH,

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA]²

Respected Brethren:

I thank you for the attention you have manifested to me in your address, and account of payments. I rejoice exceedingly that we are just; may we also be generous, and do nothing through strife and vainglory. I hope your zeal and charity will provide a house for your preachers, and prevent a moth-eating rent. Let us pray much, and love the more; then we shall live holy and die happy. Farewell!

Since I began this letter Brother Whatcoat arrived with your letter, an apology for paper. Your pardon is granted. See, thou art made whole. It is generally granted our books are the best, intrinsically and extrinsically. Only let us keep them so.

Yours, for Christ’s sake,

FRANCIS ASBURY

G.A. Phoebus, Beams of Light on Early Methodism in America, 276