December 31, 1801 — to Ezekiel Cooper

It is natural to find Asbury writing to Ezekiel Cooper about books and printing. Cooper was the Book Agent, and this was his work. The most interesting parts of this letter are the references to the Journal. It is clear that Asbury was not pleased with the work on it. Asbury begins by congratulating St. George’s Church on the payment of the debt. Cooper had been active in paying the debt. Since the wealthy members had left the church, it was a

remarkable achievement, as Cooper pointed out in his Journal. CAMDEN, SOUTH CAROLINA

December 31, 1801

[TO EZEKIEL COOPER]¹

My very dear Brother:

I have received your letters, for which I thank you, and for other attentions. When we were told that the debt was paid [that is, due by the church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]. I wondered by what mint or magic you had collected $4,000 in four months; but when we had chapter and verse the wonder ceased. O zeal! zeal! what will it not do when made elastic by opposition! I hope the next thing will be to purchase, as perhaps you may at a low price, or build, a house for the preachers, after more than thirty years.

I find that the book market is good in the South, and the presiding elders and preachers are very diligent. I believe we need say but little. As to Bowen and Weeks,² I doubt if any settlement to purpose will ever be made. I do not wish to meddle much in the Book Concern; we have so many cooks, and some very unskillful. I pushed three books³ into the press, and I shall expect reflections as long as they are in circulation, if I am in circulation. As a friend, I would advise you (as I am one that has eyes and ears every-where) to keep close to Fletcher’s and Wesley’s most excellent parts. As to my Journals, I feel my delicacies about having them printed at all in my lifetime; it may only put it into the power of my enemies to abuse me, as Mr. O’Kelly has so often done; while at the same time my hands will be bound by inability or some local influences. I am sorry to be a burden to my friends or the Connection. I do not wish to crowd myself or the Connection with more services than they call for. I was willing, at the request of some of my special friends, to submit an impression of the Journal to the press; ‘tis true the General Conference approved it, and it was my wish it should go out in numbers; but it appeared to me that the general mind of the General Conference was that it should come out in a volume.

I have been taught to understand that a printer should point; and if he could not point he could not print. I do not choose to print any man’s journal but my own. My language in preaching and writing is my own— good or bad. If you choose to send out the number, upon good paper, I shall submit; but I have been making up my mind closely to inspect, and strike out what, upon close thinking, I shall disapprove, and lay them by to be printed after my death, or to let them die with me. About twenty pages in four months’ traveling will not be a great burden to the press. My first part was transcribed by one that did not understand my writing.⁴ As to the Hymn Book,⁵ I can only say we have such a republic of critics and pointers, they will do as they please; but, I presume, if you had a thousand more to send into every district than you have sent, they would soon be sold; only let the work be done well, and there is no doubt of the sale of our books. The Presbyterians and others will purchase our books.⁶

Garrett Biblical Institute Library