June 27, 1803 — to Stith Mead

Stith Mead was very close to Asbury. Like other letters, this reports on the state of the church. Asbury indicates that Bishop Whatcoat is quite unwell. Asbury has had his inflammation and fevers. His comment on the Boston churches is most interesting.

CAMBRIDGE, NEW YORK STATE

June 27, 1803

[TO STITH MEAD]¹

My very dear Brother:

I was pleased to receive a letter from you, of the good things of Georgia. I have visited North Carolina and Virginia as also Maryland, East and West Pennsylvania, [New] Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont. In these Eastern states there is a great talk about what is done south and west, but the awful state of the churches here resembles those seven [churches] Christ wrote to. We have some living preachers and people and some revivals but New England, is like the old; settled upon the lees of the form of godliness, where there was once some power. I was in ill health when I passed Baltimore, and Philadelphia, more immediately: in visiting the Peninsula, and at the Philadelphia Conference but I have recovered in the eastern states, but we have such mountains to contend with in earth and people.

Brother Whatcoat² has had something serious in a discharge of blood at the urinary passage, that may either change his habits or his citizenship, from this to a better world. I believe we shall keep together this year if possible, we are now in haste for the new state³ and Kentucky, going down the west of the Ohio. We wish to go down to the centre of South Carolina, to take a view of the work, to Charleston. I reviewed my plan, and think if life and limbs should serve we cannot be at Augusta till the first of December. I would not hazard any appointments for fear I should fail again and quite lose the confidence of the people, but if you should have appointments, we can fall in with you or perhaps attend some campmeetings or stop a while in Augusta, or if an opening, we may go to Savannah, as God in his providence may direct. It is so with me that if I go upon the low lands or expose myself I am subject to inflamation or intermitting fevers this was the case when I visited the east of Maryland last.

I hope and trust that if it was lawfull to set the Lord a time; that in seven years, the United States will flame with the glory of God. Well might a blessed God say, I would thou wast cold or hot. Oh this lukewarm work, and water, how disagreeable to God, and men. I could name but will not some are dead; I hope not damned, I could name two congregations I was told, sold their ministers to congregations in Boston for 1000 dollars each. One of the congregations brought the money home and put to interest for 20 and 30 per cent, all is mixed up together and bought and sold. They have the impudence to make our people pay their priests, and force it from them. Nay, they have the assurance to tax one of our traveling preachers that, I hope they will put to jail, and I will help to support him there sooner than he shall pay their unjust demands. I am pleased to hear you are engaged to preach purity.

Kempis⁴ says they that travel much are rarely sanctified. Oh my brother to converse with all sorts of spirits, tempers, all characters, all opinions, in all companies, we have boarded two days and bedded one night in taverns, all board, all tables, all families, such a life is ours. Two old men unknown padding along. Hail the South and West, they are cold or hot, a people I know I can trust by the mercies of my God, sweetening every toil, makes every region pleasing. If anything very special comes to light, send me if you can a line west by October to Kentucky Conference. I received the bill, by remittance, in full for the horse and chaise and have destroyed your note. Prayer meetings are good discipline, will help on the work of God. We have, if we have calculated aright added 18,000 in four conferences. I cheered myself and friends and consider that we should add 21,000 in the seven Conferences, but the wastage is so great and people die greatly, and remove into the new settlements. Perhaps 19,000 will be as much as we shall reach.

By letter from Dr. Coke, he will be at our General Conference to stay in America if nothing unexpected does not intervene. We have a considerable supply of preachers, but not more than we have work for, but many have families that we cannot support. The Philadelphia Conference were insolvent between $2000 and $3000. They have to cut off the supply for the children. The Boston Conference raised about $82 for the married and $42 for the single brethren.

I must conclude with my love to thyself and all you may please to present me to.

As ever yours,

F. ASBURY

Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference

(Lovely Lane Museum)