January 11, 1804 — to George Roberts

As usual Asbury is in South Carolina in January. He has held the conference at Mr. Cantalou’s house in Augusta, Georgia. He found Coke already in Augusta. Now he has come to Camden. He makes plans for Bishop Coke and also some observations.

Uppermost in his mind are the problems of Philadelphia, the printing business, and the division of the churches.

CAMDEN, S.C.

January 11, 1804

[TO GEORGE ROBERTS]¹

My very dear Brother:

Grace, mercy, love and peace, be with thee and thine now and [forever]. My life is growing shorter, so must my letters, you will accept one for two. I have been supported to travel upwards of 2000 miles since my departure from Philadelphia. God is good. I know I feel our prospects are great westward and southward. Our increase in the two conferences between 3 and 4000, exclusive of the wastages of such a body. By going immediately to Charleston, I missed your letter. My overseer² held me to it last month in the woods of Georgia. Open houses, frequent rains. My children love me to death, and would do it to death; if I would suffer it. We have upwards of 30 in the West and about 40 in the South Conference, preachers, but we want many more. Bishop Coke was at Augusta, he is now in Charleston, he is going by advice to Boston, he will be in Philadelphia March 3. He will take his old lodging if convenient. From what I can judge the British Conference³ will be half undone if he is absent, they have and will have wave after wave. Therefore I hope the General Conference will permit the Doctor to go without any difficulties. I am deeply sensible that neither Dr. Coke nor any other person can render me any essential services in the Annual Conferences, more than the members of said conferences can do, unless they will take the whole work out of my hands.

We cannot attempt printing any original books in America unless the preachers choose to make little books and run the venture. Let us only get the form well formed and two reprinting offices established. One in Baltimore, on the authority of the Baltimore Conference and in New York the same, their limits of sale fixed, the appropriations of the profits settled. I would have a temporal economy and a spiritual pure form of doctrine and discipline fixed. We may send our papers to the Arminian Magazine. Only establish pure reprinting press. I wish the society would lift 40 or 50 dollars to the Doctor’s travelling expenses. You and the Union Church are fixed. St. George’s⁴ have the man of their choice. I must appoint a man of my choice then you may live together until unity or death.

As to Francis and Philadelphia farewell. Farewell, so is my mind at present. What changes I know not may take place to change my mind. You say you love me. I believe you do, you will consider a short letter when I tell you I love you and you will not wish me to come into the fore of Brotherly strife. I have no more letters from C.C.[?]⁵ He has my mind. I advise the Doctor to preach for both but to lodge at Jacob’s⁶ if convenient as aforetime. Brother Shaffer and his trustees may work it as they please. If the Philadelphia Conference will suffer themselves to [be] imposed upon, they may. Farewell! My Christian salutations to all friends and especially Sister Roberts.

FR. ASBURY

P.S. You may write to me in Norfolk by March 22.

Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference (Lovely Lane Museum)