June 20, 1804 [?] — to Major Van Cortlandt

The envelope of this letter is addressed to “Major Van Cortlandt, Peeks Kill State of York.” At another place on the envelope there is “Turkeyhoe [Tuckahoe], the Sherwood house in New York, June 20, 1804.” It seems that the letter was written on that date. This letter was found among the Van Cortlandt collection in the New York Public Library. Was this “Governor” Van Cortlandt or his son to whom Asbury has written? He refers to visiting the “Governor” in 1799. This letter is the same general pattern as the letter of August 29, 1797, but is evidently to another person. Asbury is pleading with him to become a Christian. “Governor” Van Cortlandt was already a Christian; and Boehm, Tipple, and others say he was a Methodist. This letter was evidently written to “Governor” Van Cortlandt’s son, Pierre, Jr.

June 20, 1804 [?]¹

[TO MAJOR VAN CORTLANDT]²

Grace mercy and peace attend [you and] the family. I have heard [of the]³ cloud that came over your sky when the sun of your temporal prosperity, shone with bright beams. I had hoped from my information that not a bone had been broken:⁴ but since I came nearer it seems my information was not correct. I bless God your life was spared, if you go like Jacob halting, and praying all your days. Your call from necessity will be to more domestick life: may it be sanctified to your reconviction and saving conversion to God.

We are looking, we are longing for the salvation of God in the wealthy parts of our continent where the policy and prosperity of this would take up so great a place in the minds and pursuits of men. The God of Glory, far to the west hath caused the light of Zion to appear and arise and shine. I doubt not but thousands are annually converted to the Lord, and the poor, the slaves have the gospel preached to them.

My dear friend let me write from ——⁵ love upon my part, danger —— —— I must urge the great concerns. —— —— I can do it in such a manner —— will know it: none will hear, but there is a witness to my fervent prayer for your spiritual and eternal interests. This is the way: I must repay the attention you have been pleased to repay to me. I have had a year of labour of near 5000 miles and of attending seven conferences, besides the General Meeting rising in November, and very important in the organization. One hundred thousand, four hundred and seventy thousand souls, besides the many thousands that attend our ministry at seasons, [it] must be very great, with their connections and domesticks.

We live in a time of peace, and in general plenty, surely this is the time to gain religion, heaven and happiness. Oh ring [?] free and remember your convictions, your promises, your anguish, your fear, when in danger of death. Now say it to heart, he is a man of prayer and you will be a man of grace, a man of God. What will not the Lord do for you, what may he not do with you, if you neglect so great a salvation. —— ——⁶ a good God may yet —— —— Simon’s Calamity may —— —— —— you, if you will forget your —— —— —— in the prayers of a mother, a sister and wife,⁷ a friend, the ministers of Jesus, the people of God: not only that your life might be spared but your soul:⁸ this is the grand object, let this affliction say to you as the voice of God. I have cut you off from the world in some degree that you might seek my face. I recollect a son of praying parents by a gun lost the sight of both eyes, he did not return to the Lord but his dear [?] wife was taken away, then he sought the Lord, if I may so speak: to give himself. Great work to bring you home. Oh that at last you may cry out, Lord I see thou wilt have my head and Thou shalt have my heart, and my all, as my God and my all. Please to present my Christian salutation to Sir⁹ and Madam, and your Lady.

I am most sincerely, most affectionately yours,

F. ASBURY

New York Public Library