July 14, 1804 — to Epaphras Kibby

Thomas Lyell, who is the subject of discussion in this letter, was pastor in Boston in 1802 and 1803. In 1803 Kibby was listed with Thomas Lyell at Boston. Lyell located in 1804 and later entered the ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church. George Pickering was presiding elder of the Boston District. In 1804 Kibby is listed alone as the pastor in Boston.

BUXTON, [N.H.]

July 14, 1804

[TO EPAPHRAS KIBBY]

My very dear Brother:

May grace and peace attend you now and ever. I wish to explain myself and intentions to you; I had no expectation nor desire that Brother Lyell should have returned to Boston last year; but he is a man of so much address that for many years hath obtained that indulgence from the episcopacy, and people, no other man hath had. I never was in the business of his coming to Boston fully; Brother Whatcoat began, and carried on the matter. I was surprised when Brother Lyell wrote me Brother Pickering thought he [Lyell] had better return to Boston. I doubted: and notwithstanding his age in the connection, (which I generally honor, by giving a charge to such). Was it to do again, he should have had his name after yours. I believe he influenced you to write; to me he has a most insinuating address. I am sorry you were treated so improperly, at present we can do no better, as I think, than to station you a second year, in Boston.

May God help you to be faithful. God is with us we hope, 20 souls have been brought out already. I am in haste you will see, as I am always in haste.

My own love to the preachers,

F. ASBURY

New England Methodist Historical Society, Boston School of Theology