[August 30, 1804] — to Alexander M’caine
ASB_VOL3.PDF, PDF page 377
M’Caine refers to this letter by saying that it was one of the letters in his possession that had never seen the light. It is not clear to whom it was written. M’Caine used this letter to argue against Methodist episcopacy, saying that it was as “anti-Christian” as the Church of England or the Church of Rome. It should be remembered that M’Caine was one of the men who were called Reformers and who started the Methodist Protestant Church. It is rather astonishing to read Asbury’s opposition to collegiate qualifications for the ministry.
[August 30, 1804]1
[TO ALEXANDER M’CAINE]
The heat, my indisposition, and haste, make my writing worse than bad. I have no correspondent in England. I should be afraid of committing myself. In compliance with my character, I answer all letters. I cannot say but Dr. Coke may use policy to attach the British connexion to him. Some have thought he only wished to get off from his engagements to the Americans, and never would visit the continent again. But I should not wonder if he should be upon the continent in less than a year. And I know not how soon death may put me out of his way. Some are bold to say, I am the only person in his way. * * * * * Perhaps the Doctor’s letter transpiring may not be so unpleasing. The British must know he pledged himself in a most solemn [manner]2 to the Americans, this the Conferences remind him of, and tell him he has changed his ground. I have lately seen David Simpson’s plea for religion. The greatest of all, it is England’s warning. He proves that the Church of England is as anti-Christian as the Church of Rome. He has confirmed me in my opinion, and he says Reformation or Ruin. I fear the Methodist connexion like ours will be more honorable than holy. Simpson,3 like a true reformer, renounced all relation to the church of England, and not, like the great Watson, take 2000 pounds or 3000 pounds for his work. All establishments, all collegiate qualifications for the ministry, must be done away. God is as able to make prophets and apostles out of fishermen, ploughmen, or carpenters, and tentmakers as he ever was.
F. ASBURY
Alexander M’Caine, Letters on the Organization and Early History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 1850, 152-53
Notes (3)
- The date is not certain, but M’Caine puts it August 30, 1804, the day it was received and labeled. (See M’Caine, Letters on the Organization and Early History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 153.) ↩
- The word “manner,” it is presumed, was intended to have been written; but it is not in the original. ↩
- “Asbury says David Simpson proves that the church of England is as anti-Christian as the church of Rome. And is not Methodist episcopacy as anti-Christian as either? Whatever arguments will prove the former will unquestionably establish the latter. Indeed, we think, all things considered, it is more anti-Christian, than either the church of England or the church of Rome—a point that shall be brought under review in the progress of these letters. ‘Reform or Ruin’ is the watchword for Methodists. Mr. Asbury gives a side blow at Dr. Coke and his ‘collegiate qualifications,’ and a tremendous thrust at these Methodist preachers who aspire after the honors of D.D. Away with such nonsense. Methodism was more prosperous before it was loaded with such excrescences than it has been since.” (M’Caine, Letters, 153.) ↩