November 7, 1804 — to Daniel Hitt

Asbury still had not seen Daniel Hitt, the presiding elder, though he was passing through his district. In those days of poor communication it was difficult to get in touch with a person. Asbury is reporting on what he has found. He is thinking of appointing Hitt to preside at the next conference (see letter, November 10, 1804).

PHELP’S, NEAR WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA

November 7, 1804

[TO DANIEL HITT]¹

My dear Daniel:

You will be surprised to hear of my passing this way. I have been sick upon Monongahela and Ohio about sixty days. I must needs preach at Union [Town]² and Jacob Murphy’s,³ ride twelve miles through the hot sun, and some rain. This brought on a chill and burning fever every day, with a most inveterate cough. I used emetics, two; the second cleared me. I was bled four times, and blistered four. I was part of my time at Harvey Stevens’s,⁴ and two weeks at Beck’s.⁵ I had no intermission, but only a remission, for fifty days. I gave up my visit to the Eastern Conference. Brother Whatcoat⁶ came up with me, and stayed till two days of my recovery. I came off as soon as the Indian summer came on. I came from Beck’s (from Sabbath to Sabbath) to Cresap’s.⁷

I am now on my way to Charleston. I must make the best of good weather. I have written to appoint a president. I believe it will come to that in time. I am in no doubt or fear but the connection will do as well or better without me as with me. The presiding elders have more local knowledge: they have more personal information of the preachers and circuits. I only go because it is my appointment from the Conference, and to cast in my mite; and I cannot be idle.

I am happy to find the work of God is reviving to the westward. I shall be pleased to have a narrative of the work in this district. God certainly has a controversy with this land: many that will not be mended will be ended, or mended and ended both. America is the infant of Divine Providence. He must begin to correct, he will correct us Himself: he will not let others do it. I make no doubt there is not a single spot but will feel in time (and turn) the rod of God. The sinners in the cities are not sinners above all the Galileans. I anticipated the pleasure of seeing you; but time is short: I must improve every hour of fair weather and sun.

I am as ever, thine,

F. ASBURY

The Quarterly Review of the M.E. Church, South, XV (1861), 159