February 16, 1805 — to Epaphras Kibby
ASB_VOL3.PDF, PDF page 386
This is a follow-up of Asbury’s letter of July 14, 1804, to Kibby. Kibby has had a year in Boston as pastor by himself. Thomas Lyell, who had been the senior pastor there, had gone to the Episcopal Church. In 1805 Kibby was appointed pastor at Providence, R.I. Asbury is reporting on the work.
PETERSBURG, [VIRGINIA]
February 16, 1805
[TO EPAPHRAS KIBBY]
My dear Kibby:
May great grace and peace attend thee and thy charge. I was pleased to hear that matters were pleasing in Boston. Brother Atwood lodging in the same house put me in mind to write a line. God is good to me to thousands. I hope that there has been 500 extraordinary meetings where 12, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 200 or more precious souls have been invited, converted, or restored, and sanctified at a meeting. You have heard from the Maine, I have heard from thence and almost every part of the Continent, I calculate 1805 to be the greatest year that ever was known in America or the world; only let the preachers of a holy gospel, be holy, and Laborious.
We see the fruit of our labours where we have gone on meeting, 30 years and 20 years enlarging, and building new houses. The children we have, after we have lost our other, some by death, and division, and backsliding; say the places are too short for us, make room that there may be places for us to [come]. Oh glory, glory we have added for the present year 29 preachers for probation in the Two Conferences, West and South Conferences and about three thousand five hundred members of society. I have travelled in 6 months and a half, exclusive (of Sabbaths, and some little stay at towns) three thousand, three hundred miles, those have been fall, and winter months, very severe weather. But God is good, do all you can—my dear soul, my dear son, for God, he will help you, my time is short you will judge; but love constrains. Present me to all the faithful and prospering Brethren. You can write to me to Baltimore in April and if later, to Philadelphia and York. Everlasting love be with thee. I am as [ever yours], — F. ASBURY
New England Methodist Historical Society, Boston School of Theology