May 22, 1805 — to Daniel Hitt

At this time Asbury was disturbed greatly because of the possibility of losing some of his preachers, notably George Roberts and Ralph Williston. All along some had been going to the Episcopal Church, such as Joseph Pilmoor, George Strebeck, Thomas Lyell, now Ralph Williston. This letter to Daniel Hitt and that of August 3 deal with the matter.

NEW YORK, N.Y.

May 22, 1805

[TO DANIEL HITT]¹

My dear Brother:

With my usual salutation, grace and peace. Report says that two of our stationed preachers have been treating with a broken congregation, collected and then deserted by Mr. Strebeck,² first awakened, some by Methodists, then Germans, then Strebeckers, now Robertsonians³ or Willistonians.⁴

It is said the latter hath written to them, and is expected on in a few days. Now for this man to send a vague letter to me at Conference to take a station, and because it was not his wish, to begin to treat in Baltimore with a messenger sent by the Strebeckers to get them a preacher! And who is it to be? Mr. Roberts or Mr. Williston. I am told the latter is expected in this city to see how it will work. Should he come, I hope that Brother George⁵ and your self will supply his place immediately with Brother Jefferson,⁶ and get some local brother to take the circuit; then let him find a place where he pleases. The secret of the matter was, our city preachers were invited to preach in that church, till they found they were made of such stubborn stuff they could not be seduced by them.

Report says they are deeply in debt, and Mr. Strebeck has drawn off all he can to be High Episcopalians. I think that you ought to talk seriously with George Roberts, to know what he means to do; that if he is about to resign his office, another may be put in his place—Brother Bloodgood.⁷ If any change should take place, let me know by letter, in New York, by the third week in July, that the Minutes may be properly printed, who have withdrawn themselves, or the changes in the stations. You may tell Brothers Roberts and Williston you are ready to fill their places whenever they choose to resign.

I have had but one day in the city. I am going out this morning. I have visited a glorious camp-meeting upon Long Island; it was a blessed time. Many souls were blessed. We are looking forward for the coming of Christ in the North. If any thing special turns up, write; and how your camp-meeting came out at the Springs.⁸ I am sorry we should have ministerial juggling. Mr. Gough⁹ hired some British soldiers to work for him in the time of the war, he sounded them, if they would like to stay in America; they said perhaps they might in some future period, but they must go home and discharge their duty to their king and country, and their answer was “Honor, sir; you know, honor!” I wish these holy ministers of Jesus Christ would cry out, “Honor, honor!” and honestly and faithfully tell the Conference, “We will serve you no longer.” We do not, we have not, trifled with them: why should they treat us in such a manner? Henceforward we have need to call upon the absentees to let the Conference know by letter, saying, “We mean to take a station this year; any one you can give us”; if not, “We mean to take such or such a station, or none at all.”

Our Philadelphia Conference, by an appeal that called their attention a day, sat seven; and we ought to sit ten days, if we cannot do our business without. What, to hear with some certainty, two of our elders should begin a treaty with other people, as soon as the Conference is over, to leave their station! I confess my confidence is greatly gone. Finally, I wish not to precipitate matters; but would any man of the world employ a man and be satisfied, if he found that same man treating with another, and to leave his former employment? Brother George and you will be as one; take counsel; act with your usual moderation and prudence.

I am, with respect, yours,

F. ASBURY

The Quarterly Review of the M.E. Church, South, XV (1861), 313-14