July 15, 1805 — to Stith Mead

Coke had written Asbury of his marriage. Asbury’s comments here and in the Journal make most interesting reading. Mrs. Coke was a lovely Christian woman. Asbury shows concern for the

publishing of important works.

LYNN, MASS.

July 15, 1805

[TO STITH MEAD]¹

My most dearly beloved Mead:

I am upon the wing, in the midst of the New England Conference where all is harmony and love. I haste to the Western Conference in a few days, the present Conference have voted Brother Crawford² an active acceptable young man to go with me. Bishop Whatcoat is gone on probably 600 miles ahead of me. We have had several campmeetings in this and the bounds of the New York Conference. Last Sabbath Day, we had 70 preachers and 3000 people in a grove and we had convictions and conversions, the people seem very much alarmed, steady habits appear to be shaken and shaking.

I have sent on the reply of Edwards³ that if I was in your place I would print with a few alterations. Brother Cooper⁴ was not at home. I cannot tell, if he has my sermon on the death of Mr. Jarratt,⁵ but I hear Mr. D[romgoole] is about publishing the Life and Death of Jarratt. I shall be less anxious to send mine out. I have 4 preachers in my room in conversation. After sitting 7 hours in conference you will see the gaps of my letter.

I have received a letter from Brother Coke.⁶ He is married to a Penelope, he says she is a Pilgrim. He says he shall come no more to America as a visitor but if at all, to stay if his work can be pointed out and all be made safe and easy before he comes, but with all he says he shall, if he comes be no burden to the Connection, so I conclude she is a lady of fortune. I told Brother Whatcoat at the General Conference 1800 the Doctor I thought would marry. I have told him since I expect to hear he was married; how could I divine all this.

I think some times that these campmeetings will bring on great opposition and I should not wonder if some of us should lose our lives, but I am sure they will storm still and shake the formality of religion out of the world. I feel awful but God is the Lord that hath showed us light. Write me fully to Camden by the last of October. I am most affectionately thine FRANCIS ASBURY

P.S. You will be well pleased with Brother Sabin’s⁷ upon Discipline, I would advise you to reprint it with some local alterations. I have sent for that purpose that you make a good use of it. I think it excellent and well calculated for the meridian of Virginia as Vermont.

F. ASBURY

P.S. Whether Mrs. Coke is old or young, a Methodist or Episcopalian we shall hear in due time. After being ——⁸ with help for twenty years —— life alone, but I am not alone, I have 500 of my dear sons in the travelling and 2000 in the local line with a probable increase of near 720 every year. Only pray for me and the 7 conferences. I am kept alive by mercy as healthy and active as I could expect.

F. ASBURY

Drew University Library