January 16, 1806 — to Bennet Kendrick

Though the heading of the letter is not given, it is quite clear that the addressee was Bennet Kendrick. The school and church at Wilmington are the subjects of discussion. An elegant church was built at Wilmington, which was referred to in Asbury’s visit in 1805. As usual, the building of a church has its problems. WILMINGTON, N.C.

January 16, 1806

[TO BENNET KENDRICK]¹

My very dear and faithful Son:

May the wisdom which is profitable to direct, and the power that is mighty to keep, be with you. I can only see the outside of things. As to the school it was not very pleasing to me to be put out of my house, so called, but it is said it is to keep away troublesome company; and employ a teacher, that he might not sink into mischievous melancholy. It is to be lamented that the country around is so unpromising, and the dwelling in danger, when the preacher is present or absent. God has kept us or we had been burnt up before this time. What I have told them to do, has been done in enlarging the house² and the galleries; the house ought to be weather-boarded, on that old part, and the new part finished, and the outside painted. The black people like the whites grow worldly-minded.

I have thought that sister Beckards [or Richards] should have her board, and the house room gratis for her services. A preacher must not keep a horse; if he does this he ought to keep school or something to help the society. As to the property, I know but little about it, and I shall continue so until it is properly deeded, and entered on a book by lots. I have thought if we had not better stop leasing our lots, that we may not get crowded. I am by no means pleased with the dwelling house standing so near the church. If the house would not fall to pieces I would have it moved ten feet towards the kitchen, and ten or fifteen feet added, and two new chimneys, one to the house, and another to the lodging rooms, and fire places above. There ought to [be] something collected from the white people. The object of a Christian school for white children cannot be put upon the Africans, that are not permitted to raise any benefit from it at all. Again, I cannot shackle the appointments with this, that the preacher stationed here shall be schoolmaster.

I have had great groaning and altercation about Brother Myers’³ removal. If any thing might be done that a school might be kept under the superintendence of the preacher (but I might send a man unfitted for that,) a schoolhouse ought to be built if it was judged proper, but I cannot but tell every man among us, not to entangle himself with the affairs of this world. You are wise and skillful and must judge of what is right. It is not impossible as the Conference takes extraordinary visits in going a Christmasing that at some happy period it might come here, and be held once in four or five years in North Carolina. I wish that this year should conclude on improvement in Wilmington. I am looking to you that I have always found faithful. I guess your collection will be six hundred dollars this year. You will not spend above two hundred dollars in house keeping. The housekeeper may keep a girl, but not a woman with a child and husband. I hope that you will take the trouble to supply the house with what you will want, just what you choose, but do it yourself, and give the account to the stewards, and let them supply you with money. There is complaint from the old lady, that she is [two words lost] difficulty and the people, the blacks have themselves and their own work to do, you must read, and put in a word and guess at the rest. I have been very much afflicted by riding through the excessive cold. You can write to me in Baltimore by the month of July. We shall wish to know your spiritual and temporal state in Wilmington. I am confidently, yours in Jesus, F. ASBURY

The Southern Christian Advocate. Transcribed by A.D. Betts