July 20, 1806 — to Henry Smith
DR. WATTERS’, MONTGOMERY, MD.
ASB_VOL3.PDF, PDF page 440
The subject of this letter is Christian perfection or sanctification. Asbury preached the doctrine and insisted that his preachers preach it. Henry Smith’s Recollections are good word pictures of the early itinerant preachers.
DR. WATTERS’, MONTGOMERY, MD.1
July 20, 1806
[TO HENRY SMITH]2
My very dear Smith:
May great grace attend you. I consent to what you say, in general. O, purity! O, Christian perfection! O, Sanctification! It is heaven below to feel all sin removed. Preach it, whether they will bear or forbear. Preach it. You have never experienced the realities of heaven or hell, but preach them. Some have professed it, [perfect love] but have fallen from it; others profess, but do not possess it. They trifle away life. They seldom use the gift God hath given them. I think we ought modestly to tell what we feel in the fullest. For two years past, amidst incredible toils, I have enjoyed almost inexpressible sensations. Our Pentecost is come, in some places, for sanctification.
I have good reason to believe that upon the Eastern Shore 4000 have been converted since the first of May last, and 1000 sanctified, besides souls convicted, and quickened, and restored: Oh glory, it will come across the Bay. I have reason to believe that at the Philadelphia Conference many of the preachers were powerfully blest in their own souls and covenanted to use ordinary and extraordinary means that have appeared in their being at least. Brother Chandler, 40 nights and days in the woods at camp and quarterly meeting, and possibly will be 110 more before November. l0 campmeetings north of New York in about 2 months and more laid out now.
I think we congregate 2 millions in a year; and I hope for 100,000 souls convicted, converted, restored, or sanctified. The whole continent is awake. I am on a route of 3000 miles, from and to Baltimore. Such a work of God, I believe, was never known, for the number of people. The preachers will die in harvest field, as it lasts all the year. I believe Brother Whatcoat died a martyr for the work. Farewell in Jesus. I am still thine. F. ASBURY
P.S. I had to speak two hours to-day on the drought and was so worn out I had to write to forget myself.3
Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference
(Lovely Lane Museum)
Notes (3)
- See reference, Journal, 1852 ed., July 19, 1806. ↩
- Though the letter is directed to the Rev. H. Smith, this was Henry Smith who was pastor on the Baltimore Circuit. It was he who wrote the Recollections and Reflections of an Old Itinerant. ↩
- On the envelope are some figures showing members justified and sanctified. It is not clear whether these are in Asbury’s handwriting. ↩