December 27, 1806 — to Alexander M’caine
SPARTA, GEORGIA
ASB_VOL3.PDF, PDF page 450
Was this written to Alexander M’Caine or to someone else? M’Caine says it is another letter in his possession. It refers to the correspondence of Coke, especially his circular letter printed above.
SPARTA, GEORGIA
December 27, 1806
[TO ALEXANDER M’CAINE]1
I wonder exceedingly why the British connexion should be so agitated with Dr. Coke about his letter to us. They seem like bees, and all heads! But had the Dr. only written his letter2 to me, I would have handed it to every conference at his desire. Yea if it had been an impeachment of my own person. * * * * * I do not correspond with any as I do with you. Only look well to your soul; to be holy is to be happy. Farewell in the Lord. Amen. F. ASBURY
Alexander M’Caine, Letters on the Organization and
Early History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 153
Notes (2)
- The letter as quoted by M’Caine has no address; however, it was evidently to M’Caine. (See Journal.) He had been secretary of the General Conference. ↩
- The circular letter written to the New York Conference shortly after Coke’s marriage. Coke proposed to become a resident in America, on the condition that the continent should be divided into two parts, one under him and the other under Asbury. The proposition was presented to the Annual Conference. An answer was sent to him congratulating him on his marriage but declining to accept his proposal. The proposition was to be referred to the General Conference. (See Bangs, History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, II, 179.) Coke wrote at least two letters in January, 1806, which are included here. (See circular letter, June 1, 1805.) ↩