July 30, 1807 — to Daniel Asbury

A second letter to Daniel Asbury within a few months deals with the memorial to come before the General Conference. Francis Asbury is for a delegated conference. The old O’Kellyite schism has been under discussion. Asbury defends himself, as usual, against charges of dictatorship.

LITTLE YORK, PA.

July 30, 1807

[TO DANIEL ASBURY]¹

My dear Daniel and Namesake:

Great grace, great grace support thee in thy Christian, and ministerial character. Oh what prudence is needful these days, and faith and prayer. If you knew the man² as well as I knew him you would not expect anything better. To sell his land, collect his brother’s debts, and sell his books, and rail against ye administration by word and letter and election was his important work to the South.

I suppose the General Conference will be presented with the Memorial³ of New York, New England, and I hope the Western, and Southern Conference; in favor of equal representation. Treason or not then see what his majesty⁴ will say to that. All the northern Conferences prosper, camp meetings prevail. I have heard of hundreds converted this year but I expect greater things in the latter than the beginning. The spirit of persecution is waked up, whipping, fining, rioting; possibly imprisonments, and death, if we will not give up campmeetings but rather let us die.

In the northern conferences we have sent out missionaries, to vex Satan, carnal priest, and people; these men are to go any where, and every where thousands will hear the Gospel more than our regular circuit order will supply. I have had an awful siege this year 3 or 4000 miles already, rains, snows, dreadful roads. A snow May 7 Vermont. I am now stopt to get Jane⁵ rested; to write letters, then Allegheny mountains. In Chillicothee Sept. 14, possibly Kentucky, Cumberland and out to the southwest of Georgia, second week of November to spend 3 weeks there, 3 in South Carolina, then Charleston. 103 preachers added this year, 1400 members increase.

One thing I have greatly desired; a well bred general continental Superintendency. Another thing I have greatly desired, that there should be 450 preachers in connection at the next General Conference, every one should have a vote for the superintendency. That those that have no vote nor seat in General Conference, should choose their men in the Annual Conferences, to choose for them in the General Conference. I care not how many go to Conference. My weight was fixed on the election of General Conference. When Mr. O’Kelly was prest with this he felt its weight, and falsely—and most solemnly denied; what could have been proved by many. And altho all that elected me are now gone, yet the annual conferences receiving me. Every congregation that has notice of your appointments must try coming to hear you, make their election of you for their preacher at that time and place.

You cannot conceive what God has done for America! Compared with the British Connection, Methodism began in England 1730, numbers now 150,974, the traveling ministry, Kingdoms, Islands, Missions, 576. In the Kingdoms 900 square miles thirty one or two million of souls. Methodism began in America 1771, in the country numbers now 144,590, traveling preachers in the States and Canada, 536, America 2500 square miles length, from two to three and five million of souls only scattered abroad. In England men of great learning, advantage of books, in America unlearned poor men, woods boys. And we shall see greater times an hundred fold with persecution. Stand to the lance, death or victory and victory is death Glory, Glory, Glory.

Fare thee well thy name sake

F. AY.

South Carolina Conference Historical Society, Wofford College Library. Transcribed by A.D. Betts