November 18, 1808 — to Jacob Gruber

The interest that Asbury had in his preachers is expressed here in his reference to praying twice a day for Jacob Gruber. The chief object of the letter seems to have been to direct Gruber to find a place for the conference. The Baltimore Conference had been set for Harrisonburg, Virginia, to be held on March 2, 1809. CAMDEN, SOUTH CAROLINA

November 18, 1808

[TO JACOB GRUBER]¹

My dear Jacob:

Great grace, great peace and prosperity attend thee as a Christian and minister. I thank you for letters and thank God that hath helped you to be faithful and crowned your labours; possibly I never fail to pray for you twice every day. My friends may think I flatter when I talk of being unwell, did not the loss of health and limbs proclaim, and crutch and staff declare, from Baltimore to Charleston 2000 miles, 7 states and one territory. Be assured our prospects never were so great in the western continent, 2 new districts, 3437 increase, 84 preachers stationed, our camp and quarter meetings are prevalent all over the continent. I hope we have gained in the summer and fall, what we lost in the spring by conferences and changeable weather. As to a place to hold conference, I have no choice. I know no houses now, but Mr. McWilliams near the church, you must do the best you can. Bishop McKendree has visited the Missouri and has travelled 200 miles more than I have, he is in health, I am as ever thine, F. ASBURY

Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference (Lovely Lane Museum)