December 3, 1808 — to Elijah Hedding

From Charleston,¹ South Carolina, to New Hampshire was almost from one end to the other of Methodism in that day. Thus Asbury was keeping in touch with the whole connection. Trouble with his foot has handicapped his getting around, but he has gone along on crutches. He reports on the work to Elijah Hedding.² Asbury shows a keen interest in camp meetings.

CHARLESTON, S.C.

December 3, 1808

[TO ELIJAH HEDDING]

My dearly beloved in the Lord:

Grace and peace be multiplied to thee as a minister and Christian. What a consolation it is to hear of the glorious work of God in every conference, district, circuit and station, more or less [so] in the course of the year. I heard a little boy named after our bishop at or [near] 18 months³ of age, sing after other children to “shout, shout, we are gaining ground, Halelujah.” It is so in no age or place, never was there in any country such a work of God and so great order, number for number. I do hope that 3 million out of 7 million are in some sense, gracious, praying souls. In a journey of 2000 miles I had to attend conference, camp meeting, 8 or 9 meetings by encampments, and as I was on crutches like an old soldier not in garrison, but on the fields where victory over sin, sinners and Satan was gloriously gained. God in his Providence and my own imprudence, travelling 70 mountainous miles in 24 hours and drinking cold water gave me an awful fit of rheumatick pains, and rendered me unable to stand, walk or kneel, but I sat down, and taught the people. The Lord must humble me under such a weight of honour, and love, and to correct my imprudence. One Western Conference commands the Western Empire territory far beyond the boundaries of the old 13 United States, 7 districts, increase of members, 3437, stationed preachers 84, land rich, emigration and population, incredibly great. We who superintended the West and South Conferences cannot answer our own minds and the people and preachers for riding less than 3000 miles each year, sometimes when it is proper together, and when we have time to labour, we take different directions. We think that our Annual Conferences cannot be held in solitary towns, but by encampments, 30 or 40 tents. The preachers could be boarded by friends from small towns around upon the ground; only 40 have a retired place for the sitting of conference. Great frugality, prudence, diligence, and good order are fitted for these times of outpouring of the spirit of God. You must bear with the old man and 6 preachers in town besides visitors. My heart is full of good wishes. We have to redeem times. I came too at Camden, but behold a campmeeting called our attention. The people set traps, cut down branches of trees to make tents and cabins and our summers all the year. December here is like June north. My love to all our charge if you please. I am firmly, faithfully, loving, the servant of you all, for Christ’s sake.

F. ASBURY

Historical Society of Pennsylvania