August 6, 1809 — to Jacob Gruber
BEDFORD, PA.
ASB_VOL3.PDF, PDF page 516
According to the Journal, August 6 was Sunday, and Asbury preached in the courthouse in Bedford. He was staying in the home of a Yorkshire man. He says that a presiding elder put his feet upon the banister of the pulpit while he was preaching, and that it was like a thorn in his flesh.
BEDFORD, PA.
August 6, 1809
[TO JACOB GRUBER]1
My dear Jacob:
Grace, peace, wisdom, diligence, prudence, courage, and everything a preacher and a presiding elder needeth be multiplied to thee in Jesus our Lord. Our prospects are great and good. I have seen 3000 miles since January 9 to July 31, along shore and northerly to the Canadian lines. I have tried awful roads, and dreadful rides upon horses or upon wheels. Campmeetings, campmeetings. Oh Glory, Glory! But I fear backsliding among old professors,2 and some sudden conversions not sound nor not lasting, and many Methodist families have neither the form or power of godliness; yea practical religion is greatly wanting. I have started for 2000 miles by Cincinnati to Charleston, there you will meet me with a letter if you get in a good harvest this fall in campmeetings.
Bishop McKendree took his route from Gennessee to Erie in order to make a visit more extensively in the west. I have to answer his appointments, and mine, and letters also. I have been sorely set by water, and too many appointments, 30 letters to answer and but a day to stop, high waters. I am not on crutches yet. Increase of preachers 103, located 40, increase of members 11,000. It might have been 20,000 had not General Conference taken the attention of 130 chief men, some 2, others 3, others 6 months from the work.
Union is found, New York conference paid $112 to married in proportion to single. New England paid after making the preachers account for all they received in property, $100 married, 50 single some near a thousand dollars of charity sent that was collected in conferences. Mark, I am most fervently in prayer night and day. Thine,
F.A.
Methodist Historical Society of Baltimore Conference
(Lovely Lane Museum)