August 11, 1810 — to Christopher Frye

Some account is given here of Asbury’s travels with especial reference to the new Genesee Conference and his visit to Canada. Bishop McKendree has not been well but has gone on to Missouri. Asbury was visiting Martin Boehm.

LITTLETON, PENNSYLVANIA

August 11, 1810

[TO CHRISTOPHER FRYE]¹

My dear Frye:

God be gracious to thee my son, and give grace, wisdom, faith, patience, diligence to rule in righteousness in our Israel and that among a wise and a jealous people, that will have intimations that we lord it over the Lord’s heritage. We must suffer persecution if it is among imperious or false brethren. It is my method only to speak when spoken to, when upon paper unless something special comes in my way. But modesty keeps you from writing I presume being new in the Station. The present year hitherto had been remarkable for conferences, congregations, crowds; building houses beyond any former year: woods meeting, campmeetings, quarterly meetings, multitudes! multitudes! As this has been a fruitful year, temporally I hope in the end, it will be spiritually and our Genesee Conference exceed by far our greatest expectations near 40 members! This new infant conference could boast—first institution stationed 63 preachers. Canadians generally attended conference, commands 600 miles at least in length, 200 in width, 400 miles from former seats of conferences held in [New] York and Pennsylvania. It promised to cure evils that could not have had a cure in preachers admitted into connection, such as a preachers being 4 months absent, spending 20 dollars in going to conferences and losing the time.

You will write to Camden, Columbia or Charleston, South Carolina in November. Oh, Brother preserve harmony among both orders of our ministry. Call all you can into operation! I lament the ill health of Bishop McKendree, may I never be called back to hold the chairs of annual conferences. I retired for life. The Bishop’s stomach and bowels fail, but he has gone on to Missouri, if he does not droop or die by the way. Minutes not in circulation, increase of members 11,000, of preachers 51, netted by taking out location. Episcopacy to ride 6000 miles in 8 months! Not rest but labor at conferences, the August packet of 20 or 30 letters fallen into our hands. Our labour, our expenses, our devious roads, bring upon publick expenses one fourth of our time; 2 men, 2 horses, 4000 miles we calculate already this year and 2000 more if we live and move as you design. Oh the power of God and prayers of the people. I am thine, as ever in Jesus

FRANCIS ASBURY

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