January 8, 1811 — to Joseph Marsden

Joseph Marsden was a British preacher stationed in Bermuda who wished to come to the United States on a visit.

CHARLESTON, S.C.

January 8, 1811

[TO JOSEPH MARSDEN]¹

My dear Friend and Brother:

God be gracious to thee and thine. Meeting your letter at this end of the continent, I give it a short answer, as life and time are short with me. As to your spending a few months in [New] York; as a visitant, I presume it may be advisable, and it may not be attended with any great expense to you; but as a stationed preacher, the conference will say who shall be stationed in their oversight, the Superintendency may say where.

The American Methodist character is always to treat our European Brethren with respect, they always recollecting that they are in the United States. I am very thankful you have planted a church in Bermuda, and humbly hope; yet fear it will suffer in a change; without God should send with man, a man after his own heart. I send you our Minutes. We have visited our Western Conference, stationed 92 members, increase 4,552. We have visited for the present year our Southern Conference, stationed 82, increase of members 2543. There are only two conferences in eight. You will see the epitome of our history in the printed minutes. There is a universal spreading wide of the gospel on the continent, if it was but deep in our hearts, and universally in our practices. Here I fear we fail. I am yours in the gospel,

FRANCIS ASBURY

Asbury Methodist Church, Harrisonburg, Virginia