January 9, 1811 — to Thomas Coke
CHARLESTOWN, S.C.
ASB_VOL3.PDF, PDF page 556
Though Coke and Asbury were separated by the Atlantic, they kept up a rather continuous correspondence. Asbury shows his familiarity with the work of the British brethren, both in the field of literature and in their missionary endeavors. The reference to the Presbyterians is interesting. They had united with the Methodists in many campmeetings. Asbury’s relations with other denominations were generally good.
CHARLESTOWN, S.C.
January 9, 1811
[TO THOMAS COKE]
My venerable and dear Brother:
Last October I wrote to you from Lexington1 in the west, by the way of this city. The epitome of our annual history, the printed Minutes, and my scraps of letters, will afford but a very imperfect account of our work. I venerate the Europeans for their exertions in spreading the Bible2 far and wide, and likewise for their missionary spirit. I am surprised at the increase of men of great talents in the European connection. They have almost as many commentators among them, as appeared in the whole of the last century.3 In almost every little town with us we have a house of God. The Gospel spreads in word and in power: O that all who receive it may manifest the truth of their profession by an universal practice of godliness! Our prospects in this city exceed all former calculation. I still entertain a good opinion of the Presbyterians. An elder among them said, some time ago, that were it not for system and salary, they and we might unite. I am your unchangeable friend,
FRANCIS ASBURY
The Methodist Magazine, XXXV (1812), 315
Notes (3)
- Kentucky. ↩
- The occasion for Asbury’s remarks here was probably the perusal of the society’s sixth Report, lengthy extracts from which had been included in the issues of The Methodist Magazine for June and July, 1810. These extracts noted how the British example was being followed in Philadelphia, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Jersey; noted, too, that generous grants had been sent to aid these infant American societies. (Frank Baker.) ↩
- It is amazing to realize that within a generation four massive commentaries on the whole Bible were published by British Methodists: Thomas Coke, six volumes, 1801-9; Adam Clarke, eight volumes, 1810-26; Joseph Benson, five volumes, 1811-18; Joseph Sutcliffe, two volumes, 1834-39. (Frank Baker.) ↩