February 22, 1811 — to Daniel Ostrander

Again Asbury is concerned with correspondence to and from the preachers. He is also concerned about the preachers leaving the work. His observations on Raleigh (North Carolina) are most interesting.

PETERSBURGH, VA.

February 22, 1811

[TO DANIEL OSTRANDER]¹

My dear Elder, Friend and Brother:

The good will of him that dwelt with Moses in the bush be with thee, and thine. I have written a double letter to save paper and money, and insure the delivery of the letter. I must answer the preachers’ letters; if with 6 lines, having 90 or 100 days located to conferences. I have to travel 5000 miles; all roads, and all weather, in 9 months, Sabbaths taken out, also I have to keep at my work daily. I see! I feel! the difficulties you have suggested. When I consider the greatness of our work spread over 2000 miles in length, 1000 in width, poor old bishops, more like supernumeraries than effective men, leaden with age, care, infirmities, and reproach, by some that ought to be their sons; but it is as well, for it is well known that thousands load them —— affection, attention and company that they can scarcely pass along, and are obliged to stay at home, in one place in towns and cities to do their business and avoid difficulties, and partiality. Our prospects are in the other side² of this letter, but I fear for Zion; so many leave the work. In the West, South, Virginia, conferences added about 50. I doubt if we need more than 20 or 25, the youth, and inexperience of many, the locality,³ and formality of others, but the work is the Lord’s, we have most to fear now and the rich are coming. These I fear will corrupt our preachers in the city of Raleigh, preaching in the state house 3 times a day, in the House of Representatives,⁴ conference sitting in the Senators’ room. I hope 100 souls were subjects of awakening grace or justification, persons only in Friendship Tavern, [do] not receive every mark of attention, our church very small, all among our ——.⁵ Mark well we have a grand snow 6, 7, 8 inches deep. I am yours and Mary’s friend, F. ASBURY

Garrett Biblical Institute Library