February 24, 1811 — to Thomas L. Douglass

We are shown in this letter the plan Asbury had for compiling a history of early American Methodism. It would have been largely a statistical history under this plan. Methodism has been poorer because his plans did not materialize.

RICHMOND, VA.

February 24, 1811

[TO THOMAS L. DOUGLASS]¹

My dear Son:

May the wisdom of God direct thee, and the grace of God protect thee. I will neither speak nor write as a fool upon my labours and sufferings. Others labour and suffer also; and why complain when we have so great a present, future, and eternal reward? I have stricken out a plan for a complete letter-history² of Methodism, by our presiding elders taking the work by districts from the time the first circuit was formed in the district, and the state of the district in 1812. This will be done by the minutes in my hands. To tell the year the first circuit was formed, &c.; then give, Firstly, the number of meeting-houses in the district.

Secondly, the number of congregations established in private houses, meeting-houses, or chapels.

Thirdly, the number of societies and members in the district. Fourthly, the number of travelling and local preachers in the district. Fifthly, the general number of annual campmeetings in the district, numbers attending, souls professing converting grace, days of continuance. Sixthly, names of any preachers or members, brethren and sisters, that from good testimony have been known to die in triumph, and any notable characters that have been useful, whether travelling or local preachers, that have lived and died, useful in life, happy in death.

Seventhly, the nomination of the circuits, the counties, &c., the district embraces, the rivers it lieth upon, and boundaries, and tract from east to west, north, south.

Eighthly, some revivals that have been in several parts of the district, as well also, the present state of the work.

I wish each presiding elder to collect his materials, and to get a complete historical letter neatly, correctly done, these letters read in annual conference, then handed to the General Conference. It will make a grand history in about fifty letters. You will ask, How shall we obtain correct information? I answer, by the circuit preachers. Let them give names, numbers, the name of every local preacher, every congregation by the name of the man at whose house they meet, or meeting-house, also the name of every chapel. You might collect the approbation, as well as the information, of some of the aged and most respectable men, or get them to sign your letter, as believing it to be true. Our doctrine is known and read by thousands. Of our Form of Discipline we have printed thousands. I desire you forthwith to write this as the wish of the Episcopacy to all the presiding elders in the Virginia Conference.

I also desire you to write to Wm. Burke,³ Shelbyville, Shelby County, Ky., the rules I have given, that he may write to all the presiding elders in the west. I also wish you to write to Wm. M. Kennedy,⁴ Columbia, S.C., to write himself as above to all the presiding elders in the South Conference to be ready by the next Conference. The plan is plain and possible. We can ascertain the first circuit of the district, and what year formed, then how the district grew till 1812. Tell the presiding elders to lose no time. A particular history must come from the district to the annual conference, from the annual to the General Conference. It will be proper to give a distinct account of our cities and towns, the general number of houses of God, the number we probably preach to weekly.

You will think the whole letter will be a task. It will be a focus: it will be much in little. One line may be a history. I am sensible it may be done, with attention, in one day. I saw the Bishop⁵ was taken with the plan. I have now matured it in riding through the snow and frost. You will be very swift and correct to write to both secretaries. Send on the plan I have suggested. I am now doing my work in company. Write to us, Lancaster, Pa., by the last of July. Let us leave a little to the children that may be borne. Yours,

F. ASBURY

Christian Miscellany, 1847, 116-17.

Transcribed by Frank Baker