September 2, 1811 — to Thomas Coke

Coke was kept up to date on what was happening in America by Asbury’s reports of the work. Again, as in a preceding letter, he refers to ten thousand persons attending a camp meeting. This reference is to the over-all attendance.

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA

September 2, 1811

[TO THOMAS COKE]

My dearly beloved in the Lord:

May great grace rest upon us and the church of God, and the ministry in which we are engaged. Next month, by divine permission, I shall close my fortieth year in America. When I came hither in 1771, we had 500 in society, who were more nominal than real members, and now we number 185,000.¹ Our former circuits are become districts, and our present ones are like little parishes! Our campmeetings, I think, amount to between four and five hundred annually, some of which continue for the space of six or eight days. It is supposed that it is not uncommon for ten thousand persons,² including all who come at different periods, to be present at one of those meetings. On such occasions, many become subjects of a work of grace; and many experience much of the sanctifying influences of the Holy Spirit; backsliders are restored, and the union of both preachers and people is greatly increased.

I never felt as I do now, for Upper Canada. I visited that part at the hazard of my life; having ridden 800 miles, with my feet in a high state of inflammation. Our prospects are great in the provinces; and I must, if possible, extend my labours. An overseer among us ought to be, as it were, all eye, all ear, that he may rightly discharge the various and important duties of his office. He ought to ride 6000 miles annually, attend, and preside in eight or nine Conferences, and, in addition to preaching about 200 sermons, help to make arrangements for 700 preachers. It is a serious matter, for a man, aged sixty-six, to ride thirty miles unshaded, through such burning heat as has been seldom known, and then to preach at night.³

The Methodist Magazine, XXXV (1812), 316