December 23, 1811 — to Robert Birch

A day of prayer and fasting is announced in this letter to one of the pastors. They are looking toward the General Conference of 1812, and Asbury is anticipating attacks on the episcopacy. CAMDEN, SOUTH CAROLINA

December 23, 1811

[TO ROBERT BIRCH]¹

My dear Son:

Oh what graces and grace we need to conduct ourselves as sons of God, without rebuke. Great grace we need to guide men of murmuring minds; and called, justified, sanctified ministers of Jesus, to answer all questions, hear all spirits. This year with us is begun; in the West and Southern Conference, the Day of God, the Day of Glory is begun! Near 7000 added this year; besides the numbers triumphantly gone, to join the church above. The wastage filled up, these 2 conferences would be a great field for the poor supernumerary [?] superintendents who but wander through the new world. We have recommended the first Friday in May as a day of general humiliation and fasting, that if we must have some radical changes (as some say) and transfer of power to appointing the principal officers in our church government, the change must be of God, and not of men, who have partially for years been their own bishops. May you watch, flee youthful desires, follow after every grace.

F.A.

Syracuse University