Asbury’s letters and related documents · Record 303

May 7, 1812 — to Nathan Bangs

Signed in the source: Francis Asbury.

ASB_VOL3.PDF, PDF page 573

In 1810 Nathan Bangs, pastor of John Street Church, New York, attempted to correct some excesses in the services at the church. Some persons wrote to Bishop Asbury protesting against Bangs’ action. Asbury’s answer did not satisfy Bangs. He did not think he had sufficient support. Bangs wrote to Asbury requesting an explanation.

NEW YORK, N.Y.

May 7, 1812¹

[TO NATHAN BANGS]²

My dear Brother and Son:

It is impossible for me to enter into explanations. Unhappy suspicions have taken place (I said, I think) among us, and something like guile; including myself. I confess I had better not have said anything; I did not mean it for any but those that were charged with it. I did not mean a charge against you or any innocent person. There may be the appearance without reality. I am sorry I am not more prudent, but when I am called upon so often to speak and write I am not sufficiently on my guard. I hope you will bear with me. I am persuaded of your uprightness. Brother Hitt³ has spoken in the highest terms of you to me, in word and letter. You will pardon me, and pray that I may say, do, preach, and write better. I remain thine in Jesus.

F. ASBURY

Abel Stevens, Life and Times of Nathan Bangs, D.D., 187

Notes (3)

The date was taken from Nathan Bangs, A History of the Methodist Episcopal Church, II, 404. ↩
Bangs, a pastor of John Street Church, New York, was a historian of early Methodism. ↩
Daniel Hitt, the Book Agent. ↩

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