Undated — to Jacob Gruber

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1812

THROUGH 1813

September 3, 1812 - August 29, 1813

CHAPTER 13

This is the only letter that has come to light for the months between the May, 1812, General Conference and this date. One wishes that there were more. Asbury is talking about two

conferences. He has recently held the Genesee Conference, but he reverts to the General Conference and the fight on the presiding eldership.

[WIDOW HENTHORN’S],

[PENNSYLVANIA]¹ September 3, 1812

[TO JACOB GRUBER]²

My dear Jacob:

The days of visitation are come, Israel shall know it. Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of his time; salvation, and the fear of the Lord is his treasure. This is an evil time, let the prudent, and pious keep silent. But what shall one answer the messengers of the nation that God hath rounded Zion, that the poor of the people may safely trust in it. If you wish to hear how we came out in Genesee Conference, Henry [Boehm] can tell you. It is clearly seen that in our General Conference there was an hidden, and desperate attempt to level the least; and last remains of Episcopacy; and change the Federal Constitution of Methodism by men that have chiefly been at their choice and locality.

Alas do not the superintendency and presiding elders keep the whole body in harmony; our book concern would soon be in ruin but for these. That any presiding elder should be opposed to our appointment of that our city gentlemen, handed from obscurity by us, should swell out so soon. We mean to hold the right to prevent division, in towns, cities, or districts by timely removals. For on my part I am now become vice president. heartily resign the chairs. I cheerfully submit my plan of a year’s, week’s labour, to the bishops and elders. If they alter it, in a single case it is not mine, but theirs, they sometimes say there must be a change; and call upon me to make it. I think it duty in the episcopacy and presiding elder-ship to take warning to do every part of duty, great and small, to be very loving but very strict.

Unhappy case, poor Timothy Lee,³ honorable delegate had only gone 4 times round his circuit in the whole year, and attended General Conference, voted against the presiding elders; well, why well he might, for the presiding elder came forward in conference to tell what Timothy had been doing. If I live another 4 years; I shall not expect to be qualified for a great deal of executive duty; but under divine wisdom, I have had a large share in forming and executing the plan.

As to their talking at Conference, it was mean, it was childish to compare our preachers, and presiding elders, to Africans, and African overseers, what said Cicero, he Snethen⁴ he had not been opprest by presiding elders, they cannot feel. If Gidion had been elected by Timothy Lee, he might have winked at his, Timothy’s, neglect of duty. Timothy was to have had the district too. Perhaps they were to make the saddle, and get up and ride directly. You see where we were going. I hope you will act the man and leave the district in great order, and be prepared to assist us in the best arrangements should we live till next Conference, as this district belongs to Baltimore, they will always go begging. But when the pike road is opened to Conference, the Baltimore Conference to sit at Union once in 5 years and so in every district in the Union of Baltimore Conference: If virtue and equality could be obtained, and Baltimore Conference might be the first in the Union and be met in the fall; but this is only a dream, while the grand lords of cities use their mighty influence. But I must stand in my lot and leave you to go to my long home, or elsewhere. Be faithful. We hear of campmeetings, and good success, the work of God must go on rapidly, work Lord, I am

Yours,

F. ASBURY

Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference

(Lovely Lane Museum)