December 3, 1812 — to Zachary Myles

Zachary Myles was one of Asbury’s good friends over a long period of time. Evidently Myles was about Asbury’s age, as can be seen from the reference in the last paragraph to closing life. Asbury is still pursuing his reading. His knowledge of books was remarkable.

BUNCOMBE, NORTH CAROLINA

December 3, 1812

[TO ZACHARY MYLES]¹

My dear Brother:

All hail in Jesus! Excuse my long delay in answering your letters. I rode by day, and wrote by night. In my letters, I write as a fool, when I say, we have (mean the superintendents in company) visited nine annual conferences, and the General Conference, with nine campmeetings. The latter excelled in life, multitudes, and power. While attending those meetings, my soul was inexpressibly blest; and in reading Mr. Benson’s² excellent Life of Fletcher, my soul was brought into God, deeply into love. This has sweetened the toils of between 4 and 5000 miles travelling. With humble surprise, I found that our western conferences gave an account of about 12,000 increase. Emigrations, earthquakes, &c. have been made favourable to the work of God. We have high expectations, that the light affliction will work for our good; that all orders among us will be humbled, and consent to hear the word of God; and that thousands, if not millions, shall see the salvation of the Gospel.

We shall find it necessary to appoint another conference in the West, upon Mississippi, and form an annual episcopal circuit of ten conferences. This circuit to be travelled in nine months, is about 6000 miles, and reaches completely round the United States. Thus hath God in the space of forty two years, enlarged our borders.

Now, my friend, let us strive to close life in perfect love, in order to our obtaining perfect glory. Farewell.

F. ASBURY

The Methodist Magazine (1813), 557