January 29, 1813 — to Jacob Gruber

Again Asbury is writing to Jacob Gruber. He refers again to the membership in the United States as compared to the British church. Since Asbury refers so often to preachers marrying, it is interesting to note in this letter that he is referring to Clarke’s mention of the sin of not marrying.

NEW RIVER, NORTH CAROLINA

January 29, 1813

[TO JACOB GRUBER]¹

My dear Jacob:

Oh for the grace of apostles if we must do the duty, and fill the places of them that say they are apostles. O how unpleasing is example and unsuccessful when it calls me to labour and suffer. After the wormwood and the gall² of General Conference we have had great peace, union, discipline and increase. Ohio, Tennessee, and South Carolina Conferences total in the trinity 18,000. In 45 years the poor little daughter mission church, in America has overgrown her mother in Europe of near 70 years standing. We have no Doctors of Law and Divinity, no Commentators. I am at a loss to tell what Dr. Clark³ means, unless if a man marrieth he does well; he can not sin, but he that marrieth not, do what he will he sinneth? I am happy to inform you campmeetings prevail with general use in great success. In the Allegheny mountains late, in storm, and rain, hail, and snow, with frost!

I felt, and now feel, the loss of the use of both feet; for 3 weeks, handed from place to place, you will stand prepared to give us all the help you can, in sowing our salt at conference. I must lean on about 60 men: but henceforth I will never appoint an enemy to the constitution, if I can find a better man among its friends. The presiding elders are my council of safety, my eyes and ears and mouth everywhere.

The Lord guide us all,

F. ASBURY

Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference (Lovely Lane Museum)