August 21, 1813 — to Joseph Frye

Joseph Frye was evidently one of the younger preachers. He must have had responsibilities for the camp meeting near Winchester. Asbury calls upon him for greater devotion and consecration, suggesting that his ministry may require great sacrifices. Asbury reports in the Journal on this date that he had had encouraging reports from the encampment near Winchester.

MIDDLETOWN, MARYLAND

August 21, 1813

[TO JOSEPH FRYE]¹

My very dear Joseph:

Great grace attend thee. We are kept alive with death so near. I doubt if you are like St. Paul, that was it possible, or proper could wish himself accursed or insipid. Yea after they had hunted him like a deer, and beaten almost to death like a dog and still his Lord had to forbid him and tell him to depart and then Paul humbly disputed the cause with his Lord! Oh the Jews! What continual sorrow, what inexpressible grief! Oh Winchester help them! You will be called for greater services and suffering in the ministry, prepare, be faithful, keep thyself pure, make great sacrifices for God! I am never afraid to trust young men. The same measure that has been meeted to me, I meet back. Great confidence was put in me, a boy! Young men are strong in body, and mind, not skilled in craft, not the same temptation to ease and indulgence as aged. I have never repented of the confidence I have put in you and thousands. Increase this year not ascertained. No returns from Upper and Lower Canadas. Some circuits dismantled and the people scattered, upon the lines. Great peace in conferences, serious afflictions and deaths among preachers and people. I have a few appointments for the west, the brethren will wish to see me. Editors left out the Mississippi conferences thinking we shall not go, but the work suffers and dies. We are growing old every year perhaps serious times, more and more serious coming.

I am

F. ASBURY

Drew University Library