July 7, 1814 — to Jacob Gruber

Criticisms have been made of Asbury that he was not interested in the German-speaking people. The letters, and especially this one, show how great his interest in the Germans was. He had, as is shown, a very real problem; and that was getting preachers. Asbury had had the Discipline and the Hymn Book published in German.

CHAMBERSBURG, PA.

July 7, 1814¹

[TO JACOB GRUBER]²

Great grace be with us. Brethren my heart’s desire and prayer to God is that Israel might be saved. I am willing to go and to die, I could wish myself accursed from the example of Christ, perhaps he might mean crucified. I suppose we English Americans hold 4000 traveling and local preachers and living exhorters to supply 3 million of souls annually. I say 200,000 Germans, and their descendants, on the east side of the Ohio including Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia, not one gospel minister among them; perhaps 100 settlements and congregations vacant. What are the Lutherans, what are the Reformed, the Friends, what are the Albrights, but——and opposers of Methodists, what are the United Brethren [among so many]? But you may ride a circuit or let it alone, you may meet in class—or let it alone. Should my life be spared, to return which is very doubtful, one more attempt for a German missionary, a kind of presbytery preaching at least half their time in German. Lay out the country perhaps for various meetings quarterly but taking our complete form of discipline (and hymn books), German translation and putting them into every settlement house. And when there is a good German settlement and a prospect, let one missionary stay and work till a regular society is formed, and given unto the circuit preachers. Yet let the missionary visit them quarterly to remove difficulties, to explain things the English preachers cannot, for want of language.

Where is the money to support 4 missionaries? Make collection once a quarter and let them dividend³ with Baltimore and Philadelphia conferences. Where are the men, Jacob Gruber, Henry Boehm, John Swartswelder and William Folks.⁴ Now, think on this, for God’s sake, for Christ’s sake; and for the sake of many thousands of souls, that live in blindness. Mind you preach English half your time, and receive all the help they can give of entertainment. But see if in 45 years we have preached in Pennsylvania. We have 6000 members in the old circuits and need Philadelphia left out as a city. Think it over, consult your God, and your brethren. As the most active man I think, you ought to preside, as a ruling elder, and there ought to be a strict discipline, like a well regulated flying army.

I am your feeble Father; and let it be known, that one of the grand acts of his life was a capital mission to the American Germans, but lived not to finish it, or that the conferences did not see eye to eye with the Bishop in the undertaking or that the missionaries, the men of his choice, though well qualified, and of full descent from father and mother, and educated in the German language and of sound constitution; yet would not nobly volunteer; but I hope better things though I thus write. I hope the Lord will direct us; and make the path of duty plain. My soul has been without a doubt, or a cloud in all my affliction, though the greatest, I have ever experienced, and the most difficult to recover from. My copy was incorrectly made, employed an amanuensis not having written more than three letters 13 weeks. I am if possible more than every yours, F. ASBURY

P.S. You let John Swartswelder see this letter.

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