August 26, 1814 — to Nelson Reed

Nelson Reed was one of Asbury’s tried and truest friends. He has been a presiding elder and is coming to the time when he should be moved. Asbury wishes Reed to know of his interest in him. Senator Worthington according to the letter is to deliver the letter, and Asbury recommends the Senator.

WORTHINGTON, [OHIO]

August 26, 1814

[TO NELSON REED]¹

My dear Nelson:

Here we have Perry Hall,² as also Bazaleel Wells, Stubenville, [Ohio]. Perry Hall continued. Oh my dear, I can truly say with Fletcher;³ that the uncommon attention of my friends; the unwillingness they have showed, to let me go to glory; (of which I have had the fullest confidence; the brightest views; is my greatest trial.) Well I pant! I cough! I speak hoarsely! I pray, I speak, sitting. I am slowly gaining strength. I love my own, the church: I hope to love them to the end of life, to love forever! I am willing to move in the line of duty, little in state, like the great. Our travelling is expensive in 600 miles, we have found by the founder⁴ of one, of the purchase of another horse and road expenses, a call to appropriate near 100 dollars; but hope to save the lame horse. Could I be an hewer of wood, or drawer of water, a beggar for the camp of Israel, here I am a moving skeleton. Oh my soul feels for our bleeding country, bad times! worse to come! Oh what a desire I have to preach, Oh what bodily debility! What am I spared for and that I shall not leave this new world in distress; be taken from the evil to come like hundreds of the people of God that have died with the prevailing fever. Am I given back to the prayers of the Church of God? Am I spared to mourn over the judicial blindness! Egyptian darkness! that hath taken riveted hold, of the rulers of the united kingdoms, and United States, and provinces? Am I spared to see the spirit of heresy the spirit of schism rise up in the Church of God? Am I spared to see a laxity in discipline among the ministry and members in the Church of God? Am I spared to see numeration decreasing 1,000 in a year? the work of God drooping, and dying generally. Newspapers read with such attention, Bibles shamefully neglected, conversation that ought to turn upon God, religion, and his work, all about the world. Shall I be spared to see two men God hath shewed me ought be appointed in unity, and trinity, in our Episcopacy, one high in merit, long in labours every where. Oh Daniel highly favoured of God, Oh Saul, man of mind.

It is not proper, after 40 years friendship we should tell our friends, could we tell how we love them. Dear brother you for age stand as such, and an equal, you always sat like a son at my side. It will be mercy, yea miracle, if ever I see Baltimore, again, or if Baltimore seeth another conference in peace. I rejoice to hear, (but not officially, that the work revives) in Baltimore. I presume your term will expire in the District next March. You will think (should it rest with me in part), a district, a circuit, a station. For this cause sometimes it seems the case, shall man leave in some degree his spiritual father, and his mother, the Church and cleave to his wife. Philip Bruce⁵ either to save himself, or the Church; said he would quit the district; because if he rested, those under his charge would do the same, without considering the difference of age, or strength and that he had borne the burden for near 40 years. I have feebly spoken in almost every place, feeble enough! I have taken the holy Book into my hands but twice to preach or expound. I have friends in fellowship, and only congregational Methodists.

I need not be a burden to city societies, that collect and expend annually 2,000, 3,000 or perhaps 4,000 dollars per year church expenses, poor preachers, and collections. Select friends, seeing my ease have housed me in a conveyance, if possibly they may restore my health. My whole affliction (unlike my last sickness was epidemical) I lay it wholly to unseasonable exposedness in travelling, and damp weather. Senator Worthington⁶ will bear this letter, should you see him treat him with respect, he is a worthy friend of mine; but not joined with any society of religious people. John Wesley Bond⁷ without exception is the best aid I ever had, of a young man, only too attentive to me. I shall be highly indebted to Baltimore Conference for my present aid. Oh, when brought by affliction as low as dribbling infancy, and even now a boy 6 years of age would excel me in strength, and motion. My mouth has failed. I cannot even eat without difficulty, food to supply; the late physick or age or affliction, thank God for eyes. I have read Saurin,⁸ Oh he makes me feel little. When I review my life, and labours, I say purity of intention, diligence no more. My justifying, sanctifying, practical righteousness all in and from Christ, heaven opens Glory Glory Glory. I cannot give any account of Bishop McKendree. I am waiting his arrival in the neighbourhood of Chillicothe. Present me to dear Nancy and all my male and female friends. We will pray on, suffer on, we shall rest, and reign with Jesus, there all our family, national, and personal, and church troubles shall end, I am thine,

Still, in the Saviour

F. ASBURY

Drew University Library