[July 10, 1815] — to Jacob Gruber

Asbury was becoming more feeble, though his Journal says he was better because of the hot weather. However, this letter, as some of the others, shows that he was not as alert. The letter deals with the criticisms which had come from the preachers and people in reference to the appointments on the Carlisle Circuit.

SHIPPENSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA[?]¹

[July 10, 1815]

[TO JACOB GRUBER]²

Dear Son:

You will find a large letter at Littleton from your best Friend. We have missed our mark, or the conference, in receiving unqualified men. As for the people, they rise up, and the preachers also, as if there was only one station, of consequence, that’s our own. The preachers often, as there was only my beloved self the Superintendents might with great ease provide for me much better than they do. Oh we have heard their murmurs, felt their discontents, rounded chiefly in self and discontent, and ignorance but I murmur Hanna³ must be changed: with whom we are not clear. Leech,⁴ as Sam Montgomery pleases so well, Brother Hanna by no means to have a charge, any where. I had R. Burch;⁵ had Will Hunter and [had] the society done right William Hunter would have managed well in Carlisle, as it is, they are upon low water mark. And among a people so wealthy to talk about quarterage not be paid, in the circuit, if the town is taken off.

If you think it will not do to strip Carlisle off Jingling⁶ Leech can do better, and Leech would jingle in Bedford. When I see, hear, and feel the state of the church, my soul is roused relief to offer but cannot relieve, Brother Reily⁷ is all in all, he can please if Awkvick⁸ would spare him. Bro. Hunter James, will oversight a little, and Thomas Askins and local men might spring up, a little. The quarter meetings coming together, the change would possibly be done with greater ease immediately, the sooner the better. In the excessive heat we move slow. I feel now no steam boats, no dodging through the woods. Upon smooth roads and good horses, I would ride 10 thousand miles a year. I cannot tell who to trust but the Great Shepherd. We are dying, dying, dying, we see it, feel it not. I would attend 5 Conferences, out of ten alone that we might visit districts and circuits and stations to converse with our local official members to know the signs of the times. I feel in the neighbourhood 70, what do young men feel?

F. ASBURY

Methodist Historical Society of the Baltimore Conference

(Lovely Lane Museum)