Undated — to Daniel Hitt

AUGUSTA (G.)

Nov. 18, 1806

[TO DANIEL HITT]

My Very Dear Daniel:

Great peace attend thee in life & death. After I had written; thine came to hand, giving an account of the success of the Long-Calm (Camp-Meeting) but I think there was a gust of Divine power. I rejoice to hear that Delaware, & the East of Maryland fire, spreads on the Western-shore. Your observations on the probable nonsuit of a delegated General Conference to organize a superintendency, has waked up some serious thoughts in my mind. You will, as a man of mind, think how I feel, under an insupportable burden; weakening under the weight of age, now entering my 62, and entered my 45 in Local, and traveling Ministry. I have drove John-like through life, running out of breath, then stopping to recover my wind; and off again. I must fret at nothing, nor murmur, or complain: But be assured not a day, an hour or a moment should be delayed to fix the Superintendency, the most perfect plan is in operation. If I have sought the stilts of power, or have been flying on wings of ambition, (as my enemies have said) let me not be suspected in this matter; Life shortens with me; but a charge of two millions, that are nearly, or remotely connected with us; If my breath is strange to my Brethren I intercede for the children, that cannot go alone, the infants that suck the breast. Many of our once faithful men, are gone to their Farms, merchants[?] —— and we have but few, that know what Israel ought to do, —— Israel. A few men of little —— that expect to work round a circle like a horse in a mill, may talk [to little purpose] and to great success, Conference. Never a better time or method of doing than the present, to call out immediately two or three of the most aged, willing & faithful men to go from the Mississippi to Kennebeck annually to superintend the work but if the plan is only divulged, to any but in full conference; they will be to oppose they know not what. I suppose there will be puss enough in three great, very great Conferences, Virginia, Baltimore, & Philadelphia, but they ought to pass it implicitly; (but catch them at that.) If men, Poor men; men that cannot be spared a moment from the work; [two words marked out] that have to take time, money, & labor: 1600 miles, going and returning; their Brethren, in the centre ought to submit, unless they wish to rule the connection & Superintendency. And I presume, if there is not an accommodation in this (& a successive General Conference) Brethren in the extremities will not, come at all, they cannot, will not dare not leave the work; like our Brethren, (on the Missions to the West, they would not one come to Conference.) In a delegation, the Superintendent in Conference, know what preachers are to be absent, and can make Provision to fill their places, by local or travelling preachers, if any Presiding Elder; to order the Elders to supply their place at Quarterly Meetings. Men of minds, cry out, we ought to have a delegation at the yearly Conferences, and leave as many on the Circuits as we can at Conference times, the work is so great! As to General Conference, I am sure the distant Conferences had better not come; if they would send it 21 [?], what are these be to one hundred. I think you would be in your duty, to write to the Elders to keep the probationers on the Circuit at Conference next.

F. ASBURY

Letters to Daniel Hitt, Ohio Wesleyan University Library.