History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

ENDNOTES
1 Lednum, p.111. Atkinson's "History," 1896, p.430, differs slightly and is in detail, omitting King.
2 Asbury's "Journal," Vol. I. p.80.
3 "History," Vol. I. p.161.
4 Bangs, in his "History," Vol. I. pp. 86, 87, and 115, 116, is outspoken as to the differences between
Rankin and Asbury, though he assumes ignorance as to the cause. He says that Asbury records in his
Journal that the Conference of 1773 adjourned "with great harmony and sweetness of temper"; that
the record as to the good temper was made with a view to show that, notwithstanding some
difficulties had occurred between Rankin and Asbury, they were not of that serious nature which
went to interrupt the harmony of their counsels. To a difference of judgment between them, Mr.
Asbury alludes in several places, by which it appears that in his opinion Mr. Rankin assumed too
much authority over the preachers and people . . . These things laid the foundation of those
complaints against Asbury which were transmitted to Mr. Wesley, and afterward became the cause
of much of that uneasiness which will be noticed hereafter." The after notice is to this effect "We
have already alluded to a dissatisfaction expressed by Mr. Asbury of the spirit and conduct of Mr.
Rankin; and it is certain from sundry notices in his Journal that he suspected strongly that Mr.
Rankin had misrepresented him to Mr. Wesley." What the subject of difference was precisely is not
known, but it is manifest from the following extract of a letter from Mr. Wesley to Mr. Rankin that
the suspicions of Mr. Asbury were well founded. In this letter, which is dated May 4, 1775, he says:
"I doubt not that Brother Asbury and you will part friends. I shall hope to see him at the Conference.
He is quite an upright man. I apprehend he will go through his work more cheerfully when he is
within a little distance from me." In a letter of July 28, 1775, occur the following words, "I rejoice
over honest Francis Asbury, and hope that he will no more enter into temptation." Bangs concludes,
"Hence we are confirmed in the opinion before expressed that either Mr. Rankin or some one else,
probably from jealousy of the growing reputation of Mr. Asbury, had written to his disadvantage,
and had even advised Mr. Wesley to call him home." It is clear from Wesley's letter that he had really
made up his mind to recall Asbury on the representations made to him, but between May and July
he changed his mind. In the light of future events it is well that he did change his mind, for it would
have precipitated a development of the fact that Asbury did not purpose to be controlled by any
authority in the world. Thus enough clear proof is presented of the truth of the allegations and
surmises in the case.
5 "History," Vol. I. p.164.
6 "The Doctor refers to church government, not to doctrines contrary to the Church of England;
which he held to be Arminian. 2d. He intimates that the 'numerous societies in America' preferred
a presbyterian form of government to an episcopal one. 3d. That to prevent the societies from
becoming a regular Presbyterian Church, he and Mr. Wesley took the steps they did." (How far Mr.
Wesley was in reality concerned will be seen in this work.) "And 4th. From the whole we infer that