History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

Perhaps a new bishop, new conference, and new laws would have better pleased some. I have been
much grieved for others, and distressed with the burden I bear and must hereafter bear'. O my soul,
enter into rest! Ah, who am I that the burden of the work should lie on my heart, hands, and head?
Thursday, 8 — Having taken cold, and had my rest broken, I went to bed to bring on a free
perspiration, and from this I received relief. My soul breathed unto God, and I was exceedingly
happy in his love, Some individuals among the preachers, having their jealousies about my influence
in the Conference, I gave the matter wholly up to them, and to Dr. Coke who presided. Meantime
(confirmatory), during the first week I sent them the following letter:
"My Dear Brethren: Let my absence give you no pain — Dr. Coke presides. I am happily excused
from assisting to make laws by which I myself am to be governed: I have only to obey and execute.
I am happy in the consideration that I never stationed a preacher through enmity or as a punishment.
I have acted for the glory of God, the good of the people, and to promote the usefulness of the
preachers. Are you sure that, if you please yourselves, the people will be as fully satisfied? They
often say, 'Let us have such a preacher,' and sometimes, 'We will not have such a preacher we will
sooner pay him to stay home.' Perhaps, I must say, 'His appeal forced him upon you. I am one — ye
are many. I am willing to serve you as ever. I want not to sit in any man's way. I scorn to solicit
votes. I am a very trembling, poor creature to hear praise or dispraise. Speak your minds freely; but
remember you are only making laws for the present time. It may be that, as in some other things, so
in this, a future day may give you further light.
I am yours, etc.,
"Francis Asbury."
I am not fond of altercations; we cannot please everybody, and sometimes not ourselves. I am
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resigned." This record bears study. He no doubt prayed much over it. And what a disclosure it
makes of the inward workings of the autocratic mind, the parentalism of which he is so
unconsciously fond. Did he mean this letter to influence legislation? Read it again and note the
argument. The issue before the Conference was trembling in the balance; he threw this letter into the
scale, but it was not the final determining factor. What does O'Kelly farther say of the course of the
debate? His style is by no means faultless, but there is a verisimilitude in it that convinces you he
is speaking the truth as he remembered it. "The debates of the synod turned chiefly on Episcopal
dignity. The Virginians for a while did distinguish themselves in defending their ecclesiastical
butterflies, but they fainted in the struggle. Richard Ivy exceeded himself; he spake with tears, and
in the fear of God, and much to the purpose, crying popery, etc. If at any time a minister would move
to abridge (in any degree) the Bishop's power, the defenders of that faith would not only oppose the
motion, but would charge the member with something like treason, as it were." He continues in the
"Appeal," pp. 21-25, to give circumstantial account of the fencing by the able champions on both
sides, but it might be discriminating to burden these pages with so much of his testimony. Let a few
citations suffice. "William McKendree, with several more, did with holy zeal strive with me for
liberty." "Hope Hull, a worthy Elder, sounded a proper alarm. He exceeded himself by far. . . . He
spoke after this manner: 'Did not our fathers bleed to free their sons from the British yoke? and shall
we be slaves to ecclesiastical oppression!' He lifted up his voice and cried 'What, no appeal for an
injured brother? Are these things so? Am I in my senses?'" "Stephen Davis, in whom was the spirit
of wisdom, withstood the celebrated Henry [Willis], assuring us that the last arguments were badly