— THE JOURNAL OF THE REV. FRANCIS ASBURY, BISHOP OF FROM AUGUST 7, 1771, TO DECEMBER 7, 1815, —-W*MS\ -%W*Ss— VOL. II, FROM JULY 15, 1786, TO NOVEMBER 6, 1800. NEW-FORK: PUBLISHED BY N. BANGS AND T. MASON FOR THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. - -*->-<©>-<-<- Abraham Paul, Printer, 182 Water-Stra«t. —« »$?«»- 1821, : Southern District of JVero- York, ss. BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the thirtieth day of April, in the forty-fifth year of the Inde- pendence of the United States of America, JV. Bangs and T. Mason, of the said district, have de- posited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof they claim as Proprietors, in the word3 following, to wit " The Journal of the Rev. Francis Asbury, Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, from August 7, 1771, to December 7, 1815. In three volumes." In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled " An Act for the Encou- ragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books to the Authors arid Pro- prietors of such Copies, during the times therein mentioned." And also to an Act entitled " An Act supplementary to an Act entitled, An Act for the Encouragement of Learning, by securing the Copies of Maps, Charts, and Books, to the Authors and Proprietors of such Copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the Benefits thereof to the Arts of Designing, Engraving, and Ktelung historical and other Prints." G. L. THOMPSON, Clerk of the Southern District of New-York. ;! THE WUBiTMa OE THE REV. FRANCIS ASBTJRY. M,LARYLAND.—Sunday, July 15, 1786. I rest from riding. Preached on " Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come ?" I had sweet communion with God in the woods—my soul hath rest in the Lord. Monday 10. Came to Old Town, and preached on 1 Tim, i. 15. and administered the sacrament. Tuesday 11. I rested to look over some papers and prepare some parchments. Spent nearly a third of the day in prayer, that the Lord would go with me to the springs. O what hath God wrought for brother Jacobs and his wife since I lodged with them four years ago I believe from that day the Lord heard our prayers for them. There has been a remarkable storm of hail at, and about the warm springs, by which great damage has been sustained : some of the hail, it was said, measured seven inches in circumference. Virginia.—Tuesday 13. I came to Bath ; the water made me sick. 1 took some pills and drank chicken-broth, and mended. I am ill in body, and dispirited. I am subject to a headach, which prevents my reading or writing much, and have no friends here ; but I desire to trust the Lord with all my concerns. Having no appointments for three weeks to come, I have concluded to stay here awhile ; and I am the more inclined so to do, as I am apprehensive my stomach wants all the healing efficacy of the waters to restore it to its proper tone. Sunday 16. I had some divine assistance in speaking to the people under the trees, on " Lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God." In the afternoon 1 enlarged on " Having the form of godliness, but denying the power thereof. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Quite weak, and considerably affected by the water. VOT. II. 1 ~ HFV I'KANCIS ASBURY'S JOUIltfAL. [TToU. Thursday 20. I am better. Employed in reading Mr. Harvey, and Brooks's Practi-.v ^H. -f sjc ; ;nor«> i.bus; ordinary in prayer, and spoke in public ev-:v v.'w?.v ;i.:'::i, Sunday 30 I ^pck^ plainly and closely in the playhouse on " Oh '. wickf- 1 man, thou zh-Jt, surely die." The people were serious : I cannot get thj people to attend preaching except on the Sabbath : this evil is to be remedied only, I presume, by our getting a preach- ing-house, and "".saching therein by candle light. s , /^""^7 ^ugust 5 - i began to pack up, in hopes of moving on Monday. Sunday 6. I had a serious, little congregation in the country. Re- turned to town, and preached at four o'clock. A pleasing thought passed through my mind ; it was this, that I was saved from the remains of sin ; as yet, I have felt no returns thereof. I was solemnly impressed with the account of the death of poor Styor, a German, who dropped down suddenly and died. He was a man of .piety, and had a gift to preach ; had a nohle spirit, and sound judgment. I have spent twenty-three days at this place of wicked- ness (Bath.) We are trying what can be done towards building a house for worship : we collected something on the Sabbath for that purpose, and it appears the business is entered upon with spirit. My horse was running in the pasture last week, and hurt himself, so that I find hi-m utterly incapable of travelling, and that I am compelled to linger here another week ; this, as it is, I am willing to do, for the sake of the people, the cause of God, and my health ; and I am dis- posed to consider it a providential call, although 1 should not remain, was my horse able to carry me away. I sent brother B. to my ap- pointments, and directed him when and where to appoint for me. My hopes revive here, and I trust my labour is not all in vain. Tuesday IS. I preached for the last time during this visit, but the people showed but little affection for the word. Capon River being full, 1 crossed in a canoe, and found my horse better. The cut was a deep one, but we applied a piece of bacon to the wound, bound some leather round it, and on Thursday I took my departure from this unhappy place. Came to my old friend B. Boydstone's. I had the happiness of seeing that tender woman, his wife, who careth for the preachers as for her own soul : full oft hath she refreshed my spirit : her words, looks, and gestures, appear to be heavenly. Here I could make no stay, lest I should miss my appointments in Philadelphia ; and if so, be too late for.those made in the Jerseys and New-York. : — 1786.] RLV. IRANC1S ASBDRY'S JOURNAL. 3 Maryland.— Sunday morning, Rode twenty miles to Pipe-Crttek chapel, and preached to a large congregation. Monday 21. Reached Mr. Gough's, where I spent two days : the weather was very warm ; but for one hundred miles and upwards I have had it sufficiently agreeable. Came to Abingdon—Our college is still without a cover, and our managers, as I expected, almost out of breath. I made but little stay, but hasted on to Philadelphia, and arrived there on the twenty-sixth, Saturday. I New-Jersey.—Monday 28. came to Trenton ; and thence pro- ceeded on to Brunswick. I was accidentally, or rather providentially, favoured with a ride in a carriage ; else, I know not how I should have proceeded on my journey. I reached New-York on the thirty, first of August, having travelled three hundred and fifty miles since I left Bath, in Virginia. New-York— I was taken ill, and was confined about eight days, during which time I was variously tried and exercised in mind. I spent some time in looking over my Journals, which 1 have kept for fifteen years back : some things 1 corrected, and some I expunged. Perhaps, if they are not published before, they will be after my death, to let my friends, and the world see how I have employed my time in America. I feel the worth of souls, and the weight of the pas- toral charge, and that the conscientious discharge of its important duties requires something more than human learning, unwieldy sala- ries, or clerical titles of D. D. or even bishop — the eyes of all both preachers and people, will be opened in time. Saturday, September 17. It was a very solemn season at the ordination of brother Dickens to the eldership. I gave the charge from 1 Tim. iii. 10, 14. In the afternoon I preached to the people from these words, " Pray for us ;" and in the evening from " The world by wisdom knew not God : it pleased God by the foolish- ness of preaching to save them that believe." I met the society, and opened my mind to them on various subjects. Tuesday 20. I rose with a sense of God upon my soul. I have been a little grieved with letters from : but it is in vain to look for more than man in the best of men : my witness is on high ; and I shall have respect to my Great Shepherd in all things. After preaching on " The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God," &c. and settling some temporal matters relative to the support of the stationed preachers, I left the city and came to Eliza- bethtown : at seven o'clock I preached and had much liberty. New Jersey —Friday 21. We dined at Amboy, and reached Mi n* mouth at nigh. i REV. FRANCIS AjSBURY's JOURNAL. [1786. Saturday 22. I preached with life and love at Leonard's : the people here appear very lifeless. I have lately been mijch tried and much blessed. Tuesday 26. I had many to hear at Potter's church, but the peo- ple were insensible and unfeeling.