The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-02-28

presently TO hold meetings himself md organ
lied q class, but, owing TO his difidence, IL was
some months before he prayed publicly In Meth
odist meeting houses. He was soon. however,
licensed as a local preacher, and, after acting
for some years in that capacity, while pursuing
his trade, he was, when about twenty-five years
old, consccrated wholly to religious work. Yves
ley disccrncd in him qualities cminently fitted
for leadership. and he was. as we have seen, one
of the missionaries sent to the colonies by the
Annual Conference In i771.
Asbury sailed for Bristol in September Of that
year, having been provided with clothes and with
RlO for expenses by his fellow Methodists. Ho
reached Philadelphia toward the close Of
October. IL has been computed by DIR. Bangs
that there we're about this date In tho colonies
600 Methodists and ut least ten preachers, be-
sides wcsley's missionaries. From the time OF
his arrival in this country. Asbury seems to
have been singularly liable to various forms Of
disease, and his journal" abounds In descrip-
lions OF numerous attacks and OF the medical
treatment to which he was subjected. Never
theloss, no travelled and preached constantly.
Wherever there was a Jail, he visited It, and
preached in IL II permitted. A reaction against
extreme Calvinism was one Of the chief i'm
~pciiments nc had TO encounter among
tho intelligent. Tho Friends treated him
kindly, as did many OF the Presbyter-
ans. Scarcely an event Of Importance o-
CURED without Asbury preparing himself for
tho occasion. He preached two or three times n
day on every day Of the year. In October, 1872,
Asbury received a letter from Wesley appoint
ing him Assistant" or Superintendent. Yves
ley's method In England was to call the circuit
preachers helpers, and tho superintendent Of
circuits assistants. From tho beginning Of 1873
Asbury made his headquarters In Baltimore.
Here he proceeded to settle the classes" and to
establish the order and discipline that charac-
tcrizcd tho institutions founded by John Wcs-
ley. Although some persons chhfod under tho
rigor Of his administration, the prosperity
OF tho Baltimore Society continued, until 1t
was found necessary to erect Two churches.
Asbury formed for himself n circuit In
Guiding Baltimore and extending over six
counties. II comprised twonty.four appoint
inonts. and ho traverscd II once in three
weeks, preaching. exhortins, classifying, and
holding quarterly mc,;iagb. The Hammer In
which Asbury dealt with individuals 10 not over
looked in DIR. Buckley's exposition OF the ele-
incnts which gave early Methodism its power In
the United states. In the account OF his travels
through tho Jerseys Asbury says: IL met with
W. H., a man who has n great regard Tor us. hut
seems to be taken up too much with worldly cares
by speaking faithfully and close to him l have
shown him tho deceitfulnoss OF riches in pro-
ducing n spirit OF independence toward God
hardness N heart, and pride In Its various forms"
Following Wesley's precept and example, As
bury went to the Established Church for tho
sacraments and encouraged his converts TO
do likewise. Frequently the Methodists were
insulted by unsympathizing ~clergynen, but such
behavior usually reacted in favor OF those whom
the clergymen cndcavored to discredit.