FRANCIS ASBURY (1745 - 1816)
Francis Asbury,
known as the "Father of American Methodism" was born near Birmingham,
England. His parents were poor, and Francis was apprenticed to a maker of
"buckle chapes" after a short period of schooling. This hard work provided
a better foundation for him than a great education, when one considers the work
Francis was to do in America. Francis' parents were probably converts under the
Wesleys, and Francis made a profession of Christ at thirteen. He soon became
active in the ministry and at sixteen became a local preacher. In 1767 John Wesley recognized his ability and made
him an itinerant minister. John Wesley spoke at the annual conference in 1771
and remarked, "Our brethren in America call aloud for help," and then
he inquired (perhaps rhetorically), "Who will go?" Immediately a
young man of twenty-six sprang to his feet.
The following year, Asbury
was appointed by Wesley as "general assistant" in charge of the work
in America. During the Revolutionary War, the Methodists were suspected of
Loyalism, principally because they refused to take the prescribed oath; and
many of their ministers returned to England.
Asbury remained and
continued his itinerant preaching. He eventually was driven to exile in Delaware,
where he remained quiet, though not idle, for two years. In 1784 Wesley
appointed Asbury and Thomas Coke as superintendents, Coke translated this to
mean "Bishops" of the Methodist church in the United States. From the
first conference the "Methodist Episcopal Church of the USA began." (Just what we needed another denomination!)
To appreciate Francis Asbury
one must examine his tremendous vitality, dedication and executive ability. He
preached wherever people congregated: behind the barracks, from a wagon, from a
window, upon the banks of a river, in a paper mill, in a tobacco house, and in
an orchard.
Once at Tarborough he found
a fire in the hearth of a small apartment above the courthouse. Supposing it to
be for preaching he soon discovered it was for a dance instead. The dancing was
soon stopped, and Asbury had a "serious congregation listening to him."
He led in establishing new
settlements on the frontier. Annually he rode six thousand miles and preached
from three to five hundred sermons. His last entry in his journal reads,
"My consolations are great. I live in God from moment to moment."