 Section 17 of the Journal of the Reverend Francis Asbury, Volume 1. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Larry Wilson. Journal of the Reverend Francis Asbury, Volume 1. Section 17. Monday, 25. Being Christmas Day, I preached from 1st Timothy 1.15. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. My spirit was at liberty and we were much blessed both in preaching and class meeting. Hitherto the Lord hath helped me both in soul and body, beyond my expectation. May I cheerfully do and suffer all his will, endure to the end, and be eternally saved. Wednesday, 27. We have awful reports of slaughter at Norfolk and the Great Bridge, but I am at a happy distance from them and my soul keeps close to Jesus Christ. And as we know not what a day may bring forth, I can say with St. Paul, for me to live is Christ, but to die is gain. Found a warm and lively society about 50 souls at WF's on Thursday, but the company was small at Friend S's on Friday. Lord's Day, 31. Being the last day of the year, we held a watch night at S. Y.'s Chapel, beginning at 6 and ending at 12 o'clock. It was a profitable time and we had much of the power of God. Monday, January 1, 1776. I am now entering on a new year, of late constantly happy, feeling my heart much taken up with God, and hope thus to live and thus to die. Or if there should be any alteration, may it be for the better and not for the worse. This is my earnest desire and prayer to God. My residue of days or hours, thine, holy thine shall be, and all my consecrated powers a sacrifice to thee, till Jesus in the clouds appear to saints on earth forgiven, and bring the grand, sabatic year, the jubilee of heaven. On Wednesday my soul was in a sweet and humble frame, and my heart was expanded both in preaching and meeting the class. I returned to O.M.'s for lodging, and the next day after preaching spoke to about 30 lively souls at W's. Wednesday, 10. Mr. and Mrs. J. met me at Friend B's, and gave me a long narrative of a great work under Brother G.S. We held a watch night, and Mr. J. and I stood about two hours each. There appeared to be a great degree of divine power amongst the people. Mr. J. accompanied me to W.P.'s where I preached, and then pursued my way to Mr. P.'s in Chesterfield, a go-to-old saint of God. The Lord was with us there, and afterward went on to Petersburg, and was glad to see my friends, though they were in some trouble about the times. To the great loss of many individuals we are informed that Norfolk was burnt by the Governor. Lord's Day 14. I found myself at liberty in preaching in the morning, and then went to hear Parson H., who preached a good sermon. He came in the evening, and heard me preach on the jubilee Leviticus 24, 9, and 10. Brother G.S. then met the class with great animation. Monday 15. We had many people at Friend El's. I have been reading Peridot's connections, and my soul possesses peace and purity in Christ my Redeemer. Wednesday 17. The Lord is graciously working on the hearts of the people at F.A.'s, but the Baptists endeavor to persuade the people that they have never been baptized. Like ghosts they haunt us from place to place. O the policy of Satan! Some he urges to neglect the ordinances altogether, others he urges to misunderstand them, or make additions to them. Christ speaking of children says, Of such is the kingdom of heaven. But the practice of the Baptists says, They may be of the kingdom of glory, but they cannot be of the kingdom of grace. But knowing that they who seduce souls must answer for them, I shall not break my peace about it, but leave them to God. I look on them as objects of pity, rather than objects of envy or contempt. The people also appear to be much alive on Thursday at the widow A.'s. I had a blessing in class meeting and find my heart quite given up to God. Friday 19. Thanks be to God for his unspeakable love. My soul enjoys it in a greater and greater degree. Many people attended to hear the word today at widow A.'s. The society consisted of about sixty souls who appeared to be very lively and spiritual. Lord's Day 21. It was a powerful time while I preached from Isaiah 63, poor. The day of vengeance is in my heart and the year of my redeemed is come. Brother Jay, who was obliged to fly from Portsmouth, distressed by the late fire, met me here. On Monday we were all deeply affected with a sense of our unworthiness at Friend Pease while I discoursed on the barren fig tree. Tuesday 23. My soul was happy in God and sweetly engaged in prayer and reading. Several people were affected under the word at Mr. Else. Wednesday 24. I received a letter from Mr. T. R. informing me that he had administered on Brother W.'s will and desiring me to pay attention to his affairs in these parts and then return to Philadelphia by the 1st of March. Virginia pleases me in preference to all other places where I have been, but I am willing to leave it at the call of Providence. We were much comforted together at R.J.'s on Thursday, but the thought of having my mind taken up with Brother W.'s affairs gives me some concern. I want no temporal business of any kind. Tuesday 30. The weather has been very cold, though I have attended every place in course and both the people of myself have been frequently blessed. I have been reading Burnett's history of his own times and am amazed at the intrigues of courts and the treachery of men. There is reason to fear the same causes produce the same effects at this time, for there is no probability of peace and a great army is expected from England in the spring. May the Lord look upon us and help us. Monday, February 5. Having attended the several appointments in the way, I came to S.W.'s and met the preachers collected for the quarterly meeting. With mutual affection and brotherly freedom, we discoursed on the things of God and were all agreed. After Mr. J. had preached, he and Mr. C. administered the Lord's supper. There was much holy warmth of spirit in our love-feast. On Thursday I intended to have set off for Philadelphia, but my horse is lame, so I must patiently submit to the providence of God. Saturday 10. Went to O.M.'s and had the pleasure seen and encouraging some of my friends from Portsmouth. Monday 12. Wrote about forty miles to Mr. J.'s. I found him a man of an agreeable spirit and had some satisfaction in conversing with him. He has agreed, if convenient, to attend our next conference. The people were much affected at White Oak Chapel on Friday, and after preaching I returned very weary to Mr. J.'s. All my desire is for the Lord and more of his divine nature impressed on my soul. I long to be lost and swallowed up in God. My soul and all its powers, thine holy thine shall be. All, all my happy hours, I consecrate to thee. Me to thine image now restore, and I shall praise thee evermore. Saturday 17. Mr. J. went with me to Captain B.'s and opened their new chapel with a discourse from these words. In all places where I record my name, I will come and bless thee. I spoke at night and we found the Lord with us. Lord's Day 18. I preached twice at Petersburg. The last subject was the rich man and Lazarus, which struck the people with great solemnity, and many seemed to feel the power of God. On Monday there were two Baptist preachers amongst the congregation. After the sermon was ended, they desired to speak with me. So we conversed about three hours on experimental, practical, and controversial divinity. But ended where we began. I think the Lord my mind was kept in peace and coolness. No doubt that Satan is very active in promoting religious controversies. Many take a controversial spirit for the spirit of religion, while others dispute away what little religion they have. Only by pride cometh contention, the wisdom that cometh from above is pure and peaceable. Wednesday 21. Deep seriousness sat on the minds of the people under the preaching of friend Elz, and my preaching for five times together has been attended with blessed effects, but let all the glory be given to God. I am only as a pin in the hand of a writer. My soul longs for more spirituality and to be totally dedicated to God. Friday 23. I set off for Philadelphia, and after meeting with various occurrences, heavy rains and much fatigue, reached Leesburg on Thursday 29. On Friday, March 1, my soul seemed to fix again on its center from which it had been measurably removed by a variety of difficulties and found sweet peace with God. A company of lively people attended the word at T.A.'s, where I met with brother W.W. The attention of the audience was also much engaged on the Lord's Day at the courthouse, while I discoursed with great affection and clearness of ideas. I afterward visited a poor unhappy man imprisoned for murder, but found him very ignorant, though he was brought under some concern before we parted. Left Leesburg on Monday 4, and by the good providence of God arrived safe at Baltimore on Thursday, but found the people greatly alarmed by the report of a man of war being near. Many of the inhabitants were moving out of town. Brother W. preached in the evening. Thursday 7. My heart mounts heavenward on wings of strong desire for more of God, and the peace of God which passeth all understanding keepeth my spirit in his knowledge and love. Here I met with brother R. and found him under some exercises of mine towards Mr. T. R. However, the temptation was removed before we parted. On Friday the town was all in commotion. It was reported that the man of war was in the river, which excited the serious attention of all the inhabitants, so that some were moving off while others were getting under arms. Alas, for fallen man! He fears his fellow creatures whose breath is in their nostrils, but fears not him who is able to destroy body and soul and hell. If fire and sword at a small distance can sow alarmists, how will poor impenitent sinners be alarmed when they find by woeful experience that they must drink the wine of the wrath of God poured out without mixture. Lord's Day 10. The congregations were but small, so great has the consternation been, but I know the Lord governeth the world. Therefore these things shall not trouble me. I will endeavor to be ready for life or death, so that if death should come, my soul may joyfully quit this land of sorrow and go to rest in the embraces of the blessed Jesus. O delightful felicity, there is no den of war, no unfriendly persecutors of piety, no enchanting world with concealed destruction, no malevolent spirit to disturb our peace, but all is purity, peace, and joy. Adapting my discourse to the occasion, I preach this evening from Isaiah 1, 19, and 20. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land, but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Monday 11. Pursued my way as far as Mr. H. Goose and was treated with great kindness, may this family events that all things are possible with God, though their salvation should be attended with as much apparent difficulty as the passage of a camel through the eye of a needle. If they prove faithful stewards, they will. I preached here the next day to a large congregation, amongst whom were some of my old friends from the forks, and the Lord gave us a blessing together. Wednesday 13. Came to J.D.'s and found his pious wife under hysterical complaints and full of doubts about the state of her soul. Preached the next day at a place by the way, with holy warmth of affection to a considerable number of people. Tuesday 19. Under the divine protection I came safe to Philadelphia, having rode about 3,000 miles since I left at last. But heaven is my object, not earth. This brings my mind and makes my burden light. The things eternal I pursue, a happiness beyond the view, of those that basically pant for things by nature felt and see, their honors, wealth and pleasure mean I neither have nor want. Here I met with Mr. T.R. in the spirit of love and received a full account of what related to the unhappy Mr. D. I also received an affectionate letter from Mr. Wesley, and am truly sorry that the venerable man ever dipped into the politics of America. My desire is to live in love and peace with all men, to do them no harm, but all the good I can. However, it discovers Mr. Wesley's conscientious attachment to the government under which he lived. Had he been a subject of America, no doubt that he would have been a zealous and advocate of the American cause. But some inconsiderate persons have taken occasion to censure the Methodists in America on account of Mr. Wesley's political sentiments. By the power of God my soul is kept in the midst of all company, sweetly reposed on Jesus Christ. My desire is, with the most fervent love, to devote myself to him that died for me. A perfect calm pervaded my soul, and I found myself at full liberty, preaching from 2 Corinthians 6, 2. How changeable are all things here, and especially in these precarious times. But my determination is to cast all my care on the Lord and bear with patience whatsoever may occur. May the Lord make me more indifferent, both towards persons and things, and only intent on doing His will. On Saturday I visited Mrs. M. above 80 years of age, and very impertinent. She is a friend to all gospel preachers, and opens her house to make them welcome. If she should at last receive the Lord into her heart, it will be well. Brother W. preached in the morning. Mr. S. at the Episcopal Church was very severe upon the Quakers, but to little purpose. Two of their leading men, J. D. and A. B., came very kindly to see Mr. T. R. Monday, 25, I had an opportunity of speaking to J. W. relative to his leaving the work, and he manifested some inclination to return. My soul was greatly blessed in meeting Sister W.'s class, and all present seemed to partake of the same blessing. The opening heavens around me shine with beams of sacred bliss as its mercy mine, and whispers I am his. Tuesday, 26 My soul was blessed with divine serenity and consolation. May I ever be able to conduct myself with evangelical prudence, and so keep under my body that I may always be the temple of God by the Spirit that dwelleth in me. The next day also my soul enjoyed the same delightful sense of the divine favor and was fixed on God as on its center, though in the midst of tumult, glory to God. I can leave all the little affairs of this confused world to those men to whose province they pertain, and can comfortably go on in my proper business of instrumentally saving my own soul and those that hear me. Friday, 29 I have been graciously assisted every time I have attempted to preach this week and found a particular blessing today in speaking at the funeral of Sister L, an old follower of Christ. Saturday, 30 I persuaded J.W. to decline his thoughts of studying and settling and return to his circuit. We had a powerful time in prayer meeting this evening. Monday, April 1 My soul panted after God. We had a sudden and dreadful alarm of fire which threatened us, Malthouse and Bruehaus. It was not extinguished without great difficulty, and until much damage had been done man can either defend his person or his property in many cases and yet how unwilling to commit himself and his property in a proper manner to God. Tuesday, April 2 My mind felt some dejection, but my peace was not interrupted. Amongst others in the congregation this evening, there was a woman of ninety years of age. The next day I was much employed in reading and severely tempted by Satan, but was kept from all injury by the power of God. Friday, April 5 I heard a Moravian preach, but it was only a historical faith, and this being Good Friday I preached from these pathetic words of Christ. Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. What mortal can form any idea of the blessed Saviour's feelings at the time, when his agony was so great as to express from his sinless body great drops of blood and water. Was it ever heard before that any man sweat blood? If Jesus found the punishment due to sin to be so severe, how will poor sinners themselves bear the eternal damnation of hell? Lord's Day 7 The Lord graciously assisted me in my public exercises both morning and evening, and on Monday my soul was in a pure and spiritual state. Tuesday 9 We had a large congregation, and my heart was greatly expanded while I discord on the cloud of witnesses from Hebrews 12 1. The power of God was imminently displayed in the minds of several, and one in particular was struck with deep conviction. Thursday 11 My soul was all on stretch for God, both yesterday and today. I, B, came to see me, and appeared to be in some distress. I prayed with him more than once, and he roared out for very anguish of spirit. Instead of being surprised that an awkward sinner should weep and cry aloud for mercy, we ought to be infinitely more surprised that an unforgiven sinner should manifest but little or no concern. If a man expected to lose all his property and be put to bodily torture, could he be unconcerned? But what is all this to the loss of God in heaven and the torture of unquenchable fire? Truly if it were not for unbelief, we should see sinners on every side weeping and roaring aloud both day and night. Saturday 13 was desired to visit a prisoner sentence of death. I found he was an Englishman, had been an old soldier, and had experienced the pardoning love of God in Ireland about twenty years ago, under Mr. B. Thus we see that although a soul has been blessed with the favour of God, yet unfaithfulness may provoke the Almighty to give up such a person to work all kinds of sin with greediness. Then let him that standeth take heed lest he fall. On the Lord's Day my mind was shut up and preaching, and I felt the want of more faith for Philadelphia. Monday 15 I am not without a comfortable sense of the favour and presence of God, but labour under a lassitude of both body and mind. I went to the jail to visit the prisoners again, but could not obtain admittance. Mrs. E. formerly the wife of G.T. attended our class meeting today, and my soul was much blessed amongst them. Tuesday 16 My heart was sweetly enlarged towards God, both in my private exercises and my public preaching. A friend from New York informed us that troops were raised in entrenchments made in that city. O Lord, we are oppressed. Undertake for us. I received a letter from friend E. at Trenton, complaining that the societies in that circuit had been neglected by the preachers. Wednesday 17 My soul loves God in all mankind, but I cannot please all men. However, my conscience is void of events both towards God and towards man. On Thursday we heard of a skirmish between Philadelphia Fleet and the Glasgow Man of War. What will be the end of these things? Lord, think upon us for good, and show us mercy. Preaching this evening the powers of my soul were at full liberty, and I trust it was made a blessing to many. Friday 19 Satan has been thrusting at me, but by grace I am still kept, and my soul is employed in the holy and heavenly exercises with constant and delightful communion with God. Oh, how I long to find every power of soul and body one continual sacrifice to God. If so poor a worm as I may to thy great glory live all my actions sanctify all my words and thoughts receive claim me for thy service, claim all I have, and all I have. With great warmth of affection I went through the public exercises of the evening. On the Lord's day my soul was given up to God and it appeared to be a searching time in the public congregation. End of section 17 Section 18 of the Journal of the Rev. Francis Asbury, Volume 1. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by C. L. Huatly. Journal of the Rev. Francis Asbury, Volume 1, Section 18. Monday the 22nd I found Christ in me the hope of glory but felt a pleasing, painful sensation of spiritual hunger and thirst for more of God. On Tuesday I rode to Burlington and on the way my soul was filled with holy peace and employed in heavenly contemplations but found to my grief that many had so imbibed a martial spirit that they lost the spirit of pure undefiled religion. I preached from Romans 13 11 but found it was a dry and barren time and some who once ran well now walk disorderly. On Wednesday I rode to Trenton and found very little there but spiritual coldness and deadness. Had very little liberty and preaching among them thus the Lord humbled me amongst my people but I hope through grace to save myself and at least some that hear me. Thursday the 25th I rode about 11 miles and preached to a people who were but very little moved but at Ibees the next day there was more sensibility amongst the congregation and though very unwell I found my heart warm and expanded in preaching to them. It is my present determination to be more faithful in speaking to all that fall in my way about spiritual and eternal matters. The people were very tender at friend F's on Saturday and on the Lord's Day I spoke feelingly and pointedly to about 300 souls at the meeting house. Afterward I returned through the rain to Trenton and was well rewarded in my own soul while preaching to the congregation at night. I felt every word which seemed to cut like a two-edged sword and put me in mind of some of my former visits. May the Lord revive his work amongst them again and make the time to come better than the former time. Monday the 29th Satan beset me with powerful suggestions and persuade me that I should never conquer all my spiritual enemies but be overcome at last. However the Lord was near and filled my soul with peace. Blessed Lord be ever with me and suffer me not to yield to the tempter. No, not for a moment. Tuesday the 30th went about nine miles to our quarterly meeting at Hopewell and we had much of the power of God in our love feast in which many declared their experience. I lectured in the evening at I.B.'s though very weary, but my heart was with God and I know we cannot tire or wear out in a better cause. On Wednesday I rode back to Trenton where I preached to about a hundred souls and then went about 30 miles more to W.B.'s. Thursday May 2nd. Some melted under the word at Mount Holly, though at first they seemed inattentive and careless. The grace of God kept my spirit this day in sweet seriousness without any mixture of sourness. Saturday the 4th. At New Mills I found Brother W very busy about his chapel which is 36 feet by 28 with a gallery 15 feet deep. I preached in it from Matthew 7, 7 with fervor, but not with freedom, and returned to W.B.'s the same night. Lord's Day the 5th. I preached at New Mills again and it was a heart affecting season, then returned to Philadelphia but went under a heavy gloom of mind and found my spirit much dejected and shut up. Monday the 6th. My mind was in a dissipated frame today and we were alarmed with a report that ships of war were then in the river. However, I was blessed in meeting a class at night. My mind was more composed and comfortable the next day but not so spiritual and heavenly as I desire it should be. Come, Lord, from above the mountains remove overturn all that hinders the course of thy love, my bosom inspire, enkindle the fire, and wrap my whole soul in the flames of desire. Preached at night from a text which corresponded with my own feelings, these are they which came out of great tribulation, etc. Wednesday the 8th. My spirit is much assaulted by Satan but the Lord is my keeper about ten o'clock today tidings arrived that there had been a skirmish off Christiana between 13 rogue alleys and the roebuck man of war that after an encounter of three or four hours the man of war withdrew as it was thought much shattered. At this news the inhabitants of the city were all in commotion and the women especially were greatly shocked. Lord, what a world is this, give me wisdom and patience that I may stand still and see the salvation of God. Thursday the 9th. My mind was free and in meeting two classes we had much of the solemn power of God. At night I preached from these words which are so applicable to the circumstances of the people. We have no continuing city here. Many people seem to feel the weight of this divine truth so suitable to their present condition. Friday the 10th. My soul is in sweet peace and I only want to fill my heart continually flaming with pure love to God carrying every desire and every thought towards heaven. Brother B. L. arrived here today and now informed that some men were killed in the galleys and the man of war was much damaged. Lord's Day the 12th. Divine grace assisted and comforted me in all the exercises of the day and although I spoke in strong and plain terms at night yet the very soldiers bore it well. But the next day I was seized with a severe chill from my lodging very sick. I was in a heavy sweat till four o'clock the next morning but nevertheless set out the next day if possible to reach the conference and came to Chester that night. Wednesday the 15th. I am still afflicted but not forsaken. The Lord fills me with peace and consolation. Attempted to reach a quarterly meeting when I got to the place was obliged to go to bed. Though the next day weak as I was I went and held a love-feast and afterward preached and the Lord gave me strength in my inward man. Saturday the 18th. My poor frame is much afflicted and shattered but my mind is full of divine tranquility ardently desirous to submit to the presence of God within flexible patience. How amazing is the goodness of God! He raises up the best of friends such as love for Christ's sake to show the kindest care for me in my affliction. Inasmuch as they have done it unto me one of the least of his servants they have done it unto Christ and may he crown their kindness and reward. Was very unwell all the Lord's day but my great desire to be at conference induced me to make an attempt on Monday to travel. But by the time I had rode three miles I found if I traveled it would be at the hazard of my life and was therefore obliged to decline it though the disappointment was very great. Let it be, Lord, thou wilt. Brother W went to a Quaker meeting and began to speak but some of the friends desired him to sit down. Tuesday the twenty first my disorder seemed to be broken but I was taken with a bleeding at the nose the devil still bends his bow and makes ready his arrows on the string but the Lord suffers him not to wound me. Tuesday the twenty third visited Mrs. G an old disciple of Mr. Whitefields but now she entertains the Methodists and on the Lord's day I ventured to preach to a small company of people. Monday the twenty seventh expecting the preachers were on their return from the conference I appointed preaching at my lodgings but had to preach myself to a small substantive tender company and felt much quickened in my own soul. At night Brother R arrived and informed me that I was appointed for Baltimore to which I cheerfully submit though it seems to be against my bodily health. Wednesday the twenty ninth my whole soul is devoted to God and desires nothing but more of him. Brother R and I both spoke to the congregation collected at night and the power of God was imminently present. On Thursday I wrote a letter to Mrs. W who has departed from God and feel great hopes that may be the means of restoring her. Friday the thirty first though far from being in a good state of health I set off for my appointment and reached I Dallams at night. Lord's Day, June 2 went to the chapel and preached after Brother S.S. and the people appeared to be deeply affected but Brother S. does not seem to enter into the Methodist plan of preaching. He uses a few pompous swelling words which pass for something great with short-sighted people but are not calculated to do them much spiritual good. On Monday my soul enjoyed the peace of God but I am frequently ashamed before the Lord for indulging too great a flow of spirits in the company of my friends. Though I purpose through grace to begin anew Lord, secure me by Thy mighty power we had a melting time amongst the people on Monday at I D's. Wednesday the fourth went to the widow P's and after I had done preaching met a small class of about thirteen souls who appeared to be sincere my body is still very weak but it is my determination to spend all the little remains of my strength for God and the salvation of precious souls. Wednesday the fifth some felt the word of truth at the widow B's while I was showing what it is to walk after the flesh but there appears to be a general flatness amongst the members of the class they are neither so attentive nor so tender as they were two years ago what a pity that the nearer souls approach to eternity the more unfit they should be to enter into that unchangeable place Help me to watch and pray and on thyself rely assured if I my trust betray I shall forever die. Satan hunts my soul continually and attacks me at times with the most powerful temptations but he does not get any advantage nor break my peace but on the contrary drives me nearer to my almighty protector all my powers more abundantly given up to God to serve him with all sincerity fervency and diligence Thursday the sixth was greatly blessed in meditation and prayer on my way to Mr. Harry Goes and there met with my good friend Mr. Philip Rogers and his wife the next day my spirit was in heaviness through manifold temptations I see the need of always standing sword in hand against my adversary the devil our Lord displayed both great wisdom and great mercy when he commanded us to watch and pray always may I show mercy on my own soul by always attending to this command Lord's Day the ninth yesterday I preached with some satisfaction at Mr. Giles's and rode today about 12 miles to the forks where I preached from Colossians 1 28 and then met part of several classes my feeble body was much fatigued with the exercises of the day but my soul was delightfully taken up with God on Monday the congregation at AG's appeared as if they both understood and felt the two-edged sword of the word I see the need of having my thoughts constantly employed on the things of God that no vacant moment may be left for Satan to fill up Tuesday the 11th rose with a deep sense of God resting on my mind and set off for Mr. L's which is about 20 miles from the house where I lodged but by losing our way we made it about 30 miles to reach the place till about 2 o'clock the Lord then rewarded me for my toil while I was preaching to a serious, tender people and I afterward endeavored to unite the society which Satan by his diabolical wiles had divided on Wednesday the congregation at AG's were so impenetrable that neither promises nor threats could move them nor did the people at Mr. W's seem to have much more sensibility, though I was greatly affected myself while preaching to them from 2 Corinthians 6.2 the Lord has blessed me of late with much assistance in preaching and with purity of heart Thursday the 13th both the people and myself were moved by the word at JC's my feeble frame is much fatigued with preaching twice a day but it must drag on as long as it can for it is my meat and drink yea it is the life of my soul to be laboring for the salvation of mankind I desire nothing but God and to spend the remainder of my strength and suffering and laboring for him who that knows God would be weary of such a master and who that knows the worth of souls would be weary of striving to save them Saturday the 15th after preaching in the Dutch church and meeting the class I wrote about 5 miles through a heavy rain and the wind was so powerful that it blew down trees, barns and houses so that it was with difficulty I could urge my way through the woods but at length came safe to the widow Ems and enjoyed a comfortable hour in preaching from Luke 14 18 and 19 on my coming to Baltimore I met Mr. TR and heard him preach on Monday I rode to WR's where we had a large company of people and amongst the rest were two Baptist preachers on Wednesday my soul was happy in God Tuesday the 18th though temptations hung upon my spirit yet I found myself greatly enlarged at Mr. Ease while enforcing these striking words the end of all things is at hand be therefore sober watching unto prayer returned on Wednesday to Baltimore and spent some time there are very few with whom I can find so much unity and freedom in conversation as with him at night the words were a blessing to myself and no doubt to others while I expatiated on 2 Corinthians 4 5 I can rejoice in God and cast all my care upon him Thursday the 20th went to Nathan Parigs and was find five pounds for preaching the gospel but found my soul at Liberty both in preaching and class meeting we then went to WL's and found NL under uncommon exercises of mind Saturday the 22nd returned to Baltimore and although my piece is not broken neither is any wrong temper or desire indulged yet I lament the want of more spirituality my soul like the rising flame would continually ascend to God Lord's Day the 23rd after preaching at the point I met the class and then met the black people some of whose unhappy masters forbid their coming for religious instruction how will the sons of oppression answer for their conduct when the great proprietor of all shall call them to an account we had a serious audience in the evening at town Monday the 24th spoke plainly on the nature of our society and the necessity of discipline which perhaps was not very pleasing to some who do not choose to join I told them we could not would not and durst not allow any the privileges of members who would not come under the discipline of the society I desire to know no man after the flesh my soul is in peace Tuesday the 25th I F who has lately come from Virginia gave me an agreeable account of the glorious spreading of the work of God in Virginia and North Carolina the Lord is fulfilling his promises and pouring out his holy spirit on the people Satan is still busy in his attempts to disturb if he cannot destroy me but my soul stays and waits and hangs on God who makes me more than conqueror over all the assaults of the enemy I preach today at the house of blank a man who has talk and but little religion the whole congregation appeared to be very stupid rode thins to K's and found a simple hearted people here I met with poor M who is keeping a school which may perhaps be his last and best shift Wednesday the 26th this was a general fast day and my heart was fixed on God I preached at three o'clock at Mr. S's and the power of God was displayed among the poor part of the congregation I F then met the class like another G.S Thursday the 27th this was a day of trials Satan drew my thoughts into a train of reasoning on subjects which were out of my reach for secret things belong to God but things which are revealed belong to us and our children thus while I was soaring out of the region of my duty I became inattentive to what immediately concerned me and over setting my shades broke it very much though blessed be God my body was preserved may the Lord keep my soul united to himself as its proper center however I was greatly blessed in speaking to the people and the power of God rested on the congregation Friday the 28th going to my appointment it rained much and I got wet which brought on a sore throat and laid me up till July 9th for the greatest part of the time I could neither eat drink nor sleep till the tumor broke glory to God I possessed my soul and patience under the whole of the affliction though my heart complains of its own ingratitude to my gracious Lord who not only supported both soul and body under all my trouble but provided tender friends who treated me with the greatest affection as a kind father dealeth with an afflicted son dealeth with me what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits I will render thanksgiving and praise and devote both body and soul to the most high during this affliction my abode was at Mr. G's I have now come to a determination, God willing to go to the warm springs and make a trial of them for the recovery of my health perhaps my strength may be thereby so restored for future services that upon the whole there may be no loss of time RW, WL and IF will supply the circuit in the meantime Thursday, July 11th my body is in some small measure restored and God himself is the portion of my soul may he ever keep me from every desire which does not directly or indirectly lead to himself Saturday, the 13th my heart has been humbled and melted under a sense of the goodness of God this day I set out for Baltimore on my way to the springs but by the time I reached the town I felt a great disposition to the tenderness in my shattered frame and my soul which seemed to sympathize with the body had not such a lively and steady sense of God as at other times though there was no desire after anything else I ventured to preach both this evening and the next day and humbly hope the word was made a blessing to many Monday, the 15th we set off for the springs Mr. D. overtook us in the evening and that no opportunity might be lost I lectured at night in the tavern where we lodged and both the tavernkeeper and his wife appeared to have some thoughts about their souls on Tuesday we reached Frederick and collecting as many people as we could by a short notice I preached from 2 Corinthians 6 to 2 and found my spirit at liberty my body complains of so much traveling for which it is almost incompetent but the spirit of the Lord is the support and comfort of my soul I was thrown out of my sheaths the next day but was providentially kept from being much hurt when we came to Hagerstown it seemed as if Satan the people were very busy in drinking, swearing drumming, etc my mind was disburdened and much comforted after I had delivered myself from Mark 1 16 though it seemed to answer but little purpose to the people it is one thing for the preacher to do his duty and another thing for the audience to do theirs Thursday the 18th after riding 40 miles today we reached the springs and at first we found it difficult to obtain lodgings but after a while I procured a good lodging with Mr. M here was work enough for a preacher if he desired to be faithful my soul was happy and I felt myself totally delivered from the fear of man determined by God to discharge my duty Friday the 19th my soul was in peace but the burden of the Lord rested upon me I could not be satisfied till I declared to the people their danger and duty which I did from Isaiah 55 6 and 7 they all behaved with decency though it is more than probable that some of them had enough of my preaching Saturday the 20th we had a meeting in the evening which we intend to have every evening at Mr. Go's and Mr. Merriman's alternately for prayer and exhortation at which about 20 people attended my spirit was grieved within me at the conduct of poor sinners but in Jesus my Lord I had peace Lord's Day the 21st a church minister attended the public exhortation in the morning and in the afternoon a dissenting minister preached from these excellent words believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved his discourse was very methodical but dry and full of academic stiffness it is very unlikely to bring souls to faith or repentance I preached in the evening from Acts 13 26 but my spirit was so stirred up within me by a desire that the people who were in their houses might hear that by speaking too loud I hurt myself we afterward had a good time in our prayer meeting end of section 18 recording by C. L. section 19 of the journal of the Reverend Francis Asbury volume 1 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by C. Wotley journal of the Reverend Francis Asbury volume 1 section 19 Monday the 22nd my soul enjoys sweet communion with God but I am obliged to exercise patience in bearing with the manners of poor, blinded, hardened sinners oh might they at last with sorrow return the pleasure to taste for which they were born are Jesus receiving our happiness prove the joy of believing the heaven of love Tuesday the 23rd the peace of God abideth with me I preached again by the side of a hill near the bath and the word had a melting influence on some of the congregation the dissenting minister attended our prayer meeting in the evening and prayed with us by the blessing of God my body began to fill the benefit of the waters may the Lord bless these means for the entire restoration of my health and in all my ways I can ever study to serve him with all I have and all I am reading the lives of Halliburton Walsh and Durrenty has had a great tendency to quicken my soul are not growing in grace is seldom for the want of knowledge concerning our duty but generally for want of using proper means to bring the knowledge we have into spiritual use our dull spirits must have line upon line and precept upon precept Wednesday the 24th the congregation was rather increased many were affected and one man fell down it clearly appears that I am in the line of my duty in attending the springs there is a manifest check to the overflowing tide of immorality and the prejudices of many people are in a great degree removed so that hope my visit to this place will be for the benefit of the souls of some as well as for the benefit of my own body though preaching in the open air to a people who are almost strangers to a praying spirit is more disagreeable to my feelings and a much greater cross than traveling and preaching in a circuit Friday the 26th my confidence was strong in the Lord and accompanied with sweet consolation my company and myself were quickened in our own souls by a diligent use of the means and the hearts of several others were under some religious impressions but the zealous conversation and prayers of Mr. Go seemed to move and melt the hearts of the people more than my preaching does Lord send by whom thou wilt only send to the conviction and salvation of all souls I have found both reproof and instruction in reading the life of Mr. Walsh at this time Christ is all in all to me my heart is sweetly occupied by his gracious spirit but alas I am not watchful enough to keep up the spirit of prayer the praying spirit breathe the watching power impart from all entangled bits beneath call off my peaceful heart Saturday the 27th there were many to hear the word at three o'clock and the Lord was with us in the evening when we were assembled for prayer and exhortation Lord's Day the 28th my soul is kept in the love of God but longs for an increase of the divine gift the workers of iniquity are not so bold as they were some of them have had convictions but lost them others seem stiffly to oppose the influences of divine grace Mr. H. who is commonly called the High Priest on account of his height preached today and I stood clerk for him but he seemed much dashed and it was with difficulty he proceeded in his discourse which was very dry while I was preaching my heart was drawn out in compassion to the people and as the word was readily applied to their consciences I believe some good was done so much public speaking is almost more than my frame can at present bear but the spirit within me constraineth me I feel indeed the want of retirement in this place yet I make a substitute of family exercises and find communion with God my soul has lately been much drawn out towards God in reading the life of Mr. Brainerd and longs to be like him and every other faithful follower of Jesus Christ Monday the 29th my present mode of conduct is as follows to read about 100 pages a day usually to pray in public 5 times a day to preach in the open air every other day and to lecture in prayer meeting every evening in my power I would do a thousand times as much for such a gracious and blessed master but in the midst of all my little employments I feel myself as nothing and Christ to me is all and all Tuesday the 30th my spirit was grieved to see so little of the fear of God and such a contempt of sacred things as appeared in many of the people in this place and enmity against God today's reigns in the hearts of all the unawakened from the highest to the lowest the Reverend Mr. W attended in the congregation to hear the word preached today Wednesday the 31st spent some time in the woods alone with God and founded a peculiar time of love and joy oh delightful employment all my soul was centered in God the next day I effectively met brother W and while preaching at 3 o'clock to an increased company the word produced great seriousness and attention and we had a happy powerful meeting in the evening at Mr. G's but my mind is in some degree disturbed by the reports of battles and slaughters it seems the Cherokee Indians have also begun to break out and the English ships have been coasting for some advantages but what can they expect to accomplish without an army of two or three hundred thousand men and even then there would be but little prospect of their success oh that this dispensation might answer its proper end that the people would fear the Lord and sincerely devote themselves to his service then no doubt wars and bloodshed would cease Friday August 2nd my soul was in a serious solemn frame but earnestly desired to be more universally devoted to God brother W preached today and seemed a little abashed but the Lord was with us in our evening exercises how difficult it is to be much amongst men of the world and not imbibe their spirit in a greater or less degree I am afraid my friends are afraid in their spirits how watchful, devout, and heavenly should we be to keep up the power of inward religion in the midst of such a company of centers of diverse principles and manners for my own part I have had cause to lament the want of more watchfulness Lord help us to be faithful in all things to all persons and in all places Lord's day the fourth my heart was fixed trusting in the Lord brother W preached much to the purpose though there were some little inaccuracies in his language I preached in the afternoon and brother W again at night and it appeared to be a time of power Monday the fifth having withdrawn to the woods for the purpose of self examination and pouring out my heart in prayer to God I found myself melted, glory to God for a comfortable sense of the divine favor but alas how serious how solemn should I be when so many immortal souls on every side are posting down to everlasting fire on Tuesday but few of the gentlemen attended to here but I was enabled to deliver my message faithfully and freely and the common people heard me gladly Thursday also many attended and I hope my labor will not be altogether in vain Thursday the eighth my heart was sweetly resigned to the will of my Lord I was willing to do or suffer whatsoever he might see proper to require of me met with a man today who came from a place about 18 miles from the springs he never heard a Methodist before nor saw one yet he appeared the Methodist in principle experience in practice he was brought to the knowledge of himself and of God by the means of sore afflictions of body prayer and reading thus we see the Lord works where and in what manner he pleases my spirit has been much united to the faithful people of God of every denomination and at this time I felt a spirit of unity with Mr. H the Germans in general who dwell in these parts seem very insensible to the things of God on Thursday night we had a mixed company of Germans and English Mr. H preached in German and I in English our exercises in the evening were as usual many have been much affected lately under the word which I have delivered from time to time for God Lord's Day the 11th a fine sensible polite gentleman delivered a discourse on the new birth he described it by its effects but appeared to be a total loss in the respect to the manner in which it is wrought I had spoken in the morning and in the evening preached again pressing religion on the young people especially and showing the superior advantages and satisfaction arising from it even in this life Monday the 12th I rode 17 miles to see a saint indeed a woman confined to her bed for 15 years and quite happy in the love of God though she had never seen a Methodist or any other truly religious people where are the free thinkers is this priestcraft how can that be priestcraft which no priest ever had to hand in no this is the effect of divine power and goodness and so is all real heartfelt religion but if poor impenitent centers will not give all diligence to know the comfort of enjoying religion they will they must though much against their will know in due time the misery of rejecting it after I had preached with assistance to about 100 people collected from the country parts around we returned and had a comfortable time in our evening meeting the house in which we live at the springs is not the most agreeable the size of it is 20 feet by 16 and there are 7 beds and 16 persons therein and some noisy children so I dwell amongst briars and thorns and my soul is in peace Tuesday the 13th I found the parson had been encouraging the gentleman to oppose me and intimating that it was very improper to permit me to preach my soul is amongst lions but the God of Daniel is with me I attempted to preach in the day but my mind was shut up though my spirit was revived in the evening lecture I arranged to see a priest conducting a persecution against the people of God when did a persecution take place in which men of that character had no hand but although Satan may be permitted to transform himself into an angel of light for a season yet he will not always have his own way in this matter Thursday the 15th my throat grew worse and it was a rainy day I was obliged to be dumb but having faithfully declared to them from time to time the whole council of God both in his promises and threatenings I felt myself contented as having delivered my own soul Friday the 16th my throat growing worse they put a blister behind my ear but my conscience was pure and I quietly submitted to the will of heaven may the Lord keep me pure in heart and humble at his feet till he shall make up his jewels and bring them into his glorious presence where sorrow and sighing shall be done away glory to God nothing has lately broken the peace of my tranquil breast Lord's Day the 18th found myself better and felt the desire to preach which I did after having heard parson w and found myself at liberty while showing 1. the natural state of the gentile world 2. their spiritual state 3. the means and manner of their change and lastly I applied it to the Christian world so called heathens in their hearts and practices and showed how vain it is to substitute heathen morality or religious forums and ceremonies for true religion my friend Mr. B. and his wife from Portsmouth arrived here today Thursday the 22nd my soul has been daily grieved by the practices of poor blinded centers but the Lord has supported and comforted me I have not spared but preached plainly and pointedly every day this week and today Mr. S. a German minister with me about nine miles to a German settlement where we both preached in our proper tongues Friday the 23rd I had some serious conversation with the Quaker on the subject of the Holy Scriptures as the grand criterion of all inward and outward religion but to deny this is to oppose the present dictates of the Holy Ghost to its former dictates which would be a most dangerous absurdity how strange, how presumptuous to exalt the dignity of modern speakers beyond that of the prophets and apostles who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost and have given us a sure word of prophecy wherein too we do well that we take heed 2 Peter 1 19 but we must come to the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them. Isaiah 8 20 we are sure that the sacred Scriptures are of God and we are as sure if any men speak contrary to them he is not of God Lord's Day the 25th I have had strong confidence towards God but my heart has not been so constantly and fervently employed in the spirit of prayer as it might have been after preaching today men with one of the wildest antinomians I had ever met with he undertook to prove that love is not love and said they that are born of God do not sin but that they may sin in all manner of ways and frequently do so but what was the most surprising he said he valued not my God in Christ but him such language is enough to make a man shudder in repeating it Tuesday the 27th having taken my leave yesterday in discoursing on the parable of the sower I this day turned my back on the springs as the best and the worst place that I ever was in good for health but most injurious to religion we then wrote about 25 miles of the path that we friend are but had to lodge on the boards the next day a minister attended to hear the word at doctor sees and gave us a kind invitation to his lodging Saturday the 31st I met brother L and brother F at Mr. G's thus half the Lord preserved me through various trials and his providence have conducted me back in safety and health and perhaps possess more grace than before I went to the springs now oh Lord only make and keep me pure and let me be holy and only thine my soul was enlarged in preaching today and many were melted under the word I strove to prevail with brother F to go to Baltimore but could not Lord's Day September 1st I rode to gunpowder neck and preached twice my soul was exceedingly happy in God both in preaching and meeting the class as it also was the next day at ID's but alas we hear of bloodshed and slaughter many immortal souls are driven to eternity by the bloody sword this is a grief to my soul Lord scatter them that delight in war and thirst for human blood well for the righteous that this is not their home no they are blessed with a pacific spirit and are bound for a kingdom of peace where no horrid allerum of war shall break our eternal repose no sound of the trumpet is there where Jesus's spirit or flows appeased by the charms of thy grace we all shall in amity join and kindly each other embrace and love with a passion like thine Friday the 6th having been much fatigued by long rides and preaching and meeting classes every day though for the most part both the people and myself were much quickened I came today to my old and faithful friends HW and the people felt the two edged sword of the word glory to God I find a constant sense of his divine love though still blame myself for being too free in conversation when amongst my friends Lord's day the 8th the congregation at bush forest preaching house appeared to be very insensible and it seemed as if they had opposed the truth so long that they could feel it no more but at dear creek my heart was warm and the people were moved on Monday I also preached twice but on Tuesday it seemed as if my labor was too much for my strength I have scarce had time to enter a few lines in my journal but have been almost constantly employed in writing from place to place and speaking to the people Wednesday the 11th the people were serious at WB's here I saw the son of the famous doctor F but how unlike his father both in respect to grace and good sense my soul now hangs on the Lord and dwells in the element of purity desirous of nothing but to enjoy more of God and to be entirely dedicated to his service on Thursday I found a loving simple people at TV's and was comforted in meeting the class though I had been designedly led to reach beyond their capacity in my preaching Friday the 13th I came to Mr. G's and met with brother I.M. from New York who brought painful accounts of bloodshed and slaughter on Saturday I felt unwell and was apprehensive that my return to Baltimore might bring on my old complaints we had a large company and a refreshing season at Mr. G's where brother F exhorted after I had preached Monday the 16th this was an abasing season my soul was cast down and deeply humbled under a consciousness of my spiritual wants I did not enjoy such a cheerful sense of the divine goodness as at other times but ardently panted for more of the spirit of Christ Tuesday the 17th both rich and poor came out to hear the word at Oak Ridge and some of the young and gay were made to weep it will be well for them if they preferred Jesus Christ and his cross to all the wealth and vanity of this world I went home with Caleb Dorsey who was once convinced of sin but has now grown worse than ever he had about 40 souls in his family untaught as the Indians they seem to roll in plenty but there is no peace saith my God to the wicked at Mr. R's on Wednesday we had but a few to hear but many or few it makes no difference with me the Lord filled me with divine consolation while I was dispensing the word of life to them Friday the 20th returned to Baltimore and found that a work which cost some thousands of pounds was burnt down how easily can divine providence stripless of all our earthly objects are not such occurrences loud calls from a gracious God lay not up for yourself treasures upon earth but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven I have been much enlarged in preaching and favored with peculiar nearness to God at certain times for past but have been also sorely tempted by the enemy and found it required great exertions of faith and prayer to conquer every motion Lori to God for his grace bestowed on me through Jesus Christ we have now several exorters raised up in different parts of the country this evening Mr. R a came to town Lord's Day the 22nd my labor was great I preached twice and met the white people and the black people separately at the point and after preaching in town met a class all this I could submit to with cheerfulness but my spirit was grieved for the want of more holiness and more of God O grant that nothing in my soul may dwell but thy pure love alone O may thy love possess me whole my joy my treasure and my crown strange flames far from my heart remove my every act word thought be love Monday the 23rd my soul has been much harassed by Satan though I found great freedom in preaching to a number of souls at the point on Tuesday also my spiritual exercises were great and painful Lord I am oppressed undertake for me rode to Mr. E's and found the accuser of the brethren had taken advantage of the society by tempting them one against another but most of them and the congregation seemed to fill the power of the word preached Wednesday the 25th though unwell I returned to town to a large and serious congregation and endeavored to secure in a proper manner our little building at the point having preached at NPs on Thursday I found WL very sick on Friday but the small company which was collected for worship were deeply affected under the word and blessed be my all sufficient deliverer my soul was in a great measure burdened of its temptations and restored to delightful access to God especially in the exercise of prayer oh my God keep me always near to thee always humble and watchful Saturday the 28th at Mr. G's I met the preachers I am and TF and we had a great melting in public worship my own soul also took of the blessing end of section 19 recording by C. Watley section 20 of the journal of the Reverend Francis Asbury volume 1 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by C. Watley Francis Asbury volume 1 section 20 Lord's Day the 29th there were five or 600 people at the forks to whom I discourced on the judgments of God and showed who are the provoking cause not religious people as the ignorance say but those who transgress the laws of God in defiance of his justice thus it was with the antediluvians Egyptians with the apostate Israelites in the wilderness with the inhabitants of Jerusalem after the coming of Christ and thus it is with us after preaching we held a love feast and the power of God was present with us then went to Mr. G Wise and preach to a large company there after which I went home with Mr. C but found that my labor was too much for my strength and had brought on a fever Monday the 30th rode nine miles and preached at Mr. M's then six miles farther and preached and met the society at Mr. G ours and the Lord was with us I now find myself better both in body and mind and know the truth of our Lord's words my grace is sufficient for thee Friday October 4th having traveled through the barons and preached at several places I came to Brother C's and met with WL and after preaching in a cold open house I rode to Mr. ours and was happy in the company of my good friends on Saturday I lodged at the house of NJ a happy simple soul the glory of his family Lord's Day the sixth we had a great meeting at the widow M's I preached at 11 o'clock to six or seven hundred souls and then we held a love feast in which many spoke of the goodness of God we had five or six preachers and exorters so we also held a watch night from six o'clock till ten and then I felt as if it would have been no burden to have all the night the next evening likewise we had a very solemn watch night at WR's Wednesday the ninth having received a letter from Mrs. M of Middle River Neck requesting me to go and preach a funeral sermon at the burial of her sister I set out this morning in compliance with her request we found it a serious awful season and after all was over she offered me some money but being in a place where I could receive my six pounds per quarter which was sufficient for keeping me in clothes and a horse I thankfully refused to take it she was capable of making an excellent useful Christian and appeared to be under religious impressions Thursday the tenth at the head of the river a few poor cold-hearted contentious people but in the time of my preaching from Galatians 5 24-25 most of them seemed much affected Saturday the 12th at Mr. G's I met brother R. N. who was just recovering from a late illness and the next day we rode in company to the point where he preached a very profitable sermon and the Lord applied the words to the hearts of the people while I preached at night in town Monday the 14th my soul enjoyed the peace of God which passeth all understanding Mr. R. went with me to T. W.'s and as he was unwell it fell on me to preach I was greatly drawn out in my affections and ideas and it was a tender melting time on Tuesday I preached with holy warmth at Mr. S's though I had caught a cold and found myself much indisposed Wednesday the 16th met with brother W. E. and as I found myself unwell I requested him to take my place for a day but could not prevail so I patiently submitted to go on and think hard of nothing that may occur if Jesus Christ suffered so much in purchasing salvation for men we may be willing to suffer a little in carrying the glad tidings amongst them Friday the 18th my body continued unwell and my labor has been tiresome to the flesh but my soul has been much blessed with an uninterrupted peace and sweet communion with God this is the time for suffering and toil but a rest remaineth for the people of God and what are all my sufferings here if Lord thou countest me meet with thy enraptured host to appear and worship at thy feet I went to the point and delivered my message to the congregation with much freedom but the next day my spirit was grieved to find that the love of some was waxing cold when Christ cometh will he find faith on the earth what an ungrateful creature is man to taste and see that the Lord is good and then turn again to folly Lord's day the 20th my spirit was much refreshed in preaching and meeting the little flock at the point and while I was preaching your sympathy in town a poor sinner was so affected that he groaned as in an agony if sinners could know as much of hell as the damned do they would both groan and roar aloud it is the blindness of their minds that keeps them so easy on Monday WL IF brother S and myself held a watch night at the point and my soul was much quickened though many of the people appeared to be dull Thursday the 24th at the funeral of Mr. T's son I preached to about a thousand souls and gave him such a character as I thought he deserved some were affected but the funeral parade engaged the attention of too many I spent about three hours in the different exercises suitable to the occasion found myself pure from the blood of the people and took nothing from my services Friday the 25th being a day of rest from public exercises I spent it in prayer meditation and reading partly in Whitby's notes and partly in the life of salon the Athenian philosopher Saturday the 26th meeting with two of the preachers we took sweet counsel together and after I had preached the next day at gunpowder neck we held a love feast there was a great melting among the people which I hope will be the first fruits of a gracious harvest Monday the 28th the people were too destitute of spiritual life at Mr. D's but I found some faithful lively souls the next day at Susquehanna Saturday November 2nd for a few days past I have been variously exercised in preaching at different places some congregations were warm and earnest in religion others were dull and seemed to have but little relish for divine things today I came home to HW's and accept the time employed in public and private exercises I was taken up in reading Whitby's comments he is steady to his purpose in confuting Sasinianism and Calvinism Lord's Day the 3rd truly my soul waiteth upon God from him cometh my salvation I know they that wait upon him shall renew their strength he hath drawn me by the cords of his love and blessed me with sweet communion in preaching and meeting class at Deer Creek I felt so much of the worth of immortal souls more than usual that I seemed as one awaking out of sleep Tuesday the 5th my spiritual trials have been heavy but the Lord supported and gave me peace Lord sanctify me holy and keep me in the dust Thursday the 7th have read Whitby's first volume as far as the end of the acts I preached and met class today at T.B.'s and the next day at the forks I found a people that walked closely with God leaving them for the present I went to meet Mr. R.N. who was then recovered from his illness on the Lord's Day and I was employed in public exercises at the widow bees on Monday we had a heart affecting time and prayer meeting at Deer Creek and Tuesday the 12th we held our quarterly meeting we had a very solemn time at the love feast in which many spoke freely and feelingly of what God had done for their souls after the preaching was ended and the temporal business all settled we then laid a plan for escalating the public exercises of the local preachers and concluded the whole in much love and good order but these public times interrupt my private devotions and communion with God it would be very disagreeable to live so always one of the preachers brought an account of an apparition that appeared to a lad and gave a particular account of being murdered by his fellow soldier requesting that the lad's father might lodge an information against the murderer which was done I was informed that the American and English armies were canonating within a mile of each other near New Rochelle how much better it would be for mankind to seek peace and pursue it Wednesday the 13th was spent comfortably in company with the preachers we had a public meeting in which we all prayed and exhorted and the Lord gave us his blessing brother Kay and I spent Thursday at Mr. G's and on Friday I went to Baltimore Saturday the 16th the spirit of the Lord applied the word to the hearts of the people while I preached in town with much animation Lord's Day the 17th was difficult to reach the hearts of the congregation at the point but we had great satisfaction in the class meeting though my body was weak and there were symptoms of a fever yet I was enabled to preach with spiritual life and power at night in the town Monday the 18th my body was disordered and my spirit sensibly felt the burden of the flesh but under all my weakness my pains my soul was exceedingly happy in God on Tuesday I was still unwell and took a vomit by Thursday I had got clear of my fevers and on Friday met the preachers W. W. W. L. and C.P. but my throat was now sore and my mind a little uneasy on account of the disappointment in the circuit Lord's Day I felt unwell but went to the point in the morning where my mind was interrupted by the frequent coming of the people almost to the very end of the sermon after the preaching was over I told them that I had rather they would stay at home than come in such an irregular manner the congregation were very serious in the evening at town but I felt much exhausted Monday the 25th my soul was calm and comfortable I have applied myself much to reading Whitby but he has so much to say about different men's opinions that it makes the labor of reading him too dry and tedious now I began to read the Christian library on Tuesday intended to go to Mr. T's but as there was a heavy rain I thought it unsafe to venture so soon after my recovery my soul has had complete victory over all sin and been blessed with peaceable and calm fellowship with the Father and the Son thanks be to God for his unspeakable gifts Wednesday the 27th I went to Mr. R's where we held a watch night my ideas were much contracted in preaching but we had several exorters present and they all spoke a great part of what they said was very simple though well intended no doubt the society were greatly melted at Mr. P's on Thursday and on Friday I went to a place of W. M's cultivation and I found a society of about 30 serious, steady people Saturday the 30th returning to Baltimore I preached from Romans 8 38 39 the congregation was small but there was power in the word it was now reported that the British troops were on their march to Philadelphia troubles may be at hand but my design is through grace so to improve my time as to be always prepared for the worst poor sinners have caused to tremble at the approach of death but even in that dreaded hour the righteous can rejoice in hope of the glory of God Lord's Day December 1st preached as usual at both town and point but some of the people seemed destitute of spiritual feelings there is no small danger of there being given up to hardness of heart if the word preached does not prove the savor of life unto life it will prove the savor of death unto death so that people may hear the word of God and resist the operations of his spirit till they and their seats have an equal degree of spiritual sensibility when the word of God is preached may the second in reading Whitby on 1st Corinthians 4 4 I observe these words here also note in Saint Paul another sense of justification as it relates to our absolution from condemnation and our approbation as righteous at the last day which will be saith he according to our works 2nd Corinthians 5 and our fidelity and execution of the trusts committed to us verse 2 we are commended to follow Jesus Christ and he for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame so it is our duty to follow the example of Moses who had respect unto the recompense of reward hence it appears we are justified by the merits of Christ through faith in the day of conversion and by the evidence of works in the day of judgment happy is the Christian who abounds with them Tuesday the 3rd I was informed that proposals were in agitation for settling Mr s e and allowing him a maintenance but none of these things shall give me much my soul quietly resteth in the Lord I have some desire to know the issue of what relates to Philadelphia at this critical juncture but there is a God who overruleth all these matters Thursday the 5th my soul was much enlarge today in preaching at NPs I afterward went in company with Mr. O to brother and on Friday in P W M and myself held a watch night Saturday I returned to Baltimore in a spiritual frame of mind and preached from John 8 12 he that follow with me shall not walk in darkness Lord's Day the 8th my present practice is to set apart about 3 hours out of every 24 hours of private prayer but Satan labors much to interrupt me nevertheless my soul enjoys a sweet and peaceful nearness to God for the most part in these duties I found some at the point mourning for an interest in Jesus Christ may the Lord whom they seek come suddenly into the temple of their disconsolate hearts Monday the 9th my ideas were clear and my heart was warm while I was treating on the regal dignity of Christ the nature of his government and the privileges of his subjects Tuesday the 10th with the snow full in my face I set out for Mr. T's the flesh was reluctant for a while but was brought to submit when the mind is reconciled to duties and difficulties then that which was hard becomes easy Thursday the 12th I was greatly assisted and blessed in my own soul while preaching about 2 hours at a watch night at Mr. P's we have many alarming accounts of martial preparations but I leave the troubles of tomorrow till tomorrow comes my desire is to live more to God today than yesterday and to be more holy this more than the last Lord's Day the 15th the troubles of the time seems so to engross the attention of the people that the congregation were very dull while I preached at night in Baltimore from Micah 6.9 the Lord's voice cryeth unto the city and the man of wisdom shall see thy name hear ye the rod and who hath appointed it it seems Mr. R. N. is going to New York Thursday the 19th received a narrative of the work of God in Virginia written by Mr. J to be sent to Mr. Wesley the Lord has been displaying the power of his grace in a marvelous manner through many parts of Virginia an extract of the narrative is here subjoined end of section 20 recording by C. Watley end of the journal of the Reverend Francis Asbury volume 1 section 21 of journal of the Reverend Francis Asbury volume 1 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit the library recording by Brian Keenan journal of the Reverend Francis Asbury volume 1 section 21 a brief narrative of the revival of religion in Virginia in a letter to a friend dear sir you were pleased when in Virginia to desire a narrative of the work of God in these parts I shall give you a matter of fact in a plain artless dress I have myself seen and heard and what I have received from men on whose judgment and veracity I can fully depend that you may have a full view of the whole I shall go back as far as my first settlements in this parish August 29th 1763 I was chosen rector of B in the county of D in Virginia ignorance of the things of God profaneness and irreligion then prevailed in all ranks and degrees so that I doubt if even the form of godliness was to be found in any one family of this large and populist parish I was a stranger to the people my doctrines were quite new to them and were neither preached nor believed by any other clergyman so far as I could learn throughout the province my first work was to explain the depravity of our nature our fall in Adam all the evils consequent thereon the impossibility of being delivered from them by anything which we could do and the necessity of a living faith in order to our obtaining help from God while I continued to insist upon these truths and on the absolute necessity of being born again no small outcry was raised against this way as well as against him that taught it but by the help of God this is the same both to small and great the common people however frequent to the church more constantly and in larger numbers than usual some were affected at times so as to drop a tear but still for a year or more I perceived no lasting effect only a few were not altogether so profane as before I could discover no heartfelt convictions of sin no deep or lasting impression no lost estate indeed I have reason to believe that some have been a good deal alarmed at times but they were shy of speaking to me thinking it would be presumption till their convictions wore off but in the year 1765 the power of God was more sensibly felt by a few these were constrained to apply to me and inquire what must they do to be saved and now I began to preach to God as well as in private houses and to meet little companies in the evenings and converse freely on divine things I believe some were this year converted to God and thenceforth the work of God slowly went on next year I became acquainted with Mr. M. R. rector of a neighboring parish and we joined hand in hand in the great work he labored much therein remarkable power attended his preaching and many were truly converted to God not only in his parish but in other parts where he was called to labor in the years 1770 and 1771 we had a more considerable outpouring of the spirit at a place in my parish called White Oak it was here first I formed the people into a society that they might assist and strengthen each other the good effects of this were soon apparent convictions were deep and lasting not only knowledge but faith and love and holiness continually increased in the year 1772 the revival was more considerable and extended itself in some places for 50 or 60 miles round it increased still more in the following year and several sinners were truly converted to God in spring 1774 it was more remarkable than ever the word preached was attended with such energy that many were pierced to the heart tears fell plentifully from the eyes of the hearers and some were constrained to cry out a goodly number were gathered in this year both in my parish and in many of the neighboring counties I formed several societies out of those which were convinced or converted and I found it a happy means of building up those that had believed and preventing the rest from losing their convictions in the counties of Sussex and Brunswick the work from the year 1773 was chiefly carried on by the labors of the people called Methodists the first of them who appeared in these parts was Mr. R.W. who you know was a plain, artless indefatigable preacher of the gospel he was greatly blessed in detecting the hypocrite raising false foundations and stirring believers up to press after a present salvation from the remains of sin he came to my house in the month of March in the year 1773 the next year others of his brethren came who gathered many societies both in this neighborhood and in other places as far as North Carolina they now began to ride the circuit and to take care of the societies already formed which was rendered a happy means both of deepening and spreading the work of God I earnestly recommended it to my societies to pray much for the prosperity of Sion and for a larger outpouring of the spirit of God they did so and not in vain we have had a time of refreshing indeed a revival of religion as great as perhaps ever was known in country places in so short a time it began in the latter end of the year 1775 but was more considerable in January 1776 the beginning of the present year it broke out nearly at the same time at three places not far from each other two of these places are in my parish the other in Amelia County which had for many years been notorious for carelessness profaneness and immoralities of all kinds gaming swearing drunkenness like were their delight while things sacred were their scorn and contempt however some time last year one of my parish now a local preacher appointed some meetings among them and after a while induced a small number to join in society and though few if any of them were then believers yet this was a means of preparing the way of the Lord as there were few converts in my parish the last year it was sensible a change of preachers was wanting this has often revived the work of God and so it did at the present time last December one of the Methodist preachers Mr. S. preached several times at the three places above mentioned he confirmed the doctor and I had long preached and to many of them not in vain and while their ears were opened by novelty God set his word home upon their hearts many sinners were powerfully convinced and mercy mercy was their cry in January the news of convictions and conversions was common and the people of God were inspired with new life and vigor by the happiness of others but in a little time they were made thoroughly sensible that they themselves stood in need of a deeper work in their hearts than they had yet experienced and while those were panting for pardon these were in treating God with strong cries and tears to save them from the remains of inbred sin to sanctify them throughout in spirit soul and body so to circumcise their hearts that they might love God with all their hearts and serve him with all their strength during this whole winter the spirit of the Lord was poured out in a manner we had not seen before in almost every assembly might be seen signal instances of divine power more especially in the meetings of the classes here many old start-outed sinners felt the force of truth and their eyes were open to discover their guilt and danger the shaking among the dry bones was increased from week to week nay sometimes ten or twelve have been deeply convinced of sin in one day some of these were in great distress and when they were questioned concerning the state of their souls were scarce able to make any reply but by weeping and falling on their knees before all the class and earnestly soliciting the prayers of God's people and from time to time he has answered these petitions set the captives at liberty and enabled them to praise a pardoning God in the midst of his people numbers of old and gray-headed old-aged persons of youth yay of little children were the subjects of this work several of the latter we have seen painfully concerned for the wickedness of their lives and the corruption of their nature we have instances of this sort from eight or nine years old some of these children are exceeding happy in the love of God and they speak of the whole process of the work of God of their convictions they obtain deliverance with such clearness as might convince an atheist that this is nothing else but the great power of God many in these parts who had long neglected the means of grace now flocked to hear not only me and the traveling preachers but also the exorters and leaders and the Lord showed he is not confined to man for whether there was preaching or not his power was still sensible among the people and at their meetings for prayer some have been in such distress that they have continued therein for five or six hours and it has been found that these prayer meetings were singularly useful in promoting the work of God the outpouring of the spirit which began here soon extended itself more or less through most of the circuit which is regularly attended by the traveling preachers and which takes in a circumference between four and five hundred miles and the work went on with a pleasing progress till the beginning of May when they held a quarterly meeting at B's chapel in my parish this stands at the lower line of the parish 30 miles from W's chapel at the upper line of it where the work began at this meeting one might truly say the windows of heaven were opened and the reign of divine influence poured down for more than 40 days the work now became more deep than ever extended wider and was swifter in its operations many were savingly converted to God and in a very short time not only in my parish but through several parts of Brunswick Sussex Prince George Lunenburg Mecklenburg and Emilia counties second day of the quarterly meeting a love feast was held as soon as it began the power of the Lord came down on the assembly like a rushing mighty wind and it seemed as if the whole house was filled with the presence of God a flame kindled and ran from heart to heart many were deeply convinced of sin many mourners were filled with consolation and many believers were so overwhelmed with love that they could not doubt but God had enabled them to love him with all their heart when the love feast was ended the doors were opened many who had stayed without then came in and beholding the anguish of some and the rejoicing of others were filled with astonishment not long after with trembling apprehensions of their own danger several of them prostrating themselves before God cried aloud for mercy and the convictions which then began in many have terminated in a happy and lasting change the multitudes that attended on this occasion returning home all alive to God spread the flame through their respective neighborhoods which ran from family to family so that within four weeks several hundreds found the peace of God and scarce any conversation was to be heard throughout the circuit but concerning the things of God either the complaining of the prisoners or the spirit of bondage unto fear or the rejoicing of those whom the spirit of adoption taught to cry Abba father the unhappy disputes between England and her colonies which just before had engrossed all our conversation seemed now in most companies to be forgot while things of far greater importance lay so near the heart I have gone into many and not small companies wherein there did not appear to be and the far greater part seemed perfectly happy in a clear sense of the love of God one of the doctrines as you know which we particularly insist upon is that of a present salvation a salvation not only from the guilt and power but also from the root of sin a cleansing from all filthiness of flesh and spirit that we may perfect holiness in the fear of God a going on to perfection in times defined by loving God with all our hearts several who had believed were deeply sensible of their want of this I have seen both men and women who had long been happy in a sense of God's pardoning love as much convicted on account of the remains of sin in their hearts and as much distressed for a total deliverance from them as ever I saw any for justification their whole cry was oh that I now the rest might know believe and enter in now savior now the power bestow and let me cease from sin and I've been present when they believed that God answered this prayer and bestowed this blessing upon them I've conversed with them several times since and I found them thoroughly devoted to God they all testify that they have received the gift instantaneously and by simple faith we have sundry witnesses we have sundry witnesses of this perfect love who are above all suspicion I've known the men and their communication for many years and I've ever found them zealous for the cause of God men of sense and integrity patterns of piety and humility whose testimony therefore may be depended on it has been frequently observed that there was never any remarkable revival of religion but some degree of enthusiasm some wildfire mixed with the sacred flame it may be doubted whether this is not unavoidable in the nature of things and notwithstanding all the care we have taken this work has not been quite free from it but it never rose to any considerable height neither was of long continuance in some meetings there has not been that decency in order observed which I could have wished some of our assemblies resemble the congregation of the Jews at laying the foundation of the second temple in the days of Ezra some wept for grief others shouted for joy so that it was hard to distinguish one from the other so it was here the mourning and distress were so blended with the voice of joy and gladness that it was hard to distinguish the one from the other till the voice of joy prevailed the people shouting with a great shout so that it might be heard a far off to give you a fuller insight into this great work of God I subjoin an extract from two or three of my letters end of section 21 recording by Brian Keenan