CREEDE HINSHAW: The dedication of an ‘American Saint’

A few years ago, I read John Wigger’s biography of Bishop Francis Asbury. “American Saint: Francis Asbury and the Methodists” (Oxford University Press, 2009) is a thrilling depiction of a person who Wiggers described as having “lived one of the most remarkable lives in American history.” (p 2)

Bishop Francis Asbury never married; he died a pauper. He crossed the Allegheny Mountains more than 60 times. “Landowners and tavern keepers knew him on sight in every region, and parents named more than a thousand children after him.” (p 3)

Now I am reading Asbury’s Journal, a two-volume record of his life of travel, administration, preaching, teaching, conflict, and leadership from the Revolutionary War through the first decades of the 19th century.

Today I offer some inspiring, revealing and sometimes humorous excerpts from his journal during the months April-July 1772. Asbury was 27 years old, had been in the colonies less than a year and would have a ministry of almost half a century.

— April 14, 1772: Rode to Chester and preached in the Courthouse. The congregation appeared to be the wildest I had seen in America.

— April 25, 1772: Preached to the people with some sharpness.

— April 28, 1772: Many were offended at my shutting them out at society meeting, as they had been greatly indulged before. But this does not trouble me. While I stay, the rules must be attended to, and I cannot suffer myself to be guided by half-hearted Methodists.

— May 17, 1772: Was unwell, but went to Burlington and preached in the evening, though very sick.

— May 31, 1772: Preached morning and evening with some life, but found that offenses increased. However, I cannot help it. My way is to go straight forward and aim at what is right.

— June 2, 1771: Satan assaulted me this day, but the Lord helped and delivered me.

— June 5, 1772: At Gloucester I preached to only a few dead souls.

— June 17, 1772: I still groan for more life, and want to be more holy.

— June 23, 1772: Though very weak, weary, wet and low, while it rained very hard, I preached with some power to many people.

— June 27, 1772: I long to be wholly given up, to seek no favour but what comes from God alone. I want to breathe after the Lord in every breath.

— June 29, 1772: Set off for Philadelphia with unprofitable company; among whom I sat still as a man dumb. … They appeared so stupidly ignorant, skeptical … and atheistical, that I thought if there were no other hell, I should strive with all my might to shun that.

— July 12, 1772: Our congregations here are small. They cannot bear disciple and doctrine, but this does not move me.

Wiggers concluded that Asbury, “through sheer perseverance and dedication to a single goal … changed American popular religion – and by extension American culture – as much as anyone ever has.” (p2) These early excerpts begin to reveal his singular dedication and commitment.