Francis Asbury

NAME Francis Asbury

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Francis Asbury was a prominent figure in early American Methodism and is known for his role as one of the first two bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. He is Often referred to as the "Prophet of the Long Road" or the "Bishop without a Diocese."

BIRTH Francis Asbury was born on August 20, 1745, in Hamstead Bridge, Staffordshire, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND He was born into a working-class family, with his father Joseph Asbury working as a gardener and his mother Elizabeth Asbury taking care of the household.

CHILDHOOD Asbury grew up in humble surroundings in England, where he developed a strong sense of religious devotion from a young age.

EDUCATION He had a limited formal education due to working as a blacksmith's apprentice and had to drop out of formal education at age 12. 

Despite his limited formal education, Asbury was a voracious reader and self-taught scholar, with a particular interest in theology and Christian literature.

CAREER RECORD Asbury's career was devoted to spreading Methodism in the American colonies. He arrived in America in 1771 as a Methodist preacher and spent the rest of his life traveling extensively throughout the country, preaching, establishing churches, and organizing Methodist societies.

His resume reads: 

Licensed Methodist preacher at 18

Became an ordained traveling preacher (circuit rider) at 21

Volunteered for missionary work in America in 1771

Appointed joint superintendent of Methodist work in America in 1774 (later became the sole superintendent)

Elected the first Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America in 1784

APPEARANCE Asbury was described as having a slender to medium build, with a plain and unassuming appearance that reflected his humble nature. Of average height , Asbury had piercing blue eyes and a strong jawline.

John Paradise - Francis Asbury

FASHION Asbury dressed modestly, typically wearing plain and practical clothing befitting his role as a preacher travelling long distances on horseback

CHARACTER Asbury was known for his piety, dedication, and unwavering commitment to his faith. He was also admired for his humility and selflessness.

SPEAKING VOICE Francis Asbury's speaking voice was described as "clear and full". This characterization suggests that he had a strong, resonant voice that could be easily heard and understood by his audience.

Despite having a clear voice, Asbury was reportedly "a terrible preacher". His sermons were often described as disjointed and difficult to follow, which is surprising given his prominence in the Methodist movement. This suggests that while his voice itself may have been pleasant to listen to, his delivery and organization of content were not his strong suits. (1)

Asbury was known to be uncomfortable with public speaking, especially when addressing rooms full of preachers. (1)

It's worth noting that despite his reported shortcomings as a preacher, Asbury was still considered an extraordinary and impactful speaker. His presence was described as "dignified and commanding", which likely contributed to his effectiveness as a leader in the Methodist movement, even if his sermons were not always well-structured. (2)

SENSE OF HUMOUR While Asbury was deeply serious about his religious mission, he also had a warm and approachable demeanor. He was known to use humor in his sermons to make a point or connect with his audience.

RELATIONSHIPS Asbury formed close friendships with fellow Methodist leaders, including John Wesley and Thomas Coke, with whom he worked closely to establish and expand Methodism in America.

Asbury was celibate and devoted his life to his ministry. 

MONEY AND FAME Asbury lived a simple and frugal lifestyle, with any money he received typically being used to support his missionary work and the Methodist cause.

Asbury rarely owned more than he could carry on horseback and lived a life of voluntary poverty. He believed this lifestyle kept him honest and consistent in his ministry. Asbury fought to keep wages for Methodist ministers low, and his own salary never exceeded $80 per year, even after a raise in 1800. This modest income reflected his commitment to simplicity and reliance on faith, as he often embarked on journeys with minimal funds, trusting that God would provide for his needs.

Asbury's possessions typically included a horse, saddle, bridle, one suit of clothes, a watch, a pocket Bible, and a hymn book—anything beyond this was considered an encumbrance. His dedication to voluntary poverty also shielded him from criticism during later years when some Methodist ministers became more affluent  (1)

Due to his wide and frequent travels to even the most remote parts of the frontier, more people would recognize Asbury on the street than Thomas Jefferson or George Washington. However, he wasn't interested in personal recognition. (1)

FOOD AND DRINK Asbury adhered to a simple diet, often subsisting on basic fare such as bread, vegetables, and tea.

MUSIC AND ARTS He appreciated music as a means of worship but did not have a particular interest in the arts beyond their role in religious expression. Hymns played a significant role in Methodist worship services.

LITERATURE Asbury was well-versed in the Bible and other theological works, which formed the basis of his preaching and teaching.

NATURE Asbury found solace and inspiration in the natural world, often incorporating references to nature into his sermons and writings.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Asbury's primary focus was on his religious duties, leaving little time for leisure activities or hobbies.

SCIENCE AND MATHS While not his area of expertise, Asbury recognized the importance of education and intellectual inquiry, particularly within the context of religious study.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Asbury was a devout Christian who firmly believed in the principles of Methodism.  He emphasized personal conversion, evangelism, living a holy life and social justice. 

When Francis Asbury rolled into the colonies in 1771, je was a man with a mission and a horse with serious wanderlust. He wasn't there for sightseeing or sipping tea with the Boston Brahmins. No, Asbury had a far more ambitious plan: to spread Methodism across the sprawling frontier like wildfire.

His weapon of choice? Circuit riding. Think of it as the Uber of evangelism. Asbury would pick a region, then gallop from town to town, preaching the Methodist message with the fervor of a tent revivalist on a triple espresso. Thousands of miles he clocked each year, a tireless circuit rider crisscrossing the colonies like a spiritual Pony Express.

Now, Asbury wasn't a dictator. He wasn't some power-hungry bishop lording over his flock. He empowered local preachers, these lay folks who shared his passion. But Asbury wasn't handing out participation trophies. These weren't your leisure-suit-wearing preachers. No sir, Asbury demanded dedication. Up at 4 am for Bible study, hitting the streets by 5 am to catch folks on their way to work – that was the life of a Methodist lay reader. Talk about hardcore.

By 1784, things were getting official. Methodism was booming, but there was a bit of a snag. The American Revolution had severed ties with the Church of England, leaving American Methodists without the sacraments – baptism, communion, the whole shebang. Enter John Wesley, Methodism's founding father, who decided enough was enough. He ordained his buddy Thomas Coke, a Church of England priest, to ordain Asbury and be his co-superintendent for the American Methodists. With a laying on of hands (very official-sounding), Methodism in America got its long-awaited legitimacy.

The Ordination of Bishop Asbury, an engraving of an 1882 painting of the scene

And then came the boom. The 1784 Christmas Conference marked the birth of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a homegrown American denomination. With Asbury at the helm, Methodism exploded. From a measly 500 or so members, the church ballooned to over 200,000 by the time Asbury shuffled off this mortal coil in 1816.

SCANDAL There are no known scandals associated with Asbury's life or ministry.

MILITARY RECORD Asbury was not involved in the American Revolution.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Asbury's rigorous travel schedule and demanding preaching itinerary took a toll on his health, but he remained committed to his work despite physical challenges.

HOMES Asbury lived a nomadic lifestyle, often staying in the homes of fellow Methodists or in rudimentary accommodations while traveling.

TRAVEL  Asbury wasn't picky about his pulpit. Courthouses, taverns, tobacco barns – wherever he could find a crowd, Asbury would preach. He was a circuit-riding dynamo who rode an average of 6,000 miles a year, spreading the Methodist message to remote areas and pioneer new church communities.

DEATH Francis Asbury passed away on March 31, 1816, at the home of the George Arnold family in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. His death occurred as he was en route to attend the General Conference in Baltimore and was likely caused by congestive heart failure.

Initially, Asbury was buried on the Arnold family farm in Spotsylvania County. However, the 1816 General Conference ordered his body to be reinterred in Baltimore. On May 10, 1816, his remains were moved to the Eutaw Street Church in Baltimore. This reburial was marked by a massive funeral procession attended by an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 people, reflecting his immense influence and popularity.

In 1854, Asbury's remains were relocated once more to Mount Olivet Cemetery in Baltimore. He was laid to rest in the "Bishops' Lot," a prominent section of the cemetery designated for Methodist leaders. This final move symbolized his enduring legacy within the Methodist Episcopal Church. (1)

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Asbury's life and legacy have been celebrated in numerous books, articles, and documentaries, highlighting his pivotal role in the expansion of Methodism in America.

ACHIEVEMENTS Asbury's most significant achievement was his instrumental role in establishing Methodism as a major religious movement in the United States.

Ordained thousands of preachers and helped spread Methodism westward across the frontier.

Championed social justice and spoke out against slavery.

Sources (1) Resource UMC (2) Wesley Center Online