Francis Asbury, Circuit Rider

Over the last few weeks, we have witnessed a wonderful revival at Asbury College in Kentucky, USA. The college is named after Francis Asbury. What’s his story?

It has been a long day and there is much on John Wesley’s mind. The Methodist Revival has continued for many years now and as the 1760s come around, there is an increased need to support the new believers. As Wesley dismounts, he can’t help but notice the friendly welcome here in Wednesbury.

‘Who is the boy?’, Wesley asks of the young man assisting with the horse and luggage.

‘That’s young Francis Asbury’ is the reply.

The friendship between the statesman and the apprentice is formed. Over the next years, Francis Asbury serves Wesley and the burgeoning Methodist movement as a Circuit Rider, helping churches throughout his different circuits in the Midlands and later, the south of England.

Despite leaving school as soon as he could, Asbury learned well and read widely, as directed by Wesley. It was in this study that Asbury began to hear the voice of the Spirit in relation to his later calling. The stories from America he read of in books, and heard of in his interactions with John Wesley and George Whitefield bore fruit.

Asbury records in his diary that he had felt ‘for a year and a half, strong intimations in my mind that I should visit America, which I laid before the Lord, being unwilling to do my own will or to run before I was sent.’

The Methodist gathering in Bristol in 1771 proved the turning point.

John Wesley spoke of the growth of their movement, all that God was doing, the many souls saved. He then spoke of a new circuit. This one was somewhat bigger than those Asbury had served in thus far. America.

John Wesley spoke of his visits to America, Continuing, he said, ‘Our brethren in America call aloud for help. Who are willing to go over and help them?’

Within a moment, Asbury had responded.

Later that year, in October 1771, Asbury made landfall near Philadelphia. His greatest Circuit Ride of all was to begin.

Having to deal with the War of Independence was tricky. Asbury refused to support either side, despite considerable pressure from both factions. In doing so, he maintained an integrity to the work and the gospel. One of only two known Englishmen to continue to serve the church through the American War of Independence, he grew in influence and impact.

Ultimately John Wesley appointed the young man he had met so many years before as his Superintendent for the whole of America. Asbury served well, traveling on horseback or in a carriage an estimated 300,000 miles during his time in America, delivering some 16,500 sermons. It was not always easy. He never returned home to England. Over his 45 years in America, he suffered from colds, coughs, fevers, severe headaches, ulcers, and eventually chronic rheumatism. Yet he continued to preach. He suffered hardship, threats and accusations from others and physical attacks from the indigenous Indian population on the western borders of this new nation. Yet he continued to preach.

Wary of acclaim, his passion was for the gospel to be preached. His journal when he first reached America records:

‘I will set down a few things that lie on my mind. Whither am I going? To the New World. What to do? To gain honour? No, if I know my own heart. To get money? No. I am going to live to God and to bring others to do so.’

He fulfilled his calling. The church that had been around 600 souls at the time of his arrival was over 200,000 by his death at the age of 70.

The college named after him is in revival right now. He would perhaps be embarrassed that his name was associated with the college, wanting only Jesus to be named. But there would be no doubt to his genuine excitement as to the revival itself, praying that the result would be that many more ‘live for God and bring others to do so.’

Further Reading:

Francis Asbury Journal Online

Francis Asbury: Circuit Rider, Janet & Geoff Benge