Asbury 200

Today marks the Connexional celebration of the death of Francis Asbury at the Black Country Living Museum. Special events are planed throughout the day with both the President and Vice President in attendance.

Francis Asbury was born in August 1745 in Newton in the Black Country. When he was three his sister aged 5 died from diphtheria. His mother was heartbroken and for a long time suffered depression. Although not a God fearing family Elizabeth sought answers from the church (Francis recalls in his diary: that the local Priest was "a blind Priest to his mothers needs). It was when she encountered the Methodists some of her questions were answered and she became a passionate advocate for the Methodist cause.

I have already recorded that Francis became an apprentice Nail maker to a local blacksmith at Forge Mill (farm), during this time Elizabeth opened her home for prayer meetings in her front room. Today I was able to tour the inside of the cottage as part of the celebrations, travelling by vintage bus.

Francis at the age of 13 heard Alxelander Mather, a Methodist circuit rider preach about how a person could be freed from sin, his heart was moved to undertake a life of holiness. By the age of 15 Francis was attending church morning, afternoon and evening.

The Methodist society meetings had an indelible impact on Asbury as he grew through his teenage years. He attended the society at Hilltop where he loved the hymns, but was impressed by the freedom with which the preachers prayed and spoke. In 1761 Francis was asked by Mather to form a group and class in Paradise St West Bromwich, then later a "Band" within two years Francis was appointed leader of the whole West Bromwich Class.

By the time Francis was 22 he had been appointed by John Wesley to become a "Methodist Itinerant" - known as one of Mr Wesley's preachers.

A service of celebration was held in Providence Chapel in the Museum built in 1837 at Derby Hand in Netherton, Dudley. Originally part of the New Connexion which broke away from Wesleyan Methodism in 1797. 

Rev Steve Wild, President of the Methodist Conference preached at the 2pm service. As usual Steve used charm, whit and passion to remind us that the mission of the church must go forward. He and Asbury in many respects come out of the same mould. 

I met Asbury (aka Ken Luxon) next to the "Gospel Car" . Such Cars were used between 1880 - 1960, mainly by the Wesleyan and Primitives to go to places of need and where "marginalised" people were to be found. including slums, markets, fairgrounds, and travelers camps. This Car is a replica of Ebenezer, No11 - a Wesleyan Gospel Car, and is spending a year at the museum.

Former Chair of the Bristol Methodist District,Ward Jones, led a session about how Methodism came to the Black Country. 

Flash Mob - Choir

A great day was had by all. keep posted for more celebrations in

September from Pill, near Bristol where Asbury being commissioned by Wesley set sail to USA, and later became the first Bishop of the Methodist Church. he was to become known as "the Prophet of the Long Road" For 45 years he led all the American Methodists, the church grew from a few hundred to over 200,000 members. Today there are over 10 million Methodists in USA.