Francis Asbury was born in England. He was converted to Christ at the
age of 13, and soon began to hold meetings. Wesley licensed him at the
age of 18 as a local preacher. As he grew into maturity, he became so
concerned for the colonists in America, that in 1771 John Wesley sent
him across the Atlantic to minister to the 316 members of the Society
who had emigrated to the New World, and also to extend the frontiers of
the Methodist movement. Asbury's efforts to convert people to Christ
prospered, and quickly Wesleyan societies spread up along the
Atlantic Seaboard.
After the Revolutionary War, Asbury led in the establishment of the
movement in the wild, new settlements of the frontier. Annually, he rode
6,000 miles and preached from 300 to 500 sermons. He was ordained a
deacon, then an elder, then a superintendent, and later a bishop. A man
of tremendous vitality and executive ability, he was a tireless worker.
During his years on the circuit, he amassed a total of 270,000 miles,
perhaps the greatest mileage ever compiled by a horseman. His last entry
in his journal reads, "My consolations are great. I live in God from
moment to moment."
