Bishop Asbury; A Biographical Study for Christian Workers by Frederick William Briggs details from sapnaonline

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 edition. Excerpt: ...time appointed to commence it. But we were not idle; and the Lord gave us many souls in the place where we were assembled, among whom were General Russell and lady, the latter a sister of the illustrious Patrick Henry. I mention these particulars because they were the firstfruits of our labours at this Conference. On the Sabbath we had a crowded audience, and Tunnell preached an excellent sermon, which produced good effect. His discourse was followed by a number of powerful exhortations. The Bishop preached on Phil. ii. 5--9. When the meeting closed Mrs. Russell came to me and said, ' I thought I was a Christian; but, sir, I am not a Christian; I am the veriest sinner upon earth. I want you and Mr. Mastin to come with Mr. Tunnell to our house, and pray for us, and tell us what we must do to be saved.' So we went and spent much of the afternoon in prayer, especially for Mrs. Russell. But she did not obtain comfort. Being much exhausted, the preachers retired to a pleasant grove, near at hand, to spend a short time. On returning to the house we found Mrs. Russell praising the Lord, and the General walking the floor and weeping bitterly. At length he sat down quite exhausted. This scene was in a high degree interesting to us. To see the old soldier and statesman, the proud opposer of godliness, trembling, and earnestly inquiring what he must do to be saved, was an affecting sight. But the work ended not here. The conversion of Mrs. Russell, whose zeal, good sense, and amiableness of character, were proverbial, together with the penitential grief so conspicuous in the General, made a deep impression on the minds of many, and numbers were brought in before the Conference closed. The General rested not until he knew his adoption; and he continued a...