Post by Paddy by Grace on Apr 2, 2009 20:55:44 GMT -7
www.onenewsnow.com/features.aspx?id=470678
Evangelism on the American frontier -- the story of Francis AsburyRandall Murphree - Guest Columnist - 3/31/2009 4:00:00 AM
The phrase "midnight rider" no doubt calls to mind Paul Revere's storied ride warning Bostonians that the British were coming. Now, author Mark Alan Leslie tells us the gripping story of another man for whom midnight rides were routine during more than four decades of evangelism on the American frontier.
In Midnight Rider for the Morning Star, Leslie offers a well-crafted historical novel chronicling Francis Asbury's ministry in the burgeoning nation. Leslie's word pictures bring to life the spiritual journey and ministry of Asbury, and the dangers he faced in following his calling.
Bishop Asbury is arguably the central figure in the spread of the gospel in North America from his arrival on the continent in1771 until his death in 1816. Commissioned by John Wesley, Asbury rode more than 225,000 miles on horseback and preached 16,500 sermons throughout the colonies and early states.
In the opening chapter, Leslie writes of one Asbury evangelistic trip: "Suddenly a shot rang out from the woods to his left and Asbury heard a bullet hiss past. He lowered his head, bent toward the horse's neck and kicked his heels into the stallion's ribs, urging loud now, 'Hurry, boy. Hurry!'"
Leslie chose the literary device of having Asbury himself narrate the main story from the perspective of his latter years, 1809 to be precise. Asbury arrives for a brief visit at the home of longtime friends Sam and Abigail Brackett and their young son Thomas. As they reminisce, the Bracketts, including little Thomas, coax stories out of their colorful guest.
For example, early in the evening, Thomas begs, "Will you tell me the wolf story again, Bishop?"
--"Which wolf story?"
--"The one where you were chased."
--"Well, Thomas, more than one wolf in these colonies -- excuse me -- these states, has lusted after my flesh."
A little later, Sam suggests that Asbury recount his entire story. And over the next few days he does exactly that, beginning when he was mesmerized by John Wesley's description of the New World and his challenge to English clergymen to go as missionaries. It was through Wesley that God called 26-year-old Francis Asbury to leave home, family, and girlfriend to take the gospel to North America.
Asbury tells the Bracketts the story of his life's ministry -- the calling, the challenges, the hardships, the successes, the failures. And yes, the bullets and the wolves.
Interwoven with the dialogue and narrative, Leslie reveals countless historical facts about Asbury and his stature in the early U.S. He was, in many ways, a man ahead of his time, a bold preacher, an outspoken critic of slavery and liquor long before anti-slavery and temperance movements gained strength. According to historians, Asbury was likely the most recognized man on the continent, more so than even George Washington, Ben Franklin, or Thomas Jefferson.
"Midnight Rider is an exciting, exhilarating story that challenges the reader in an intense way," said Dr. Dennis Kinlaw, founder of the Francis Asbury Society (FAS), in Wilmore, Kentucky. Kinlaw said Asbury's watchword was "Be wholly for God."
"We don't hear enough about living 'wholly for God' these days," Kinlaw said. "From pulpits, books, conferences, and training sessions, our [FAS] task is to proclaim that it is possible to live wholly for God. Asbury's 18th century life and ministry is our model."
Leslie became fascinated with Asbury after viewing Harry Cochrane's painting of the evangelist on horseback. The painting hangs in the United Church in Monmouth, Maine, and is featured on the cover of Midnight Rider. Leslie first set out to write a "little pamphlet" so Methodists could know more about Asbury and the foundation of their faith. But the project quickly outgrew the pamphlet.
The author said that though his name is on the book, he is convinced that the Holy Spirit guided the project to its completion. Asbury scholars and historians commend the work. Dr. Harold Burgess told Leslie, "You nailed it. Everything you said, Asbury would have preached." Burgess is co-founder and publishing director of FAS. Other scholars agreed with Burgess, and not one suggested a change.
There is no better historical figure than Francis Asbury through whom to view faith on the American frontier. Mark Leslie has done a masterful job of imparting history and spiritual truth in a novel that entertains the mind and challenges the heart.
Evangelism on the American frontier -- the story of Francis AsburyRandall Murphree - Guest Columnist - 3/31/2009 4:00:00 AM
The phrase "midnight rider" no doubt calls to mind Paul Revere's storied ride warning Bostonians that the British were coming. Now, author Mark Alan Leslie tells us the gripping story of another man for whom midnight rides were routine during more than four decades of evangelism on the American frontier.
In Midnight Rider for the Morning Star, Leslie offers a well-crafted historical novel chronicling Francis Asbury's ministry in the burgeoning nation. Leslie's word pictures bring to life the spiritual journey and ministry of Asbury, and the dangers he faced in following his calling.
Bishop Asbury is arguably the central figure in the spread of the gospel in North America from his arrival on the continent in1771 until his death in 1816. Commissioned by John Wesley, Asbury rode more than 225,000 miles on horseback and preached 16,500 sermons throughout the colonies and early states.
In the opening chapter, Leslie writes of one Asbury evangelistic trip: "Suddenly a shot rang out from the woods to his left and Asbury heard a bullet hiss past. He lowered his head, bent toward the horse's neck and kicked his heels into the stallion's ribs, urging loud now, 'Hurry, boy. Hurry!'"
Leslie chose the literary device of having Asbury himself narrate the main story from the perspective of his latter years, 1809 to be precise. Asbury arrives for a brief visit at the home of longtime friends Sam and Abigail Brackett and their young son Thomas. As they reminisce, the Bracketts, including little Thomas, coax stories out of their colorful guest.
For example, early in the evening, Thomas begs, "Will you tell me the wolf story again, Bishop?"
--"Which wolf story?"
--"The one where you were chased."
--"Well, Thomas, more than one wolf in these colonies -- excuse me -- these states, has lusted after my flesh."
A little later, Sam suggests that Asbury recount his entire story. And over the next few days he does exactly that, beginning when he was mesmerized by John Wesley's description of the New World and his challenge to English clergymen to go as missionaries. It was through Wesley that God called 26-year-old Francis Asbury to leave home, family, and girlfriend to take the gospel to North America.
Asbury tells the Bracketts the story of his life's ministry -- the calling, the challenges, the hardships, the successes, the failures. And yes, the bullets and the wolves.
Interwoven with the dialogue and narrative, Leslie reveals countless historical facts about Asbury and his stature in the early U.S. He was, in many ways, a man ahead of his time, a bold preacher, an outspoken critic of slavery and liquor long before anti-slavery and temperance movements gained strength. According to historians, Asbury was likely the most recognized man on the continent, more so than even George Washington, Ben Franklin, or Thomas Jefferson.
"Midnight Rider is an exciting, exhilarating story that challenges the reader in an intense way," said Dr. Dennis Kinlaw, founder of the Francis Asbury Society (FAS), in Wilmore, Kentucky. Kinlaw said Asbury's watchword was "Be wholly for God."
"We don't hear enough about living 'wholly for God' these days," Kinlaw said. "From pulpits, books, conferences, and training sessions, our [FAS] task is to proclaim that it is possible to live wholly for God. Asbury's 18th century life and ministry is our model."
Leslie became fascinated with Asbury after viewing Harry Cochrane's painting of the evangelist on horseback. The painting hangs in the United Church in Monmouth, Maine, and is featured on the cover of Midnight Rider. Leslie first set out to write a "little pamphlet" so Methodists could know more about Asbury and the foundation of their faith. But the project quickly outgrew the pamphlet.
The author said that though his name is on the book, he is convinced that the Holy Spirit guided the project to its completion. Asbury scholars and historians commend the work. Dr. Harold Burgess told Leslie, "You nailed it. Everything you said, Asbury would have preached." Burgess is co-founder and publishing director of FAS. Other scholars agreed with Burgess, and not one suggested a change.
There is no better historical figure than Francis Asbury through whom to view faith on the American frontier. Mark Leslie has done a masterful job of imparting history and spiritual truth in a novel that entertains the mind and challenges the heart.