Midnight Rider for the Morning Star

by Mark Alan Leslie

From the moment that Francis Asbury’s foot touched ground in Philadelphia from England in 1771, the American colonies were never the same—nor was the Englishman himself. Sent by John Wesley, Asbury was America’s first circuit-rider, covering 5,000 to 6,000 miles a year, spreading the gospel and daring death from Georgia to Quebec. Because of his incessant travels before the advent of photography, Asbury’s face became the most recognized on the continent. His face was better known than the faces of such contemporaries as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. He became so well known that he would receive mail from England addressed simply: “Bishop Asbury, America.” Chased by savage Indians, hunted by ravaging wolves, and stalked by highwaymen, on he rode. Fighting pleurisy, arthritis, and other ailments that were sometimes so disabling he could neither stand to preach nor kneel to pray. On he rode, preaching against slavery 70 years before the Civil War, and against intemperance 100 years before abolition became an issue. On he rode.

Written by longtime journalist Mark Alan Leslie, Midnight Rider for the Morningstar captures and describes the perils, challenges, and dedication that punctuated the life of this man whose powerful preaching attracted thousands at a time, spurring an increase in Methodist Church membership from a mere 600 to 214,000 by the time of his death in 1816. He helped create five colleges and numerous schools.