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Thesis (Ph.D.)--Boston University / The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate the career of Francis Asbury during the critica1 years l77l to 1784 and to present an original historica1 drama based on this research. An introduction discusses Asbury's importance to the development or America, the place of the drama in understanding the past, and the nature of the creative process imolved in writing an historica1 play. The three act drama is composed of eight scenes. After each scene of the play there is an extensive section of notes showing how the events, speeches, and persons depicted have been based on the historical sources. Francis Asbury's career embraced a period of forty-five crucial years of American history, years when, under his guidance, Methodism grew from a small group of several hundred to an indigenous Church with over 214,000 members. It would be impossible te present all of his life in a single dramatic work and this play has been limited to the years l77l to 1784. An examination of Asbury's activity during these years shows that the major themes of his career were developed by 1784. These themes were his dedication to the system of Methodist itineracy, his understanding of the destiny of America, the democracy of the Gospel he preached, his autocratic methods of Church administration, and his willingness to suffer for his vocation [TRUNCATED]

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Boston University Vita. Bibliography: leaves [201]-206. Microfilm. s

Project (D. Min.)--Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, 1982. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-133).

Thesis (Ph. D. in Religion)--Vanderbilt University, May 2009. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

William Watters was American Methodism's first itinerant preacher born in America. Although raised in an Anglican home, Watters was converted under the preaching and influence of Methodist preachers and soon became a class leader. At the invitation of Robert Williams, one of John Wesley's earliest workers in America, Watters embarked on his first itinerant preaching journey to the southeastern region of Virginia in October 1772. Watters quickly rose to prominence in the budding Methodist movement as a preacher and leader and was appointed to his first circuit at the 1773 Conference. As the Revolutionary War against Britain grew more intense Wesley's missionaries left the country or went into hiding. As a result Watters became a significant leader of Methodism, which included becoming the first American Methodist to chair a Methodist Conference in 1778. In the late 1770's the growing problem of limited access to the ordinances of baptism and communion came to a head with Methodists in Virginia and North Carolina ordaining themselves so that they could administer the ordinances. This created a split in American Methodism since preachers north of Virginia disagreed with these actions. In 1779 and 1780 the split was even more evident, with two separate annual conferences meeting. William Watters was the only preacher determined not to allow American Methodism to suffer irreparable damage from the schism. His proactive peacemaking efforts resulted in the reunification of the movement that met in a united Conference in 1781. Watters gave America Methodism fifty years of distinguished service as an itinerant preacher, a local pastor, trustee and benefactor. Health took William Watters off the punishing circuits but it could never keep him from serving the Lord through American Methodism. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th.(Church History)

William Watters was American Methodism's first itinerant preacher born in America. Although raised in an Anglican home, Watters was converted under the preaching and influence of Methodist preachers and soon became a class leader. At the invitation of Robert Williams, one of John Wesley's earliest workers in America, Watters embarked on his first itinerant preaching journey to the southeastern region of Virginia in October 1772. Watters quickly rose to prominence in the budding Methodist movement as a preacher and leader and was appointed to his first circuit at the 1773 Conference. As the Revolutionary War against Britain grew more intense Wesley's missionaries left the country or went into hiding. As a result Watters became a significant leader of Methodism, which included becoming the first American Methodist to chair a Methodist Conference in 1778. In the late 1770's the growing problem of limited access to the ordinances of baptism and communion came to a head with Methodists in Virginia and North Carolina ordaining themselves so that they could administer the ordinances. This created a split in American Methodism since preachers north of Virginia disagreed with these actions. In 1779 and 1780 the split was even more evident, with two separate annual conferences meeting. William Watters was the only preacher determined not to allow American Methodism to suffer irreparable damage from the schism. His proactive peacemaking efforts resulted in the reunification of the movement that met in a united Conference in 1781. Watters gave America Methodism fifty years of distinguished service as an itinerant preacher, a local pastor, trustee and benefactor. Health took William Watters off the punishing circuits but it could never keep him from serving the Lord through American Methodism. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D.Th.(Church History)