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Thomas Coke (1747–1814). Known as the "Father of Methodist Missions" was
removed as curate in 1776 because of his evangelical leanings. He joined the Methodists becoming John Wesley's chief assistant
In 1784 Wesley appointed Coke 'Superintendent' of American Methodism & Coke ordained Francis Asbury as his colleague. Using their surnames together, the fellow bishops created a modern day printing company! "Cokesbury" became the official printing company for the United Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian Churches and the Disciples of Christ.
Deemed as a conservative, Coke was never fully accepted in America because he was viewed as having divided loyalties. Yet he was a significiant figure in shaping the American Church.
Also an author, Coke toured the West Indies and promoted missionary ventures in Canada, West Africa and Gibraltar. Coke died en route to India leading the first Methodist mission there.
Francis Asbury (1745-1816). Extraordinary American (preacher) clergyman, was born in England. He became a preacher at 18 & was ordained at 22. In 1771 he went to America & was the only Methiodist minister to remain there after the American Revolution in 1776. He broke with the English Methodists in 1787 and established the Methodist Episcopal Church in America, having become the acknowledged head of the Methodist Church in America in 1784, when he was ordained superintendent & became the titular head.
In 1784 John Wesley proclaimed Asbury and Thomas Coke as co-superintendents of the work in America, establishing the beginning of the "Methodist Episcopal Church of the USA". Francis Asbury was the leader of the Methodists in America for the next 32 years. Also as a circut preacher, Asbuy rode on horseback between 5000 & 6000 miles yearly preaching in Pennsylvania,Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia plus the South and the West.
Asbury is referred to as the Founder of American Methodism. As superintendent in 1784, there were 83 traveling preachers and less than 15,000 Methodists. Upon his death in 1816, there were 212,000 Methodists, 2,000 local preachers, and 700 circuit riders. He ordained the first black minister in the United States, Richard Allen (Pennsylavania).
Document signed by both of these extraordinary fore fathers of the American Methodist Church. On parchment, it measures 5 7/8" x 8 1/8" . The document is an appointment of Stephen George Roizel ...for the Office of a Deacon in the [f]aid Methodi[f]t Epi[f]copal Church..., dated the 25 th day of April, 1791, and sealed in red wax. The document is in REMARKABLY EXCELLENTCondition, as are the signatures . The folds do NOT effect any of the printing or penned words! On the verso are the penciled letters, SGR (presumably for the appointee, Stephen George Rozel) and corse thread holding the attached square of sealing wax to the document, which has a double row of fancy border edging, most probably printed by the "Cokesbury " Printing Company!
A truly remarkable document of early Methodism!
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