By Dr. Ronald E. Smith, FAS President
Early in the twentieth century Dr. Henry Clay Morrison was traveling by train to Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Morrison was scheduled to speak to the World Conference of Methodism. When he arrived, however, he was informed that a charge against him had been filed. A jealous Methodist superintendent in Texas was angry because the mayor of a Texas town had held a Morrison-led tent revival without getting permission from the superintendent. Because of the charge filed, Dr. Morrison had been scratched from the conference platform. The Methodist pastor responsible for picking Dr. Morrison up at the train station invited Dr. Morrison to preach at a mid-week prayer meeting at his church in Frederick, Maryland, apologizing that he knew his invitation could not compare to the breadth of the opportunity of the World Methodist convention in Baltimore. Nevertheless, Morrison accepted the meeting and was powerfully anointed as he preached. Many people came to the altar to pray that night. One of the seekers that evening was a 13-year-old boy. As was Morrison’s custom when he prayed with young people, he made a powerful invitation for that young man to attend Asbury College. Four years later, that young man did attend Asbury. His name was E. Stanley Jones. Jones of course went on to become one of the greatest voices of twentieth-century Christianity and a powerful missionary to India.
Later Dr. Morrison reflected on that experience. He recognized that he thought the large platform was the world Methodist convention. But Morrison concluded that God knew there was a young boy who carried in his heart more than a million lost souls, so the Spirit directed Morrison to him instead—and when He did, it changed the course of Christian history.
Fast forward to Friday evening, April 16, 2021. The context for the meeting was the installation service for the president of the Francis Asbury Society. The service was held in Asbury Theological Seminary, which Dr. Morrison had founded. The name of its School of Evangelism is E. Stanley Jones. President Timothy Tennent, PhD and professor of World Christianity, came to the platform of Estes Chapel and gave a poignant charge for the new president of FAS. Over the next two hours, many leaders from across the spectrum of the Wesleyan evangelical world stood on the platform and shared their hopes for the Francis Asbury Society.
That service was precious to me. First, I am an alum of Asbury Theological Seminary and I experienced many, many formative spiritual moments while attending chapel in Estes Chapel. Secondly, thirty-nine years earlier my wife, Dorena, and I were married exactly where we stood during the installation service. Our youngest daughter, Laura, also married her husband, Frank Wood, in Estes Chapel! So, it was emotionally overwhelming for me to be back in that sacred place. Finally, I, as the new president, received an awesome expression of hope represented by the many leaders who were in attendance.
I would love for you to meet those who were on the platform for the installation service. We want you to know the people who, like E. Stanley Jones, carry millions of souls in their hearts. That story cannot be over exaggerated, simply because it surpasses in breadth any account I’ve read on the activity of God among His people. Enjoy learning about our partners in the high call of service to Christ who attended the installation service.
I close with a legacy heritage story. When Dr. Morrison died there was a tremendous outpouring of love to his family and reverence for his work. The service took place at Hughes Auditorium where Morrison had served two terms as president and as board member before he founded Asbury Theological Seminary. During his funeral, a young man was asked to stand as honor guard alongside of his casket. While standing beside Dr. Morrison’s casket, the young man reverently prayed, “Lord, if there is anything in Dr. Morrison’s heart that you want to perpetuate you may do so through my heart.” That young man was Dennis F. Kinlaw, who became professor of Old Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary, president of Asbury College (now University), and founder of the Francis Asbury Society.
Friends, I believe God’s story is the story of our Society. It’s a huge story! By grace through faith, we are part of “that family after which every family in heaven and earth is named.” So, Lord Jesus, we give you thanks, and we accept your charge to us to “Be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.” Thank you, kind friends, for being our family!