ASBURY ASCARIDES 803 kind in thin flexible sheets, made of interlaced fibres, and mountain cork the same in thicker pieces ; both are so light as to float on water, and they are often hydrous. The individual crystals of asbestus are easily separated from each other, are very flexible and elastic, and have a fine silky lustre. A single fibre fuses into white enamel glass ; but in the mass it is capable of resisting ordinary flame, and has hence been extensively applied in the manu- facture of fire-proof roofing, flooring, steam packing, clothing, and lamp wicking. The ancients were familiar with its incombustibility, and wove a cloth out of it for the purpose of wrapping up the bodies of the dead when ex- posed on the funeral pile ; they also made nap- kins of it, which were cleaned by throwing them into the fire; and they employed the finer varieties for the wicking of votive lamps. Gloves for handling hot iron and firemen's clothing have been made of it in Bohemia and France ; and at one time it was thought that an important industry would grow out of this application, but experience has developed some practical difficulties, and asbestus fabrics are now a curiosity. The use of this material for a non-conducting envelope of steam pipes, for fire-proof roofing, and for safes, bids fair to become extensive. Asbestus occurs abundant- ly in Switzerland, Italy, Scotland, on the island of Corsica, on Staten Island, and in numerous other localities. A magnesian-iron hornblende called anthophyllite frequently occurs as a bowlder on the island of New York, and has been found in situ at the corner of 59th street and 10th avenue. ASBURY, Francis, the first bishop of the Meth- odist Episcopal church ordained in America, born at Handsworth, Staffordshire, England, Aug. 20, 1745, died at Spottsylvania, Va., March 31, 1816. At the age of 14 he was apprenticed to a mechanic ; but through the influence of the Methodist preachers who visited his father's house, he was led at the age of 16 to commence his labors as a local preacher. In 1767 he joined the itinerant ministry, and after three years of home service was sent in 1771 as mis- sionary to America, and the next year was ap- pointed by John Wesley general assistant in America. He reinvigorated the itinerant sys- tem, and sent missionaries into wide ranges of country to preach and found new societies. On the outbreak of the revolutionary war, many of the clergy of the church of England and some of the Methodist preachers returned to England. Among the latter, in 1778, went T. Rankin, who had succeeded Asbury as general assistant. Asbury resolved to remain in Ameri- ca. In common with many others, he was from conscientious scruples a non-juror. From this cause, and from the effect of Mr. Wesley's " Calm Address, &c.," Asbury and his Metho- dist coadjutors were regarded with suspicion by the struggling colonists, and often molested in their work ; his prudence however at length al- layed prejudice. On the return of peace it was deemed expedient to establish an independent Methodist Episcopal church for America. Ac- cordingly, on Sept. 2, 1784, Thomas Coke was duly ordained by Mr. Wesley and two other English presbyters superintendent of the Meth- odist societies in America, with instructions to ordain Asbury as joint superintendent. On Dec. 27, 1784, after unanimous election by the American preachers, he was inducted into of- fice. For more than 30 years his personal his- tory is the history of the progress and develop- ment of Methodism in America. In middle life he was of robust frame, of medium stature, with a fresh and healthful countenance, and a keen, penetrating eye that told of his wonder- ful insight into character. Though not privi- leged with the culture of the university, he had acquired a moderate knowledge of the Greek and Hebrew languages. In connec- tion with Coke, he devised a plan for a com- plete system of academic and collegiate educa- tion, and as early as 1785 laid the foundations for the first Methodist college in America. As an organizer and administrator Asbury was only inferior to Wesley, by whom he had been instructed, and much of whose spirit he had imbibed. During his American ministry he travelled over 270, 000 miles through the entire extent of the country; he preached about 16,- 500 sermons, or nearly one each day for 45 years ; he presided at 224 annual conferences, and ordained more than 4,000 preachers. The organization, discipline, and marvellous pro- gress of Methodism were largely due to the sagacity, administrative ability, and untiring activity of Asbury. Through the itinerant system, of which he was the reinvigorator and life-long illustrator, the spiritual destitution of our pioneer population was relieved. He was never married. His only literary works are his "Journals" (3 vols. 8vo), an invaluable record of his remarkable life. ASCALON (Heb. AsMcelon ; Arab. Askalan), one of the five leading or princely cities of Philistia, was situated midway between Gaza and Ashdod, on the Mediterranean, about 37 m. S. W. of Jerusalem. Though several times mentioned in the poetical books of the Scrip- tures, it figured less conspicuously in the early history of the Hebrews than in that of the Maccabees and the crusades. It was twice taken by Jonathan the Asmonean, was the scene of a great victory of the Christians under Godfrey and Tancred in 1099, was taken by Baldwin III., king of Jerusalem, in 1153, and was recaptured by Saladin in 1187. By treaty between Richard and Saladin (1192) it was destroyed jointly by the Mussulmans and Chris- tians. The wine of Ascalon is celebrated by Pliny. Near the town stood in antiquity a famous temple of Derceto, the Syrian Venus, of which, however, no trace remains now. Altogether, as Zephaniah predicted, Ascalon has become "a desolation." 1SCARIDES (Gr. aaKapiq), a term used by Hip- pocrates, and now applied to several nematoid
