Special Collections

Specific titles from the following collections can be found using the Kinlaw Library online catalog.  These items are not available for general circulation, but can be viewed for research purposes in the Kinlaw Library Archives.

Kinlaw Library Special Collections

The Kinlaw Library Special Collections contain literary works that are by or about Asburians, have historical value, or are connected to Asbury's Wesleyan Holiness theological tradition.

Wesley Collection

The Wesley Collecction contains over 700 books and pamphlets from the 18th and 19th centuries, with a focus on John and Charles Wesley and the beginnings of Methodism in England, and includes many early editions of texts written by the Wesleys.  They are a gift to the Kinlaw Library Archives and available for research to interested individuals. A complete bibliography of the items in this collection may be found here.

Macclesfield Collection

More than 240 beautiful volumes published in the 1600s make up the Macclesfield Collection.  These titles were part of the theology library in Shirburn Castle, home of the Earl of Macclesfield.  They are a gift to the Kinlaw Library Archives and available for research to interested individuals.  A complete bibliography of the items in this collection may be found here.

Whited Collection

Asbury University owns The Whited Collection, donated by alumnus Dr. Vaughn Whited (Class of 1947), which contains many rare books pertaining to John Wesley and Methodism.

Pentecostal Herald Collection

The Archives owns bound and microfilm copies of the Pentecostal Herald magazine.  (On microfilm we possess volumes 1-88 (1897-1976); in bound copies are volumes 10-11, 15-21, 23, and 28-62.  We also have digital scans spanning 1897-1951.) The Pentecostal Herald was founded and originally edited by Henry Clay Morrison, who served as Asbury College president from 1910-1925 and 1933-1940. The magazine was a showcase for Wesleyan theological thought as well as a bulletin board for holiness campmeetings nationwide.

Reid Collection

The Reid Collection contains books that were owned by Dr. Alex Reid.  Dr. Reid and his wife, Hazel, were Methodist missionaries in the former Belgian Congo.  This collection contains Dr. Reid's written works as well as other volumes related to African anthropology and missiology. The Archives also holds many watercolor paintings by Hazel Reid of African wildflowers.

Pickett Collection

The Pickett Collection contains books that were owned by Bishop J.Waskom Pickett, a renowned missionary to India. This collection contains Pickett's written works as well as many other volumes related to missions, evangelism, Methodism, and Indian culture.

Fogal Collection

The Fogal Collection, donated by Asbury alumnus James Fogal (Class of 1996),contains numerous volumes on the subject of cults and world religions.

Other Rare Periodicals

The Archives contains bound copies of The Arminian Magazine (1778-81, 1790-93); The Methodist Magazine (1814, 1818-28, 1830-31); The Methodist Quarterly Review (1841-48, 1850, 1852, 1855, 1857-63, 1866-82, 1884, 1887-89, 1892, 1896-97); and Harper's Magazine (volumes 1-2, 6-8, 12-23, 34-35, 40-42, 44-50, 52, spanning years 1850-1876).