Special Collections

Special Collections generally are a unique category of books and materials that are collected by libraries. Specific titles from the following collections can be located using the Kinlaw Library online catalog. These books are not available for general checkout, but can be viewed for research purposes in the Kinlaw Study Center on the lower level of the library.

Kinlaw Library Special Collections

Special Collections contains literary works about early Methodist history and the holiness movement in America, missionaries and missions around the world, titles by or about Asbury alumni or faculty, and items that have historical interest. Items can be searched in the library’s online catalog. To learn more about Asbury’s Wesleyan Holiness theological tradition go to this link.

Wesley Collection

The Wesley Collecction contains over 800 books and pamphlets from the 18th and 19th centuries, with a focus on John and Charles Wesley and the beginnings of Methodism in England. This gift to the Kinlaw Library Archives includes many early editions of texts written by the Wesleys and is available for research to interested individuals. A complete bibliography of the items in this collection may be found here. An author or subject search in the Kinlaw Library online catalog will provide bibliographic information on these books.

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.

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 owns watercolor paintings of African wildflowers by Hazel Reid.

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.

Pentecostal Herald Collection

The Archives owns bound, microfilm, and digitized copies of the Pentecostal Herald magazine. Our microfilm includes volumes 1-88 (1897-1976); bound copies include volumes 10-11, 15-21, 23, and 28-62. The digital scans cover 1897-1951.) The Pentecostal Herald was founded and originally edited by Henry Clay Morrison, who served as president of Asbury College 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.

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).