VOLUME 2 — BOOK IV — CHAPTER VII
LEE AND HIS CO-LABORERS IN NEW ENGLAND, 1790-91

Excursion to Wethersfield — Labors at Hartford — Visits Farmington — Interest for "Principles" — Forms the New Haven Circuit — Excursions — Passes through Rhode Island — Unexpected Meeting with Garrettson — Tour of the Latter — "Black Harry" — Lee arrives in Boston — Preaching Excursion — Returns to Boston — Departs for the Conference — Reflections — His Success in the East — Plan of Labor for the ensuing Year — View of the old Circuits — Dr. Roberts — John Bloodgood — John Lee — Nathaniel B. Mills — Henry Christie — Lee's return to New England — Boston — Trials — Lee's Wit: Note — Goes to Lynn — The First Methodist Society in Massachusetts — Erection of the First Chapel — Lee returns to the Conference at New York — Results

Immediately on the arrival of his colleagues, Lee departed to survey new fields of labor. A part of Connecticut, and all the eastern and northern sections of New England, were yet unentered by the Methodist ministry. Cheered by the arrival of fellow-laborers, and accompanied by one of them, he started for these remoter regions. On Wednesday, March 3d, he says that Smith and himself set out to the eastward, leaving Brush to supply his two weeks' circuit. Sunday, 14th, we find him preaching at Wethersfield, in the North Brick School-house. "Some of the people," he remarks, "sensibly felt what I said, and tears ran down from their eyes. Glory be to God, that we were favored with the presence of him who walked in the fiery furnace with his children. O that the Lord may revive his work in this place! Here we met with a couple of old friends from Hartford, Mr. Thomas Hildrup and Mr. Coon, who rejoiced to see us on our way to their city. They informed us that the Lord was reviving his work in Hartford. My soul rejoiced at the glad tidings, and I was ready to say, 'Lord, we are well able to go up and possess the land.' I went on to Hartford, and put up at Mr. Winship's, a private lodging prepared for me by my two friends. I was informed that several persons were awakened by my preaching when I was there before. The hearing of this humbled my soul in the dust, and strengthened my faith. Ah, Lord, what am I, that thou shouldst own my labors and comfort my soul? Not unto me, not unto me, O Lord, but unto thy name be the glory. At two o'clock they rang the bell, and we met in the State-house. I preached on 1 Thess. v, 19. I found a large company of hearers to speak to; and, glory be to God for his goodness to me while preaching his word I felt my soul happy in the Lord; the people heard with great attention, and with many tears. I felt as if the word had taken hold of the hearts of the hearers. The comfort I had at this meeting was worth more than all the pleasures of this poor world."

At night he was again sounding the alarm in the State-house. The next day he spent in visiting "from house to house." In the afternoon he held an inquiry or class-meeting with some persons who came to talk of "the form and power of godliness;" but, "according to the New England custom, we spent," he says, "a little time in talking about principles, especially the probability of men being lost after they are converted to God. We met again, at night, in the State-house, where I preached on John xvi, 20. I felt great freedom from first to last. My eyes were often filled with tears, and sometimes I could hardly keep from weeping aloud. My soul fed upon the word, while I was endeavoring to feed the flock of God. We had more people in the State-house this night than had ever been seen there — on any occasion. They were very solemn and attentive; many of them were deeply affected, and wept bitterly under the word. It appeared to me that God was opening the way for us to be received by, and greatly blessed to, the people. After we broke up several persons came and spoke to me, and begged my prayers. It has often been my prayer of late, that if our undertaking in visiting these parts were according to the will of God, he would open the houses of the people to receive us, and their hearts to receive our instructions. Here my prayer is visibly answered. We have repeated invitations to call upon and lodge with the people; and they earnestly request our prayers, attend our ministry, and desire our advice. My heart is drawn toward the people in the East. If the Lord opens the way before me, I think I shall visit them shortly."

The day following he was at Farmington, where he met another instance of New England interest for theological "principles." He was entertained by a Mr. W. "We had been there but a little time before the old man began to talk about principles, and the old lady to prepare dinner. We continued the discourse till we had dined. When the old man found out that we believed a person might fall from grace and be lost he discovered a good deal of anger, and said, 'If David had died in the act of adultery, and Peter while swearing, they would have been saved.' 'Then,' said I, 'after a man is converted he is obliged to be saved; he can't help it.' 'Yes,' said be, 'he is obliged to be saved, whether he will or not, for it is impossible for him to help it.' He said he would as soon hear us curse God at once, as to hear us say that God would give his love to a person and then take it away. I told him God would never take it away, but we might cast it away. Seeing he was much ruffled in his temper, I thought it best to be moving; so we asked him the way to Mr. Coles', but he would not tell us, for he said Mr. Coles would not like his sending such men to his house. However, we got directions from his wife, and then set out. I shook hands with the old man, and told him I hoped God would reward him for his kindness."

He passed on to Derby, where, hiring the bell-man to ring the people out, he addressed them, and departed to preach at Milford. Thence be passed to New Haven, where he preached on Sunday. Besides the Stamford or Reading Circuit, where he had labored at first, he had now formed the New Haven Circuit, extending over a hundred and twenty miles, and comprising three cities, five thickly settled towns, and several smaller places. This range of travel and labor was to be compassed every fortnight by the tireless itinerant. It has since become a most prosperous field of Methodism. A writer, who labored in it during 1832, says that the New Haven District at the latter date was almost entirely composed of Lee's two-weeks' circuit; it contained at this time fifteen circuits and stations, employed thirty-four traveling preachers, had between thirty and forty local preachers, nearly fifty chapels, and nearly six thousand Church members. [1]

He spent about two weeks more in traversing Connecticut. On Saturday, April 1, he penetrated into Windham County, Vermont, where he stayed two days, and passing through a portion of New Hampshire, entered Massachusetts. He records "many discouragements," and "not so much satisfaction in Massachusetts as in Connecticut." On the 10th of May he was again in the latter state, preaching, and consoling himself with his co-laborer, George Roberts, at Middletown. He traveled to and fro, proclaiming daily the word of life, until the latter part of June, when he set his face toward the East. On his route he delivered two discourses at Norwich, and thence passed to New London, where he preached several times with much comfort. Thence he went to Stonington, where he delivered his message, and entered Rhode Island. In the latter state he preached respectively at Newport, Bristol, Warren, and Providence. At Warren he was cordially admitted to the pulpits of other denominations, and treated with much kindness. In Providence he preached five times in a private house, and several times in the court-house.

He left Providence for Boston. When about ten miles on his way, his attention was suddenly arrested by a sight as astonishing to him, in his peculiar circumstances, as a supernatural apparition could well have been. He saw at a distance on the road two men on horseback habited with the simplicity of Methodist preachers, and accompanied by that invariable symbol of the early itinerancy, the now obsolete saddle-bags. One of these horsemen was an intelligent but humble-looking colored man, who seemed to enjoy his position more than if he were attending a hero in a triumph; the other was a man of small but robust stature, neatly clad, of benignant aspect, and presenting to Lee's eye a startling resemblance to one of his old companions in the itinerant labors of the South. They appeared dusty and weary, as if they had journeyed far during the day. Lee quickened his pace, halted before them, and was soon clasping with delight the hand of his former friend and fellow-laborer, Freeborn Garrettson. His colored companion was the well known "Black Harry," who not only ministered to the temporal convenience of his master, but aided in his spiritual labors by frequently exhorting and preaching after him. The meeting of the two evangelists on the highway was too remarkable not to attract attention; a spectator approached them, and perceiving their character, and affected by their spirit, invited them to partake of his hospitality and preach at his house in the evening. Such interviews were too rare and too refreshing in that day not to be relished by the weary itinerants. They accepted the invitation, preached that night and the next morning in the house of their host, and tarried till after dinner in comforting conversations and devotions. Let us leave them there while we trace the eastern excursion of Garrettson, which thus brought him upon the path of Lee.

On his return from Nova Scotia, in 1787, he passed through Boston, where he found three persons who had been members of the Society which was formed there by Boardman. The Society had expired for lack of pastoral care. Garrettson preached several sermons in private houses, and departed to the South, not, however, without the purpose of future efforts for the city. After laboring some time in Maryland, he started on his way to New England, in May, 1788; but on arriving at New York he was induced by Asbury to lead the pioneer expedition up the Hudson. He was thus prevented from anticipating Lee in the labor and honor of founding Methodism in New England. He kept a steady eye upon it, however, especially upon Boston, and in 1790, while yet superintending the Northern district, he started on his present excursion to the Eastern metropolis.

He entered the northwestern angle of Connecticut at Sharon, on the 20th of June, accompanied by Harry, and preached under the trees to about one thousand people. ''I was much drawn out," he says, "and great attention was paid to the word. The devil strives very hard to hinder the spreading of the Gospel in this town; but, blessed be God! many are under awakenings, and I think the kingdom of Satan will be greatly shaken. On Wednesday, 23d, he reached Litchfield, and was surprised to find the doors of the Episcopal church open, and a large congregation waiting for him. He discoursed from "Enoch walked with God," and believed good was done. He left Harry to preach another sermon, and went on to the center of the town; the bell rang, and he preached to a few in the Presbyterian meeting-house, and lodged with a kind Churchman. The same day "I preached," he says, "in the skirts of the town, where I was opposed by _____, who made a great disturbance. I told him the enemy had sent him to pick up the good seed; turned my back on him, and went on my way." On Friday, 25th, he rode through a storm of rain some fourteen miles, and declared to a large assembly, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves." The power of God was manifest among the people; "several," he writes, "were in tears, and there was a shaking among them." He had now penetrated far enough into New England to meet with its peculiarities, especially that pugnacious interest for "principles" which Lee and his associates had so generally startled. The village squire, accompanied by a phalanx of grave townsmen, came forth to converse with him on the, to them, vital points of unconditional election and reprobation, the freedom of the will, and perseverance. The discussion was held far into midnight, when the assailants, "much shaken," found it convenient to retreat. "We have hard work," he says, "to plant what they call Arminianism in this country. We stand in need of the wisdom of the serpent and the harmlessness of the dove." On the 28th he reached Hartford, and preached to five or six hundred people in the courthouse. They gave respectful heed to the words which were spoken by himself; but Harry, who attempted, as usual, to exhort after him, was received "very uncivilly." On the 30th they tarried at Worcester, "where," he says, "I was kindly entertained by Mr. Chanler, but the people appeared to have a small share of religion. I went from one end of the town to the other and could get no one to open the court-house and gather the inhabitants." The next day (July 1st) he entered Boston, after riding forty-eight miles. "I boarded Harry," he says, "with the master mason for the Africans, and I took my own lodgings with a private gentleman, who had been a Methodist in England, but has, I fear, fallen from the spirit of Methodists. Sunday, 4th, I attended church in the morning. In the afternoon I preached in a meeting-house which had formerly belonged to Dr. Mather. Monday evening, likewise, in the same place. Tuesday I went from end to end of the town, and visited several who were friendly, a few of whom were formerly Methodists, but I fear they are not such in practice. I engaged the use of the meeting-house, and a place for a preacher to board, and on Wednesday I set out for Providence." On his way thither, as we have seen, he met Lee, who himself was journeying to the metropolis of the East. On parting from Lee, the next day after this unexpected meeting, he directed his course to Providence, where he had an opportunity, the same evening, of preaching in "good old Mr. Snow's meeting-house." The following day he preached there again to a larger congregation than the night before. On Sunday he officiated all day for "good Mr. Snow," beginning at six o'clock A.M. Harry also found him self at home among the cordial people of Snow's charge, and honorable amends were made him for his discourteous reception at Hartford; he "held forth" at six o'clock P. M., in the meeting-house, to more than a thousand people. The next morning Garrettson was up and preaching to several hundred hearers at five o'clock, and in a few hours after was on his way westward. "I had," he says, "a sweet time in Providence. I have no doubt but the Lord begun a good work in many hearts. I left many in tears. I left town about nine o'clock, rode about thirty-five miles, and lodged at Colonel P.'s, whom I found to be a very kind man, and I trust the family were stirred up. The daughter seemed to be affected." Tuesday, 13th, he rode forty-five miles to Hartford, and "preached," he says, "the next evening to as ill-behaved an audience as I have ever seen in New England. The people of this place, with a few exceptions, seem to be fast asleep in the arms of the wicked one." The following night he preached again, and "some of what are called the gentry," he remarks, "behaved so ill that I was under the necessity of breaking up the meeting and declining to preach by candle-light."

Methodist itinerants, in those times, were not to be defeated by popular violence; the next day he was preaching again in the state-house. On Saturday, 24th, he preached at Cornwall. "I found," he says, "that the Lord had begun a blessed work in this town when I preached here before, so I rode to Canaan, where I was comfortable." He had now reached the neighborhood of his district. Harry, especially, began to feel more "comfortable." On Sunday, 25th, Garrettson preached in Canaan. "The Lord was with us," he exclaims; "the work in this place is moving on. I have circulated a subscription for the building of a church here. Brother Bloodgood was with me. As it was too warm in the house I preached in the open air. Harry preached after me with much applause. I rode in the afternoon and preached in Salisbury, in a part of the town in which I had never before been, and I thank I have never seen so tender a meeting in this town before, for a general weeping ran through the assembly, especially while Harry gave an exhortation. The Lord is carrying on a blessed work here." By the 29th he was on his district at Hudson, where, to gratify the public curiosity, he had to give place to Harry, who was heard by different denominations with much admiration, and who, the Quakers believed, preached ''by immediate inspiration.''

On parting from Garrettson, Lee pressed forward to Boston, where he arrived on the 9th of July. The impression produced by the brief visit of the former had already evanesced. The day was spent in useless attempts to procure a place, public or private, for preaching; "every expedient failed." But not discouraged, he took his stand, as we have seen, on the Common the next day and delivered his message to three thousand people. As the way seemed not yet open for him, he left the city the following day, to survey yet more extensively his eastern field.

"He rode," says his biographer, ''to Salem, and preached, in Mr. Joshua Spalding's pulpit, to a large company of attentive hearers. Thence he passed through Ipswich to Newburyport, and, according to direction called on Rev. Mr. Murray. When Mr. Murray found out that he belonged to Mr. Wesley's connection, he very politely offered to treat Mr. Lee as at gentleman and as a Christian, but not as a preacher; he could not let him occupy his pulpit. His apology was, that he had been informed by letter that a preacher of the Wesleyan party had lately been up the Connecticut River and the he had held meetings in four different places in one day. Lee informed him that he was the man who had been guilty of that crime. But, though not successful in getting Murray's pulpit, he succeeded, in obtaining the court-house, at which place he appointed preaching on his return. From Newburyport he proceeded to Portsmouth, then the metropolis of New Hampshire. Here he preached to a solemn and attentive congregation, and some were truly thankful for his visit. He returned to Newburyport, where he found, though he had obtained leave of the selectmen to preach in the court-house when there before, yet in even a few days three of them had changed their minds and were inclined to keep him out of it. However, in the evening the congregation assembled, and one of the selectmen being present, opened the door, and he a company of well-behaved people, some of whom were melted into tears. Fearing lest they should objection to his preaching there in future, he resolved to make sure of one more time, and appointed to preach at the same place the next morning at six o'clock. Morning preaching was a new thing there, but he had a great many out, and had reason to hope that many were profited by hearing, while he was blessed in speaking. After preaching at Salem and Marblehead he rode to Boston and preached to about three thousand people on the Common. "Blessed be God!" he exclaims, "he made his quickening presence known, and met us in the field." During the last week he had traveled at least one hundred and thirty miles, made his own appointments, and preached nine times.

In this, his second visit to Boston, he not only preached on the Common, but also in a private house; and, on one occasion, in a meeting-house belonging to the Baptists, which had been vacant. He also went to Charlestown, "where he preached in a private house, and had reason to believe that many felt the weight of what was spoken." On the ensuing Sabbath he was again upon the Boston Common, addressing a much greater multitude than on the two former occasions. Although there had been a considerable fall of rain that day, and the earth was quite wet, he calculated that there were not less than five thousand present.

Having surveyed his new sphere of labor in the East, he departed on his way to the next Conference, in New York city. He passed through Connecticut, preaching at Enfield, Hartford, Middlefields, etc. At the latter place a Quarterly Meeting was held for the New Haven Circuit — the one founded by him immediately before his departure for Boston — and a society of six members was organized.

More than sixteen months had elapsed since his appointment to New England, about nine of them without the support of a single colleague. After traveling through portions of Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, proclaiming the word of life in fields, court-houses, private houses, and churches, by day and by night, and surmounting obstacles from which most men would have recoiled in disgust or despair, he departs to the Conference with the following reflections: "Here I may stop and look back on the year that is past. But when I consider the many dangers I have passed through, the many mercies I have received, and the many moments I have not improved, I stand amazed at myself, and astonished at the goodness of God to me. It is now sixteen months and eight days since our last Conference, and in this time I have traveled several thousand miles, and preached in six states, and in chief part of the large towns in New England. In most places I have met with a much kinder reception than I could have expected, among principles so different from me; yet I have been opposed, and have been under the disagreeable necessity of spending much of my time in talking on controverted points, sometimes in public, and often in private. When opposed, if I discovered an inclination to waive the discourse, they would immediately conclude principles were so bad that I was afraid to let them be known. For this reason I have been led to debate the matter, with most of those who have spoken to me, with a calm spirit. I have had generally quietness of mind while conversing on doctrinal points, and ofttimes seemed to be immediately assisted from Heaven; answers have been put in my mouth, that were not familiar to me, when strange questions have been asked, I have been enabled to go through all my hardships with great satisfaction, have been much blessed with the people, and the Lord has given me to see visible fruit of my labors, in the awakening and conversion of precious souls."

On Monday, October 4, 1790, he entered the Conference in New York city, to solicit additional laborers for New England. What could he report of his services, since he left the same body, in June of the preceding year? A tale of as hard fare and as hard labors, doubtless, as any one there could relate, except possibly the venerable man who sat in the chair — the unequaled Asbury. But not of toils and trials alone could he speak; much had I been achieved. Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Eastern Massachusetts had been thoroughly surveyed, for more definite plans of labor. He himself had proclaimed the principles of Methodism in all the five New England States. He had removed much prejudice, and put the whole country more or less in expectation of further efforts. Prior to his departure from Connecticut to Boston he had formed definitively two circuits, Stamford, or Reading, as it was afterward called, and New Haven, and subsequently the general outlines of another, in Eastern Massachusetts. His fellow-laborers had also extended their travels in many directions, so that five circuits were recorded on the Minutes at the Conference of 1790. Nearly two hundred souls had been united in classes; a remarkably large number, if we consider the formidable obstacles which obstructed every movement of the few laborers in the field. Two chapels, at least, had been erected; one in the parish of Stratfield, town of Stratford, by the society of Weston, (now Easton,) called Lee's Chapel: the first Methodist one built in New England; the second, in Dantown, partially built, when Lee welcomed into it his newly arrived assistants on the 27th February.

Such were the results, thus far; and with these for his arguments, he could not fail to intercede successfully for his new field. He spent three hours in a private interview with Asbury, discussing its claims. That good and far-seeing man not only complied with his wishes, so far as to dispatch with him additional laborers, but resolved to visit the eastern States himself in the course of the ensuing year.

In the following schedule of the appointments: and at this Conference for New England we have an outline of the field of Methodism within its limits: Jesse Lee, Elder; Fairfield, John Bloodgood; New Haven, John Lee; Hartford, Nathaniel B. Mills; Boston, Jesse Lee, Daniel Smith. Besides these circuits, under the normal supervision of Lee, (for such only we shall find to have been,) there was the Litchfield Circuit, Conn., [4] traveled by Samuel Wigton and Henry Christie, and included in a district which lay mostly within the State of New York, under the presiding eldership of Garrettson. One district and part of a second, five circuits, and preachers, constituted, then, the ministerial arrangements of Methodism for New England, during the ecclesiastical year 1790-91.

The Litchfield Circuit had been formed about the beginning of the spring of 1790, and comprehended the northwestern section of Connecticut; the Hartford Circuit, in the latter part of the same season, and "took in both sides of the Connecticut." It included Wilbraham, Mass., Tolland, Hartford, Windor, Suffield, Granby, Enfield, Winterbury, Middletown, etc. Fairfield designates what was, at first, named the Stamford Circuit. It has ready been described, as also that of New Haven, which "extended along the post-road from Milford to Hartford."

The name of George Roberts does not appear on the roll of the little itinerant corps, but is put down for Annamessex, Md., though he had arrived in New England more than seven months before the session of the Conference in New York which terminated the ecclesiastical year, and therefore preceded the publication of the Minutes. He continued, however, in the East, and his name appears in the list of New England appointments for the next year.

John Bloodgood, who is recorded for Fairfield this year, was received into the Conference on probation in 1788. In 1789 he traveled Columbia Circuit, N. Y., whence he passed to Fairfield, Conn., in 1790. The next year he was appointed to Lynn, Mass., as colleague of Daniel Smith. In 1792 his name appears in the Minutes among the elders, but we find no intimation whatever of his appointment. In 1793 he traveled the Annapolis Circuit, Md. Except the year 1803, when he accompanied Dr. Thomas Lyell to the East, and was appointed with him to Boston and Lynn, he continued in the Middle States, occupying important circuits and stations — among them Baltimore city several times — until 1809, when he was returned as located in the Baltimore Conference. His labors at Annapolis and on Harford Circuit were attended by great revivals. While on the latter, he received into the Church the late Dr. Thomas Bond, who says that in personal appearance he was imposing — "tall, well-formed, straight as an arrow, with a fine complexion, good symmetrical features, and especially a quick and penetrating eye; he appeared to great advantage in the pulpit. I think he wore a wig, which took off something from the appearance which his real age would have given; and in his dress he was remarkably particular; not at all foppish, but always neat, to the tie of his neckerchief; and his clothes-brush was held in daily requisition. His mental endowments were good, but his acquirements did not correspond with his capacity. His education was restricted to the rudiments commonly taught in country schools in his time. My father's house was a preaching place, and Mr. Bloodgood had a regular appointment there every other Sabbath, in the afternoon. Monday was a resting day, and was spent at my father's. On Tuesday there was preaching at Mr. George Garrettson's, brother of the venerable Freeborn Garrettson. Earnest, with an evident exhibition of a deep self-conviction of the truths he delivered, and the importance of the exhortations he gave, confining himself to the common topics, he found direct access to the consciences and the hearts of his hearers, and turned many to righteousness. The revival of 1800, perhaps, exceeded anything which had ever been known in the Church, both in the rapidity of its spread, and the number and variety of its subjects. The whole Church partook of it, and in some places it promised a universal turning of the people from Satan unto God. Everywhere you went, even in the depth of winter, the woods were made vocal with the songs of Zion; the children, as they went to school, people on the road, or in the forest felling the timber, or procuring fuel, all, and always, were singing the hymns and spiritual songs which were sung at Methodist meetings; and every prayer-meeting appointed, whether the preachers were present or absent, was crowded with souls rejoicing in hope, or inquiring for the way of life. Under such circumstances a man as John Bloodgood could but he in his element. Rest days were unknown. Every day and every night was employed in his work, the work of 'saving souls.' And great was the success his Master gave him; numerous will be the stars in his crown gathered from Harford Circuit. He died in 1810." [5]

John Lee, who was appointed this year to the New Haven Circuit, entered the itinerant ministry in 1788, and was appointed, with his brother Jesse, to Flanders Circuit, N. J. The year following he was colleague with William Phoebus on the Long Island Circuit. His appearance on the new field of the East was brief, but important. Though attended by the disabilities of incurable disease, he had a soul of fire, and his shattered frame was indeed "the temple of the Holy Ghost;" a dilapidated shrine, in which the divine shekinah dwelt and shone. His brother has published a memoir of his brief and suffering life, which exhibits him as a man of extraordinary consecration, instant in prayer, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, panting for the salvation of souls, rising often in the midst of wintry nights, while all others around were wrapped in sleep, and struggling, like Jacob, in supplications for himself, the Church, and the world. With the tenderest sensibility, chastened by much physical suffering, a burning zeal that would have welcomed martyrdom, and persuasive and affecting powers of address, he appeared in the pulpit anointed with a divine unction which seemed to drip down his whole person, "like the precious ointment that ran down the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments." Many were blessed and comforted by his short ministry in the East. One circumstance, if no other, rendered his visit memorable. He was instrumental in the conversion of the first native Methodist preacher raised up in New England, who says, "John Lee came to Lynn, to visit his brother Jesse, on or near the 1st of September, 1791. His coming proved a blessing to many. He was a lively, animated preacher, had a strong, clear, musical voice, and was affectionate in his address. As he had drunk deep of the cup of bitterness for his own sins, he had a sympathizing heart for those who were in distress. He was the instrument, in God's hand, of ministering the balm of comfort to my sin-sick soul. He was emphatically a son of consolation. His short visit to Lynn and vicinity was profitable to many. His last address was from Eph. v, 1: 'Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children. He had a pleasant and profitable gift of exhortation, which he often improved after his brother Jesse and others had preached. He was of a consumptive habit, frequently spitting blood, which was increased by often speaking in public. He was obliged to retire from constant, laborious service, and lived a few years, lingering out a happy life, in endeavoring, in vain, to recover health, to be more active in the ministry. His death was singularly peaceful. His brother Jesse has published a short account of his experience, life, and death. He located, through ill health, in 1791."

His death was sudden, but worthy, of him. He had been traveling in the Southern States, accompanied by a servant, seeking health. On his improvement, he observed to his attendant that he felt a difficulty in breathing, and believed he was near his end. His servant attempted to persuade him that his danger was not so imminent; he replied that "it was no trifling matter, for an ulcer was formed on his lungs; that he expected it would break, and if it did, he should die in a few hours." [7] In a short time he declared that the ulcer was broken. They hastened to a house and required admission. After entering, he went out to the servant, who was taking care of the horses, and assuring him that he should die in a few hours, gave him his papers and directions respecting his burial. He entered the house, and inquired if any of the family could sing. His hostess replied they could, but imperfectly. He asked if any of them prayed openly, but received no reply. He then said, "I must pray," and falling on his knees, lifted up his failing voice in supplication to God. He prayed again and again, and continued on his knees as if he wished to die in that posture; but his attendant took him up and laid him on a bed. He then sent a message to his friends, entreating them not to sorrow for his fate, and assuring them that he departed with certain hope of eternal life. He died without a groan, soon after the attack, in Surry County, North Carolina, on the 6th of October, 1801.

Nathaniel B. Mills was a hero in the early ministry. He was born in Newcastle County, Delaware, on the 23d of February, 1766. Up to the fifteenth year of his age he indulged, as he himself admits, in the usual follies and vices of youth; not, however, without serious and frequent reproaches of conscience. In his seventeenth year he was converted, and in 1787 joined the Baltimore Conference.

Before his arrival in New England he had traveled on Trenton, Salem, and Newburg Circuits, in New Jersey. In 1790 he was appointed to Hartford, Conn., in 1791 to Fairfield, Conn., and in 1792 to Dorchester, Md. During the following five years he labored extensively in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and other Middle States. In 1797 we find his appointment bearing the significant designation, "Ohio;" it doubtless verged on, if it did not penetrate, the wilderness which since, under the same name, has become one of the noblest States of the West. The following year he was again in Virginia, on Prince George Circuit; in 1800 he was colleague of the veteran James Quinn, at Pittsburg, under the presiding eldership of Daniel Hitt — an illustrious companionship. During twenty-four years we find him pursuing his ministerial career in the Baltimore Conference, moving to and fro, from its eastern circuit to Ohio, and from the interior of Pennsylvania to that of Virginia, until 1824,when he is recorded in the list of the superannuated and worn-out preachers" of that Conference, in company with Nelson Reed, Joshua Wells, and other distinguished veterans. But it is hard for a hero retire from the field while the clarion is still sounding, or the shout of battle is on the air; and even the old war horse "saith among the trumpets, aha! aha! and smells the battle afar off; the thunder of the captains and the shouting." Though he had passed nearly forty years in the ministry, he left, at the next Conference, the ranks of the superannuated, and entered again the effective lists, where he continued till 1829, when, after a laborious career of forty-two years, he took his place among the supernumeraries. He continued, however, to preach regularly, being appointed that year to Rockingham; in 1830, to Great Falls; 1831, London and Fairfax; 1832 Baltimore Circuit, 1833, Liberty; and in 1834, Frederick. In 1835 he was compelled to retire again to the ranks of the superannuated, where he continued till his death. The ministry of the word was, however, "a ruling passion" with him, and it was strong even till death. He continued to labor, with unyielding constancy, as he had strength and opportunity; and the last public act of his protracted ministry was performed on the last Sabbath of his life. Without a "struggle or a groan" he made his triumphant exit to the paradise of God, and literally ceased at once to "work and live." "He was a holy man of God," says the account to which I am indebted for most of these facts; [8] "he was, indeed, one of the last of that highly interesting class of men, the primitive school of Methodist ministers, to whom, under God, the Church and the world are so deeply indebted. His death may, to some extent, be regarded as the severance of the last link — so far, at least, as the ministry of this Conference is concerned — by which the past and the present have heretofore been united. 'Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright; for the end of that man is peace.' "

Henry Christie, his colleague, was admitted on trial, as a traveling preacher, this year, and appointed to Litchfield Circuit. He afterward traveled Columbia Circuit, (N. Y.) His marriage, as usual in those days of the poverty of the Church, led to his location. He resided more than twenty years in Cornwall, Litchfield County, Connecticut, where he continued to assist his itinerant brethren as a faithful local preacher. He shared, also, their trials. He was summoned early one morning, before he was out of his bed, with a writ, by a sheriff for marrying a couple, and was saved from a lodgment in jail only by the timely bail of a Christian brother. In l817 he removed to Ohio, where he continued to preach with increased frequency, and where we shall hereafter meet him. The exposure to which he was subjected in his preaching excursions at last destroyed his health, and in 1826 he sunk into the repose of the grave, joyful in the hope of the first resurrection. On his dying bed, being asked how he was, he replied, "I am near my Father's house." To his neighbors and friends, who often visited him, he spoke of the raptures of his soul, and of his cloudless prospect of the eternal inheritance which awaited him. He admonished his family to be faithful to God, and requested them to inform the absent members, "that he died in the faith." His last hours were relieved by special consolation and triumph. When assured by his physician that his agonies (which were very severe) would soon end, he smiled, and exclaimed, "Glory to God! I have a desire to depart and be with Christ." When his final hour arrived, he extended his almost lifeless hand to the bystanders, evidently for the purpose of having his family come near to him; but he was unable to speak; his countenance shining with joy, expressed his emotions. He endeavored to close his own eyes, but failing to do so clapped his hands in token of victory and died. [9]

We turn our glance from these subordinate laborers, not without a sense of its unavoidable inadequacy, to the champion of the arena. Lee was preparing, a the York Conference, to return to his New England labors and struggles, but before he left melancholy news arrived, informing him of the death of his mother, whom he had not seen for two years and a half. He wept, was "confused in mind, scarcely knowing whether to return to New England or go home;" but his missionary zeal prevailed; he sent his brother to the afflicted family, "went with him to the ferry, stood and looked after him for a while, returned with a sorrowful heart," and, in less than a week, was sounding the evangelical trumpet again in the unfinished chapel, and receiving consolation his sorrow from the little band of disciples at Dantown, Conn. He also visited Stamford, Middlesex; Wilton, Reading, Newtown, Stratford, Putney, Milford, Wallingford, Middlefields, Middletown, South Farms, Wethersfield, and Hartford, at the last of which places he formed a Society. From Hartford he set out for Boston, and arrived there on the 13th of November. The next day was Sunday, but there was no place in which he could preach. At night he addressed a small company in a private house.

His reception in the Puritan city at this time was, if possible, even more discouraging than at his previous visit. The description of it is chilling. "The following part of the week," he says, "I met with great and heavy trials. I took much pains in trying to get a house to preach in; but all in vain. A few of the friendly people made a little move also, but did not succeed. One of the greatest friends I had in the town, when I was here before, did not come to see me now; and when I went to see him would scarcely take any notice of me. I met with difficulties and troubles daily, yet I put my trust in God, and in general was confirmed in the opinion that God would bless my coming to Boston. The greater part of the week was wet, so that I could go out but little. My cry was, 'Lord, help me.' "

More than a week had thus passed, without affording a suitable house for preaching; and the Common, his resort at his former visit, was too exposed to the inclemency of the season to admit of an assembly under its trees. On Monday, the 22d, he "tried every prudent means" to obtain a house, but in vain. A second week passed without success, but a gleam of hope came from another quarter. "We had a letter," he says, "from a gentleman in Lynn, who desired me to come and see him, and gave me some encouragement, for he said he had a desire to hear some of the Methodists preach. I then began to think that the Lord was about opening a way for me there. I made some inquiry about a place in Boston, and told some of my best friends that if they could not get one I would go myself and try and do the best I could. I began to think the Lord would grant me my request, and provide me a place to preach in.' He could not leave Boston without further efforts. "A man went with me to the high sheriff, and we asked for liberty to preach in the court-house. He said he could not give leave himself but that the clerk of court had the disposing of the house, and we must apply to him. So we went to the clerk, but he very abruptly refused. After hearing him talk for a while we left him, and felt more discouraged than ever; yet, if I am right, the Lord will provide for me. Thursday, 2d of December, at night one of my friends came home with me, and told me he had used every means he could to get a particular school-house for me, but had at last received a plain denial, and it was given up. This, with all the other denials, bore pretty heavy upon my mind, and I began to doubt again whether I ought to be here or not."

More than four weeks had passed in these useless endeavors to obtain a place for preaching; it was time to look elsewhere. [10] "On Monday," he writes, "I left Boston, and went to Benjamin Johnson's, in Lynn, about twelve miles. I was very gladly received by him and his family. I felt as though I was at home as soon as I arrived. I had not been there long before he expressed a desire of having a Methodist Society set up in the town, though he had not heard a Methodist preach for nearly twenty years. In this place I found several persons that had heard some of our preachers in the South. Some of the people consider it as a very favorable providence that I have come to Lynn at this time, and they bid me welcome with a cheerful heart." The next day the news of his arrival was spread through the village, and in the evening he preached at Johnson's house, the first sermon delivered by a Methodist preacher in Lynn. His text was: "For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." "I had," he says, "a good many hearers, and great freedom in preaching. I maintained that Christ died for all men, without respect to persons. I felt much of the power and love of God, and earnestly begged the people to turn from their sins and come to Christ. The hearers were very attentive, and a few of them seemed to be somewhat affected." "Bless the Lord, O my soul," he adds, "for bringing me among this people."

His friends at Lynn wished to form a Methodist Society immediately, but leaving with them copies of the General Rules, and directing them to reflect longer on their proposition, he returned again to Boston, determined not to abandon it without a further struggle. Pecuniary embarrassments were added to his other vexations, but he was not to be discouraged. "When I arrived in Boston," he remarks, "everything appeared as dark as when I left it, respecting my preaching. I had to get a new boarding-place. When I settled my past boarding I had two shillings and a penny left, which was all that I possessed. Some days before I felt concerned about my purse, not knowing that there was enough in it to discharge the debt due for my board. I was unwilling to let the people know that my money was just gone, for fear they should think it was money only that I was after. But I soon felt confidence in God that he would provide for me, though I knew not how. However, a man in Lynn offered to buy a magazine that I had for my own use. I very willingly parted with it, and by that means was enabled to discharge the debt. And if I can always have two shillings by me, besides paying all I owe, I think I shall be satisfied." Such discouragements would have been insupportable to any ordinary man; but, though among strangers, repulsed on every hand, reduced to but two shillings, he could not be driven from the city. "He lingered," says his biographer, "until he bore his testimony for Jesus. His preaching was not in vain in the Lord. Some were touched under the word, and brought to feel the force of divine truth. And let the Methodists of Boston, who now enjoy such distinguished privileges, recollect that they are indebted, under the blessing of God, to the indefatigable perseverance of Jesse Lee, amid neglect and insults, for their first establishment."

The remainder of this year, and the year following, until the latter part of the month of May, his labors were principally in Boston, Lynn, Marblebead, Danvers, Manchester, Beverly, Cape Ann Harbor, Ipswich, and Salem. On the 20th February, 1791, he formed the first Methodist Society of Massachusetts in Lynn. It consisted of eight members. On the 27th of the same month it amounted to twenty-nine members, and in the ensuing month of May more than seventy persons took certificates of their attendance on his ministry, a measure rendered necessary by the laws of that day, in order to secure them from taxation for the support of the clergy of the "standing order." On the 14th of June they began the erection of the first Methodist church in Massachusetts. It was raised on the 21st of the same mouth, and dedicated on the 26th. They entered it for public worship in less than two weeks from the day on which its foundation was laid. It may well be supposed that it was not finished with much fastidiousness. It was, in fact, but the shell of a frame building.

Lynn now became his headquarters, until his departure to the next Conference at New York. His excursions from it were, however, incessant, and in all directions. He kept a steady eye on Boston, returning to it at frequent intervals.

On Monday, the 9th of May, he took his leave of Lynn for the New York Conference. "I met," he says, "the men's class in Lynn in the morning, and they seemed lively and very humble. We had a sorrowful parting. It is not quite five months since I first preached in this place, and there are now in Society fifty-eight members. About ten o'clock, the men who generally attend on my preaching came to me and obtained certificates to show that they attended public worship with the Methodists, and contributed to the support of their ministry. After dinner I prayed with those that were present, and then bid them all farewell and set out for Conference at New York."

About seven months had passed since the preceding Conference. Lee had made a strong impression in the region of Boston, Lynn, Salem, Ipswich, Newburyport, and other towns. Only a single Society, however, had been organized. An extensive circuit had, nevertheless, been formed, with posts of regular labor, and Boston itself, though no Society was formed there till the next year, had given an humble place to the indomitable evangelist; one which, however dubious its prospects might have appeared, could never again be wrested from a man of his vigor. He went to the Conference then reporting one circuit, one Society, and fifty-eight members. His colleagues, in the west of New England, had by cheered by visible success. Six circuits were reported bearing New England names. The returns of members in Society on these circuits exhibited an aggregate of four hundred and eighty-one, [11] a gain of three hundred on the returns made eight months before. The good seed so widely sown and laboriously nurtured, had taken root and was already bearing fruit. The experiment of Methodism in New England was determined. Thenceforth was the new denomination to take rank among the Christian bodies of the Puritan states, spreading the principles of a milder theology and a livelier piety through their length and breadth.

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ENDNOTES

1 Letter of Rev. Heman Bangs, in Christian Advocate and Journal, November 28, 1882.

3 Maine was not then a state, but a province of Massachusetts.

4 Letter of Rev. H. Huested, of Connecticut, to the writer. Bangs (Hist., vol. i, book 3, chap. ii,) places this chapel in Weston, (now Easton.) The error arose probably from the fact that the society which built it have since removed to a new edifice in that town.

4 Lee's Hist., anno 1790.

5 Letter to the author.

6 Letter of Rev. E. Mudge to the author.

7 Lee's Memoir, p. 285.

8 Minutes, 1844-45.

9 Meth. Mag., vol. ix, 1826.

10 "Nothing, however, could chill his humor. It was on his way from Boston to Lynn that he had the famous trial of wit with two lawyers. While riding along he perceived them hastening after him on horseback, with evident expectations of amusement. They entered into conversation with him on extemporaneous speaking, one on each side of him. "Don't you often make mistakes?" "Yes." "Well, what do you do with them? Let them go?" "Sometimes I do," replied the preacher, dryly; "if they are very important, I correct them; if not, or if they express the truth, though differently from what I designed, I often let them go. For instance, if, in preaching, I should wish to quote the text which says, 'the devil is a liar and the father of it,' and should happen to misquote it, and say he was a 'lawyer,' etc., why, it is so near the truth I should probably let it pass." "Humph!" exclaimed the lawyer, "I don't know whether you are more a knave or a fool." "Neither," replied Lee, looking from one to the other, "I believe I am just between the two." The gentlemen of the bar looked at each other, and were soon in advance, hastening on their way.

11 One at least of these circuits reached into New York. Our ecclesiastical geography then, as now, disclaimed all regard to the civil divisions of the land, and is, therefore, involved in confusion.