The life and times of the Rev. Jesse Lee

Front matter

THE

LIFE AND TIMES

OF

Preface

In offering to public consideration the biography of one who has been long dead, the author is aware that a reason for such a proceeding may be well demanded. He has no hesitation in meeting an expectation so obviously just and proper. But in obeying such a behest, fidelity to truth involves him in a position of great delicacy, and may expose him to the suspicion of seeking to honour the dead at the expense of the living. Conscious, however, of aiming only at the truth of history, and of independence of all selfish considerations, he enters upon his task without reluctance, and will wait the issue of his facts without either anxiety or fear.

The individual, a narrative of whose life is recorded in the following pages, died in 1816, leaving, as a legacy to the Church, an example rich in Christian excellence, and replete with memorials of self-sacrifice and devotedness. In 1823, a Memoir of his Life was published by one of his contemporaries. This work was not only unsatisfying to the immediate friends and relatives of Mr. Lee, but it disappointed the just expectations of the Church. It was essentially defective as a portraiture of his character, and left a great gulf of discrepancy between his public fame as a distinguished and successful minister, and the recorded narrative of his labours. No one familiar with his reputation in the Church could find anything either to authorize or justify it in his vi PREFACE.

Memoirs. There were causes, however, that may very safely be plead in extenuation of this complaint, that, in justice to the author of the Memoir, ought to be stated. Mr. Lee left a very copious Journal of his life and ministerial labours. These were given to the Virginia Conference, and by them placed in the hands of a committee, to be prepared for publication. The committee suffered several years to pass without completing, or, it is believed, even commencing the duty devolved upon them. In the mean time the Church was demanding the work of the Conference, and the Conference was urging the committee to its duty. A session was nigh at hand; when a report was to be made on the subject. Under these circumstances the MSS. were placed in the hands of one of the committee by his colleagues, with instructions to complete the work without delay. This only left time for compilation. In view of these facts the imperfection of the work, without any disparagement of its author, might have been predicted. It was the family dissatisfaction occasioned by what was deemed the material defectiveness of the work in setting forth the true character of Mr. Lee, that led the present writer, very soon after his entrance into the ministry in 1828, to enter upon a course of preparation for what he hoped to make a more complete and characteristic portraiture of his venerated relative. At a subsequent period, this meditation of his heart was confirmed on reading the meagre sketch and " faint praise" awarded to ;£the Apostle of Methodism in New England," by the author of "A History of the Methodist Episcopal Church."

But in prosecution of the self-imposed task he has met with difficulties, the anticipation of which would have deterred him from the undertaking. In the burning of the Methodist Book Room, in New York, in IS 36, the MSS. of Mr. Lee, which had been deposited there for safe keeping, were entirely destroyed. This loss was severely felt at every stage in the preparation of the work. It may have been only partially surmounted in a resort to the selections of his former biographer, and to the facts and incidents of contemporaneous history. If, after all, any surviving friend of Mr. Lee should discover a defect in the portraittire of his character; or any, who have formed their judgment of him from the numerous anecdotes, yet extant and so often repeated, of

PREFACE. Vil

his wit and humour, should complain of their absence from the work : it is the solace of the author, that he can say to the former, he has " done what he could" to give perfection to his picture, after calling upon them in vain for assistance to enlarge, enliven', and colour it with a life-likeness; and to the latter, that Mr. Lee had higher excellencies than wit, and holier instincts than mirth. Indeed, wit and mirth, which were but the sparkle of a superior mind and a cheerful heart, were only partial elements of a nature highly endowed and exquisitely adjusted for the work to which Providence assigned him. He was occasionally witty j but he was habitually pious and prayerful. It is a humiliation, but it proves the waywardness of humanity, that his <£ readiness at repartee" is treasured and magnified ; while his humble devotion and earnest fidelity to God and man, are, if not altogether forgotten, not very highly esteemed, or remembered as a less popular peculiarity. It is to retrieve this feature of his character, and reproduce, as nearly as practicable, the living, active, pious man, that these proofs of his faith and love have been collected, and brought to the consideration of the Church.

The times in which Mr. Lee lived and laboured were full of interest. Methodism was then in its forming state. So also was society. They were adapted to each other. Both were young, ardent, and enterprising; "rejoicing like strong men to run a race." The downfall of the English hierarchy, civil and religious, offered to both a career refulgent with righteousness and boundless as eternity. They entered it, and the race was for immortality. Let the civil historian describe the brilliant course our country has run in giving to Freedom a home. Ours is the less popular, but not less valuable or useful duty of recording the career of a Church foremost in giving liberty to conscience, and in carrying the joys of salvation to the weary and heavy-laden. The student of Methodist history must recur to the times comprehended in the following narrative, to learn the elements of its organization. He will never be able to analyze, explain, and defend the principles of the compact and strong system of Methodism, without familiarity with the opinions of the Fathers of the American Church, and the events of her earlier history. A large measure of this kind of information, not before

Mil

PREFACE.

given in detail, will be found in the present volume. It was one leading object of the undertaking to bring to light facts and principles only partially known and imperfectly understood by the general reader. For his success in this desire of his heart his work must speak. He refers to it with a sincere and confiding trust that its biography may enliven the reader's religious experience, and its history augment his information and strengthen his confidence in the heaven-directed mission of Methodism. In these results he will find his first and holiest earthly reward.

Richmond, Va., March 1848.

Chapter I. From His Birth In 1758, To His Conversion In 1773

Introduction — Civil History — Washington — Ecclesiastical History — Law of Propagation — Luther — Wesley — Methodism identical with Religion — Remark of Robert Hall — Co-laborers and Successors of Wesley — Life of Mr. Lee interwoven with early American Methodism — Birth of__Lee — Youth — Education — Anecdote — Note — Morals — Colonial Church Service — Influence of Catechetical Instruction — Singing — Character and Influence of it — State of Religion in Virginia — Character of the Clergy — Rev. D. Jarratt — Family of Mr. Lee — Introduction of Religion into it — Happy Results upon Domestic Relations — Parental Decision — Unites with the Methodists — Awakening and Conversion of Mr. Lee — Great Spiritual Distress — Revival of Religion — Religious Ignorance of the People — Note — Mr. Jarratt's mode of Teaching the People — Rev. Mr. McRobert — Introduction of Methodism into Virginia. 15

Chapter II. From His Conversion In 1773, To His Entrance Into The Ministry

Religious Condition of England — Wesley— Rise of Methodism — Providential Introduction of it into America— Robert Williams— Visits Norfolk, Va.— Mr. Pillmore visits Southern States— Controversy with a Clergyman in Norfolk- Great Wickedness of the People— Second Visit of Mr. Williams — Preaches in the Street — Effect on the Hearers — Visits. Petersburg — Forms a Circuit — House of Mr. Lee opened for Preaching — Great Revival in 1774-5 — Co-operation and usefulness of Mr. Jarratt — Effects of the Revival upon the Religious Character of Mr. Lee — Anxiety to do Good — First Public Exhortation — Death of R. Williams — His Character and Usefulness — Removal of Mr. Lee from his Father's House — Appointed Class-Leader — Habits of Study — Preaches his First Sermon in 1779 — Supplies the Place of J. Dickens — What Constitutes a Call to the Ministry — Increase of Methodism in Virginia. 42

CONTENTS.

Chapter III

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF HIS MINISTRY IN 1779, TO HIS ENTRANCE INTO THE TRAVELLING CONNEXION IN 1783.

War of the Revolution— English Preachers— Public Distrust of them— Return of several to England— Maltreatment of Messrs. Hartley and Garrettson— Silence of Mr. Asbury— Effects of these things upon the Societies— Without Pastors and Ordinances— Controversy respecting Ordinances — General view of the Question— Origin of the Question in 1777— Postponed in Conference of 1778 — Conference at Broken Back Church in 1779— Full account of the Proceedings of this Conference — Ordination of Ministers — Grounds of its justification — Protest of the Conference in Baltimore — Sends a Deputation to Virginia — Mannakin Town Conference — Difficulties — Adjustment — Happy Effects — Mr. Lee in a new Sphere — Drafted into the Army — Refuses to bear Arms, and is Imprisoned — Anecdote — Family Prayer in the Guard-house — Morning Worship — Released and Promoted — Preaches on the Sabbath — Execution of a Tory — Retreat — Anecdote— Profanity — Efforts to do Good among the Soldiers — Released from the Army — Returns Home — Industry in Preaching— Itinerancy — Dread of entering it — Difficulties and Encouragements — War Spirit in Virginia — Disastrous Effects on Religion — Conference in Virginia— Declines joining — Travels awhile — Assists in forming a new Circuit — Enlargement of Methodism 72

Chapter IV

FROM HIS ADMISSION INTO THE TRAVELLING CONNEXION IN 1783, TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN 1784.

Itinerancy — Mr. Lee enters the Travelling Connexion — Conference in Virginia — Temperance Measures— ^Slavery — Appointed to Caswell Circuit — A sleepy Congregation — Transferred to Amelia Circuit — Extracts from his Journal — Labours — Experience — Conference of 1784 at Ellis's Meeting-house — 'Mr. Jarratt's Sermon — Appointed to Salisbury Circuit — Journal — A sick Lady — A dangerous Ford — Anecdote, Note1 — General Conference of 1784 — Inability to attend — Organization of the Church — General Review of the Proceedings and Principles of " The Christmas Conference," — Mr. Lee at his Work — Meets with Bishop Asbury — Gown and Bands — Travels with the Bishop to Charleston — Inception of his Mission to New England — Preaches in Charleston— Returns to his Work — Administration of Discipline — Closes his year's Labour — Reflections — Prosperity of the Church consequent upon its Organization Ill

Chapter V

FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE CHURCH IN 1784, TO THE INTRODUC- TION OF METHODISM INTO NEW ENGLAND IN 1789.

The Ministry— First. Conference in North Carolina— Beverly Allen— pbmify — General Review of Church Action upon the Subject — Dr. Coke — Collision between the Doctor and Mr. Lee— Historical Facts— Virginia Conference—

CONTENTS.

Effects of Anti- Slavery Agitation — Mr. Lee visits and takes an Appointment in the Baltimore Conference — Journal — Efforts to promote Religion — Conference— Declines Ordination — Kent Circuit — Journal — A blessed Revival — Conference of 1787 — Slavery— Spiritual Emancipation — Note — Dr. Coke, his Position defined — Recession from the Engagement to submit to Mr. Wesley — Appointed to Baltimore — A Word in Season — State of Religion in the City — Systematic Labours — Class-Meetings — Instruction of Children — Preaches on the Commons — In the Market-House — Good Results — Great Revival in Virginia — Mr. Lee's Success in Baltimore — Conference in Philadelphia — Dr. Rush — Appointed to Flanders Circuit — Calvinism — Anecdote — Revival — Singular Conversion 158

Chapter VI

FROM THE INTRODUCTION OF METHODISM INTO NEW ENGLAND IN 1789, TO THE SESSION OF THE NEW YORK CONFERENCE IN 1790.

Conference Boundaries — New England — Mr. Lee appointed to it — Qualifications for the Work — State of Religion — " Great Awakening" of 1742 — Mr. Lee in Norwalk — A Repulse — His first Sermon — Visits Fairfield — Trials and Comforts— New Haven — Reading — Doctrinal Examination by an Advocate for Dancing— Stratfield — Success — Forms a Class — Stratford — Unexpected Honours — A sad Change — Greenwich — Trials — Opposition a Benefit — Weston — A Shot at Calvinism — Two Ministers differently Affected — Anecdote of a Tinker — New Haven — A novel Sight — New Town — Reading — Controversy — Forms a Class — Conversion of four Men, who became Preachers — Fairfield — Difficulties— Greenfield, and Dr. Dwight — Bridgeport — Singular Introduction of Methodism — Visits Rhode Island — Reinforcements — Farmington — A Dialogue— East Windsor — Crosses and Comforts — Pleasant Fasting — Suffield — A Baptist Preacher — Three Dogs — Boston — Preaches on the Common — Newburyport — Strange Objection — Tomb of Whitefield — Salem — Returns to Boston— Reflections 215

Chapter VII

FROM THE NEW YORK CONFERENCE OF 1790, TO THE GENERAL CON- FERENCE OF 1792.

Mr. Lee attends Conference in New York — Presents the Claims of New England to Bishop Asbury — Receives Ordination — Increase of the Church — Incipient Plan for Sunday Schools — Death of his Mother — Returns to New England— Boston — Visits Lynn — Success — Returns to Boston — Trials — Out of Money — Difficulties in Boston — Conference again in New York — Bishop Asbury goes to New England — Methodism introduced into Canada — Lynn— Marblehead — Salem — Manchester — New Hampshire — Rhode Island — Lynn — Colleagues, Bonsai and Smith — Extent of his Labours — Reading — Conference in Lynn — A new District — Society in Boston — General Conference in Baltimore — Death of " The Council" — Revision of the Discipline — " Presiding Elder Question" — Defeat of the Plan of electing them — O'Kelly withdraws from the Conference — Provision for his Support — Agitation — Secession — Loss of Members — O'Kelly's Apology — Controversy respecting it — Snethxii

CONTENTS.

en's Reply— Mr. Lee involved by O'Kelly — Vindication — Unpublished Reply— Extracts — Failure of O'Kelly — Causes of it .... 250

Chapter VIII

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1792, TO THE GENERAL CONFER- ENCE OF 1796.

Mr. Lee visits Virginia — Witnesses the Effects of the O'Kellyan Agitation in Virginia — Returns to New England — Lynn — Tour on his District — Conference in Lynn — Appointed to " Province of Maine" — Enters his Work — Forms a Circuit — Trials — A new District — Defects of Health and Faith — Courtesy of a Baptist — Inhospitable Treatment — First Church in Rhode Island — Spiritual Ignorance — Good Fruits — First Society in Maine — Anecdote — Nearly perishes from Cold — Shouting Scene in the Road — Great Spiritual Destitution — A powerful Meeting — A dancing Baptist — Island of Martha's Vineyard — A Backslider reclaimed — Birth-day Feelings — Antinomianism rebuked — New Brunswick — First Church in Maine — Conference in New London — Stationed in Boston — Lays the Corner-stone of a Church — On the Commons — Mob in Provincetown — A Calvinist in a Dilemma — A Quarrel ; or, Preaching vs. Dancing — Losing a Will — Schism in Charleston, S. C. — General Conference in 1796 — Revision — Boundaries of Conferences — Deed of Settlement — Chartered Fund — Local Preachers — Grant of Ordination — Episcopacy of Dr. Coke — Mr. Lee's Views and Participation in the Conference Business — His Character by a. Contemporary .... 288

Chapter IX

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1796, TO THE GENERAL CONFER- ENCE OF 1800.

Mr. Lee visits Virginia — Attends the Conference — Decrease of the Church — New England — Letter from Bishop Asbury — Presides in Conference — Recommended to travel with the Bishop — Philadelphia Conference — Virginia — Unexpected Meeting with Dr. Coke — The Doctor just released from Captivity — Virginia Conference — Advises Bishop Asbury to rest— Mr. Lee sent South to supply his Place— Charleston— State of the Church in South Carolina- Georgia — Excessive Labour — Birth-day Presentiment — Virginia Conference

n ' Persuades his Father to emancipate his Slaves — An Indignity offered to his Father^Iis own Views of Slavery — Journey North — Singular Cause of Conversion — Conference in Philadelphia — Petitioning for Preachers — Anecdote ; Preachers vs. Reapers — Conference in Maine — Precious Fruits — Conference in Massachusetts— State of the Church— Statistics— Local Preachers — Returns South— John Dickens — An Apostate Minister — A revival Meeting — Stith Mead and John Easter— Anecdote— Charleston— Supplies Bishop Asbury's place in Georgia— Enters upon Northern Visitation— Singular Commencement of a Revival— Virginia Conference ; presides over it— Visits his Father— Baltimore Conference— Large Preachers— Philadelphia Conference —New York Conference— Prosperity of Methodism— A Night-ride, and bad Treatment— Journey South— Martin Boehm— Winchester Jail— A strange

CONTENTS.

xiii

Meeting— Incidents of Travel— Charleston— Goes to Georgia— State of Morals—Whitefield's Orphan-house— Returns to Charleston— Virginia— Jamestown—Baltimore General Conference— Important Alterations of the Discipline—Mr. Lee nearly elected Bishop— Review of the Causes of Defeat- Feelings — Anecdote — Note ... 332

Chapter X

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1800, TO THE GENERAL CONFER- ENCE OF 1804.

General Conference Revival — Great Revival at Duck Creek — Mr. Lee in Philadelphia— Letter of the Bishops— Attends Conference at Lynn — Separates from Bishop Asbury — Visits the East — Winter in New York — Returns to Virginia — Incidents — Fredericksburg — Whitefield's Anathema — Death of Rev. D. Jarratt — Review of his Course towards Methodism — Affair between him and Dr. Coke — Important Letter — Mr. Lee appointed Presiding Elder — Size of his District — Devotion to his Work — Anecdotes — Rev. John Lee — His happy Death — Virginia Conference of 1802 — Reappointed Elder — Revivals— Powerful Meeting — Contrast — Sign of the Cross — Enlargement of the Church— First Camp-Meetings in Virginia — Conference of 1804— Appointed to a Circuit — General Conference — Its Composition — Revision of Discipline — Stationing Law — Attempted Change of the Eighth Article— Book Concern removed to New York — Conclusion 382

Chapter XI

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1804, TO THE GENERAL CONFER- ENCE OF 1808.

Christian Activity — Lunatic Asylum at Williamsburg — A great Camp-Meeting — Conference in North Carolina — Mecklenburg Circuit — Authorship of Mr. Lee — State of Printing — Attends Conference in Norfolk — A Revival — Amelia Circuit — A Case of Suffering — Strange Scenes at a Camp-Meeting — Presbyterian Extravagance — A Trance — Reflections — Death of Bishop Whatcoat — Mr. Lee's Tribute to his Memory — Official Testimonial of his Excellence— Conference in Newbern — Mr. Lee defeats a Measure for holding an Extra General Conference — Revisits the South — Forms the first Society in Savannah — Last Visit to the Orphan House — Travels in Georgia — Prayer in the Woods of Florida — Virginia Conference in Lynchburg — Measures for a Delegated General Conference — Anecdotes — Cumberland Circuit — Scene at Home — General Conference of 1808 — Absence of Dr. Coke — Proceedings in his Case — His Letter to Bishop White condemned, and justly — Election of a Bishop — Provision for a Delegated General Conference — Mr. Lee's early Movement upon this Subject — Committee's Report — Restrictive Regulations defeated by Mr. Lee— Reconsidered, reported, and adopted — Anecdote — Presiding Elder Question — Section on Slavery left out of the Discipline — Reflections . . / 411 xiv

CONTENTS.

Chapter XII

FROM THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1808, TO THE GENERAL CONFER- ENCE OF 1812.

The Christian Soldier— Enters on a Visit to New England— Strange Scenes at a Camp-Meeting— New York— Norwalk— A Change— Free Seats— Bells — Note, Remark of Asbury on Bells— Pews — Bad Manners— Mr. Lee and the Lawyers— Farmington— Effect of a Word— Rev. George Pickering— Confounding a Baptist Minister — Prosperity of Methodism — Returns to Virginia — Conference at Tarboro— Bishop Asbury's Prejudices against Slavery-/

- Change of his Views — Brunswick Circuit — Mr. Lee elected Chaplain to the House of Representatives — Sustains a severe Injury — Returns to his Circuit — Conference in Petersburg — A Question of Episcopal Power — Mr. Lee appointed Presiding Elder — 'Publishes his History of the Methodists — Motives for writing it — Its Character and Value — Note, Bishop Asbury's Objection to it considered — Labours on his District — Conference at Raleigh — Complaints— Anecdote — Amelia Circuit — Chaplaincy — Purchases a Home — Conference in Richmond — Bishop Asbury complained of for ordaining a Slave — Election of Delegates to General Conference — Stationed in Richmond — General Conference — Bishop M'Kendree's Address — Refusal to elect a Bishop — Local Deacons — Anecdote — Effort to alter the Mode' of constituting the General Conference — Presiding Elder Question— A Passage between Bishop Asbury and Mr. Lee — A strange Procedure in Legislation . . . 447

Chapter XIII. From The General Conference" Of J812, To The Close Of His Life

Methodism in Richmond — Mr. Lee's Pastoral Labours — Labours in the Penitentiary— Dr. Rice attempts to supersede him — Fails, and leaves the Prisoners to the Care of the Methodists — Camp -Meeting — A Midnight Sermon — Re-elected Chaplain — Rebukes Profanity — Conference in Newbern — Mr. Lee preaches — Strange Effects of the Sermon — Brunswick Circuit — Chaplain to the Senate — Publishes Sermons — Conference in Lynchburg — Transferred to Baltimore Conference without his Consent — Appointed to Fredericksburg— Refuses to go — Subsequent Regrets — Gives up the Chaplaincy — Interesting Anecdotf — Conference in Raleigh — Goes to Baltimore — Tried and acquitted — Stationed at Annapolis — First Sermon — Death of Bishop Asbury — Mr. Lee's Testimonial of his Worth — Epitaph — General Conference — Presiding Elder Question — Election of Bishop — Mr. Lee among his Flock in Annapolis— Personal Piety — Worship in the Woods — Visits a Camp-Meeting — Last Sermon — Sickness and Death — Reflections — Analysis of his Character — His Conversion and Religious Experience — His Call to the Ministry — Qualifications for the Office, Physical, Mental, and Spiritual — Preaching; Mode of it, Practical and Evangelical — Doctrinal Preaching — His Success, and the Causes of it — Conclusion 479

THE

LIFE AND TIMES

THE EEV. JESSE LEE.

Chapter I. From His Birth In 1758, To His Conversion In 1773

Introduction — Civil History — Washington — Ecclesiastical History — Law of Propagation — Luther — Wesley — Methodism identical with Religion — Remark of Robert Hall — Co-laborers and Successors of Wesley — Life of Mr. Lee interwoven with early American Methodism — Birth of Lee — Youth — Education — Anecdote — Note — Morals — Colonial Church Service — Influence of Catechetical Instruction — Singing — Character and Influence of it — State ol Religion in Virginia — Character of the Clergy — Rev. D. Jarratt — Family of Mr. Lee — Introduction of Religion into it — Happy Results upon Domestic Relations — Parental Decision — Unites with the Methodists — Awakening and Conversion of TVIr. Lee — Great Spiritual Distress — Revival of Religion — Religious Ignorance of the People — Note — Mr. Jarratt's mode of Teaching the People — Rev. Mr. McRobert — Introduction of Methodism into Virginia.

Civil history is made up of the feelings, schemes, and pursuits of individuals. Its private acts and public achievements are but a register of the virtues and vices of men. Nations are impersonations of character, taking their rank and measuring their influence from the virtue, intelligence, and enterprise of their subjects. We cannot separate the deeds and feelings of individuals from the grand aggregate of actions and events that give character to a community, and stability to its laws and institutions. Communities of men are subject to the same laws of opinion and influence as individuals ; number and magnitude only make them less impressible, and though qmite as excitable, yet more deliberate in decision, and more resolute in action. A man is often the index of the age he lives in : his opinions are revelations, his principles the rule of conduct, and his conduct the standard of excellence and authority. Or, to change the figure, he so impresses his plans and purposes upon the civil character of his country, that it becomes to after ages the mirror of his principles and pursuits. Our own history furnishes a striking illustration of the truth of this sentiment. Washington is the Father of his country. Yet, in awarding this distinguished appellation, we feel that he is more eminently so amidst the implements and peaceable pursuits of husbandry, than with the weapons of war in the shock and blood of the battle. We boast of his personal prowess, and of his splendid military achievements ; but we admire and commend his magnanimous self-denial and moral firmness, in forsaking the scenes of public and popular applause for the more humble enjoyments and quiet pursuits of domestic life.

The same principles and laws of influence are discernible in the history of Christianity and of churches. Jesus Christ is the embodied representation of religion. He lives in its principles, and breathes in its spirit. But it is the simple faith, the virtuous life, the self-denying benevolence of the Christian, that forms the living exhibition of the gracious influence of the gospel. Its spirituality has no other mode of manifestation. Man is the subject of its grace, the mirror of its truth and holiness. A. partaker of grace himself, he becomes, by the laws of agency and influence, a dispenser of its blessings to others. " Ye are my witnesses," said Christ. Christians are witnesses. Their words are testimonials of the power and faithfulness of Christ, their lives a register of his forbearance and love. These give no uncertain sound, leave no undistinguishable impression upon the moral feelings of society. In their different spheres each is an " instrument of righteousness unto holiness." Facts are not wanting to set forth and confirm this idea of religious influence, Luther wrote the laws of religion upon the mind of Christendom

THE REV. JESSE LEE.

Wesley engraved the spirit of the gospel upon ' its heart. Both were " workers together with God and their " work was honourable and glorious."

Chalmers has denned Methodism as " Christianity in earnest. " It is a definition no less candid than it is correct. The fundamental law of its vitality, that grace to be preserved must be constcuttly employed, is an exemplification of the existence and influence of this principle. Christianity has no state of quiescence. Activity in good works is the element arid proof of spirituality. " When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." This principle presided over the origin of Methodism. It is still its great pervasive spirit. It i's the lock of its strength, the master instrument of its vitality and success. So every Methodist feels ; and so, if true to his feelings, he acts. All active, and always at work, are rules the specific value of which may be discerned in the form, consistency, and strength of Methodism. This was pre-eminently the characteristic of Wesley. The remark of the distinguished Robert Hall, " that while he set all in motion, he was himself perfectly calm and phlegmatic : the quiescence of turbulence ;" is no less just as a tribute to Mr. Wesley's zeal and enterprise, than it is true of his power to move and influence others. The impression made upon society by his life and labours has survived his dissolution, and will stand out distinct and visible in the sublime emblazonry of the skies, when " suns arid systems shall expire." The impulse given to the cause of religion by his laborious diligence to do good, will roll on, enlarging in volume and increasing in strength until it mingles its melody with " the voice of many waters" upon the far off shores of the coming eternity. The zeal for God, inborn in Wesley when " born of the spirit," was the source of his unresting energy, and the secret of all his success. It was of God ; hence, it has not failed from the Church, and is yet prosperous as an instrument of multiplying the triumphs of Christianity. Faithful men, possessed of a like spirit, and animated by a zeal as commanding, if not as boundless and indefatigable, have been raised up to preserve the precious seed of life, and transmit it to the generations to come. Weslev yet lives in the zeal, enterprise, and enlarging prosperity of Methodism.

lr, THE LIFE AND TIMES OF

Numerous and distinguished is the company of those who have entered into Mr. Wesley's plans for spreading scriptural holiness in the earth; various their. talents and endowments, and diversified the success that has crowned their faithful and persevering labours. The proofs of apostleship— fitness for the work, and success in winning souls to Christ— have not been wanting to substantiate their authority as " able ministers of the New Testament," and justify their claims as accredited messengers of Jesus Christ. Multitudes of regenerated men stand up to attest the power of their words, and confess them as fathers by whom they have been brought into the fellowship of the saints. Many of these first labourers, in the now vast and constantly enlarging field of Methodism* have entered into rest, and found a heavenly recompense for their earthly .toils. But in England and America the remnants of a giant race are yet spared to represent the life-long zeal of the first Methodists. They are links binding us in unity of faith and feeling with the mighty men, — those men of renown, who, in the beginning of our history, braved the martyr's lot that they might preach " the unsearchable riches of Christ." They are here for example and encouragement. Their lives are histories of moral heroism. But they are solitary in the midst of their brethren. Their companions are gone ; they sleep in the dust of the earth. And they, too, are passing away. A few generations more, and their names and good works will fade away from the memories of men. No monument will mark the place of their repose, as no record will preserve the history of their labours and triumphs in the vineyard of Christ. Yet their arduous toils, their patient sufferings, their generous self-denial, and their glorious achievements in the work of the ministry, are the heritage of the Church. They arc recorded proofs of the presence and favour of God. Shall these perish and be forgotten?