Autobiography of the Rev. Luther Lee ...

Preface

TN presenting tlie following pages to tlie pnblie I believe myself to be offering that wMcli will be both entertaining and useful. The scene does not open under the shadow of a throne surrounded by the curtains of royalty, nor amid the political m.achinery that always has and always will gather around the center of a republic to fatten upon its spoils and shape its destiny. It opens with the cloudy dawn of an obscure beginning, and unfolds amid the scenes of rural and unsophisticated life before what is called modern improvements, like a wave, swept over the land, and changed the face of society. Rural society seventy years ago was a very different thing from what it is to-day, and in no aspect has it changed more than in the morals and religion of the several denominations of Christians, and

4 PreFxVce.

in tlieir relations to each otlier. Many tilings wliicli were then considered as right are now denounced as the most flagitious crimes, and denominations which then made Yvar npon each other and denounced each other as damnable heretics now co-operate and sing and pray together as loving Christian brethren. Some persons of the present day appear to suppose themselves living in a degenerate age. If such will read the following pages it may tinge their gloomy thoughts with some brighter rays, if it does not lift the cloud entirely from their minds.

The writer's memory, like a telescopic viev/, sv>^eeps the fields of seventy years, and he can appreciate things as they vvere and as they are, having witnessed all the changes which have culminated in the present condition of society. The age in which the writer has lived has been the most distinguished for human progi^ess of all the ages since time dawned. Of course no general history of the times will be attempted ; the writer v/ill confine himself mainly to his

PliEFACE.

own limited circle; but the incidents of his life which may be narrated will be largely representative and highly suggestive^ giving a clear insight into those long-departed years over w^hich the flight of time is fast spreading the deepening vail of oblivion.

There are now living but very few persons who were born wdth the century, and who were pioneers in the great movements which have distinguished it from all other centuries. The w^riter must soon pass aw'a}^, but before his long active brain and hand cease their functions he wishes to make a record of his times which may remain, and act for a time, at least, after his personal w^ork is finished. Some of the most important theological questions which were discussed and settled fifty years ago are being opened again for re-exami. nation. As the w^riter had a large share in the discussions of those times, a brief statement of the questions as then controverted and settled cannot fail to be interesting, and may save some labor to the disputants of the pres-

6 Preface.

ent day. Trutli is tlie same now that it was then, and, in the main, the same arguments which were successful in the defense of truth then will prove successful still if properly applied.

The fact that the Churches and ministers largely took the wrong side in the early discussion of the subject of slavery has passed into history, and this volume is not intended to add to that general history, but only to show the part the writer had in furnishing the facts of that history, having taken a very active part in the antislaveiy discussion. So large a portion of the writer's life was devoted to the antislavery cause that his biography would be defective and false if this were omitted.

With these brief explanations the narrative is submitted to a generous public.

Luther Lee.

Flint, Michigan, October^ 1881.

Contents

CHAPTER L

My Parentage Pago 15

CHAPTER 11.

My Childhood and Youth 17