History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886, Part 3

Author: Allen, Stephen, 1810-1888; Pilsbury, William Hacket, 1806-1888
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Augusta, Press of C. E. Nash
Number of Pages: 1146

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At the Ellis meeting house, May 6, 1783, he was received on trial into the conference. This year he preached with marked success. He writes : "I preached at Mr. Spain's with great liberty ; The spirit of the Lord came upon us, and we were bathed in tears." "I preached at Howel's chapel from Ezek. XXXIII : 11, 'Say unto them, as I live saith the Lord, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked.' . . I saw so clearly that the Lord was willing to bless the people, even while I was speaking, that I began to feel dis- tressed for them. .

. . After stopping and weeping for sometime, I began again, but had spoken but a little while before the cries of the people overcame me, and I wept with them so that I could not speak. I found that love had tears as well as grief." From this time he labored on different circuits, with like successs. and was now regarded as an important man in the connexion. December 12, 1784, he was invited to meet Coke, What- coat and Vasey, at the celebrated Christmas conference of 1784, at Baltimore, when, with the aid of these persons, ordained for this purpose, the Methodist Episcopal church was organized.

Lee could not attend this conference on so short notice, but was immediately after requested by Bishop Asbury to travel with him in a Southern tour. This was an important event for Lee. He preached for the Bishop at Georgetown and Charleston. At Cheraw he met with a merchant, who gave him such information of New England as awakened in him an eager desire to transfer his labors to that region.

In 1786, he was appointed to Kent Circuit, Maryland; 1787, Baltimore; 1788, Flanders Circuit, embracing a portion of New Jersey and New York. At the conference held in New York May 28, 1789, Lee was appointed to Stamford Circuit in Connecticut; and now began his career in New England, which continued for eleven years. New England, from the natural temperament of its inhabitants, and their previous theological education, was a hard field for the introduction of Methodism, into which it had not hitherto ventured with a set purpose of permanent occupancy. The dearth of earnest religious interest which succeeded the revivals under Edwards, Whitefield and Tennant, as well as the prevalent reactionary tendency to rationalism, furnished sufficient demand for the zealous preaching of the Methodists. They felt themselves called to a special mission, in upholding their form of doctrine concerning entire sanctification in this life; but their views on the subject of free will were greatly misunderstood, being confounded with Pelagianism. The dominant theology therefore gave the Methodist preachers but a cold reception. Lee preached at Norwich, first in the street, but was subsequently both in this and other places, allowed the use of the court-house, and sometimes the meeting-house.

At Stratford, he formed the first class, consisting of three women, September 26, 1787.

LIFE AND CHARACTER OF JESSE LEE.

At Reading December 28, he formed another class of two. Thus at the end of seven months' labor, he had secured five members in society! But the spirit with which he labored appears in his journal as follows : " I love to break up new ground, and hunt the lost souls in New England, though it is hard work; but when Christ is with me, hard things are made easy and rough ways made smooth." After preaching to a large con- gregation on one occasion, he was, as usual, left to find shelter where he could, and as he records, rode through the storm, " my soul transported with joy, the snow falling, the wind blowing, prayer ascending, faith increasing, grace descending, heaven smiling, and love abounding." In February, 1790 he received three helpers, - Bush, Roberts and Smith,- and formed the New Haven Circuit.

In July 9, of this year, he went to Boston, but finding no house opened, he preached on the Common to three thousand hearers. He often returned to this city, but no society was there till July 13, 1792. He had better success elsewhere, and constantly labored throughout New England in supervising the work, till the General Conference of 1796 From that time till 1800, he continued his labors, part of the time in New England, amid great difficulties, frequent theological controversies and no small degree of persecution. The subsequent portion of his life he spent mostly in the South, in earnest and successful labor, as pastor and presiding elder, preferring, says his biographer, the former position.

At the General Conference held May 6, 1800, Lee came near being elected Bishop. Whatcoat being chosen over him by only four votes. He scems to have had no ambition' for ecclesiastical promotion. During the years 1812, 1813, 1814, he served as chaplain in the House of Representatives in Washington, and in 1814, he was chaplain of the Senate. He favored the proposition to make the office of Presiding Elder elective, and opposed the principle of ordaining local preachers to elders orders.

He continued his active labors till 1616, but his labors closed this year by death, at the age of fifty-eight, September 12. Lee was a man of rare ability, eminently fitted for the work to which he was providentially called,- a Bishop without the imposition of hands for that office.

Dr. Abel Stevens (History of Methodist Episcopal Church, IV, 510, 511,) thus describes Jesse Lee :

A man of vigorous mind, of rare popular eloquenee and tireless energy, an itinerant evangelist from the British Provinces to Florida for thirty-five years, a chief counsellor of the church in its annual and general conferences ; founder of Methodism in New Eng- land. He lacked only official office, to give bim rank with Coke and Asbury. Asbury early chose him for the position of Bishop. Some two or three times, it seemed likely that he would be elected to it. But his manly independence and firmness of opinion, in times of party strife, was made the occasion of his defeat. In public service he may be fairly ranked next to Asbury, and as founder and apostle of Eastern Methodism, he is above any official rank.

The same author in another place thus describes him :

Lee was noted for his wit, which served him with felicitous advantage, in his encounters with opponents. It flowed, in a genial and permanent stream from his large heart, and played most vividly, in his severest hardships, but was full of tender humanity and affectionate piety. His rich sensibility, rather than any remarkable intellectual powers, made him one of the most eloquent and popular preachers of the day. He possessed uncommon colloquial powers, and a fascinating address. His readiness at repartee was searcely equalled. By the skillful use of this talent, he often taught those who were disposed to be witty at his expense, that the safest way to deal with him, was to be civil.

He was fired with missionary zeal, and was a man of great moral

CHARACTER OF JESSE LEE.

courage. The heroic Bishop William Taylor, now in charge of a mission in the interior of Congo-Land, in many respects, answers to this description of Jesse Lce.

Lee was a man of vigorous physique, imposing presence and great power of endurance. In weight, about two hundred and fifty pounds. In traveling, he rode horse-back, and like most other eireuit riders of those times, he was a skillful horseman. In most of his travels, two horses were required for his use ; eaeh for a relay, when the other became fatigued. The horses were trained so that they would eome to him at his call ; and each would follow the other. So completely did the horses understand their duty, that if any person attempted to frighten away the companion horse, the indignant animal, witli a show of teeth and heels, would drive away the intruder, and the itinerant rode on without further molestation. 4

A spirited man usually rides a spirited horse, and the horse and his rider often beeame strongly attached to each other. Lee's horses were kindly treated, and seemed to be in sympathy with the heroic labors of their master.

Lee's outfit consisted of the inevitable saddle-bags, stored with bible, hymn book, a few other books, and a needful supply of clothing. In his journal we have no account of his commisariat. There was no missionary society or wealthy friend to honor his drafts, in time of need. He went forth from conviction of duty at the command of his superior in office, relying upon Providenee to open his way, and supply his wants. He went among strangers, preaching, singing and pray- ing, in barns, sehool-houses, or in the open air, wherever he could obtain an audience ; forming elasses whenever two or three were will- ing to unite with the society. Lee and many other of the early itinerants were good singers ; and the admirable lyries of Charles Wesley were used by them, with wonderful effeet. The wretehed doggerel so mueh used at the present time, in our social meetings, had not then come into fashion. Lee's impassioned sermons, fervid prayers and grand singing drew erowds to hear him. His genial manners and ready wit, made him an agreeable guest in the families of the people, especially in the rural neighborhoods. He was often eoldly received in the villages, and he sometimes encountered violent opposition from the settled pastors, who regarded him as a visionary enthusiast, and denouneed his doetrines as pestilent heresy. This opposition was undoubtedly often honest, though the result of prejudiee ;

4 Letter of Rev. J. Perrin.

JESSE LEE AS AN EVANGELIST.

the Arminianism of Wesley being mistaken for Pelagianism. He was often challenged to discuss " principles," but generally evaded controversy, or repelled assaults with some short witty rejoinder. He proclaimed, with great force, a free and full salvation, and with great power, exhorted sinners to repent.

In this manner, he had explored all the New England states except the province of Maine ; and had organized societies ; and now, about the first of September, 1793, he is ready to commence the reconnois- sance of his newly formed circuit.

To a worldly mind, the enterprise which Lee was entering upon, must have seemed, in the highest degree, Quixotic.

He left Lynn (writes Mr. Stevens, Memorials of Methodism), on Thursday, September 5th, and on Saturday was in Portsmouth. His former visits had proeured him steadfast friends who greeted his return; they endeavored to obtain the court-house for him to preach in, but it was refused. The next day (Sabbath) he walked to it, with a few friends, but the authorities still denied him the privilege of using it. They knew not the spirit of the man, however, and only secured him a better hearing by their discourtesy. He coolly ascended to the step of the door of the Court-House and began. When he commenecd, he had but twelve hearers; but they soon began to flock together, and swelled to some hundreds before he concluded. They erowded into several adjacent streets, and listencd with solemnity and manifest emotion, while he declared to them, with mueh freedom, "the acceptable year of the Lord."

The next day (September 6), he was "off early, crossed the river and for the first time entered the Province of Maine." The following sketch of his travels and preaching in Maine, during this first visit, is gathered from Lee's History of the Methodists and Stevens' Memorials.

The first Methodist sermon that was preached in this Province was on the tenth of September, 1793, in a little village ealled Saeo. I put up at Dr. Fairfield's and preached at night, in another house, from Aets 13 :41,- " Bchold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish," &c. I had the house mueh erowded with attentive hearers, and felt the assist- ance of the Holy Ghost in preaching to them.

From Saco he went to Portland, September 12, where by the kind influence of some persons, Rev. Mr. Kellogg's meeting-house was opened for him. From Portland he passed on to Freeport, and preached September 13th to as many as were willing to hear. From thence he went to Bath, September 15, where he probably spent several days, and preached three times. He then crossed the Kennebec river and rode to Newcastle, thence to Thomaston, to Union, about September 25, where he preached in the barn of Rufus Gillmore, crossed the Penob- scot river, and lodged at Abraham Stovers in the town of Penobscot, September 29. He then went to a little village called Baggaduce Neck ; but finding it would be difficult to travel much further on horse-back, and the settlements being very thin, he returned to the town of Penobscot,

LEE COMPLETES HIS FIRST SURVEY OF MAINE.

where he sent out an appointment and preached on the Sabbath. He then rode to Major Buck's in Bucktown (Bucksport), October 1. IIc then passed up the river within a few miles of the Indian settle- ment and returned to Orrington, October 5 ; to Hampden, October 6 ; and to Frankfort, October 7. Here they received him gladly, and strove hard to retain him among them, but though they offered to hire him to come and settle among them the ensuing spring, "it had" says hc, " no weight with mc, for I am no hireling."

The inhabitants upon the Penobscot, at that time, were principally new settlers, destitute of any regular preaching, and were, therefore, the more thankful for the visit from Mr. Lec. From this place he passed on to Unity, October 7th, and to Hallowell on the 13th, where he preached in the Academy. In most, if not all the places above named, Lee undoubtedly preached, though this is not specifically stated in the hasty description of his journey. From Hallowell he proceeded to Farmington, October 15th, and put up at the tavern of Moses Starling, Esq., and preached in the evening in the tavern to a company of the neighbors who were called together. The next day, October 16, he was conducted to the house of Stephen Titcomb, Esq., in the lower part of the town, where he was entertained till the next morning, October 17th, when he returned by way of New Sharon, Mount Vernon the 18th, Readfield the 19th, Winthrop the 21st, Monmouth the 22d, preaching as he went, to Hallowell, where he again preached in the Academy, probably October 23.

"Although," says Lee, " I was a perfect stranger and had to make my own appointments, I preached almost every day, and had crowded assemblies to hear. After viewing the country, I thought the most proper place to form a circuit would be on the west side of the Ken- nebec river. This circuit was accordingly formed, extending from Hallowell to the Sandy river, and called Readfield circuit."

The bold explorer thus takes possession of this territory for Meth- odism, though as yet there was no Methodist society and no member of the Methodist church within its limits.

Having completed the tour of observation and evangelical labor, Lee returned from Hallowell through Portland, to Lynn which was then a sort of headquarters of Methodism in New England, near the last of October, 1793. He had awakened a lively interest by his preaching. His fame had spread beyond the line of his travels, and thic people were prepared to welcome him on his return to this fronticr circuit.

LEE'S VISITS TO MAINE.

CHAPTER II.

LEE'S SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH VISITS TO MAINE. VISITS SIDNEY, FAY- ETTE, LIVERMORE, WAYNE, CHESTERVILLE, JAY, VASSALBOROUGH, CHINA, WINSLOW, NORRIDGEWOCK, CANAAN, CLINTON, FAIRFIELD, GREENE, NEW VINEYARD, FARMINGTON, STRONG, AVON, LEEDS, LEWISTON. LEE'S THIRD VISIT : AT MAJOR ILSLEY'S. GRAY, GREENE, MONMOUTH. MEETS WAGER. READFIELD, REV. ISAAC CASE. STRONG, FARMINGTON, INDUSTRY, NEW VINEYARD, STARK, ANSON, OLD POINT, VIENNA, READFIELD. THE LORD'S SUPPER. HALLOWELL, PITTSTON, NEW MILFORD, LEEDS, MONMOUTHI. RETURNS WEST. LEE'S FOURTH VISIT : AT MAJOR ILSLEY'S. PORTLAND, MONMOUTH, READFIELD, UNITY, BANGOR. CROSSING FERRY WITH TWO BOATS. ORRINGTON, BUCKSPORT, CALAIS, NEW BRUNSWICK. DEDICATION OF MEETING-HOUSE AT READFIELD. GOES TO CONFERENCE AT NEW LONDON

Mr. Lee, after his return to Lynn, about the last of October, remained in the vicinity of that place until January, 1794. His jour- nal gives but a hasty and imperfect sketch of his travels and labors. The first notice we have of him, is in the following sketch in the History of the Methodists, namely :

On the 29th of January, 1794, we preached for the first time in Sidney ; on the 11th day of February in Fayette; on the 12th in Livermore; on the 14th iu Wayne; on the 21st in Chesterville ; on the 26th in Jay ; on the 5th of March in Vassalborough; on the 7th in Harlem (China) ; on the 9th in Winslow; on the 11th in Norridgewock; on the 12th in Canaan; on the 12th in Clinton; on the 13th in Fairfield; on the 6th day of April in Greene; on the 2d of June in New Vineyard; on the 16th in Strong; on the 17th in Avon; on the 3d of July in Leeds ; on the 14th in Lewiston; on the 3d day of December we first preached in Stark ; on the 4th in Anson.1

Mr. Lee's record of his labors is brief and imperfect. After his visit to New Vineyard, above mentioned, he visited Farmington, of which he gives no account, and preached on the Sabbath in Deacon Tufft's barn, near Farmington Falls, to a large congregation. A lad about fourteen years of age" walked about eight miles through the woods to hear the famous evangelist. The text was Cant. 6:10, "Who is she that looketh forth as the morning," &c. The sermon was described as one of great power, The lad above referred to, as well as the congregation, was deeply impressed ; his conviction at length

1 Lee's History of the Methodists.

2 The lad was William Allen, late of Norridgewock, Maine.

LEE AS PRESIDING ELDER.

ripened to conversion. He subsequently became a man of marked business ability, filled many responsible positions ; and for many years was an active official member of the Methodist church.

Lee attended the conference which commenced July 25, 1794 ; also, soon afterwards, the conference at Wilbraham. These two sessions of the same conference in one year were held to accommodate the preachers in this extensive field of labor. The second conference session is described as an occasion of extraordinary interest. This might have been expected, from the eminent ability of the men who composed it. Asbury, Lee, Roberts, Wilson Lee, Ostrander, Pickering, Taylor and Hall were men of rare ability. They had come from various hard fields of labor flushed with success.

The proceedings, as described by those who participated in themn, were characterized by " dispatch of business, incessant public worship, and daily preaching." "Sunday was a high festival. The services commenced at 8 o'clock, A. M. The first hour was spent in prevailing prayer, and singing the rapturous hymns of the poet of Methodism." After a stirring sermon by Bishop Asbury, several preachers were ordained and the Lord's Supper was administered. The whole occa- sion was a wonderful Pentecost from which the preachers went to their appointments inspired with quenchless zeal.

Lee's appointment this year was to the office of presiding elder. His district comprehended nominally Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine, but virtually, the whole Methodist interest in New England. A year of extraordinary labor was before him ; " but sustained by a zeal as steady as it was ardent, he went forth to it, like a giant to run a race." 3

Philip Wager was appointed to Maine. The new ecclesiastical year in New England began with two districts and part of another ; eighteen circuits and stations and thirty preachers. Lee set out from Lynn on the 3d of November, 1794, and arrived at Portland on the 7th, and stopped at Major Ilsley's, who engaged the court house, where he preached in the evening from 1st Tim. 5 :22, to a large and attentive congregation. He lodged with "Friend Cobb, a Quaker, who was quite reconciled to prayers night and morning." Sunday 9th he preached at Mr. Randall's in Gray ; he " had liberty in preaching and the people paid great attention," and at two o'clock in the afternoon he preached again, and then rode to Gloucester and preached at four o'clock. "The people were much moved by the sermon." Wednesday

3 Stevens' History of the M. E. Church.

LEE'S JOURNEYS.

the 12th of November, he preached at Mr. Sprague's in Greene, from Phil. 2:15. He "had a small congregation and but little life in speaking." He then passed on to Esq. Dearborn's in Monmouth and passed the night at his house. He was greatly delighted in learning that many persons " had been awakened and converted within a short time past." "Thursday, he met P. Wager and was greatly pleased with the aeeount he gave of the prospect of the work of God on the eircuit." At two o'clock he " preached at Capt. Hopkins' tavern ; and the Lord moved upon the hearts of many of the people. Brother Wager exhorted with freedom." He also met the elass recently formed consisting of about fifteen persons. This was the first class formed in Maine. 4

Saturday, November 15th, he rode to Nathaniel Whittier's in Read- field. On the Sabbath he preached twiee at Mr. Hutchens', "and the people were much melted under the word." He then went to Mr. N. Whittier's and met the class. This was the second class formed in Maine, consisting of about seventeen members; then at dark lie preached from 1 Thes. 1:5. "Many were present ; a good time in preaching."

Monday, 17, he remained "in town all day, and went to look at our meeting-house ; it is almost covered in." "Through my influence," says Lee, " the people began the house last summer, and now it is nearly ready to preach in. It is the first Methodist meeting-house ever built in Maine." "Here," says Lee, "Antinomianism has mueh prevailed for a few years among the Baptists. Their minister, Isaac Case, a good old man, often says of his followers, that they are Case-hardened. They are greatly afraid the Methodists will do much harm.

" Wednesday, November 26," says Lee, "I set out for Sandy River. It was a lonesome road ; at one place there was no house for seven miles." The weather was extremely cold, so that he was obliged to draw his mitten over the toe of his shoe " to keep it from freezing." He ealled at Esq. Titeomb's and took dinner, "and as no appointment had been given out for him to preach, he passed on to Esq. Read's in Middletown (Strong). It was dark when he arrived, and he was extremely chilled.

Thursday, November 27, the neighbors were collected together and he gave them a sermon from Col. 3 :14. " It was a delightful season," writes Lee, " my heart was humbled within me before God, and the

4 From Thrift's Memoirs.

WINTER TOUR THROUGH THE WOODS.

people were melted to tears." In the afternoon he went towards Farmington ; on the way he met a company of women who had been to a meeting, onc of whom was praising God for his goodness. The women had probably been at a Free-Will Baptist meeting, as no other denomination, at that time, besides the Methodists, were in the habit of indulging in such kind of rapture.

Mr. Lee came to Mr. Bradford's at Farmington, and at 3 o'clock, he preached from John 4:14. "Here," writes Lee, "the Lord was pleased to visit us again with his blessed presence. Tears flowed from many eyes, and it seemed to be a time of love." Lee was never satisfied unless he witnessed such melting moods in his congregation.

On Monday, Lee having procured a guide,5 set out on an excursion through the new settlements of Industry, New Vineyard, Stark and Anson. The snow continued to fall during the day.

They rode first to the Gore, which was then in Industry, to Deacon Cornelius Norton's, a Congregationalist. Deacon Norton not being able to entertain the travelers on account of the sickness of his wife, they obtained some food, prayed with the family, and went on ; arriv- ing after dark at Daniel Luce's, where they lodged. Lee preached in the morning at Mr. Luce's. "The people heard with attention, and with tears in their eyes." After meeting they traveled " over a very bad road to Captain Daggett's, in the east part of the town, and were kindly entertained." Captain Daggett heard Lee's sermon a few years previously, on the Boston Common. He had recently removed to this new country, with some of his neighbors, from Martha's Vineyard. We may well suppose the meeting, in his wilderness home, was a cordial one.

Wednesday, the 3d, they " rode through the woods to the mouth of Sandy River. Some part of the way they had no path at all, but had to follow the "chops" in the trees ; the snow was ten inches deep ; the traveling was disagreeable. About noon they saw a house which was the first seen on the way ; they rode to it and went in. Lee talked to the man and his wife on the subject of religion ; they were quite solemn. They then came to Mr. B. Hilton's, just before night, where Mr. Lee introduced himself. The neighbors were called together and he preached to them from John 3:20 ; the people listened with atten- tion and thankfulness.

Thursday, December 4th, they "rode up the Kennebec river to

" The guide who accompanied Mr. Lee on this journey is supposed to have been Capt. John Thompson of Industry. Letter of Rev. John Perrin.

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History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886, Part 3

Author: Allen, Stephen, 1810-1888; Pilsbury, William Hacket, 1806-1888 Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Augusta, Press of C. E. Nash Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Allen, Stephen, 1810-1888; Pilsbury, William Hacket, 1806-1888
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Augusta, Press of C. E. Nash
Number of Pages: 1146