A Short History Of The Methodists... - Media Sabda Org

The latter part of that year he went, through motives of benevolence, to North Carolina to render
assistance to a widowed relative. He felt that this was a providential mission, because it gave him
an opportunity to exercise his gifts of public speaking with more freedom than among his relatives
and close friends. He made a visit back home, but returned to North Carolina at the end of the year.
He began the next year by entering into business with a man from whom he expected much help
by way of encouragement in his Christian experience. While engaged in business he preached his
first sermon on November 17, 1779, shortly thereafter he preached again, and from that time "just
turned himself loose."
During 1780 Mr. Asbury traveled through that part of the country where Mr. Lee lived, visiting,
preaching, and patching up the first division in Methodism in America-namely, that which occurred
at Broken Back Church, in Virginia, in 1779, over the question of administering the sacraments. John
Dickens, who was his circuit preacher, used Mr. Lee to supply for him in order that he might finish
some writing that he was engaged in. This gave Mr. Lee an opportunity to try out what was to
become before long his beloved employ the work of a traveling preacher.
It must be remembered that the colonists were at this time engaged in the Revolutionary War for
freedom. The struggle had been going on for four years, and they were almost broken in spirit,
exhausted in munitions, and the ranks greatly depleted. They were making the last rally for victory;
men were sought for almost with out regard to age or vocation. Mr. Lee was no exception; he was
drafted.
"I weighed the matter over and over again; but my mind was settled as a Christian, and as a
preacher I could not fight." On July 27 he left home for the army, which he joined on the 29th. Then
his troubles began; he would neither take a gun nor go to parade, but did have to go to the
guardhouse. The captain of the company took him to one side and argued the case with him, but to
no purpose. The officer gave many reasons why all should bear arms at that time. But Brother Lee
was still obstinate, feeling that the reasons were not sufficient, so he was then turned back to the
guard. The next morning the camp was aroused by the praying of the prisoner. He must have prayed
rather loudly, because he awoke a hotel keeper in the neighborhood who came afterwards and told
him that his praying had affected him seriously. In a short while the army was moved from North
Carolina down into South Carolina and camped on the Pee-dee. Mr. Lee's Journal gives us some idea
as to how he carried on in that camp. "On Sunday, August 16, we lay by and did not march. About
three o'clock in the afternoon I preached to a large number of the soldiers from Isaiah iii. 10, 11.
Some of the hearers were very solemn." After this the colonel came to argue with him the question
of bearing arms; but to no purpose, except that Mr. Lee did agree to drive the baggage wagon, or
maybe was employed to go along with it and care for the luggage. A little later he was appointed
sergeant of the pioneers; but this did not last long, for he received his discharge from the army on
October 29, 1780. He was not disloyal to the cause of freedom, but felt that he could not fight in the
ranks. He was willing to do anything in his power to aid in the struggle going on -- that is, he would
do anything except fight.