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

his request, though I was not fully determined against it. I then told him, if he found freedom, I wish
he would speak in Conference about the report above mentioned. So he went into Conference and
he spoke on the subject, and denied the charge, and said he was thankful for my past services, and
did wish for them in the Conference in the future. We traced the report till we fixed it on T_____
L_____, and he did not clear himself.
The reader can form his own opinion, after reading his journal, as to how Mr. Lee felt. One, not
too friendly to Mr. Lee, tells us that he lost many of his best friends, became irritable, and soon
began to show it in declining health. The bishops seem to have given him a sort of free hand, to
make his own appointment when he cared to and to substitute one in his stead when he liked. He was
constantly on the go, and traveled from Georgia to Canada. He found time to write and publish a life
of his brother John in 1803, and in 1809-10 compiled and published the first history of Methodism
in America. lie was a fleshy man (weighing the last few years of his life about two hundred and fifty
pounds), of florid complexion, rather small features, and small blue eyes. As a speaker he had few
if any equals -- that is, in moving a crowd to laughter, tears, and action. He spoke mostly in
monosyllables and short sentences, and one who knew him well says: "The effects of his speaking,
when the Spirit fell upon him, baffled all description." The same writer says: "I have seen a
Conference weeping around him like children while he was relating the progress of God within his
presidency."
He was twice elected Chaplain of Congress. His fellowship with the Congressmen, many of
whom were old friends, was very delightful to him. Some of his brethren censured him for seeking
this place, and thought he neglected his regular work -- which he did, unless he had a substitute.
Neither did he escape criticism in 1810, when he brought out his book, "A Short History of
Methodism in the United States of America from 1766 to 1809," of which this volume is a reprint.
But in publishing this history he rendered the Methodists an invaluable service. It is to-day used as
a source book by many students of American history. Bishop Asbury, his friend and brother, with
whom he had been intimately associated for forty years, died on March 31, 1816. Mr. Lee was very
much grieved by the loss of his friend, and it is probable that this hastened his own end. On
September 12, 1816, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, in great peace with God and his fellow man,
and especially with those whom he felt had not treated him right, the noble spirit of Jesse Lee took
its flight to the land of glory to rest from labor and receive the reward of faithful work well done.