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CHAPTER II.

My first appointment, as a preacher, was at Provincetown. Previous to my going there, a few brethren used to assemble for prayer and reading the Scriptures.

The first Methodist minister that ever preached in Provincetown, was Rev. William Humbert, a Local Preacher. He was captain of a vessel, and, when on a voyage from New York to St. Johns, put in to Provincetown harbor, and being wind-bound, continued there several days. Some of his men went on shore and called at a public house, and in the course of the conversation mentioned that their captain was a preacher. This information was soon spread abroad among the people, and they immediately sent to Mr. Humbert, requesting him to preach. He accordingly appointed a meeting, and preached every evening while he stayed there.

The Spirit and power of God attended his labors, and several souls were awakened and converted through his instrumentality. Thus the good seed was sown, and a reformation took place.

They soon sent to Boston for a preacher, and the Rev. George Cannon was stationed there. The Methodist, at that time, suffered more persecution there than in any other place in the State.

Mr. Cannon labored very successfully, and soon formed a society, which continued to increase till they were sufficiently strong to build a meeting-house. They then purchased a frame ready fitted to raise. This was brought in a vessel and landed on the shore; they suffered it to remain there through the night, calculating to have it erected in its proper place on the following day but lo! when morning came, they found that their frame, in the course of the night, had been cut up, carried off, and destroyed.

The society was not to be discouraged at this. They soon procured another frame, and succeeded in erecting it; working in the day time, and keeping watch at night, till it was boarded. The house, though, like the walls of Jerusalem, built in troublous times, was soon finished. The work of the Lord went on, and the society prospered.

Bro. Lee visited them about this time. He was a plain, pointed and powerful preacher. While he was there, he preached from 1 Cor. xv. 34, "Awake to righteousness and sin not,

for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame."

In the course of his sermon he drew the similarity between a person in a natural sleep and the sinner asleep in his sins. He said, If a man has a number of children asleep, and wishes to arouse them, it will not do to say, Boys and girls, get up. No, he must call them out by name ; Tom, John, awake! Now, sinner, I must call you out by name. Tom, the swearer, wake up, or you will miss of heaven! Richard, the drunkard, wake up, or you will sink to everlasting wo! Thieves, wake up! Did I say thieves? Yes, thieves; for, who can say there are no thieves in Provincetown, when they stole the Methodist meeting-house frame, cut it up, and carried it off? Wake up, or you will lose your souls!"

Some of the men were present that assisted in taking away the frame, and afterward confessed that they expected every moment that he would expose them before the congregation. Several of these men embraced religion, and joined the Methodist church.

Mr. Lee was well calculated to plant churches; he was alike indifferent to the frowns or flatteries of men, and nothing would divert him from his purpose, when his duty was concerned.

He once had an appointment to preach in a

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certain town in the State of Maine. A physician residing in the place was requested, by some of the people, to wait on Mr. Lee, and forbid his preaching there. Accordingly the physician called on Mr. Lec, and, after the necessary introduction, said to him, "Sir, it is the opinion of our best thinking men that it will not do for you to preach here to-day." Said Bro. Lee, "Doctor, do your best thinking men condemn a man before they hear him. I shall preach in half an hour, and do you come and hear me." He never met with opposition in that place after that.

Mr. Lee was thought by some to be rather arbitrary in his disposition, and one might suppose that he was destitute of the finer feelings of our nature. But it was not so. He was naturally cheerful, and would sometimes weep like a child. I travelled with him many miles, was well acquainted with him, and ever found him a sincere, warm-hearted friend. The Lord blessed him in his ministry, and he was instrumental of much good.

I now commenced my labor in the ministry in Provincetown. After I had become acquainted with the people, whose kind attentions to me at that time I can never forget, it appeared like home, and I was perfectly contented and happy

in my situation. The reformation still went on,' and many precious souls were brought from darkness to light. I preached on the Sabbath, a part of the time, at Truro. There also the congregations were large, and the Word ran and was glorified. Bro. Lee was Presiding Elder. It was his request that I should be removed from Provincetown to Rhode Island, and another take my place. He brought a young man with him for that purpose, and I was exchanged. The people were very anxious to have me continue with them, and expostulated with Bro. Lee respecting it but nothing could move him from his purpose.

I found it hard parting with this dear people

many came to our lodging to bid us farewell. Bro. Lee prayed with, and sung the following hymn, which affected the people very much.

"The time draws nigh when you and 1

Are to be separated;

And this doth grieve our hearts to leave
Each other, and be parted.

But, brethren dear, don't let us fear,

We soon shall meet together;

When toils are o'er, we 'll part no more,
But reign with Christ forever."

I parted with Bro. Lee at Yarmouth. He had previously left several appointments for me to fulfil on my journey, and on my way I stopped

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