CHAPTER II, A great revival in 1775-Obtains a deeper work of graceRemoves to North Carolina-Becomes an Exhorter and Class Leader-Extracts respecting the separation at Broken Back Church, and the happy union which followed. IN the year 1775, Messrs. Shadford, Drumgoole and Glendenning, succeeded Mr. R. Williams on Brunswick circuit, which, by this time, had become considerably enlarged. The labours of these three men were greatly blessed. Mr. Shadford preached in a bold, energetic style, searching the heart, and stripping the sinner and false professor, of every subterfuge; sometimes proclaiming the law from Sinai, to shake the conscience of the sinner, and then pointing him to the blood of Jesus Christ, to wash away his sins. Mr. Drumgoole's talents were nearly of the same class with the former, calculated to awaken the conscience, and awe the mind into reverence. Under the ministry of these men, Mr. Lee sat with great delight. "In the latter part of that year (says he,) we had the greatest revival of religion, I had ever seen. I have been at meetings where the whole congregation would be bathed in tears and sometimes their cries would be so loud that the preacher's voice could not be heard. Some would be seized with a frembling, and in a few moments drop on the floor as if they were dead; while others were embracing each other, with streaming eyes, and all were lost in wonder, love, and praise. "During that season, my soul was greatly blessed, and for the greater part of my time, I was 'strong in faith, giving glory to God.' I had such confidence in, and love to God, and his service, that I was willing to be any thing, or nothing, so that God might be all in all." He continued in a happy, and peaceful frame of mind until the spring of 1776, when he attended a quarterly meeting, held at Bisseau's Chapel, Dinwiddie County, where the Spirit of God was poured out in a remarkable manner; many souls were brought to the favour of God, and several persons professed sanctification. He now discovered that the blood of Christ could, indeed, cleanse from all sin. To use his own words, "I went home with a fixed determination to seek for a deeper work of grace, and to hope, and pray, and wait for that perfect love, which casteth out all fear, I did firmly believe that the Lord was both able, and willing, to save to the utmost all that would come to him. I felt a sweet distress in my soul for holiness of heart and life. I sensibly felt that while I was seeking for purity of heart, that I grew in grace, and in the knowledge of God. This concern of soul lasted for some time, till at length I could say, I have nothing but the love of Christ in my heart. I was assured that my soul was continually happy in God. The world, with all its charms, is crucified to me, and I am crucified to the world." It may be truly said that these different manifestations of the Spirit of God, were an evidence of a growth in grace, by which the soul ascends step after step, towards the Christian's eternal inheritance—a continual progress in the knowledge and love of God. His heart becoming thus the seat of holy affections, of love to God and men, we are not surprised that he should feel an anxious desire to do something for the good of souls. The Apostle of the Gentiles has represented the church of Christ as a body, having many members, and every member having not the same office. This metaphor may serve to illustrate the necessity of a faithful discharge of our duties, in the stations which a wise Providence has assigned us. Each one should use the gift which God has given him, knowing that all must be accountable for the improvement of the talents distributed in wisdom. "It Our brother Lee, as a member of the spiritual building of Christ, discovered the necessity of using the gifts which were conferred upon him, in endeavouring to promote the Redeemer's kingdom. And an ample field, at this time, opened to his view. He did not, indeed, at that time feel it his duty to preach, but he thought in the time of a revival, he might be the means of helping some poor broken hearted sinner, to claim an interest in the blood of Christ. was his desire, (he said,) to do all the good he could." A glorious revival was still carried on in his neighbourhood, and among his most intimate acquaintances and friends. He had frequent opportunities of pressing upon their minds the importance of religion, and the necessity of fleeing the wrath to come. And while some, whose hearts God had touched, were prostrate on the earth, crying for mercy, he would be engaged in pointing them to the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world. His zeal, however, would prompt him sometimes, to exhort in public, but his diffidence kept him from it, for a considerable time. It is supposed that from an impression of mind that it would one day be his duty to preach the gospel, he commenced the study of religious authors, not forgetting, at the same time, the study of the best of all books, the bible. By this course, his stock of useful knowledge was increased, and he was enabled to converse with more ease and perspicuity, on the subject of religion. In the year 1777; he makes mention of another glorious revival, which took place in his neighbourhood. Surely they were a highly favoured people, who, while suffering the privations which generally attend a state of warfare, (for this was in the midst of our revolutionary struggle,) should still be visited, several years in succession, with such great outpourings of the Spirit of God. In the latter part of this year, he, from mo tives of kindness to a near relation who was left in a widowed state, parted with his affectionate parents, and removed to North Carolina. In leaving, for the first time, his parental home, he felt all that sorrow which an affectionate son was capable of feeling, under such circumstances; for he always cherished a most affectionate regard for his aged father and mother, and in all his subsequent peregrinations from the first day he took leave of them to go to North Carolina until his death, he did not forget to visit them whenever an opportunity offered. We shall close this chapter with extracts from his journal, subjoining a few notes as occasion may offer. |