tion, determined to ordain ministers for that purpose, and the conference accordingly, made choice of a committee who first ordained themselves, and then proceeded to ordain and set apart other preachers for the same office.

"On the 8th May, 1780, the conference was held at the Manakin Town, on James' River, where Mr. Asbury attended, and by his advice, it was agreed to suspend the administration of the ordinances for twelve months, and in the mean time to write to Mr. Wesley in England for his advice. This plan being adopted, the separation was stopped, and a happy union restored; and the preachers in the North and South were again united."

After this division was healed, Mr. Asbury travelled considerably through the different circuits in Virginia and North Carolina, where the preachers had been in favour of the new plan; but the division was soon healed, and the hearts of the preachers were closely united together.

CHAPTER III.

He serves a tour of duty in the army-Is put under guardReleased by the Colonel-Preaches to the army-Is appointed wagoner-Appointed Sergeant of the Pioneers-A tory hung-Apprehends an attack from the Enemy-Gets a discharge from the army, and returns home-Reflections.

MR. LEE, who heretofore had been quietly engaged in the pleasing task of cultivating the soil, and of improving his spare moments in striving to aid in the reformation of his fellow men, now is suddenly interrupted in his career by an imperious summons given by his country, to exchange the implements of agriculture for the weapons of war; or it must be recollected that at this juncture, America was engaged in a struggle for her national rights and liberties. The clarion of war had for several years been sounding on the continent; and the storm which had begun to gather in the northern, now began to lowr dreadfully over the southern and middle states. An invading foe was marching through the country, tracking his with blood and devastation. On all hands was way heard the sound of the martial trumpet, calling the friends of liberty to the banners of their country; but few who had arrived at the proper age were exempt from taking an active part in the conflict. The militia were drafted, and it fell to Mr. Lee's lot to go. How illy it accorded with his religious views and feelings, may be seen in the following extracts.

"I weighed the matter over and over again, but my mind was settled; as a Christian and as a preacher of the gospel I could not fight. I could not reconcile it to myself to bear arms, or to kill one of my fellow creatures; however I determined to go, and to trust in the Lord; and accordingly prepared for my journey. Monday July 17th, 1780, I left home and set out for the army, and travelled about 25 miles to Mr. Green Hill's, where I was kindly used-I tarried there all night.

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Wednesday 19th, I set off early in the morning and travelled about 16 miles to Mr. Hines'. In the afternoon we had much conversation on spiritual matters, and in the evening, felt my heart more engaged with God in prayer than usual. I felt my dependence upon God, and though I believed that great difficulties lay before me, yet I resigned myself into the hands of God, and felt assured that he would protect and take care of me.

"I did not join the army till the 29th. On the evening of that day I came in sight of the camp, and was soon called on parade, and orders were given for all the soldiers to be furnished with guns. I then lifted up my heart to God and besought him to take my cause in his hands, and support me in the hour of trial.

"The sergeant soon came round with the guns, and offered one to me, but I would not take it. Then the lieutenant brought me one, but I refused to take it. He said I should go under guard. He then went to the colonel, and coming back, brought a gun and set it down against me. I told him he had as well take it away or it would fall. He then took me with him and delivered me to the guard.

"After a while the colonel came, and taking me out a little way from the guard, he began to converse with me, and to assign many reasons why I should bear arms; but his reasons were not sufficiently cogent to make any alteration in my mind. He then told the guard to take care of me, and so left me.

Many of the people came and talked with me and pitied me, and would leave me with tears in their eyes. We lay encamped at a tavern a few miles from the site of what was afterwards the seat of government for North Carolina. After dark, I told the guard we must pray before we slept; and, having a Baptist under guard, I asked him to pray, which he did. I then told the people if they would come out early in the morning, I would pray with them. I felt remarkably happy in God under all my trouble, and did not doubt but that I should be delivered in due time. Some of the soldiers brought me some straw to lay upon, and offered me their blankets and great coats for covering. I slept pretty well that night, which was the first, and the last night I was ever under guard,

"Sunday 30th.-As soon as it was light, I was up and began to sing, and some hundreds of people soon assembled and joined with me, and we made the plantation ring with the songs of Zion. We then kneeled down and prayed; and while I was praying, my soul was happy in God, and I wept much and prayed loud, and many of the poor soldiers also wept. I do not think that I ever felt more willing to suffer for the sake of religion than what I did at that time.

"A little after we were done prayer, Mr. Thomas, the tavern keeper, came out and talked with me, and told me he was in bed when he heard me praying, that he could not refrain from tears, and he had called to

see me, and know if I would be willing to preach to them that day, it being sabbath? I told him I would preach provided he would procure a block, or something for me to stand upon; which he readily promised to do. I told him, withal, I wished him to go to the colonel, for we had no higher officer amongst us, and obtain leave for me to preach; which he did, and liberty was granted. It is but just to state, that Colonel Bru *** was a man of great humanity, although a profane swearer. When he heard that I was about to preach, it affected him very much, so he came and took me out to talk with me on the subject of bearing arms. I told him I could not kill a man with a good conscience, but I was a friend to my country, and was willing to do any thing that I could, while 1 continued in the army, except that of fighting. He then asked me if I would be willing to drive their baggage wagon? I told him I would, though I had never drove a wagon before; he said their main cook was a Methodist, and could drive the wagon when we were on a march, and I might lodge and eat with him; to which I agreed. He then released me from guard, and said when I was ready to begin meeting I might stand on a bench by his tent. When the hour arrived, I began under the trees, and took my text in Luke xiii. 5. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. After I had been speaking awhile it began to rain, and we were under the necessity of going into the house, where I resumed my discourse. I was enabled to speak plainly, and without fear; and I wept while endeavouring to declare my message. Many of the people, officers as well as men, were bathed in tears before I was done. That meeting afforded me an ample reward for all my trouble. At