He was born in Prince-George's county, state of Virginia, in 1758. In the fifteenth year of his age he was brought to a saving knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus. Being then brought under the special protection of God he was graciously preserved from those youthful vanities and vices by which so many are corrupted; and was gradually matured for future usefulness in the church of God.

In the year 1783 he joined the Methodist itinerating ministry, and received his first station on Caswell circuit. The Methodists at that time were few, but little known in the world, and, like the primitive Christians, much persecuted by the ignorant and profane. Indeed, the name became a convenient term of obloquy and detraction, so that those who were distinguished by this appellation, were generally objects of reproach and contempt. Acting, however, under a conviction of his duty to God and to his fellow-men, Mr. Lee was content to suffer reproach for Christ's sake, knowing that this was far preferable to the enjoying the pleasures of sin for a season.

Though not regularly educated for the gospel ministry, nor possessed of those rare talents which command the admiration of mankind, yet he exhibited much native genius, had a clear understanding of the method of salvation by grace, and evinced an ardent love to the souls of men. This led him, in the days of his youth, to renounce, not only the hidden things of dishonesty, but also many of the lawful enjoyments and conveniences of social life, by submitting to the privations of an itinerating life, connected with a ministry which offered no temptations to ease, luxury, wealth or worldly honour; but, on the contrary, drew with it much labour, poverty, and in the estimation of the wise and prudent, disgrace and infamy; but in his own estimation, and all those truly devoted to God, he was seeking for "glory, and honour, and immortality."

After travelling through various parts of Virginia and Maryland, and preaching with much success, in 1789 he visited New-England, travelling through Connecticut, Massachusetts, and the Province of Maine. Though in these parts of the country he had to encounter many difficulties, most of which arose from the strong prejudices of the people against the peculiarities of Methodism, he succeeded in forming a number of circuits, including more or less of societies. He had not been long in this country, such was the success of his labours, before he sent to Mr. Asbury for additional labourers, which were sent to assist him in his arduous work. On his first entrance into New-England, not being admitted into houses, he often preached in the open air, sometimes at the front of Meeting houses after the regular worship on Sabbath days was ended. This bold method of proclaiming salvation in the name of Jesus, being attended with signal blessings in awakening sinners, soon introduced him to the notice of the people, and gave him an opportunity of explaining more minutely the doctrines and discipline of the people with whom he was connected.

In 1796 he was appointed Presiding Elder of New-England, and continued in that station, greatly beloved by the preachers and people, and witnessing the blessed effects of his intrepidity in spreading the gospel amidst various oppositions, until 1799, when he became a travelling companion of bishop Asbury. Such were his persevering efforts in that country, and the success that attended his ministerial labours, that he has been justly styled the APOSTLE OF NEW-ENGLAND. Many, no doubt, will rise up in that day, and call him blessed. The first MeetingHouse which was erected in Connecticut, in the town of Stratfield, Reading circuit, out of respect to him, was called Lee's Chapel; and to perpetuate the memory of the man to whom, un-der God, they owe so much, though they have abandoned the first and built another in its place, they have retained the name.

After leaving this scene of his ministerial career, actuated by the same philanthropic spirit which first led him into the field of labour, he continued his exertions in various places, often filling the office of Presiding Elder, in New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, until the year 1816, when he was stationed in Annapolis, from which station the angel of death summoned him away to his eternal rest and reward.

In such high estimation was this eminent servant of God held by his brethren in the ministry, that when an additional superindent was wanting, in the year 1800, on the second balloting, between him and Richard Whatcoat there was a tie; and on the third, Mr. W. was elected by a majority of only four votes. Though we have no reason to regret this final decision, as Mr. Whatcoat filled his high station with apostolie dignity and usefulness, giving great satisfaction to preachers and people, yet we ought not to forget the man who had inspired, by his upright deportment and persevering exertions in the cause of God, such confidence in his brethren. Abating somewhat of our reverence on account of some of those infirmities, (not sins, for of his moral and religious integrity who ever doubted?) which distinguish fallen beings from angelic intelligences, and adding to his character those laurels which the malevolent tongue of detraction would subtract from his well-earned fame, we shall form a just estimate of his worth; and shall be pleased in contemplating a man who united in himself much primitive simplicity and gravity with occasional sallies of wit and humour, and which tended at once to inspire respect, and to invite to familiar interchange of thought and sentiment.

We will now turn and follow this persevering saint and primitive Methodist preacher to the closing scene of his life, and see if that will not afford us additional evidence of his entire devotedness to the cause of Jesus Christ. On the 21st of August 1816, he attended a Camp-Meeting in Hillsborough, on the eastern shore of Maryland; and on Thursday, the 22nd he preached with his usual zeal, simplicity, and perspicuity, on 1 Pet. ii. 5. "Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house," &c. and on Saturday, he addressed a large, serious, and much affected congregation, on "But grow in grace." Such were the effects produced by this his last sermon, that it will not soon be forgotten.

The same evening a fever seized his frame, and it continued to increase in violence until it put a period to his present mode of existence. Under the hospitable roof of brother Sellers, where he was removed on Sabbath morning, he experienced the unremitting kindness of his friends; but neither their attentions, nor the skill of the physician could arrest the progress of his disease, nor afford him any hope of recovery. During the first days of his illness, his mind, hitherto buoyed up by a healthful body and a consciousness of the divine approbation, seemed to suffer a temporary depression, and he spoke but little. This however was only a prelude to a more joyful state of mind. On Tuesday night, Sept. 10, calm as the summer's evening, and elated by the prospect of soon entering the harbour of eternal repose, he burst forth in extacies of divine rapture. Also on the succeeding day, he reiterated the language which resounded from the lips of the angels while announcing the birth of his Saviour, crying, glory! glory! glory! and then added, Hallelujah! Jesus reigns. On the same evening he spoke about twenty minutes, deliberately and distinctly; and among other things, he requested brother Henry Boehm, who was participating with him, as far as he could, in his sufferings and joys, to write a letter to his brother, to let him know that he died happy in the Lord, and that he felt grateful for the kind attentions of his host, in whose house he ended his race.

To bishop M'Kendree he wished to be particularly remembered, saying, "tell him I die in love with all the preachers, that I love him, and that he lives in my heart." Having thus confirmed his love to the superintendent of the church, he took an affectionate leave of all present, requesting them to pray. This was a solemn season. After this he spoke but little; and on Thursday his speech failed, though his reason remained apparently unimpaired. He lingered on the shores of time until half past 7 o'clock, when, without any signs of distress, but with the utmost tranquility of mind, his spirit took its flight to the regions of the blessed.

Those who have made a public record of his death, express themselves in this strong language, which certainly indicates the firmest confidence in his integrity, (viz.) that he "sincerely endeavoured to promote the glory of God and the happiness of mankind."

In 1810, Mr. Lee published "A history of the Methodists," which appears to be a faithful, and in many respects a very par

ticular, narrative of their rise and progress; and though barren of those incidents which give life and animation to history, yet it may be considered as an important chronological index to future historians who may attempt a more amplified narration of this widely extended people. He is also the compiler of the Life of John Lee, his brother, one of the primitive Methodist Preachers.

Mr. Lee, as he advanced in life, became quite corpulent, which was more the effect of a sound constitution and constant moderate exercise, than otherwise; for he was always temperate in his living. With his intimate friends, he was frank and familiar, and could enliven conversation with sudden strokes of wit, and amusing anecdotes, which, however, always had a religious tendency. His appearance in the pulpit was plain, yet dignified, simple, but commanding. His style was unadorned with the flowers of rhetoric, but his sermons abounded with apposite quotations of scripture, often enlivened by the introduction of anecdote, and made impressive by familiar and striking illustrations. By the application of plain truth to the conscience, he strove to lead his audience to a knowledge of themselves and to God, though it might be at the expense of his own reputation as a systematical preacher. He never affected the orator for the purpose of dazzling his hearers with the glare of eloquence. And if, in the estimation of some, he sometimes descended from the dignity of his solemn subject, by pert observations, he generally reclaimed himself by suddenly regaining the gravity of the minister of God, and urging upon his hearers the necessity of holy living. Sometimes, as if instan neously roused by inspiration or a sense of the tremendous importance of his subject, he burst forth in those impassioned exclamations, which are rather calculated to overwhelm with aston-ishment, than to convince the judgment by the force of argument. These instances, however, were rare; for his preaching generally resembled a smooth flowing stream, keeping within its natural bounds, but now and then having its smooth surface disturbed by passing a gentle declivity over a pebbled bottom. It therefore gradually and imperceptibly instilled itself into the understanding, and won the heart by its own native force, rather than by any sudden effort of the orator's tongue. But the best praise of his preaching is its effects. Many thereby were convinced of error and brought to the knowledge of the truth. The unction of the Holy One attended his word and made it life and salvation to the soul. And those who were thus captivated on the side of truth, are the best evidences of his talents as a preacher of Christ; and while they offer themselves as so many trophies of the cross of Christ which Jesse Lee elevated, they shall embalm his memo⚫ry with their tears of gratitude to God that He ever sent such a man to preach unto them Jesus and the resurrection.

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Scripture Illustrated.

ILLUSTRATION OF ACTS XX. 17.

And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church.

THESE are called επισκοποι, bishops, ver. 28. By the πρεσβύτερος Presbyters or Elders; here, we are to understand, all that were in authority in the church, whether they were επισκοποι, Bishops or Overseers; or seniors in years, knowledge, and experience. The πρεσβύτεροι, or Elders, were probably the first order in the church; an order which was not so properly constituted; but which rose out of the state of things. From these Presbuteroi, the Episcopoi, overseers or superintendents, were selected. Those who were eldest in years, Christian knowledge and experience, would naturally be preferred to all others, as overseers of the church of Christ. From the Greek word τρεσβύτερος, comes the Latin Presbyterus; the English Presbyter, the French Prestre, and our own term Priest: and all; when traced up to their original, signify merely an elderly or aged person; though it soon became the name of an office, rather than of a state of years. Now, as these Elders are called ετισκοποι, Bishops, in ver. 28, we may take it for granted that they were the same order; or rather that these superintendents of the church were indifferently called either Presbyters or Bishops.

As he had not time to call at Ephesus, he thought it best to have a general convocation of the heads of that church to meet him at Miletus; that he might give them the instructions mentioned in the succeeding parts of this chapter.-Dr. A. Clarke's Commentary.

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The Attributes of God Displayed.

ON VEGETABLE MILK.

From the Annales de Chimie.

"We had (says M. Humboldt) for several weeks past heard mention made of a certain tree in the valleys of Aragua, the juice of which was said to be a nourishing milk; the tree indeed was called the Cow-tree, and we learned that the negroes of the place, who drank it abundantly, looked upon it as a very wholesome species of aliment. This account excited surprise in our minds, since the general characters attached to the milky juices of plants are those of being acrid, bitter, and more or less poisonous. But since our residence in Banbula, (in the province of the Caraccas,)