296 History of Methodism 



that wliich existed nearly thirteen years before, Febru- 

 ary, 1785, when, in company with Bishop Asbury and 

 Mr. Willis, he first visited the city of Charleston. 

 There were at that time (January 1, 1798) two neat 

 houses of worship, a goodly company of believers, and 

 an Annual Conference in that city, to welcome him 

 and wait on his ministry. He met all the demands of 

 duty, and gave entire satisfaction in filling the appoint- 

 ments of Bishop Asbury. The Conference commenced 

 its session on the 2d of January, and after its ad- 

 journment Mr. Lee spent twenty-seven days in Geor- 

 gia, and preached twenty-one sermons ; and from the 

 eagerness to hear the words of life, he was led to 

 express the belief that God would soon and abundantly 

 pour out his Spirit upon the people. 



Tuesday, February 6. I received a most loving 

 letter from the Charleston Conference; there is great 

 peace, and good prospects, there. 



January 1, 1799. Our yearly Conference assembled 

 at Charleston. We kept our seats for four days; thirty 

 preachers present. We had great harmony and good 

 humor. I gave a short discourse, addressed to the 

 Conference, from Heb. xiii. 17. I. Your guides— con- 

 sequently governors. These how needful in the night 

 if there be ignorance in the traveler and danger in the 

 way, deep pits, wild beasts, or bad men. If it be in 

 the morning or noonday, how natural it is to follow 

 a guide ; how necessity and fear upon the part of the 

 traveler will make him obedient. II. People are led 

 into essential truth, duty, and experience. III. Min- 

 isters are to watch for their souls as they that must 

 give an account — the general and special accounta- 

 bility to God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, to the min- 

 istry and to the Church, and to all men; they must 



