The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-01-24
Special Cores pOndcncc OF TIE WIG.
The Grave of a Pioneer MethO-


CAMBRIDGE, MASS, Jan. 16, 1891,
EDITOR OF THE CECIL WING
l have been deeply impressed by the
sudden death of the Rev. S. T. Gardner,
OF tie Bethel Church.
At the time of the Centennial celebra-
ton of that church recently held, | re-
caived letter from him in response to
one from me, in which | had sent my
congratulations upon that interesting
occasion. improved the opportunity to
refer to the Ceutsn celebration in
Boston, at that same time of the Cen en-
NAL of Rev. Jesse Lees preaching, he
having been the pioneer Methodist
preacher of New England. Mr. Gardner
referred in his letter to me to the Jesse
Lee celebration in the following manner
"Now let me say a word in regard to
Jesse Lees grave. While the New Eng
land Methodists are celebrating his
preaching under the old Elm Tree on
Boston Common, bis body lies in one of
the most neglected spots any where to be
found. The church once held the ground
but vacated it for a more eligible site
and the last time | looked upon it, it was
turned out as commons. Not a stone
marks the place where rest the ashes OF
this honored servant OF God 1t is not
certain that the precise spot Can Low be
identified. | have been led to the place
by the Rev. T. J. Thompson, D. D., of
blessed memory, bat am net ure that |
could point out his grave as the surface
has been 50 long trodden by beasts of the
wayside.''
| concluded, upon reading the above III
Mr.. GA;dlar's letter, that | would stir
up the pare minds" of New England
Met1odists with reference to its state
ment, and happening t. meet the other
evening the Rev j. w. Hamilton, d. D.,
of Boston, a well known clergyman OF
the Methodist Church, brought the
subject to his attention.
DR.. Hamilton informs me that Mr..
Gardner must refer to period some
time past, as his remarks do not apply to
the present state OF things with reference
to Jesse Lees grave. He assures US that
tho body Of this eminent herald OF
Methodism rests III a Methodist Gene
terry in the suburbs of Baltimore, where
lie buried the bodies of seven Bishops Of
the Methodist Church, among them
Bishop Asbury, and that the Methodists
some years ago raised money to suitably
mark the grave of Jesse Lee that tie
means 10 erect monument were raised
by a popular movement with subscrip
tioIs limited to fifty cents, and, if l
understood him, the work was accom-
pllshed by the women Of the Methodist
Church. He also informs me that he
himself was OH the committee to carry
ont tie arrangements aud that he person
ally saw to this section of the memorial.
Dir. Hamilton pleasantly referred to an
incident connected with the consumma-
ton of the memorial enterprise, i'll which
lady subscriber, referring to the large
cemetery, and the numerous and eminent
Methodlsts buried i'll it, made the remark
that she wished she could give enough 20
entitle her to be buried III that conse-
Grated ground, for it would be such an
inspiring experience at the last great
dag. to rise from the dead, and be car
ried home to glory, with forty acres of
Methodists."
l write this letter in justfic ,tion of
the New England Methodists. and to
arouse the mind OF some faithful m
Der of that church to give the public all
the facts in the case, for in a passing
conversation | may have missed some
Hamilton. Evidently there is a misap-
prehenson somewhere, with regard to
this subject, and il this communication
shall be the means OF putting it. in
true light, the object of il will have been
attained. II the facts are as herein set
forth, no ope would have taken more
satisfaction in knowing them than the
late Mr.. Gardner and l can only express
my regret that he passed away before |
instituted an investigation that was de-
termined upon by me, upon the receipt OF
his letter.
Yours very truly,
CHARLES W. DIDDLE.