Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-12-29
IN HONOR OF LEE.
Memorial Services Held, Yes
terday, in This City.
He Was Founder Of Methodist Church
ia New England.
Rev. H. e. Dunnack Pays Eloquent
Tribute to His Memory.

At the Methodist church in this city,
Yesterday, special services were held in
honor of Rev. Jesse Lee, who was the
founder of the Methodist faith in New
England. 1t is 113 years since Rev.
Mr.. Lee entered New England and be-
gan his missionary work here. Since
that time there has been a marvellous
growth of the church in this section.
Rev. H. Z. Dunnack, pastor of the
church, preached an eloquent sermon
on the life and times of his illustrious
predecessor, during which he took Oc-
casiOn to say:
ITO understand and appreciate the
influence of Jesse Lee, one must recall
the conditions and forces that existed
in New England in 1890. New England
was girdled around with the doctrines
of an iron-bound system. Jonathan
Edwards had been dead only 25 years
The thoughts, the feelings, the tradi-
tons of the whole of New England
were identified with Calvanistic theol-
Ogy. The doctrine of Divine DEGREES
was supreme. One church was DOM
inant. but the people doubted the de-
cree and were ready to resist the DOM
inant church. Unbelief and disbelief
were doing terrible work. Reason and
authority had entered the lists against
each other. The union of church and
state with Calvanistic thought resulted
in a cold and formal worship, sordid
worldlineSs, intense and bigoted self
satisfaction. We must not forget that
the church of New England had giver
the republic noble ideals and great
principles; that it had great vigor
learning and a great history: that il
had laid the foundation of the church
the school and town house: that il
had stood for freedom, soundness anC
God.
But when Lee came into New Eng.
land. Calvanistic theology had sc
changed things that these very achieve.
ments were threatened with destruc-
ton. Lee took uD the work of tbs
New England fathers. Methodism, in
herited the force. purpose and spirit
of the pilgrims, and she added a new
theology, new organization and a new
life.
Under the system of New England
education was becoming narrow and
barren; ideals could not long survive
art and music We're neglected. Metho.
dist thought and theology contributed
nightly to the reform of New Eng
land ideals, standards of education ant
religious life. She rescued the churches
from the 'taxgatherer, the sheriff anG
the jailer,' and gave her a new impulse
to rescue humanity.
Jesse Lee emphasized the signifi-
canoe of life-freedom Of the will, hu.
man responsibility and it's everlasting
reality. Edwards. Hopkins, Bellamy
Emmons and Dwight tried to harmon.
lie the old theology with the new life
but they failed because theology is
the product of life, not life of theology
Jesse Lee was a hero, and we love
heroes. Thus self-denial. truth, sin
cerity and courage appeal to us
whether we find them i'm the pages OF
the Greek Plutarch, the Scotch CARLYLE
or Gus own Emerson, they charm, de-
light, thrill and inspire us. BY an in
stinct. sure and swift, we recognize this
Nirginian Lee to be a hero. He en-
durcd scOrn, contempt, persecution
and endured it like a noble, splendid
soldier. Having put off the old man.
he refused to put on the old woman.
Great in mind and heart, he laid the
foundations of the Methodist Episco-
pal church so firm and broad that. to-
day, she is an active leader in all So