The Life And Ministry Of W. H. Lee
Earthen Vessel 1891:
Mr. W. H. Lee, Pastor, Mount Zion Chapel, Botolph-road, Bow.
Dear Brother Winters,—At your request I attempt to send you a few lines respecting the old and new man living in one house. I was born on November 24th, 1838, at Eastwood-end (at the only shop in the village), near March, Cambridgeshire. My parents were professing people. We usually went to March twice on Lord’s-day to hear a Mr. Betts (Congregationalist). On the reversion of circumstances, my parents went to New South Wales (Australia), in 1849; they arrived there 8th July that year. As soon as possible my father went on shore to see about a house, as we had a good long voyage—17 weeks in the ship “Scotia.” My dear mother was then expecting an increase (there were then living six-four boys and two girls; I was the third); and 36 hours after we were landed she died in giving birth to a son, who also died five days afterwards. My poor father was like one who had lost his earthly all. At that time I do not think he knew the Lord savingly, but he does now, I believe. But poor mother, where is she? The thought, after forty-one years, is too painful to me whilst I write. We were plunged into debt and distress; my father had little or no cash, and so things went very hard with us; and although poor mother had a private income left her by her father, yet she was buried in a parish coffin, and Sydney was in a state of bankruptcy at the time. My father got employment at an ironmonger’s at 18s. per week. My eldest brother obtained a situation, and so did I, at 2s. a week, with board, &c. After a time, a person, knowing me to be industrious, spoke for me and procured me a situation in a solicitor’s office. The housekeeper and her husband were my employers. Here things went on better in providing with me. But instead of shielding me from evil, they taught me to do all sorts of dishonest things; my evil nature had long before this showed itself. These people apprenticed me, at my request, to a tailor; the workmen taught me to do those things which ought not to have been even named, but are in Genesis, Romans 1:20 to end, and 1 Cor. 6:9-11 (the text iu Genesis I will not give); so that, having no kind restraint, my vile nature had its fill in every way, and I took pleasure in leading others to do the same. My father did not care what I did.
This kind of thing went on till God’s time to favour Zion came. I then thought, though I am only 19, I will become religious, and carry on my old sinful practices. I then became a tract distributor and a Sunday-school teacher, and gave addresses to the school. I wonder God did not cut me down and consign me to hell for ever. No, He did not; for He had given commandment to save me (Psa. 71:3). Once I was called upon to pray at a tract distributor’s meeting, and I made an attempt, but feared I should be struck dead. I shall never forget the feelings. About this time I attended the General Baptist Chapel, Bathurst-street, Sydney. Mr. Voller was pastor; but his ministry never touched me. A Mr. Taylor came on a visit from Melbourne to preach. I was sitting in the middle of the gallery on the left hand side. His text was 1 Cor. 13:1, “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.” This discourse seemed full of Jesus Christ, who appeared to me just over the preacher’s head. I was confounded, and all my sins which were many, came upon me. I felt that all in the chapel could tell what I was and what I had been guilty of. I lay my head on the point of the pew and wept until the service was over. I felt condemned and confounded, and knew not what to do or where to turn. I sighed, cried, begged, and mourned, and nothing but despair, death, and everlasting punishment seemed by lot.
My fellow workmen, seeing a change, called me a Methodist, and sometimes the man I worked with called me his devil; and truly I felt one, and only a fit companion for devils, so that, like the Psalmist, I forgot to eat my necessary bread (Psa. 102:3). About this time a strange young lady came to the chapel and sat opposite me. I thought her a person I had known as a girl years before, so felt glad, and hoped a change had taken place in her, and went to speak to her after the service, but found I had made a mistake. The lady is now Mrs. W. H. Lee. We had some conversation on religious matters, and I found a great union to her in Divine things. She told me she had just come from England, and her minister was the late William Allen, of the Cave, Stepney, a man of blessed memory. My dear wife was the means under God of leading me to see the great doctrines of grace, and helped me much in my then perilous state. The young lady with whom I then walked out with became jealous at my having so much to say about the preacher. Poor creature! she knew nothing vitally, I fear. At this time the master’s son and myself slept in the shop in Hunter-street, Sydney, to take care of it; and when the gas was out I used to get out of bed to pray; and one night I felt like a ship at sea without sails or rudder. In my distress I cried unto the Lord, but Satan at this moment came in the form of a lion and stood across the shop window at my back. In my dreadful distress the perspiration rolled down me, and I dare not move lest Satan should pounce upon me, so in the dark I poured out my soul to God, who heard me in the day of my distress. At that moment the very same person who appeared over the minister when I was convinced of sin came and stood between the lion and myself, and the lion with drew, and my sins went too, and I solemnly say, in the sight of God, from that day to this they have never troubled me.
I have often blushed at what I have done, but the guilt is gone. Praise the dear Lord Jesus, my soul was now at happy liberty in the glorious Gospel of His sovereign grace and mercy, and like a hind let loose. All glory to the Lamb of God! Soon after this my master dissolved partnership, and then each became bankrupt, and my indentures were cancelled. I then thought I was a man, and took a wife (at the age of 20 years and scarcely five months), the very young lady referred to, and I have no doubt but that was of God. We then went to chapel in Goulbourn-street; a Mr. Emery preached there, one of the Standard Brethren. Here the good men would ask me to pray, and then they pulled it all to pieces. This drilling did me much and lasting good, never to be forgotten.
After a time Mr. McCure came on a visit to Sydney, and three others with myself were for his coming and settling there, indeed without egotism I was the working man of the four. I was then asked out to preach by brother Hick, of Kissing Point, Mr. Mills promising to go with me, and if I failed he would preach. I did not go then, but did some time afterwards. I then went on the gold fields, and there the Lord opened my mouth to preach the Word of Life, and made me useful to the saving of several poor sinners. We then returned to England, and after supplying at different causes was led to open a cause at Bow, where I now blow the trumpet. Thus, dear brother, I have given you only a very brief outline, and perhaps you will say quite enough.
I remain,
Yours in the proclamation and defence of the Gospel,
W. H. Lee
11, Cadogan-terrace, Victoria Park, South Hackney
W. H. Lee (1838-?) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher. He was appointed pastor for the church meeting at Mount Zion, Bow.
