Lee Hanks - A Biographical Sketch
A rain soon came up and I went to an old house in the field and lay down upon a plank, and I looked at my ragged and dirty clothes and it came to me: "These clothes are too filthy for you to wear," for I felt to be clean; I felt that Jesus had cleansed me and clothed me with his righteousness as with a garment. The church was then presented to me as a home for God's elect, and the doctrine of election, predestination, salvation by grace and final preservation and resurrection of the dead was presented to me. I never felt that it was simply an angel that took up its abode in me, and that it was the child of God, but I felt that I, Lee Hanks, was changed; not that I was changed from flesh to spirit, or that my natural appetite for natural food ceased, but I loved things I once hated and hated things I once loved; I had a desire to do right, but evil seemed to be in my flesh so that I could not do the things I desired. I never had stayed under the roof of a Primitive Baptist up to this time; I knew nothing of them. But there was an irresistible impression for me to leave and go to West Virginia. I knew no one there, but I arose and went, though very poorly clad, and had to beg my way and was looked upon as a tramp. When I got to a certain place I had to stop, and I hired to a Methodist, and soon got to hear Baptists preach for the first time, and it seemed to me that they were the loveliest people I ever saw, and I could say of a truth, these are my people if I were only fit to be with them. But the next Sunday I went eleven miles and told the dear Baptists what I hoped the Lord had done for me, yet I could not see how they could receive me, but to my surprise they did. I was baptized in New river by Elder William Dobbs, October 14, 1877. (I had to borrow clothes of a Methodist to be baptized in.) I there received the answer of good conscience; I trusted and felt that all was well. But soon an impression which seemed worse than I could bear was upon me, bidding me to go and tell of the works of the Lord, but O, how can I? I am too poor! I know nothing but Negro language, such as "gwine," "dis," "dar," etc. I cannot read anything correctly. I am not acquainted with the Primitive Baptist doctrines well enough, and if I was I cannot tell it; I have no education and have such a miserable bad stammer in my speech, hence I could not see a qualification I possessed, and I thought the Lord would not call me. The Scripture was continually on my mind. "Upon me necessity is laid, and woe is me if I preach not the Gospel." The burden was so heavily upon me I prayed to die to get rid of it, and I went on until my mind was almost gone and I was stricken down in my field in September, 1879. While lying there I was made willing to go and do the best I could, and on the Sunday following I made my first effort, though it was a mighty cross, yet I received an ease of mind. I have been hobbling along trying to quit and trying to talk a little ever since. I was ordained in August, 1886, by Elders J. W. Parker, John Purvis and William Galloway. I am trying in weakness to serve four churches, and have baptized about eighty-three since I was ordained. I have many ups and downs to contend with, and realize more and more of my weaknesses, but I desire a home among God's people while I live, for whenever I travel among them I feel at home, and would to God that I could see His saints united, but while some may be separated here, ere long they will all be one. Lee Hanks
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