Six months of joyous service amongst the Welsh miners was cut short by a
telegram announcing to the sisters the serious illness of Mrs. Lee.
Taking the news to their Divisional Commander, they were instructed to
Headquarters. It was found that the illness was due to shock. The income
from investments of the little estate left by Mr. Lee had dwindled; it
now had disappeared altogether.
Captain Lucy faced the matter with her usual practical decision. 'Mother,
darling, there are two ways out. Either I must come home and work and
care for you, or you must come with us. If Headquarters would agree to
you accompanying us from corps to corps, would you be willing to break up
the home and come?' By this time Mrs. Lee had become possessed by what is
known amongst Salvationists as 'The Army Spirit.' She loved this
wonderful Army which cared for, and sought and found the lost. She would
not have her girls come out of the fight. 'I cannot preach, Lucy, but
maybe there is some niche I could fill. I would like to come,' she said.
So it was arranged, and shortly the little household, was transferred to
Norwich. How happy they were! Captain and Lieutenant Lee, busy from morn
till night, week in and week out, seeking the souls of the people. The
mother in the little quarters, sitting with her work-basket beside the
window, giving a smile to passers-by, and welcoming her daughters as they
came to meals, always bringing with them some new tale of joy, of sorrow,
of fighting, of victory or defeat. The little mother truly found her
niche. Soldiers and adherents came to reckon upon her gentle patient
influence, and her "never-mind-me" spirit was a constant sermon. She
could sympathize and she could pray, and she sewed unceasingly for the
annual sales of work, making useful articles out of the smallest and
oddest remnants. She found supreme happiness in her Army warfare.
While Captain Lucy shielded Lieutenant Kate, she also gave her a
practical training.
At Norwich they saw a great work amongst the worst characters of the
city; many drunkards were transformed by the grace of God. One of the
number, a soldier of the corps to-day, sends his grateful tribute to
Lieutenant Kate's persistence in holding up his tottering steps until
they grew steady upon the heavenly way. The sisters had the joy of
erecting a citadel in the Bull's Close.
At King's Lynn, visitation of the homes of the people was a specialty of
their work.
It is to be regretted that neither Lucy nor Kate Lee kept a journal. They
were too busy seeking the lost, and after finding them and rejoicing over
them were too weary to record their experiences, interesting and
profitable as they would have been for us to read about. Their official
diaries furnish little more than entries of meetings conducted and other
duties performed. The only preserved reminiscence of their work is found
in an 'All the World' of 1895. Commissioner Duff, then editor of that
journal, beguiled Captain Lucy into chatting about her work at King's
Lynn covering three days, and used the conversation as an unconscious
answer to the oft-repeated taunt thrown at our officers in those days 'Go
and work.' The following are extracts:--
_Friday_. Back from London at five. So pleased to find lieutenant
waiting for me on the platform, with a smile. Tea ready at home.
While telling her about my London trip, the man brought my box.
Paying him, he said, 'I always listen to your Open-Air on a
Sunday; but I have one thing against you, you are so down on the
drink.' My chance! So I let him have it straight for ten minutes,
when he gave me a penny for the collection, shook hands, and went
off.
On the way to 7 o'clock converts' meeting, took Mrs. ---- to see
doctor. She was nervous at going alone. New converts turned up
well. Brother ---- very bright. Soon after he got saved he painted
his door to help to make his home nice, and the old women of the
street came and smeared their dirty hands over it, to hear him
swear. But the Lord kept him, and all the street believes in him
to-day. And old Dad who cries when he talks, he feels so grateful
to God for saving him.
When on our knees with our eyes shut, singing, Brother ----, two
months saved, came over to me and said softly 'I'm afraid I'm
slipping back, Captain.' Poor lad, his home is nearly unendurable.
His mother said she would sooner see him dead than a Salvationist.
We all prayed, sang, and I believed for him, and he got beautifully
right. Read and explained Isaiah liv., 'No weapon that is formed
against thee shall prosper!' We all marched into the holiness
meeting at 8 o'clock. Some glorious testimonies. Closed with
united consecration at 9:15, and met bandsmen to appoint new
bandmaster. I was not quite sure as to how they would take the
appointment; but went in and got them all on their knees, took up
the holiness meeting chorus, 'I'll be, Lord, I'll be what You want
me to be,' and prayed. When on our feet again, I started off at
once and got through without any hitch or word of dissent,
finishing up most successfully. Praise God for this! Ran home to
join the lieutenant and the treasurer and the secretary who were
finishing the cartridges, [Footnote: Small envelopes in which
Salvationists make their weekly gift for the maintenance of the
work.] and we started on the books. Money well up this week; over
thirty shillings to meet the gas bill. Hallelujah!
_Saturday_. Breakfast as usual, at eight, and prayers. Then we
started our weekly clean-up. I take upstairs; lieutenant down.
People have got to know that Saturday is our day home, and come
to see us. Had good spell of work. Then a poor woman and her
daughter in great distress called; advised that they should go to
law, and make the child's father support it. They are doing this.
When I went with them to see the solicitor, he seemed to think
they would succeed. Talked matter over with them, then had to
leave lieutenant to finish with them, as Bandsman ---- came.
Misunderstanding with comrade. Hot-tempered; feels he has
disgraced himself; better give in instrument. Long talk with him.
Showed him his duty was to admit his wrong, and ask forgiveness.
At last willing to do so; prayed the Lord's help and grace; took
back instrument and went off happy. Dinner ready, then off to
funeral, fixed for 2:30. Dear little Nellie! Glad I was able to
be with her the last night. Had run in for a minute from open-air.
Stayed till 5:30 in the morning. She was all night dying. Mother
too overcome to be able to be with her. It was Nellie's wish I
should bury her. Band turned up; nice meeting at house, then
marched to the cemetery; hundreds there. All assembled in chapel;
I in pulpit. A child's funeral seems a marvellous opportunity.
Many in tears. Lord, make the impression lasting! Thankful I got
quiet time in the train yesterday to prepare for Sunday. I've
had no time since.
Before open-air went to see Mrs. ----. Saturday is a specially
trying day. Husband drinks heavily. So cruel to her. Found her
very depressed. Tries to keep her home nice, but he makes it very
hard. 'Been wondering to-day if God does hear my prayer. My
husband only seems to get worse; the devil has been tempting me
all day to give up.' Read to her promise in Isaiah li., 'I am He
that comforteth you.' Seemed too depressed to grasp it. 'It is
_for you_' I said, and took her hand. Got down on my knees and
prayed. She began to cry. 'I've been doubting and despairing all
day,' she said; 'but if He'll forgive me, I will trust my
Saviour.' Bless her. Hurried on; just in time for open-air. Very
good meeting inside. All going on well, except ----. What _can_
we do for him? Cost us more tears, and time, and prayers than all
the rest put together. He seemed so satisfactory, then he backslid
and came into the meeting drunk. Lieutenant could not let him go
back. Brought him from the saloon, and now there he is in the back
seat, all rags and misery. Too drunk to do anything but cry. He
has lost the place we got him. Pawned his things. People laugh at
us for our attempts; but we can't give him up. That lost sheep,
'until He findeth it,' is my watchword for him.
_Sunday_. Nice number at knee-drill. On march from open-air,
great excitement. The cry was raised in one of the narrow streets,
'Runaway horse!' I was terrified for the children, but the lads
made a line across the street, and the color-sergeant put the
pole of the flag crosswise, barring the way; so we stopped the
horse, and no one was hurt. A helpful time, I think, in the
holiness meeting. Read from Exodus xxxv., showing how the people
listened and obeyed God's word. After the meeting, saw the
soldiers, who were on outpost duty, going off in the best of
spirits. Stopped to speak to Sister ---- who is anxious about her
son. Got home at one o'clock. Before dinner was finished some one
came to fetch us, from the next street, to see a man who was
dying, and who, in his delirium, was screaming for the captain.
Found him in a dreadful state. At first I tried to soothe him.
Soon I saw that he must speak. He had sat for years in the
meetings, knowing what he ought to do, and never doing it. 'You've
pleaded with me so often, and others have too,' he began, 'and
I've always put off deciding. I have asked God to forgive me.
Will you forgive me, too?' Prayed with him, and left him quieter.
Went on to the hall in time for the Junior meeting. Most touching
time. The children knew and loved little Nellie. When after the
Company Lesson, [Footnote: Sunday School Bible Lesson.] I spoke
to them of her beautiful life, they all cried, and we had a little
dedication meeting, giving ourselves to God to live like Nellie,
and claiming His power for help. Afternoon free-and-easy. Hall
just on full, but could not keep the meeting on as we had the
memorial service.
A funeral march is a sermon in itself. The indoor meeting was
very solemn. Lieutenant read. She is coming on well. What a
comfort she is to me. I don't know how I should have got on
here if we had not been so united. She is devotion itself.
The Lord gave us four souls. Two of them, unsaved relations of
Nellie's. It seemed the seal of Heaven upon her beautiful life.
Oh! there is nothing like seeing souls saved! Said to lieutenant,
as we crept home--and we feel we may have the luxury of being
tired out on a Sunday night--that next to being an angel, there
is no position in the world like being a field captain.
After King's Lynn, Captain and Lieutenant Lee were appointed to Great
Yarmouth. Here, an illness broke up the little household. During an
epidemic of influenza, Kate was laid low, and before she had recovered,
Lucy became ill. But the Chief of the Staff [Footnote: Now General
Bramwell Booth.] was coming to Yarmouth; that was to be a great event.
Lucy had taken the Drill Hall for the occasion, and would not rest until
she had completed the arrangements for the campaign. The Chief had
stirring meetings, with great crowds and many converts, but the captain
lay at the quarters struggling with pneumonia. To this day Lucy cherishes
the memory of The General's visit to her bedside, where he commended her
valiant service and prayed that she would be spared to the War. After her
mother had nursed her through the illness she remained delicate, and in
order to relieve her from open-air duties and assist in re-establishing
her health, Headquarters appointed the captain to office work. The small
family did not reunite, Mrs. Lee remaining with Lucy, until years later
she was promoted to glory.
This break was the Lord's way of thrusting Kate forth to take
responsibilities of her own. Her health was now fairly robust, and her
experience of life much broader. Promoted to the rank of captain, she
went to take charge of her first corps, and we have fortunately her own
account of her reception. Some years before her promotion to glory,
during a rather long period of sick furlough, the General wished Kate to
prepare reminiscences of her field experience. To speak of herself or her
work, was ever the most difficult of orders for Kate to obey, but she
meant to try. Amongst her papers was found a single sheet on which she
had written headings for a series of reminiscences. A further hunt
discovered two sketches which she had intended for publication
anonymously. One of these is here given in full: