ng left by J. H. Brooks and changed the name to Vermont Avenue
Baptist Church. Being a great preacher and pastor noted for his
originality and his ability to master the situation, he soon attracted
a large following and increased the membership of his church almost to
4,000. He easily became a man of national reputation and in his
travels abroad so impressed the people wherever he went that he
developed into an international character.

Dr. Lee was noted especially for three significant elements in his
character. Near to his heart was the promotion of African missions in
keeping with his deep sense of charity. He was always a friend of the
poor and, being such, emphasized more than any other duty of the
church that of supporting missionary work in Africa. As a result the
Vermont Avenue Baptist Church did more for this purpose than many
other churches of the District of Columbia combined. He was always
disposed, moreover, to help the under man in the struggle with his
uncharitable accusers and traducers. When a minister was under fire,
he usually stood by the unfortunate, if there was any possible chance
to save him for the good of the service. He made himself, too, a
patron of young men aspiring to the ministry, raising money for their
support by impressing upon the people the importance of educating
them. In this connection he trained and helped to support Dr. James E.
Willis, who was baptized, licensed and ordained to preach under Dr.
Lee. Through contact the one became attached to the other so that the
younger imbibed the spirit of the other.

Dr. Willis became his successor in 1911. At first many of the members
questioned his ability to fill such a position so that there developed
much trouble in the congregation and much anxiety among the people at
large. There followed a schism which resulted in litigation in the
courts and the secession of a group of members who established the
Florida Avenue Baptist Church, now in the charge of Dr. Taylor. Dr.
Willis, however, was established as pastor with the support of a large
majority of the members of the church. He filled the position with
such distinction and attracted to him such a following of willing
workers that the church prospered under him as it did under his
predecessor. In recognition of his valuable services the congregation
gave him a trip to the Holy Land at a cost of $3,000. It then
purchased adjoining property upon which it erected a monument to Dr.
George