Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-02-24
RELIGIOUS MISCELLANY
From the Christian Watchman.

DEATH OF THE REV. JOHN LELAND.
This melancholy event occurred al North
Adams, at the house of David Darling,
Esq. on Thursday, January IA. at half
past eleven o'clock. p. NJ The illness of
Mr.. Leland was short. Six days previous
10 his death he delivered an excellent dis
course in that village, and when summon
ed by the grim messenger, was engaged
in the work of his heavenly Master. which
had been so long his delight.
Mr.. Leland was born at Grafton. in
Worcester county. on the 18th of May,
1854, and at the time Of his decease was
eighty-six years and eight months old.
He came TO Cheshire, Berkshire county,
in February, 1892, whore, with the excep-
ton of sixteen years passed in New Ash
ford, he has principally resided ever since.
He commenced preaching in l774. In
IT'S he went to Virginia, where he re-
NAMED for most Of The time until 1890,
when he returned to New England He
was married in 1776. Sept 80, and his
wife preceded him to the grave in 1887,
Oct. S, after living with him in. marriage
sixty-one years, leaving more than one
hundred and fifty living descendants.
In November, 1901, Mi. Leland visited
the seat of government, in behalf Of the
citizens of Cheshire. and presented to his
warm and ardent friend. President Jef1er-
son, the celebrated mammoth cheese.
As an advocate Of civil and religious
liberty. and the great principles of human
freedom, none have been more ardent, and
we may add, few have been more success
full. As man--as Christian and min
lister of the gospel, he was universally be-
loved. With |. mild AMI unassuming de-
pertinent he possessed talents Of high
order. and an attractive and persuasive ell
oquence peculiar to himself. I'olhis was
added zeal and perseverance truly sur
prising.
On the 18th ofAugust, 1884, the num-
Der of persons whom be had baptized. as
we learn by work from his pen, amoun-
lied TO 1924. and many more we're subse-
quen,ly added TO the list.
On the l4lh of January, 1925, he wrote
81 have preached in 436 meeting houses,
81 court-houses, several capitols. many
academies and school houses, burns, TO-
bacco houses. and dwelling houses. and
many hundreds of times on stages in the
Eopen air Not the place. but the presence
| of Christ, and right temper Of mind,
makes preaching soleinnly easy and prof
liable. Ny congregations have consisted
Of from Eve hearers TO ten thousand. Since
began to preach in l774. have travel
ed distances which together would form q
Igirdie nearly sufficient to 90 round the
lterraqueous globe three times. The mum
Der of sermons which have preached Is
not far from eight thousand. The mum:
Der of Baptist ministers whom have per
sonaliy known is 962. Those of Them
whom have heard preach in number
make 500. Those who have died (whost
deaths have heard OF amount to 500
4 The number that haye visited me at m,
house is 2O7
4 Said the deceased, 10 the work to which
we have alluded IL my friends think
best 10 rear little monument over nv bod,
Here lies The bodv Of JOHN LELAND
ioho laJored gears to prouots Piets
and riadicate the eiriL aud religion right
lief all men, is the sentence which | wlsf
10 be engraved upon ii.
Il It's to be regretted that the powerful IN
tfiuence Of John Leland. il moulding tn
, opinions and directing the conduct Of hi