Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-09-15

: Through the influence Of this friend and
patron, Gen Forbes, he prosecuted his
studies yet further, under Rev. J. II.
Winchell, pastor ofthe first Baptist church
Boston, until June, occasionally
officiating for pastors WinchelL, Baldwin
and Sharp, in Boston, but more frequently
preaching in the neighboring towns Of
Lynn and Canton.
In June, 1917, he was called to the
pastorate of the church in Windsor, VT,
and was ordained Nov. 10th, following.
In the same month he married Miss Lucy
Mason. of Ira. This first pastorate ended
in 1923, when he removed to Troy, \. Y,
as pastor Of the Baptist church. Thence
he returned in 1923 TO his former charge
at Windsor, where he remained till 1888.
He served the first Baptist church, Brook
lyn, n. Y, Merlden, CT, Newport, Il. l.,
Norwich, N. Y, Fifth Street church,
Troy. and the Baptist church, Hartford,
Washington Co., n. Y, until September,
l849, when be became pastor Of the
church in Rutland, Vt, which position he
held till 1862, when he resigned hIs charge
and thou b actively employed until the
infrmiues of age suspended his labors, he
no more sought or desired the pastoral
Office. but never ceased to feel deep anxiety
for the welfare of the churches and espe-
cialiy of the Baptist church IN Rutland.
1t was his to counsel and advise the
church in It's trials, aud his by every
means In his power TO assist and strength
en- the hands Of the pastor, to whom he
desired TO be a generous and sympalhiz-
ing friend and helper.
Slowly but steadily inirmlhes came on,
more distinctly observed by those who
saw him at intervals, than by his imme-
date family. I'm 1864 the Lord took from
him the wife of his youth, his companion
for nearly forty-eight years. One Of the
happiest of unions was dissolved, one Of
his strongest ties to life was broken, but
with calm resignation and humble trust he
rested in God, and looked forward with
cheerful hope to their final reunion in
heaven. In 1865 he married the widow
of Dea. Warner, Of Troy, with both Of
whom he had been On terms Of Christian
intimacy ever since he united them IN
marriage. during his first pas,orate IN
Troy. This also was happy union, and
now, after nearly five years Of afectionate
attention and care for him, she is again
widow.
Tne last few weeks or months of our
brother's life were months Of severe suffer
ing. For several years he had become
less and less quick Of hearing; had also
for sometime been troubled with a violent
cough, and often complained Of his head,
especially if he undertook to study any
subject. About two months before his
death. which occurred on the 9th of May,
be became suddenly quite deaf, so that TO
him the world and all around him were
silent; he heard few sounds after that
change, and then only for an instant; but
he was patient and cheerful, and some
times made playful remarks to those who
tried to converse with him on the slate
which be kept by him. About month
before his death he was afflicted with
painful boils on his neck and shoulders
these probably were the immediate cause
of his death. He passed through days
and nights Of agony which was borne with
Christian patience, to a calm, quiet, sleep
like death. His work was done, his suf-
feungs enU5u; aud iIv 0ut0r0d into resi-,
into the joy Of his Lord.
Bro. Howard was emphaticaily man
Of the people, easy of access, full of sym
pathy and kindness. The manner in
which he entered into the cares, the sor-
rows and the aiiiiction If others, even if
they were strangers, showed that his was
no perfunctory sympathy, but genuine
and cordial, producing immediate and if
necessary, continued results to their
benefit
He was an easy, effective and eloquent
speaker; a sound theoIogian an affec
tionate, patient and long suffering pastor
an excellent presiding officer, a warm
hearted and judicious friend and, under
lying all and giving 10 all a charm that
every one felt, an humble Christian In
conversation, be was ready, racy .pIquant,
and at times humorous. He knew how
to use hum0r on solemn occasions with
singular effect and in perpleXiBg and
somewhat unpleasant debate, has been
known to change the current Of feeling so
completely by a happy and humorous re
mark, that even lrrItated and irritating
disputants have suddenly become bland,
kind and conclliaung, and the whole at
mosphere suffIsed with pleasaBtness. The
DleS5tuDess Ci tAs ll7actIbaheF ClleD Was
his. \ ministry of more than half CEN
tury, and for the most part a successful
one, Is ended. The memory Of the Just is
blessed The memory Of Leland How
ard Is precious to many hearts.
His funeral was attended by a large
of friends. Christians and ciu-
zens, who admired and loved him. Eight
Of his ministerial brethren gathered round
his bier and his grave. Ills sons carried
him to the hearse and laid him down 10
rest. His daughters, all but one, and bis
widow, with many sympaihIzIng relatives
and friends, saw where they laid him, aud
al who gathered IN that sacred pace
,0uld say. " Let me die the oeath Of the
1ghteous and let my last end lie like lis.