New-York tribune., 1873-01-17
OBITUARY.
TIE REV. JOSHUA LEAvIrT, ID.

The Rev. Joshua Leayitt, ID. d., one OF the
associate editors Of The Independent dled at q ocoA
last evening the residence of his son, No 'e west
Twenethst Dr. Leavitt had been in aing neaitn ior
several years back but yesterday apparently as
well usual lie went to his sons house for snort
call and was persuaded to remain TO luncheon. soon
afterward up stairs. and Mrs. Leavtt following
in short time, surprised to find him extended on
the floor. Help Immediately summoned to raise
him, and medical aid called in He was discovered 10
be suffering from stroke Of apopexy All efforts to
revive him proved in vain, and he gradually sank losing
three hours after he found and
remaining in that state till life departed.
Dr. Leavitt was born at Heath, Franklin, Mass, in
september 1884, and consequently over rs years OF
age He graduated at Yale in 1874 BE then taught
awhile after which he studied law in Northampton,
Mass and opened Office in Putney. VT Soon after
ward he went Haven and entered the Theological
Seminary Finishing his course, he settled In Stratiord
Conn., where he remained In very successful ministry
years In 1879 while student OF law IN Heath
Mr. eayitt organized of the first Sabbath schools IN
Western Massachusetts, embracing not only the children
but the entire congregation all of whom were arranged
in classes for religious study An earnest revival re-
suited aud the school into one of the strongest
churches in the region. He early became interested IN
the improvement of the public schools Before he en-
tered Theological Seminary, he prepared new read
ing book, called Easy Lessons In Reading which met
With an extensive sale. Mr.. Leayt through bis writ
ngs In the press and other ways, aided materially TO
elevate the charater OF the schools OF the town and
state.
Dr. Leavitt among the first TO perceive the evils
OF intemperance and exered all his influence against IT,
and when the American Temperance Society was formed
he became its secretary and one of its travelling
agents. spent several months in lecturing In Haven
Northampton, many places delivering the first TEN
perance lecture the people there had ever heard In
1928 he came this city Secretary Of the American
seamens Friend Society and editor OF The Sailors hdgd
sine and he has since been engaged IN editorial
work The Society, under his management, became
popular and useful. He established chapels in Canton,
the Sandwich Islands, Havre, New-Orleans and other
domestic and foreign ports. At this time too, he aided
in starting the first city temperance society and became
its FIRST secretary.
hymn and tune book for IN revival and social
ngs nothing OF the kind then existing, he in company
one TcT wa Tbis Sa al~avs been Considered one
of the best kind. DIR. Beavt in 1891 became edi
tor and proprietor OF The Eudngeiist which had been
oTently assisted in s editorial work lie went To
earnestly aud 5000 made his paper one OF the most
powerful in the land 10 was the organ or the more l-
eral religions movements and Ouspoken on the sub
iecs OF temperance and Slavery IL early became noted
Tor docrinal discussions in which Dr. Leavtt was com
petely at home, possessing keen argumentatve mind,
and thorough knowledge of the ntrcacies OF theolog-
cal contests
DR. Leayitt bore conspicuous part in the early anti
slavery cOnfct.and his denuneiatOn OF Slavery during
the time of the excitement attending the formation OF
the first abolition societies and the robbery of the mails
Charleston cost his paper ts circulation IN the south
and large portion In the Nortn, ana II seemed.as
though would have to suspend To bring up ITS circu-
lation again he then undertook tue deut isat Oh re-
not shorthand reporter he accomplished so success
fully that his subscribers came back by hundreds, TIL
his list reached 1900 These reports afterwsrd
published in book FORM and sold to ne extent OF over
compelled him. while erecting building, TO sell out
The EranQeiS which thenceforward became thoroughly
Presbyterian and lost almost entirely the strong anti
slavery Character which Dr. Leayitt had given it.
peculiar characteristic OF Dr LeaVltt 10 De
most active in pushing them to successful issue; out
before the fruits fully ripe he would hasten on TO
s other fields of progress leaving the h0nOrs often-
times to other His service in the anti-5lavery
goes back 10 mis- pastorate in srat9rd ana IN lsS
he began writing the subject in The Christian Specta-
tor and other periodicals. In 1888 he aided IN organizing
the N Y Antisavery Society, and 10 1887 he devoted
his whole time the cause, as editor OF Inc ". y
Emdneipd0r, which J0hp C. Calhoun said was more
dangerous Southern interests than anything else III
At this time troubles in the Society, and the old
committee and officers having been turned out re
Slavery Society by which IL was conducted Tor year,
then transferred Iagan TO Dr. Ieayitt who moved to
Boston DR. Leavtt early argued that the Anti Slavery
movement must become political power, though III
lists In the Convention which met at Albany in 1siO,
and organized the Liberal party, Dr. Leavltt took a
prominent part and afterward earnestly supported its
measures in The Emancipation. ..
He was also Chairman OF the National Committee
from 1874 in the latter year, perceyng the ne
cessity of nominating strong man for the Presidency,
he secured adhesion Of John r. Hale to the party,
Ists Dr. Leavitt beame office editor OF The INDEPENDENT
which had lust been started by three Congregational
merchants, and he has been connected edtoriay with
ID
on reaching the age Of however, he relnquished
the active duties of managing editor aud took post OF
less labor and during the last few years his waning
health has prevented his performing much work. Dr'
Leayitt has also been engaged FOR some time In pre-
pairing history OF the AnSlavery conflict FOR which
peculiarly lifted IDls work MS uean leaves I'D
very unfinished state, and it is doubtful any one else
complete IL.
Dr. Leavitt was also a most earnest and powerful
speaker and TO speeches the AntSayery cause, of
which he made maoy. attributed largely tho growth
OF movement IL is asserted OF him that No ala more
toward the spreading OF abotions IN MASSACHUSETTS,
than any other man. 49, -
DIT Leavitts CORE spondence with Golden and his
MemoIr Wheat setting forth the unlimited capacity
OF Western territory for the growth and exportaon
neal of the English Corn laws During his visit to En-
gland he also became much interested in Sir Rowland
Hs system Of cheap postage, which he advocated for
adoption in this country both through the newspapers
aud before the Congress Committee.
In ls he founded the Cheap Postage Society or BOs
ton and in 1882 he labored in Washington In its be
fhreeeent plan OF the NewYOrk Society adopted
however. During several years past, Dr. Leayit has
devoted much time to the study Of the subject Of Free
Trade which he an earnest advocate In 1907 Nc
received gold medal from the Golden Society OF En-
gland for an essay Commercial Relations with
Great Britain which he took an advanced position In
favor OF Free Trade.
r Ieayitt was never a candidate for any Office except
as School Committeeman, in Sraford, In which he was
beaten his influence has been exerted with power
full effect every good and those with whom his
relations intimate honor him hey ond measure.
Tall aud commanding In figure and strislng In counte
nance, Dr. Leayitt. appearance was most lmposng In
manner be was kind and gentle, and in thought and ex
precision most pure and chasts. HIS mind was broad
aud his views on all topics very LIBERAL snd though
strong In convictions and earnest In controversy he was
TO those OF opposite opinions
Nv his associates and friends he was greatly
beloved and his sudden death will bring sincere sorrow
to many hearts.