Morning journal and courier., 1881-12-26
Monday Morning, Dec. se, 1881.
LEONARD BACON.

At the beginning of the discourse delivered by him last Thanksgiving at the Center church Rev. Dr. Bacon said: 1T attempt this service with hesitation because of my bodily infirmity, though the service is to me priyi- lege. Nothing is more probable than that this is my last opportunity of preaching a Thanksgiving sermon. Therefore, having the opportunity, make the attempt, trust- ing that you will hear me with kind allow ance for my failing strength" Those who heard these words were impressed by them and some, perhaps, thought they might be prophetic. But none, of course, could know what was to come. The venerable and ven- erated preacher, who had gone in and out among this people for so many years, did not show the infrmity which he felt. His voice was adequate to the requirements of the oc- casion, his great mind seemed as clear and keen as ever, and his words were as full of instruction and stimulus as usual. Yet not a month has gone and he is dead.
 The grief and sadness consequent upon the death of such man as Dr. Bacon are tenn pered by the satisfaction with which the rec ord of his long and symmetrical life can be looked upon. The beneficent influence of such a life can hardly be oyerestimated- It was 8 laborious life; life with a purpose a liberal and kindly life; life of power, which has.Ieft it's impress npon the thought of his time; very useful life; and a life warmed and beautifed by the spirit of true Christi anity. A bare outline of his work is sufi- cient to show what grand man has gone. For forty one years he was the active pastor of Center church, and for the last fifteen years has been pastor emeritus of that church. During these ffty-six years what great number have sat under his preach ing, and been influenced for good by it. He has baptized the children, married the young men and maidens, com forted the sorrowing and the sick, and prayed over the dead. He was bound by ties formed in hours of joy or sorrow to great number of families the surviving members of which will feel in his death personal loss. But his work as pastor, great and important as it was, is but part of what he did for his fellow men. His mind early went out be- yond the confines of his own church and community, and he became the champion of the Congregational theory, we do not need to say with what success. He hated oppression and therefore fought slavery, and during the war which resulted in it's suppression was tower of strength to the defenders of the Union. In his literary work he has been ex- ceedingly prolific and very powerful In newspapers, pamphlets, magazines and books he has fought during all his active life valiant Iy and effectively for what he deemed the right in religion, social matters and politics. When what he has done with the pen is con- sidered it is amazing. Few preachers of this century have done so much good literary work inside and outside of their pulpits as he has done. It is significant of the quality and character of his mind that only the day be- fore his death he was writing an article con cerning the Utah problem It is pleasant to think that he was mentally active and vigor- ous to the last
 It only remains to add that he was good citizen, good neighbor and good friend. His life, rich in work for all that is good and noble, inspired by the highest motives that can move men, and adorned by the Christian graces, seems unusually beautiful and envia- ble. And when we remember, too, that it was given to him to return late to Heaven, full of years and universally honored and loved, it seems fitting to say with the poet
 Not for thee
 Our tears are shed, our sighs are given,
 Why mourn to know thou art free
 Partaker of the joys of Heaven?
 Finished thy work and kept thy faith
 In Christian hrmness unto death:
 And beautiful sky and earth
 When Autunlns sun is downNa I'd going,
 The blessed memory of thy worth
 Around thy place of slunnber glowing.