New-York tribune., 1881-12-25


no. Unexpected.
Leonard Bacon. ono of the most widely known of
American preachers and teachers, was born teDru-
arv 10 1902, at Detroit, Mich AT the age OF Iour-
teen Years he entered Yale College and was gradu-
ated from that institution in 1920. Among ms
classmates was theodore d. Woolsey, since Presi-
dent of Yale who has been his lifelong friend. On
leaving college Mr. Bacon entered upon theological
studies at Andover Seminary. Mass, and IN 1o23 he
was ordained aud at once became the pastor OF the
First or Centre Congregational Church Of New
Haven Conn. His mnstratiOn5 proved acceptable
aud profitable 10 the church, which increased IN
numbers and power from year to year during MS
long patorate Of more than foriy-onc years. In the
antumn of SGG he retired from active ministerial
dufv bus was made pastor emeritus for the re-
mainder OF his life At this time Dir. Bacon was
called to the abors Of a professor5hip in his alma
mater. and filed the chair Of Revealed The
ology until 1871, when he was chosen
lecturer, in the same institution, on Eccle'I-
asticai Polity and American Chu!ch History. For
many years hc was 4 member of the corporation OF
Yale College and was intimately connected with its
goycruacut and genera. conduct. In company with
ex-Pr siicut Wool5ay he held a decidedly couserya-
tive position, not fayoring any radical changes in
the cole % curriculum. Although his life, after
attaining the years of manhood, wa, passed alto
reihcr in the ministry and IN the college facuty,
Dr. Bacon devoted much attention TO duties outside
those arluous professions. As carly a. 1896 he was
an associate editor Of The Chrsidn Spectator, reIig-
ous magazine published in New-llavcn IN which
position he remained twelve years. In 1913 he was
ono Of the founders Of The Ncr-E r-EnJiaRdcr, bi
monthly publication with which hc was connected
until the close OF his life. In 1917 he was associated
with the Rev. Drs. S.orr5 and Thompson in oStab-
fishing The Iadpcaisai in this ci.y, aud he con-
tinucd TO be- active member Of its editorial staff
until 1863 With the exception of a short period
he was M to the time Of his death of its most
constant and valued contributors ana it is said that
during the past few weeks he had been making az
raugrmcnts for writing series Of article, on an
important subject for That journal.
II was, perhaps, the antiquity Of the church in
which he preached for 50 many years that turned
Or. Bacon mind so strongly in the direction OF his
osical research Early his ministerial career he
bacln searching through all attain.he records Of
the carly history of hi, church and city and state
lie delivered q series Of lectures the history Of
his church, which in lS39 were plbli,hci in a vol
umc entitled Thirteen Historical Di-courscs On the
Completion Of Two Hundred Years from the Begin
ming of the First Church in Ncw-laycn." His love
OF research lasted throughout his life and in later
years he Wa, with hJrily an exception the best in
formed man m New-Enetnd on the early history. of
his odoptci state But DR.. B5col's love for the
cor IS OF the PCS, never blinded hin to the living is
sues Of the day. In the councils of
the Cougrc -ahonal Church of Ncw-Eng-
land he occupied commanding POSITION and
closely watched the tendency OF religious thought
and feeling. with view to opposing with all the
energy of bis great controversial powers, the
growth Of amy doctrine no. In accord with the
strictcst orthodoxy. Ia other departments of pub
lie Interests b. was equally ac i've. On the question
OF slavery ha held strong views which wcro openly
EXPRESSED. ~ first hr favored what vas known "a
the Colonization scheme, and vigorously supported
it on lice lecture platform in opposition TO th" more
ra zeal aholi ,1ui, doctrines of the party led by
William Lloyd Garrison. But abcut 1880. for rea-
son, which hr never made public, ms faith in colo
nization was materially weakened lie took on AL
yauocd position against a., repeal OF ,he Missouri
Compromisc. end lcd the olar9 Of Now.E England IN
the movement which lei % thn presenting
Of the memorable. rwnus'-enc" 20 Congress.
Whom IN" Er." Soil party arose. wish view Of
4pl wing the slavery question uolIcFI ISSUE Dr.
Il,Iu's attention Wt. quickly attracted tp thc new
,.ft AMI E, gay, tt his most earnest support
W hen the war H-H.r ont Don 1861. DR.. Bacon Joined
hand, with the tHoll'ouist-, and took 20 decided |
eHuI for the Union and thr emancipation of tAc !
u.grcs.
IT, me Temperance cause Dr. Bacon devoted con- |
siderable alton iou 'ciaIy during tur aer years
o. .. i.r. H. "' s'f.uao"' supporter "i ihy |
tool. prominent r"r, 10 the enforcement of the |
laws a.aIu,f NuUur--.llIrg and ..NrIN ON Sunday. |
III. l. off ,lutr,,.r-y ia. l.l him ato many pub
e dispute ON '1l, ami other curr"at topics. and |
letter, ;Tuu Nu ln support ut ul5 Wow. Id," ire
qur.t.y arIuairl iu Oh" public press. Among hs /
um' npt .rd above "a . Li!D oi Richard Baxter |
I-3OI: Manual 'Ul Young Church Member, |
Il~Jy: Slavery Dis u.."d m Occasional F@ars |
IloiGI; Christian ~sl.-, u.iun" l~u.h; au " m !
frttI I".f ftTK j.
4" Lie and Ep.,tlcs of st. Pant u~D- and many !
,0y- aYl !tlt.--rs.
Dr. Bacon. influence upon il, time has been very !
gIrat. ia church matters ur might Ht;nliy De !
f.rul.I fine Nr-fuT Ot Nru-lu GLAND CONGREGATIONAL
ism. lie "a- frequently called upon to preside
over church ''uAca7i Hi''Ap, ,ir,.," ana JH"-'''
yrT. relied upun Tor guidluc, d. h. ministerial as-
sociats-. while hl, clntro,cT-ongl ability made |
Li,n "A tower OF strength in rrprug the attacks Of |
weaken its faith de 'tTuy any details Ot it's doe
triuc IN las relation 20 Yale College, Dr. bacon |
vill always boz remembered by graduates more dis
uurty as associated with lts government and a. |
rection than, perhaps, any other member OF the
faculty or corporation not directly connected WIN !
the academic department. Ihis - Que partly To !
the fr.Ureucy with which ht occupied the college !
pulpil and partly 10 the marked influence he cN-
crtcd in almost every department on The INSTITUTION
For some time past DR.. Bacon has felt his health |
to b.. fai ing and has realized his especial liability
10 suddcu death. lie delivered an impressive adj |
dress al the Garfield memorial exercises IN New
Haven. and was muD h overcome ~ thc tHoit ana
The mental emotions of the occasion. MeMbcts OF !
hi, family who were present expressed thcm1"lVcs !
a, fearful les tho strain might completely break |
him down. lie leaves several children. the best
IuoyD of whom ar. the Rev. Leonard ". Bacon, ol |
norwich Conn; DE frank Bacon, the surgeon; dnd |
Theodore Bacon, popular lawyer IN western New
York
of Dr. Bacon last evening: Ny rticuiar ac-
,uaiutarcc with hm began when / was iirst settled |
in BrootIyn in 1916. Dr. Bacon preached my i'll
Fta.latIon srTno. at thdt time, aGJ from there on |
Knew him very well. In the an uinn ol 1913 | was
g.soriatcd vi h hm aud Or. Ihpmp.On IN establish
ing he IadtpHdoEi, aud we continued as editors,
yih the assistance OF Dr Joshua Leayitt, until the
winter oi 1861. DR.. Bacon wrote hla editorial aCtl
Gle, principally at NuW-llaycn bat hcC-mr down |
tc New York once a week for consultation, or |
oiicucr, ii necessary. lie was rapid anu Gle
lie. earnest in In, convictions, catholic in