Connecticut western news., 1911-02-09
Old-T Time Witty Preacher
Rev. Daniel Farrand, Who Preached
 in South Canaan I5O Years Ago.

ReV. Oaniel Farrand, Who Preached
 in South Canaan I5O Years Ago. The historical sketch in the Falls Will lage column of The News last week referred to Rev. Daniel Farrand, who was pastor of the South Canaan Oongre- gational church from 1752 to 1903, a period of 51 years. Something more concerning this old time divine is given ill historical sermon delivered by Rev. Abel McEwen, D. D., of New London, in Litchfield 59 years ago, on the occa- sion of the celebration of the centennial anniversary of the Consociated churches of Litchfield county. The proceedings Of this celebration were embraced in volume in which was bound also the proceedings of the centennial celebration ot the organization of Litohfeld county, held the year previous at Litchfield. A copy of this rare double volume is owned, by John B. Reed, of Canaan, having come into his possession as gift Ill an Interesting manner. to which The News, will refer i'll another article. s%9
 The McEwen sermon referred to dealt with several of the pioneer ministers of the county, and the part devoted to Rev. Daniel Farrand included the following:
 Among the wits of his generation he was second to none. His wit was of the most extempore sort it gushed out without his xpectation-often, appar- emily without 4 the burial of favorite son the family carriage was too much crowded for all to ride home. He said he would walk. His daughter, thinking of his age. and noticing his grief, insisted that he should ride. "No," said he, 'go on; if you leave the road behind you, shall be glad"
 When he was dying, his wife, wishing to put draughts on his feet, sought them in the bed. and asked:
 "Where are your feet?"
 He replied: "On the ends of my legs, where they always have been."
 Wit is often employed on frivolous subjects. MT. Farrand's wit was apt to elucidate grave subjects. and to be the vehicle of seasonable reproof, When quite young it was onre my honor to do service behind the chairs at the dining table of an ecclesiastical council, the ver1table original Consolation. Some one asked MT. Farrand whether Mir. Sherman (then of Goshen) would be able, by a book he had recently pub- ished, to reconcile the Calvinists and Armenians? The reply was:
 "A wolf once saw two rams retreating from him in opposite directions, and he exclaimed: Both of you I can catch one of you will have if you will both turn and come to me, will spare the life of him who first gets to me- They turned and rushed, and between the heads of the two battering rams the wolf was mashed"
 The pastor of Canaan once attended an ordination over the state line in Mass achusetts. Dr. West, of Stockbridge, was one of the council. He had embraced the philosophic tenet of Berkeley, that all matter was ideal, and nothing more; and with ready zeal the Doctor was de- lending this figment of great man. At the breaking up of the council, Dr. Vests horse was not ro be found, and the conclusion was that he must adver- tise the stray or stolen animal.
 "Can you describe him ?" the landlord inquired.
 "Yes," the owner replied. II think I have a perfect IDEA of him"
 "Put on your saddle and bridle, and mount, " said his old friend from Canaan "that is all you can have of him."
 The sermons of MT. Farrand were sound, instructive and entertaining of knowledge. common sense and deep piety in the author but strange to be told, they were in the delivery, marred by a separatic tone of the worst type. His neighbor and friend MT. Robbins, of Norfolk, could initiate him exactly. Occasionally, to the life, he showed him off for the entertainment of their select friends, but more especially for the amusement of MT. Farrand himself.