|
Further Sketches In The Life of...
Part II
Written By Himself.
[pg 49] "His thoughts would
Frequently run back to her who had so often bent over his wasting
form in previous sicknesses, and he would speak of the good
things she used to do for him.
"Early in the evening, a young preacher (Rev. Mr. Alden) came in,
and said to him--'Well, Father Leland, we are going to hold a
prayer-meeting this evening. Have you any advice to give?" 'If
you feel it in your hearts, I am glad. Forms are
nothing.' These were nearly his last words; but his arm was
not paralyzed, neither was his heart chilled. With his own hand
he gave his own tobacco to his friends present, and indicated by
signs that they should smoke. About 11 o'clock, he beckoned me to
him, and tried to say ‘go to bed.' I found his limbs were
stiffening, and his senses lulling, and anxious to be near him
till all was over, I hesitated, but finally, at the
solicitation of one of the watchers, left the room. The man soon
followed, and said,'you had better come back.' I came. Not a
finger had moved. His spirit had taken rest in the bosom of its
God."
Thus died JOHN LELAND--a man eminent above many for piety and
usefulness, whose name is connected whose all that is pure in
patriotism, lovely in the social and domestic virtues,
philanthropic in feeling and unction, arduous, disinterested, and
self-denying in the labors of the ministerial calling; one whose
place in society, in the church, and in the ranks of the
ministry, will not soon be filled--in the hearts of those who
knew him--never.
He died, as he had lived, a witness for the truth, testifying,
with his last breath, the value of that religion, and that only,
which has its seat in the heart. His life had been
unostentatious; his aspirations after worldly honors, ever low
and feeble; his humility and sense of dependence on God,
deep-felt and abiding--and thus he died. "Being with him in his
last illness,"
(Mr. Alden remarks in his funeral sermon,) "more or less every
day, I think I may say, I never saw a Christian feel more
deeply his own unworthiness. 'Bury me,' said he, 'in an humble
manner. I Want no encomiums; I deserve none. I feel myself a
poor, miserable sinner, and Christ is my only hope.' Being asked,
very near his end, what were his views of the future, he
exclaimed, with both hinds extended upward, and a smile I can
never forget, 'My prospects of heaven are clear.' He seemed
already to feel the everlasting rest laying its sweet influences
over his soul, and bearing it up, taking away the sting of
death."
His remains were conveyed to Cheshire for interment, where, on
the 17th, a funeral discourse was pronounced over them by Rev.
John Alden, from Rev. 14th and 13th.10
The weather was extremely unpropitious, yet
[pg 50] the concourse, assembled from that and the
adjacent towns, was large, and many a tearful eye testified that
no common occasion had called them together. Though but one
child, "according to the flesh," was permitted to follow his
relics to the grave, yet many, from the youth to the gray-haired
man, who mingled their tears over his coffin, felt that they were
gazing for the last time upon the countenance of a beloved
"father in the Lord."
________________________
10___This discourse is already before the public,
which circumstance, together with our limited space, will
sufficiently account for the omission of any further extracts.
He was laid beside his wife, and a simple obelisk of blue marble,
commemorative of both, marks their common resting-place. On its
west side is inscribed the epitaph prepared by himself some years
before his death: "Here lies the body of the Rev. JOHN LELAND, Of
Cheshire, who labored 67 years to promote piety and vindicate the
civil and religious rights of all men. He died January, 14, 1841,
aged 85 years and 8 months."On the north side is the following: "
Sarah, consort of Rev. John Leland. She died October 5, l837,
aged 84 years." On the south: "This monument was erected by the
children of the deceased, to point out the resting-place of their
revered parents."
Having followed him to the end of his course, it remains for us
to glance, in a brief retrospect, at some circumstances which he
has omitted. It is doubtless the case that many of these, could
they be collected, and their authenticity proved, would add
greatly to the interest of the narrative ; but the fact, that it
has been found impossible to obtain them, will
sufficiently account for the omission of any that may be deemed
important.
To understand and appreciate the character of Elder Leland, it
is only necessary to read his writings, and to trace the
operation of the principles and sentiments they contain, in the
actions of his life. That his writings were a transcript of his
mind and heart, none will deny, who knew him. The candor and
openness with which he ever avowed his sentiments, even when they
subjected him to reproach and censure, are well known.
Conversing with a friend on one occasion, he remarked--"Though I
have secrets which I would not reveal to you, or any one else, I
have not a religious secret in the world." The same
frankness marked the expression of his political opinions. That
his independence of mind aided materially in supporting this
character, will be evident when we consider how many individuals
there are who dare not be honest --who have not the moral
courage to sustain them in a course which they feel to be right,
and in the expression of sentiments which they inwardly approve.
A remark of Elder Leland, on this subject, is suggested by these
reflections. "Though in a religious point of view," said he,
"self-dependence (by which he meant the opposite of the
Christian's trust in God) is most pernicious and fatal in its
tendency, yet, in worldly matters, it is one of the best
qualities man can possess."
Through a long life, Elder Leland sustained, with uniform
consistency, the two-fold character of the Patriot and
the Christian. For his religious [pg
51] creed he acknowledged no directory but the Bible.
He loved the pure, unadulterated word of truth; and, as a
minister of that word, zealous and faithful, he preached it, as
far as he was able, unmixed with the doctrines and commandments
of men, "not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind." He was clear
in exposition, happy in illustration, often powerful and eloquent
in appeals to the conscience and heart. He insisted, in absolute
and unqualified terms, on the great fundamental truths of the
gospel, the necessity of regeneration, faith and repentance; but,
on points not essential to salvation, though his opinions were no
less firmly established, and he never shrunk from advocating them
on proper occasions, yet he did not censure or denounce those who
differed from him, nor exclude from fellowship, as Christians,
any who gave evidence of a gracious change, whatever might be
their peculiar doctrinal views. He never engaged in controversy;
and when any of his published opinions were disputed, or
commented upon, as was sometimes the case, with severity, he
preferred to "let the matter rest a little, and then give another
thrust," as he expressed it, to the waste of time, repetitions,
and tediousness of reviews and replies.
His political creed was based upon those "sufficient truths" of
equality, and of inherent and inalienable rights, recognised by
the master spirits of the revolution as the principles for the
support of which they pledged "their lives, their fortunes, and
their sacred honor." As a politician, he was above the influence
of any but sincere and patriotic motives. He was a statesman,
rather than a politician. He studied the fundamental principles
of government, and drew his conclusions directly from them,
without any intervening medium of self or party interest. He
judged men by their measures, and measures by their adaptedness
to secure that result which he deemed the legitimate object of
government--the grealest good of the greatest
number. In his attachment to the administrations of
Jefferson, Madison, Jackson and Van Buren, he felt that he was
contending for the same principles of democracy that nerved the
arms and strengthened the hearts of the whigs of '76. His
sentiments, on particular measures, it is unnecessary to comment
upon, as they are clearly expressed in his writings. His feelings
on the subject of slavery may be gathered from the fact that,
during his fourteen years' residence in Virginia he never owned a
slave, as well as from his remarks in in the Virginia Chronicle,
and from the resolution offered by him, when a member of the
Baptist General Committee, and passed by them, in 1789, in the
following words:--
"RESOLVED--That slavery is a violent deprivation of the rights
of nature, and inconstent with a republican government; and we,
therefore, recommend it to our brethren, to make use of every
legal measure to extirpate this horrid evil from the land,
and pray Almighty God that our honorable legislature may have it
in their power to proclaim the great Jubilee, consistent with the
principles of, good policy."
[pg 52] His Late writings on this
subject, though expressing disapprobation of the measures of
abolitionists, we apprehend, will not be found, upon
examination, materially different in sentiment. In all, while he
recognizes the supremacy of law, he pleads for individual right.
The great object, (next in importance to his mission as a
preacher of Christ,) for which he seems to have been raised up by
a special Providence, was to promote the establishment of
religious liberty in the United States. His efforts, perhaps,
contributed as much as those of any other man, to the overthrow
of ecclesiastical tyranny in Virginia, the state of his adoption,
and exerted a beneficial influence, though less successful,
towards the promotion of the same end in that of his nativity. In
the former, in the years 1786-7-8, we find his name in the doings
of the Baptist General Committee, with which he stood connected,
as messenger to the General Assembly, appointed to draft and
present memorials respecting the Incorporating act, the
application of the glebe lands to public use, etc. Though
the cause of religious freedom was the common cause of all
dissenters, yet the Baptists, as a sect, took the lend in those
active, energetic, and persevering measures, which at length
pervailed in its establishment. Many individuals of other
denominations took an active part, and aided in bringing about
the glorious result;11 nay, that even
many of the more conscientious and patriotic among the members of
the established church, made praiseworthy exertions in its favor,
is a fact too honorable to themselves, and to the state that
produced them, to be passed unnoticed. Enrolled among the ardent
champions of religious liberty, are the names of Virginia's most
illustrious sons--of Washington, Henry, Jefferson, Madison. To
particularize, in regard to the efforts made, and the good
accomplished by each, is unnecessary in this place ; the
following Address+ and Reply, which are
inserted entire, will serve to exhibit the enlarged views and the
unselfish spirit of the patriots of that day, as well as the
harmony, one might almost say identity, of sentiment that
prevailed among them.
_______________________
11___See quotation from the speech of a Presbyterian,
Vol. --, page --.
[the Vol. and page reference were left
blank in the manuscript.]
+___Drafted by Elder
Leland.
Address of the Committee of the United Baptist Churches of
Virginia,
assembled in the city of Richmond, 8th August, 1789, to
the
President of the United States of America.
SIR :-- Among the many shouts of congratulation that you receive
from cities, societies, states, and the whole world, we wish to
take an active part in the universal chorus, in expressing our
great satisfaction in your appointment to the first office in the
nation. When America, on a former occasion, was reduced to the
necessity of appealing to arms, to defend her natural and civil
rights, a Washington was found fully adequate to the [pg 53]exigencies of the dangerous
attempt; who, by the philanthropy of his heart, and the prudence
of his head, led forth her untutored troops into the field of
battle, and by the skilfulness of his hands, baffled the projects
of the insulting foe, and pointed out the road to independence,
even at a time when the energy of the cabinet was not sufficient
to bring into action the natural aid of the confederation, from
its respective sources.
The grand object being obtained, the independence of the States
acknowledged; free from ambititon, devoid of sanguine thirst of
blood, our hero returned, with those he commanded, and laid down
the sword at the feet of those who gave it him. 'Such an example
to the world is new.' Like other nations, we experience that it
requires as great valor and wisdom to make an advantage of a
conquest, as to gain one.
The want of efficacy in the confederation, the redundancy of
laws, and their partial administration in the States, called
aloud for a new arrangement of our systems. The wisdom of the
States, for that purpose, was collected in a grand
convention--over which, you, sir, had the honor to preside. A
national government, in all its parts, was recommended, as the
only preservation of the Union, which plan of government is now
in actual operation.
When the Constitution first made its appearance in Virginia, we,
as a society, had unusual strugglings of mind, fearing that the
liberty of conscience, dearer to us than property or life, was
not sufficiently secured. Perhaps our jealousies were heightened,
by the usage we received in Virginia, under the regal
government, when mobs, fines, bonds and prisons were our frequent
repast.
Convinced, on the one hand, that without an effective National
Government, the States would fall into disunion and all the
consequent evils ; and, on the other hand, fearing that we should
be accessary to some religious oppression, should any one society
in the Union preponderate over the rest; yet, amidst all these
inquietudes of mind, our consolation arose from this
consideration,--the plan must be good, for it has the signature
of a tried, trusty friend, and if religious liberty is rather
insecure in the Constitution, 'the Administration will certainly
prevent all oppression, for a WASHINGTON will preside.'
According to our wishes, the unanimous voice of the Union has
called you, sir, from your beloved retreat, to launch forth again
into the faithless seas of human affairs, to guide the helm of
the States. May that Divine munificence, which covered your head
in battle, make you a yet greater blessing to your admiring
country in time of peace. Should the horrid evils that have been
so pestiferous in Asia and Europe, faction, ambition, war,
perfidy, fraud, and persecution for conscience sake, ever
approach the borders of our happy nation, may the name and
administration of our beloved President, like the radiant source
of day, scatter all those dark clouds from the American
hemisphere.
[pg 54] And while we speak freely
the language of our hearts, we are, satisfied that we express the
sentiments of our bretbren, whom we represent. The very name of
Washington is music in our ears; and although the great evil in
the States is the want of mutual confidence between rulers and
people, yet we have all the utmost confidence in the President of
the States; and it is our fervent prayer to Almighty God, that
the federal government, and the governments of the respective
States, without rivalship, may so co-operate together, as to make
the numerous people over whom you preside, the happiest nation on
earth, and you, sir, the happiest man, in seeing the people,
whom, by the smiles of Providence, you saved from vassalage by
your valor, and made wise by your maxims, sitting securely under
their vines and fig-trees, enjoying the perfection of human
felicity. May God long preserve your life and health for a
blessing to the world in general, and the United States in
particular; and, when, like the sun, you have finished your
course of great and unparalleled services, and go the way of all
the earth, may the Divine Being who will reward every man
according to his works, grant unto you a glorious admission into
his everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ. This, sir, is the
prayer of your happy admirers.
By order of the Committee,
SAMUEL
HARRISS, Chairman
REUBEN FORD, Clerk.
To the General Commttiee, representing the United Baptist
Churches in Virginia.
GENTLEMEN,--I request that you will accept my best
acknowledgments for your congratulation on my appointment to the
first office in the nation. The kind manner in which you mention
my past conduct, equally claims the expression of my gratitude.
After we had, by the smiles of Divine Providence on our
exertions, obtained the object for which we contended, I retired,
at the conclusion of the war, with an idea, that my country could
have no farther occasion for my services, and with the intention
of never entering again into public life. But when the exigencies
of my country seemed to require me once more to engage in public
affairs, an honest conviction of duty superseded my former
resolution, and became my apology for deviating from the happy
plan which I had adopted.
If I could have entertained the slightest apprehension that the
Constitution framed by the Convention where I had the honor to
preside, might possibly endanger the religious rights of any
ecclesiastical society, certainly I would never have placed my
signature to it; and if I could now conceive that the general
government might even be so administered, as to [pg 55] render the liberty of conscience
insecure, I beg you will be persuaded, that no one would be more
zealous than myself, to establish effectual barriers against the
horrors of spiritual tyranny, and every species of religious
persecution. For you, doubtless, remember, I have often expressed
my sentiments, that any man, conducting himself as a good
citizen, and being accountable to God alone for his religious
opinions, ought to be protected in worshiping the Deity according
to the dictates of his own conscience. While I recollect with
satisfaction, that the religious society of which you are
members, have been, throughout America, uniformly, and almost
unanimously the firm friends to civil liberty, and the
persevering promoters of our glorious revolution; I cannot
hesitate to believe, that they will be the faithful supporters of
a free, yet efficient general government. Under this pleasing
expectation, I rejoice to assure them, that they may rely upon my
best wishes and endeavors to advance their prosperity.
In the meantime, be assured, gentlemen, that I entertain a
proper sense of your fervent supplications to God for my temporal
and eternal happiness.
I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
Elder Leland's removal to New-England took place in
1791.12 As soon as he landed again on
its shores, he commenced anew the warfare against religious
intolerance, and the defence of the cause that had so signally
triumphed in Virginia. During his stay in New London, he
published his "Rights of Conscience Inalienable," and afterwards,
from time to time, other works of the same character; some of
which will be found in these volumes, and others it has been
impossible to obtain.
_________________________
12___ It may be proper to mention, in this place, that
while a member of the General Committee, he was appointed one of
a committee to collect materials for a history of the Baptists in
Virginia ; and had made considerable progress towards it, when
his removal caused him to relinquish the trust into other
hands.
Our limits do not allow us to enter upon the history and
progress of religious liberty in Massachusetts. This may be found
elsewhere. It had struggled for existence, and found some
advocates from the first settlement of the state, but was kept
constantly shackled by certificate laws, and other expedients of
ecclesiastical tyranny. At length, in the beginning of 1811, a
decision by Judge Parsons, that no society, not incorporated by
law, could claim even the pitiful privilege of drawing back
money, awakened the fears of the dissenters, and a circular
Address, accompanied by a petition to the legislature, praying
for a revision of the laws respecting public worship, was
circulated through the state. At the solicitation of the people
of Cheshire, Mr. Leland accepted a seat in the legislature, for
the special purpose of aiding the measures petitioned for. His
speech, delivered during the debate on the subject, may be found
in another part of this work.
|
A
CHARGE TO DEACONS