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Further Sketches In The Life of...
Part IV
Written By Himself.
[pg 62] Early in 1814, a vote was passed that the
dismissed members should have the use of the meeting-house so much of the time as they were
entitled to it, by the share they held in the property, and they were requested to appoint their
days of worship."15
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15___Soon after this, Elder Leland removed to New Ashford. See autobiography
for circumstances. He continued to preach from time to time in Cheshire.
At the meeting of the Shaftsbury Association in June, 1817, at the request of the messengers of
the church, they were dropped from their connection with the Association. In the afternoon of
the same day on which this was done, "A certain schedule of articles of belief, dated at
Cheshire, August 22, 1811, signed John Leland, being presented by the messengers of the
Leyden Association, who desired to know if we held in our fellowship a public character or
church that embraced such sentiments:
Voted, unanimously, that this Association hold fellowship with no man or church, embracing,
r countenancing such sentiments as contained in the paper then presented." 16
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16___ See minutes for that year.
Possessed of that charity which "hopeth and endureth all things," and neither wishes nor works
ill to its neighbor, Elder Leland was employed, during this long period of persecution, in the
pursuit of his domestic concerns, and the duties of his calling. His friends, surprised at the
extraordinary and unconstitutional proceedings of the "aggrieved
party,"17 sought, by every means, for many years, to set
the party and the public right. On the other hand, the wicked, seeing themselves backed by so
many zealous professors, and ever ready to take advantage of such dissensions, spared no pains to
invent and circulate the most unblushing falsehoods respecting his opinions and practices. No good
ever resulted from the whole course of proceeding; nothing was gained by any one; but a bad
impression was left upon the minds of the
people generally, who seemed to doubt the purity of purpose that actuated to such a course of
conduct as had been pursued, nor could ever be brought to see how any blame could justly fall
upon Elder Leland.
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17___ Though only a small minority, they had at one time assumed to be the
church, and as such, had sent a letter and messengers to the Association, in addition to that sent
regularly by the church.
Years passed on, the particular circumstances of which it is unnecessary to detail. At length, in
1824, a new church was formed, consisting, in part, of the surviving members of the aggrieved
party, and partly of such as withdrew at that time from the Second Church, or had never united
with any. Each church occupied the meeting-house half the time.
A revival in 1827, produced some accessions to both, and also to a Methodist society which had
been constituted in 1823.
As many of the dissenting members had, in years previous to church [pg 63] difficulties, been warmly attached to Elder Leland,
none but his God and nearest friends knew how trying to his heart was the loss of their society
and friendship. At the darkest hour of the contest, no uncharitable expression escaped his lips,
nor could he ever be induced to occupy the desk, when he thought it belonged, of right to them.
In 1831, another revival occurred. Numbers were baptized, and united with the churches to
which their friends respectively belonged. Others were deterred from uniting with either, by the
consideration that the existence of two churches of the same faith and order, in one place,
necessarily involved the certainty that a wrong existed somewhere; and, as they could not
determine satisfactorily to themselves where it existed, they judged it better to remain
neutral.
Indeed, for the most part, the younger portion of the community knew not why they should stand
aloof from their neighbors in religious concerns, when they were all of one faith, and friendly in
every other respect. The lapse of years had thinned the number of those whose grievances had
first occasioned the division, and those living, seemed to feel deeply their estrangement from
their brethren, and manifested, by suitable acknowledgments to Elder Leland and others, or by
their friendly conduct, that they retained no longer any hostile feeling. Time had smothered the
disputes that had once risen like mountains between them and their brethren, and the Holy
Spirit's influence, which, as has justly been remarked, "can accomplish more in one hour, in
bringing Christians together, than years spent in disputes and discipline, "was doing its perfect
work, and fostering a growing spirit of charity in all hearts.
In the winter and spring of 1833-4, Elder Leland and his wife had some rather unusual exercises
of mind respecting the churches, which left upon them the impression that a union might be
effected. Prompt in executing what his feelings of duty led him to undertake, he immediately
visited several members of his own church, told his feelings and wishes, and proposed, if
possible, to bring about a reconciliation, by meeting their brethren of the other church, on the
broad basis of universal forgiveness, and mutual oblivion of the past. Some did not readily
concur: but he presented to their minds the powerful motives on which their common Master had
urged the duty of forgiveness, and reminded them that every Christian must have a forgiving
spirit. At length their scruples gave way to the reflection, that if he, who had suffered most,
could heartily forgive, they ought to throw no obstacle in the way of the accomplishment of his
wishes.
A meeting was accordingly appointed, and the churches came together. Many spectators were
also present; some, no doubt, drawn by curiosity, and expecting to hear the grounds of the long
trouble laid open and discussed; and others, truly rejoicing at the prospect of a speedy end of
those[pg 64] troubles. The plan proposed by Elder
Leland was characteristically liberal. The following is a copy of it, as written by him on the first
page of the "new church-book."
Cheshire, March 6, 1834.
This day the Second and Third Baptist Churches in Cheshire united together, to be called
hereafter the Second Church, upon the following plan of agreement, viz. :-
All former differences shall be buried in the sea of universal forgiveness and all the members of
both churches, whether present or absent, shall be considered in the union, under the following
provisions:--
Any member here present, who, from local situation, or any other cause, may decline the union,
shall be subject to no censure therefor. Those members who are not present, shall have the same
indulgence, when they make their requests known. In both cases, the non-unionists shall be
under no obligation to tell their reasons why.
A clerk shall be chosen, in whose office the books and papers of both the former churches shall
be deposited, merely for information, but shall not be appealed to for rules of proceeding.
A new book shall be procured, in which the proceedings of the church hereafter shall be
registered.
As soon as the plan was laid before the meeting, a spirit of union seemed to run from heart to
heart; and, to the great joy of all present, not an opposing voice was raised. The union was
effected without a discussion of difficulties, without a surrender of private judgment--upon the
only ground on which it is believed it could ever have taken place. It was a source of great
consolation to Elder Leland, to have his early friends take him so cordially by the hand; and from
this time until his death, it is believed no member of either church bore him any ill will; such, at
least, was the appearance. The approving smile of Heaven seemed to ratify the act; for though
but few additions to their number have since taken place, a spirit of harmony has prevailed in all
their deliberations, and brotherly love has continued uninterrupted among the members of the
united church.
In this brief sketch of events, we have endeavored to perform with candor the task which duty
imposed. Its object has been, not to call up painful remembrances from the oblivion where they
were buried, but to do justice to the memory of the man to whose prejudice those events have
been perverted, and to exhibit his character, course, and principles in their true light. No apology
is, therefore, deemed necessary for an act so clearly and imperatively demanded by truth and
justice. That which goes down to later generations as matter of history, should be sober fact,
divested of all the false coloring which prejudice, ignorance, or party spirit may have [pg 65] thrown around it; Such, it is hoped, this narrative
may be found. Great care has been taken to ascertain truth, and few assertions have been made
that are not sustained by documentary evidence of undoubted authenticity. a few observations of
a miscellaneous character, will close these sketches.
The following extract, from Semple's Virginia Baptists, published in 1810, will serve to show
the estimation in which Mr. Leland was held in that state.
"Mr. Leland, as a preacher, was probably the most popular of any that ever resided in this state.
He is, unquestionably, a man of fertile genius. His opportunities for school learning were not
great; but the energetic vigor of his mind quickly surmounted this deficiency. His memory was so
retentive, that by a single reading he stored up more of the contents of a book, than many would
by a dozen careful perusals. It is probable that his knowledge, derived from books, at this day,
taken in the aggregate, is surpassed by few. His preaching, though immethodical and eccentric, is
generally wise, warm and evangelical. There are not many preachers, who have so great
command of the attention and of the feelings of their auditory. In effecting this, his manner has
been thought, by some, to approach too near to the theatrical. Cowper, the poet, says:
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'He that negotiates between God and man,
As God's ambassador, the grand concerns
Of judgment and of mercy, must beware
Of lightness in his speech.'
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"Here Mr. Leland and the poet are at variance; he does, sometimes, and, indeed, not
unfrequently,
'Court the skittish fancy with facetious tales.'
"If Cowper says, ' So did not Paul,' Leland can say, So did George Whitfield, Rowland Hill,
etc., and they have been the mast successful of modern preachers. Mr. Leland's free and jocund
manners have excited the suspicions of some, that he wanted serious piety. His intimate Friends
are confident that these are groundless suspicions. They believe that, among his other
singularities, he is singularly pious."
It is true, there was nothing of superstitious austerity in the tone of his piety; it corresponded
with his own description of the feelings of the heaven-born soul--" lively as angels, yet solemn
as the grave.'' Deep solemnity characterized his public ministrations. In prayer, he seemed to
have an overwhelming sense of the perfections of the Being he addressed; and his manner, his
words, and the tones of his voice, were expressive of the most reverential awe, the deepest
self-abasement, and the humblest adoration. He was in the habit of confessing the immense
distance of [pg 66] men, as creatures, below the
infinite Jehovah, and the immeasurable increase of that distance by reason of sin. "Supremely
great, infinitely glorious, highly exalted, everywhere present, all-wise and eternal God," was
often, either wholly, or in part, the introduction of his prayer. His audience felt themselves
carried directly into the presence of Him who is "fearful in praises," and it was impossible to
listen with an irreverent or trifling spirit. In the administration of the sacrament, few, if any, were
ever more deeply solemn and impressive. In his preaching, he sometimes, by a single sentence,
presented before the mind a view of eternal things, which left an indelible impression on the
memory. Such was the manner in which he was accustomed to speak of death. "It is," he would
say, "a solemn thing to die; to go--we know not where; to be--we know not what." His manner,
however, was far from being affected or theatrical; and he did not deem it inconsistent, either
with real solemnity, or with the spirit of true piety, to mingle, not only in his writings and
conversation, but in his preaching, occasional strokes of humor or of satire. But the "facetious
tales" had always a. higher object in view than to excite a smile, or "court the skittish fancy."
They were brought in illustration of some important truth, which he wished to exhibit in the
dearest light, and to impress forcibly upon the mind; effects which their aptness was well
calculated to produce. The shafts of satire, too, pointed though they might be, were not dipped in
the gall of malice or ill will, nor aimed at anything which he esteemed valuable or sacred.
Instances illustrative of this part of his character may be found among his writings, and will be
recollected by all who ever heard him preach or converse. The following is one example, and
will serve to show his manner of treating those circumstances, which, to many persons of
different temperament, or of less elevated views and aims, would seem to afford sufficient
ground for resentment, and which not unfrequently result in irreconcilable animosity.
THE CHESHIRE RACES.18
As the annual races of Cheshire drew nigh, about the first of April, 1823, the hippodrome was
prepared for the contest. As the speed, wind, and bottom of the horses were to be tested, the
hippodrome included hills, levels, lanes and hedges, reaching from Savoy to Hancock. The prize
to be run for, was [pg 67]
MEETING-HOUSE AND MAJORITY.
The horses brought on the ground were, first, the Duke of Marlborough; a fine, high-bred horse,
in fine style; supposed by some, who judge of horses, to be the best racer ever seen on Cheshire
race ground. The second, was Little Jolly, sired by the imported Jolly Rogers, the famous
courser. Little Jolly had never run but a few races; but his make, nimbleness and wind, raised the
confidence of many. The third horse, was Old Dray, the sight of whom made some laugh, and
others sneer. Old Dray had often been on the ground; but was never formed for speed, and rarely
won the prize; had now grown old, and unfit to contend with young steeds in high perfection; in
short, he had nothing to commend him, except his being of the fear-not blood. On this
condition
alone could he be admitted, that he should carry an extra burden of a plough and pitchfork on his
back, during the race.
The distance stake was stuck forty feet short of the goal, and all things were made ready for the
start. At the beat of the drum, the halters were slipped, and, by some unknown cause, Old Dray
got four feet in front; but this advance was very short, for the Marlborough came up, and went by
him, with great facility; and, had it not been for two causes, there was every reason to believe
that the Marlborough would have distanced all the rest. The first cause was, he made a violent
kick and bite at Old Dray, and some affirm that he spake, (like the beast that Balaam rode,) and
said, "If Old Dray can be kicked out of the path, it will be the most glorious race that ever was
run," which rather crippled him in the stifle joint. His friends, however, say that there was
neither kick nor bite; that although he is all activity to run the race, yet he has no venom in him.
The second cause was, that when he came to Savoy Heights, far ahead, there was a certain berry
on the hills, called Woodberry, which had so strong a scent, that it rather paralyzed his limbs.
Little Jolly started with great alertness, and the bets in his favor were greater than for any of the
horses on the ground; but, making a bite at Old Dray, he incautiously stepped over the line, and
crossed the path, in which he received a wound; but his friends produced a medicine, made of
fabrication, and administered by offset, which proved a catholicon. They said that Old Dray had
done as bad as Jolly, and one must be offset against the other. This medicine they had tried on a
former occasion, and knew its efficacy. This treaty, made with their consciences, healed the
wound of Jolly, and they declared him to be the soundest and swiftest horse in the race. And
truly, in that part of the race ground called lanes and hedges, he performed wonders. Being
acquainted with such kind of ground, he jumped with all the agility of a rabbit. In going over the
flat ground of Hancock, Old Dray made considerable advances on Marlborough, [pg 68] but could not come up with him. In coming out at
the goal, the Marlborough was seventeen feet in advance of Old Dray, and Old Dray seventeen
feet before the Jolly. The judges seemed somewhat divided; but the decision was, that the
Marlborough should have the majority, the Little Jolly have the meeting-house,
and the Old Dray would carry the plough and pitchfork upon his back as long as he lived, and
never be allowed to enter the race ground again.
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18___To those acquainted with the circumstances, any attempt at an
explanation or this allegory would be superfluous; to others, perhaps, impossible, as well as
unprofitable. It WILL be sufficient to remind the reader that a revival occurred in 1823--that the
same year a Reformed Methodist Society was formed in Cheshire, and early in 1824, the Third
Baptist Church was constituted. Among the ministers represented by three horses, no one, it is
presumed, can fail to recognize the features of "Old Dray."
Continue with "Further
Sketches In The Life of John Leland... Part V"
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John Leland... Part III"
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A
CHARGE TO DEACONS