Famous quotations by John Leland (1754-1841): John Leland is one of the most colorful, eccentric, and controversial preachers in American Baptist history. A hymn writer, historian, pamphleteer, and ardent advocate of freedom of conscience, he thought of himself primarily as a preacher of the gospel.

In his invaluable 1810 History of the Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia, Robert B. Semple said, "Mr. Leland, as a preacher, was probably the most popular of any that ever resided in this state" (158). Leland's genius manifested itself in many ways, but one of those was his ability to turn a phrase. Below are some of the most often cited of Leland's sayings.

ON CONFESSIONS OF FAITH: "Why this Virgin Mary between the souls of men and the scriptures? Had a system of religion been essential to salvation, or even to the happiness of the saints, would not Jesus, who was faithful in all his house, have left us one? If he has, it is accessible to all. If he has not, why should a man be called a heretick because he cannot believe what he cannot believe, though he believes the Bible with all his heart? Confessions of faith often check any further pursuit after truth, confine the mind into a particular way of reasoning, and give rise to frequent separations.... It is sometimes said that hereticks are always averse to confessions of faith.

I wish I could say as much of tyrants. But after all, if a confession of faith, upon the whole, may be advantageous, the greatest care should be taken not to sacralize, or make a petty Bible of it" (114).

FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE: "Government has no more to do with the religious opinions of men, than it has with the principles of mathematics. Let every man speak freely without fear, maintain the principles that he believes, worship according to his own faith either one God, three Gods, no God, or twenty Gods, and let government protect him in so doing" (184).

ON REGULAR AND SEPARATE BAPTISTS: "The Regulars were orthodox Calvanists [sic], and the work under them was solemn and rational; but the Separates were the most zealous, and the work among them was very noisy. The people would cry out, "fall down," and, for a time, lose the use of their limbs; which exercise made the bystanders marvel; some thought they were deceitful, others, that they were bewitched, and many being convinced of all, would report that God was with them of a truth" (105).

THE NATUE OF RELIGION AND THE CHURCH: "Here, let it be observed, that religion is a matter entirely between God and individuals. No man has a right to force another to join a church; nor do the legitimate powers of civil government extend so far as to disable, incapacitate, proscribe, or in any way distress, in person, property, liberty or life, any man who cannot believe and practice in the common road. A church of Christ, according to the Gospel, is a congregation of faithful persons, called out of the world by divine grace, who mutually agree to live together, and execute gospel discipline among them; which government, is not national, parochial, or presbyterial, but congregational" (108).

ASSOCIATIONS: "It may be here noted, that the General Committee, as well as the Associations, exercise no lordship over the churches--all they attempt is advice, which is generally received by the churches in a cordial manner. Should they attempt anything more, without legal authority, they would appear ridiculous; and with legal authority, they would grow tyrannical" (113).

Walter B. Shurden

Callaway Professor of Christianity Executive Director

The Center for Baptist Studies

Mercer University, Macon, Georgia