The Fitting Out of Preachers

30 July 2010

"In the compass of last year, it is said that twelve hundred physicians, six hundred lawyers, and five hundred preachers, have been fitted out in the United States. If health, security of property, and Christian piety equally increase, the blessing will be great. But with respect to preachers, I am at a loss to know what fitted out means: for I have never yet found anything enjoined on churches, individuals, rulers or bishops, by Christ or the apostles, to procure preachers, except one; which is, 'Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into the harvest.'"--John Leland, 1826.

John Leland, Part of a Speech Delivered at Suffield, The Writings of the Elder John Leland and the Events of His Life, Printed by G.W. Wood, 1845, p. 525.