Religious Figure. He was a Baptist minister, whose relationship with James Madison and Thomas Jefferson greatly influenced the inclusion of religious freedom in the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution. Leland and Madison met to discuss Madison's candidacy to the Constitutional Convention. At first, Leland had planned to be a candidate for the Constitutional Convention. When Madison assured Leland that he would do everything he could to be sure religious freedom was protected in the new Constitution, Leland rallied the Baptists of the area behind Madison, who was elected a seat at the convention. Later, of course, Madison introduced the amendments, which would become known as the Bill of Rights, the very first amendment guaranteeing religious freedom in America. Full of zeal, Leland was considered an indefatigable preacher, reportedly delivering 8,000 fiery sermons by his 80th birthday in 1834. Besides supporting separation of church and state, he did not support slavery.
Religious Figure. He was a Baptist minister, whose relationship with James Madison and Thomas Jefferson greatly influenced the inclusion of religious freedom in the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution. Leland and Madison met to discuss Madison's candidacy to the Constitutional Convention. At first, Leland had planned to be a candidate for the Constitutional Convention. When Madison assured Leland that he would do everything he could to be sure religious freedom was protected in the new Constitution, Leland rallied the Baptists of the area behind Madison, who was elected a seat at the convention. Later, of course, Madison introduced the amendments, which would become known as the Bill of Rights, the very first amendment guaranteeing religious freedom in America. Full of zeal, Leland was considered an indefatigable preacher, reportedly delivering 8,000 fiery sermons by his 80th birthday in 1834. Besides supporting separation of church and state, he did not support slavery.
Bio by: Mike Reed
Inscription
"Here lies the body of John Leland, who labored 67 years to promote piety and vindicate the civil and religious rights of all men."
Dedicated by Sons of the American Revolution
Presented by Bucklin Bower
1941
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