LELAND, John, a distinguished writer in defence of the Christian religion, was born at Wigan, Lancashire, in 1691, and descended of eminently pious and virtuous parents, who took the earliest care to season his mind with proper instructions. But, in his sixth year, the small-pox deprived him of his understanding and memory, and expunged all his former ideas. He continued in this deplorable state
Legeis near twelve months, when his faculties seemed to spring up anew; and though he did not retain the least traces of any impressions made on him before the distemper, yet he now discovered a quick apprehension and strong memory. In a few years afterwards his parents settled in Dublin. When he was properly qualified by years and study, he was called to officiate as pastor to a congregation of Protestant dissenters in that city. He was an able and acceptable preacher, but his labours were not confined to the pulpit. The many attacks made on Christianity, and by some writers of no contemptible abilities, induced him to consider the subject with the greatest care, and the most faithful examination. Upon the most deliberate inquiry, the truth and divine original, as well as the excellence and importance, of Christianity, appeared to him so clear and certain, that he published answers to several authors who appeared successively in that cause. He was indeed a master in this controversy; and his View of the Deistical Writers that have appeared in England, is very greatly and deservedly esteemed. In the decline of life he published another laborious work on the Advantage and Necessity of the Christian Revelation, shown from the State of Religion in the ancient Heathen World, especially with respect to the Knowledge and Worship of the one true God, in two vols. 4to. This noble and extensive subject, the several parts of which have been slightly and occasionally handled by other writers, Leland treated at large with the greatest care, accuracy, and candour. In his View of the Deistical Writers, his cool and dispassionate manner of treating their arguments, and his solid confutation of them, have contributed much more to depress the cause of infidelity than the angry zeal of intemperate disputants. Besides his learning and abilities, his amiable temper, great modesty, and exemplary life, recommended his memory to general esteem and affection. He died in 1766.