HENRY JAMES GARLAND

H. J. Garland was a great-grandson of Charles Garland. This is the commentary about him on the jacket of the biography of Henry Francis Lyte and the story of Abide With Me, which he authored.

Was born at Leighton Buzzard, 1888, son of Henry Garland, engaged in missionary work at St. Austell, Cornwall. His grandfather was Thomas Charles Garland, author of "Leaves from my Log," the pioneer of Wesleyan Missions to Seamen in the Port of London. Spent his early days in John Bunyan country and received his training at Cliff College.

First preached at Newton Abbot and later Whitchurch, Cheshire Circuit. He then adopted a pastorate with the Congregational Church, but his heart was in Methodism, and after a few years he returned to the Methodists and was appointed to the Folkestone Circuit, which was later followed by service at Whitby, Yorkshire, Goole, Millom, and finally Ramsgate. He was also well-known in the Torquay area.

He concentrated upon the evangelical appeal, always a predominant note with him in his sermons; he also did a great deal of literary work, his articles on evangelism appearing in periodicals and magazines in many parts of the world.

He also did much practical work in the Mission field. In 1947 he conducted the Centenary commemorations of the death of Henry Francis Lyte at Brixham. In 1948 he played a leading part in the bi-centenary of Dr. Isaac Watts, writing many articles on this for the press. He was also a keen organist and composed many original works which were used in connection with his evangelical work.

He died on the 20th February, 1951 - and at that time was preparing a literary appreciation for the bi-centenary of Dr. Dodderidge. He is buried at Minster, near Ramsgate, Kent.