Bard - Samuel - 1881
SAMUEL BARD
Source: Crawfordsville Star, July 14, 1881 -- thanks to Jerry T for this beautiful one :)
"Let me die the death of the righteous, let my last end be like his." On last Thursday July 7, 1881, Samuel Bard, an aged and respected citizen passed away. He was an Israelite indeed in whom there was no gulle. Mr. Bard was born in Montgomery County, PA August 24, 1798; here he married and lived until the year 1840. At this time he removed with his family to Stark County,Ohio and after a number of years residence in that county removed to this state, living a while in Logansport; coming to Crawfordsville eight years ago where the remaining years of his life were spent. His wife, an elect christian woman and the and the affectionate and faithful compassion of his long life, died in March last. She was taken away suddenly, without scarcely a momen't notice that the time of her departure was at hand; but she was ready to go. She left him aged and afflicted, lingering on the shores of the river, looking across to the promised land whither she had gone and he was soon to follow. Mr. Bard was eminently a religious man. His religion was the practical and everyday sort and not a Sunday garment. His religious ideas were distinct and his piety of the positive type. His conversion was clear and emphatic and, not to be forgotten. The following is his own language about it, for it took place many years ago: "On the first morning of the year 1835, the first day of the week, alone in my chamber, the Lord most powerfully converted my soul. No language can express the joy I had." He at once became a member of the M.E. Church. But conversion alone was not enough for him. He believed in a growth in grace - in higher states of religious life - and he resolved to seek for it, and we have the following record of the result: "February 7, 1873, will ever be a memorable day in the history of my life. * * * I lifted my heart to God and made an entire consecration of all to the Lord, and received the evidence that it was accepted. I had often been blest with more rapturous joy, but now there was an abiding peace and an assurance that I was entirely the Lords." The rest of his religious life was one of great piety and unceasing religious joy. He was a great sufferer in the closing days of his life. The disease was cancer. Its work was done slowly and painfully, but surely. But it did not matter where you met him, nor when, he spoke of his joys rather than his sufferings. His reply to the question, How are you by this time? It was always "My suffering is great, but, glory to God, my joy in Jesus Christ is greater. He sustains me and he blesses me." There is something divine in a religion that will sustain a man in such a trial of affliction. That is lucalcuably valuable to man which can make a dying bed feel soft as downy pillows are. In this christinaity excels all human philosphies. It makes a man better in life and happy in death. When Mr. Bard felt that his hour of departure was near at hand he called his family about him and bid them farewell, saying to them that he would talk and signal to them as long as he could. He was too weak to talk very much for he had already fainted away once. He was now sailing out into the silent sea, peacefully sailing. One asked him, "How is it now?" And he replied, "It is all right, it is all clear!" The weary moment passed slowly by and again it was asked, "How is it now?" And he replied, "It is all right, it is all clear." The weary moments passed slowly by and gain it was asked, "How is it now?" And the same reply came back, "It is all right, it is all clear." The question was suggested again, and this time the answer came back, like an echo, whispering, All right, all clear. He was too far out to be reached anymore so he responded by lifting his hand. It was raised at intervals, signifying that it was yet "All right, All clear." Then it ceased. He was gone. The saint was at home.