p. 23 | Obituaries

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Apr 8, 1909

Obituaries

By JENNIE GASKELL; F. H. HICKS; Wm. GUTHRIE; S. G. HUNTINGTON; EVA G. THOMAS

Gaskell.— E. B. Gaskell was born near Niagara Falls, N. Y., in 1833. He died at Hildebran, N. C., March 8, 1909, aged 73 years, 10 months, and 4 days. Born of godly parents, he early took an active interest in religious things. In 1861 he was married to Mary Lindsay, whose parents were among the pioneers of the message in New York State. From that time forward he took an active part in the different branches of the work. Being called by the General Conference to Battle Creek, Mich., nearly forty years ago, he cheerfully gave up bright worldly prospects of gain to work for the Master, from which time on he held himself subject to any call from the Lord. In 1891 his second marriage was to Jennie England. In 1893 he was called to labor in South Africa, where he did faithful missionary work for ten years, returning in 1903 to this country, broken in health, leaving behind him there his youngest child sleeping in Jesus. His Bible was his daily companion. He often said there was nothing in this life worth living for but to help get the truth before the people, in the progress of which he took the keenest interest till the day of his death. His was a beautiful death. Just before he breathed his last, he was asked if the Lord seemed near to him. Being unable to speak, he bowed his head, then looked up so earnestly, with such a bright, happy look, his face fairly shining, and reaching his arm out as if to take something. That happy look never left him till he calmly closed his eyes in death. It is the firm belief of those who saw him that the Lord gave him a view of something heavenly to cheer his dying moments. He was a devoted husband, a loving father, and a kind friend, beloved by all who knew him. A wife, two daughters, and a little adopted girl, also three sisters and one brother, are left to mourn. He was taken to Olcott, N. Y., where he was tenderly and lovingly laid to rest in the old family burying-ground, there to await the Life-giver when he comes. The funeral service at Hildebran was conducted by Brother J. W. Beach. JENNIE GASKELL.

Haskins.— Sister Matilda Haskins died at her home near Randolph, N. Y., March 11, 1909, in the eightieth year of her age. Sister Haskins has believed in the Christian faith all her life. In her later years, through the influence of her grandson, Brother A. E. Manry, she fully accepted the truths held by this people, and did all she could to pass them on to her relatives and friends. The funeral was conducted at her home by the writer. Many friends and relatives were present, and listened attentively to the truths which had become the hope of our sister who now awaits the appearing of the Life-giver. F. H. HICKS.

Rickard.— Elder Herman E. Rickard was born in the vicinity of Fitch Bay, Quebec, Nov. 5, 1849. He died at his home, at Fitch Bay, Quebec, March 18, 1909, after an illness of almost three years' duration. He leaves a wife and one daughter, besides many relatives, to mourn their loss. He had been a faithful laborer in the cause of truth in Quebec for a number of years; and many who had listened to his earnest words, and had been brought into the message by the same, weep as children for a loved parent. But they all await with hope and patience that day when we shall be called forth from the grave to meet the Life-giver. Words of comfort were spoken to a large and attentive audience from Job 23:10-13. Elder G. H. Skinner assisted in the service. Wm. GUTHRIE.

Robertson.— Died of paralysis of the brain, at Alpine, Utah, James L. Robertson, aged 73 years, 11 months, and 10 days. The deceased, with his mother and three brothers, came to Utah across the plains from Illinois in the early days of the State. The family were all Mormons, but about four years ago Brother Robertson began studying the truths of the third angel's message. Two years ago he was baptized and united with the Provo church of Seventh-day Adventists. He loved the truth dearly, and died strong in the faith he had so recently espoused. At the time of his separation from the Mormon Church, he held the rank of high priest; and his letters of “excommunication” from that organization for “unchristian conduct” are now in the hands of the writer. Services were conducted by the undersigned in the Mormon meeting-house at Alpine, the attendance being very large. S. G. HUNTINGTON.

Thomas.— Died Feb. 26, 1909, of pneumonia, at his residence in North Kingston, R. I., Robert B. Thomas, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. He accepted present truth over thirty-five years ago, and has been a faithful, consistent member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church ever since. It was his daily prayer that his children, of whom there are seven, might accept the same truths, and choose Christ for their all. He often talked seriously to them of religious things, and no day passed until he was taken sick, that he did not conduct family prayers. Those who knew him will remember him as an honest, sympathetic, generous-hearted man, of kindly nature and serious turn of mind. After life's fitful fever, he sleeps peacefully in his ancestral burial-place. Besides his children, he leaves a wife, two brothers, and one sister. Elder Smith, of the Advent Christian Church at La Fayette, R. I., preached the funeral sermon from the text chosen by the wife of the deceased, 2 Tim. 4:7, 8. “On Jordan's Stormy Banks,” his favorite hymn, was sung at the beginning of the service, and “Jesus, Lover of My Soul,” at the close. EVA G. THOMAS.