OBITUARY by Joseph Bates

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · Sep 2, 1858

OBITUARY

By Joseph Bates

It becomes my painful duty to announce to the readers of the Review, the death of Bro. Josiah Hart, of Round Grove, Whiteside Co. Ills., who departed this life with the setting sun, Aug. 17th, 1858, aged about forty-one years. His disease was called the typhoid fever. His sickness confined him nine weeks. He expressed a strong desire to be healed, that he might go out into the wide harvest-field and labor still more for the Lord; but God in his all-wise providence has directed otherwise. He leaves a wife and five children to mourn his loss.

While he was dying and we had about relinquished all hopes of his understanding anything more that could be said to him, his companion asked if we thought it would be pleasing to God for us to let him die without calling for medical aid? We replied that we had been following the directions which God had given us in the Bible, and that was all, and the best that could be done. At this he looked at us very significantly, and nodded his head to signify that it was so. He had frequently called upon us to pray with him; and expressed that his help must come from God.

We first became acquainted with Bro. Hart, about eight years ago in Northfield, Vt. At that time he began to keep the Sabbath of the Lord, and acquaint himself with the present truth, and soon began to labor as a messenger in the Third Angel's Message. Two years ago this Spring he moved his family here.

His funeral service was attended at his place of residence, this P. M. It was a solemn assembly of the church, and many of the neighbors and friends, who listened with attention.

We have just returned from the silent grave, leaving him beside Bro. Everts. What a solemn thought! two messengers from the walls of Zion, silent in death. Brethren and sisters, shall we heed the cry of the "faithful and true Witness," to buy of him the gold tried in the fire that we may be rich. God is in earnest with the Laodicean church. Let us be zealous and repent, and be ready for the coming of our blessed Lord.

"Slowly away moved the burial train, Severed one link in affection's fond chain; Low in the earth have they laid him to rest, Precious the treasure inclosed in its breast! "Mother! the loved from thy bosom is torn; Children! your father has left you to mourn. Lonely the hearth-stone—for one is not there— Broken the circle—and vacant the chair." JOSEPH BATES.