CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE METHODIST Annual subscribers and donations from several persons in N. York, $14 25 66 87 20 00 4 38 OBITUARY. DEATH OF MR. ELIAS HARDY. To the Editors of the Methodist Magazine. DEAR BRETHREN,-If you consider the following brief memoir worthy of record, and calculated in any degree to promote the cause of religion, you will be pleased to give it a place in your excellent Magazine, as early as possible. JOHN F. WRIGHT. Urbana, Nov. 4, 1826. ELIAS HARDY, son of Samuel and Sarah Hardy, was born in Ross county, Ohio, on the 5th day of December, 1802. When about nine years of age, his parents removed to Chillicothe, where they now reside. Elias was remarkably preserved from the common follies of childhood; and, at a very early period, was generally esteemed as a singularly steady and reflecting boy. Meekness, gentleness, obedience to his parents, as well as other amiable qualities, adorned his juvenile years, and rendered him peculiarly interesting to all who knew him. He was a youth of extraordinary powers of mind, which he did not fail to improve, in the acquisition of every useful branch of literature and science within his reach. At a suitable age, his father sent him to an academy, where he very soon acquired a thorough knowledge of the English grammar. Encouraged by this little progress in learning, he continued his favorite pursuit with increased ardour and assiduity; nor did he cease his indefatigable application to his studies, until bae had obtained a knowledge of the Hebrew, Latin, Greek and French languages. His pious parents, who were among the first fruits of Methodism in the state of Delaware, took much pains to raise their son "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." And, let it be here remarked, for the encouragement of parents, that all the early virtues and religious attainments of this promising young man, ought to be attributed in a great degree, under God, to their seasonable instructions, and their earnest prayers. Some time during the revival of religion in Chillicothe, in 1818—19, an account of which you have already recorded, Elias became more than ever convinced of the necessity and importance of vital godliness, and united himself to the Methodist Episcopal church. He had been so uniformly serious and solemn in his deportment previous to his conversion, that no great visible change appeared in his conduct. It was, however, apparent to all, that he had fully determined to devote himself to the service of God, and live circumspectly and exemplary before the world. His close confinement, and almost constant application to reading and study, it is thought, greatly injured his constitution, and laid the foundation for those severe and repeated attacks of affliction, which he afterwards exporienced. Twice severe fevers had well nigh hurried him into eternity. At another time, he suffered much excruciating pain from the scrofula or white swelling. But throughout the whole of his sufferings, I am informed. he manifested a degree of calmness, of patience, and of resignation, which might well be considered the fruits of genuine piety. Young Mr. Hardy, wishing to apply himself to the study of some profession, determined to turn his attention te surgery and medicine. He accordingly commenced, and prosecuted this study, for some time, with his usual diligence and success. In the fall of 1824, in order to complete his know. ledge of this important science, be went to attend the medical lectures at the university of Lexington, Ky. He he had received the consecrated bread bad been but a short time at the medi- and wine, he remarked, with tears cal college, when a severe cold settled rolling down his emaciated cheeks, upon his lungs, which at once blasted "I have given up myself to the Lord. all the fair earthly prospects of our I feel as I never before felt. I am youthful friend. His parents, hearing now ready to exchange this world for of his dangerous situation, sent his a better; where, ah! where I shall brother, with a suitable carriage, and rest with the patriarchs and prophets had him conveyed home. A large of old." From this time, he appeared number of anxious friends called to see to wait patiently, and in a state of him, and rejoiced with the family, that perfect readiness, for his approaching he had been able to return. They dissolution. The day on which he died, could, however, anticipate but little was, to him, a season of joy and trimore for them, than the pleasure of umph. He continued sensible to the attending to him in his last illness, and very last. His dear mother, wishing the satisfaction of seeing him die. A to hear him express his firm confidence council of physicians was called, to in death, inquired what his prospects consult in relation to a remedy; but were; to whom he gave the most satisall to no purpose. "The die was cast. factory answer. Embracing his father I often visited him in his affliction. At around the neck, he said, "You have the first he appeared much cast down. been a good father to me." He then His confidence and religious comfort addressed his sister and brothers, in a were not sufficient to satisfy him in the very pathetic manner; charging them near approach of death. He seemed to serve the Lord, and to meet him in greatly concerned, and fervently en- heaven. In a few hours after, he exgaged for sensible enjoyment in his pired, as in the arms of Jesus, and no God. Much prayer was offered up to doubt entered the mansions of eternal the throne of grace in his behalf. His rest, on the 21st day of April, 1825. tender mother, who watched almost continually at his bedside with many tears, seemed to pray for him without ceasing. Nor did we ask in vain. Elias soon realized an answer to prayer; and truly his joy was full. A few weeks before he died, I administered to him the sacrament of the Lord's supper; which was made a very special blessing to his soul. At this hour, he appeared to enjoy much of the favour of God, and to have the most transporting views of future glory. After I will here subjoin a short extract, from an obituary notice of Mr. Hardy's death, which appeared in the Gazette of Chillicothe: "If exemplary deportment through life; an unremitting zeal in contributing to the happiness of our fellow creatures; and a full conviction of the truths of religion and morality, form, the basis of immortal welfare; the numerous friends of the deceased have the most powerful of all consolations, in tacitly yielding to this dispensation of providence." For the Methodist Magazine. "Blessed are ye that weep now, for ye shall laugh."—Luke vi, 21. WEEP, pilgrim, weep; the tear that's shed The tear that, streaming from thine eye, Weep, pilgrim, weep; the tears which fall And treasured near the Saviour's throne, MIRANDA |