"They rest from their labor." Brother Almond Burdick and Sister Celinda Oviatt Burdick, his wife, died at their home in Sharon, Pa., the first Feb. 28th, 1881, of pleuritic pneumonia, aged 70 years, and the latter March 3d, of heart disease, aged 66 years. Brother Burdick was the son of Spaulding, and came to this county [Allegany Co., NY] from DeRuyter, Madison county, sixty-seven years ago with his father's family and settled in Alma, near Scio.
About the time of the organization of the Church in that place, he and his wife became members of that body, and so continued until they purchased the farm on which they lived until their death in Sharon. Here isolated from the friends of early life, he might have lived an died, forgotten and unknown, but for the Sabbath of the Lord. Keeping this, he was known and his light could not be hid. Guided by this, about twelve years ago, Bro. Stephen Burdick, when preaching in this county, found his house, and it soon became a most generous place to preach the truth and the nucleus for gathering the little church of which they were constituent members, and their children were soon converted and have ever been working members of the little church. At their house, so remote from the general thoroughfares, many of our brethren in the ministry have found rest and hospitality, while doing the Master's work. Few are the names of our most energetic pioneers, conspicuous for the eminence of their abilities and the singleness of their aims, who will not remember the home of Brother and Sister Burdick on the Honeoye.
Last Christmas was the 70th birthday of Bro. Burdick. It was the occasion of a reunion of all the children. It might be the last Christmas gathering for them. So impressed, they all bowed together in prayer to God. It was, indeed, their last Christmas, and their father's last birthday party. He had reached his three score years and ten; what shall be added is borrowed time.
The end soon came. The middle of February found them both in their last sickness. There was no mistaking it, and they were ready. Day and night the children were watching and waiting at their side. Now the tenderest and best counsel of their lives were given - it was to be the last. Tenderest of all was their own farewell to each other. In a chair, Bro Burdick was carried to the bedside of his wife. There, assuring each other of their trust in Christ, and hoping soon to meet before the throne, they grasped hands bidding the last farewell.
The morning of March 4th, side by side they were prepared for the resting place. Their funeral was large and sympathetic. The text was one often repeated by Sister Burdick in her life. Ps. 55: 6, 7, 8. They had almost reached the 50th anniversary of wedded life which they hoped to celebrate with fitting ceremonies; but their golden wedding will be with the Lamb and his redeemed in heaven.
Their remains were carried to the burial in Scio, where many friends met, and joined in the solemn service, lowering their coffins into the grave long after nightfall. Brother and sister Burdick leave five sons and two daughters to mourn the best of parents. One son died in the service of his country.
