Person:Nathan Howard (11)

Obituary in the Minutes of the Montreal Methodist Conference 1892

Father Howard was born in Demorestville, Prince Edward County, Ont., May 20th, 1814. When he was about eighteen years of age his father was drowned, and he assumed the care of his widowed mother and her six children. On January 3rd, 1836, he married Miss Ruth Thompson, who now surrvives him. At the age of twenty-seven he was converted at a camp-meeting held near the town of Picton, Ont. To the end of life he esteemed his conversion a thorough work of grace, and rejoiced in the fact. His convictions were pungent, his repentance sincere, and the evidence of his acceptance was all that could be desired. Three weeks after conversion he was appointed leader of a class of five, which class he, by a protracted prayer-meeting, increased to twenty-five -- it numbered forty when he resigned charge thereof. He filled the office of local preacher for one year, when he was called to the itinerancy in the late M. E. [Methodist Episcopal] Church. For thirty-three years he rendered efficient service as an itinerant, travelling some fifteen Circuits. On three of them he labored a second term, and always succeeded in gathering in some precious fruit. Twelve years ago last Conference he was superannuated, still he continued to preach with more or less frequency until within five weeks of his death; assuming charge of the Newboro' Circuit for some six months about six years ago. And to his credit be it said, he was always at his post if at all able to attend, and always prompt to the hour; never having missed a quarterly service since he joined the Church. His departure was not as he expected. He anticipated, and prepared for, a sudden call; but he passed away slowly, almost imperceptibly. His end was marked with great peace. He died January 8th, 1892. Eleven of his children yet remain, all of whom we trust are treading in his footsteps. Eight of our ministers assisted at the burial service. "The memory of the just is blessed."

Obituary in The Christian Guardian, June 8, 1892

Another veteran is gone; another valiant soldier, who won honors on the field in the days gone by, has been called away; another of the old landmarks, reminding us of the changes that have come over our beloved Methodism, has been removed. One by one the fathers leave us, their work being well and faithfully done.

Rev. N.H. Howard was born in Demorestville, Prince Edward county, Ontario, May 20th, 1814. He died at his home in Elgin, Leeds county, Ontario, January 8th, 1892 n his seventy-eighth year. He was grandson to the man whose name his native village bears, and nephew to the late Rev. Thomas Demorest. His father was drowned when he was eighteen year of age, leaving to his care the mother and six children, and nobly he bore the responsiblity thus early thrown upon him. One of these children is Rev. E.S. Howard, of the Montreal Conference.

In the year 1836, he married Miss Ruth Thompson, a worthy helpmeet. From early youth he was religiously inclined, although he became, as he sometimes expressed, a wicked and profane man. When about thirty he was made to feel his need of a Saviour. Deep and pungent were his convictions; sincere and thorough was his repentance. To find relief for his heavily-burdened heart he went some fourteen miles from his home to a camp meeting held near the town of Picton. Nor did he seek in vain. The change then wrought in him was through work of grace, his evidence of the divine favor eminently satisfactory, for which he was devoutly thankful to the last moment of his life. His conversion was both a surprise and a joy to the Methodist society where he lived, and within three weeks he was appointed class leader, the class comprising four devout females and his grandfather. In the winter of that year he conducted a protracted prayer-meeting, and the class increased to twenty-five, numbering forty when he resigned it for other work. Rev. L. A. Betts, also of the the Montreal Conference, and his brother, were among these new converts. Thus early in his Christian life did he begin work for his Master, and that work was already marked with success. He filled the office of local preacher acceptably for one year, when in 1846, he was called to the itinerancy of the Methodist Episcopal Church. For thirty-three years he filled his place in the itinerant ranks, doing efficient and successful service. If not brilliant as a preacher, he certainly was diligent as a pastor, and he gathered in fruit from every field. It is said of him that from the time of his joining the Church militant until called to the Church triumphant, he never failed to attend a Quarterly Meeting service, and wherever duty called him he was always at his post, if at all able to attend. These were the circuits on which he labored: Sidney, Hope, Cannifton, Percy, Huntingdor, Morven, Belleville, Stirling, Demorestville, Elgin, Sydenham, Aultsville, Farmersville, and Camden, returning a second time to Cannifton, Sidney, and Morven. He superannuated in 1879, living for a short time in Morven. In 1882 he moved to Elgin to spend his last days with his younger son. And during these later years he has ever been found ready to respond to any call for labor (supplying the Newboro' Circuit for some six months), and preaching occasionally until within five weeks of his death. But since the last Annual Conference we noticed his health gradually failing him -- it was evident he could stay with us but a little longer. And on the last Sabbath before Christmas, his seat in the sanctuary, just beneath the pulpit, was vacated, to be filled by him no more. Two weeks before that he gave a very inspiring testimony. Referring to the death of Rev. Wm. Brown, another superannuate among the M. E. brethren, which had occurred a few days before, "he thought from certain premonitions he might pass away in like sudden and mysterious manner, but he was ready, his work was done; he was simply waiting the Father's bidding." But it was not the Lord's will to take him so suddenly. Slowly and almost imperceptibly he passed away. And such was the nature of his disease he was favored with but few lucid intervals during his last days; but whenever a testimony was given it was always of the same clear and decisive character. One day Rev. J. Stewart, of Newboro', visited and prayed with him; soon after the writer did the same, and his son asked him if these services did not weary him. "Oh no!" he replied with a beaming smile, "these are like angel's visits." His last words to the writer were in answer to the question, "Is Jesus still with you?" "Oh, yes!" he says, "he will not leave me. He shall deliver me in six troubles, and in seven he will not leave me."

And now he is gone, and there remains his beloved wife, who for fifty-six years has travelled life's weary pathway by his side, and eleven children, ten of whom, with wives or husbands, visited him during his illness. And it is worthy of note, that five of his immediate relatives are in the Methodist ministry. A large concourse, full of kindly sympathy, attended his funeral, and there would have been many more could the church but have accommodated them. Eight of our ministers assisted in the services, Rev. H. Cairns, Chairman of Brockville District, conducting, the pastor of Elgin, by request of the deceased, preaching the sermon, the subject, "An abundant entrance ministered unto you;" Rev. L. A. Betts following with some tender, touching and appropriate remarks. May the mantles of these departing fathers be as faithfully worn by those who are called to fill their places.

Legacy and Descendants

Great grandson George Edwy Caldwell Howard died in WW1 (air force).