DEACON JOHN H. HARDING.—Deacon John H. Harding passed most of his life in the city. In his business he showed much enterprise and ability, and had been rewarded with a good measure of success. For many years he had been connected with the Marine Department of the Civil Service and was regarded by his department and the general public as a careful and competent officer. He became a member of the Church when a lad, and was connected with it through a large part of its history.
He was appointed Deacon February 2nd, 1877, which office as well as that of a member of the Board of Trustees and other important offices in the Church he filled faithfully and well. In him the pastor ever had a friend who was wont to express his appreciation in kindly words and generous deeds. His death occurred at his home on Germain street, Wednesday, May 22nd, 1901, at the age of eighty-three years.
“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.”
DEACON JAMES DYALL.—Brother James Dyall united with the Church by baptism March 9th, 1856. For many years he faithfully served the Church as Deacon, and Treasurer of the Poor Fund. Quiet and retiring in his manner, with but little to say in public, he conscientiously performed the duties intrusted to him, thereby speaking the more loudly, through his works and exemplary Christian character and life, than mere words could have done. To many whom he assisted both in his official and private capacity, his memory will be ever revered. His death occurred April 18th, 1888, in the sixty-seventh year of his age.
Elsewhere in this History mention is made of the large amount left to the Church by his wife at her death, which was in accordance with our brother’s wish. To those of us who knew him well, his memory will be ever green.
DEACON GEORGE A. GARRISON.—Deacon Garrison united with the church by letter, November 22nd, 1823. He became a member of the Board of Deacons, the responsible duties of which office he filled with much acceptance, as well as the duties as Clerk of the Church until his departure from the city in 1870. Deacon Garrison, who had served many years as Deacon, Clerk, and Sunday School Superintendent, on leaving the city in 1870 to reside in Washington, was presented with a purse as an appreciation of his labors. He afterwards returned to the city, and was with us till his death in 1887. At the time of his death he was the oldest member of the Church.
DEACON MANUEL FRANCIS was born in the Faroe Islands, Portugal. Being left an orphan at a very early age he was adopted by a couple who became father and mother to him in all but in name. While a young man he came to Canada and made his home in St. John. He first went to sea, engaging in the whaling business which at that time was not only a popular but also a lucrative avocation. Becoming tired of the sea, he retired from it and permanently settled here, and again took up the trade of his youth, that of a master workman in the shoe business. By careful and strict attention to his work his business gradually developed from small beginnings to one of the leading manufacturing and retail Boot and Shoe business firms of our city.
He was converted, and united with the Germain Street Baptist Church March 26th, 1848. Shortly after his uniting with the Church he was made a member of the Board of Deacons, and was also for many years the Treasurer of the Poor Fund.
Deacon Francis was a man of strong religious convictions, of sound judgment and of a loving and sympathetic disposition. He was loyal to his Church, a staunch supporter of his pastor and a loving friend to the poor. “A friend in need is a friend indeed” was fully exemplified in the life of Deacon Francis in the multiplicity of his quiet and unostentatious deeds of charity. He died September 29th, 1891.
“Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”