Rev. Cephas Baird (1835-1908)

BAIRD, KLINE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 3/2/2017 at 20:51:13

From Nevada Representative March 30, 1908

REV. CEPHAS BAIRD.

Rev. A. B. Shrader, now of Kansas City, and a longtime friend and fellow-worker of the late Mr. Baird, sends to us the following data of Mr. Baird's death and tribute to his memory:

"Mr. Baird's demise occurred Monday, March 23d, at the home of his son Chalmers in Los Angeles, California. It was the result of an accident which came to him two months previous. Sitting one day beside an open grate fire reading a paper he became sleepy and laid down on the floor before the fire to take a nap. Spreading the newspaper over his face he fell asleep; when he awoke the paper and his clothes were on fire, his face and hands were badly burned. He fought the fire and put it out, but then friends found him he was blind and terribly burned about his face, neck and body. After two months of suffering he passed away. Being devoid of hearing and deprived of seeing there was little left in life for him. Patiently he bore it all. Two of his children, Chalmers and Genora, were with him and did all that could be done to minister to him in the last days. Mrs. Bessie Kline, known to many Story county people, now lives in Sioux City, Iowa.

"Rev. Baird was one of the pioneer Lutheran ministers of Iowa. His labors were abundant from Keokuk to Cedar Rapids and Des Moines. Exposure to the cold winds in his long drives over Iowa prairies no doubt so affected his eustacian tubes as to cause deafness. This affliction impaired his usefulness during the later years of his life. But he was always interested in the cause of the church, via: the extension of Christ's kingdom over the whole world. In spirit and activity he was a missionary. Many will remember him as an earnest seeker after souls of men. In his prime he was a powerful preacher; the influence of his great sermons will always live. Memorial Lutheran church of Nevada, Iowa, owes its organization to his efforts. It was under his ministry in Mt. Carroll Illinois, that the writer was led into the ministry. Through thirty-five years correspondence has been carried between us. Only a few days before the calamity came upon him he wrote me of his purpose to establish a mission in California. Though 76 years old he was in excellent health with a vigorous mind and robust body. But now his work is done; he is at rest.

"I want to bear testimony to the worth of this man as a patriotic citizen, a friend of the enslaved and the downcast, a strong advocate of temperance by example and precept, true in the relation of husband and father, friend and brother, a devoted minister of Jesus Christ, a man of faith and prayer. The world is better because he lived and wrought. The memory of his life and deeds is a precious legacy. In his departure earth is made poorer, but heaven richer. With grateful recollection,

Albert B. Shrader."