Decatur County Journal
June 7, l900

Sister MATILDA HARDING was born near Iberia, Ohio, Aug. 22, l842; moved
to Miami Co., Ind., in l850; to Decatur Co., Iowa, l855; to Harrison
Co., in l870, to Omaha, Neb., l892 and to Elkhorn in l896; here she
departed for her eternal home May 9, l900. She was married to SAMUEL
HARDING April 9, l862. That same year her husband gave his life for his
country.

Sister HARDING was converted and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church
when about fifteen years old. She was true to her vows. The records of
Heaven must be read if anyone ever knows all the good she has done in
Elkhorn. She went about doing good. She went into homes and talked of
Jesus and his love; taught a large class in the Sunday School; always
attended prayer meeting; and in giving, the tenth was not her limit.
The writer, her pastor, has said that he felt his work in Elkhorn was to
try and keep the way open so this woman of God could do the work.

Bro. Sweeley of Omaha, a teacher in the Sunday School at First Church
testified at her funeral of her Godly life and good works when she was
in Omaha. Rev. C. Hover of Richland, Nebr., who was once her pastor in
Iowa, gave like testimony of her as he knew her in that state. Surely
her works do follow her. She leaves a daughter, EMILY HARDING, an
adopted daughter, MRS. MARTIN of Council Bluffs, three brothers, and
five sisters to mourn her loss. Her daughter EMILY and her sister, ANNA
ARNOLD, teachers in our public school, lived with her and are greatly
bereaved, yet they have confidence in the infinite wisdom and goodness
of God and are resigned to His will.

The writer was with her as she passed away. Just at that moment we all
knelt down and asked the Holy Spirit to comfort our hearts. He answered
our prayer but did not forbid us to weep. But our tears are mingled
with the sweet hope that we shall meet where parting is no more; where
God shall wipe all tears from our eyes.

T. ANTRIM, PASTOR.
--OMAHA CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.
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Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert
July 3, 200l
 

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