Macon Georgia Telegraph
Thursday, 25 August 1836
The Rev. John Howard, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, departed this life on Monday last. Mr. Howard had long been engaged in the Gospel Ministry, and stood high as a man of talents and powerful preacher. His death will be an irreparable loss to the Church and to the community at large.
Obituary.
Departed this life, on Monday, the 22d instant, at 12 o'clock, the Rev. John Howard, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the 45th year of his age.
His mortal disease was of a few days continuance, painful in its progress, but brief in its duration.
Though a mournful task, yet it is one not unmingled with pleasurable emotions, to recur to, and recount the circumstances connected with his death-bed.
With what unshaken confidence did he rely on the all sufficient merit of his Redeemer, and with that calmness and serenity undergo the bitter pangs of death, exclaiming, "though I pass through the valley and the shadow of death, yet will I fear no evil, for thou, O Lord, art with me to comfort me through!"
His dying testimony abundantly satisfied his surviving friends that he was going to that "sweet sweet home" about which he loved in health to sing and tale[?], and to which it was the business of his life to allure his fellow men. He retained through all his sickness his reason unimpaired, and died in full possession of his mental faculties, so that his last evidences of the power of the religion he preached are peculiarly satisfactory and gratifying. To all with whom he conversed on the subject, he gave assurances that "no cloud intervened to darken his skies, or hide for a moment his Lord from his eyes." He is gone to the Land of Eternal rest, after which his soul panted so ardently and long, leaving an afflicted family, a mourning community, and a weeping Church, to lament the sad dispensation.
Mr. Howard was a tender husband, a devoted father, an ardent friend, and a faithful minister. Few men have lived more usefully, or died more regretted.
