DANIEL HARDING

THE LATE REV. D. HARDING

A STRENUOUS MINISTERIAL LIFE

Last week there passed away at Morecambe Villas, Berkeley-road, the Rev. Daniel Harding, an old and respected minister of the Primitive Methodist Connexion.

Born at Melksham in 1825, of parents who were Wesleyan Methodists, Mr. Harding as a young man was brought in association with the Primitive Methodists, among whom he became converted in his twenty first year, and in due course his name was placed upon the preachers’ plan. It became manifest, however, that he was designed for a wider sphere of labour than that of a local preacher. His studious habits, his love of reading (Tod’s students’ manual being the first book to impress him), his devotion to God and zeal for the conversion of others, marked him off as one whom God had designed for the ministry, and obeying the call which came from his church he left his home for the strenuous life of a circuit preacher, and the scanty stipend which was all that the young community struggling into life and extending its operations far and near, could then offer by way of remuneration. From that time he gave himself to the service of God and man, and as a faithful minister of the Word his labours were greatly blessed, and he was able to report additions year by year upon the circuits to which he was appointed. His name appeared on the ministerial list for the first time in 1849, his first appointment being Luton. He subsequently “travelled” at Faringdon, Salisbury, Witney, Andover, Sturminster, Stratford-on-Avon, Wallingford, Salisbury (again), Banbury, Newbury, Basingstoke, Wallingford (again), Newbury (again), Aylesbury and Brinkworth, retiring from the active ranks in 1891, when he settled in Newbury.

He retained through his ministerial life the confidence of his brethren, as proved by the official positions he held; his name was to be found on some of the most important Connexial Committees, and on three occasions was a member of the Annual Conference.

On his retirement he continued to preach. For some time he was conductor of the Band of Hope, and as long as he was able was treasurer of the mothers’ meetings. His sympathies and advocacy were given to the temperance cause, which he joined by becoming a pledged abstainer at the age of fifteen. With increasing age and feebleness he had to relax one after another of his public duties, and passed away on the last day of February, in the 80^th years of his age.

THE FUNERAL

was on Saturday. The remains were conveyed to the Primitive Methodist Church. The service was conducted by the Rev. J. Neville, prayer was offered by the Rev. G.J. Knight, and an address delivered by the Rev. T. Saunders, of Slough, who attended as representative from the Connexional Executive.  Two hymns were sung, one of which was " How blest the righteous when he dies." The mourners were Miss Harding (daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Hedley, T. Harding (son and daughter-in-law), Rev. Samuel Harding, of Glasgow ( brother), Rev. Joseph Harding, of Bristol (brother), Captain and Mrs. Parsons, of Tunbridge Wells (nephew and niece), and Mr. Turner. Both at the church and graveside many friends gathered, some of whom had come disstances.

The undertaker was Mrs. A. J. Chivers.

 A MEMORIAL SERVICE followed on Sunday evening when there was a large congregation. The service was impressive, and the anthem was "vital spark of heavenly flame." The preacher (Mr. Neville) based his remarks on Acts xiii., 26, " For David after he had served his own generation by the will of God fell on sleep"—and remarked that this passage was suggested to him on his way home after seeing Mr. Harding for the last time. When a man served his generation according to the will of God, and his work was done, how sweetly he dropped to sleep in perfect restfulness on the bosom of the Infinite. The text was suggestive of the activity of the Christian life, and the peacefulness of the Christian death. The saints of the good old book are described as men who served, and to serve you must be a servant; as such their old friends James Siney and Daniel Harding would be remembered. The one with loving devotedness and steadfast purpose served the office of local preacher for over half-a-century. The other worthily served in the ministerial ranks. Daniel Harding did pioneer work and his labours, with those of colleagues who had passed on before have contributed to the present position and stability of the beloved connexion in this and the neighbouring counties. Then the peacefulness of the Christian death. Said Mr. Harding, " I have nothing now to trouble me." He had served his generation, and like a tired child sinks to rest, so the aged pilgrim fell on sleep, and passed away to join those who were once his coadjutors—William Driffield, Samuel West, Samuel Turner, George Wallis, Thomas Curmmin, Thomas Jackson, George Obern, Thomas Powell, Henry Yeates,  Edmund Rawlings, George Price, George Beale, George Warner. The preacher then appealed to the children of their departed friend to make themselves worthy of the name, the memory, and the services of their father: and to the young of the congregation he occasionally addressed, to give themselves in willing service to the Lord and Master whom he had followed for sixty years.

Resolutions of appreciation and sympathy have been received from the Committee of the P.S.A.. the quarterly meeting of the Brinkworth circuit., while several ministerial brethren and others have written; the Rev. W. Rowe, now residing at Kew Gardens, speaks of himself as having been the first person to communicate the wish of the Church that Mr. Harding should enter the ministry, Mr. Rowe at that time being the junior preacher in the Chippenham Circuit, of which Melksham was part.

Newbury Weekly News 9 March 1905

Mrs P. p 135 L S(a) 15

Died 28 February 1905 aged 80

Buried 4 March 1905 Bk 1899 p 097 no. 7969