Lingard, David (1875-1899)

Transcription of Obituary In the Christian Messenger

DAVID LINGARD, son of John and Mary Lingard was born at Scotter, December 19th, 1875. His parents were loyal Primltive Methodists and David early became a scholar in the Sunday School and a member of the choir. He soon became the subject of deep religious impressions, and at the age of 12 years yielded himself fully to Jesus and became a member of the church. At the age of 16, he, with his parents, removed to Gainsbro’, where he at once identified himself with the church; became a teacher in the Sunday school and soon after became a member of the choir. When the Christian Endeavour Movement came along he at once associated himself in membership with it. All these positions he occupied with deep conscientiousness. His temperament and religion were not of a boisterous type, but with a quiet intelligence and thoroughness of devotion which were beautiful to behold, he gave himself to the service of the Lord and his Church, and there was in him the promise of a man of great usefulness in the Church of Christ. The great Father in Heaven, however, determined otherwise and called him to the higher service in the skies. His last illness was long and tedious. For over 12 months, in spite of medical skill, faithful and loving nursing by a devoted mother, and great carefulness on his part, the fell disease laboured hard and made steady and sure progress. On March 22nd, 1899, in the 24th year of his age, he yielded up the ghost and passed away to his home in the skies. The last six weeks of his life were spent in bed, and those who visited him from time to time can testify that, notwithstanding a natural desire for life, he was patiently and trustfully resting in the hands of the Lord to do with him as he would. Not a murmur – not a word of repining escaped his lips, but with a quiet sweetness and calm, he trusted himself to the Lord. His employer wrote of him, ‘I have had a business experience of over 45 years, and in only one other case have I seen such unselfishness and thoughtfulness and devotion to duty as your son. He was certainly a man after God’s own heart.’ His late class-leader wrote of him, ‘He was one of the most devout, but withal cheerful, Christian young men that it has been my privilege to know.’ ‘I do want to be good,’ was a favourite expression of his, which I sincerely believed.’ Rev. W. Wheeler writes, ‘All my recollections of him are of a pleasing character. His bright, happy disposition, his kindness of heart and sympathy with all that is good, and his quiet and unassuming piety made a deep impression on my mind and greatly endeared him to my heart. He was a Christian gentleman.’ He was laid to rest in the Gainsborough Cemetery amidst a large and deeply sympathetic audience. His class, the Sunday School, the Christian Endeavour, and the choir each placed a beautiful wreath on his grave as a tribute of esteem and affection. May we all meet him at last around the great white throne is the prayer of yours in the Gospel. JOHN REDHEAD.

Family and other information

David was born to parents John and Mary. John was a farm labourer (1881) and later a farmer’s foreman (1891).

David was a farm servant at the time of the 1891 census.

References

Christian Messenger 1901/319

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers