Library Collections: Document: Full Text

However reckless his life had been, "to the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him." He died at the "mercy-seat," and "none can perish there."

Soon after it pleased God in His infinite mercy and goodness to bring me to a saving knowledge of Himself, I was informed of the sudden death of one whom I knew to be of very intemperate habits, and I was greatly surprised to learn that he had died a happy death, exclaiming, "Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly!"

"The more I reflected upon it, the greater difficulty I had in comprehending how such an one, hurried into eternity,. could enter the door over which is written, "WITHOUT HOLINESS NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD."

Upon inquiry of those present at his death, I found that the poor creature had died of delirium tremens, and that the words quoted had been uttered in his ravings. Since then I have ever looked with distrust upon what is commonly called a "death-bed repentance," and, although in the case of poor Ellard there was indicated the clearest evidence of undisturbed reason, and an appreciation, not only of his danger, but of the momentous issues of the great change about to take place, yet I should have felt far less confidence in his safety had there been no evidence of the previous work of the Holy Spirit in his soul. In the language of one of the boys, Ellard had been "growing more sorry. "

Notwithstanding my dread of putting off repentance till the eleventh hour, I know that God "of His great mercy hath promised forgiveness of Sins to ALL those who, with hearty repentance and true faith, turn unto Him," whether at the first or eleventh hour.

"I BELIEVE IN THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS."

"E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream,
Thy flowing wounds supply,
REDEEMING LOVE has been my theme,
And shall be till I die."

The decease of this poor lad was noticed with much feeling by the newspapers of the city; the following are extracts from two of them, the latter of which gives an account of the funeral.

"DEATH OF A NEWSBOY.

"But a few weeks have elapsed since we gave a notice of a visit to the Newsboys' Aid Society, at No. 273 South Third street. At the time we visited the Institution, little John Ellard opened the door and welcomed us into the building. He seemed to be in a very happy mood that evening, and talked and joked with us about the weather, the Home for the Newsboys, and other subjects. In writing the article we did, we were feelingly impressed with the beneficial results that had already been attained by the opening of this building, for it provided a comfortable shelter and home for little Ellard, the deformed newsboy.

"In passing Sixth and Chestnut streets yesterday morning, we were shocked at seeing crape drawn around the paper stand that rests against the County building. A few pieces of white ribbon were attached to the crape, indicating that the testimonial was for one of tender years. The profuse decorations that we have seen attached to many a wealthy man's palace, never made so deep an impression on us as did this signal of woe about the Newsboy's stand. Anxiously seeking some one who could enlighten us, our worst fears were realized, when we learned that Master Ellard, the proprietor of the stand, had deceased.

"Poor little Ellard! how we shall miss his cheerful face in our walks, and what a blank he will leave in the Newsboy's Home. Where shall another boy be found, who was the pet of those rough, but kind-hearted newsboys. But a few evenings ago we saw one of the boys carrying him home on his shoulder, and this was not an unusual occurrence, for there was a strong competition for the privilege of carrying the little fellow home after his daily labours had ceased. In short, nothing was considered a hardship by the boys, if it tended to please their little friend.

"Master Ellard had many warm friends among the business community, and some of the most respectable of them patronized his stand every morning. It is a consolation to the friends of humanity to know that woman's hand ministered to the wants of the little merchant during his illness, and all that kind hearts could desire was done to alleviate his condition. His funeral will be attended by his late companions and others, and many will drop a tear, on that occasion, to the memory of poor little Ellard.

"The clergy will perform the last sad rites over our little friend, and if they succeed in getting their hearers to emulate the example of the deceased, they will have accomplished much.

"Thank God, we have a Newsboys' Home, where in life every want and comfort is supplied, in sickness woman's soothing attention is ever present, and in death a Christian burial is vouchsafed."

"THE NEWSBOYS' HOME.

"We mentioned, a few days since, the death of a well-known newsboy. On Monday morning his funeral was attended by fifty-six newsboys, six of whom carried the body from the Home to the church, and thence to the grave in St. Joseph's church-yard. Others would gladly have attended, but were prevented by their morning engagements. From their rough exteriors, society has always thought that these lads were only fit for a career of wickedness and an end of shame; and so the poor fellows have, till very recently, been treated as Pariahs and moral lepers. The case of John Ellard shows that the few true-hearted Christian gentlemen were right, who believed that they could be saved in spite of their surroundings, and so transformed that their lives should be useful and honourable, and their deaths not without hope.