52 NEBRASKA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



uary 16th, came the sad and sudden ending, so familiar to us all it need not be 

 repeated here. The lightning flashed forth the message which suddenly dark- 

 ened thousands of homes with a shadow which no sun rays seemed able to pen- 

 etrate. And if a thousand homes, what shall we say of the one where was his 

 family awaiting his arrival instead of the cruel message ? 



A desire to help others was always one of the governing motives of his ac- 

 tions. The humanity of his soul was manifest as much in his business relations 

 as elsewhere. His life habits of untiring industry would not allow him to en- 

 tertain any thoughts of rest, although for some time it had been quite apparent 

 to those about him that such was the absolute demand of nature if his life was 

 to continue long. His home was his life where he enjoyed the society of his 

 family and friends. His success in life was doubtless due to the fact that his 

 heart was in the work. 



No man could be more hospitable than was Samuel Barnard, must be the ver- 

 dict of all who knew him. To him is our town indebted for the fine appearance 

 of our public square. Every tree thereon was given by him. Would it not now 

 be a grateful tribute to his memory to let it be known hereafter as "Barnard 

 Park"? 



It must have been of such a person as he of whom the poet wrote the follow- 

 ing lines, which would not be an inappropriate epitaph for our iarge-souled 

 friend whom we sadly miss from our councils to-day : 



"Abou Ben-Adhem — may his tribe increase- 

 Awoke one night from a sweet dream of peace, 

 And saw within the moonlight of his room, 

 Making it rich like a lily in bloom, 

 An angel writing in a book of gold ! 

 Exceeding peace had made Ben-Adhem bold; 

 And to the vision in the room he said, 

 ' What writest thou ? ' The vision raised its head 

 And, with a look made of all sweet accord, 

 Answered, ' The names of those who love the Lord.' 

 'And is mine one ? ' said Abou. ' Nay, not so,' 

 Replied the angel. Abou spake more low, 

 But cheerily still, and said, ' I pray thee then 

 Write me as one who loves his fellow men.' 

 The angel wrote and vanished. The next night 

 It came again with a great wakening light, 

 And showed the names which love of God had blest; 

 And lo ! Ben-Adhem's name led all the rest ! " 



Table Rock, Nebraska, January 29, 1890. 



BHBi 



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