One of the Fathers.
We condense the following from the 'Presbyterian Record' of September:
The late Mr. Gilbert Bastedo, who fell asleep in Jesus, at his residence in Nelson, Halton County, C.W. on the 8th February, 1865, was born at Schenecetady, when New York was a British Colony, on the 8th October, 1777. Early bereft of his parents, he fell to the care of an uncle, who with his charge, settled at Stamford, near the Falls of Niagara in 1798. There on the 25th of April, 1805, he married Marion, the daughter of Mr. John Thompson of that place, who survives her husband in a vigorous and useful and happy old age.
In 1807 Mr Bastedo and his partner braved the bush and settled on a forest farm, now the family home, on what was then Dundas street, only in name, and not as now lined on both sides with happy homes, of comfort and wealth, and farms which yield a surer gain than California. Thither they carried the family Bible, and the log house, before it had its door hung, became a Bethel, and family worship consecrated a home, over whose door ever since the Lord's promise has stood - 'Them that honour me will I honour' - 'They that walk uprightly shall want no good thing,' and to which he with the large now (mourning) family responded 'Goodness and mercy have followed us all the days of our life.' Six sons, six daughters, thirty-two grand-children, and five great-grand-children, have passed under his patriarchal blessing; and with many of his bereaved family, the community gathered and devout men bore him to his burial, in the south-east corner of the church grounds which he had long before given to the 'United Synod of Canada,' in whose councils he was an Elder since 1825 till that Synod was united to the church of Scotland; and when the 'Exodus' took place he was found foremost in carrying out the principles which his late pastor, Rev. Mr. King, had cultivated in his congregation up to the period of the disruption.
In the afternoon of his last day, he said he would not be able for the worship, but he kneeled by the sofa, and prayed. He arose, saying about 5 P M. that he would retire early. He went unaided to his room, undressed without help, and retired to bed. Mrs. Bastedo being unwell, having retired before him, hear him say as he composed himself to rest, 'Lord Jesus into thy hands I commend my Spirit:' but such expressions were common with him ere he went to sleep. She listened for his breathing in sleep, and it was gentle as a child's. She heard him give two gentle breathings as if falling into slumber, and concluded that he was only asleep. But at a late hour, when the youngest daughter in the discharge of her affectinate duties to her parents came in and was adjusting the clothes comfortably, the light of the lamp fell on her father's face. She thinking it too bright, and putting her hand under his head, cried out 'O Mother, Father is dead.' and so it was; Jesus had come to glory on his face over which many wept and cried:
'My Father, My Father, The chariots of Israel and the horseman thereof.' And we saw him no more:
Thus the Lord gathers the Father's in Israel. May many rise up and perpetuate their virtues, and follow the Lord fully, and find that so 'To live in Christ, but to die is gain."
A. M.
Freelton, July 14th, 1865.