Harder, Bernard W. (1877-1970)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1970 Aug 20 p. 8

Birth date: 1877 Jul 30

text of obituary:

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— Rev. Bernard W. Harder, 93, retired minister of Route 1, Whitewater, died Aug. 12 at Bethel Deaconess Hospital, where he had been a patient since suffering a stroke about a week earlier. The funeral was conducted Saturday forenoon at the Emmaus Mennonite Church, with Rev. L. R. Amstutz, Dr. Lloyd L. Ramseyer, Rev. E. J. Miller and Dr. D. C. Wedel officiating. Rev. Harder had served as pastor of the Emmaus church for 36 years, and was also a teacher and farmer. He was a member of the Bethel College Church, North Newton. Surviving are two sons, J. S. and B. G. Harder, both of Route 1, Whitewater; one sister, Mrs. Gus Reimer of Whitewater; two brothers, G. A. of Newton and Willie of Sterling, Idaho; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1971 Feb 25 p. 11

text of obituary:

REV. B. W. HARDER

B. W. Harder was born near Whitewater, Kan. on July 30, 1877. My age at this writing is 85 years. Having more than reached the biblical age of 80, and my beloved wife, Minna Harder, having answered God’s call, I feel that the sunset of my earthly life may be near. (Rev. Harder died Aug. 12, 1970.) I therefore briefly note these memoranda which may be helpful in the final rites given me.

My father was John Harder, my mother Marie Regier Harder. The devoted and consecrated life of my parents had a deep influence upon me. Although my mother departed this life when I was only 11 years old, the prayers and Bible verses she made me memorize have meant much to me in my later life. Also the songs my father sang over and over again influenced my spiritual life.

At an early age I felt an intense love for books. What a wonderful inspiration books of great men and women are. Other positive influences which shaped my life were chiefly men like Prof. C. H. Wedel, Bethel College; Dr. Philip Vollmer at the Seminary at Dayton, Ohio; Dr. G. Robinson of the McCormick Seminary, Chicago, and many others. I feel most grateful to the Creator Spirit for the privilege of gaining a deeper insight in theology and the natural sciences. We should remember our spiritual ancestors.

I was married to Minna Wiebe in July, 1900. This union was blessed with three children, J. S., B. G., and Linda Harder. Linda passed on while I was attending the seminary in Chicago.

In 1902 I was called to the ministry of my home church which I served almost 37 years. My life has been a rather busy life. Besides my ministry and farming, I was called to the office of secretary of the Western District Conference, treasurer of the Home Mission Board, and the Board of Directors of Bethel College. I enjoyed the work and was inspired by the conviction; “God loves a cheerful giver.”

Now that I realize that I am near the end of natural life I can look back with gratitude to the Creator Spirit from whom all blessings flow. For we cannot climb the heavenly steps without the strength that comes from Him. I have learned that energy and contentment are fed by gratitude. I therefore made it a rule of life to ask God for a heart of gratitude, for sunlit hours and visions clear, for all remembered faces dear. For me the future is alluring. The end of earth’s run means home, heavenly joy and rest. I am not despondent about the future.

The joyous confident hope for a life beyond the grave has been emphasized by some of the greatest philosophers of all time. Socrates, the teacher of Plato, who died in 399 B.C. says, “Let a man be of good cheer about his soul, if only it be arrayed in its proper jewels, in temperance, justice and truth. Thus adorned it will be ready when the hour comes to start its journey to the other world. And there it will dwell in mansions far fairer than here. It will be like from captivity to home.”

Tennyson, who died in 1892, says, "Thou wilt not leave us in the dust; / Thou madest man, he knows not why, / He thinks he was not made to die; / and Thou has made him: Thou art just." This is also the joyous confident hope we find everywhere in the New Testament. Jesus says, "If ye then being evil know how to give gifts to your children, how much more your heavenly Father."

No coercive proof can be advanced in support of such a faith. It cannot be demonstrated scientifically any more than it can be disproved scientifically. The yearning of the heart, its insight, its intuitions are not contrary to reason, but deeper than reason. My creed is in John 17:3: "This is eternal life, to know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." What we give, we cannot lose. Not what we keep but what we use. The Creator loves a cheerful giver. The greatest joy of living is the joy we get from giving. A smile, a prayer, a burden we share, brings joy and sunshine everywhere.

The Creator has not revealed himself in Jesus only, or in men and women who are willing to listen. The Creator Spirit has also revealed himself in nature. Begin with the ear. The ear is designed to catch as much of the sound waves as possible. Where there is design, there must be a Designer. To live a lift in harmony with this "Designer" has been a source of strength to me in my endeavor to live a life of contentment and joy.

I thank thee, Lord, for comrades of a single day who led me stronger on the way. For hours levied heavy tolls, but brought me nearer to my goal. I also want to thank the members of the St. Paul Methodist Church of Wichita, my dear friends, for the inspiration I received. May the Supreme Intelligentsia that pervades the universe bless you all. Jesus says, "In my Father's house are many rooms." What a challenge! No reason for despair.

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The Mennonite obituary: 1970 Oct 6 p. 608

text of obituary:

Bernhard W. Harder, Emmaus Church, Whitewater, Kan., was born July 30, 1877, at Whitewater, and died Aug. 12. He was ordained to the ministry in 1902, served the Emmaus Church for thirty-seven years, and was an officer of the Western District Conference.