The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1882-10-21
DIR. GUARDS DEATH.
GRIEF AMONG MEMBERS OF THE
CONGREGATION.
HIS Painful Illness and His Last Hours
Incidents of His Lie and Work.

There was widespread feeling of deep
sorrow and surprise on Sunday, when the
fact became generally known that Rev.
Thomas Guard, pastor of Mount Nernon
NJ +. Church, had died about / a. NJ.
While the fact was known that Mr.. Guard
had on Tuesday last undergone painful
operation at the hands of DR.. Alan j.
Smith. for calculus of the bladder, the
reports that were current on Friday and
Saturday led most people to believe that
the patient was or the fair road to recov-
cry. The news of bis death had become
known to Mr.. Guard congregation be
fore the regular hour FOR morning service
yesterday. and few who attended were
surprised TO hear the brief announcement
OF their bereavement, made by the Rev.
VIM. II. Pitcher
WHEN FIRST TAKEN I'LL
with the disease which terminated 50
fatally, Mr.. Guard was in the West. be-
ing at that time (in 1910 stationed in
San Francisco. where he went after the
expiration of his nrst term Us pastor Of
Mount Vernon Church. IN early life,
when he conducted a mission in Africa,
Mr. Guard was in the habit of riding Il
great deal on horse back. and when, in
1871. he made visit to the Yosemite
Valley, he was compelled 10 again take
to horseback in order to make the tour
of the country. Although an expert
rider. Nj Guard immediately found that
the exercise gave him great pain, which
continued to trouble him for many
months. About a year ago, at the Sole
itatiOn OF his friends: lie consulted Dr.. A.
y. Smith, hut with fatal indifference he
postponed doing SO from time 10 tine
until one day. about three months ago,
when Mr.. b. +. patett called at the res
idcnce of Mr.. Guard and Insisted uyon
going Immediately to see Dr. Smith.
The request was complied with, and al
though DR.. Smith WAS absent from his
office ut the tine, ali appointment was
made and some days later lie called and
made an examination Of Mr.. Guard at
the latter's residence. The fears of the
friends of Nj. Guard We're then contirln-
ed and the fact placed beyond all doubt
that he had IA large stone III the bladder.
PREPARING FOR THE OPERATION.
At that time DR.. Smith also informed
Nj. Guard Of the necessity for an opera
ton. but decided that it would be best
TO wait until the warm weather was over
before attempting it. The patient was
placed under treatment best calculated
to strengthen him for the ordeal, and by
the advice of his physician, and az the
earnest solicitation of the members of
his congre CATION, consented 10 take a two
months holiday. During his absence
Mr.. Guard visited Martha's Vineyard,
Ocean Grove and numerous camp meet
inrs throughout the East, at all Of; which
in accordance with his usual disregard
for his health. he preached sermons, and
even delivered one or two lectures for
charitable purposes. This WAS done
against the express advice of his physi-
clans and friends; but the inherent ener-
gy and capacity for work which was one
Of the many notable traits of his charac.
ter led him to keep up the intellectual
strain during the entire time OF his ab-
Sence Upon his return there was not
that improvement in his health which had
been hoped for. and consequently the
fears of his family and sriends We're again
aroused. As a result of his overwurk,
the patient now began to have return
of his sufferings in an aggravated form,
and so great was his Anguish that he one
day remarked to 4 friend that at no time
during the past four and a-half years
would he not have gladly died to escape
his suffering. had he not desired to live
for the sake Of lis family.