Parents Father: SHAFFNER, William Caleb Mother: PHINNEY, Azubah Birth Born on March 11, 1852 in Nictaux, Annapolis Co., NS Death Died on July 28, 1878 in Yarmouth, Yarmouth Co., NS Buried in Community Centre Cemetery in Nictaux, Annapolis Co., NS Notes Obituary: In Memoriam Bernard P. Shafner, A.B., died July 28th, 1878. Death has again entered our ranks and removed one of our most valuable men. B.P. Shafner was the son of William C. and Azubah Shafner, of Williamston, Annapolis Co. At the time of his death he was in his 26th year, in the first vigor of his manhood. He possessed a fine physique. None thought he would die so soon. If the youth fore-shadowed the man, a career of great usefulness was opening before him. He was regarded as one of our most promising young men. That he should be cut down in the beginning of life seems a mysterious providence. We cannot understand it. We are as children walking in the dark - of yesterday and knew nothing. But we are in the hands of our Heavenly Father, and we believe that he is too wise to err and too good to be unkind. The judge of all the earth cannot but do right. God's ways are not our ways. He doeth all...children walking in the dark - of yesterday and knew nothing. But we are in the hands of our Heavenly Father, and we believe that he is too wise to err and too good to be unkind. The judge of all the earth cannot but do right. God's ways are not our ways. He doeth all things well. From a child Bernard's life was beautiful. When very young the Holy Spirit took possession of his heart, and his character was fashioned by its heavenly influence. He did not publicly acknowledge his religious convictions till he was about 16 years of age. He was then baptizd by Rev. W. G. Parker into the fellowship of the Nictaux Church. From boyhood he desired to become a Christian minister, and his aim was to fit himself in the most thorough manner for that sacred calling. No other profession had any allurements for him. He could not be diverted from the ministry. He entered upon a course of study and was graduated from Acadia College in Jun 1877-during his vacations he had preached the glorious gospel that he so much loved, and through his instrumentality sinners had been converted and souls saved. His preaching was always acceptable. The church that had him one vacation wished him to return again. It was not his eloquence or the wisdom of his words that gave him success, but the spirit that was in him -the spirit of his Master. After graduation, for want of means, he did not at once enter upon a course of Theological training, but accepted a position as teacher in Horton Academy, which position he filled with great credit to himself and benefit to the institution. After the term closed, he went to Yarmouth to supply the Milton Church during the vacation. He arrived there on Friday, June 21st, preached the following Sabbath, and during the next week was taken sick, and after a few weeks of intense suffering died on Sabbath morning, July 28th. His father and mother were with him during the last part of his sickness. The people of Yarmouth were very kind to him. Of this he frequently spoke and in consequence of it many an hour of weariness and pain were passed more comfortably. His body was brought home and buried in the cemetery at Nictaux, on Tuesday, July 30th. The attendance at the funeral was large, though no public announcement of it could be previously made. It was a sad occasion. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. W.A. Bleakney, from the words, "What I do thou knowest not now, but thou shall know hereafter." At the close of the sermon, by request, the writer, who had known our dear brother as a student and as associate teacher, and who had been with him during his sickness, gave a brief address. The exercises were also participated in by Revds. W.G. Parker, J.C. Bleakney, and Mr. Gaetz, (Wesleyan.) Thus we have briefly sketched the life, death, and burial of our dear and lamented friend and brother. His life was short, but filled with noble aims, good deeds and high endeavor. He has left a fragrant memory - "the memory of the just is blessed." He is mourned for to-day not only by the circle of relatives, but by all who knew him as student, teacher, Christian minister and friend. His life is pleasant to contemplate. It is highly suggestive. He was one who most emphatically wished to be rather than to seem. He was a true man. As a student he was diligent, patient, unassuming, manifesting a teachable disposition, never vaunting his own knowledge, but with humility always reaching after higher attainments. As a teacher, he was apt. He gave dignity to the profession. His downright honesty, his sturdy christian manliness, his large and generous spirit, his genial nature, his kind heart gave him a mighty power over students. He recognized the great fact that to a large extent the teacher, as well as the preacher reproduced his own likeness in those he instructed. Hence he strove to shun even the appearance of anything narrow, mean or unworthy, in small things as well as in great. He believed, and by precept and example, taught that "the life was more than meat and the body than raiment." As a friend, he was faithful, true, sympathetic, unselfish. He was one of the few whom it was safe and well to know intimately. As a Christian it can truly be said of him, he was "steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord." He was a good man - a man of faith and prayer. He daily walked "as seeing him who is invisible" and continually strove to fashion his spirit, life and character, after the model of the perfect man. As a Christian minister his ideal was very high. He regarded...Lord." He was a good man - a man of faith and prayer. He daily walked "as seeing him who is invisible" and continually strove to fashion his spirit, life and character, after the model of the perfect man. As a Christian minister his ideal was very high. He regarded the ministry as a high and holy calling - one that demanded the best talent, the best culture, and the best character. He believed that the minster should be upright in his business, and pure in his life and conversation. His own life exemplified his belief. Hence to him a burdened soul could go at any time for counsel and consolation. One never heard him indulge in flippant talk or idle jesting. Vulgarity was excluded from his vocabulary. You cannot think of him as other than the Christian gentleman. By his death we have sustained a great loss. The family circle has lost a beloved son and brother, the community a good man, the church a faithful member, the ministry one who promised to be an honor to its ranks, the institution an efficient teacher and an alumnus who would have done her credit, the denomination a young many who was in full accord with our views of faith and practice and in hearty sympathy with our educational and evangelistic enterprises. All the hopes that centred in him are blighted. Yet our loss is his eternal gain. Christian Messenger Halifax,NS August 21,1878 Occupation: Teacher Sources Annapolis Cemetery Records: Nictaux Community Centre Cemetery #67 Images Bernard Shaffner