It flourished until the Third Article was annulled,
when it disappeared. Bard purchased a Hebrew bible, lexicon and
grammar, and proceed to translate parts of the Old Testament,
especially the early chapters in Genesis, and in such manner as to
throw doubt upon the received version. His Sundays were devoted to
talks in his office, where were gathered a few hearers, some because
they agreed with him, and others because they were interested in
hearing what he had to offer.
He was of small size, hardy, ingenious, and free from meanness. He
was economical and his ways of business forbade any extravagance. When
he needed hay or grain for his horses or wood for his fire he called
upon some of the farmers whose physician he was, and obtained a supply.
Beyond this he made no demand for payment, though when it was offered
he accepted it. Until he was about sixty years of age, he rode on
horseback, and always without an overcoat. From my thirteenth to my
seventeenth year I was boy and clerk in a store at a distance of less
than five rods from Bard's office. I saw him constantly. His
denunciations of Christianity were so violent and unreasonable that
many persons would revolt at the thought of accepting his theories. He
had followers, however, and the trial of Abner Kneeland for blasphemy
promoted the spread of infidel opinions.
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