step-mother was anything but maternal and kind. At an early age he was bound apprentice to one of the branches of the Sheffield trade. He had a hard master, one who exacted an unreasonable amount of labour, and often brutally flogged him. Under these circumstances, at the age of eighteen he ran away, and enlisted for a soldier. This step was not likely to improve either his character or condition. He was absent only a few days, for being an apprentice and his father dying, he was brought back to his home and to his master. Still he was unhappy, and sighed for the army, and in about two years enlisted again, serving nearly seven years. was After the above period, desirous of leaving the army, he purchased his discharge, returned to Sheffield, and was determined to pursue a different course. Not finding, however, immediate employment, he got connected with his old companions, and was soon impoverished in his circumstances, degraded in his character, and miserable in his soul. "But my extremity," he used to remark, God's opportunity." About that time the Primitive Methodists, then called "Ranters," had come on a mission to Sheffield. The preacher was the Rev. Jeremiah Gilbert, a faithful minister of Christ, who several times had been put in prison for preaching the Gospel. Brother Barker was among those who listened to the message of mercy from the lips of this eminent servant of God. On the 6th of March, 1819, more than twenty souls were brought into liberty, one of whom was our sainted brother, having sought the blessing with many prayers and tears. He at once went to a class-meeting and became a member of society. Very soon he was engaged as a prayerleader, a class-leader, an exhorter, and one of the society stewards. He also assisted in raising a Sundayschool, and was appointed superintendent. In these various labours he was happy and useful. He continued with the Primitives four years. His reasons for leaving need not be named, but the step was not taken without serious deliberation and earnest prayer. Did he now remain out of Christian communion? No. Knowing that he must be in the fold or be at the mercy of the wolf, he cheerfully complied with the invitation of a friend to join our society at Scotland Street. He commenced meeting with the late highly respected brother, Mr. Hatfield, but was soon called to be the assistant leader of the eminently-devoted servant of the church, Mr. William Bridges. The class was large and interesting, containing a number of young men, some of whom have been useful ministers in our community. Our brother was a teacher in Allen Street School, and also superintendent. He was received on the plan as an exhorter. This was when the Revs. A. Scott and F. Newbery were stationed in Sheffield. With these servants of God and their successors in the ministry, he zealously co-operated in the work of the Lord until the erection of South Street Chapel. Removing to that part of the town, he attended the chapel as soon as it was opened, becoming a regular hearer, an exemplary member, and a most zealous and faithful leader. The accession of such a brother at such a time was truly valuable. The interest at South Street was new, the society in its infancy, the work to be done great. A number of the most active friends lived at a distance; it was, therefore, most important there should be one near the place of established piety, ardent zeal, and unwearied perseverance. Such was our departed friend. The means of grace he attended with great regularity, the services of the Sabbath, the preaching on the week evening, his class, the Friday-night prayer meeting, and the Saturday-night band meeting. This he did thirty-two years ago, when the writer first knew him, and this he continued to do through all the years of a long and active life. Several features in our brother's character are worthy of separate consideration. His constant union with God's people. Having given himself to the Lord, he gave himself to the church. He did this without delay. Many are backward here: they are hearers, well-wishers, generous supporters, but not members, which is a loss to themselves, the church, and to the world. It was not so with John Barker. When he left the Primitives, he immediately joined our people; and when he left Scotland Street, he cheerfully identified himself with South Street. From his conversion to the day of his death, he remained in fellowship with the people of God. His consistent religious profession. Having put his hand to the plough, he never looked back. Having started in the Christian race, he never abandoned the course. Having enlisted under the banner of the cross, he never deserted the cause. As a good soldier of Jesus Christ, he was loyal, courageous, and faithful. When others were weary, he fainted not. When others were drawn aside, he continued at his post. Seven years ago he wrote the following testimony:-"I am thankful that at sixty-seven years of age I can discharge my duty with so much pleasure and delight. The means of grace are as profitable to me as at the beginning. I have been in the school of Christ learning the science of salvation these thirty-eight years. I yet feel the need of denying myself, and with my back on the world, Christ in my heart, and heaven in my view, to learn the art of Divine contentment in God's gracious appointment, praying with Agur, 'Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me.' Never was any prayer more fully answered than this, for since I have served the Lord, he has not only given me the necessaries of life, but all things richly to enjoy." Under all circumstances he held on his way. His consistent profession was seen at the manufactory, among his fellowworkmen, and in his family in his daily conversation. His was a religion not of passion, but of principle; not in word, but in deed. His path was not that of a meteor, which appears and sparkles for a moment, and then is lost in darkness, but like the morning light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. We must notice his thorough honesty and integrity. Everything hypocritical his soul abhorred. Deceit and guile excited his indignation and met with his withering rebuke. He often said to his young friends, "Dissimulation in youth is the forerunner of perfidy in old age." What he warned others against he shunned himself. With him there was no duplicity; he was an Israelite indeed, in whom was no guile-no guile in his words, no guile in his soul. Thorough honesty was seen in his open countenance, his penetrating eye, and in all the actions of his life. We would not forget his noble independence. This was seen in the church as one of its office-bearers. He did not in a servile spirit surrender his judgment to others. While he had the ability to form an opinion, he had the courage to avow and defend it. Not that he was one of those who delight in factious opposition, but while he paid due respect to the judgment of his brethren, he had sufficient manliness to think and speak and act for himself. His noble independence was seen in matters pertaining to the world. He desired no one's help so long as he was able to help himself. With great industry and constant application to labour, he passed through life as a respectable working man, discharging all his obligations with punctuality and honour. When old age came upon him, he very reluctantly availed himself of the privileges of a sick society, of which he had been a member many years, preferring to earn his own bread rather than receiving the aid of others. With great feebleness and tottering steps, he went to his usual labour within a short time of his death. We would also record his disinterested labours for the good of others. Immediately after his conversion he became a teacher in the Sabbathschool, which office he held for many years. The labours, responsibilities, and anxieties of superintendent he patiently and cheerfully sustained. Some of his happiest days were spent amongst the rising generation. As assistant leader, prayer leader, and exhorter, he strove to win souls to Christ. He occupied the office of class-leader between thirty and forty years. What a number of souls during that period were placed under his care! Those who enjoyed the privilege could testify how sincerely he loved them, how ably he instructed them, how faithfully he warned them, how earnestly he prayed for them, how vigilantly he watched over them, singing or sighing, rejoicing or weeping, according to the states of the several members. In all these labours, continued from week to week and from year to year, amid the heat of summer and the chill of winter, he was perfectly disinterested. The love of Christ constrained him. He fed the flock not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. His delight and power in prayer must not be overlooked. In the closet he held much communion with God. Before he went to his daily labour, and when he returned from it, he visited the throne of grace. Before and after his attendance on religious ordinances, he sought the Divine blessing by prayer. The sick whom he visited will not forget his earnest supplications. At the time of the cholera visitation his fervent intercessions are still remembered. For his native town and for the country at large he pleaded with God with great power. For the Church he was one of God's remembrancers, who would not hold his peace, day nor night, till Jerusalem became a praise in the earth. In his weekly class-meeting, with strong crying and tears he entreated for those who were committed to his charge. And many can bear testimony to his intelligent, scriptural, believing, and powerful addresses to God in the Sabbath evening prayermeeting. What freshness and variety! His were not stereotyped prayers. Out of the fulness of a well-furnished mind, and out of the depths of a sincere and loving heart, he presented petitions suitable for ministers, members, and hearers. He prayed with the spirit and with the understanding also. We would also glance at his superior Christian attainments and enjoyments. His spiritual stature was above the ordinary height; his religious enjoyments beyond the ordinary measure. He had diligently studied the word of God, and was familiar with the works of some of the old divines. With their thoughts and sayings he had stored his mind, and their words of wisdom often dropped from his lips. He had much of the simplicity and earnestness of early Methodism. In relating his experience he dwelt largely on justification, adoption, sanctification, the witness of the Spirit, and all the distinguishing privileges of the believer in Christ. His love to God was supreme and intense. "Ah!" he would sometimes say, Ah! it is to be feared many persons love the gifts of God more than the God of gifts." It was not so with our brother. He loved the Giver in the gift, and the Giver for the gift. Sometimes he expressed 66 the advanced state of holiness he had attained in a way that some might think Pharisaical, but such a thought was soon banished in hearing words of deep self-abasement before God. On many occasions tears of sorrow and joy flowed down his venerable face; tears of sorrow on a remembrance of his past unfaithfulness, and tears of joy for his present consciousness of Divine acceptance through the influence of the Holy Ghost. "No one," remarks one of the brethren who was present at the South Street love-feast in January, 1866, "will ever forget the scene. After referring to the depths of sin from which he had been delivered, and the greatness of God's grace in his salvation, he spoke in terms of warmest gratitude of his hopes in the future; and describing the happiness awaiting him in glory, his countenance became angelic, rapture was depicted in every feature, a celestial radiance fell on his face, bringing to mind what is recorded of Stephen, that the people 'looking steadfastly on him saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.' Almost every subsequent speaker at the love-feast testified to the hallowing influence of our brother's testimony. A friend on that day-a visitor from another 6 church-remarked, We have not many fathers in Israel, but we have seen one to-day.' Yes, he was a father indeed, rich in wisdom, mighty in faith, fervent in love, sanctified in spirit, in soul, and body, and ready for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." It may be thought by some that we have said too much as to the prominent features of our brother's character. We think not. Doubt less he had imperfections. He was not without infirmity of temper. Some might deem him at times harsh and severe, not making sufficient allowance for those who had not reached the same standard as himself. They would say that his character would have shone forth with brighter lustre had there been more of charitableness and tenderness. Perhaps so. But let us not forget that while there were some imperfections we should strive to avoid, there were many excellences we should seek to imitate and possess. No one was more ready to disclaim personal merit, and to acknowledge "By the grace of God I am what I am. He was eminently a good man, and feared God above many. Our brother was spared to a ripe old age. Though he had laboured hard in the world and in the Church, he retained health and vigour remarkable for his years. When upwards of seventy his physical and intellectual powers knew little of decay. At length, however, the keepers of the house began to tremble, the grinders ceased because they were few, and those that look out at the windows were darkened. Now and then he had been compelled to give up his labour, but again and again had resumed it. A short time before he died he said to some of his friends that he was better this last Christmas than in the Christmas of the preceding year. Two days after Christmas Day he attended the annual tea-meeting at South Street, and spoke nearly half an hour, refreshing his own mind and stimulating the minds of others by a reference to his early connection with Sabbath-schools. On the following Sabbath morning, December 30th, he was present at the public service in the chapel. The text was, "Set thy house in order, for thou shalt die, and not live." That was the last service he ever attended; but he had set his house in order: through the atoning blood and sanctifying Spirit, he was made meet to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light. On the following evening we missed him from the watchnight-the first time he had been absent probably for many, many years. The opening of the new year found him a prisoner at home. On Thursday, the 3rd of January, he took to his chamber, to leave it no more. He suffered little either from pain or sickness, and had no idea that the time of his departure was at hand. He was not wholly confined to his bed more than a single day. When his son called upon him on the Saturday evening, they both expected to see each other again on the Sunday morning. But this was not the will of God. About nine o'clock the same evening-Saturday, January 5th, 1867-he gently and sweetly fell asleep in Jesus, and his sanctified spirit passed away to the realms of the blessed. How sudden and glorious the change! In the death of our dear brother the society at South Street has lost its oldest and one of its most devoted leaders, and a labourer who had long borne the burden and heat of the day without fainting. He has finished his course; who will start in the race? He has fought the battle and gained the victory; who will enlist as good soldiers of Jesus Christ? Nobly did he bear the banner of the cross for forty-five years; who will take hold of it, and present it to the world with equal zeal and devotedness? He departed this life aged seventy-four years; who is willing, like him, to consecrate his service this day unto the Lord, and to continue in the Lord's work to the latest period of life? Feb. 6th, 1867. R. H. JOHN GOODYEAR. THE subject of our memoir was born in Barnsley, in the year 1801. In early life he was led by his father to our New Street Chapel to hear the word of life, and to our Sabbathschool as a scholar, where he learned to read in the blessed book the love of God to man. He afterwards became a teacher connected with the same school, and thereby gave proof of his gratitude for the good he had received when a scholar, and was soon marked out by his fellowteachers as a suitable person to fill the honourable office of superintendent of our girls' school, and to which place he was appointed in the year 1847, and filled with efficiency and held with honour until his Heavenly Father said unto him, "Come up hither." As a man, he was for industry in his habits and meekness of disposition, to be admired, and, by the blessing of God, brought up a large family of children, who live to mourn their loss. For punctuality he was a pattern worthy of imitation; for about twenty years he was rarely absent from school when the clock struck nine. He not only loved the Sabbath-school, but had great reverence for the Lord'sday, a proof of which we have in his refusal to open any letters which he thought were about worldly business. He was blessed with a fine mellow voice, and many will long remember with what delight he joined in sacred songs, and frequently in the devotional meetings led forth the songs of praise. Notwithstanding his great amount of business cares, he was generally found in the week evening service a proof that he was "making the best of both worlds." He loved his brethren in the church, and never tried to rise on the injured reputation of another, neither did he ruin others by flattery; but with an even temper pursued the tenor of his way, and gave proof by his walk and conversation that he had been with Jesus. The Rev. R. Walker, who for two years had frequent opportunities of intercourse and observation, says, "I believed him to be a good man, in the Gospel sense of that term, and I am sure he had the best interests of our society and school at heart. And knowing how he lived, I am in no uncertainty as to how he died." Our heavenly Father, who says to his children, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee," is true to his promise. Notwithstanding his early life of strict morality, he was led in 1846 to see that morals could not save the soul, and therefore sought with earnestness Jesus, who "saves to the uttermost," and having found peace through believing, he united himself with the church, and henceforth with his partner, who had previously given her heart to God, was found in the way that leads to glory and to God. He was a kind husband and an affectionate father. He lived the Gospel at home, and set before his family an example worthy of imitation. His love for the cause of his God was not only seen in his attendance on the public services of the sanctuary, but by attachment to and attendance upon the private means of grace. The subject of our brief memoir enjoyed through life good health, and was, therefore, enabled to work for his family and the church so near the end of life, that we may almost say "he ceased at once to work and live." His illness was so short that he finally took to his bed the Tuesday preceding his decease. During his illness he was sometimes under the cloud, but those who had frequently met with him in class, and frequently heard his expressions of confidence, and seen his consistent walk before the Church and the world, had no fear for his state. The writer inquired if he could say with the Psalmist, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." He replied, "I can." Could he also say with St. Paul, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain?" He said, "Yes," and the writer has no doubt but that now he is joined with the blood-washed throng before the throne singing "Unto him that hath loved us," &c. On the morning of the last Sabbath, and the last day he spent on earth, he was visited by some female teachers, with whom he joined with a voice that astonished all who heard him, in singing that beautiful piece, "There's a light in the window for me." E. KAY. |