The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-18
I" A NOBLE LIFE.n

wnaured and TEhunaPhod over.
The announcement recently made that the
Rev. Albert Barnes has been compelled, by the
increasing in6rmities of age, to tender to his
congregation a resignation of the post which he
has held for thirty-seven years, has been re-
ceiyed with the deepest regret by all who are
familiar with the goodness OF his heart, the true
nobility of his character and the great useful
ness of his long and laborious career as Chris
aian minister. He has stood up manfully under
the weight of years, clingiDg to his chosen work
with touching fondness, and only retires from
the active labOrs of the pulpit, at the age of
sixty-nine, by the express command of his ply.
sicians. During the period ofhis long pastorate
over the First Presbyterian Church Of this city,
he has accomplished so much for the benefit Of
his felow.men and the glory of his Master, that
we can pronounce no better or more fitting
eulogy upon the labors of his well-spent life
than by presenting brief sketch of his career.
Albert Barnes was born IN the town of Rome,
New York, on the 1st of December. 179s His
father pursued the calling of tanner, aud in
this laborious occupation he was himself
gagged until he had attained the age of seven
teen. year later he entered Hamilton Col.
lege, New York, and graduated from that insti-
tuition with the class OF 1920, at the age of
period, he has said:-
81 began life skeptic in religion, and l early
fortified and poisoned my mind by reading all
the books to which could find access, that were
adapted to foster and sustain my native skepti-
clenn. Up to the age OF nineteen, though out
wardly moral, and though, in the main, respect
ful IN my treatment OF religion, had no belief
in the Bible as arevelation from Cod nor was
willing to be convinced that it is such revela-
tion. Circumstances which related rather 10
the choice of q profession than to any question
about the truth of religion, led me to some re-
hection on the general subject OF the future and
to the course which | should pursue in the
world. / should have shrunk at that time
from its being understood that / read the Bible,
and should equally have avoided any book
that would be understood by my associates to
suggest the thought that was serious inquirer
IN regard TO my salvation. Among them, W.
ever, was not ashamed 10 be seen reading
pook winch was 10 all our hands-the 'Edin-
Durgh Encyclopaedia then in the course of nuh.
hcatiOn. One of the numbers of that work had
an article by DR.. Chalmers, entitled Christi
anlty.' l read it, The argument to me was
neW: ~ hxed my attention. 1t commanded
my assent 1t convinced me, intellectually. of
az .ue uurlst,an religion"
''But,D he continues with tins lnte..ectual
subject OF religion which then intended should
regulate my future course in this world. 1t was
to lead hencefOrth strictly moral lie; TO say
nothing against religion; not 10 be found on
any occasion among its opposers; but to yield
10 its claims no farther. resolved to frame my
life, in this respect, on what understood to be
the character and views OF DR.. Franklin"
A year later religious revival commenced in
the College, and Mr.. Barnes was firmly resolved
upon maintaining the resolution expressed
above. But in this endeavor he was providen-
italy frustrated, in the following manner:-
"a classmate. recently converted, stated to
me in simple words, and with no appeal to me
personally, his own feelings on the subject of
religion, described the change which had oc-
Cured in his mind, and lett me. His words
went to my heart; led me to reflect on my con-
ditiOn, and were the means, under God, of that
great change which has so materially affected
all my plans in this life, and which anticipate
and hope VIII affect my condition forever"
This changed the whole current Of his life
and In November, 1920, he commenced the study
of theology at Princeton; was licensed to preach
in April 1924; and was ordained ana lnstalleu
as pastor of the Presbyterian church at MOTIFS
town, N. j., in February, 1926. Referring 20
the early portion OF hs career, he has SAID: :-'l
began life with no wealth and with no patron
age fl ON powerful friends, was blessed with
yfrtuous and industrious parents, and entered
on my course with the advantage Whlch was 10
be derived from their Counsels and example.
was dependent on my own efforts. ] claim no
special credit for this, or sympathy on account
Of it, for this is the way in which most men
BE renamed at Morristowu for five years
Signalizing the close OF his pastorate, III the
spring OF 1880, by the delivery and publication
of sermon on "The Way of Salvation winch
at once drew to him the attention of the whole
Presbyterian denomination. The Church Wai
lust entering upon that memorable struggle
which ultimately rent ii assunder, and this ser
mon on "The Way OF Salvation" was made the
basis for an ecclesiastical persecution of its
author, which was conducted with great earn
estness for six years, until It's object obtained 9
complete triumph over all his adversariPs.
He was called to the First Church of this city
in 1880, as the colleague of the Rev. DR.. j. p
Wilson, with the hearty concurrence of the
latter there being but one vote adverse to hi
settlement in tifty-four which were cast upoI
the question. Having signi6ed his acceptance
the congregation, according to the custom o
the Church, asked leave OF the Presbytery
Philadelphia to prosecute the call The motion
TO grant leave raised a stormy discussion, which
was prolonged through four days, several promi
nent members OF the Presbytery declaring thai
Mr.. Barnes sermon on THE Way of Salvation
contained fundamental errors in doctrine, anC
asserting their unwillingness to countenancC
any innovation by his reception. Leave to
prosecute his call was finally granted, by Vot'
OF Il to H. ii being understood that, as soon a.
Mr.. Barnes was received into the Presbytery h
should be placed upon trial Tor heresy
and on the 18th of June, 1880, ne pre-
sented his certificate Of dismissal and recon-
mendatiou from the Presbytery OF Elizabeth
town. fierce opposition again arraye
against his reception; but it finally prevailed b.
a vote of thirty 10 sixteen. An attempt wa
then made to arrest hls formal installation, b.
the presentation against him Of charges of IN
soundness IN doctrine; and in November, 1880
by express command of the Synod, thes
charges were heard by the Presbylery, but in
manner which, according TO the claim of MI
Barnes and his friends was entirely unconsti
tutional. The matter was finally taken betor
the General Assembly of 1891 which deCide
that there was "a number of unguarded AM
Objectionable PASSAGES in Mr.. Barnes sermon
but ordered the Presbytery to suspend furthe