The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-27
OBITUARY.
REV ALnE BARN =

On Saturday afternoon the long, eventful, in
dustrious, and singularly useful career of the
Rev. Albert Barnes was brought to sudden
but serenely peaceful close. In company with
his daughter he had left his residence, at No.
4209 Walnut street, West Philadelphia, to pay a
visit of coincidence to an afflicted family re-
siding about a mile distant. He walked the
entire distance, but soon after entering the
house he fell back in his chair and expired
without struggle or aNgord
Albert Barnes was born in the town of Rome.
New York. on the 1st of December, 1898. His
father pursued the calling of tanner, and in
this laborious occupation he was himself en-
gagged until he had attained the age of seventeen.
A year later he entered Hamilton College, New
York and graduated from that institution with
the class OF 1890, at the age of twenty-five.
Concerning his inner life at this period he has
said:-
al began life skeptc in religion, and early for
tied and poisoned my mind by reading all the books
TO which could find access, that were adapted to
foster and sustain my native skeptcism. Up to the
age OF Nineteen though outwardly moral, aud
though, In the MAN, respectful in my treatment of
religion, had no belief in the Bible as a revelation
from God, nor was ] willing to be convinced that it
is such a revelation. Circumstances which related
rather to the choice OF profession than to any ques-
ton about the truth Of religion led to some re-
necton on the general subject OF the future and to
the course which should pursue IN the world. !
should have shTunk at that time from its being
derstood that read the Bible, and should equally
have avoided any book that would he understood
10y ny associates to suggest the thought that was
serious inquirer in regard TO my salvation. Among
them, however, was not asha ned to be seen /
ing book which was il ali our hands, the 'Edln-
burgn Encyclopedias, ben in the course of pu6lica-
ton one of the hunters of that work mad an arti
Gle bN DR.. Chalmers, entitled Christianity read
it. The argument to me was new. 1t fixed my at
tention. Ii commanded my assent. 1t convinced
me, intellectually, of the Divine origin OF the Chris
sBut," he continues. with this intellectual con-
vction I paused | formed a purpose on the SUB
ject OF religion which then intended should regu-
late my future course in this world 1t was to lead
henceforth strictly moral life; to say nothing
against religion; not to be found on any occasion
among its opposers; but to yield to its claims no
farther. resolved to frame my life, in this respect
what understand to be the character and views
of Dr. Franklin"
year later a religious revival commenced in
the college, and Mr. Barnes was firmly resolved
upon maintaining tae resolution expressed
ab0ve. But in this endeavor he was providen-
TALLY frustrated in the following manner
"a classmate, recently converted stated to me
in simple words, and with no appeal to me person.
ally, his own feelings on the subject Of religion, de-
scribed the change which had occurred in his mind,
and left me. His words went to my heart led me to
reflection my condition, and were the means, under
God Of that great change which has so materially
affected all my plans in this life, and which an
ticpate and hope will affect my condition forever"
This changed the whole current of his life,
and in November, 1920, he commenced the study
of theology at Princeon was licensed to preach
in April, 1924; and was ordained and installed
as pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Morris
town, N. j., in February 1925. Referring Ito
the early portion of his career, he has said:-
81 began life with 40 wealth .and with no patron
age from powerful friends. l was blessed with
virtuous ana industrious parents, and entered on
my course with the advantage which was to be de-
rived from their counsels and example. l was de-
pendent 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 begin the world"
He remained at Morristown for five years
1,;.,, fbo n1n nfh -, 4l,o
spring of 1880, by the delivery and publication
of a sermon on 'The Way of Sl!vation," which
at once drew to him the attention of the whole
Presbyterian denomination. The Church was
Just entering upon that memorable struggle
which ultimately rent it asunder, 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 its object obtained a
complete triumph over all his adversaries.
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 his
settlement in ffty-four which were cast upon
the question. Having signifed his acceptance,
the congregation, according to the custom of
the Church, asked leave of the Presbytery of
Philadelphia to prosecute the CALL The motion
was prolonged through four days, several promi-
nent members of the presbytery declaring that
Mr. Barnes sermon on ''The Way of Salvation"
contained fundamental errors in doctrine and
asserting their unwillingness to countenance
any innovation by his reception. Leave to pro-
seeute his call was finally granted, by vote
of 81 to u, it being understood that as soon as
Mr.. Barnes was received into the Presbytery he
should be placed upon trial for heresy; and on
the 18th of June, 1880, he presented his certif-
cate of dismissal and Recommendation from the
Presbytery of Elizabethtown. A fierce opposi-
tion was again arrayed against his reception;
but it finally prevailed by vote of thirty to
sixteen. An attempt was then made to arrest
him hist formal installation by the presenta-
ton against him of charges of unsoundness in
doctrine; and in November, 1880, by express
command of the Synod, these charges were
heard by the Presbytery, but in a manner
which, according to the claim of Mr.
Barnes and his friends, was entirely unconstitu-
tional. The matter was finally taken before the
General Assembly of 1881, which decided that
there was "a number of unguarded and objec
tionable passages in Mr.. Barnes sermon; but
ordered the presbytery to suspend further pro
ceedings in the case, and recommended such
division of that body as would promote peace
and harmony in the Church. This compromise
was stoutly opposed by the adyersaries of Mr.
Barnes, and the Recommendation of the Assem-
bly, was not fully and satisfactorily carried ou
until the year 1886.
Mr.. Barnes meanwhile entered upon the dis
charge OF his new pastoral duties with man,