The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-11-06
The Death OF Rev. Joseph Barker.

This famous debator died at the resi-
dence of his daughter, Mrs. Hamilton,
Omaha, NebIaska, Sept. 10Th. He
was well known in England and In the
United States as preacher, author,
lecturer and controverslalist. He was
born at Bramley, near Leeds, York
shire, England, May II. 1905. His
life was peculiarly chequered one. AT
the early age Of twenty years he be-
came a Methodist preacher In England
(new conuexion). At forty years of
age his views had become changed,
and soon after he was the advocate OF
decidedly intidel principles. He visited
this country, entertaining and pronul-
eating these vie Ss about 1850, and
with the Rev. Dr.J F. Berg held o
memorable discussion upon the Au-
thenticity of the Bible" in Concert
Hall, January, 1854. Five years sub
sequent, 10 England, he again warmly
expoused the doctrine Of Christianity,
returned in the ministry In the Metho-
dist Church and continued to labor as
lie had strength and opportunity until
his departure from life. -''' q, 500 =
In q letter from England, addressed
to the Rev. u. Collins. of this city. da-
ted November, 1870, he thus refers to
the dreary past "I have trod the
dreadful path, from beginning toend.
know 1t all. 1t is q weary and dismal
road, and II leads to wretchedness and
ruin. have seen the terrible effects
which inhdelity produces on mems char
acters. I Ihave had proofs Of its deterio-
rating influence In my own experience.
Its tendency Is to utter debaseinent.l /
have read and studied both sides and
what il more, / have tried both, aud
the result Is a full assurance that inf.
deity Is madness, and that the religion.
Of Christ is the perfection of wisdom
spd goodness. sgoD sb. ,, y:llaJi
81 think OF my wanderings IN the
dark shades Of doubt and unbellef with
unspeakable sorrow. l would give q
world If 1 could have my time to live
again, shat 4 might avoid the, dreadful
mistake made in turning my back on
Christ and His cause, and Joining the
ranks Of his enemies" i'i" '' ii'l. .i'-'
Mr.. Barker's hesith has been grad
ually failing fora year past. He spent
last winter, in Lowell, Mass, and the
summer months In this city. He re-
turned to Omaha about the ist of Au-
gust, where his daughter and two sons
reside. arIrag aiI : .-------ii- 'i.Hgla .
Herewith is appended his dying con-
fessiOn. A few days before his death
he made tinal arrangement of hisaf4
fairs, and feeling that paralysis was .
approaching, he called his eldest son,
together with Mr., Gilbert, his lawyer,
and Mr. Kellom, one Of his trustees, to
his bedside and said 2A'3Ha HlA 'Ah >
al feel that 1 am approaching my
end. and desire that you should receive
my last words and be witness to them.
! wish you to witness that am In my
right mind and fully understand what
/ have just been doing and dying that
l die In the firm and full belief In Jesus.
Christ, and In the faith and love- Of
His religion, as revealed in His II ife and
works, as described in the New Testa-
ment that l have an abiding faith In
and love OF God, "a God Is revealed 10
us by His Son Jesus Christ ; and dia o
trusting In Gods infinite love and usr>
cy and In full faith Of a future and bet
ter life. am sorry for my past errors {;
but during the last years OF my life 4
have striven to undo the harm l did,
by doing all was able to serve, by
showing the beauty and wisdom OF the
religion OF His Son Jesus Christ.
wish you TO write down and witness
this. my last confession OF faith, that
there may be no doubt about IT, v.,ri
r. aaI