Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-08-16
BARNETT, PIONEER
IN SOCIAL UP[|FT
British Clergyman Who Was
Father of University
Settlements.
From T. P.'s Weekly.

From 7. P.S Weekly.
The late Canon Barnett was an ardent
even an opinionated man, but one has
yet to hear that he had an enemy. The
secret lay I'm a breadth of view and
sympathy that gave him an implied
right to strong opinions.
Here is the keynote of a life that had
centrality:
The best of the lowest Is not the precept
always held in repute by those who build
churches or plan amusements for East
Ends" but 1t is that acted upon by the
greatest OF social reforIners. The dock
laborer can admire pictures and fine mu-
sic. The hooligan has power of adventure
and dreams of heroism. Our sug-
gestions. therefore, follow the line OF put
ting the best within everyone's reach.
We would lay open the way to the enjoy
ment Of beauty, OF art, and Of travel. We
would nationalist luxury, and give to
everyone the high thing which he does
not want.
That statement is one with which we
are In profound agreement
Samuel Augustus Barnett was born in
Bristol in 1874, and after being edu-
Gated privately, graduated at Wadham
College, Oxford, in 1855. taking a sec
ond class in law and history. He was or
dained in 1867 by the Bishop of London
CDR. Tait). his title being to the curacy
of st. Jude, Whitechapel, where he re-
NAMED only a few months, and then went
as a curate to St Mary. Bryanston
Square. from 1858 to 1873, In which year
he returned to st. Jude, Whitechapei,
as vicar, and remained there until 1884
His father was an ironmaster In Bristol.
After leaving Oxford, in 1855, he visited
the United States. and there his already
growing interest in social conditions was
stimulated to an unusual degree. AT
subsequent periods Of his life he trav-
eled on the continent and in the far east
On returning to this country from Amer
lea Canon Barnett was ordained to the
curacy Of st. Mary's. Bryanston Square,
years later he was appointed vicar. as
stated, where he was to labor for nearly
a quarter of a century.
In making the presentation the Bishop
OF London described the parish as the
worst charge in his diocese. Whitechapel
had then a reputation none too excellent.
It was thronged with poor folk of all
nationalities, many Of whom were on the
border line of want. Their condition at
forded the most puzzling problems to a
clergyman like Canon Barnett, who had
g. strong sense Of his responsibilities, and
who was a keen social reformer. He
found a worthy helpmate in Miss Hen
rietta Rowland, co-worker with Miss
OCtdSlf1 du0 " 4AlSo ~ WAeA1iA IAC W 90
married In the year after taking up the
Whitechapel work. To Mrs. Barnett, the
continuer of his work, all will turn with
sympathy and gratitude.
In some respects Canon Barnett diff
fered greatly from Father Stanton, for
he was not an enthusiastically minded
churchman's; Canon Barnett took broad
views and had q similar breadth of mind
and freedom from convention. He de-
lighted to stand by the side OF all who
had similar social ideas to himself:
whether Jew, Roman Catholic or nom
conformist. c. INVENTIONS did not bind
him. and he supported movements for
which many OF his clerical brethren held
opposite views. He became president, for
instance. of the Sunday Society and sup
ported the Sunday opening of museums,
picture galleries and Libraries. Still, it
must be remembered. he held strongly
that bonds must be put on Sunday work
in order to check the selfishness of those
who having other days at their command
disturb the day OF quiet with their par
ties and their pleasures" Canon Barnett
was not a rhetorical preacher, but his
printed sermons disclose the message of
the man who accepted as his motto The
Service of God Is the Service of Man"
He has said that one cause of the failure
OF the church in the East End related to
the form of service. The people," he
said, ARE used in speeches and in arti-
cles to direct address; they are not used
to be called dearly beloved to be told
that references are to be found in sundry
places, or to be treated every week for
all their lives as ii their circumstances
were unchanged"