The Nome nugget., 1931-01-03
CONCENTRATION DIES


 sixty-nine, noted clergyman of the Orthodox Church. Long Island. N. r.. and father of Bruce Barton. died here today from a recent ill- ness. Following is a very good biography explaining the fine char ac.ers of the man who did much for the true understanding of re- ligion.
 William F.. Barton was realist. He constantly welcomed opportun- ities to expose error whether in form of a confidence game to snare compassionate preachers. 8 conven 'tional sentimentality. or widely accepted legend about Abraham Lincoln. Yet he was described by those who knew him as a sympa- thetic. tolerant and humorous soul Of the more than fifty books he wrote on many themes. his studies of Lincoln stood out as set ting new records in authoritative ness. Though revering Lincoln deyoutedly. Dr. Barton followed wherever facts led. even if they disclosed famous letter to the mother of five supposed war heroes as beautiful blunder". in which Lincoln was hoaxed.
 Carl Sandhurg said of one of the Lincoln books. The Paternity of Abraham Lincoln:
 It provides a bulwark of facts that is a resource to anybody who prefers to have what Is known rather than what is guessed at and wagged lazi!y on careless tongues"
 Dr. Barton brought the same factual approach and the same humorous understanding of men and women, to his vocation as clergyman. in which he wielded in terna tional influence. Born in 1861 at Sublatte. Ills, where his par ents were early settlers, educated at Benea college. Kentucky. and Oberlin Theological school. he went after early pastorates in Tenness ee. Ohio. and Boston to the church at Oak Parks. Ills. of which he was pastor twenty-five years.
 During that period the member ship grew from 700 to 1,700. In 1924 he was moderator of the National Council | His manuals for meetings. services and sacraments are in general use among Congregationalists. He col with Theodore G. Soar es. and the late Josiah Strong in scriptural compilations which had an international circulation of half million copies. He was chosen as d repres entatiye to the 1927 World Conference on Faith and Order al Lausanne.
 Himself an outspoken modernist. he insisted as part of his creed that the church was large enough for persons Of divergent doctrinal views.
 He deplored what he considered a common lack of masculine par ticipation fin the education of boys "too little regard for manhood. and the influence of "mushy songs about mother.
 The mother of his own children, who was before marriage Esther Treat Bushnell of louisville. O.. is the wise Keturah of his fables about "Safed the Sage. Sne died at Foxborr. Mass. in 1925. after they had gone round the world together in the fortieth year of their married life.
 For the sake of the children in his Oak Park congregation, he had tinkling. bell-like stop in cluded in the church organ, con trary to all known precedent for ecclesiastical instruments. At it's cheery summons during the Sun day service. children ripped quick ly forward from their parents pews and clustered about the dignified gowned clergyman, ready for the part of the service devoted to them. So informal they learned to be, and so much at home in the