Pilgrim Echoes Benjamin H. Barton October 5, 1874 – June 24, 1916 Published: 2010 USA Portland Area Bible Students PO Box 23232 Tigard, Oregon 97281–3232 Publisher’s Foreword With great pleasure we bring these writings, letters and poems of Pilgrim Brother Benjamin H. Barton to the feet members of the body of Christ at this end of the Gospel Age. Brother Barton was trained as an architect but gave up his trade for the Lord’s work of building his own character and assisting others in attaining the full stature of Christ. In June of 1906 Brother Russell arranged for him to travel to the British Isles on a Pilgrim trip. After that he served continually in the Pilgrim ministry in the United States and Canada until his death on June 24, 1916 in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Ecclesia considers it a fitting tribute to share the ministry of a noble brother whose earthly journey ended here more than ninety years ago. We regard this work as supplementary to the harvest message in the writings of Pastor Russell. May these “echoes” of a ten year ministry stir us to greater faithfulness in our journey toward the kingdom. You can see in this record, the heart and mind of a saint of God. Brother Russell delivered Brother Barton’s funeral service July 3, 1916 (less than four months before his own death), and we have included that service in this book. Additional remarks by Brother Russell and Brother W. A. Baker’s report can be found in the Tower of July 15, 1916 (R5930). We made an effort to assemble all of Brother Barton’s writings known to us. Some of his letters and articles were printed in the Towers, and we have not attempted to reprint these again as they are readily available to those wishing to read them there (R3644, 3818, 4101, 4141, 4450, 4695, 5865). A short synopsis of the source of each lesson is included with the table of contents, arranged as much as possible in chronological order. Brother Barton died at 41 years of age, before his father. His father found this consecration card among his effects: CONSECRATION CARD I disclaim all right to myself from henceforth to my soul, my body, my time, my health, my reputation, my talents, or anything that belongs to me. I confess myself to be property of my glorious Redeemer. I dedicate myself to Him, to serve, love and trust Him as my life and my salvation to my life’s end. Signed, Benjamin H. Barton Residence, 5430 Vine St., Phila. Date, May 19, 1895 ii Publisher’s Foreword iii Benjamin Barton was born on October 5, 1874, consecrated in 1895 and died June 24, 1916. He would often write in manna books his date of birth and his composition of “Let your life be a Bible,” published on page 525. Upon Brother Barton’s death there were numerous memorials and tributes sent to the St. Paul Enterprise newspaper, and too many to include in this book. However here we would like to quote an extract of a letter from Brother J. W. Gilbert: July 5, 1916. I first became acquainted with our dear Brother Barton about seventeen years ago, when I first came to a knowledge of Present Truth; and to become acquainted with him was to love him, for I have never known him to manifest anything but the spirit of the Master. Seventeen years ago Brother “Bennie” was one of the two Elders of the Philadelphia Ecclesia, and spoke on alternate Sundays with Brother Smith Walker, now also deceased. Brother Walker’s style was the pedagogic; Brother Barton’s the sympathetic. His heart seemed always overflowing with tenderness and love toward all, and many of his talks to the Friends were in the nature of a spiritual medicine specially adapted to the needs of the class at that particular time, and most wisely and lovingly administered. Our dear Brother’s discourses have always been very helpful and inspiring to me, and have seemed to become more and more so as the years passed; many of these thoughts have been indelibly impressed upon my mind. One of the most helpful was one he expressed some years ago during a discourse delivered in this city. He said that when he first came into the Truth he had been haunted by the fear that some accident might happen to him or some fatal disease attack him before he had had sufficient time in which to make his calling and election sure. This troubled him for some time. Then one day the following thought came to him: “The fact that the Lord has called you to this high calling, and has given you an ear to hear and the willingness to accept, is an absolute guarantee that He will also overrule matters so that you shall have exactly as much time in which to make your calling and election sure as may be necessary.” And does not that thought seem to have been the key-note of our dear Brother’s life? He was guaranteed exactly enough time in which to make his calling and election sure, but he was not guaranteed any more than that. He was sure of having sufficient time for the iv Publisher’s Foreword accomplishment of all the Lord had committed unto him, but he had no certainty or even promise of any time in which to do anything else; no time to be idle, no time to waste. And those who have known him during the years of his pilgrimage know how earnestly he has endeavored to make use of every moment of his time to the honor and glory of God and the development of his own character. Another letter was from Brother J. H. Coyle: July 4, 1916. I should like to say just a word concerning our dear Brother Barton. He was a man of love – a lovely man, and was exceedingly kind. It has been my good pleasure to be with him, at times I have roomed with him, yet I never heard him murmur, complain, or seem troubled at the issues of life. I have heard him say, that one time he tried three times to arise and dress before he succeeded, then was able to preach a good strong sermon, by the Lord’s help. He had a great mind and a greater heart; “he was one of Nature’s noblemen, and Nature (the new nature) hath made him exceedingly well.” Grand was his service, glorious his reward, like a bright and shining star in the heavens above. He had the power of good suggestion, and used it ably and well; always drawing out the best in men, especially of the saints — a noble builder of Christian character. Remarkably humble, gentle and long suffering, yet withal, a tower of strength and ceaseless in energy in the Master’s service. It can be truly said, “Know ye not that there is a Prince and great Man fallen this day in Israel?” To this we add our “Amen.” In bonds of grace, Portland Area Bible Students 2010 TABLE OF CONTENTS THE KINGDOM OF GOD ...................................... 1 Delivered at Ritchie’s Hall, Philadelphia, October 4, 1903 and reported by Brother J.W. Gilbert of that city. St. Paul Enterprise, August 29, 1916. ENCOURAGING LESSONS FROM ISRAEL’S TABERNACLE ........ 7 Delivered at Bro. Mitchell’s studio, Monday evening, November 26, 1906. Meggison compilation of Barton discourses.* ECHOES FROM SOUTH BOSTON ............................... 13 Delivered at Universalist Church, South Boston, November 27, 1906. Compilation of Barton discourses.* PSALM 91 .................................................. 15 Delivered at Sister Cunningham’s, Charlestown, Mass. Wednesday evening, November 28, 1906. Meggison compilation of Barton discourses.* THE HARP OF GOD .......................................... 21 Delivered at Bro. Johnson’s home, 117 High Street, Waltham, Mass., November 30, 1906. Meggison compilation of Barton discourses.* EIGHTY-FOUR REASONS WHY WE BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE THE TRUTH ............................... 27 Delivered at the home of Bro. Johnson, 117 High Street, Waltham, Mass., Friday evening November 30, 1906. Meggison compilation of Barton discourses.* ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE GOD ................................. 35 Delivered at 7 Park Square, Boston, Mass. Sunday evening, December 2, 1906. Compilation of Barton discourses.* AIDS TO SPIRITUAL HEALTH – GREAT PHYSICIAN .............. 41 Delivered by Bro. Barton at 7 Park Square, Boston, Mass. Sunday evening, December 2, 1906. Meggison compilation of Barton discourses.* * Footnote: Assembled by Br. J. A. Meggison, 71 Hancock St. Boston, Mass. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Continued BIND THE SACRIFICE EVEN TO THE HORNS OF THE ALTAR ............................................. 47 Delivered at Y.M.C.A. Hall, Melrose, Mass. December 3, 1906. Meggison compilation of Barton discourses.* THE RICH MAN AND LAZARUS .............................. 53 Delivered in Boston, November 25, 1906 and Wakefield, Mass. December 6, 1906. Compilation of Barton discourses.* ECHOES FROM GREENWOOD ................................ 59 Delivered at home of Bro. Murdock, Thursday afternoon, December 6, 1906. Compilation of Barton discourses.* THE FIRST AND SECOND ADAM – THEIR BRIDES AND CHILDREN ............................................ 63 Delivered at Orphan’s Home, Salem, Mass. Friday, December 7, 1906. Compilation of Barton discourses.* THE SONG OF SOLOMON .................................... 69 Delivered at 41 Newcomb Avenue, Lynnhurst, Mass. December 8, 1906. Compilation of Barton discourses.* WHY DID GOD GIVE US A BIBLE SO DIFFICULT TO UNDERSTAND? ......................................... 73 Delivered at Glasgow Convention, September 1906, Odd Fellows’ Hall, Hyde Park, November 24, 1906 and at Providence Hall, Lynn, Mass. December 9, 1906 LIVING STONES OF THE TEMPLE ............................. 95 Delivered at Providence Hall, Lynn, Mass. Sunday evening, December 9, 1906. Compilation of Barton discourses.* SOLDIERS OF CHRIST ....................................... 101 Delivered January 1907. St. Paul Enterprise, December 11, 1917.