THE LATE MR F. H. BARNS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12570, 13 August 1906, Page 9

THE LATE MR F. H. BARNS.

MEQIORIAL SERVKJE AT ST. aUCIIAEL'S.

There vraa a large congregation, at St. Michael's church yesterday morning, when a memorial service was hold to the late Mr Frederic H. Bams. Special praye-re wero introduced, the anthem was a setting of Tennyson's "Crowing Bar," and at the conclusion of the service the congregation stood whilst the organidt played tho Dead March in "Saul." The preacher was tho Rev. H. W. L. Snow. Taking for his text Acts xi., 24, "For he was a good man, and full of tho Holy Ghost and of faith," the preacher said that these simple words used by St. I/uko to describe St. Barnabas, expressed tho throe elements which went to make up tho sacred triangle of Christian character. They summed up tho character of a man who reflected tho image of his Divino Master in the sight of all men. No words could, it. seemed to him, better descrioe the life amd illumine the dca.th-bed of their lately departed and best iovcil brother, Frederic Barns. He was a good man—that was the verdict of all fcjb. Michael's people, of the outeido world, and of all those who camo into contact with him in any relation whatsoover. He was a man who came to them from the sea with the freshness of tho sea <broezes, and tho buoyant, cheery heart of tho sailor. He camo to them with that sturdy and robust manhood which was characteristic of the sailor, and with those qualities ot discipline and eelf-control which wero no leas characteristic. His wholo life was like a, watch on deck. And Frederic Bams possessed that wiarm-hea.rtedness and geniality which at once placed ono at his ease and made friends. His virtues were known in tho parish, in the city, on the wharf, amongst Church workers, clerks, wharf hands—and if none could tell the story fully, it was a etory which would never die out ot the hearts of those who. knew him. Hβ was full of the Holy Ghost—a rare gift indeed—and he. displayed aai activity which was inspired bf God who called him to work for his family, for his Church which he loved so much, and for the community in which ho lived. TJio elan with which he throw himself into everything was known to everybody. The greater tho obstacle the greater was ho pleased. He was a man made to lead forlorn hopes, and his lifo was like unto a. harp of many strings, each of which vibrated under the Spiritual breath. At night, when he -was going to rest-, ho would frot at having to do so, and that fretting was tho sigh of the workman; not able, for a space, to continue God's active work. The loss of emch a man was inestimable, because the example of his life was invaluable. It was an example to bo followed by tGiose ever ready to urge excuses for putting off things, and an oxamplo which could not fail to impress itself upon those who knew how on week days ho worked until all hours, and yet, on Sunday mornings, was so regular an afctendiaint a.t the eaxly oeleb-ratiions a»t church, ithat if by atiy chance he" wore absent on any occasion, those who were used to seeing him there felt uneasy about him. "Personally," the preacher concluded, "1 knew him font slightly, and yet I knew his character well, for ithe character of a man ibelongs to ihe world, and he cannot hide it. I know what affection Archdeacon Averill had for him, and I know how it will smite him to hear of bis deaith. But ho w.ill be comforted to know that his friend and chum died in the faith. So we take leave of him—.this good man so full of the Holy Ghost and of faith. Peace bo unito (his remains, and peace to those who mourn Ms loss, and in whom the wound of sorrow is still so fresh."