Pathetic Deathbed Scene.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 187, 15 August 1901, Page 4

Pathetic Deathbed Scene.

(Homo Paper.)

Tiik naturo of the malady from whiehthe late Colonel Barker, of the Salvation Army, suffered necessitated a critical operation on the brain, and it is narrated that as he passed under the influence of chloroform he broke out in his magnificent voice, which was fresh and full after some weeks’ rest, with one of his favorite songs, “ Out on the Deep ” and the effect was so remarkable as the voice died away and became softer that the surgeons, for a few moments, were too overcome to proceed with their work. After the operation, while gradually regaining consciousness, he again burst forth into song, this time with a famous bass solo from one of the great oratorios. As he lay dying, his little son of five years was taken in to see his father for the last time. When he came out of the room he said: “ Mother, daddy didn’t speak to me.” Then, after a pause : “ But I know why. I didn’t sing him my hymn,” and the child slipped back into the room, and in his clear childish treble sang “.Jesus Loves Me” from beginning to end. The cnief ot the Army’s London staff, in an eloquent address at the grave-side, paid this tribute to the dead man’s memory : —“ Wherever ho went —in the house, in the meeting, in the field, in the prison—he fought by love ; fought against his own timidity and [shyness; fought against poverty and hatred; fought against disease, when he felt that death was soon coming. He was dying on his feet, but he would not leave his post. Two years ago I said to him. ‘Barker, stop and rest.' ‘ Give it up, chief ? Never! AVhile I have a breath left—never! ’ And for the love of God ho fought on. When there was something especially hard and ungrateful to be tackled, then there wore two or three people whose names always leapt to my lips as the kind of men to do

it, and Barker was one of them. When we wanted somebody to go and visit those with highly infectious disorders, such as small-pox or fevers ; when somebody was wanted to go and see some poor wretch dying without God; the moment there was a chance of danger—Barker was ready ! If there was a particularly nasty disturbance on in the streets, aud the ‘ Skeletons ’ were out in force with their stones and brick-bats, and there were only a dozen or so to go through, Barker would be one of the chosen, and many a hard crack and many a joyful triumph he has had ; and when the call camo to go 10,000 miles from all he knew, and raise the colors alone, or all but alone, be never flinched. He loved the people ; it was bis love that carried him through.”