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 ln TJSK.'y of Alfred Smith Barnes. Born 
 
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IN MEMDRY 
 
 -OF- 
 
 Alfred Smith Barnes. 
 
 Born, January 28th, 1817. 
 Died, February 17th, 1888. 
 
 " His delight is in the law of the Lord; and in His law doth he meditate day 
 and night. * * * His leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall 
 prosper." 
 
 "Truly the memory of the just is blessed." 
 
 FOR PRIVATE DISTRIBUTION. 
 1889. 
 
 E.V. 
 
3/ 
 
 / 1 
 
 7 
 
 f\,3iiOH-^ 
 
TO THE 
 
 BELOVED DAUGHTER, 
 
 WHO GLADDENED HIM ALL HER LIFE, WHO, WITH HEROIC FORTITUDE 
 
 AND UNDYING LOVE, MINISTERED TO HIM IN HIS LAST ILLNESS, 
 
 AND, 
 
 TWO MONTHS LATER, FOLLOWED HIM INTO 
 
 THIS VOLUME IS INSCRIBED IN 
 LOVING MEMORY. 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 
 
 I HERE have been lives, which from the date 
 of birth to the full round of "three score 
 years and ten," have gathered little of true value 
 to themselves, and imparted little to others, whose 
 biography is but a barren record. Their exist- 
 ence was apparently grounded on the assumption 
 of a right to live, and for what they could per- 
 sonally gain for themselves. On the other hand, 
 there have been lives, some longer and some 
 shorter, that have been crowded with good deeds 
 and the development of great character, and what 
 is more fitting than to preserve some of the 
 incidents of such for those who follow? It is 
 with this thought that the life of Alfred Smith 
 Barnes is here presented, although in brief and 
 imperfect form. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was born in New 
 Haven, Conn., January 28th, 1817. His parents 
 
were not affluent people, but were of that good 
 old New England stock which has become re- 
 spected in all climes for its sturdy and progressive 
 characteristics. His father, Eli Barnes, of South- 
 ington, Conn., was a farmer and latterly proprietor of 
 an inn, (to which he gave the name of the Lafayette 
 Hotel, and had a swinging portrait of that distin- 
 guished Frenchman on its front), and founded the 
 village known as Barnesville, now a part of New 
 Haven, and called Fair Haven. His mother was a 
 Morris, of Morris Cove, near New Haven, and was a 
 descendant of Thomas Morris, an Englishman who 
 came to this country in 1638. She was a woman of 
 rare qualities of mind and heart, and her life and 
 teachings were the controlling influence in the form- 
 ation of her son's character. She had taught him by 
 example and precept the only VruT/y successful life to 
 lead was that laid out by his Master, and to the day 
 of his death, he tried to conform to that ideal. He 
 obtained guidance and inspiration from the "Word of 
 God always — not in any sentimental, spasmodic way, 
 but practically, as he would read the daily papers, 
 and with the same uniform regularity. Indeed, his 
 
faith in, and allegiance to a higher power, became 
 the energy of his life. 
 
 The following tribute Mr. Barnes paid to his 
 mother's memory a few years before his death, in 
 some recollections he had prepared : 
 
 " She was self-denying for the good of others. Her conse- 
 cration to God was thorough and complete, and she desired 
 only to live for His glory and the good of her fellow creatures. 
 Her children were the apple of her eye — there was no 
 sacrifice, even to the giving of her life, she was not ready 
 to bestow for their best good. Her happiness was living 
 near to Christ so that earthly trials were nothing to her, 
 except to sanctify her and fit her for the atmosphere of 
 Heaven, where her spirit is now bathing in the effulgence of 
 her Saviour's countenance, and in the company of her sainted 
 companions with whom she walked while in this vail of tears. 
 Oh, that I might live and die like her. Blessed be her 
 memory I" 
 
 The incidents of his boyhood were not unlike 
 those of most boys, somewhat inclined to misfor- 
 tune and venturesome acts. On one occasion, at 
 the age of seven, he desired to join his father who 
 had started off on a fishing trip, and an attempt was 
 made by a man passing,- to drop him into the boat 
 from a bridge fifteen feet above the water, but at the 
 moment of dropping him, the boat was whirled about 
 
by the current, and he was received into deep water, 
 where he struggled for some time in great peril, 
 before he was rescued. At another time, soon after 
 the aquatic experience, he and his younger sister 
 locked themselves in a second-story room, and he 
 attempted the feat of hanging himself out of the 
 window and drawing himself in, but in which 
 he was unsuccessful and hung there, screaming at 
 the top of his voice. His sister was too young to 
 render any assistance, and could not unlock the door 
 to give the alarm ; but after a while a colored servant 
 heard the cry and came under the window, holding 
 out her apron to break his fall in case he fell. 
 By this, time the household became aroused, and 
 one of the boarders in his father's inn, burst 
 open the door and came to the rescue, just as he 
 was ready to drop, and brought him in a terribly 
 frightened boy. At still another time, during his 
 school days at Wethersfield, he, with another boy, 
 went off to gather birch. While engaged in cut- 
 ting the birch from a log, the axe held by his 
 companion, in coming down, struck his finger, 
 cutting it nearly off; it seemed as though he 
 
must lose the member, but fortunately it was 
 promptly splintered and thereby saved. 
 
 At the age of nine, he attended a Lancastrian 
 school at Wethersfield, Conn., boarding in the home 
 of a maiden lady, where he first became infected 
 with home sickness, and upon the death of his 
 father, in 1827, he went home and did not return. 
 His later reflections on his experience while under 
 this lady's care, were to the effect, that on the 
 whole it was profitable to him, as he learned to work 
 quite early in life, whicb, perhaps, he might not 
 have done had he lived at home, as he regarded his 
 parents quite inclined to be indulgent to him. 
 
 At twelve years of age, the lad was placed under 
 
 the care of his uncle, Deacon Norman Smith, living 
 
 near Hartford. Here he worked upon the farm 
 
 during the summer, and during the winter, attended 
 
 school under the instruction of Prof. Jesse Olney. 
 
 His own account of this early experience will be 
 
 interesting : 
 
 " In the summer, it was driving cows to pasture, watering 
 and feeding the horses and pigs, churning butter and running 
 errands. Notwithstanding these menial duties, I was recog- 
 nized as one of the family, and my pride kept me up by the 
 assurance that ' I was as good as any one else if I behaved as 
 
10 
 
 well/ I always had one good suit of clothes, although some- 
 times second-hand, yet I made every effort to look respectable, 
 and succeeded pretty well ; notwithstanding my pants were a 
 little short, and the sleeves . of my coat a little long, and a 
 pretty loose fit all round — the community seemed to smile 
 rather than frown upon me. At school if I had improved 
 my opportunities better, I might have been more of a scholar 
 than I am. My life's motto, however, was ' Excelsior/ " 
 
 Other incidents in his own words at this time 
 
 should be preserved : 
 
 "A black man, whose name was Prince, did the heavy 
 work on the farm. He was a great singer and often would 
 I, on a summer evening, go into the woodshed and sit down 
 on the bench with him and sing out of one of the oblong 
 music books by the hour. It was from this comical old 
 Prince that I got my first rudiments in sacred music. At 
 a later period I became a member of a music class under 
 the leadership of Eli Ives and soon joined the choir of the 
 North Church in Hartford. One of my companions in the 
 choir was Lucius Chapin, now Eev. A. L. Chapin, President 
 of Beloit College. His cousin, Harriet E. Burr, was a mem- 
 ber of the choir at the same time, although I did not then 
 know her."* 
 
 "In 1830, my uncle opened a shoe store and installed 
 me as his clerk. My duties were to sweep out the store, make 
 the fires and do errands. In the cold winter mornings, I 
 would rise before six o'clock, make up the fire in the house 
 and then take a pail of live coals and carry them a quarter of 
 a mile to the shoe store and kindle the fire there. This was 
 before lucifer and friction matches were known, and the ' flint, 
 steel and tinder-box/ was the usual method of lighting. I 
 
 * He always found the liveliest enjoyment in singing church hymns, and when- 
 ever any portion of his family, in later years, were gathered about him in his home, 
 he was very likely to suggest "Come now. let us have a song," and one of the num- 
 ber would preside at the organ, and a delightful season of singing followed. 
 
11 
 
 confess my pride would hardly allow me to become fond of the 
 shoe business, which disappointed my uncle, who evidently 
 wanted me to learn the business and perhaps become his 
 successor. After being clerk for my uncle for about a 
 year, I became restless and made known to Henry Z. Pratt 
 my state of mind and that I would like to get into a book- 
 store. Although my uncle succeeded in keeping me with 
 him for a time longer, in which I lost an opportunity of 
 entering D. F. Robinson's bookstore through the kindness of 
 Mr. Pratt, I finally convinced my uncle of my dissatisfaction, 
 and while on the lookout for another place, word came to me 
 from Mr. Pratt that a second opportunity was open to me in 
 Mr. Robinson's store. My heart leaped with joy, and I resolved 
 to cast my lot in a business that was my beau ideal. I was 
 so happy I could not sleep, and when my uncle's consent was 
 obtained, and my dear mother interposed no objections, I 
 called upon Mr. Pratt, who introduced me to Mr. D. P. 
 Robinson, a tall, fine-looking gentleman who had a kind talk 
 with me, and proposed a few questions, and gave me his 
 general views in regard to the business and the importance of 
 serving my employer's interests in every respect, giving careful 
 attention to minute details, and applying myself faithfully 
 to every duty." 
 
 " The peculiar circumstances of my situation, without 
 father and no means, early brought me to feel that success 
 depended upon my own exertions, and that I must carve my 
 own way by faithful industry and firm integrity, as my 
 character was my only capital and stock in trade. This prin- 
 ciple was instilled in me by my parents, and as I grew older 
 I adopted it as my polar star, under the guidance of Him 
 who directs our steps and controls our destiny. The way 
 seemed open for me, and a voice said ' Walk ye in it.' " 
 
 On entering the book store of D. F. Robinson, 
 
 his duties were those of the youngest clerk ; he 
 
12 
 
 was to receive wages of $30 a year, and his board. 
 
 He made his h^ne with Mrs. Robinson, who soon 
 
 showed him almost the love and solicitude of a 
 
 mother, and the affectionate acquaintance then 
 
 formed, he retained and valued throughout his 
 
 life. Mr. Barnes 1 own narrative of his business 
 
 beginning will here be interesting : 
 
 " I would open and sweep out the store before breakfast 
 and remain until the next older came to relieve me. My 
 next duty would be to go to the Post Office and get the mail, 
 and then get my breakfast — sometimes cold and sometimes 
 hot — and after family prayers, back again to the store, lay 
 out orders, pack books, mark the packages and send them to 
 the stage offices ; generally I carried the packages, either on 
 my back or in a wheelbarrow. We had no porters ; the boys 
 did that kind of work. There were no railroads in those 
 days, but steamboats to New York and Springfield were the 
 water travel from Hartford, and stage coaches by land. I 
 remember the first thing I did in this bookstore was to 
 unravel twine which came in packages, and wind it into balls 
 for future use. The rule was to be busy. In writing, I 
 copied letters and invoices into a copy or letter book, (the 
 copying press was not then known.) Steel pens had not 
 been introduced, and an immense amount of time was 
 daily devoted to making and mending quill pens." 
 
 In 1835, the firm of D. F. Robinson & Co. moved 
 
 to New York, where he completed his clerkship. 
 
 In the year 1838, Prof. Charles Davies, the 
 
 mathematician, called upon him with letter from 
 
13 
 
 Hiram F. Sumner, of Hartford, and this introduction 
 led to an arrangement for the publication of his 
 mathematical books. Mr. Barnes was to be the 
 nominal publisher at $600 per year and to attend 
 to the introduction of the books among the 
 schools, and Prof. Davies was to be the literary 
 and office partner. They located in the city of 
 Hartford, in a store 12 x 20 ft., and then and there 
 was founded the house of A. S. Barnes & Co. Soon 
 thereafter they agreed on equal terms as partners, 
 Prof. Davies reserving a copyright. Mr. Barnes at 
 once started out to canvass the country for Pro- 
 fessor Davies 1 books, travelling by boat or stage, 
 as railroads had not then been much developed, 
 and, for a time, driving an humble establishment 
 of his own, which he had taken in settlement 
 of a note for $250, but which soon gave out, 
 however, and he disposed of the outfit for $100. 
 He visited the scattered schools, and the small 
 stores of his own and adjacent States, and became 
 quite versatile in advocating the Davies' Arith- 
 metics, which were then in their infancy, but since 
 have been studied by millions of school children. 
 
14 
 
 His efforts from the start were successful, always 
 making a favorable impression by his frank and 
 winning manner, and unmistakable sense of honor; 
 and the custom then derived, continued with him 
 for many years thereafter. In 1840, the little 
 concern moved to Philadelphia and took quarters 
 in a modest store in Minor street, but remained 
 there only four years, when it was finally removed 
 to New York, occupying the building on the 
 corner of John and Dutch Streets. The business 
 steadily increased, and with an enlarged list of pub- 
 lications, soon required the two adjacent buildings 
 on John Street, in addition. In 1867, Mr. Barnes 
 purchased the large and commodious building on 
 the corner of William and John Streets, to which 
 the business was again transferred, and where it has 
 since been carried on, using the former buildings in 
 part, for the printing office and bindery. These 
 latter soon became inadequate, however, and necessi- 
 tated the building of the factory, now occupied by 
 the firm in Brooklyn, erected by Mr. Barnes, in 
 the year 1880, on the site of the old First Baptist 
 Church, and now adjoins the extension of the 
 East River Bridge. 
 
15 
 
 In 1848, Prof. Davies retired from business 
 
 connection with Mr. Barnes, and Mr. Edmund 
 
 Dwight became partner the same year. In 1849, 
 
 Mr. Dwight retired, and Mr. Barnes took into 
 
 partnership his brother-in-law, Henry L. Burr, who 
 
 continued with him until his death in 1865. Mr. 
 
 Burr was a man of signal business ability and of 
 
 most genial temperament, and his loss seemed 
 
 almost irreparable. Mr. S. A. Bollo, a clerk, was 
 
 admitted in 1850, and some data in connection with 
 
 that person and time will not be uninteresting. 
 
 "From 1850 to 1860, the business in school books was 
 conducted on the even exchange plan to a large extent, and 
 the idea of making money seemed a second consideration. It 
 was virtually war to the knife, the rage being to take out 
 one another's books, the question of merit entirely set aside. 
 Of course this was demoralizing, and brought little money 
 to the publishers and disaster to many, but the panic of '57 
 brought about sober second thought, and tended to the 
 adoption of more conservative methods for the future. 
 In 1860, the partnership with Mr. Eollo was dissolved, and he 
 started a new house, somewhat in competition with our own, 
 on Park Row. He manifested the hallucination that when he 
 left the concern the business would languish and he would build 
 up on its ruins. He formed an intimacy with Mr. S — the 
 publisher of "Worcester's Dictionary, and became the agent 
 for that work, and when he got into his new store, he fired 
 off a hundred guns in the City Hall Park. His store was 
 fitted up after the manner of a ship with bow projecting 
 
16 
 
 almost to the side walk. His clerks wore tarpaulins and he was 
 addressed as Captain Eollo. His theory was that a demonstra- 
 tion of this sort would bring his house into favorable notice. 
 But how mistaken he was ! His business declined and failure 
 followed, and he died in 1863." 
 
 Following Mr. Bur^s decease in 1865, Mr. 
 Barnes 1 eldest son Alfred became associated with 
 him, and also his brother, Mr. John C. Barnes. 
 In 1867, Mr. Barnes admitted his consin, Mr. 
 Henry W. Curtiss. Mr. J. C. Barnes retired in 
 in 1873, and Mr. Curtiss in 1881. Following soon 
 after Mr. Curtiss 1 admission, Mr. Barnes took into 
 the firm his son Henry, and later on, his nephew 
 Charles J. Barnes, who now represents the house 
 in the West, having offices in Chicago, where an 
 important and growing part of the business is 
 carried on. His son Edwin, who conducts the 
 manufacturing department, was admitted in 1879 ; 
 and in 1883 and 1884 respectively, his two youngest 
 sons, Kichard and William, the former superintend- 
 ing the jobbing and stationery department, and the 
 latter the general correspondence, were admitted. 
 By his death, his five sons and nephew are left to 
 carry on the business, but in point of fact his 
 
17 
 
 retirement took place several years prior thereto, lie 
 having latterly taken no active part in the business 
 management, bat retaining a large monied interest 
 and giving his wise counsel when occasion required. 
 Mr. Barnes had seldom experienced serious em- 
 barrassment in his business, although in the financial 
 crises of 1857 and 1861, he found it necessary to 
 take precautions, and avail himself of the proffers 
 of kindly-disposed friends, and thereby managed 
 to weather the gales and, come into smooth seas 
 again. In recalling this period, the following 
 narrative from his pen will be worthy of record. 
 It is but paying " honor to whom honor is due :" 
 
 " In these trying times ('61) an interesting circumstance I 
 must relate, which revealed the noble-heartedness of a man on 
 whom I had not the least shadow of a claim, and one whom 
 I knew but slightly. The horizon was dark, and the pros- 
 pect of getting through, very slim. Everybody was hard 
 pressed and had no money to lend. It seemed as if I had 
 exhausted all my resources. I owed borrowed money which I 
 must return or be dishonored. We had $200,000 due us in 
 the South, but this we could not collect. In this dilemma, on a 
 certain Monday morning, I called upon Mr. C. P. Dixon with 
 considerable trepidation, doubt and fear ; he met me cordially. 
 I told him my errand, and laid before him frankly my con- 
 dition — how much we owed, and how much was due us. 
 He listened kindly and when I got through he inquired how 
 
18 
 
 much I wanted. I did not dare to tell him, but said that I 
 thought $2,500 would help me out of present trouble. ' I 
 will send you my check before 12 o'clock.' How my heart 
 leaped with joy ! He then remarked ' I saw you in church 
 yesterday and I thought you looked troubled, and I had it 
 in my mind to ask if I could help you in any way, but then 
 I concluded I should be meddling with what was none of my 
 business.' This instance of help seemed to me to be from the 
 divine hand, and I felt that we had ' passed the rubicon' and 
 were safe. I asked Mr. Dixon when I should return the money. 
 ' Oh,' he said, ' any time ; I will send for it when I want 
 it.' A few days after I met him and said, 'You don't know 
 how much you did for me the other day.' ' Well,' said he 
 'if you have been so much benefited, perhaps you would 
 like the dose repeated.' This suggestion from the noble 
 man almost stunned me, but I was quite ready to take 
 another dose so generously offered. He asked ' How much 
 will you take ?' ' "Well,' I said ' if you can give another 
 check for the same amount, it will be swallowed immediately.' 
 He replied 'I will send it to you.' Before 1 o'clock it came 
 and the skies began to brighten. Money was easier, collec- 
 tions a little better, our credit greatly improved. Not more 
 than a week after this I met Mr. Dixon again and said to him: 
 ' You have helped me over troubled waters, and I hope you 
 are not wanting the money you so kindly lent me ?' ' Oh, 
 no,' he said, ' do you want any more ?' I replied ' I have 
 not the heart to ask for more from such a generous soul, but 
 I can use $2,000 more to great advantage, but you should 
 not let me have it, I have borrowed all I ought from you.' 
 ' Oh well,' he said, ' I will let you have $2,000 more with 
 pleasure ;' and before three o'clock the check came, and for 
 more than a year he left that money with me, and would not 
 take any more than legal interest. Such kindness and 
 magnanimity I can never forget to the latest day of my life. 
 This $7,000 brought us into smooth waters, as it came when 
 
19 
 
 we most needed it, and preserved our credit and standing. 
 Mr. Dixon might have loaned his money at \y 2 per cent, 
 per month, on undoubted collaterals, but in his dealing with 
 me he asked no security, and was content with legal interest. 
 Such men are rare in these days of avarice and money-mak- 
 ing ; and the name of C. P. Dixon will be honored with 
 grateful recollections, long after he has passed beyond this 
 world of toil and trouble." 
 
 During the war, Mr. Barnes was greatly inter- 
 ested in the issues involved, and closely followed 
 the events as they came to him. by the papers 
 from day to day. In writing the reminiscences of 
 the past, as long after as 1882, among all the pages 
 there were none more characteristic of his clear- 
 ness and conciseness at composition, and which 
 displayed more retentive memory, than those recall- 
 ing that exciting period : 
 
 " It was a time (1857-62) of general distress in all branches 
 of trade. The question of the abolition of slavery was be- 
 coming very serious ; many houses at the North were ostra- 
 cized on account of their known abolition views. One house 
 put over its doors ' Goods, not principles/ were for sale. 
 Southern merchants would not buy goods of abolitionists, and 
 very strong bitterness was engendered by the South towards 
 those who were unfriendly to Southern institutions. School 
 books which contained any matter that was hostile to slavery 
 were thrown out, and any man that would go South and offer 
 any sentiment adverse to slavery would be in danger of losing 
 his life. "We had a large class of Northern merchants and 
 mechanics who depended upon the South for their business, 
 
20 
 
 hence they would imbibe Southern principles and would join 
 the South in their tirade against the abolitionists. These 
 men were called ' dough faces ' or ' copperheads,' and were 
 generally among the Democrats. The Kepublican party was 
 becoming stronger in the abolition doctrine. While the min- 
 isters at the South were upholding slavery as a divine institu- 
 tion, the good people at the North, headed by such men as 
 Horace Greeley, Charles Sumner and Henry Wilson, began 
 to feel that the time had come when we should put forth 
 every effort to elect a president who had decided views in 
 favor of abolition, and in 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected 
 by a large majority over Stephen Douglas, the Democratic 
 candidate. This was the signal for the South to declare war 
 and claim a division of territory. President Buchanan's 
 cabinet had so thrown itself into the hands of the South, that 
 its power from a military point of view was greatly superior 
 to the North. Our naval ships had been ordered into distant 
 waters. The United States forts were in danger of being 
 captured. Fort Sumter, under Anderson, was besieged, as 
 also the other forts along the Atlantic Coast, Gulf of Mexico 
 and Mississippi River, and the first gun fired was the signal 
 for the North to prepare for battle. The seat of government 
 was in danger. General Scott took command and placed the 
 City of Washington under martial law. One State after 
 another declared their allegiance to the Southern confederacy, 
 and recognized Jefferson Davis as their President. Lincoln 
 called for 300,000 men to come to the front. General McClellan 
 was placed at the head of the Army of the Potomac. General 
 McDowell, at the head of a large body of raw troops, com- 
 manded a march on Richmond, and was met by the rebels at 
 Manasses and repulsed. This defeat stirred the heart of the 
 North, and men and money were not wanting to carry on the 
 conflict. The South was forcing every man into the army. 
 All communication was cut off with the North and they de- 
 pended upon foreign nations to keep them supplied and 
 
21 
 
 break the blockade. England was in sympathy with the 
 South and would rejoice in seeing our beautiful country 
 broken up with factions. The whole North became aroused. 
 Government demand for supplies for the army gave business 
 a start ; prices went up, with the suspension of specie money 
 became cheap and plenty. Government borrowed largely on 
 her bonds. While the North was active and prosperous, the 
 South became demoralized ; their credit abroad was impaired, 
 their currency was valueless, tea or coffee was at a dollar a 
 pound, a pair of boots would cost twenty dollars their money, 
 and everything else in like proportion. Poverty and distress 
 were staring them in the face. While in this condition at 
 the South, the people of the North were thrifty, and were 
 heavily taxed to meet the demands of the Government, which 
 was cheerfully paid. The daily papers and telegraphic news 
 were read with great interest. Victories and defeats were the 
 headings of every column, heroes were multiplying, men who 
 never before had been heard of were distinguishing them- 
 selves. Those educated at West Point were called out and 
 did credit to their Alma Mater. General Sherman, General 
 Thomas, General Eosecrans, General Mitchell, General Fre- 
 mont, General Hooker, Admiral Farragut and Admiral Foote 
 were prominent actors in the early part of the war and did 
 most valiant service. But the hero of the war, who brought 
 it to a successful termination, and proclaimed peace, was 
 General Ulysses S. Grant, who commenced a drill officer and 
 reached the highest rank of Major General of the Army, and 
 for two successive terms was President of the United States. 
 No American citizen ever received more honor, and when he 
 went abroad, after his administration, no man received greater 
 ovations throughout the nations of the world." 
 
 Those of us who remember Mr. Barnes' some- 
 
 what more active part during these war times, when, 
 
 dressed in military garb, he drilled with a company 
 
22 
 
 over a livery stable near his home, will be inter- 
 ested and perchance amused in having the incident 
 recalled, bearing in mind that he had never had any- 
 similar experience before, and to " turn out toes" 
 and " cany arms", seemed in no way natural to him. 
 
 " The notes of war and dangers which threatened our fire- 
 sides, brought out older men to drill and prepare themselves 
 for defense, and while young men were enlisting, old men were 
 forming themselves into companies and met every night for 
 drilling. "We furnished ourselves with uniforms, and the 
 State furnished us with fire-arms, and we formed under the 
 name of 'Home Guards/ appointed our captains, corporals 
 and other officers, and were regularly organized, ready to obey 
 any summons for the protection of our homes. This organi- 
 zation was kept alive until victory began to perch upon the 
 banners of the Northern army ; then we disbanded and 
 breathed more freely, and sang our national songs with an 
 enthusiasm never before experienced." 
 
 The exhibition of perfect generosity, to which 
 we have previously alluded, may properly suggest 
 another incident in the life of Mr. Barnes, which 
 is equally remarkable as an exhibition of con- 
 science. About the year 1870, he received from 
 an unknown friend, in disguised handwriting, an 
 acknowledgment of having dishonestly taken from 
 him the amount of $2,000, but which he, with true 
 repentance, proposed to repay at the rate of $10 
 
23 
 
 weekly. Both the confession and the fact of the 
 robbery were a surprise to him, as he could not trace 
 the loss of the money. For two hundred weeks, or 
 about four years, he regularly received, enclosed 
 in an envelope addressed in plain roman capitals, 
 a ten dollar bill with a half sheet of paper naming 
 the amount and number of payment. For all this 
 time, he neither knew nor suspected who the indi- 
 vidual was, and when the last payment was made, 
 the friend made the request, that if all the money 
 had been received, to indicate it in the " Personals " 
 of the "New York Herald." Accordingly Mr. 
 Barnes inserted the following lines : " 200th pay- 
 ment received all right. Come and see me and all 
 will be sacredly confidential." A few days later a 
 gentleman called, and with the paper in his hand, 
 and pointing to the insertion, said : "I am the man." 
 Mr. Barnes was completely astounded and could 
 say little at first, but no doubt soon found words 
 to forgive the act and to commend him for his 
 honorable course of restitution. Never did Mr. 
 Barnes breathe to a soul who the individual was, 
 although it was always a matter of great curiosity 
 
24 
 
 to his family. The amount returned, Mr. Barnes 
 generously deposited in the savings bank, in five 
 equal parts, for his five younger children. 
 
 II. 
 TV TR BARNES was in a remarkable degree a man 
 -*-'-*• of affairs, active, interested and devoted to all 
 his duties — duties imposed and duties assumed. In 
 secular matters, aside from his regular business, he 
 was, at the time of his death, director of the Hanover 
 National Bank, the Home Fire Insurance Company, 
 the Fidelity and Casualty Company, Provident Life 
 Insurance Company, Rochester Gas Company, trus- 
 tee in the Brooklyn Dime Savings Bank, Cornell 
 University, Ithaca, the Polytechnic Institute and 
 Packer Institute, both of Brooklyn, a trustee in the 
 Long Island Historical Society, President of the 
 Automatic Fire Alarm Company, New York, and 
 associated with railroads and other institutions. 
 
 In benevolent work, he was President of the 
 Brooklyn City Mission and Tract Society, connected 
 
25 
 
 with the American Board of Foreign Missions, with 
 the American Missionary Society (one of its execu- 
 tive committee,) with the Home Missionary Society, 
 trustee of the American Tract Society, Vice- 
 President of the Society for the Suppression of 
 Vice, and also of the Association for Improving the 
 Condition of the Poor of Brooklyn, trustee of the 
 Faith Home for Incurables, and also of the Aged 
 Men's Home, both of Brooklyn. 
 
 In church matters, he was always prominent. 
 In Philadelphia, he was identified with Dr. Albert 
 Barnes' Church; in New York, with Dr. Spring's 
 Church; on coming to Brooklyn was made one of 
 the Deacons of the Church of the Pilgrims, to 
 which he brought letter,, just prior to the call 
 of Dr. Storrs. Later, in view of changing his 
 residence, he became a member of the Clinton Ave- 
 nue Church, and was one of the callers of Dr. Will- 
 iam I. Budington; and still later, of Rev. Thomas 
 B. Mc Leod to the same church upon the decease of 
 Dr. Budington. He served at different times as 
 Superintendent of the Sunday School, as Deacon, as 
 Trustee in the latter church, and in all capacities 
 
26 
 
 exhibited an active interest in the work, and his re- 
 tirement from office was always regretted by his asso- 
 ciates. Aside from his official positions he was most 
 liberal in advancing the Church's material needs and 
 its various charities, and his purse strings responded 
 to every call ungrudgingly. With Mr. Albert 
 Woodruff, of Brooklyn, he inaugurated the Mission 
 Sunday School, as the off-shoot of an established 
 church, and his connection with the Warren Street 
 Mission in Brooklyn, as the pioneer of the under- 
 taking, was always a matter of pleasure to him. He 
 was its first Superintendent, and did much for its 
 growth and prosperity thereafter. 
 
 Mr. Barnes always had the courage of his 
 convictions, and if he believed he was in the right 
 he was most valiant in achieving his ends, daunted 
 only by insurmountable obstacles. His efforts to 
 have steam cars removed a second time from 
 Atlantic Avenue, which he regarded very detri- 
 mental to his property adjacent, and to the city at 
 large, after having worked successfully to have it 
 done some years previously, clearly demonstrated 
 this characteristic. He expended several thousands 
 
27 
 
 of dollars and took it to the courts, but owing 
 to the lack of sufficient support from his neighbors 
 he deemed it useless to fight, single-handed, an 
 unscrupulous corporation which had nine points 
 of law in its favor, namely, possession, and aban- 
 doned it. Oct. 2d, 1882, he addressed the following 
 letter to the Brooklyn Eagle, when he thought 
 he saw the press inclined to take a true view 
 of the situation, and it practically sums up his 
 sentiments on the subject. 
 
 "The article in a late number of your paper took a very in- 
 telligent view of the evils growing out of steam on the surface 
 of Atlantic avenue, and reveals the fact that others besides 
 owners of property begin to realize the serious injury to the 
 City of Brooklyn by the continuance of this great nuisance. 
 It is very surprising that the community has not long before 
 this demanded a relief from this oppression ; but their long 
 suffering patience has been mingled with a hope that some- 
 thing would be done. What that something should be the 
 people are at variance, but they are generally indignant almost 
 to desperation on one point, and that is that the authorities 
 of the city are so supine and apathetic in a matter which so 
 much concerns the best interests of their constituents. There 
 seems to be a difference of opinion among our citizens as to 
 the measures for abating this great evil. * * * But one senti- 
 ment prevails — that steam on the surface should be abolished. 
 * * * The Common Council can insist upon reduction of speed, 
 and attach a penalty for violation. The enforcement of this 
 ordinance might lead the Bailroad Company to either sink 
 the track, or elevate it, or build an underground road — the 
 
28 
 
 latter will not probably be done on account of extra expense 
 and imdesirableness and discomfiture of traveling under- 
 ground. * * * We are left to a sunken track or an elevated rail- 
 road. The track below the surface, with no covering except 
 at the cross streets, involves a fence which blocks the avenue, 
 and continues the noise and smoke, as now. The great advan- 
 tage would be the saving of human life, and the value of 
 property might be somewhat increased along the avenue, but 
 not much, as it would not be any more attractive for business, 
 or for residences than now. If the Mayor and Common 
 Council would spend an hour or two in any part of Atlantic 
 avenue, east of Flatbush on a summer Sunday, they would 
 form some idea of the abandonment of the finest avenue in 
 the city to the noise and tumult of the Long Island and 
 Brighton Beach Railroad, and would better know how to 
 bring relief to our citizens who have suffered great injustice 
 at the hands of the Long Island Railroad Company. 
 
 * * * What, then, can be done for this unfortunate avenue 
 which has so long been the football of this railroad ? It is 
 acknowledged by all those who are not prejudiced, that 
 it is eminently adapted to an elevated road, from Bast New 
 York to South Ferry ; its unusual width and easy grade 
 would make it the backbone of the city for such a road, and 
 become one of the finest thoroughfares. Improvements have 
 recently been made so that this elevated road can be, as in 
 Chatham street, New York, almost noiseless. It would 
 immediately become a grand triumph to rapid transit and 
 give a great impetus to property in the outskirts of Eastern 
 Brooklyn, like the upper sections of Manhattan Island. 
 Business would suddenly take a start along the line of the 
 avenue, handsome buildings would take the place of numer- 
 ous dilapidated houses and wooden shanties which now line 
 the streets, the vacant lots now almost worthless between 
 Atlantic avenue and the Park would be covered by long rows 
 of stone houses and stores ; five-eighths of the population north 
 
29 
 
 of Atlantic avenue would then have an unobstructed passage 
 to Prospect Park, without fear of the destructive locomotive. 
 Property holders who have been groaning under heavy taxa- 
 tion for the last fifteen years, on their unimproved lots, would 
 rejoice in a brighter day, and the city treasury be largely aug- 
 mented by increased values. Such an improvement as this 
 would be a blessing to the whole community and wipe out the 
 stain which now rests upon the action of a Common Council, 
 which a few years ago ordered steam to be used on the surface 
 after compelling property owners to pay $130,000 for its 
 removal. 
 
 " * * * This unjust procedure has brought mourning to our 
 inhabitants, and the question, "How long must we suffer ?" 
 is before the present mayor and his council. It is in their 
 power to right this wrong, and they should take earnest steps 
 in this direction until we are rid of this terrible nuisance." 
 
 In the anti-Beecher movement that prevailed 
 
 in the church with which he was connected, he 
 
 almost stood alone in maintaining, that as the 
 
 accused . declared himself innocent of the charges 
 
 preferred, he thought him entitled to the benefit 
 
 of the doubt and strongly opposed the severe steps 
 
 to be taken. He thought it his Christian duty to 
 
 maintain a neutral ground in the heated controversy, 
 
 and so did, and thereby continued the friendship, 
 
 which he highly valued, of the clergymen most 
 
 prominently identified in it. The developments in 
 
 the case saddened him greatly, but his trust was not 
 
 to be shattered unless a confession should cause it. 
 
30 
 
 He was a strong believer in the possibilities of 
 a railroad in the State of Kansas before that State 
 figured as prominently as it does to-day, and in 
 spite of urgent persuasion to desist from repeated 
 subscriptions, continued to feed the enterprise with 
 his money and influence, and the result justified 
 his hopes, as the road, after many set-backs and 
 hindrances, finally became one of the most success- 
 ful in the State. 
 
 So with the New York Elevated Road. He 
 was one of the original subscribers to the Harvey 
 plan of an endless chain road, and when he put 
 his money in it, he also put his faith in a 
 better mode of transit than horse-cars, and claimed 
 it would be on an elevated structure. The scheme 
 faltered and looked dubious ; many of the project- 
 ors dropped out and pronounced it futile, but he 
 believed it would not perish and, biding his time 
 a little, and after a comparatively successful turn 
 in affairs by substituting steam cars, determined 
 that what was most needed was a man of marked 
 executive ability to force the thing to success, and 
 with two or three gentlemen he waited upon Mr. 
 
31 
 
 Cyrus Field and solicited his assistance, as the one 
 for whom they were looking. On Mr. Field's taking 
 the reins, he redoubled his investment and the 
 success of the enterprise became a fact. The original 
 line was followed by others and New York is now 
 indebted to a convenience which it fought bitterly at 
 first, but now wonders how it was able to do without. 
 
 A very noteworthy incident in connection with 
 his Christian work was the acquirement of the 
 church building on Classon Avenue, near Butler 
 Street. A mortgage was about to be foreclosed on 
 the property and there were several persons inter- 
 ested in buying it in. It became a question of 
 sectarianism, the parties to the purchase representing 
 distinct creeds, and Mr. Barnes believing the section 
 where it stood was in need of the church of his own 
 denomination, and not finding any other to co-oper- 
 ate with him, bought it in himself, and for years kept 
 it in his possession, although giving its use to a 
 company of worshipers and. helping to support the 
 minister in charge. 
 
 No specific dates accompany the foregoing inci- 
 dents, which bespeak that faith and determination 
 
32 
 
 so characteristic of Mr. Barnes, but they were all 
 included in the decade between 1870 and 1880. 
 
 The uppermost desire of his heart was unques- 
 tionably to do as well as to be good " that the world 
 might be better for his having lived in it," and 
 that he carried this principle out conscientiously, 
 none can deny. His benefactions will never be 
 fully known — he gave liberally and often. The 
 $25,000.00 to the Faith Home in Brooklyn which 
 enjoys its present quarters mainly through his gift 
 and efforts; and the $45,000.00 to the Y. M. C. A. 
 of Cornell University, clearly show his purpose in 
 life of promoting good works. The Y. M. C. A. of 
 Brooklyn, the Long Island Historical Society, and 
 many of the benevolent objects of the city and 
 elsewhere, also enjoyed his munificence through his 
 life time and were as well the recipients of consid- 
 erable sums at his death. 
 
 It will be proper at this point in referring to the 
 " Faith Home," to which he devoted so much time 
 and thought, to include his address at the time of 
 laying the corner stone. 
 
33 
 
 (Address delivered Sept. 27th, 1880.) 
 " We are here to participate in the exercises appropriate to 
 the laying the corner stone of an institution organized a short 
 time since, for the purpose of providing a home for invalids 
 who have no prospect for recovery, no kind friends to nurse 
 them, no means for support, and no place where their suffer- 
 ing and pain may be diminished — a home where their remain- 
 ing days may be made comfortable, and where they may receive 
 such spiritual aid as will fit them for a home in the skies, 
 where sickness and pain are forever unknown. The two sis- 
 ters, Miss Emily P. and Miss Abby H. Campbell, who, long 
 associated with Dr. Cullis in his noble work in Boston, were 
 led by the hand of Providence to Brooklyn, are the presiding 
 heads of this institution, and I might say angels of mercy to 
 twenty-seven or twenty-eight victims of disease in their now 
 contracted quarters in Lexington avenue. They need no for- 
 mal introduction. Their annual reports show earnest devo- 
 tion and consecration to the cause of humanity and religion. 
 It has been the burden of their prayer that some one would be 
 inclined to furnish a lot suitable for a building of proper 
 dimensions to meet their increasing necessities, and which 
 would have all the appointments and conveniences for a larger 
 number of inmates, who claim their sympathy. The attention 
 of these good women has been called to this location, and four 
 lots of ground are offered to them for their perpetual use. 
 This offer they have accepted. A plan for a building is adopted, 
 and the work of construction is commenced. The name of 
 this institution is ' Faith Home for Incurables,' designed for 
 women who are without means or friends able to support 
 them, and who on account of some incurable disease cannot 
 be received into hospitals or homes for the aged. What 
 greater philanthropy than this, started and sustained by sim- 
 ple faith in the Almighty arm ? These ladies say in their 
 annual report 'our dependence is upon God.' 'We never 
 solicit contributions, but are supported entirely by free- 
 
34 
 
 will offerings/ " The cost of the building, when completed, 
 will be from $30,000 to $35,000. It will accommodate from 
 seventy to ninety persons. The building is to be completed 
 by the 1st of May, at which time it will be dedicated for the 
 purposes for which the charter of the institution provides. I 
 am glad that this 27th day of September is selected for these 
 services, it being the sixtieth anniversary of the birth of one 
 who for thirty-nine summers and winters has shared with me 
 many joys and few sorrows, who has nourished with tender 
 affection and great fidelity five sons and five daughters, whom 
 God has spared beyond the bounds of childhood, and who are 
 now assuming the responsibilities and sober realities of an ac- 
 tive life. May the Lord follow them with bis blessings. In 
 memory of this day, fraught as it is with the recollections of 
 a peaceful home and the sterling virtues of a noble woman 
 and beloved wife, I take unspeakable pleasure in handing over 
 to the custodians of Faith Home a warrantee deed of the land 
 on which this building is to rest, measuring 90 by 90 feet, 
 free of incumbrance. 
 
 " Is it too much to believe that the City of Brooklyn will 
 adopt this charity as its own — and her people see that before 
 the last brick is laid, the last nail driven, and the grounds 
 enclosed and beautified — that the edifice with all its appoint- 
 ments becomes a free will offering to that class of our fellow 
 beings who are brought here to receive the last token of 
 Christian sympathy, whose hearts will ever swell with grati- 
 tude for the establishment of the Faith Home for Incurables?" 
 
 Just one year later, on the same anniversary, the 
 
 completed building was dedicated, and it proved to 
 
 be the last significant act he was able to perform in 
 
 honor of the beloved wife, who died one month 
 
 later. In graceful speech Mr. Barnes recognized 
 
35 
 
 the generous co-operation of others, and transferred 
 the building with the land to the trustees of the 
 institution, fully paid for, he having made up him- 
 self any deficiency in the subscriptions. 
 
 In politics he took an active interest, though he 
 never filled office, or desired to do so — he was 
 satisfied to advocate good and able men, and cast 
 his vote for them, and was assiduous in getting 
 others to perform their duty, as he disliked indif- 
 ference in the matter of voting. He was a Re- 
 publican as to party, but saw fit at times to 
 support one of the opposite faction, though it is 
 believed never in national politics. He was a tem- 
 perance advocate, but thought it not essential to 
 encourage a temperance party. He argued "raise 
 the standard of one of the dominant parties and 
 temperance and all good results will surely follow." 
 
36 
 
 III. 
 
 TI7"E have followed Mr. Barnes in his connection 
 * * with the "business of which he was the founder 
 and the head for just fifty years, and also in other 
 outside relations; let us now return and trace his 
 domestic life from early manhood. 
 
 On November 10th, 1841, Mr. Barnes was 
 united in marriage with Miss Harriet E. Burr, daugh- 
 ter of General Timothy Burr, of Rochester, whose 
 acquaintance he had made in Hartford. The 
 ceremony took place in the home of her father, and 
 on the same occasion, her sister Julia was married 
 to Mr. Thomas Hastings. 
 
 Those who have read the memorial volume of 
 his wife, will recall the romantic incident in 
 connection with their engagement and this union. 
 She was one worthy of his love, and no nobler or 
 better suited couple ever entered upon the matri- 
 monial estate. He had not much of this world's 
 goods, nor had she, but both possessed those rare 
 
Ill 
 s 
 
 
 
 X 
 
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 s 
 z 
 
 HI 
 
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 < 
 
 2 
 
 h 
 Z 
 
 J 
 
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37 
 
 traits of character which made them well equipped 
 notwithstanding, to go on and contend together 
 in the battles of life. 
 
 His business at this time being located in 
 Philadelphia, he thither took his wife, and boarded 
 in a private family for a time, but afterwards 
 rented a small house, where they lived till 
 the removal of his business to New York, and 
 there took a house in MacDougal Street. But 
 the noise and bustle of the neighborhood, soon 
 seemed unfavorable for his wife and the bringing 
 up of his young children, and he made up his 
 mind that it would be much better to locate in 
 Brooklyn, and accordingly he rented a small house 
 on Garden Street in that city, where he and his 
 family moved, in 1846. This house soon seemed 
 contracted for the growing family and he bought 
 -quite a tract of land on Clinton Avenue, which 
 was then considered in the suburbs of the city and 
 erected thereon a commodious house, and was 
 able to occupy it in the spring of 1853. Two 
 children were born to them in Philadelphia, 
 one in New York, three in Garden Street, 
 
38 
 
 and in this new home the last four were added, 
 making in all a family of ten children, five sons 
 and five daughters. The Clinton Avenue house 
 was the scene of the most eventful part of his and 
 his family's life, and to review it in detail, year by 
 year, would be interesting to many no doubt, but 
 space forbids. Suffice it to say all his children 
 shared in the privileges of a home there, reached 
 their maturity, and were married during the time. 
 It became almost a hallowed place to them, for 
 its varied associations, and it was with much heart- 
 ache, that the house was finally given up and 
 opened to other tenants ; but this ordeal was made 
 somewhat easier in view of the decease of the dear 
 mother whose presence had been its cheering and 
 blessed light, and without her it seemed as though 
 partial darkness had settled within its walls. 
 
 Mr. Barnes' family life was characterized by 
 all the devotion and lofty purposes which would 
 be natural to one of his superior qualities. To 
 each of his children he gave all the parental care 
 and opportunities necessary for their proper growth 
 and usefulness in the world. He administered 
 
< 
 
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 a 
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 < 
 
 W 
 
 
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 H 
 
 h 
 
 c 
 
39 
 
 discipline often, but only as a loving father should 
 for his children's good ; the kind, forbearing heart 
 was always behind his duty. The cardinal prin- 
 ciple in the training of his children he regarded 
 to be implicit obedience, and he, no doubt, felt 
 that this quality thoroughly inculcated in the 
 child's character, all other good qualities "would 
 follow, as surely as night the day." 
 
 From 1875 to 1881, the summer home was in 
 his attractive cottage at Martha's Vineyard, and 
 the time he was able to be there gave him perfect 
 relaxation and contentment. His enjoyment was 
 not in ease, however, as the growth and improve- 
 ment of Cottage City were not a little attributable 
 to his energy and public spirit. 
 
 Dating back to the occasion of the silver 
 wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Barnes in 1866, an 
 event which seemed to emphasize their value to 
 their children, and crown their home virtues, the 
 hope was fondly cherished that the kind Provi- 
 dence which had spared them so far would spare 
 their lives to celebrate their golden wedding ; but 
 it was not to be, for only a few weeks prior 
 
40 
 
 to the fortieth anniversary, October 27th, 1881, 
 the wife who had been his support and comfort 
 so long, was taken from her husband's side. This 
 event greatly affected Mr. Barnes, as it was the 
 first severe blow he had ever had, and from the 
 shock it is believed he never fully recovered. 
 The following reminiscence clearly gives his esti- 
 mate of that beloved companion : 
 
 "In the early years of our married life, with all my wife's 
 cares, she never considered her lot hard — no complaint was 
 ever made. Her courage was superior to her strength ; she 
 never faltered, but pressed on from day to day, always cheerful 
 in the administration of her duties, and performed them all 
 with consummate skill and wisdom. No man had a better 
 wife ; too much cannot be said in her praise. That God 
 should have bestowed such a boon upon me is a mystery which 
 cannot be revealed in this world. The greatest regret of my 
 life has been that I have not been worthy of such a compan- 
 ion. I owe much to her for my success ; when I followed 
 her advice, I was safe ; her judgment of men and things 
 always proved correct * * * She always studied the 
 interests of her husband and children, not her own. She was 
 entirely unselfish, God's noblest gift in woman. That trait 
 in her character made every other lovely and beautiful. None 
 of us appreciated her as we do now. May we all in the future 
 realize the pleasant places in which God has cast our lot, and 
 the responsibility which rests upon us in view of our high 
 privileges. May her daughters be as polished sbones after 
 the similitude of their precious mother." 
 
41 
 
 For some time after the death of his wife, he 
 carried a heavy heart, and tried to find comfort and 
 diversion in frequent visits with his children. His 
 grandchildren seemed particularly dear to him, and 
 to all, his heart seemed as tender and yielding as 
 a child's, Though chastened, yet was his nature 
 sweetened. On his lonely evenings at home he 
 tried to find consolation in writing recollections of 
 his past life, and his spare moments during the 
 day were devoted to good works ; but with all his 
 children married, and in homes of their own, his 
 sense of loneliness grew heavily upon him and 
 the desolation he felt seemed almost unbearable. 
 
 On Nov. 7th, 1883, Mr. Barnes married Mrs. 
 Maiy M. Smith, and in this new alliance his 
 sorrows were perceptibly softened, and he seemed 
 to take more interest in matters generally. In 
 the Spring of 1884, Mr. and Mrs. Barnes took a 
 European trip, and were absent some thirteen 
 months, and on returning resided awhile at the 
 "Windsor Hotel, New York, but at the end of a few 
 months moved into their beautiful new home on St. 
 Marks Avenue, Brooklyn. 
 
42 
 
 Mrs. Barnes was active in continuing the family 
 gatherings which it was her husband's pleasure and 
 pride to summon around him, and his children's 
 privilege to enjoy. On various occasions the 
 whole family met to dine and enjoy their hospi- 
 tality and congenial social intercourse. Perhaps 
 the most noteworthy assemblies were ; on the occa- 
 sion of their return from Europe in 1885, in the 
 private parlors of the Windsor Hotel; and on the 
 Christmas Days of '85 and '86, when all his 
 children and their children, to the number of over 
 forty, gathered at his home in St. Mark's Avenue, 
 and around one table, arranged in the large parlor, 
 partook of a sumptuous dinner, and afterwards 
 reveled in the bounties of a prolific tree. Mr. 
 Barnes' love for his children, his interest in their 
 welfare, were never more substantially displayed, — 
 the generous father seemed to open his heart to 
 the utmost limit, and the tokens received were 
 such as few in the land had the opportunity to 
 parallel. The celebration of his sixty-ninth birth- 
 day, was also a red-letter day to his children, 
 who were entirely indebted for it to the timely 
 
3 
 
 
 
 X 
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 w 
 
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 H 
 A 
 
43 
 
 thought of his good wife. As an appropriate 
 idea, at each plate as his ten children sat down at 
 dinner, were found seventy dollars in crisp bills 
 {seventy typifying the year upon which he had 
 entered,) but the gift, though not unwelcome, 
 was only incidental to a most happy and pro- 
 fitable time together. The eldest brother im- 
 proved the opportunity at the close of the dinner, to 
 address the following words to him, in whose honor 
 his children had been invited, and justifying his 
 remarks in the presentation of a music-box : 
 
 " Dear Father : 
 
 "As you pass by another mile-stone in your long and 
 lovely life, your children, with hearts full of gratitude, 
 gather to give expression to their affection and good wishes. 
 
 " Sixty-nine years of usefulness rest upon your honored head, 
 and the silver locks that shine there are a token of wealth 
 more enduring than shares in a silver mine. It is the wealth 
 which character and purity of life bestow, and this is the 
 inheritance your children will prize the most of all you may 
 have to give them. 
 
 " There is a strange idea in some quarters that it must be 
 natural for those who are sitting calmly under the afternoon 
 rays, after the heat and labor of the day are passed, to wish 
 themselves back in the morning hours, or toiling in the sultry 
 noon, with a long future to anticipate. This, I know, is not 
 your case. The most fortunate horoscope could not promise 
 you more than you have already realized and hold as a sure 
 possession. You would surely not exchange such a certainty 
 
44 
 
 for the present troubles and future anxieties of younger 
 men. 
 
 " Personally, your sons feel that they would gladly exchange 
 places with you, for although we do not complain of our own 
 lot, we sincerely envy yours. If fortune and the consciousness 
 of a well-spent life could be ensured to shine upon us twenty- 
 five years hence, as serenely as they do upon you to-night, 
 who would not pay any premium to secure such an endow- 
 ment ? It ranks above all insurance of money, as honor and 
 virtue rank above food and clothing. 
 
 " To you, as to us, Sir, comes at this time a tender thought 
 of the sweet mother who is even now smiling upon us from 
 whatever sphere is tenanted by the most angelic angels. At 
 this re-union, on an anniversary which she always treasured, 
 may we not believe that she is present and rejoicing with us, 
 although, alas, we cannot see her ? Is it probable that the 
 family that was at once the burden and the joy of her earthly 
 days, is less interesting to her now, since she lives in the very 
 effulgence of 'Love divine, all love excelling,' and receives 
 new inspiration to love us, there ? 
 
 " In conclusion, dear Father, we congratulate you on all the 
 delightful circumstances of your present life. Besides honor, 
 and the blessed memory of our dear mother, you have fortune, 
 health, a pleasant home, fairly dutiful children, a charming and 
 devoted companion. What more can you ask ? Fleet steeds 
 transport you, art adorns your walls, skillful cooks spread your 
 board with rare viands. Yet the solicitude of your children 
 has discovered one slight flaw in your equipment of material 
 things, which this seems the proper occasion to supply. 
 
 "Our thoughtful and industrious brother has, after consul- 
 tation with the shades of Meyerbeer, Beethoven and Wagner, 
 and with the concurrence of the Barnes progeny, arranged to 
 set up the divinity of Music in its appropriate niche, among 
 the household gods of this mansion, and now, more than ever, 
 by its aid 
 
45 
 
 " ' May your nights be filled with music, 
 That the cares which infest the day 
 May fold up their tents, like the Arabs, 
 And silently steal away.' " 
 
 Early in the year 1887, Mr. and Mrs Barnes de- 
 termined to take a tour West, extending as far as 
 Alaska. This they carried out, but owing to the 
 excessive heat they encountered and the fatigue inci- 
 dent to so long a journey, together with some anxiety 
 over certain matters forced upon his mind, Mr. Barnes 
 was much prostrated, and on their return to Chicago 
 quite succumbed, and was obliged to take to 
 his bed at the hotel, where he remained a week 
 and was then brought home, with barely suffi- 
 cient strength to move about. Upon his return 
 home after a little revival of health, he again found 
 himself unable to do much, and gave up to the 
 care of the physician and nurse, and for five 
 months gradually lost ground. Through all these 
 trying months no more devoted care and loving 
 ministrations, coupled with great self-sacrifice, were 
 possible, than those shown by his patient wife. 
 
 Mr. Barnes' condition during his illness was for 
 the most part free from severe pain, and his mind, 
 
46 
 
 though, somewhat clouded, was serene and tender. 
 He had bright and playful fancies. The approach- 
 ing marriage of his eldest granddaughter was much 
 in his thoughts. One day he called his wife to his 
 bedside, and said, " I want you to prepare a box for 
 H., and put in it seven hundred gold dollars, and 
 on the cover a design— a little bird of diamonds 
 just flying from its nest.'" 
 
 During the early part of his illness, it was hoped 
 that he could be present at the ceremony of laying 
 the corner-stone of "Barnes' Hall," the building 
 he had pledged to give to the Christian Association 
 of Cornell University. He was obliged to give up 
 the thought of it, however, and after a vain, sad 
 effort to write something appropriate, he dictated 
 the following, to be read on the occasion: 
 
 "The foundation of the Students' Christian Association 
 was an event of no small significance in the history of 
 Cornell University. The beginning of such a work has 
 significance anywhere, but nowhere should it have greater 
 promise or truer fulfilment than in such an institution as this. 
 
 " To the little company of men, professors and students, 
 who inaugurated the work here, all honor is due. They must 
 ever have our grateful memory, and they surely have God's 
 blessing. From them came the inspiration for the building 
 whose corner-stone we lay to-day. 
 
47 
 
 " May we not hope, in the celebration of this day, that the 
 corner-stone and foundation of the building about to be 
 erected may be a symbol of the spiritual and true, of the 
 living and precious Stone, chosen of God, upon which the 
 whole future of the Students' Association shall be founded — 
 even Christ himself ? 
 
 "In the beginning God created all things for His own 
 pleasure. He created man after His own image, but through 
 him came disobedience, and sin entered into the world, of 
 which the penalty was death. Then in Divine compensation 
 came the promise of salvation through the Messiah who 
 should come, which promise illuminates the pages of the 
 Old Testament with hope and joy from Moses to Malachi. 
 The prophet Isaiah said, ' Therefore saith the Lord God : 
 Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a 
 precious corner-stone, a sure foundation.' When to the 
 shepherds on the plains of Bethlehem the glory of the Lord 
 shone round about them, and a multitude of the heavenly 
 host sang, praising God and saying, ' Glory to God in the 
 highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men,' the 
 prophecies were fulfilled, the corner-stone was laid upon 
 earth. On this foundation may the members of the Chris- 
 tian Association be indeed as lively stones, built up a 
 spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual 
 sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 
 
 " And may this corner-stone which we lay to-day, and the 
 building erected upon it, represent to those gathered here, 
 and to all future generations of students who may occupy 
 its halls, the great corner-stone, elect, precious, the sure 
 foundation. 
 
 " Then will it be indeed a beacon light upon this hill, 
 
 praising God and showing forth peace on earth, good will 
 
 to men. 
 
 (signed by his own hand) " A. S. Barnes. 
 
 " October 26th, 1887." 
 
48 
 
 The completed building was opened and dedica- 
 ted on Monday, June 16th, 1889, with appropriate 
 and impressive ceremonies. 
 
 On Saturday evening, the 11th of February, 1888, 
 was about the last time any tangible sentence was 
 uttered by Mr. Barnes. To one of his children, 
 whom he recognized, he made a strong effort to say 
 something and with difficulty finally said, "Yes, I 
 want to go." Although he had previously said 
 much not altogether rational, in view of his long, 
 wearisome sickness, it was quite likely he then felt 
 ready to relinquish his hold upon life, as he felt 
 hope of recovery was rapidly growing less, and he 
 was ready to give up the struggle which he had so 
 strongly made. He felt sure death stared him in the 
 face, and without a moan, and as one yields to the 
 influence of sleep, he turned his head and gave up 
 to the final change, which, however, did not come 
 till late the following Friday night. Only looks 
 of recognition were occasionally manifested during 
 the interval, the most interesting of which occurred 
 on Thursday evening, the day preceding his death, 
 when his loving eyes looked up to each of his 
 
49 
 
 children gathered about his bedside, expressing, as 
 it were, a father's parting injunction and blessing. 
 Thereafter no sign of recognition took place, and 
 while his children sang those sweet words, " Safe in 
 the arms of Jesus," he quietly, peacefully breathed 
 his life away and his beautiful spirit took its flight. 
 Thus closed the life of Mr. Barnes and in the 
 vision of the past we recall one that was always 
 upright and earnest, wise in counsel, a liberal bene- 
 factor, a devoted husband and father, begetting love 
 in his every act, gracious in manner, and almost 
 courtly in his bearing. He seems to have been the 
 personification of all that is good in humanity, 
 with such habits as only a well ordered conscience 
 approved, and left a memory to his children that 
 is an imperishable legacy, and a bright, honorable 
 name in the community. 
 
LIFE. 
 
 A shadowy path, between two shores, unknown — 
 A countless throng, forever hastening on — 
 Objects pursued, that phantoms prove when caught- 
 All seeming good with seeming evil fraught ; 
 A little hour to smile — weary hours to weep, 
 A harvest dreamed of, which none ever reap ; 
 All bright hope blighted when its joy seems best, 
 All true love fading, even in its quest. 
 
 To gain, to lose, to mourn — the common round, 
 And then — forgotten — in a grassy mound. 
 This, this seemed life till, to my upward gaze, 
 Its torch, extinguished here, was there ablaze ; 
 This, this seemed life — until, with tearful eye, 
 God gave to me to see, a Christian die. 
 
FUNERAL EXERCISES. 
 
 The funeral of Mr. Alfred Smith Barnes took 
 place at the Clinton Avenue Congregational Church, 
 Brooklyn, on the afternoon of Monday, February 
 20th, 1888, at 2 o'clock. 
 
 The services were opened with the hymn, " Rock 
 of Ages, cleft for me," sung by the choir. 
 
 Rev. R. R. Meredith, D.D., after reading the 
 Ninetieth Psalm and the latter portion of the Fif- 
 teenth Chapter of the First Epistle to the Corinth- 
 ians, beginning at the thirty-fifth verse, offered the 
 following 
 
 PRAYER. 
 
 Almighty and everlasting God, our Creator and Pre- 
 server, our Eedeemer and Law-giver, our Judge, and yet our 
 Father, we rejoice in that mercy that is extended toward us 
 in the revelation of Thyself to us. We thank Thee that 
 Thou hast been pleased to reveal Thy will, Thy disposition 
 toward us, in Thy holy Word, and especially we give glory 
 to Thee for the manifestation of Thyself in Thy Son, Jesus 
 Christ. Thou hast taught us to call Thee Father. Thou 
 hast said to us in Thy Word, " Like as a father pitieth his 
 children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear Him. For He 
 
52 
 
 knoweth our frame ; He remembereth that we are dust." In 
 the light of these precious words, we come to Thee at this 
 time, our Father, with all simplicity, with all directness, and 
 implicit confidence in Thee. Thou art our present help in 
 time of trouble. We come before Thee with no disposition to 
 complain ; though the sadness of an unspeakable sorrow is 
 xipon this family, though this church and this entire commu- 
 nity feels itself to be bereaved to-day because this bright and 
 beneficent life has closed on earth, yet we come to Thee with 
 no disposition in our hearts to complain, but rather with 
 thanksgiving to God that this life has been continued so long. 
 "We thank Thee for all that this good man has been able to be 
 and to do in the world, for Thee and for his fellow-men. 
 
 And now, gracious God, put Thy blessing upon us as we 
 are here ; put Thy blessing upon all the services connected 
 with this solemn occasion. Bring the comfort of Thy grace 
 and Spirit to the hearts of these dear ones who mourn to-day. 
 Help, we pray Thee, help us all to learn the lessons of this 
 life, to live to the glory of God while we live on the earth, 
 that, as one by one we pass away, we may find a home with 
 the redeemed in Thy presence forever ; through Jesus Christ, 
 our Lord. Amen. 
 
 After the singing of the hymn, " O Holy Saviour ! 
 Friend unseen," the Kev. Thos. B. McLeod, pastor 
 of the church, made the following 
 
 ADDRESS. 
 
 Dear friends, it is altogether needless for me to say that 
 a great and good man has fallen this day in Israel ; and as we 
 contemplate this sad event, we almost involuntarily exclaim, 
 "Help, Lord ! for the godly man ceaseth, and the faithful 
 fail from among the children of men I" 
 
53 
 
 By reason of that which has happened in our midst, a 
 family which we all esteem and love has suffered an irreparable 
 loss. Nor is that all : for the church with which he was so 
 intimately and prominently identified has been deprived of 
 one whose every deed and word made him to be a shining 
 example in our midst of all that was truest and noblest and 
 best in Christian manhood. Nor is that all : for this com- 
 munity has lost one of its noblest and most useful citizens. 
 Not only do these, his immediate relatives, around whom we 
 are gathered to-day, and to whom, by our presence rather 
 than by any words we might speak, we tender our sympathy, 
 mourn, but the church mourns, Brooklyn mourns. The 
 churches in this city have lost one whose services no words of 
 ours can compute. Nor is the mourning confined within the 
 limits of the city in which he lived ; but abroad, far beyond 
 us, wherever the influence of his full and rich life was felt, 
 there is mourning to-day. 
 
 It is not possible, even if it were appropriate, at this time 
 to enter upon anything like an extended review of the life of 
 our beloved Christian brother, Mr. Barnes. And indeed there 
 is no need that at any time or in any place we should tell that 
 which you and the multitudes who are not here, but who are 
 with us in spirit, know already. The best eulogy, the eulogy 
 more eloquent than any human lips could utter to-day, has 
 already been pronounced. He delivered it himself as he went 
 along through life. And a monument more enduring than 
 that of brass or marble has been erected, and it has been 
 erected by himself. The history of his life, from that day 
 when, a boy at the tender age of eleven years, he left his 
 mother's home, with little of this world's goods, but with a 
 mother's blessing and a mother's prayer, and possessing that 
 rich heritage of the virtues which passed down to him from a 
 noble Christian ancestry, until the day when he was obliged, 
 because of failing health, to lay aside the labors and the 
 activities of life — this is a history that ought to be written 
 
54 
 
 not merely for the satisfaction of his friends and admirers, 
 but a history that ought to be put in print for the reading 
 of every young man who is starting out in life, for his inspira- 
 tion and encouragement. It is a story of hardship bravely 
 encountered, of difficulties heroically met and overcome, of 
 trials bravely and patiently endured, of work faithfully and 
 industriously accomplished, of duty humbly and lovingly 
 performed. 
 
 I have said that we are all mourners here to-day, and I 
 use that word in its truest and best sense. We mourn him 
 not as one, simply, whom we respected. We did respect him. 
 We could not but respect him, because of the calmness, 
 dignity and grace with which he carried himself in our 
 midst. And the respect was, in the case of the younger 
 ones of us, that of veneration. We mourn him not only 
 because he had our confidence. That, too, he won by his 
 uprightness and unimpeachable integrity. We mourn him, 
 too, not because of his sagacity, though his sagacity fitted 
 him to be a leader whom we all most willingly followed : — but 
 because of what he was to each one of us personally. As a 
 merchant he was, as you business men will testify, most 
 reliable. As a citizen, he was patriotic, faithful and true. 
 As a member of the church, he was consistent in his life. 
 But as a man, he was lovable ; and we loved him not because 
 he tried in any way to win our love, not because he put forth 
 any effort to ingratiate himself into the affections of the 
 people : but there was that in the man, such a tenderness and 
 sweetness and winsomeness, such a going out of himself into 
 others, that we were drawn to him as the needle is drawn to 
 the magnet. We simply could not help loving the man. 
 
 I would not know where to begin, dear friends, if I were 
 to attempt to say what might be said of the character and 
 history of our friend. He was one of the most genuine of men. 
 We need no argument or proof to show it. He showed it in 
 every word, in every act, in every movement : true, simple, 
 
55 
 
 single-eyed, without a quirk or twist of any sort ; absolutely 
 transparent, a very child in the openness and frankness of 
 his nature. 
 
 He was a pure man, too. No one that ever touched him, 
 or whom he ever touched, was made the worse for it. As 
 pure was he as the purest woman, in his words, in his conver- 
 sation, in his behavior, while he lived. Whatever else this 
 good man has left to these children and his family, he has left 
 nothing of such inestimable worth as the pure record of a 
 clean and noble life. 
 
 He was one of the humblest of men, and that was one 
 of the things that attracted us to him. It is not so very often 
 that you see one who by his own inherent pluck and fervent 
 energy has lifted himself up to the place which he attained, 
 that retains so much humility of mind and heart as did our 
 friend, Mr. Barnes. With all that he was able to do, with all 
 the lifting power that he commanded in the church and in 
 the community, he yet bore himself as one of the very 
 humblest of the children of God. There was no arrogance, 
 no self-assertion, no pushing of himself to the front, no 
 assumption of any position which he might have had and 
 which we would have willingly accorded to him. He loved 
 mercy, and he walked humbly before his God. 
 
 And he was, in the very truest sense, a large-hearted 
 man. None but God knows, and no revelation save the 
 revelation of the future will ever be able to tell us, how 
 generous and magnanimous a man he was. His hand was, in 
 some little sense, like the very hand of God, outstretched to 
 every one that needed help. He considered himself simply 
 as the steward of God. He realized how true it was that none 
 of us have anything or own anything which we did not 
 receive. He considered the wealth which he came into pos- 
 session of, not as his, but as the bestowment of God, and to be 
 used for God and for humanity. And he has taught us all, 
 dear friends, how a Christian man measures success in life. 
 
56 
 
 He did not consider himself successful simply because he was 
 prosperous as a merchant and a business man. I really 
 believe that he was in that condition of mind and spirit that 
 he could have said at any time in his life, " If my wealth is 
 swept from me, and all my earthly possessions vanish, yet I 
 am left ; my manhood is unscathed and unsullied." He never 
 identified himself with what he owned, and he considered 
 success- — real, sublime success — to be in being and in becom- 
 ing, and not in getting or in having ; in development from 
 within, and not in accumulation from without. 
 
 This man who has gone from us was all this, and more 
 than we can say, or even think : because he was a Christian 
 man ; he was, in very deed, a child of God. We can say 
 of him most truly, that he walked with God and feared God. 
 His citizenship he considered to be in heaven, and not on 
 earth. He was a Christian, not in the sense that he believed 
 certain propositions about God ; but he believed in God ; 
 not because he believed in certain statements about Christ, 
 but he believed in Christ and rested in Him, and Jesus Christ, 
 the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, was formed in his 
 very life the hope of glory, and all the benevolence and all 
 the forth-putting of this man's rich and glorious powers were 
 but the expression of the faith that was in him and the life 
 that was enriched and ennobled and sanctified by the Spirit 
 of his Lord and Eedeemer. 
 
 What are we to think of this man, now that he is gone, 
 dear friends ? Such a man simply needs to ask leave of God 
 to die. The death of such a man is but his ascension to 
 glory. It cannot but be so in his case. And he has left to 
 you, who have been associated with him in social life and in 
 business life, as well as in church life, a noble example, that 
 you may follow in his footsteps. Has he not taught every one 
 of us that a man may be a man of affairs and yet a man of 
 God ? That a man may be ambitious and yet not be selfiish ? 
 That a man may gather of this world's possessions about him, 
 
57 
 
 and yet be a servant of the Most High ? He has left us all 
 an example of simplicity, purity, humility, generosity and 
 Christian fidelity, which you and I, who treasure, as I hope 
 we shall treasure, his memory and ever keep it fresh with 
 tears of joy and of reverence, will do well to emulate. 
 
 I need not enter at all upon his relationship as father 
 and as ■ husband. Let us keep that inner holy of holies 
 inviolate, save to say that he was the best of fathers and the 
 best of husbands. Brooklyn has lost, maybe, maybe it will 
 lose in the future, men who have held more conspicuous 
 position in the political affairs of society, men who have shone 
 with a more brilliant genius in the intellectual life of the 
 people ; but no better man than A. S. Barnes has Brooklyn 
 ever lost ; no better man can Brooklyn ever lose. You will 
 remember all the grace, all the tenderness and sweetness and 
 beauty of that home life. His home was in very deed, as far as 
 that is possible, a paradise on earth. And this service recalls 
 to our minds another similar service which we were called 
 upon to attend only a little while ago — the funeral service of 
 that noble, royal Christian mother-wife who was his stay and 
 comfort and support through all his active life in business and 
 in church. They have clasped hands once more. The joy 
 of that to him must be but little less than the consciousness 
 that he is in the very presence of his Lord and Redeemer. 
 
 Just suffer this word of exhortation in this solemn hour 
 and in this sacred place ; young and old, remember that our 
 time is very short on earth. Let us be up and doing, and 
 engaged in instant duty, so that, when the Master summons 
 us, we shall be ready. 
 
58 
 
 The Eev. Kichard S. Storrs, D.D., then made 
 an address and offered prayer. 
 
 (Address by Rev. Dr. Storrs. ) 
 
 It is certainly not needful, my friends, that I add any 
 words to the eloquent eulogy on our departed friend and 
 brother, which has been spoken by his pastor. But it 
 happens to me to be able to confirm, by personal testimony, 
 one remark which was made in regard to the value which our 
 friend attached .to his personal manhood and to his conscious 
 spiritual relation to divine beings and things, in comparison 
 with the value which he attached to worldly possessions. 
 
 It happened to me to be with him for a little in the 
 ancient city of Heidelberg, when the news of the disastrous 
 fire at Chicago was flashed across the Atlantic, and when, in 
 the uncertainty of the early intelligence, certain only as to 
 the magnitude of the disaster, he was entirely unassured that 
 his pecuniary losses had not been immense, not only in that 
 city, but through the losses inflicted by the flames upon 
 companies in which he was largely interested. And so, as we 
 walked the streets and stood together under the shadow of 
 the ancient ruined castles and along the banks of the Neckar, 
 he spoke, again and again, of the great peace and quietness of 
 spirit which he had, in view of all possible losses that might 
 come to him in regard to worldly affairs, through his con- 
 sciousness of the divine acceptance of him in Jesus Christ. 
 And as the fact has been recalled to me, while sitting here, by 
 the words of his pastor, it is right, perhaps, that I add this 
 testimony out of my own remembered experience with him, 
 to the truth of what has been said. 
 
 One cannot but think, standing here, of the widely 
 diverse aspects in which life on earth presents itself to us. I 
 look back to the time, forty years ago and more, when I used 
 to see this beloved friend sitting before me in the church 
 with his wife, both in their young beauty, with their older 
 
59 
 
 children then grouped as little children beside them ; when 
 he, at my urgent solicitation, consented to become an officer 
 in the church which I served, and when he also, not by my 
 solicitation, but by the motion of his own mind, gave himself 
 to a difficult and patient missionary service in that vicinity, 
 and it seems but yesterday. The shining years have so 
 swiftly passed, that that morning of the day seems related to 
 this time as the morning to the evening. A span covers the 
 whole, apparently, and one cannot but say with the Apostle, 
 ' What is thy life ? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a 
 little time, and then vanisheth away.' And that is one aspect 
 of life. 
 
 But I remember, also, the character which has been 
 formed in that life, strong and beautiful. I remember the 
 experiences which have formed it — the experiences of faith 
 and submission and consecration. I remember the usefulness 
 which has gone from it, through the various and multitudi- 
 nous institutions of charity and beneficence which he de- 
 lighted to assist, through his own continual gifts and words. 
 I remember that that life has been to him but the portal of 
 immortality, and then it seems vast — not a shining vapor in 
 the sky, dissolving in the sunlight, but a diamond palace, 
 filled with beauty and joy — the beauty and the joy of Christ ; 
 not a fleeting vapor, but connected intimately, essentially, 
 with eternal destinies of glory and of peace. In one sense, 
 life is a little thing, swiftly passing, brief at the longest. If 
 given to secular welfares only, it is a little thing, but if given 
 to the promotion of character, the attainment of experience, 
 and the achievement of usefulness, and lived with reference 
 to the life hereafter, how noble and illustrious it becomes. 
 So he is a teacher to us to-day, and from these dumb lips 
 comes an eloquence that no living eloquence can parallel. 
 
60 
 PKAYER. 
 
 " Thou infinite and eternal Father, Thou King immor- 
 tal, invisible, Thou only wise God, who fillest immensity with 
 Thy presence, and inhabitest eternity, and before whom the 
 seraphim bow and veil their faces, as they cry one unto 
 another, ' Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts ? ' yet who 
 in Thine infinite sovereignty and glory dost condescend to 
 take thought concerning the children of men, to hear their 
 prayer and send them answers of blessing and of peace, to 
 accept their worship, to solace them in their grief, to sustain 
 them in their infirmity, and to give them joy and hope and 
 courage when in themselves they are despondent and op- 
 pressed ; we come to Thee with gladness and gratefulness 
 that we are permitted to come, that our weakness may be 
 made strong by Thine infinite might, and that the trouble of 
 our hearts may be turned into perfect tranquillity and peace 
 by the touch of Thy spirit. We bless and praise Thee for all 
 that Thou givest us to make life on the earth beautiful and 
 precious to us ; for every power and every opportunity, for 
 the delights of home, for the enjoyments of friendship, for 
 the success of enterprise, for the gladness of hope. Most of 
 all, we bless and praise Thee for the Gospel of Thy grace and 
 love, given to us in Jesus Christ thy Son ; for its illustrious 
 truths, for its holy precepts, for its sublime and gracious 
 promises, for its manifestation unto us of the way of life, for 
 the gates of Heaven opened to every believer, which shine 
 upon us from this sacred Word. And we bless and praise 
 Thee that this Word has its response and reflection in the 
 hearts of Thy disciples on the earth ; that they, with faith 
 receiving its truth ; they, with joyful feelings accepting its 
 promises, and consecrating themselves unto Him who is the 
 Lord and Saviour of the world, become themselves living 
 epistles, known and read of men, testifying unto all of the 
 grace and power, the glory and love, of Him who is on high. 
 
61 
 
 "We praise and bless Thee for the life, so beautiful in its 
 progress and continuance, which has now been closed. We 
 rejoice before Thee in all our recollection of him who has 
 gone to be present with the Lord. With some of us, these 
 memories extend over many years, and they are full of beauty 
 and of harmony. We bless Thee for that constitution and 
 power which Thou didst give unto him, and that tendency of 
 spirit which Thou didst quicken by Thy grace and nurture 
 by Thy word, out of which came the beauty and strength of 
 his later years. We bless Thee for all that he has been in the 
 home so beautiful to him, so beautiful to all ; for all that he 
 has been to those who bear his name. We bless and praise 
 Thee for what he was to children and to grand-children, and 
 to all associated with him in the intimate relationships and 
 kinships of life. We bless Thee for what he has been to this 
 Church of Christ and to the other churches of our Lord, and 
 to the city of his chosen and joyful residence, and for all the 
 usefulness that shall go from his work and word and life into 
 the future years to bless and make glad the City of God. 
 "We render Thee thanks and praise, most merciful Father, 
 for all that Thou didst grant him of power and of grace, and 
 for the way in which Thou didst lead him ; that in the time 
 of grief his spirit was not overwhelmed, because sustained 
 of Thee ; that it was permitted him, in his closing weeks 
 and months of life, still to be ministered to by the tender 
 love and the watchful care of those who loved him ; and 
 that from the room of sickness, made sweet and sacred 
 by his submission and faith, he hath only passed into 
 the spheres of instant light and immortal being. Now we 
 pray, most merciful Father, that Thy grace may be granted 
 unto us and all of us, that we may apprehend and feel the 
 lessons of his life, and that we may rejoice, every one of us, 
 in the same gospel of truth and light and salvation in which 
 was his gladness and the life of his soul. We pray for Thy 
 blessing upon those who tarry behind him, loving him and 
 
62 
 
 sorrowing for him, and yet rejoicing, in the midst of their 
 tears, that he, as they know, is with the Master and with 
 the saints. May his life be reproduced in their life, and 
 may they, like him, glorify God in their spirits and bodies, 
 which are His. And may Thy blessing be granted unto all 
 of us, and unto all who are associated with us in this fellow- 
 ship of sufEering. Wheresoever these tidings, as they go 
 abroad, carry grief, there wilt Thou, by Thine infinite grace, 
 carry equal consolation, yea, surpassing consolation. And 
 wheresoever any, hearing of this event, shall be saddened by 
 reason of it, there may there come the peace of God and the 
 exultation of spirit which Thou givest to thy children when 
 most they are depressed. Guide us through our life here. 
 We thank Thee for its large opportunities. We thank Thee 
 for the inestimable results of it in the immortality beyond, 
 when we spend it in Thy faith and fear, in Thy love and to 
 Thy glory. Yet we know how brief it is in itself. Help us 
 to spend every day and every year in the service of Him from 
 whom life comes and by whom it is preserved to us ; and 
 grant that at last we may go from life on earth, even at its 
 highest, unto the life celestial ; from the darkness of the 
 earth to the splendor of the heavenly realms ; from these 
 friendships, breaking so often, to those felicities and festivi- 
 ties of immortal friendship that shall never cease. And there 
 shall be no song on any seraph's saintly lips, and no music 
 on any seraph's harp, that shall be sweeter than the song we 
 bring to Thee, sinners ransomed by the cross of Christ ; 
 sinners renewed, sanctified by the Holy Spirit, mortals made 
 immortal by Thy power on high. And unto the Father, and 
 the Son, and the Holy Spirit, shall be the glory, evermore. 
 Amen." 
 
 The hymn, "Beautiful Zion, built above," was 
 then sung, after which the Benediction was pro- 
 nounced by the Kev. Dr. Storrs. 
 
ALFRED SMITH BARNES. 
 
 HALF A CENTURY AS A SCHOOL-BOOK PUBLISHER. 
 
 Mes. Mabtha J. Lamb in Magazine of American History, May, 1888. 
 
 No period in American history has ever been character- 
 ized by greater intellectual restlessness or fruitage than the 
 two decades subsequent to 1825. A mere catalogue of the 
 various books, libraries, clubs, charities, churches, educational 
 institutions, newspapers, inventions, industries and business 
 enterprises which sprang into existence within those years 
 would furnish an instructive lesson. We are all familiar 
 with the story of the long-baffled efforts and final success of 
 Professor Morse in devising mechanical contrivances for con- 
 veying messages from point to point by means of electricity. 
 "We know how depressing were the original endeavors to 
 bring steam into harness for propelling land- carriages. We 
 recall with something akin to wonder the wholesale terror 
 inspired by the first introduction of gas for lighting houses 
 and streets ; and the persistent vigor which, in spite of bitter 
 opposition and in a time of great scarcity of money, brought 
 pure water into the city of New York through a conduit of 
 solid masonry forty-five miles in length, at a cost of upwards 
 of nine millions of dollars. We look backward also to this 
 same remarkable period for the foundation of the great news- 
 paper system of the country, which has become such an 
 engine of thought as well as power. 
 
 It was an era of important beginnings. Authorship 
 took a fresh start, art received higher recognition than ever 
 before, exhibitions of pictures and statuary became both 
 lucrative and creditable, while the drama struggled for eleva- 
 tion in keeping with the advance of public taste. " The age 
 is itself dramatic," wrote a prominent critic in 1837. There 
 was an endless amount of groping experimentally in the 
 
64 
 
 dark, but the air was exhilarant with material progress and 
 exciting possibilities. Among the most popular themes dis- 
 cussed in all quarters were the value of books as a means of 
 culture, and the cause of common-school education. Far- 
 sighted, practical men were acting on the principle that no 
 good citizen could afford to dwell in this world without the 
 privileges of a public library ; and, as the population multi- 
 plied, the American brain was actively trying to solve the 
 problem of how to provide improved opportunities for the 
 instruction of children. 
 
 In New England, more than in any other part of the 
 country, education was the absorbing social topic. Money- 
 making was an after consideration. Birthright was by no 
 means ignored, but it counted for little unless divested of all 
 suspicion of ignorance. The standard by which men and 
 women were measured was intelligence, and intellectual 
 effort and achievement were the fashion. 
 
 The year 1837 will ever be memorable in the annals of 
 America for its great financial perils and disasters, sweeping 
 the entire land. Banks closed their doors, enterprises of all 
 descriptions came to a standstill, industries were paralyzed, 
 and the working classes were plunged into a condition of 
 extreme destitution. Partial relief only came with the fol- 
 lowing year. Yet it was in the year 1838 that the late 
 Alfred Smith Barnes, at the age of twenty-one, founded the 
 great school-book publishing house that bears his name, and 
 of which he was the head and soul for just half a century. 
 
 In his intercourse with the educators of the day, the 
 youthful publisher naturally became conversant with existing 
 defects in the primitive school-books then in use, and learned 
 the general sentiment as to what ought to be provided for a 
 starving generation. He made educational text-books a prac- 
 tical study. 
 
 Soon after establishing himself in New York, Mr. Barnes 
 originated the scheme of publishing a full and complete 
 
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65 
 
 series of school-books, embracing every department of ele- 
 mentary and advanced education, styled " The National 
 Series of Standard School Books." Mr. Barnes did not go 
 into this enterprise haphazard, but gave every manuscript 
 submitted for the series a practical personal examination, for 
 which he was admirably qualified through his experience 
 and acquirements. His industry at this period of his career 
 was untiring, and his sound judgment and vigorous energy 
 were never more conspicuous. He justly prided himself on 
 the fact that no book ever bore his imprint that was not 
 pre-eminently a " good book." Many of the school-books 
 prepared and issued with such discriminating care had each 
 the phenomenal sale of more than a million copies. ***** 
 Mr. Barnes identified himself from the first with the 
 advancement of Brooklyn in everything that goes to make 
 up the characteristics of a refined and intelligent community. 
 His influence was always strenuously exerted for what he 
 esteemed the city's highest welfare. As his income increased 
 through the growth of his business, he disbursed money 
 liberally. He was prominent in charities ; he helped to build 
 churches ; he was an enthusiastic supporter of the Young 
 Men's Christian Association, and of city and other missions ; 
 he was one of the Executive Committee of the Long Island 
 Historical Society, contributing generously to its library 
 fund, and to the new building itself ; he lent material aid in 
 erecting the Academy of Music and the Mercantile Library, 
 and in perfecting many other enterprises of an educational 
 character. In his varied schemes of Christian and practical 
 philanthropy, Mr. Barnes always found in his wife a judicious 
 and sympathetic counselor. She was herself an active worker 
 in many charities, notably the " Old Ladies' Home," of which 
 she was treasurer, and the " Home for the Friendless," on 
 Concord Street, of which she was President for several years 
 prior to her death in 1881. Dr. Storrs, in a glowing tribute 
 to the memory of her well-rounded life, said : " Empires go 
 
6(3 
 
 down, dynasties disappear ; but the asylum, the hospital, the 
 home for the sick, the institutions in which the blind are 
 made to see and the dumb speak — these continue. So she 
 has lined her life with those who are to testify of her in the 
 future time. All good things last longer than we anticipate. 
 Our analysis of the progress of households and of persons 
 and of communities is always imperfect and uncertain, be- 
 cause we do not detect and cannot trace back to their sources 
 those hidden influences that work for good. They are like 
 the imperceptible threads of gold in some ancient tapestry. 
 She did not start a good influence and leave it to circulate by 
 its own gravitation merely, but she put ardor of spirit, 
 energy, constancy and concentration of resolution into that 
 which she had to do. We often look upon buildings, and 
 admire them for the perfect symmetry of their proportions. 
 A poem sometimes impresses our thought by its absolute 
 completeness of thought and expression. The picture on the 
 canvas allures and holds our eye by the same charm of 
 symmetrical harmony. Here is a life nobler than building 
 or poem or picture, which seems attended by the same singu- 
 lar symmetry and finish of proportion." * * * * * * 
 
 Some years after the death of his first wife, he married 
 Mrs. Mary Matthews Smith, a lady of rare mental culture 
 and great force of character, whose pen, from time to time, 
 reveals the literary faculty, and whose hymns and sacred 
 poems have appeared in some of our leading periodicals, and 
 in recent hymn books. ********* 
 
 It was under the auspices of the publishing house of 
 Alfred S. Barnes that the Magazine of American History 
 was founded in 1877, and no one was more deeply interested 
 than he in the educational work which this new and only 
 periodical of its kind in the land was expected to perform. 
 The well-known imprint of his house graced its title page 
 for six successive years ; and when the change came in its 
 management, he still remained in active sympathy with its 
 grand purposes and one of its best friends. 
 
 Martha J. Lamb. 
 
TRIBUTE FROM DR. TALMAGE. 
 
 What the Late Alfred S. Barnes Has Done foe 
 Brooklyn. 
 
 Kev. T. De Witt Talmage referred to Mr. Barnes 
 in the following remarks delivered at the Friday 
 evening meeting of his church, February 24th, 
 1888: 
 
 The number of men who built Brooklyn and who have 
 gone into eternal absenteeism is rapidly increasing. Pausing 
 a moment to-day on the New York and Brooklyn Bridge, I 
 read on a stone pillar the names of those who had been 
 influential in the building of that suspended wonder of the 
 centuries. The president, Mr. Murphy, gone. The vice- 
 president, Mr. Kingsley, gone. The treasurer, Mr. Prentice, 
 gone. The engineer, Mr. Eoebling, gone. So our useful 
 and important citizens from all departments are passing off. 
 And now, within a few days, Alfred S. Barnes departed. 
 And yet he has not disappeared. When our Historical Hall, 
 and Academy of Music, and Mercantile Library, and our 
 great asylums of mercy, and our churches of all denomina- 
 tions shall have crumbled — then, and not until then, will our 
 splendid citizen, Mr. Barnes, have disappeared ; for his brain 
 and heart and head planned them, and his munificent hand 
 helped support them. When at 11 o'clock last Friday night 
 this noble and gracious soul flashed into the bosom of God, 
 we lost as good a citizen as Brooklyn ever had. If the 
 queenly wifehood that hovered over his suffering pillow for 
 four months, until the fatigue and the devotion became 
 almost a martyrdom, and the prayers and the love and the 
 
68 
 
 devotion of his children, and the anxieties of hundreds of 
 thousands of fellow citizens, could have hindered his der 
 parture he would again have taken his old place at his family 
 table, and on our philanthropic platforms, and in the pews of 
 our churches. But his work was done. No power could 
 keep him down out of the supernal light or back from the 
 rewards awaiting him. What a bulwark of credit was his 
 name to the financial institutions he trusteed or presidented ? 
 What an honor to the universities on whose scrolls of 
 directors his name was permitted to appear ! And what a 
 re-inforcement to the great benevolence of the day was his 
 patronage. Out of a warm personal friendship of many 
 years, I must speak my gratitude and my admiration. In 
 business circles, for many a long day, his name will be quoted 
 as a synonym for everything honorable and righteous, but 
 my thought of him is chiefly of being the highest style of 
 Christian gentleman. He was one of the few successful men 
 who maintained complete simplicity of character. After 
 gaining the highest position, where he could afford to decline 
 the Mayoralty and Congressional honors, and all political 
 preferment, as he did again and again, he was as artless in 
 his manner as on the day when he earned his first dollar. 
 His illumined face was an index to an illumined soul. I 
 have known many lovely and honorable and inspiring and 
 glorious Christian men, but a more lovely or more honorable 
 or more inspiring or more glorious Christian man than 
 Alfred S. Barnes, I never did know. He entered the King- 
 dom of God himself and all his family followed him, and 
 upon them may the mantle of their consecrated and glorified 
 father fall, as I believe it has already fallen. What a mag- 
 nificent inheritance of prayers and good advice and Christian 
 example ! Well may they cry out as Elisha did when Elijah 
 went up in fiery equipage " My Father, my Father, the 
 chariots of Israel and the horsemen thereof ! " 
 
TRIBUTES FROM THE PRESS. 
 
 Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 
 Aifsed S. Babnes. 
 
 One more name must be erased from the roll of Brooklyn's best 
 known and most honored citizens — the name of Alfred S. Barnes. 
 
 Mr. Barnes was a typical Brooklynite. The vast business which he 
 built up and so successfully conducted is the best monument to his 
 sagacity and enterprise. The qualities of his head and heart exactly 
 fitted him to occupy the position which he filled in this community. 
 He made money abundantly, and he disbursed it in a spirit of wise 
 liberality. The purity of his life was the natural expression of his 
 character. He hated whatever was mean, dishonest or unclean. From 
 the great publication house, of which he was the soul and head, no 
 print or book ever issued containing a single sentence that would offend 
 the modest, alarm the wise, or pain the virtuous. His charities entitle 
 him to rank among the benefactors of his race. Whatever was worthy 
 and of good report elicited his sympathy. He never wearied in well 
 doing. His practical benevolence was limited only by his ability to 
 give. He accepted riches as the steward of his Master and lived up to 
 the doctrine that charity is the first of virtues. 
 
 His identification with the city of his residence and affection added 
 to its fame. His is one of the names which first suggest themselves 
 when the name of Brooklyn is mentioned. He gave a complete example 
 in his life of the meaning of the phrase ' ' a good citizen. " He had the 
 true civic pride. He wished to see Brooklyn advanced in all the works 
 that characterize a refined and intelligent community. To that end he 
 labored himself and helped others to labor. His example is a richer 
 legacy than his fortune, and his record will always survive to honor his 
 memory. — Ed. 
 
 Tlie Standard-Union. 
 The Late Alfbed S. Barnes. 
 
 Brooklyn loses in the death of Alfred S. Barnes one of its most 
 honored, representative and public-spirited citizens. Mr. Barnes was 
 especially distinguished for his loyalty to the community in which, for 
 over thirty years, he was a striking figure. While he shrunk from the 
 
70 
 
 contentions of politics and rarely participated in formal discussion of 
 public affairs, he was a great force for good in matters pertaining to 
 trie welfare of the people and the upbuilding of the city and its insti- 
 tutions. With characteristic modesty he sought to exert his influence 
 through the channels of private endeavor, rather than in the broad 
 fields of general contention and observation. To the agencies estab- 
 lished for the education and culture of his fellow-citizens, and to the 
 advancement of the sacred cause of Christianity, he contributed with a 
 generosity that speaks volumes for the strength of his convictions, his 
 unbounded sincerity and his profound devotion to his moral obligations. 
 Through his instrumentality were founded, and developed to capacity 
 of large usefulness, some of the most beneficent of our local charities. 
 He extended a healing hand to wounded humanity, succored the poor, 
 relieved the aged, and cared for the helpless orphan. In his church 
 associations Mr. Barnes enjoyed a prominence justified by his tireless 
 exertions in spreading the golden truths taught by the Master and in 
 expanding the scope of religious activity among, his neighbors. His 
 reputation in business as one of the leading publishers of the United 
 States was without a flaw ; he manifested a degree of enterprise that 
 contributed largely to the introduction of progressive methods in his 
 profession ; and he exhibited, in all his relations, the characteristics of 
 a high-minded gentleman. — Ed. 
 
 Hie Citizen. 
 A. S. Babnes. 
 By the death of Mr. Alfred S. Barnes, the well-known publisher, 
 Brooklyn loses one of its most distinguished and worthy citizens. For 
 more than a quarter of a century he has figured among our leading 
 men, to whom every plan of beneficence, of culture and of public 
 advantage could be submitted with the certainty of securing support. 
 He would have commanded respect as an employer on a. large scale 
 had there been no other reason for treating him with deference ; but 
 he had a still securer hold on the, good will and lively esteem of 
 Brooklynites because of his benevolence and enlightened disposition. 
 He was. moreover, a type of self-helping American manhood. Out of 
 poverty he rose to opulence by dint of hard work, frugality, intelligence 
 and enterprise. He leaves a name honorable in all ways, and an 
 example that may well be recommended to the attention of young 
 men. — Ed. 
 
71 
 
 Brooklyn Times. 
 Alfred S. Barnes. 
 
 The death of such a man as Alfred S. Barnes, is a loss to the entire 
 community in which his spotless personal life and successful business 
 repute have long formed » conspicuous part. No citizen in Brooklyn 
 who has not been brought before the public by professional or political 
 prominence has been more widely and favorably known. In business, 
 social, religious and charitable circles, his name bas long been a house- 
 hold word. And to a much wider circle than that of his associates in 
 this city and the neighboring metropolis, his name has been made 
 know by its imprint upon many thousands of text books from which 
 succeeding generations for half a century have received education. 
 Fifty years of such integrity and probity, conjoined with adequate busi- 
 ness success, are seldom to be set down to the credit of any man. 
 
 Mr. Barnes represented the best type of the descendant of sturdy 
 New England ancestry who sought and secured business pre-eminence 
 in New York in the days when the foundations of vast fortunes were 
 far more easily laid than at present. By industry, economy and a close 
 attention to details he built up one of the largest book publishing houses 
 in the country with commensurate returns for his outlay. And then he 
 had the wisdom to make full use of, and to derive full enjoyment from, 
 the fruits of his labors. Instead of leaving all his wealth for heirs to 
 possibly quarrel over or squander, he enjoyed the ante-mortem pleasure 
 of doing good with the means entrusted to him. In many and varied 
 channels he poured out the streams of his beneficence, and cast his 
 bread upon the waters to find it returned increased a hundred-fold. 
 
 The Clinton Avenue Congregational Church is largely the monu- 
 ment of his labors, as its chief officer, to establish it firmly, and in many 
 institutions designed to benefit this and other communities his labors 
 were abundant. Such a life is a rich legacy to a community in these 
 days when grasping greed and sordid endeavor too often dry up the 
 natural fountains of generosity, and men who first seek to gain money 
 for the good they can do with it come to add wealth to wealth with no 
 desire to benefit anything save their own selfish desires. Alfred Smith 
 Barnes was a courtly and polished gentleman of what is called the old 
 school, but his success in business and eminence in the community did 
 not withdraw him from sympathy with a struggling humanity wherever 
 found — Ed. 
 
72 
 
 New York School Journal. 
 
 The teachers of America cannot but be deeply interested in the 
 eminent men who publish, the text-books that are in the hands of the 
 pupils. Their names have become household words in many cases, 
 indeed they are better known to the young than those of statesmen and 
 politicians. 
 
 There are few names more intimately associated with the history of 
 educational progress during the last fifty years than that of the late 
 A. S. Barnes ; and when he died at his home in Brooklyn, it seemed 
 as if one of the props had fallen away from the structure of our great 
 public school system. 
 
 Not only was Mr. Barnes honored among his professional associates, 
 but he was personally loved and respected ; looked up to in social life 
 and regarded in the community as a strong and representative factor 
 in its life ; — one who had at heart the well-being of those about him, 
 and was always alive and sensitive to the obligations of citizenship in 
 its broad sense. 
 
 He began life with little to depend on except his own resources, and 
 by integrity, industry, and a wide range of intelligence, he succeeded 
 in establishing a house whose name and character are known with re- 
 spect throughout the United States. 
 
 The public school system of the country is especially indebted to 
 his foresight and liberality for many of the most popular text-books 
 that have ever been published. 
 
 One of Mr. Barnes' business principles was to live and let live. 
 This was exemplified in his management of his employees. He was 
 never repressive ; but always encouraged them to make the most of 
 themselves. If any of them found they could do better elsewhere 
 than he could afford to do by them, he very cordially gave them his 
 blessing, and sometimes a lift — unless they contemplated something in 
 the speculative line, against which he strongly advised. All around 
 the house now, across the street, a few blocks away, and in different 
 places about town are men at the head of successful firms, who 
 wrought out their business capacities while in his employ. Though 
 some of these may be regarded as rival establishments in some depart- 
 ments of their trade, all are on the best of terms with the parent 
 house. 
 
 In the selection of the MS. for his books he did not allow himself 
 to be guided at all by the reputation of the author. If there was 
 merit in the work, and earnest conscientious worth in the man, he was 
 given a trial. 
 
73 
 
 Only as fast as he could secure the "good books" that he was 
 determined should exclusively constitute his stock, did he add to his 
 catalogue. He was an expert in the difficult art of literary j udgment. 
 He had perfect confidence that, if » book itself was meritorious and 
 met a public want, he could very well take care of both book and 
 author. 
 
 A house that ties itself to great names, and cannot venture beyond 
 them, has a poor show in the sharp competition of American business, 
 and the rapid changes in the public needs and public tastes. Yet one 
 that depends almost wholly on untried writers, must have a very cool, 
 critical, discerning brain at the head of its affairs. 
 
 It has been well said that in his business career, his example is a 
 Ticher legacy than his fortune. He was recognized as a thoroughly 
 successful man by the mercantile world ; and when we come to look 
 more closely into the details of his progress we find those elements 
 which in themselves constitute success in the eyes of a philosopher, 
 and are its surest guarantee with those who have studied the fortunes 
 of all men that ever attained a really worthy eminence. 
 
 Illinois School Journal. 
 
 A. S. Barnes. — He has been for half a century the controlling spirit 
 of what has become one of the largest publishing houses in this country, 
 and has acquired during this period large interests in other lines of busi- 
 ness, all of which have been managed with great business sagacity. 
 "His life is a commentary upon the advantage of a perfectly correct 
 life in the midst of business temptations, and of a high type of Chris- 
 tian principle in the conduct of affairs.'' 
 
 To such men as Mr. Barnes the cause of education in this country is 
 greatly indebted. Probably no influence has been more potent in build- 
 ing up and advancing this cause than the great publishing houses that 
 have supplied the country with a constantly improving series of text- 
 books. A few of these firms have made large fortunes from the exten- 
 sive sale of their publications, but they have been always quick to re- 
 spond to the demand for improved books, and books in new fields of 
 research, and have, thereby, been great promoters of advancement in 
 educational thought and practice. When the time comes for determin- 
 ing the relative rank of the different agencies that have worked for the 
 education of the people, it will be found that the publishing firms stand 
 high on the list. 
 
74 
 
 Harper's Weekly, New York. 
 
 * * * Mb. Barnes came from old New England stock. At 
 the age of sixteen he entered the employ of D. F. Robinson & Co., 
 Hartford, at that time the largest book publishing house in this 
 country. * * * 
 
 One of the maxims Mr. Robinson was wont to impress on his 
 apprentice — and which afterward proved true in Mr. Barnes' case — 
 was that all a young man needed for success in life was "good 
 principles, strict integrity of character, a faithful discharge of duty in 
 life, and an interest in his employer's business." 
 
 Soon after becoming of age Mr. Barnes received a letter of intro- 
 duction to Professor Charles Davies, an American mathematician of 
 distinction at that time, and whose reputation became national as the 
 author of one of the most celebrated series of mathematical text-books 
 published in the United States. This introduction led to a partnership, 
 which was formed in Hartford in 1838. 
 
 The business quarters of the young firm was a room 12x20 feet. 
 Cash capital there was none. 
 
 Mr. Barnes personally canvassed the schools and academies through- 
 out the country — which in the days before the railroad and steamboat 
 was tedious and slow work — for the purpose of introducing Professor 
 Davies' mathematics and Mrs. Willard's histories. 
 
 Of course the young publisher's sales in this way were not exten- 
 sive, but the perseverance, pluck, and enterprise developed by this 
 training finally helped to lay the foundation for the prosperous business 
 that now bears his name. 
 
 In 1840 Mr. Barnes removed his business to Philadelphia, and 
 remained there nearly five years. Recognizing the fact that New York 
 city offered superior advantages for his growing business, he removed 
 to this city in 1845. 
 
 Mr. Barnes was in every respect a public-spirited man, and his 
 name is therefore prominently connected with many public institutions 
 and enterprises of a social, commercial, and religious character. 
 
 The American Stationer. 
 
 * * * He was personally an attractive man, always ready and 
 willing to perform any kind act to anyone in need ; he was beloved by 
 his employees and popular among his customers. He was an attentive- 
 
75 
 
 man of business, always on the alert, and ready for anything which 
 would benefit the trade, and in this line he was largely instrumental in 
 bringing about the present union among publishers which has resulted 
 in benefit to the public as well as to the trade. 
 
 New York Independent. 
 
 His name was probably almost as widely known throughout the 
 United States as that of any other man. Mr. Barnes was, in the 
 fullest meaning of the term, a self-made man. He began his career as 
 publisher with the resolution that he would publish good books only. 
 He entered upon this resolution, as he conducted every business enter- 
 prise of his long life, from principle, not for revenue. Mr. Barnes 
 was a long-sighted, clear-headed, conservative and at the same time 
 energetic and pushing business man ; in fact, he possessed almost all 
 the attributes to make a successful business man. He was a man of 
 the highest reputation ; his word was as good as his bond. He exem- 
 plified his principles by making large contributions to charitable insti- 
 tutions in addition to his large-handed generosity in a private way of 
 which the public knew nothing. It would be well if the lives of all 
 our business men were modeled after the same pattern as that of 
 Alfred S. Barnes. 
 
 New York Evangelist. 
 
 Mr. A. S. Baknes. On Friday last he was not, for God took him. 
 Time fails us to speak of him as we would In brief, he was a great 
 worker in business, and a large giver of the money he made ; he also 
 gave himself to personal care of many charities in which he was inter- 
 ested ; he was a catholic and consistent Christian ; he was the best of 
 husbands and fathers ; he was a genial, loving, and sympathetic friend ; 
 he was childlike and simple in manner, and pure in heart. His death 
 removes from among us a most gracious and attractive personality, a 
 man universally respected and beloved. He will be greatly missed in 
 his immediate pursuits, but scarcely less in the Church and the interests 
 of benevolence generally. He was a pillar in the Clinton Avenue Con- 
 gregational Church in Brooklyn, from its very beginning. He leaves a 
 large family ; his sons have long been his partners in business. Like 
 
76 
 
 several other of our chief publishing houses — the Appletons, the 
 Harpers, and the Scribners — they inherit not only a large business, but 
 something of which they can be still more proud, the priceless legacy of 
 an honored name. How great is the loss in that happy domestic circle, 
 none but they can know ; but we all feel that something has gone out 
 of our lives also, and that to us the world is poorer and colder now that 
 this " brother beloved " is gone. No wonder such a man had troops of 
 friends. Their eyes are filled with tears, but their tears are illumined 
 with the light which reflects the glory on which he has entered. 
 
 The American Missionary . 
 
 Me. A. S. Baknes was elected on the Executive Board of the 
 A. M. A. nineteen years ago, and had served in that capacity continu- 
 ously up to the day of his death. He was a wise counsellor, large- 
 minded in his views and honorable in his spirit, known throughout the 
 land as one of the foremost publishers in the country, largely interested 
 in educational work, and yet he found time for an earnest devotion to 
 various enterprises in the Christian church. His fidelity and helpful- 
 ness in the service of the A. M. A. are fully known only to those who 
 were associated with him. Many organizations of missionary and 
 Christian work will miss his presence and the help of his generous 
 stewardship ; but none will feel his departure more truly than the 
 American Missionary Association, which has lost its President, one of 
 its Secretaries, and this long-honored member of its Executive Board 
 within the last half-year. The greatness of his work in our service 
 will be remembered and cherished. 
 
IN MEMORIAM. 
 
 At a meeting of the Trustees of the Clinton Ave- 
 nue Congregational Church Society, held on April 
 23d, 1888, the following Minute- was unanimously 
 adopted and ordered to be recorded in the Book of 
 Minutes of the Board : 
 
 Mr. Alfred S. Barnes, who died at his residence in this 
 city on the 17th day of February, 1888, was a member of the 
 Board of Trustees of the Clinton Avenue Congregational 
 Church Society for 33 years and President of the Board for 
 several years. He was also one of the officers of the Church, 
 having held the office of Deacon for many years. 
 
 He was Superintendent of the Church Sunday School, and 
 represented the Church and Society in many of the leading 
 organizations, benevolent, religious and charitable. He was a 
 generous giver to all the objects of benevolence that came 
 before the Church, as also to the building and sustaining of 
 the Church and its missions. 
 
 The members of the Board of Trustees will ever remember 
 his great and hearty interest in the welfare of the Church and 
 Society, the wisdom imparted by him at the councils of the 
 Board, his good judgment in matters of vital importance to 
 the Church, as also his kindly and genial feelings towards us 
 as members, which characterized his connection with the 
 Board. His purity of character and other Christian virtues 
 were an example which must have an influence upon all who 
 were associated with him. 
 
 Joseph G. Stoet, Clerk. 
 
At a meeting of the Book Publishers of New 
 York, at which the Trade was fully represented, 
 Mr. Birdseye Blakeman was called to the chair, and 
 opened the meeting with an appreciative address on 
 the character of Mr. Barnes, in the course of which 
 he said : 
 
 We are called together to-day out of respect to the memory 
 of one, who, for many years, it has been our privilege to look 
 up to as a leading member of the trade. In the providence 
 of God, Mr. A. S. Barnes has been taken from the activities 
 of business life and from his usefulness as a member of society, 
 and from the closer and dearer relationships of his home and 
 
 We must humbly and reverently bow to the decree of an 
 over-ruling Providence that never mistakes, and seeing the 
 end from the beginning, acts with unerring wisdom. 
 
 In the face of such an event, it becomes us to be ourselves 
 mindful of the uncertainties of life, and so live that when the 
 summons shall come to us, we may be found, as we have every 
 reason to believe our departed friend was, ready. 
 
 It has been my privilege to know Mr. Barnes since first 
 coming to the city as a young man, now more than forty years 
 ago, more or less in social and church life in Brooklyn, in the 
 earlier part, when I was living there, and all the time in our 
 business lives. 
 
 At this time, it is a real satisfaction to be able to refer to 
 him as exemplifying in Lis life a high standard of business 
 integrity, and in his social life, true culture and purity, and 
 having an earnest, faithful influence in that which makes the 
 useful citizen. As we mourn his loss in our business circles, 
 we may hope that his mantle may fall upon his sons, who are 
 to be his successors. 
 
79 
 
 The following Resolutions, reported by a com- 
 mittee, consisting of Messrs. Appleton, Harper and 
 Taintor, were then adopted : 
 
 Whereas, The Creator, in His infinite wisdom, has removed 
 from this life our colleague and associate, Alfred S. Barnes, 
 who died at his residence, in Brooklyn, on the evening of 
 February 17th, 1888, it is 
 
 Resolved, That, in the death of Mr. Barnes, the publishing 
 business has lost one of its most eminent and influential mem- 
 bers, and society, an exemplar of all that is manly, upright 
 and virtuous. 
 
 Resolved, That it is a source of gratification to us to point 
 to Mr. Barnes as, in its truest sense, a representative man 
 in his business career. He began life, as so many other suc- 
 cessful American publishers have, with little to depend on, 
 except his own resources, and by integrity, industry, and a 
 wide range of intelligence, he succeeded in establishing a 
 house whose name and character are known with respect 
 throughout the United States. The public school system of 
 the country is especially indebted to his foresight and liberality 
 for many of the most popular text-books that have ever been 
 published. We commend the record of his life and character 
 to the young men of America as one that can be studied and 
 followed to their lasting advantage. 
 
 Resolved, That these Besolutions be engrossed and a copy 
 sent to his firm and to his family. 
 
80 
 
 At a Special Meeting of the Stationers' Board of 
 Trade the following remarks were made by Mr. 
 W. H. Parsons, who occupied the Chair : 
 
 We have been called together this morning, as has been 
 stated by the vice-president, to take some action with refer- 
 ence to the death of one of our members, Mr. A. S. Barnes, 
 the senior of the firm of A. S. Barnes & Co. Those of us who 
 have been connected with the publishing, stationery and paper 
 trades in this city — I might almost say in this country — during 
 the last thirty or forty years, can remember all during that 
 period Mr. Barnes as one of the prominent men, not only in 
 his trade but in the mercantile community of this city ; 
 prominent not only in his trade and in the mercantile com- 
 munity of this city, but also exemplifying in all of his business 
 relations the fact that he was a prominent man in the Church 
 of Christ upon the earth, and I believe the reason we come 
 here with one accord to take action respecting the death of 
 Mr. Barnes, is founded in the fact that we honor him and 
 respect his memory. Why ? Because he was the highest 
 type of manhood, truly a Christian gentleman and merchant. 
 
 Mr. Martin, in moving that a committee of six be 
 appointed to attend the funeral of Mr. Barnes, said : 
 
 I do not know anything that can be added to what the 
 chairman has said about our deceased friend. I think that 
 his life has been a shining example to us youthful men, who 
 are following to a certain extent, in his footsteps as a merchant, 
 and I hope we may strive to live the life he lived. Well 
 rounded in all of the joys and pleasures of doing good, and of 
 kind works, spreading where it has been deeply needed the 
 wealth that has been bestowed upon him and living to see the 
 three score years and ten spoken of in the Good Book, and 
 passing away surrounded by his family, in a position of honor 
 
81 
 
 and respectability — it is an example to be pondered on. 
 The firm of A. S. Barnes & Co. was one of the early members 
 of this organization, and I know that Mr. Barnes always 
 had a strong interest in its prosperity and welfare. 
 
 Hanover National Bank, New York : 
 
 As a director he served the Bank during fifteen years ; was 
 always deeply interested in its prosperity, and did much to 
 promote its welfare. He was a man of large business experi- 
 ence and sound judgment ; in all his transactions he main- 
 tained a character of the strictest integrity, and he leaves a 
 name which is a synonym for honesty and uprightness. In 
 his relations to his co-directors he was always genial, causing 
 them to become deeply attached to him and to admire his 
 stainless character. To know him was to love and respect him, 
 and we who were associated with him see in his life much to 
 admire and imitate. 
 
 Jas. M. Donald, Cashier 
 
 Provident Savings Life Assurance Society of New 
 York : 
 
 Prom the organization of the Society to the end of life, 
 Mr. Barnes devoted his best energies to its successful develop- 
 ment. In adversity, as in prosperity, his interest and useful- 
 ness were unceasing, and assured success was largely due to 
 his confident and generous support. 
 
 His eminent success in business, purity of character, and 
 generosity in all good works, constitute a record which his 
 family and friends may contemplate with pride and pleasure. 
 
 Sheppakd Homans, President, 
 ¥n. E. Stevens, Secretary. 
 
82 
 Home Insurance Company, New York : 
 
 -X- * -X- * *x- * 
 
 Identified with the "Home" from the date of its organiza- 
 tion, one of the original members of this Board, and from the 
 first a member of the Standing Committee, of which at the 
 time of his death he was the honored Chairman, Mr. Barnes 
 has, during all these years, been faithful to the trust reposed 
 in him, and it is pre-eminently proper that we should note 
 upon our records our appreciation of his services, and our 
 esteem for our late associate. Therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of Mr. Barnes, we have lost a 
 genial companion, a wise counsellor and a faithful friend, 
 ever ready to respond to the call of sympathy or of duty, 
 whose pleasant smile and cheery greeting we shall miss in our 
 assemblies, but whose memory will be' affectionately cherished 
 by those who have been so long and intimately associated with 
 him ; that besides our own personal loss, we mourn the de- 
 parture of one so widely known, and so highly esteemed in 
 this city, and Brooklyn, as a philanthropic citizen whose 
 heart and hand were ever open to the call of charity, and 
 whose life has been an example to the young men of both 
 cities. 
 
 D. A. Hbald, Vice-President. 
 
 J. A. Washbukn, Secretary. 
 
 Auto. Fire Alarm and Extinguisher Company, 
 Limited, New York : 
 
 Whereas, Said Board in testimony of their sense of loss and 
 esteem and admiration of the late President, desire to record 
 their appreciation of his characterand services : therefore 
 
 Resolved, That the Officers and Directors of the Company 
 officially and individually desire to record their humble tribute 
 
to his spotless integrity and rare sagacity as a man of business- 
 his usefulness and loyalty as a citizen, his virtues as a chris, 
 tian gentleman, and his estimable and kindly qualities as an 
 associate and friend. 
 
 Seth G. Babcock, ViceP resident. 
 J. P. Cuetis, Treasurer. 
 E. 0. Bichards, Secretary. 
 
 Dime Savings Bank, Brooklyn : 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of our late associate and Vice- 
 President, Mr. Alfred S. Barnes, this Board recognizes the loss 
 of a genial, courteous gentleman ; a faithful, honest adviser ; 
 an officer and trustee whose influence was always exerted in 
 promoting the best interests of the Institution. 
 
 Resolved, That this record of the estimation this Board en- 
 tertains for the character, the services and the memory of Mr. 
 Barnes, be placed upon the Minute Book of the Bank. 
 
 J. H. Huntington', Secretary. 
 
 Long Island Historical Society: 
 
 Me. Alfred S. Barnes, had been a member of this Society 
 from a very early period in its history, and a Director 
 of it for twenty-one years, since 1867. He had been also a 
 member of its Executive Committee since 1876, and his con- 
 tributions to it had been repeated and liberal ; of $500 to its 
 early Library fund, of an equal amount towards the purchase 
 of the lots on which its building was subsequently erected, 
 and of $3,000 towards the building itself. 
 
84 
 
 Those who have been associated with him in the Board of 
 Directors in this institution will always remember, as will 
 those similarly connected with him in other institutions, his 
 wisdom in counsel, his habitual kindness of feeling and word, 
 his attractive and spontaneous courtesy of manner, his hearty 
 interest in the good work to which he gave, not money alone, 
 but time and thought, with earnest care, his enlightened pub- 
 lic spirit, and his conscientious faithfulness in the discharge 
 of all duties committed to him. Those who enjoyed the 
 privilege of a more intimate personal acquaintance with him 
 will also delight to recall his exemplary purity of character 
 and of action, his loyal affectionateness of spirit, and his sin- 
 cere and energetic Christian faith. 
 
 As the head of a large publishing-house he was careful 
 that nothing should go from its presses which did not tend, 
 in his judgment, to the true intellectual and moral education 
 of those before whose eyes it should come. As for many 
 years a leading citizen of our rapidly growing community, his 
 influence was always strenuously exerted for what he deemed 
 its highest welfare ; and while he can have left no enemies 
 behind him, he has left multitudes of attached and honoring 
 friends to recall with gladness the fine and strong traits and 
 powers which bound them to him. 
 
 It is a rich and beautiful inheritance which any recent and 
 sympathetic community, rapidly increasing in numbers and 
 power, receives from the character and life, as well as from 
 the gifts, of those who take part with continuing enthusiasm 
 in establishing its institutions of culture, of charity, or of 
 Christian worship. Their gifts of moral impulse and guidance 
 are of even higher value than their pecuniary ofiEerings. 
 Unconsciously, perhaps, they set the standard towards which 
 others are lifted ; and the city itself, as well as the imme- 
 diate household of one so intent on the public welfare, becomes 
 to him a constant debtor. Its obligations to him continue 
 
85 
 
 while its history goes on. On the list of those who have thus 
 made themselves permanent benefactors of the city in which 
 we are glad to live, they who have known it during the more 
 than forty years' of Mr. Barnes's residence in it, will heartily 
 join in giving to his name its place of honor. 
 
 Brooklyn Collegiate and Polytechnic Institute : 
 
 Whereas, It has pleased Almighty God to call to himself 
 Alfred S. Barnes, an honored member of the Board of Trus- 
 tees of the Brooklyn Collegiate Polytechnic Institute, for a 
 period of more than thirty years ; we, his associate trustees 
 desire to place upon record our appreciation of his services as 
 trustee and of his private worth. Therefore 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of Alfred S. Barnes, the Insti- 
 tute has lost a wise counsellor who recognized the scope and 
 importance of its work and a helping friend, who has for a 
 long term of years generously given time and thought to its 
 interests, always ready to assume any duty and always earnest 
 and efficient in its discharge. 
 
 Resolved, That beside this testimony to the value of his ser- 
 vices as a member of our Board, we deem it fitting to express, 
 as citizens of Brooklyn, our sense of the loss which the com- 
 munity has suffered in the death of one of the most generous 
 and public spirited citizens ; and also our sense of personal 
 sorrow for the loss of a friend endeared to us by genial nature 
 and conspicuous virtues. 
 
 Packer Collegiate Institute : 
 
 The vacant chair at this Board feelingly appeals to our sen- 
 sibilities, and reminds us of our loss in the decease of our 
 honored associate, and long time friend, Alfred S. Barnes. 
 
86 
 
 In his regretted death this city loses one of its most upright, 
 useful and valued citizens. A cheerful and kindly man, who 
 habitually sympathized with the best, and helped the 
 worthiest things in the current life of the city, he was long 
 known as a contributor of wise counsel and generous aid to 
 religious, philanthropic and educational enterprises. A judi- 
 cious adviser, he ever advised with diffidence; a liberal giver, 
 he always gave without ostentation ; and wherever he moved, 
 he shed around him an atmosphere of cheerfulness, peace and 
 good-will. The beauty of his domestic life, the blameless 
 purity of his domestic walk and conversation, in his wide 
 social and business circles, and the large-hearted and open- 
 handed liberality with which he responded to appeals for 
 sympathy and succor, made his life an example and a bene- 
 diction to the two great cities, in which its prolonged 
 activities were spent. ***** 
 
 Young Men's Christian Association, Brooklyn : 
 
 Resolved, That we commend to the members of the Brook- 
 lyn Young Men's Christian Association, and to other young 
 men, the example of Mr. Barnes, who, by energy of character, 
 strict integrity, and strong Christian conviction and principle, 
 overcame many difficulties and attained not only business suc- 
 cess and temporal prosperity, but also the respect and love of 
 his fellow men, and a position from which he could be fitly 
 translated into a brighter and better life. 
 
 Association for Improving the Condition of the 
 Poor, Brooklyn. 
 
 For many years Mr. Alfred S. Barnes, one of our honored 
 Vice-Presidents, has been a warm friend of this Association, 
 having greatly at heart our work of improving the poor. He 
 
87 
 
 not only endorsed the methods adopted by this Association in 
 its ministry to those needing help, but was ever ready to aid 
 us with his counsel and gifts. 
 
 When we take a wider outlook, we find him foremost among 
 the leading men of this city in all that has contributed to its 
 material prosperity, or the moral elevation of the people. 
 He was distinguished alike for graciousness of manner and for 
 sterling integrity of character ; and his exemplary life is a 
 model worthy of the closest imitation. He has left a mem- 
 ory that will abide among us for succeeding generations as an 
 unfailing benediction. 
 
 The Good Samaritan, Brooklyn : 
 
 Mr. Barnes was one of the few earnest men who founded the 
 Good Samaritan early in the year 1877, and from that time 
 until he was called hence, and "up higher", he was its leading 
 spirit, its chief promotor, its honored and efficient President. 
 "When in the city, and in sufficient health, he always came, 
 and promptly, to the meetings of . the Board, where he pre- 
 sided with a wisdom and tact that made him acceptable to 
 all ; and, if ever contending views occasioned, as they do at 
 times in all managing Boards, some disturbance in feeling, he 
 never failed, with rare and ready faculty, to smooth the 
 roughest surface. We shall never cease-to cherish with'honor, 
 gratitude and affection, the memory of his kindly face, his 
 gentle voice, his wise counsels, his christian, catholic spirit, 
 his upright life. 
 
 Kobeet Poster, } Committee 
 
 y of the 
 E. 0. Seymour. J Board. 
 
Brooklyn City Mission and Tract Society. The 
 following minute was offered by Rev. R. S. Storrs, 
 D. D.: 
 
 In the recent death of Mr. Alfred S. Barnes, his family has 
 lost a watchful and tender husband and father, whose ex- 
 ample emphasized and impressed his wise counsels, while it 
 gave continual attraction and beauty to the household life. 
 The church of which he was a member, and long an officer, 
 has lost from its fellowship on earth an affectionate and faith- 
 ful counsellor, whose confidence was firm in the truths of the 
 Gospel, whose heart was warm with christian sympathy, whose 
 will was strong for christian service, and whose hands were 
 open for liberal gifts. All the institutions with which he 
 was connected are deprived henceforth of the aid of one, al- 
 ways diligent and punctual in the performance of his duties, 
 amiable in spirit, and considerate of others, large-minded and 
 sagacious in the administration of all offices of trust. The 
 city misses henceforth one of its most useful and eminent 
 citizens, who, during a long residence in it, has largely con- 
 tributed to the pleasure and culture of its society, and to the 
 institutions from which it derives beauty and worth. 
 
 But, perhaps, no other institution has deeper reason to re- 
 gret his departure from the circles in which he was honored 
 and useful than has the City Mission and Tract Society, of 
 which he has been a director for forty years, for ten years 
 past its beloved President, continuing in that office until the 
 day of his death. We recall his faithful attendance at our 
 meetings, his earnest love for the society, his readiness to list- 
 en to the counsel of others, as well as to present his own, his 
 unfailing enthusiasm for the work to which the society is de- 
 voted, his generous leadership in expanding its scope, enlarg- 
 ing its operations, and augmenting its means of usefulness; 
 and we feel that our loss can hardly be estimated and hardly 
 
89 
 
 be supplied ; that the time will not come to those who survive 
 him when they will cease to miss the counsel, the encourage- 
 ment, and the gladness which his presence at our meetings 
 always afforded. 
 
 But the work goes on though workman dies. The cause 
 remains, though he who loved it and faithfully served it has 
 passed from earth to higher scenes. We rejoice to remember 
 that his influence will be with us, though we miss his face, 
 and to feel that the master whom he now sees in open vision 
 will still follow witli his blessing the endeavors which hither- 
 to engaged us in common and in which we a little longer con- 
 tinue. 
 
 We cannot doubt that he already has heard the welcome 
 ■"Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the 
 joy of thy Lord." Our prayer is that each of those who have 
 been in the past associated with him may be equally entitled 
 to hear it, when the time for our departure comes, and that 
 the stars successively set against our names may signify for 
 us, as for him, ascension into the skies. 
 
 With the happiest remembrances of the long usefulness of 
 our departed brother and leader, with gratitude for the privi- 
 lege of an intimate association with him for so many years in 
 this special work, and with the blessed hope of meeting him 
 again, where years do not pass and fellowships are immortal, 
 we direct that this minute, now unanimously adopted, be en- 
 tered upon our records, and that a copy of it, suitably en- 
 grossed, and certified, be sent to the family of our late hon- 
 ored and beloved President. 
 
 William P. Bainbridge, Cor. Sec. 
 
 We, the Missionaries of the Brooklyn City Mission Society, 
 would hereby express our high esteem for our late President, 
 who, for many years most truly served the Society to which 
 we belong. In this our loss we mourn the removal of a true 
 counsellor, a faithful friend, a willing helper, to whose genial, 
 
90 
 
 kindly, and encouraging words, as well as acts, we do bear 
 most cheerful testimony. 
 
 We pray that the comfort of Jesus our Lord, may be now 
 richly given unto you. And in the spirit of tenderness and 
 sympathy we may abound in every good word and work, even 
 as did our late President, to the glory of Him who has called 
 us unto a living Hope through the Gospel«of his dear Son. 
 
 (Signed) 
 
 H. Mowry, Mes. K. A. Thompson, 
 
 John Sheridan, William: Weyand, 
 
 J. G. Bass, A. H. Millar, 
 
 John T. Swanstrum, M. A. Downs, 
 
 D. M. Heydrick, Pauline N". Sand, 
 
 George Lusty, P. M. 0. Harris, 
 
 Mary Mintanye, G. L. Lacheur, M. D. 
 
 Kichard Penrose, Stephen O'Donnell, 
 
 C. Schneider, Samuel W. King. 
 
 Church of the Covenant, Anniversary Exercises : 
 
 "In the midst of these joyous reminiscences, we recall with 
 tender and grateful emotion the memory of the sainted dead, 
 whose lives and labors are linked with ours ; especially the 
 name of him who has just gone to his rest. The late Alfred 
 S. Barnes, was a generous and unwearied benefactor of this 
 church, and to his material gifts, from time to time, he 
 added his loving counsel, his personal presence, and his pre- 
 vailing prayers. We remember his serene yet sturdy piety, 
 the beauty of his personal, domestic and social life, and desire 
 to record our sense of gratitude to God for this noble gift to 
 us, and pledge ourselves anew to the completion of his unfin- 
 ished work, that we may some day join with him in the 
 grander services commemorative of the final triumph of God's 
 redeeming love." 
 
91 
 Foreign Sunday School Association : 
 
 Whereas, it has pleased our gracious Lord to take to his 
 work on high a beloved brother, friend and trustee, of the 
 Foreign Sunday School Association, Mr. A. S. Barnes, we 
 desire as a Society, to express and place upon record, our 
 unbounded appreciation of the man, and to bear grateful testi- 
 mony to his constant friendship and generosity. 
 
 We shall not cease to pray that all these lives may be en- 
 riched in time and eternity by the influence of the noble 
 example which was so indelibly impressed by his life upon all 
 who knew him, especially upon those whose privilege it was 
 to call him Father or to recognize him as their God-given 
 benefactor. 
 
 Resolved, That our members in writing to friends abroad, 
 many of whom have become acquainted with Mr. Barnes in 
 his extensive foreign travels, shall make mention of his 
 death, and tell of the esteem in which he has so long been 
 held in a community which has enjoyed such blessings from 
 him as is rarely permitted a fellow-man to confer. 
 
 A. Woodruff, President. 
 Fanny D. Fish, Secretary. 
 
 The Faith Home for Incurables : 
 
 Whereas, God in his infinite wisdom has removed from his 
 field of usefulness our worthy President, Mr. A. S. Barnes, 
 therefore be it 
 
 Resolved, That the Trustees of the Faith Home, recognize 
 the friendship and charity that Mr. Barnes had so freely ex- 
 tended to this Home. 
 
 S. B. Childs, M. D., Secretary. 
 
92 
 
 From Report of the Faith Home for Incurables : 
 
 We mourn the loss of our greatest benefactor, Mr. A. S. 
 Barnes. He has been God's chosen instrument of good to us. 
 To him are we indebted largely for our pleasant home. But 
 it was not simply his bounty which endeared him to our hearts, 
 but his lovely character, his humility, his unostentatious man- 
 ner of giving. As a family we are bereaved. One and an- 
 other have remarked. " He was such a good man." "He had 
 such a great heart." " God couldn't have raised up a better 
 friend for us.'' '' What a blessing he has been." He will 
 live long in the hearts of many. As one after another of our 
 best friends are called above we cling more closely to the One 
 who has said, " Lo ! I am with you always." 
 
 Home for Consumptives : 
 
 i 
 Now that he, the good and noble man is crowned, why 
 
 should we come in sorrow to speak our words of comfort ? 
 Alas! we know God's crownings often bring the sorest pain. 
 Mr. Barnes' kindly deeds are too well known to us. We suf- 
 fer loss with you. He was our friend. He was the friend of 
 all who try to help by any means the sick and weak. Most 
 touching is the fact, that to so many different charities he left 
 a loving gift. It was the generous impulse of a broad and im- 
 partial spirit wanting to reach out a helpful hand to all. 
 
 It is a fair and worthy monument. We thank God that he 
 enriched the earth with such a life — Blessed be his memory. 
 
 Mrs. Benj. Estes, Corresponding Secretary. 
 
93 
 
 American Home Missionary Society. A Minute 
 passed by the Executive Committee : 
 
 Our Heavenly Father having, since the last meeting of this 
 Committee, taken unto himself the soul of our departed 
 friend and associate, Mr. Alfred S. Barnes, we desire to place 
 on record our appreciation of the rare qualities of mind and 
 heart which pre-eminently fitted him for a place of so great 
 responsibility and usefulness. 
 
 Mr. Barnes was consecrated to the work of Christ in all its 
 branches, and in every land. But his wide acquaintance with 
 our own country, its vast extent, resources and possibilities, 
 its manifest call to be a chosen instrument of God for the 
 conversion of the world, roused his enthusiasm. His keen 
 sense of its perils from many sources, and his deep conviction 
 that its safety lay wholly in its loyal allegiance to God and 
 his truth, made him intensely earnest in giving the pure 
 gospel to all our people, whether home-born or foreign-born, 
 and whatever their color or condition. To this work, during 
 his nine years of service on this Executive Committee and its 
 Finance Committee, Mr. Barnes gave freely of his money, his 
 time, his business skill and his prayers. His faith and courage 
 helped us in the darkest hours ; his known integrity and 
 prudence strengthened the confidence of others in the wise 
 management of the Society's affairs ; his genial spirit won 
 our affection, and makes his departure a serious loss to us, 
 compensated only by the knowledge that it brought to him 
 immeasurable gain. 
 
 From Keport of American Congregational Union : 
 
 Since our last Annual Report only one who has been offici- 
 ally connected with this Society has been removed by death. 
 Mr. Alfred S. Barnes, of Brooklyn, was chosen a member of 
 the Board of Trustees in lfo9, and remained on the Board 
 
94 
 
 till 1876, when he was chosen President of the Society. He 
 held that office two years. He has been one of the most gen- 
 erous and hearty supporters of the Union from the first, and 
 showed his abiding interest in it by leaving it a legacy of 
 $5,000 in addition to the gift of $1,000 the last year of his 
 life. It was he who said of "The Perpetual Loan Fund," 
 "Your scheme is one of the grandest that has ever been 
 brought before the Christian public, and cannot fail of suc- 
 cess. The beauty of the scheme is its perpetual usefulness." 
 Such words from such a man, accompanied with such sub- 
 stantial backing, are a perpetual legacy of blessing. As long 
 as the work lasts, this honored man's gifts to this Society 
 will go on establishing places of worship, and so perpetuate 
 his aid in building for God. 
 
 Home for Friendless Women and Children: 
 
 In view of the death of Mr. A. S. Barnes, it seems suitable 
 that we should at this meeting attest by a tributary minute to 
 the esteem in which he has long been deservedly held by the 
 society, to which he has long stood in the relation of adviser 
 and benefactor, not forgetting in the sufferings of his last ill- 
 ness, amid an extended interest in charities that made thirty 
 the grateful recipients of his last earthly gifts, the special and 
 detailed needs of the anniversary festivals for our beneficiaries. 
 
 But above the loss of his valuable financial assistance, oft 
 repeated and long continued, and culminating in a substan- 
 tial bequest to our Society, will be the removal of the benign 
 influence, which our consciousness of his interest in our work 
 made us feel was extended over us as a benison. It is with 
 deep feeling that we express this sense of our loss, unable to 
 see through our grief only by faith in the promises, whence 
 similar sustaining for us is to come. 
 
 Resolved, That we recognize in the example of his life an 
 incitement to greater and better work. 
 
 Clara H. Stranahast, Cor. Sec. 
 
95 
 
 LETTERS FROM FRIENDS. 
 
 From Rbt. Lyman Abbott, Brooklyn : 
 
 In my relations with the house of which he was the head he always 
 treated me with such peculiar and friendly consideration that, brief as 
 was my acquaintance, and occasional as were our meetings, he always 
 .seemed to me as a personal friend. 
 
 From Rev. Henry M. Storrs, Orange, N. J. : 
 
 Mr. Barnes endeared himself to us all. His departure darkens our 
 -day. No man can be named of whom we should say more surely that 
 he had much of heaven in his soul and life here on earth. And now it 
 possesses him, in its fulness, for always. How ripe his Christian life ! 
 how gentle and Christly his spirit ! how genial and loving his heart ! a 
 son of consolation, and full of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 I recall so gladly all my acquaintance with him. Not a blot on its 
 memory, not one unpleasant fact, but everything harmonious with what 
 was pure and holy and good. He was a rare man. Christ made him so, 
 and has he not taken him into Sis Glory ? God grant that I may see 
 him again, and in that blessed and Holy presence, renew this friendship 
 of earth, not broken, only interrupted for a little by his first going. 
 
 .From Rev. George F. Pentecost, Norwich, Conn. : 
 
 I feel that in Mr. Barnes' death I have lost a personal friend and a 
 most valued fellow helper in the Lord's work. I have known and highly 
 esteemed him for many years, and if any words of mine would tend to 
 mitigate what must be to you an irreparable sorrow, they would be 
 poured out freely. 
 
96 
 
 From Rev. Theo. L. Cuyleb, Brooklyn : 
 
 Friend after friend departs, but seldom lias such an one departed as 
 that noble, true hearted and beloved man who has just gone up to his 
 crown and rich reward. For thirty years I have been strongly knit to 
 him in warm affection, and his departure is a personal bereavement. 
 The heritage of his name will be a precious possession to all who bear 
 it. May the Blessed Comforter be with you all in these hours of sor- 
 row, and ' ' at eventide it shall be light. " 
 
 From Rev. R. S. Stokrs, Brooklyn : 
 
 I have loved and honored him ever since I first knew him, more than 
 forty years ago. I felt when he left the Church of the Pilgrims for that 
 on Clinton Ave. that the loss to us was an irreparable one, though I 
 urged him to go, on general grounds, and I have rejoiced always in his 
 beautiful character, his large liberality, and his constantly widening in- 
 fluence and usefulness. His death has brought a shock to my heart, 
 which, it seemed to me, after seeing so many dear friends of my earlier 
 years pass away, I could hardly feel again. 
 
 From Rev. Chas. Cuthbert Hall, Brooklyn: 
 
 It is a deep mystery that your father's useful honored life should 
 close on earth when apparently there remained so much for him to do. 
 with his wide Christian influence. We shall all feel his loss more and 
 yet more deeply as we call to mind the many noble interests which were 
 dear to him. His bright, sweet smile is so clearly present to my mem- 
 ory to-night. How often I have admired his good, kind face, in which 
 the kind soul, the clear soul, had set its mark. 
 
 From Rev. A. L. Chapin, Beloit, Wis.: 
 
 How much there is in the assurances of the gospel, sustained by the 
 precious memories of the good life closed, to cheer and comfort ; over 
 such a friend we sorrow not as those who have no hope. The event 
 seems to touch me tenderly, making distinct memories of our boyhood 
 days, and of scattered, very pleasant associations, running through the 
 stages of our after life. His prominent characteristics all the way from 
 first to last, were a genial spirit, high moral tone, Christian faith and 
 principle, and a hearty, generous devotion to the cause of Christ. I 
 shall love to think of him and your dear mother as long as I live. 
 
97 
 
 From Rev. Lewis W. Mudge, Princeton, N. J. : 
 
 What a blessing we have both enjoyed in having our parents with us 
 so many years, and what a treasure their memory yields. May God 
 grant that we may be found as faithful to our trust as they were, and 
 leave as precious a memory behind us. 
 
 From Rev. Dr. Hugh Seth Carpenter, Brooklyn: 
 
 I have been cherishing much sympathy with his patient endurance dur- 
 ing these turbid dreams of life, from which he has at last awaked, in 
 the lustre and repose of the life everlasting. 
 
 From Rev. Herbert B. Turner, Washington, Conn.: 
 
 I know you have found comfort in what he was, and in the promises 
 of the Lord, whom he loved. God wonderfully blessed you in the par- 
 ents he gave you. What a rich and precious inheritance they have left 
 you in their lives and character which stood for all that was noblest, 
 best and sweetest in life. This inheritance they have left to their chil- 
 dren as a sacred trust. May it be faithfully kept. May you ever have 
 their Christian faith and consecration, thus shall you give to your chil- 
 dren that which is far more precious than any world-gift, a parent's 
 Christian character and Christian influence. God has sent much into 
 your life to make it happy, but no richer gift has He given you than 
 your Godly mother and father. While I sympathize with you, I would 
 also rejoice with you. 
 
 From Rev. Henry E. Barnes, Bherbrooke, Mass.: 
 
 Such a father, I need not tell you, such a father in all respects is rare. 
 The memory of him is to us a benediction. I loved him fervently. It 
 is good to think of the day or two I was at his house, nearly two years 
 since. He seemed to me especially saintly. His voice and spirit, as I 
 recall the family worship of that time, were marked characteristics of 
 his deep and genuine Christian devotion. 
 
 From Dr. Albert Leppingwell, Dansville, JY. T.: 
 
 And so to you also has come the shadow. Only God can help us 
 And in his own time. His own time ! He doesn't take away our grief, 
 but he turns it into loving remembrance and trust, and peace. 
 
98 
 
 From Rev. P. T. Ingalls. Springfield, Mb. : 
 
 I used to meet Mr. Barnes in the early days of my Atchison life, 
 upon his occasional visits to the West, at the time that he was interested 
 in the Central Branch R. R. , and I have always rememhered gratefully 
 his unfailing courtesy, and his kindly interest in me as a young minister. 
 Tou surely have the memory of the affection of the kindest and noblest 
 of Christian gentlemen as a most precious legacy . one whose character 
 must have been most winning and attractive, in the innermost circle of 
 home. And in behalf of the college, I am grateful that he remembered 
 us. and that his name will ever in the future be associated with its work. 
 
 From Rev. P. Strykbr, Minneapolis, Minn. : 
 
 I often think of Mr. Barnes. My memory of him goes back to 1841, 
 when I was a boy and my father in the book business often pur- 
 chased books of Mr. Barnes. After that I met him frequently in Sara- 
 toga during my pastorate there. It was such a pleasure to see him 
 there last summer. He always carried a smile with him and made 
 every one with whom he held intercourse, happy. But the best of all 
 was his lovely Christian character. It appeared in the look of his face, 
 the grasp of his hand, the tone of his voice, and was conspicuous in all 
 his life. O! that we had more such Christians ! 
 
 From Rev. C. C. Salter, Duluth, Minn. : i 
 
 It was a grateful and gladdening surprise when he first made himself 
 known in the Chapel at Denver, as the former Sunday school pupil of 
 the father of the speaker, adding to the remembrance an act of kind aid. 
 I am glad to have met him again in our young city, in which he ex- 
 pressed such large hope. Blessed a life that has left a thousand golden 
 memories, and that has laid up treasure in the friends who add their 
 greeting, at the coming into the everlasting habitation. It is hard to 
 have such men go ; but harder in the grander view of life, to wish them 
 longer on this side of the wondrous life revealed at the call of Jesus. 
 
 i 
 From Proe. John M. Sill, Ypsilanti, Mich.: 
 
 He was my ideal of a great souled, just and noble business man. 
 
99 
 
 From Rev. George A. Hood, Ashland, Wis.: 
 
 For six years secretary of the Board of Directors of the Minn. Home 
 Miss. Society, it was with constant satisfaction that I saw Mr. Barnes' 
 name at the head of the Executive Committee of the National Society. 
 This fact, too, was one of my favorite illustrations in preaching on the 
 nobility and worldly prosperity of the Christian life. I grew familiar 
 with his name eighteen years ago, when I assisted Prof. S. W. Clark, 
 my father-in-law, in revising his grammars. 
 
 When Prof. Clark's income became reduced by the diminished use of 
 his books, I assumed largely the care of his youngest boy. He was ready 
 for college, but my means were hardly adequate to meet all his expenses, 
 and it was natural for me to turn to Mr. Barnes for assistance, as I under- 
 stood that to be one of his favorite modes of benificence ; his kindly and 
 cheerful acquiescence enabled us to send the young man to Amherst, 
 and of course endeared Mr. Barnes to me, so that I involuntarily thought 
 when I heard of his death, what are we to do no w ? I always thought 
 of him with the words, " When the ear heard me, then it blessed me 
 because I delivered the poor that cried and the fatherless and him that 
 had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish 
 came upon me. I was a father to the poor, and the cause which I knew 
 not, I searched out." 
 
 From Dr. 0. R. Willis, White Plains, iV. T.: 
 
 Your father was the friend of my youth, and all along through the 
 years as time has worn on, he has risen higher in my respect and esti- 
 mation. He has gone to realize the activities of a purer life. He is no 
 longer in contact with a sinful world. He is where the trials, the affec- 
 tions and the struggles of this world have ceased to trouble, and where 
 the weary are at rest. He escapes all he leaves us to suffer. While we 
 lose he gains ; it is the Lord. 
 
 From Dr. T. J. Backus, Brooklyn, N. T. : 
 
 The vacant chair was next to mine at the meeting of the Board. Rev- 
 erently and most affectionately and gratefully have I thought of the one 
 who is gone. We cherish the memory of the honored and beloved man 
 and as we think of his strength and gentleness, we recall the serenity 
 and beauty of a face never to be forgotten. 
 
100 
 
 From Prof. D. H. Cochran, Brooklyn: 
 
 I knew Mr. Barnes for many years, and to know him was to love him. 
 He has gone but he has left the sweet memory of a pure life, a loving 
 nature, and conspicuous virtues which will be remembered with rever- 
 ence by all who knew him. Remember the way is not long nor the day 
 far distant when the friends of time shall be united in the house of 
 many mansions, in the presence and vision of God "to go no more out 
 forever." 
 
 From Prop. W. Le Conte Stevens, Brooklyn: 
 
 There is indeed profound satisfaction in the thought that his charac- 
 ter has always challenged criticism, and that he leaves nothing which 
 his sons and daughters would cover under a bushel. I have always 
 looked upon him and Mr. A. A. Low as my two best friends in the 
 Board of the Packer Institute. 
 
 From Henry W. Sage, Ithaca, N. T. : 
 
 My heart was full to-day in that dear old home where I had fifteen 
 years of such happy life, and memory was busy in reproducing pictures 
 of the past. * * * The real greatness which indures in a life ever 
 active in good works, simple, sincere and without any motive of per- 
 sonal advantage or aggrandizement, but doing good for th e sake of the 
 good done. Such was your father's life more than any man that I 
 have known, and few men live whose lives bear more fruit. 
 
 From John Claplin, Esq., Brooklyn: 
 
 I am overwhelmed with a sense of personal bereavement, for while I 
 have not recently been able to enjoy frequent intercourse with Mr. 
 Barnes, my respect and affection for him were not dimmed by time or 
 distance. For true nobility of character, for all good qualities of head 
 and heart, it is hard to find his equal among the living, and I certainly 
 do not know his superior. He seemed to me more like my father than 
 any other man I knew, and I rejoice now to believe that these two 
 gentle and noble spirits are entering into new happiness, superior it may 
 be, even to that which blessed their earthly lives. 
 
 From Dr. F. M. Markoe, New York City: 
 
 Let me assure you that you have my warmest sympathies in your sad 
 bereavement. I also mourn for one whom I was proud to call my 
 friend. 
 
101 
 
 From Mes. Maetha J. Lamb, New York City: 
 
 I am myself bereaved, and feel that I have lost a true friend, and 
 in giving expression to my sympathy, I feel as it were the grief of a 
 whole family, and of the community. 
 
 From Me. Jtjlibn T. Davies, New York City: 
 
 His long and intimate association with my uncle Prof. Charles Davis, 
 and his unbroken friendship for many years with my father, joined to 
 his unvarying kindness to me when brought in contact with him during 
 the past twelve years, create in me a large sense of loss to my family, as 
 well as to myself. To his sagacity, enterprise and integrity, my 
 uncle's family are greatly indebted. I know that they will appreciate 
 this ; and my uncle and my father in their lifetimes never failed to 
 acknowledge it. As the friend of those whose memory is most dear 
 to me, your father seemed closer to me than was warranted by my 
 own acquaintance with him. I prized his kindly regard for the sake 
 of my honored dead, and I feel his loss deprives me of a link with the 
 past when he and they together were with us. He has left to his 
 family the priceless heritage of honorable and affectionate regard from 
 friends, neighbors and fellow citizens. 
 
 From Me. Clinton B. Fisk, Beahright, N. J. 
 
 The tired wheels at last stand still. The weary one is at rest. The 
 sleep which God giveth His beloved must be so sweet to one whose well 
 rounded life was ' 'lived by faith in the Son of God. " There were but 
 few men who held so large a place in my heart as Alfred S. Barnes. 
 His unselfish, unostentatious, unobtrusive life — his true and noble man- 
 hood has an inspiration to Christian living and philanthropic deeds. It 
 is worth more than our finite minds can measure, to live so long and so 
 well as did your Mr. Barnes — whose blessed memory will continue to 
 be companionship for you, as you walk alone the earthly pilgrimage yet 
 remaining. When such an one enters into rest how wide the distance be- 
 tween his loved ones and the sorrow without hope. I first knew Mr. 
 Barnes in the beginning of his prime. I saw him reach the summit of 
 life, after climbing the hill of morn : and then with steady, calm step 
 march down the slopes of sunset to the peaceful sea. How all things but 
 
 goodness perish — 
 
 Earth's transitory things decay 
 Its pomps ! its pleasures pass away; 
 But the sweet memory of the good 
 Survive in the recissitude. 
 
102 
 
 From Alex. S. Bacon, New York. 
 
 While I was not favored with his intimate friendship, he has always 
 a tender place in my heart, and I have felt as if he were much more to- 
 me than a casual acquaintance. During the darkest hours of last winter, 
 when heavy with over work and almost discouraged at persistent abuse 
 in the Legislature, I received from him a letter — which I have just re- 
 read — that was an inspiration for renewed effort. Many letters were 
 received during this stormy time, but this was the choicest, tenderest, 
 and most inspiring of them all, and has been preserved among my per- 
 sonal treasures. 
 
 The church also has lost him who did so much to direct its energies, 
 and our city, as well, has lost a model citizen who has done so much to- 
 shape its destinies. 
 
 From Mr. Flamen B. Candler, Brooklyn, N. T. 
 
 His life, to a remarkable degree, has been most beautiful and has been 
 filled with christian usefulness, and his memory will long be cherished 
 — as I review in my own mind his life and recall the portrayal of it made 
 by Deacon Woodruff in a recent prayer meeting, I am sure it has been 
 rounded out to full and perfect completion. He has been a great bless- 
 ing to many, and the influence for good of his noble Christian character 
 will be felt for many years in the future. 
 
 I shall especially remember, with gratitude, the privilage I enjoyed for 
 several years, of being a co-worker with him in the Sabbath School, 
 where I came closest in contact with him. We shall miss him from our 
 midst, but we have an abiding faith that he has gone to enjoy the felicity 
 of a Christian whose works have been accepted by his Saviour and ours. 
 
 From Mb. John Qibb, Brooklyn. 
 
 I regret most deeply the death of a friend dear to me for many years- 
 Your father was a man of so many excellent qualities, that his loss, though 
 great to his family and near friends, is also a sad one to our city and 
 community. 
 
 From Mb. Wm. Cotjter, Florence, Italy. 
 
 The sad, sad, news, has just arrived informing us of Mr. Barnes' death, 
 nor can I say how it grieves me to lose a friend so highly esteemed and 
 respected. 
 
103 
 
 From Mb. Henby C. Robinson, Hartford,, Conn. : 
 
 I need not tell you who know it a thousand times better than I do, 
 what a noble memory your father has left you to treasure ; he rests in 
 an atmosphere of love which is breathed upon him from so many hearts 
 outside of your immediate family circle. It is a very delightful reflec- 
 tion to me that I was permitted to spend so many pleasant days with 
 him in our California trip of six years ago. And now he has found val- 
 leys more beautiful than the Tosemite. 
 
 From Mes. Mabt H. Hunt, Sup't N. W. C. T. U., Washington, D. C: 
 
 I remember with gratitude that he was the first publisher of school 
 text-books, who, before there was an assured market, listened to my 
 plea for a temperance literature for the millions of children in our public 
 schools. His faith in my faith that there could be, by legislature, a way 
 opened for such a literature to reach the schools, was a very bright ray 
 on the then dark sky that hung over the first attempts to meet that need 
 of what has, with his and the co-operation of your house, become a great 
 movement. 
 
 The recollection of what your honored father was able to accomplish 
 for humanity will, I am sure, be a grateful memory in these hours when 
 you are realizing the greatness of your loss in his departure. 
 
 From Mb. H. S. Btjedett, Brookline: 
 
 The thought of all a dear parent has been to us, the love, care and 
 anxiety which their loving hearts have given us, all comes up afresh 
 and we cling to them and feel that we cannot let them go. They are 
 dearer than ever to us. The community, the Church, and many Chris- 
 tian enterprises will greatly feel the loss of your father's helping hand 
 and prayer. We can say of him, " Servant of God, well done, rest from 
 thy labors now.'' The master has called him up higher to His rest and 
 His reward. 
 
 / 
 From Mb. Bbnj. H. Ticknob: 
 
 Your father went, full of years and honors ; you have had him with 
 you ; I only wish mine could have stayed as long ; and now that the in- 
 evitable change has come, I am more inclined to congratulate that it has 
 happily been so long postponed. 
 
104 
 
 From Mr. Egbert Starr, New York : 
 
 I think it must be nearly fifty years I have known your father, and 
 to know him was to both respect and love him, which can be said of 
 
 very few. 
 
 From Dr. John F. Talmagb, Brooklyn : 
 
 I had learned to love him and consequently to me, to serve him, to 
 relieve his pain, to prolong his life, to cure him, if possible, was a 
 privilege and pleasure. 
 
 From Miss A. H. Campbll, Brooklyn : 
 
 I, too, feel bereaved. He was God's instrument of such great bless- 
 ing to this work for so many years. How rejoiced he must be now, that 
 he was enabled to shelter so many of Christ's poor, needy ones. 
 
 From Mr. John S. Perry, Brooklyn : 
 
 We are sad, that we have seen that dear lovely man for the last time 
 in this life. We admired and loved him; to receive his cordial greet- 
 ing was always a joy. The removal of such a light from your dwelling 
 must leave everything in gloom. 
 
 From Mrs. J. Dorman Steele, Syracuse : 
 
 I recall the many, many kind and friendly services, the genial conver- 
 sation and th'e delightful hours of social pleasure extending back through 
 the years to the time when Mr. Steele, in his first hope of successful 
 authorship, presented me to Mr. Barnes, and I received that character- 
 istic smile and cordial greeting that made me feel at once assured of a 
 new friend. 
 
 From Sister M. de Chantal, St. John's Home : 
 
 The kindly gentleman, who bore through life a spotless name, and 
 delighted in works of charity, has left a void in a wide circle that will 
 be felt long after hundreds of his co-temporaries are forgotten. 
 
 From Mrs. Clara E. Clement Waters, Boston, Mass.: 
 
 Each one of us felt that we had a friend in Mr. Barnes. God keep 
 you, my dear friend, in his holy keeping, and show you clearly how 
 true it is, that "He doeth all things well." 
 
105 
 
 From Me. A. W. Wagnalls, New Tork: 
 
 In the Book of Life all things are written. In it there is neither past 
 nor future, but all is an eternal now. 
 
 In this Book that which is written is by pictures, in more enduring 
 veritableness and reality than anything on the plane of our present ex- 
 istence. To us with our limited sight, events pass along in their order. 
 There is a succession. The motion of time is unavoidable. We fail to 
 comprehend all of the past and the future is a dark unknown. Tea, 
 we grope in the dark, and as children have fear proportionate to our 
 lack of light. Sorrow lingers in the shadow of the solemn realities 
 which surround, and then move on beyond us. We have sympathy for 
 each other as fellow mortals. We pass through similar shadows. 
 
 That which has taken place cannot be changed. It is the part of 
 wisdom to look on events after they have been unrolled as so ordered, 
 and to submit in true resignation — "Thy will be done." For the one 
 who has just past through the dark valley of death, I have no 
 misgivings, for to the upright there ariseth light in darkness. He is in 
 that light, and all is well. 
 
 For you the comfort is, that in the unfolding of the grand plan of 
 your individuality, all will appear in a clear light, and joy will fill your 
 soul that all things transpired just as they did. We live by faith. 
 
 From Mrs. Maet Virginia Terhtjne : 
 
 In hundreds of homes where neither your face nor his were known, 
 there is grief this day for your noble husband. City, Church, and the 
 country mourn him and in thousands of prayers you will be to-morrow 
 remembered. 
 
 There is solace in all this, such as the perfume of a good name left to 
 the world brings to hearts that are desolate because the one who bore it 
 is not. 
 
 From Dr. W. J. Ford, Washington, Conn. : 
 
 Few die leaving so good a record behind them as did Mr. A. S. Barnes, 
 and few, I am sure, will be more widely mourned than he. If, when 
 our time comes, we can leave as spotless a record as he, we shall have 
 well filled our several stations here. 
 
106 
 
 From Mb. John A. Nichols, Brooklyn. : 
 
 I sincerely deplore the loss, which has been sustained by his family - r 
 the city and the church. One seldom realizes all there is to death till it 
 comes. Personally, I esteemed him very highly, as did all Ms neighbors. 
 
 From Me. Robert C. Ogden, Philadelphia, Pa. : 
 
 Whenever I met your father, his genial kindliness came as a benedic- 
 tion. Few men were oftener in my thoughts than he, and the thought 
 of him always brought brightness. The world will be » shade darker 
 ever to me, now that he has gone. But I give thanks with you and for 
 you that you have the glorious heritage of his blessed memory. 
 
 Prom Rev. J. H. W. Stuckenburg, Berlin, Ger. : 
 
 The news brought vividly to mind your visit to this city, the evident 
 happiness of both in the newly formed relation, and the deep interest of 
 Mr. Barnes and yourself in the work of our church. I write to assure 
 you of my profound sympathy in your affliction. 
 
 From Mr. Wm. H. Etjstis, Minneapolis, Minn. : 
 
 Death hath come to a life full of years and full of usefulness in busi- 
 ness, in social and religious and home circles, his life was the ideal ad- 
 justed to the practical. The lifting, helpful influence that followed his 
 footsteps everywhere, will never die. There are golden strands of 
 character existing to-day, and will be through all the ages of time to 
 come, which, when the deeds of all lives shall be adjudged, will be re- 
 corded to the credit of A. S. Barnes. Quickly every nobler impulse of 
 my nature responded to the sunshine of his personal influence. Never 
 will be forgotton the few days you tarried here on your return from 
 Alaska, days of pleasure and ripening friendship. He seemed so well, 
 so animated with all he saw, that we little dreamed that a serious sick- 
 ness could be so near. His work was done, and well done, and then in 
 God's own time when " Death shall let down for us the bars — may we. 
 like him, be known by our scars." 
 
 From Mr. H. Harteatj, Brooklyn : 
 
 Kindly allow, a simple line conveying my high regard for a noble 
 gentleman, and estimable citizen, with benevolent and christian 
 characteristics. 
 
107 
 
 FROM BUSINESS ACQUAINTANCES. 
 
 From Me. Geo. H. Sweet, New York Gity: 
 
 He alway had a pleasant and sunshiny greeting for me whenever 
 I chanced to meet him in his office. For about 21 years, I have known 
 Mr. Barnes, and from time to time transacted business with your firm, 
 and always pleasantly and satisfactorily. The founding of such a 
 house, the building it up, and maintaining it for nearly half a century, 
 and at all times devoted to such superior, and ennobling publications- 
 constitutes, in view of his whole life, a monument more enduring to his 
 memory than marble or bronze. 
 
 From Mr. Homer Merbiam, Springfield, Mass. : 
 
 My business acquaintance with Mr. Barnes began in 1838, almost 50 
 years ago. I had then recently started in business with a brother, and 
 Mr. Barnes called on us; he was then introducing Davies' Arithmetics. 
 
 From that time we have had a very pleasant personal and business 
 acquaintance ; I know of no one outside of my own family whose death 
 would come nearer to me than his does, as he was one of the few links 
 that held me to the past. As an active Christian liberal man, Mr. 
 Barnes has been an example to me, and a stimulus. I hope his sons 
 follow in his footsteps. 
 
 From J. B. Cowperthwait, Philadelphia: 
 
 My recollections of your honored father extend back more than thirty 
 years, and as I recall our intercourse since the first, in war times, in the 
 old Board of Trade days, and on other occasions, I remember how it 
 was marked by unfailing courtesy and friendliness on his part, and 
 great respect and regard on mine. The closing of a life so honored, 
 and so useful, is a public calamity as well as a private sorrow. 
 
 The memory of his long and honorable career, and the high estima- 
 tion in which he was so universally held, must be to his sons especially,. 
 a precious inheritance. 
 
108 
 
 From Mb. Edwin Ginn, Boston, Mass. : 
 
 Many years ago it was my good fortune to meet your father, and I 
 shall not soon forget, his cordial greeting to me in entering the book 
 business. He spoke especially of the competition, but said that he 
 expected one day, to see me among the large publishers, that there was 
 room enough for us all. I do not remember a single person in the trade, 
 whose friendship I valued as I did his. 
 
 From Mb. Wm. J. C. Dulany. Baltimore: 
 
 In the death of your illustrious father, I feel I have lost an old friend; 
 the man of all men in New Tork, who gave me good and strong advice, 
 more than twenty-two years ago, when I started in business. I have no 
 doubt "his end was peace." 
 
 From Redhead, Nobton, Lathbop & Co., Besmoines, Iowa: 
 
 Mr. Barnes' death is a loss to the community in which he has lived, 
 and to the country at large. We had known him in business and per- 
 sonally for many years, and learned to respect him highly for the 
 possession of the sterling qualities that make a good man, and a good 
 citizen. 
 
 From Me. J. K. Gill, Portland, Oregon: 
 
 The acquaintance and friendship of such a man is a benediction. 
 Happy will be the man on whom his mantle may fall. 
 
 From Rice, Kendall & Co., Boston, Mass: 
 
 The senior members of our firm had a most agreeable personal ac- 
 quaintance with Mr. Barnes for many years, and for whom we had cor- 
 dial respect and regard. 
 
 From Mb. Columbus Deew, Sb., Jacksonville, Fla: 
 
 I have known him personally for many years, and having been always 
 called upon by him kindly on his successive visits to Florida, permit me 
 to say I feel the loss of a friend. Your loss is mitigated by reflecting 
 on the many noble qualities which adorned the character of your father. 
 
 From Mb. Edmund S. Hott, Washington, N. G. : 
 
 It serves to lessen the sorrow of surviving friends when we know that 
 a well spent life gives honor here, and a well grounded hope for the here- 
 after. 
 
109 
 
 From Alfred Williams & Co., Raleigh, N. C: 
 
 We cherish for him the very highest respect and esteem, likewise for 
 the house which he founded. 
 
 From Mr. Lewis M. Evans, Buffalo, N. T. : 
 
 To me your father was always very kind, and his sympathetic letters 
 to me, when death invaded my household, made me almost love him. 
 
 From Me. W. H. Connico, Huntsville, Ala.: 
 
 So valued and honored a member of the community in which he lived, 
 as well as a patriotic and progressive citizen of our country, we all sus- 
 tain a loss in the death of such good men. 
 
 From Mb. H. Wilkins, Dallas, Texas: 
 The loss of your honored father is not limited to kinsman and friends. 
 
 From Mr. Edwin F. Adams, Los Angeles, Cal. : 
 Truly there is a good man gone. 
 
 From Mr. Claude J. Bell, Nashville, Tenn. : 
 
 His name has become a household word in almost every home, and 
 his memory will be revered in every educational institution in this 
 country. No man of the present day can hope to do what he did. His 
 loss will be keenly felt in many of our southern schools to which his 
 generous hand has so liberally contributed since the civil war. He had 
 many very warm friends in the south who are sincerely grieved by his 
 death. 
 
 From Mr. Geo. Penton, Broadalbin, 2V. T. : 
 
 I think there cannot be one in the employ of A. S. Barnes & Co. who 
 does not sincerely join with you in sorrow for the loss of him who has 
 so recently been your head. He ever impressed me as being a kind 
 hearted, upright gentleman, such an one as might well be admired and 
 followed after. 
 
110 
 
 EXTRACTS PROM OTHER LETTERS. 
 
 A. L. P. — A good man is gone, whose life was a continual blessing. 
 
 H. P. W. — There were few like him, and earth seems poorer that he 
 has left it. 
 
 H. W. D. — His lovely face filled with love and good will for all of 
 God's people was like a benediction. His life was an example for all, 
 and largely influenced those with whom he came in contact, and I am 
 thankful to have known him and loved him. 
 
 S. B. H. — He was truly a good man, and greatly beloved by all who 
 knew him. 
 
 M. C. S. — Mrs. Robinson feels deeply that he has been taken from 
 her, but at her advanced age she sorrows most for you all, for she sees the 
 reunion for herself very near. And indeed it is not far away for any of 
 us. And Heaven is richer now that a friend so dear has gone to await 
 us there. I can imagine few who are more fit for the blessed company 
 or who could receive » truer welcome, but how can he be spared from 
 this poor earthly life where his example, his counsel, his wisdom, his 
 energies, his faithful friendships were all so much needed and prized. 
 
 A. I. Gt. — You have the memory of his fatherly love in the past, and 
 the blessed hopes of the future when there shall be no partings. 
 
 H. E. M. — No one who has not seen his benign face which showed 
 the ' ' beauty of holiness " can appreciate the loss. He has already 
 greeted the friends of his youth, he has met the persons whose lives he 
 blest. 
 
 J. H. P. — You know what uncle Alfred has been to me, and how much 
 I owe to him. His course with me is only one of the many instances of 
 his generosity. Accept my word of love and testimony to his goodness. 
 
Ill 
 
 M. P. L. — The memory of the noble life, rounded to its full comple- 
 tion here, only to expand into the nobler and grander life of eternity, 
 will always remain with you as an unspeakable blessing. Truly the 
 "memory of the just is blessed." Never can his beneficent influence 
 die, or his goodness be forgotton by any who knew him or knew of him. 
 
 C. D. B. — We know what a kind father he was and what a dear kind 
 hearted man altogether, always ready to listen to and help those who 
 came to him in need. What a wide spread influence for good and noble 
 example he has left behind. 
 
 S. A. M. — How many hearts mourn, who have, while on life's journey, 
 been blessed and comforted by his presence and sweet words of conso- 
 lation. For the life of such a man, whose every aim was noble and 
 christian, let those who have been privileged to walk with him, be for- 
 ever grateful. 
 
 Mrs. C. D. D. — A great loss to his family and the world ; to him a 
 great gain. Thank God for all that he did for Him here and for all the 
 encouragement he gave us in the work in which we are engaged. 
 
 From Mus. Billings. — The great heart which has blest so many, has 
 ceased to beat ; the pure life which has reached out to enfold humanity 
 in its love, is silent. No, not silent ; for as " the good deeds man does 
 live after him," and each with tongue of eloquence repeats his praise, 
 so shall this dear life, now sweetly resting from its busy cares, speak 
 ever through the coming years with the golden tongues of noble deeds. 
 
 Mrs. A. H. M. — He is connected with all early memories of Clinton 
 Avenue Church ; was among the first and most cordial to welcome me 
 to its folds, and though lately I have missed the pleasant intercourse, the 
 friendly feeling has suffered no abatement. Heaven is richer when 
 such a man goes home to his reward. 
 
 C. D. S. — It is well for us at these times, that we can look beyond 
 the river and realize that we are the sufferers not they, they are saved 
 .all the grief and anguish, which we, who lament them, must bear, and 
 the disappointments which we must also meet while we journey on, 
 growing more and more earth-stained and weary. 
 
112 
 
 L. S. B. — Even I, to whom his face was not known, would assure 
 you how his kindly thought of me, in my time of sorrow, is held in 
 such tender remembrance. It is a great thing when we pass through 
 such places, and look so close upon our father's face, not to be afraid. 
 But did not Jesus himself bid his disciples so ? 
 
 C. B. L. — I am sure you greatly miss his wise counsel and encourag- 
 ing words. High christian character seemed to invade his whole 
 life. 
 
 Mrs. S. N. K. — Tour sad bereavement is not without its consolations ; 
 you have no doubt of your dear father's happiness with the blessed 
 Savior, whom he so meekly served. I feel I have lost a valuable 
 friend. 
 
 Mrs. J. K. F. — The dead are not so far away as we in our unbelief 
 are prone to think. The kingdom of heaven is here, everywhere, 
 wliere hearts are in sympathy with the good, and in fellowship with 
 God. 
 
 Mrs. H. S. — I have known your dear parents for many years, and I 
 shall always enjoy the memory of our long and pleasant friendship. 
 
TO ALEEED S. BAENES. 
 
 ON HIS SEVENTIETH BIETHDAT. 
 
 With earnest purpose, long repressed desire, 
 I sought to write with pen of lambent fire 
 Thy story, O thou priceless friend and true, 
 In words that should be worthy still of you. 
 
 I thought upon thy life from youth till now, 
 When youthful age sits smiling on thy brow, 
 I saw, as in a book, the wondrous leaves unfold, 
 Bearing a record that hath ne'er been told, 
 
 Of noble deeds, of pure and stainless thought, 
 Of days and nights with high endeavor fraught, 
 Of love that compasseth a world, nor knows 
 The faintest rancor even for its foes. 
 
 Of all the lives thy helpfulness hath blessed, 
 Help never by thy lips to mortal lips confessed, 
 Of that rare charity that suffers and is kind, 
 With Faith and Hope, its kindred in thy mind. 
 
 Of Christ-like fortitude and Christ-like grace, 
 Leaving their princely benediction on thy face ; 
 Of wisdom that a saint might gladly claim, 
 With child-like trust in all a saint would name. 
 
 The light that never was on land or sea 
 Dwells all unconsciously, friend, with thee ; 
 The light that daily consecrates anew 
 To whatso'er is noblest, best and true. 
 
 O, Pure and Good, thy praise I may not sing, 
 At best I can but humble tribute bring ; 
 But well I know 'tis sung on Heavenly height, 
 And angels chant it from the Book of Light. 
 
 M M. B. 
 
114 
 
 COENELL UNIVEKSITY. 
 
 Memorandum and Kesolution on the Death of 
 
 Alfred S. Barnes. 
 
 By the Board of Trustees. 
 
 Alfred S. Barnes, at the ripe age of 71 years, was on the 
 17th of February, taken from our board by death. As one 
 who was especially fitted, by a long life spent in furthering 
 the interests of education, in fostering by his selection and 
 publication of school books, the best moral and intellectual 
 culture of youth ; and, withal, one who with great liberality 
 and Christian zeal sought the welfare of the needy, the 
 ignorant, and even of the vicious, he leaves behind him a 
 place not easily filled, and a name not soon to pass from the 
 memory of those who knew him. 
 
 For ten years he has been an esteemed member of the 
 Board of Trustees of the University, and when shortly 
 before his death, he learned of the vigorous efforts of the 
 students of the University to secure adequate accommodation 
 for their Christian Association, his deep religious and charita- 
 ble feelings at once grasped the opportunity and he directed 
 plans to be made and an association building erected, for 
 which purpose he pledged the generous sum of $45,000. 
 Unhappily he did not live to see the fruition of his generosity. 
 
 In recognition of his faithful and valuable services as a 
 trustee, of his Christian character and charity, and of his 
 personal and social qualities, this memorandum is made and 
 ordered entered upon the minutes. 
 
DEDICATION OF BARNES 1 HALL, 
 
 Cornell University, Ithaca, 1ST. Y. 
 
 ORDER OF EXERCISES. 
 
 The new building presented by Mr. Alfred S. Barnes to the 
 University, for the purposes of the Christian Association and 
 such other uses as might not conflict with the interests of the 
 Association, was dedicated June 16, 1889, in accordance with 
 the following 
 
 PROGRAMME. 
 
 Doxology : " Praise God from whom all blessings flow." 
 
 Invocation and Lord's Prayer, . . . Rev. Charles M. Tyleb. 
 
 Hymn, ... 
 
 History of the Building ; and Unveiling of the 
 
 Founder's Portrait, . . . President C. K. Adams. 
 
 Description of the Building, . . . Mr. F. I. Robinson. 
 
 Scripture Reading and Prayer of Dedication, Rev. Chaeles M. Tyler. 
 Dedicatory Hymn, ..... .... 
 
 The Significance of the Gift, . . . Mr. A. C. Barnes. 
 
 The New Home of the Association, . Mr. J. P. Deane. 
 
 President of the C. U. ft A. 
 
 The Work of the Association, . . . Mr. J. R. Mott. 
 
 College Secretary of the International T. M. ft A. 
 
 Christian Associations, . . . Rev. David H. Greer, D.D. 
 
 Hymn, ... ... .... 
 
 Benediction. 
 
116 
 
 ( The Exercises in part are here presented : ) 
 
 History of Barnes' Hall; and the Unveiling of 
 the Founder's Portrait. 
 
 by president adams. 
 
 To me has fallen the agreeable lot of giving a brief history 
 of the beautiful building for the dedication of which we have 
 come together to-night. I need not tell you that I very 
 willingly perform this task, for the history is one that reflects 
 great credit on the Association, on the University, and espec- 
 ially on that noble benefactor whose name the building is 
 perpetually to bear. 
 
 The history of this edifice is, in a very essential way, an 
 integral part of the history of the Cornell University Christian 
 Association. Scarcely had the first classes in this institution 
 been formed, when a group of devoted, religious young men 
 organized the Christian Association. 
 
 In due time it was given a room in "White Hall. There it 
 sang and it read and it prayed and it worked, till it had 
 grown to be, if not the largest and most perfectly organized 
 students' Christian Association in the country, at least one 
 which was exceeded in numbers and energy by only a single 
 other older association that was also founded in the free 
 atmosphere of a State University. 
 
 In 1886 the Association had more than twice as many mem- 
 bers as could be seated in the room at its disposal. It was in 
 the necessities of this situation that the movement for a new 
 building had its origin. 
 
 It was on the Sunday before Commencement in 1887 that 
 Mr. Barnes first spoke to me of a Christian Association build- 
 ing. He inquired as to what I thought such a building 
 ought to be, as to what accommodations ought to be provided, 
 and whether such a building could be of any service to 
 
117 
 
 the University for other purposes. The result of this con- 
 versation and of similar conferences with other Trustees, 
 especially with the Chairman of the Board, was that Mr. 
 Barnes decided to take upon himself the work of erecting 
 such a building as might be needed. Before he left Ithaca 
 he indicated his purpose ; and immediately afterwards he sent 
 a letter, of which the following is a copy : 
 
 815 St. Marks Avenue, ) 
 Brooklyn, N. Y., June 23, 1887. ) 
 To the Hon. Andrew D. White : 
 
 My Dear Dr. White : — Tour kind letter respecting the subject of a 
 building for the Young Men's Christian Association of Cornell Uni- 
 versity, more than ever satisfies me of the necessity of the erection of 
 an edifice suitable to their wants. 
 
 I shall esteem it a privilege to contribute at least forty thousand 
 dollars towards this enterprise, hoping that this amount will be sufficient 
 to complete the edifice, with all its appointments ; and I would be glad 
 if yourself, Mr. Sage, and Mr. George R. Williams would be a com- 
 mittee to carry out the details of such a building, subject to the 
 approval of the Board of Trustees of the University. 
 
 I think the location should be between Sage College and Sage Chapel; 
 that it should be built of brick, with stone trimmings, in the most ap- 
 proved style. In charge of such a committee, I doubt not the building 
 will meet all the requirements of the Association, and become a blessing 
 to the institution over which you have presided and devoted so much of 
 your time and strength. It is a great pleasure to be associated with 
 yourself, Dr. Adams and the Trustees, in any feeble degree to carry 
 forward the great plans of Cornell University, which, though young in 
 years, is becoming a great power in the land. I quite agree with you 
 that there is no department of the University which has greater promise 
 of usefulness than the firm establishment of the Christian Association 
 of young men and women. Pardon me if I suggest that it be called 
 "Students' Christian Association," that it may emphatically include 
 both sexes. ... I suggest that the subscriptions already obtained, 
 and that may be obtained, be applied as an endowment, the interest of 
 which shall be used towards library and running expenses. I should 
 hope the amount would reach at least twenty or twenty-five thousand 
 dollars by the time the building is completed. Every dollar paid by 
 students and their friends will bind and increase their interest in the 
 association. 
 
118 
 
 I hope to be prepared to meet the expenses of the building as fast as 
 it progresses ; and I trust that no time will be lost in perfecting your 
 plans, so that by another Commencement your committee will be able 
 to pass over the building complete into the hands of the Board of 
 Trustees, who will be responsible for its protection and care. 
 Yours very sincerely, 
 
 A. S. BARNES. 
 
 Acting upon the assurances of this letter, the committee 
 designated by Mr. Barnes, immediately set about the work of 
 procuring plans. When completed, the plans were forwarded 
 to Mr. Barnes, who was then in the far west, and received his 
 examination and approval at Tacoma, "Washington Territory. 
 The further result of this inspection was a changing of the 
 original gift from forty thousand to forty-five thousand 
 dollars. 
 
 The contract for the building was awarded, and work 
 was begun in the autumn of 1887. In the following summer 
 the walls rose to their completion. It was not until the spring 
 of 1889 was far advanced, that our long deferred hopes began 
 to give satisfactory promise of realization. But at length, — 
 at length, — the last blow was struck, and the building, in its 
 present completed and beautiful condition, was turned over 
 by the contractors to the trustees of the University. 
 
 Mr. Barnes, into whose daily life every lofty spiritual aspira- 
 tion had been woven, was stricken with a mortal illness before 
 his eyes could be gladdened with a sight of the building ; and, 
 after a long and painful waiting, he passed into his heavenly 
 rest on the 17th of February, 1888. 
 
 It is a source of great satisfaction that with this building is 
 to come also an excellent portrait of the founder. 
 
 May these lineaments, so abounding in assurances of a 
 happy consciousness, ever be a reminder of the virtues which 
 he so well exemplified, of the beneficent generosity which 
 was so large a part of his being, and of that unwavering 
 
119 
 
 Christian faith which went with him in every moment of his 
 devoted Christian life. And, as generation after generation 
 of professors and students shall come to these halls to refresh 
 their devotion to whatever is true and noble and Christ-like, 
 may the cheering and happy expression that looks out from 
 this canvas continue to preach the gospel of peace and good 
 will, even as it seems to preach it to us who are here to-night. 
 As I look upon this beautiful face, it seems to speak to us 
 all, and to say : " Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, 
 and all her paths are peace." 
 
 After reading of Scriptures the following prayer 
 
 was offered by Kev. Charles M. Tyler : 
 
 PEAYBE. 
 
 Eternal and ever blessed God, by Thine aid we build these 
 courts and consecrate them to Thine honor. Accept, we be- 
 seech Thee, this finished edifice in its enduring grace ; the 
 gift of a generous benefactor whose form we no longer behold 
 on earth, and of whose wise counsel we are sadly bereft, — 
 and upon tower and arch and aisles let Thy glory perpetually 
 rest. 
 
 We hear upon this threshold the footfalls of the successive 
 generations of reverent scholars who shall flock to these seats 
 of learning. We catch the strains of praise which shall here 
 be chanted by the voices of those who shall come for a few 
 years to study here, and then pass from us into the great 
 world of duty and of service. 
 
 We do now in the homage of true humility dedicate to 
 Thee, the Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, this 
 finished hall of praise ; its tower firmly poised aloft, the symbol 
 of aspiration ; its windows catching the splendors of the 
 rising and setting sun, teaching us the swift passage of our 
 day, glorious in its Christian end. 
 
120 
 
 Graciously accept, 0, God, this gift of a sainted benefactor, 
 whose kindly tones shall still linger in our ears, and whose 
 presence, though unseen, is, we trust, with us ; and may this 
 consecrated hall in its simple beauty become as crystal walls 
 through which the Christian youth who shall worship here 
 may discern the eternal glory. 
 
 May their lives, redeemed of Christ, become grander than 
 any temple reared and adorned by human art. 
 
 Let no brick or stone crumble in its place, or by defect or 
 sin mar the beauty of this edifice of spirit. 
 
 Let no pillar rot at the base, no beam crack and yield to 
 strain ; no stone be imperfectly cemented in the fellowship of 
 faith. 
 
 And with the passage of each annual fellowship from out 
 these halls, and the arriving of each new class of Christian 
 scholars, may the splendor of God accumulate upon this con- 
 secrated structure, and his benediction and help go with those 
 who every year shall say farewell to these beloved instructors 
 and these fair scenes of study. 
 
 And when, faint with time, even walls of stone shall sway 
 and fall, and lofty towers shall be humbled again to dust, may 
 all who shall have paid their homage here, pass above into the 
 endless glory of the greater court on high ; and we ascribe 
 eternal praise to God the Father, to Jesus Christ the Lord 
 and to the Holy Spirit, world without end forevermore, 
 Amen. 
 
 DEDICATOEY HYMN. 
 
 BY OLIVER EARRAR EMERSON. 
 
 Not in a temple made with hands 
 
 Need'st thou to dwell, O God of love ; 
 
 Thy dwelling is unnumbered lands, 
 The boundless universe above. 
 
121 
 
 Still, graciously accept and bless 
 This gift of love to man and Thee, 
 
 That here may learn Thy righteousness 
 The generations yet to be. 
 
 Make consecrate to every good, 
 To honor of Thy holy name ; 
 
 May it proclaim man's brotherhood, 
 Thy fatherhood to all proclaim. 
 
 Spirit divine, Thyself indwell, 
 The house with widening glory fill, 
 
 And widening truth our hearts impel 
 To guidance of Thy larger will. 
 
 SIGNIFICANCE OP THE GIFT. 
 
 BY GEN". ALFKED C. BARNES. 
 
 When the beloved and consecrated man, after whom this 
 building was named, lay upon his sick bed in the grasp of fatal 
 disease, news came to him that the corner-stone was about to 
 be laid, and that, if he had any word for the occasion, he 
 should send it. At the summons, his blue eyes brightened 
 and his faculties became alert. He sat up, called for pen and 
 paper, and made an heroic attempt to write a message to you 
 with his own hand. Alas, in vain. He could write but a few 
 sentences, in characters almost illegible, a pathetic contrast 
 with the strong, bold chirography of health. That fragment, 
 however, is a treasured thing in our family, as it is the last 
 production of his pen. He had to give up, however, from 
 sheer weakness. He then called to his bedside a devoted 
 daughter, who has since followed him to their long home. 
 To her he dictated what he wished to say. (See pages 46 and 
 47). He who spoke and she who wrote are no longer with us, 
 but their living words survive them to appeal to our hearts. 
 Owing to the illness of the Founder, it was finally determined 
 
122 
 
 to hold no public ceremony at the laying of the corner-stone, 
 but his letter is equally appropriate, now that we assemble to 
 dedicate the completed, graceful structure that has grown 
 upon it. 
 
 The brain of man may be compared to a clock set to run for 
 seventy years. The Angel of Life winds it up once for all, 
 closes the case, and hands the key to the Angel of the Resur- 
 rection. "We have just heard the clear ringing of the stroke 
 of twelve on such a time-piece. These were almost the last 
 consecutive, intelligent thoughts of the good man who should 
 (and would, if God had not called him) stand before you now. 
 "We can only praise his memory. Never lived a truer, purer, 
 nobler man. If his example could be written as it is observed, 
 it would be the most effective auxiliary of this institution. 
 
 He fulfilled the injunction of the apostle, "Be ye living 
 epistles, known and read of all men," — an epistle written not 
 with ink, but with the spirit of the living God. To young 
 men everywhere he was an exemplar. And he had a peculiar 
 sympathy with young men. His own youth was a period of 
 hardship and struggle, from which he emerged with a character 
 refined, and established like a rock. Nothing could shake 
 his high principle. His eldest son feels that you will pardon 
 the testimony given in this place, that after more than forty 
 years of family intimacy and twenty-five of business associa- 
 tion, enjoying his confidence and reading his transparent 
 character like an open book, he cannot recall a single word or 
 act open to question, much less to criticism, from a moral 
 point of view. 
 
 In the name of the founder, who exemplified in his life and 
 virtues the model Christian career, and on behalf of the other 
 generous friends who supplemented the gift, I now present 
 this building to the Trustees for the use of the Christian 
 Association of Cornell University, and dedicate it to its holy pur- 
 pose. And may the Master Builder add his blessing ! Amen. 
 
THE YOUNG PUBLISHER 
 
 {The following Essay was delivered by Mr. Barnes at thirty-nine years 
 of age before a literary society of which he was a member : ) 
 
 THE COPYRIGHT QUESTION IN 1856. 
 
 Me. President : 
 
 The copyright law, established for the benefit of 
 authors and designers, is both just and humane. 
 
 No more efficient means could be adopted to secure to the 
 civilized world the general diffusion of knowledge and the pro- 
 motion of the arts and sciences than this bill of human rights. 
 
 By reference to the origin of this law I find there was no 
 protection to authors in England until the year 1709. An or- 
 dinance, however, was passed as early as 1694 forbidding the 
 printing of any work without the consent of the owner. At a 
 still earlier date, no author was permitted to issue a book 
 without a license from the Government, so that we may con- 
 clude that instead of receiving pay, the author in those days 
 must submit to a tax for the privilege of speaking through the 
 press. This oppressive regulation was instituted, I suppose, 
 not long after the art of printing was discovered — when many 
 regarded it as an engine of great power and great danger — 
 and hence should be under the control of government. But 
 the use of the printing v press soon recommended the expediency 
 of encouraging the enlightened and the profound to give to 
 the hungry mind the products of their genius. A protective 
 copyright was therefore granted to all such benefactors, under 
 the reign of Queen Anne, 1709, which gave to all authors and 
 designers a perpetual claim to everything that was original, 
 or that embraced a new combination of elements, however old. 
 
 This law was not disturbed until 1774, when slight changes 
 were introduced by Parliament limiting the time to fourteen 
 years, subject to one renewal if the author was living. Still 
 later acts of Parliament extended the author's rights to 
 
124 
 
 twenty-eight years, subject to renewal if still living. Since 
 the inauguration of the present sovereign of England the 
 right is given to the author during his or her lifetime and 
 seven years thereafter, and should death occur sooner than 
 forty-two years, the right is to endure to the full length of that 
 period of forty-two years. 
 
 The first act for the protection of literary property in the 
 United States, passed chiefly through the influence of Noah 
 "Webster in 1790. Another act in relation to it was passed in 
 1802, granting copyright for fourteen years, subject to a re- 
 newal of another fourteen years, if the author should be still 
 living. This, Mr. President, is still the law of this land, and 
 is one of the great incentives for the advancement of art, 
 literature and science. 
 
 Will it be going too much out of my latitude if I take this 
 opportunity of informing some of my friends of this literary 
 association, whose aspirations may bring them possibly into 
 the regions of authordom, that in order to secure his rights 
 under this law, the title of the book must be deposited, prior 
 to its publication, in the District Court of the United States 
 of the district in which he resides, and within three months 
 after the publication of the work a full copy of the book must 
 be deposited in the same office ; and by an act of Congress, 
 passed August 10th, 1846, a copy of the same must be sent 
 within three months to the Library of Congress and to the 
 Smithsonian Institution at Washington. A strict conformity 
 to this statute is necessary for the possession of all the rights 
 guaranteed to the author, to protect him from the invasion of 
 pillagers and plagiarists — of whom there are many. 
 
 I hope, Mr. President, you will pardon me for these 
 prefatory remarks before coming to the question we have in 
 hand for this evening, which is, I believe, " Ought Congress 
 to establish an International copyright law ?" It was my 
 privilege to listen to a few remarks upon this subject from two 
 respectable publishers at a late meeting of our publishers 
 
125 
 
 association, which has given me some help in my delibera- 
 tions, and may, perhaps, enable me to lay before you some 
 facts I might not have gathered from any other source. 
 
 Having on a former occasion been permitted to speak before 
 this Association in behalf of the writers, and to award to them 
 the greatest amount of influence, I cannot be consistent with 
 myself unless I come to their rescue upon this occasion, and 
 on the principle that the "laborer is worthy of his hire," I 
 claim for the author all the pecuniary benefits in this country 
 and England which the force of his genius and cultivation 
 demands. I therefore take the position that the Congress of 
 the United States should at an early day pass a law recogniz- 
 ing the rights of authors and securing to them the full value 
 of their literary productions, upon which they can lay claims 
 for originality. Especially would I urge this international 
 contract with those countries that have signified a willingness 
 to sign an instrument to protect our authors, provided we will 
 protect theirs. What is more reasonable than such an agree- 
 ment between two civilized countries speaking the same 
 language — Great Britain and America. 
 
 The very year that Victoria was crowned Queen of England 
 she extended to our American authors the price of their com- 
 modities, on condition that we in return would reward her 
 literary subjects with such pecuniary consideration as our pub- 
 lishers were able and willing to pay ; and like a good-natured, 
 patient mother, England still waits for her grown-up children 
 to yield to a just and righteous family rule. This act of Par- 
 liament secures the rights of authors of any country which 
 concedes the same protection to English authors. Several of 
 the European powers have already entered into treaties with 
 England upon this basis and are now reaping all the advanta- 
 ges derived from it. 
 
 In 1837 a memorial was presented to Congress, signed by 
 fifty-sis British authors, praying for an international copy- 
 right law. This memorial was presented to the Senate by 
 
126 
 
 Henry Clay. A remonstrance was immediately sent to Con- 
 gress, signed by numerous publishers, booksellers, bookbind- 
 ers, paper makers and dealers in paper and printing and 
 binding materials, asking that such a law should not pass, 
 upon the ground that it would greatly interfere with their 
 business. About this time the celebrated Captain Marryatt 
 made an unsuccessful effort in this country to awaken an 
 interest upon this subject. Not long after, it is known to 
 you, sir, that the United States was honored with a visit from 
 the distinguished writer and novelist, Charles Dickens, Esq., 
 who came, it is said, for no other purpose than to coax Brother 
 Jonathan into this arrangement. Failing in this experi- 
 ment he went home angry and wrote a book abusing us in 
 unmeasured terms. 
 
 It is not my purpose, Mr. President, to vindicate or blame 
 our government for not meeting this proposition of our cous- 
 ins in England at an aarlier date, but I contend that the time 
 has now arrived when considerations of a fraternal and 
 patriotic nature call upon us to implore Congress at once to 
 pass an international law similar in its import (but with some 
 impartial restrictions and stipulations) to that passed by Par- 
 liament in 1838. It has been said that we shall by the 
 passage of such a law invite British competition and bring to 
 Our shores a number of English authors who will negotiate 
 with publishers to the detriment of American writers, and 
 that we, a mere offshoot of the parent stock, cannot begin to 
 grapple with such odds against us, but immediately pay our 
 highest tribute to the brilliancy of the European mind, and 
 ever after bask in the sunshine of imported intellect, thus be- 
 littling our poor native authors beneath the shadows of their 
 foreign brothers, so that our community will no longer toler- 
 ate the fruit of home production. A more fallacious notion 
 could hardly be suggested. Nothing, Mr. President, would 
 so stimulate the American mind as the passage of this law 
 
127 
 
 which proclaims what the spirit of our Constitution teaches, 
 viz., "Equal rights to all." 
 
 It is probably known to you, sir, that England has in years 
 gone by shown her magnanimity to many of our authors by 
 the same protection she has given to her own. Indeed, it was 
 not until our publishers made common property of every Eng- 
 lish book that was worth publishing, that it was ascertained 
 there was no law in the English code that gave England any 
 right to republish an American book without paying the 
 author, and up to that period an English publisher considered 
 it only common honesty to pay every author whose book he 
 published the price of his labor, no matter where he lived, 
 whether in Kamtschatka, or on Plymouth Eock. Mr. Putnam 
 stated in his speech before the Publishers' Association that 
 Washington Irving had received, by the courtesy of his Eng- 
 lish publishers, over 12,000 pounds for his literary labors. 
 He also stated that James Eenimore Cooper drew £350 for 
 the first copy of each book that he sent across the Atlantic. 
 Many other eminent authors from America have doubtless 
 realized the same honorable consideration. Let us, therefore, 
 in imitation of their early example, show our magnanimity 
 now, while we concede the pre-eminence of some of the pro- 
 found thinkers of the old world, for the time is coming — yes, 
 near at hand — when we will have a literature of our own, 
 whose effulgent rays will penetrate every crack and corner of 
 the globe where the English language is spoken, or can be 
 translated; hence it is we can afford to be generous and invite 
 British authors to come over and secure their rights in this 
 country among our liberal-minded publishers and appreciative 
 community, while we in return try our hand in trading with 
 John Bull, and make our bow under the protection of the 
 crown. It will not be many years, Mr. President, before the 
 writers of Young America will find as many English readers 
 as are now found in America, and should this law be estab- 
 lished, our authors will soon draw more money from British 
 publishers than American publishers will pay Great Britain. 
 
128 
 
 This statement may seem very absurd to you, sir, but let me 
 give you one fact : The number of new books published in 
 the United States during the last six months is 720 distinct 
 works, only about 110 of which are English reprints, and Mr. 
 Low, one of the reputable firm of Sampson, Low, Son & Co. 
 of London, stated at our late publishers' meeting that he esti- 
 mated there were at least two-thirds as many American 
 reprints in England during the year '56 as there are English 
 reprints in this country. "What do you think of that, Mr. 
 President ? Are we not a great country ? Let me ask you, 
 sir, what book published in England or any other country has 
 outstripped the sale of Mrs. Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" ? 
 What author lives in the old country whose writings are more 
 revered and admired than the before-mentioned "Washington 
 Irving ? "What historian has a brighter name than Prescott ? 
 His works rank high not only in English, but French and 
 German literature. Numerous American writers (male and 
 female) might be mentioned whose works have bloomed and 
 blossomed, in the palace, in the halls of science, and among 
 the lords and ladies of the European continent. And why 
 can not we anticipate for the authors of our country a celebrity 
 only equalled by the great nations of the old world. "Whom, 
 among authors of the past century, shall we rank above the 
 self-taught Bowditch, the distinguished translator of Laplace, 
 or the lexicographer "Webster, whose dictionary is the standard 
 of both worlds. "Whom shall we find upon the long list of 
 English living authors more eminent and profound than our 
 Silliman, Pierce, Dana, Mitchell, and Maury in the sciences, 
 or our Bancroft, Irving and Prescott in history? "Whose 
 poetry is more admired and read among English critics than 
 that of Longfellow, Bryant, Holmes and Mrs. Sigourney, and 
 I might mention some classic authors whose American names 
 will now be found on the title pages of many English reprints. 
 "Why should not writers like these become the recipients of 
 English bounty? Why must the fruit of their brain fall like 
 
129 
 
 ripe apples into the capacious maw of a British bookseller, and 
 be scattered like the leaves of autumn among his thousand 
 patrons, without any pecuniary reward to the producer of so 
 much mental enjoyment ? The same illustration applies with 
 equal force to the English author and American publisher, 
 but it is not necessary to dwell longer upon a subject, which 
 is so apparently just as the international copyright law. 
 Whatever the arguments may have been in days gone by 
 against the law, policy and justice both point to the speedy 
 passage of the bill. The time may come when England would 
 feel that her interest would (commercially speaking, at least) 
 lean in favor of the withdrawal of the proposition. Let us 
 lose no time, therefore, in consummating this arrangement. 
 
 In reading a late work from the prolific pen of the celebrat- 
 ed Peter Parley (Hon. Samuel G-. Goodrich) entitled "Eecol- 
 lections of a Lifetime," I find several interesting items 
 relative to this international scheme, and also to the growth 
 and progress of the book trade of the United States. He pro- 
 poses a plan which, if adopted by Congress and accepted by 
 Parliament, would protect the mechanical and commercial 
 interests of the American trade and bring the price of English 
 works upon a level with our own, and give dignity and char- 
 acter to our authors and the public. The following is his 
 scheme : 
 
 An author, being a citizen of Great Britain, shall have 
 copyright in the United States for a period not exceeding 
 fourteen years, on the following conditions : 
 
 a. He shall give notice in the United States of his inten- 
 tion to receive his copyright in this country three months 
 before the publication of his book, and this shall be issued in 
 the United States within thirty days after its publication in 
 Great Britain. 
 
 h. His work shall be published by an American citizen, 
 who shall lodge a certificate in the office of the Clerk of the 
 Court of the District where he resides, stating in whose 
 
130 
 
 behalf the copyright is taken, and this shall be printed on the 
 back of the title page. 
 
 c. The work shall be printed on American paper and the 
 binding shall be wholly executed in the United States. 
 
 d. The arrangement thus made in behalf of the British au- 
 thors in America to be extended to American authors in Great 
 Britain, and upon similar conditions. 
 
 The result of such a plan would open avenues of English 
 and American literature, unparalleled in magnificence, and 
 give a new impulse to authors and readers, and the old and 
 untrue saying of publishers " drinking wine out of authors' 
 skulls " will probably be reversed, unless temperance princi- 
 ples should so predominate as to reconcile the author to take 
 cream — not, of course, from publishers' skulls, for in the ab- 
 sence of brains it is not expected that they have any; nor from 
 golden or silver goblets, unless borrowed from the authors, 
 but from a clean earthen or pewter platter, such as can be 
 afforded. 
 
 Mr. Goodrich gives some tabular statements respecting the 
 growth of the book trade in the United States which may not 
 be entirely uninteresting to you, and which is another proof 
 of our growing importance in the literary world, and although 
 we may pay a few dollars to the author of " Little Dorritt,'* 
 and the great Macaulay may make some heavy drafts upon us, 
 still we can bring over the sovereigns for our Stowes, our 
 Prescotts, and our Abbotts, as well as for numerous other 
 American stars who are yet to shine on fair Britain's ground. 
 
 Mr. Goodrich says " Let us go back to the year 1820 and 
 endeavor to estimate the amount of book trade in the United 
 States at that period." He then gives a tabular statement of 
 school, classical, theological, law, medical and miscellaneous 
 publications valued in gross at two and a half millions of dol- 
 lars. This was a time, Mr. President, when books were at a 
 high price ; for instance, Webster's Speller 25 cents, and one 
 dollar for a plain copy of a History or Geography, or even a 
 
131 
 
 Bible. The period between 1820 and 1830 is when Irving 
 Cooper, Bryant, Halleck, Taulding, Drake, Weal, Brainard, 
 Percival and others arose like so many suns upon our literary 
 horizon, and redeemed our country from the sneer that " no- 
 body reads American books." 
 
 In 1830 he exhibits a gross amount of $3,500,000, showing 
 an increase of 40 per cent, in ten years. 
 
 Between 1830 and 1840 was an era of great development in 
 the literary annals of our country. A multitude of stars com- 
 menced twinkling from almost every point of our broad 
 expanse, and many of them to this day are shining with in- 
 creased splendor. Time will not allow me to mention the 
 long list of names of those who then began their brilliant 
 career, whom posterity will cherish with wonder and admira- 
 tion. 
 
 In 1 840 the book production of the United States was esti- 
 mated at live and a half millions, a gain of 60 per cent, in ten 
 years. During the interval between 1840 and 1850 a new race 
 of writers sprung up whose name is legion, many of whom 
 will leave cheir footprints on the sands of time, and with 
 whom we, many of us, are coming in contact from day to day, 
 and there are some, perhaps, who are within the sound of my 
 voice. 
 
 We now come to the estimate of the products of the book 
 manufactures in the United States in 1850, which shows a 
 rapid gain upon the year 1840. 
 
 $12,500,000 is the estimated amount for this year, 1850, 
 being 125 per cent, gain in ten years. Since then we have 
 been making rapid strides and our velocity is equalled only by 
 the prosperity of the country. It is estimated by Mr. Good- 
 rich that the year 1856 will exhibit results equal to a business 
 of over $16,000,000. I should say nearer twenty millions. 
 
 The following is Mr. Goodrich's estimate of the proportion 
 of American minds to the English, in the books published in 
 the United States from 1820 to the present time : 
 
132 
 
 In 1820 the book manufacture of the United States was 
 based upon works of which 30 per cent, were the production 
 of American authors, and 70 per cent, of British authors. 
 
 In 1830, 40 per cent, of American works and 60 per cent. 
 British. 
 
 In 1840, 55 per cent, of American and 45 per cent. British. 
 From this date, Mr. President, you will notice the tide begins 
 to set in faTOr of American talent over British. 
 
 In 1850 this author (Mr. Goodrich) estimates the propor- 
 tion of American works to be 70 per cent, and British 30 per 
 cent. 
 
 The present year, (1856), the same author thinks 20 per 
 cent, of the English mind to 80 per cent, of the American is a 
 fair division of literary capital. 
 
 With such an exhibition of our present intellectual strength, 
 are we wise, (politically speaking) to any longer filch from 
 England or allow England to filch from us ? 
 
 It may be said that some of our publishers pay English au- 
 thors for the products of their pen. This is probably true to 
 a certain extent, and it is those publishers only who are hos- 
 tile to this international law. Why ? Because by their 
 peculiar facilities they can, by paying a small pittance get the 
 advance sheets and send out with lightning speed mammoth 
 editions of the book to all parts of the country before a rival 
 edition can see daylight. The Messrs. have this pri- 
 vate arrangement with a few distinguished English authors 
 and thus secure advance sheets and get the advantage of a few 
 days (perhaps weeks) over any other publisher. Of course 
 they enjoy this monopoly, and their self interest prompts them 
 to resist a scheme which puts every other publisher in America 
 upon the same platform with them. 
 
 Such statements as these, Mr. President, fully sustain me in 
 the ground taken, that the international copyright law should 
 be established at once, and become the institution of the two 
 
133 
 
 countries. I believe, sir, that our American authors will fur- 
 nish food to the English mind to a much greater extent than 
 John Bull has ever dreamed of. The truth is, sir, we excel 
 them already in the quality of a certain kind of literature. I 
 allude to school books ! Englishmen, whose judgment is wor- 
 thy of the fullest confidence, and others who are competent 
 judges of the comparative merits of English and American 
 school books, have assured me that our school books are far 
 superior in arrangement and adaptation to the young mind. 
 I can also inform you, sir, from the best authority, that there 
 are at this time more reprints of American school books and 
 in use in the schools of England than there are reprints of 
 English school books in our country. I speak now of primary 
 school books. For the more advanced works of high schools 
 and colleges we may be a little more dependent upon English 
 authors. But how long will this be so after we get our inter- 
 national copyright law ? Then the way our authors will 
 plume their feathers need not here be mentioned. We shall 
 see a strife among them to eclipse their English compeers that 
 will meet with our national approval. Nothing, I am sure, 
 will so inspire America and her authors to new enterprises in 
 literature and the fine arts, and nothing will so impress Eng- 
 land with our gigantic strength and indefatigable courage as 
 the final workings of this international scheme. 
 
 (Note.— Mr. Barnes did not live to see the adoption of International Copyright in 
 the U. S- Thirty-five years after this essay was written the measure which he ad- 
 vocated became law and our country was relieved of the disgrace of literary 
 piracy). 
 
HIS PERSONALITY. 
 
 Extracts from some family letters : 
 
 Haktfobd, Aug. 1st, 1832. 
 Portion of a letter written at 15 years of age, showing his 
 thoughtfulness and gratitude to others for their assistance 
 to his mother and younger sisters. 
 My Dear Affectionate Sister Julia (Barnes Lyman): 
 
 I hope I shall be able to assist Mother a little in helping our family. 
 We certainly have got along very well so far. If it had not been for 
 Uncle (Norman) I don't know where we should have been. He certainly 
 has done a great deal for us, and I have never been so sensible of it as 
 until within a very few weeks — the more I think of it the more it 
 astonishes me ; had it not been for Uncle, Elizabeth would never have 
 been situated as she is ; had it not been for Uncle, you probably would 
 never have been a teacher of an infant school ; had it not been for him, 
 most probably, our whole family would be an entire stranger in Hart- 
 ford, and how could we have been, most probably, in a worse 
 condition ? I think we have a great deal to be thankful for, and when I 
 think of myself, I wonder how Uncle has kept me through all my bad 
 actions, there are but few men that would have done it, and where 
 should I have been, it is a question, to be sure, that cannot be answered, 
 but most probably, I should not have been so well off. 
 
 A. S. BAENES. 
 
 "Written to one of his children : 
 
 Jantjakt 1st, 1866. 
 I hope that you sincerely desire to become a, Christian, that you 
 have now turned your face towards Christ, and that you will never turn 
 from Him. Resolve that you will make Him your friend and that you 
 will strive to bring others to Him. If you really love Him you will 
 want everyone else to love Him and will do all you can to bring them 
 to Jesus. Make up your mind that you will be an active Christian, that 
 you will let all your friends know what a Saviour you have found. Do- 
 not fail to dp all in your power to please your Saviour and you will find 
 much happiness in the effort. Be sure that you hold nothing back from 
 Christ, give Him your whole heart. You know he requires us to be 
 willing to give up everything for Him, and then He will write His 
 name upon our hearts, and when he gathers in His jewels you will be- 
 

 
 
 
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135 
 
 among the number who will shine as the stars in the firmament. Be 
 careful, dear daughter, and never do anything that you think Christ 
 will not be pleased with. Keep your heart with all diligence for out of 
 it are the issues of life. ' ' Christ knoweth them that are His," remember 
 that and " give not sleep to your eyelids," until you feel that you have 
 given yourself heartily and entirely to him. He has promised to receive 
 you, and his promises are sure. 
 
 Showing his great appreciation of little attentions from his 
 children : 
 
 Brooklyn, July 31st, 1867. 
 
 I have your letter, and was much pleased that you sent me a letter 
 first ! Did you know that such deference from my children, always 
 gratifies a loving father ? As parents grow older their hearts entwine 
 closer and closer about their children, especially when they receive un- 
 mistakable evidence of affection. I am most happy to fuel that you, my 
 dear daughter, manifest a filial and confiding love to your parents, and 
 when I say you, 1 would not except one of my children, for I do not 
 believe I have one that would not make sacrifices that would add to our 
 comfort and happiness — how pleasant is this reflection and assurance, and 
 how smooth and flowery it makes the afternoon of life's pathway. Your 
 parents have reached the summit of their earthly pilgrimage and we 
 have had an easy ascent. God has been very kind to us in our journey 
 thus far. He has filled our basket with the good things of this life. We 
 have never wanted for food or raiment — for house or home. He has 
 given us friends to cheer us on, and has not withheld from us a hope 
 that if we are faithful we have a home beyond the skies. 0, what a 
 delightful prospect to the true Christian as he journeys here below that 
 he can reach the holy city built by the God of Love. With this in view, 
 all our trials here, will be only a feather. Let us ever try to live in 
 constant preparation for the transit. 
 
 The day of separation must come, and happy shall we be, if we 
 have our loins girded, and our lamps trimmed and burning. 
 
 His love of Home : 
 
 Chicago, Dec. 15th, 1869. 
 My dear daughter. You have heard from home, that I am wander- 
 ing in this part of the country, but you will believe that I am not one of 
 those wanderers that are sometimes called a "fugitive," and a " vaga- 
 bond, " without a home, and without friends, oh no I have a dear home, 
 dear wife, and dear children, and altho' far from them this Sabbath 
 morning, yet they are all near my heart — distance does not separate them 
 from me, nor absence does not " conquer my love for them," 
 
136 
 
 I am blocked in by the snow, or I should be nearer home to-day. 
 " Home," what a sweet word it is, how many happy thoughts cluster 
 around it, and how much it cheers us on our path, we don't appreciate it, 
 except when we are away, and shut out from its hallowed enjoyment. 
 And oh, there is still a happier home beyond the skies, we are looking 
 with faith to that blessed place, when we shall see Jesus, and all the 
 holy beings free from sin, and shall we meet all our dear family there ? 
 Let us pray for this and be ready to go when the Master calls. 
 
 God has been very kind to us, what a debt we owe Him for all His 
 kindness and love ! Only think how He has preserved us in health, how 
 He has given us the blessings of home, and all its comforts, and how 
 forbearing towards us when we have neglected our duty. Oh, what a 
 compassionate Saviour we have, that while we were sinners against 
 God's law, Christ died for us, that we might go to heaven when we die, 
 if we would only put our trust in Him. 
 
 After Mother's death : 
 
 New Yoke, Nov. 1, 1881. 
 
 The sun once more is breaking through the clouds and nature seems 
 to smile — but oh, the loneliness of my heart. The dear object of our 
 life, wife, mother and friend has gone before us, so suddenly ! Could we 
 have anticipated such an event how much we should have said to her 
 and how much she would have been glad to say to us. But we must 
 wait with patience till our time comes, when we shall be reunited and 
 see her in the effulgence of a heavenly world. Never did we so much 
 prize the dear one as we do now. Oh, the lost opportunities to express 
 our love to her. 
 
 To think she is gone from us forever, no, we will not say " forever," 
 we will bear up under the belief that we shall meet again. Let us 
 strive to live in such a manner that a place will be prepared for us with 
 her in a brighter world. 
 
 Mother's Birthday : 
 
 September 27, 1882. 
 You have, no doubt, had your dear mother in your thoughts 
 to-day, as you remember it is the anniversary of her birth. Sixty-two 
 years ago a star fell to this earth and has lighted up the pathway of 
 many, and is now shining in a purer atmosphere where it is lost in the 
 effulgence of her Saviour's countenance. Oh, that lovely face is fixed 
 in my memory and her faultless character is engraved on my heart. To 
 think that her personal charms will never gladden my eyes, and that I 
 must travel the rest of my days without her company is indeed a cheerless 
 prospect and too overpowering to contemplate. 
 
137 
 
 Father's 66th Birthday : 
 
 January 28, 1883. 
 This is my birthday and sixty-six of them have passed beyond 
 recall. I never felt so old before, and yet the feeling grows out of the 
 fact, rather than actual realization, a few more gray hairs and wrinkles, 
 I suppose, but the eye is yet clear and the hand steady. The children 
 are a year older, the grand children multiply and the name of Grand Pa 
 uttered more frequently, which conspires to reveal the truth of advanc- 
 ing years. 
 
 Sense of Loneliness : 
 
 March 9, 1883. 
 Here I am all alone in this great city (Washington, D. C.) I find 
 no pleasure without company, and when I think of the pleasure your 
 dear mother and I have had when travelling, my heart sinks. All the 
 places I have seen to-day we once saw together. Every spot seems 
 sacred to her memory. Oh, how shall I travel this desert world without 
 the smiles and gentle ways of her who has been my companion for so 
 many years. The flight of time and the diversions of travel do not 
 seem to give me comfort. The perfection of her character comes up 
 before me in various ways, and I am left in amazement that I could have 
 had such a wife, and you such a mother. 
 
 An Atlantic Experience : 
 
 Cork, Ireland, June 12, 1884. 
 Our experience on board the Aurania you have already heard. I 
 hardly know how to express our varied sensations since we left the port 
 of New York. Our company was made up of the best kind of people, 
 our ship the mpst modern and beautiful, our captain with an excellent 
 reputation. The weather perfect, sea unruffled, the general exclama- 
 tion was the most wonderful voyage ever taken. Captain T of 
 
 the Oceanic was on board and confirmed all that was said by every 
 passenger. No sea-sickness. We ate three square meals every day, 
 enjoyed social chat with old and new friends (the largest number of 
 cabin passengers ever sailed out of New York). All this until we 
 touched the Irish coast, then the fog began to arouse our apprehensions . 
 Some fears expressed, but we comforted ourselves in our security of a 
 fine ship and good captain. After dinner, at 7 o'clock, the engine sud- 
 denly stopped, as suddenly the cry was heard "breakers ahead," 
 command from the captain for the passengers "to go abaft," then fear 
 took fairly hold of us, consternation painted every face, wives clinging 
 
138 
 
 to their husbands and children to their parents, no panic, but an awful 
 suspense, as we saw the foaming waves creeping up like an awful 
 precipice, sixty feet out of the water. The engines were reversed, the 
 boat struck, and we all waited for the result. Presently the word passed, 
 " she is off." Then we began to breathe thanksgiving to our Heavenly 
 Father for our safety, but the shock was terrible, and but few slept that 
 
 niffht, *###*#*# 
 
 A Visit at Greenwood : 
 
 Brooklyn, Apkil 18th, 1886. 
 
 Yesterday we went to Greenwood, your dear mother's grave was 
 covered with ivy, and surrounded by a beautiful bed of pansies, and at 
 the left were six little graves beautifully decked with pansies in full 
 bloom. Oh, what a picture for thought and reflection for the dear 
 family. How the mother's heart must throb over those children now 
 translated in the garden where flowers never cease to bloom, and where 
 the angels weave their garlands around them, and sing Hosanna to Him 
 who redeemed them by his precious blood. When I came home I looked 
 over the "memorial volume," with weeping eyes and a tender heart. A 
 crowd of recollections of the days of motherhood and childhood, when 
 we were an unbroken circle, and drank in the inspirations of her who 
 was the center of all that was lovely, pressed me with emotion too 
 difficult to describe. 
 
 The arrows of death are flying rapidly, and none can tell where the 
 next will strike. Time is passing on rapid wings, and how important 
 that we have our lamps trimmed and burning. 
 
GENEALOGICAL. 
 
 ANTECEDENTS ON THE FATHER'S SIDE. 
 
 Alfred Smith Barnes was born January 28, 1817, in 
 Barnesville, which is now part of New Haven, Ct., and is 
 still recognized by its original name by many of the older 
 inhabitants. His father was Eli Barnes of Southington, Ct. 
 
 The records show that Stephen Barnes moved to Branford, 
 Ct., from Southampton, Long Island, about the year 1700 
 He was probably the son of Samuel and grandson of Joshua 
 Barnes. Stephen Barnes acquired land in Branford, and 
 
 married Mary Barnes of another family, daughter of 
 
 Barnes and Hannah, daughter of John Linsley. Their second 
 child was Stephen, born January 2, 1704. 
 
 Stephen second, born in Branford, married (January 5, 1725). 
 Martha, daughter of Thomas and Hannah "Wheedon. Their 
 seventh child was Asa, born August 24, 1745. 
 
 Stephen, with his family, removed from Branford to South- 
 ington, Ct. His wife died March 18, 1773, in her 66th year. 
 He died March 17, 1777, aged 73 years. 
 
 Asa Barnes, the seventh child, born in Branford, August 
 24, 1745, died February 13, 1819, aged 74, was the next inline 
 to the subject of this genealogy. He married Phoebe Atkins, 
 October 31, 1765. She was the daughter of Luther Atkins, 
 or Adkins. His house was in the southwestern part of 
 Southington and well known to travelers of the day, as a 
 public inn. His sixth child was Eli, born May 21, 1775, died 
 aged 59 in 1827. 
 
 Eli Barries, the next in line, was born, as above stated, in 
 Southington May 21, 1775, died 1827, aged 59 years. Married 
 Eoxanna Newell, who was born in 1773 and died April 11, 
 1812. She had six children. 
 
140 
 
 Eli Barnes, (1st,) married as his second wife, Mrs. Susan 
 Morris Bradley. Their children were : 
 Willet B., born October 7, 1813. 
 Ehoda B., born June 18, 1815. 
 Alfred S., born January 28, 1817. 
 Roxanna C, born April 28, 1819. 
 Adeline F., born December 16, 1821. 
 John C, August 15, 1823. 
 
 ANTECEDENTS ON THE MOTHER'S SIDE. 
 
 Susan Morris was born October 17, 1784, in Morris Cove, 
 East Haven, Ct. The Morris family traces back to the time of 
 Ethelstan and Alfred, who reigned in England in the ninth 
 and tenth centuries. Maurice, Morys, Morres, are names 
 found in the records of the time, often compounded with the 
 prefixes Pitz, as Eitzmorris, Clan, Mount, De, &c. The name 
 is supposed to be of Welch origin, as Mawr Rwyce, Mawr 
 Rhys, meaning Mawr, war, Rhys, rushing — rushing to war, 
 warlike. 
 
 Thomas Morris was a ship builder and a Puritan, who left 
 England with other Pilgrims in the year of Hampden's 
 resistance to the arbitrary exactions of Charles the First. At 
 least two of the Morris family had fallen in martydom, in the 
 reign of " bloody Queen Mary," and the Morris name will be 
 found on the pages of history during the parliamentary 
 struggles with Charles the First, and as soldiers under 
 Cromwell. Thomas Morris arrived in Boston, June 3, 1637. 
 He took sail thence with a party of other Londoners, and 
 landed at Quinnipiack, now New Haven, March 30, 1638, 
 arriving at their destination about the middle of April of that 
 year. He purchased a tract of land near New Haven, on the 
 16th of March, 1671, on account of its timber. This land has 
 ever since been known as Morris Point. The estate descended 
 
141 
 
 from Thomas to his son Bleazer, who gave it to his son 
 John, who in turn, having no children, gave it to his nephew 
 Amos, one of the sons of his brother James. Although held 
 in the family, the property had not been occupied up to this 
 time. Amos was the first proprietor actually residing upon 
 the land, and one of his descendants has ever since occupied it. 
 
 Captain Amos Morris was born in Bast Haven, in 1736. 
 He married Lydia Camp, June 26, 1745, and died in East 
 Haven, December 30, 1801. He had twelve children — eight 
 daughters and four sons. 
 
 Amos, Jr., his oldest son and third child, was the grandfather 
 of Susan Morris. He was born March 13, 1750. He was 
 married in 1779, to Betsey Woodward, daughter of Eichard 
 Woodward and Susan De Luce. Eichard Woodward was the 
 son of Eev. John Woodward, a graduate of Cambridge in 1693, 
 pastor at Norwich, Ct., in 1699. He was one of the compilers 
 of the Saybrook Platform in 1708. His wife, Susan De Luce, 
 was the daughter of a Huguenot clergyman, the Eev. William 
 De Luce, who had been driven out of France in the year 1724 
 by the edict of Nantes. His experience in persecution was 
 remarkable. He had been sentenced to death and placed in 
 confinement in a country prison and left to die of starvation ; 
 but a hen came daily and laid an egg near the window of his 
 cell, which he was enabled to reach, and on this daily meal he 
 was able to sustain life, until his persecutors became possessed 
 with the idea that he was supported supernaturally and their 
 superstition prevented their taking a more summary way of 
 disposing of him, so they sent him to sea in an open boat and 
 left him without rudder of sail. Fortunately an American 
 vessel happened along, and rescued, and brought him to this 
 country. 
 
 Both Captain Amos Morris and his son Amos, Jr., were 
 called upon during the War of the Eevolution for their 
 services. Captain Amos Morris, the father, had received his 
 commission as Captain of the Train Band of New Haven 
 
142 
 
 Company 3, October 31, 1748. His commission may still be 
 seen at the family home, Morris Point, in possession of Mr. 
 Lucien Morris, who now resides there. It is signed by General 
 Thomas Fitch, Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Colony 
 in Connecticut ; witness George Wyllys. He joined the Ee- 
 volutionary party at the breaking out of the war, and is 
 named as having taken a prominent part in the resistance of 
 the invasion of New Haven, by Gen. William Tryon, July 5, 
 
 1779. The British landed at Morris Point on their way to 
 New Haven. He did everything he could to drive them 
 away, but was unable to prevent their landing. They 
 destroyed his house and several buildings, inflicting a loss of 
 some £1,213 sterling. His son Amos, Jr., also took part in the 
 defense of New Haven with his father, and afterwards enlisted 
 as a private soldier in Captian Phineas Bradley's Company of 
 Artillery Guards of the State of Connecticut Service, April 3, 
 
 1780. He was discharged January 1, 1781. He is recorded 
 as an American prisoner proposed for exchange September 27, 
 1780. January 1, 1781, he again enlisted as private in Captain 
 William Van Deuzen's Company, State Guards, stationed at 
 New Haven. He was honorably discharged August 1, 1781. 
 
 Susan Morris, his fourth child and third daughter, was born, 
 October 17, 1783, and married Willet Bradley, March 17, 1805. 
 They had three children. 
 
 Susan's second husband was Eli Barnes. They were 
 married August 2, 1812. They had six children, as previously 
 stated. 
 
 Willet married Henrietta Nutman, of Newark, N. J., June 
 1, 1836. They had three children. 
 
 Alfred Smith married, November 10, 1841, Harriet Eliza- 
 beth Burr, daughter of the late Gen. Timothy Burr. They 
 had ten children. 
 
 Alfred Cutler, born October 27, 1842. 
 
 Mary Chapin, born May 25, 1844, died, 1888. 
 
143 
 
 Henry Burr, born December 14, 1845. 
 
 Sarah Frances, born August 8, 1847. 
 
 Harriet Elizabeth, born December 2, 1849. 
 
 Edwin Morris, born June 25, 1852. 
 
 Kichard Storrs, born November 21, 1854. 
 
 "William De Luce, born December 17, 1856. 
 
 Annie Robinson, born March 10, 1859. 
 
 Emily Thorp, born August 16, 1861. 
 Roxanna C. Barnes married, Caleb B. Metcalf, August 18, 
 1843. They had two children. 
 
 Adeline F. Barnes married Julius H. Pratt, of Meriden, Ct. 
 November 8, 1843. They had seven children. 
 
 John 0. Barnes married, March 1, 1849, Mary Starr, 
 daughter of Chandler Starr, of Brooklyn. They had seven 
 children. 
 
 The records of the neighborhood show that Eli Barnes was 
 quite a prominent operator in real estate at that time. His 
 name is mentioned frequently in the transfers of small pieces 
 of property. It was expected that Fair Haven would take a 
 prominent place. Eli Barnes built the bridge still standing 
 between Fair Haven and East Haven, known as Barnesville 
 Bridge. The Morris family at that time was about the most 
 prominent family in New Haven. The old Barnes Hotel is 
 still standing— March, 1890. 
 
 Susan Morris was married the third time, December 2, 1833, 
 to Rev. Jeremiah Atwater, D.D., of New Haven, the second 
 President of Carlisle College, Pa., in 1809 ; a friend and 
 associate of President Jeremiah Day, of Yale College, and at 
 one time a tutor in Yale College. He had two sons and a 
 daughter. 
 
COAT OF AEMS AND ORIGIN OF NAME. 
 
 The founder of the Barnes family in England is believed 
 to be Sir Hugo de Berners, who came over with William the 
 Conquerer, and is duly inscribed on the "roll of Battle 
 Abbey/' He was assigned lands which are now in possession 
 of the Berners of Wolverton Park, Ipswich. Arms quarterly 
 "or et vert ;" Crest, a monkey "p pr ; " Motto, "Del fugo 
 I avola" (I escaped from the fire). The simplicity of the 
 Coat of Arms proper indicates its great antiquity. Compli- 
 cated Coats of Arms are all of more recent date. The crest 
 and motto in this case were added by later generations. 
 There was a branch of the family bearing the same coat of 
 arms, but modified by intermarriage with another noble fam- 
 ily which spelled its name de Barners, thus partly accounting 
 for change of orthography. 
 
 The clear pedigree begins with Sir John Berners of West 
 Horsley, in Surrey, and of Berners-Roding, Essex, ob. 1347. 
 His eldest son, Sir James (of Berners-Roding), was beheaded 
 on Tower Hill, 1388. Sir James' eldest son, Sir Richard, of 
 West Horsley, was created Baron temp. Henry TV, ob. 1421. 
 A second son, William, was the ancestor of the Berners of 
 Einchinfield, Essex, with which branch the Coat of Arms in 
 its simplest form is identified. The most illustrious of Sir 
 James' children was a daughter, Julyans or Juliana, whose 
 last name is spelled Berners, Barner, Bernes, but most fre- 
 quently Barnes. She was the authoress of a treatise on 
 "Hawking, Hunting and Cote Armour," otherwise known as 
 the Boke of St. Albans, now highly prized by collectors as 
 one of the earliest printed books, having been issued in 1486, 
 by that mysterious printer, the " Schole-mayster of St. Albon." 
 Dame Juliana was Prioress of Sopwell, a nunnery near St. 
 Albans, in which Abbey of St. Albans her book was printed. 
 
146 
 
 In the next generation Margery Berners, daughter of Sir 
 Kichard, married John Bourchier (4th son of the Earl of 
 Ewe), who was summoned to Parliament as Lord Berners, 
 (temp. Henry VI) "jure uxoris," ob. 1474. His grandson, 
 Sir John Bourchier (ob. 1532), became famous as the transla- 
 tor of Froissart's Chronicles, and writes himself in his Will 
 as "John Bourchier, Knt. Lord Barnes." Leland calls John 
 Lord Berners, the translator of Eroissart, Lord Barnes, and 
 again we have " the Lorde Barnes " as killed at Barnet ; and 
 in the same volume it appears that " Syr Henry Neville mar- 
 ried one of the daughters of the Lorde Berners/' 
 
 One of the early de Berners married a great-great-grand- 
 daughter of Oliver Cromwell. 
 
 The early settlers of the L. I. Hamptons (and probably our 
 ancestor) came from the neighborhood of Maidstone, Kent, 
 and their settlement was at first called Maidstone on that 
 account. 
 
147 
 
 ME. BARNES' WILL. 
 
 By the provisions of the will of the late Alfred S. Barnes a spirit 
 of gratitude for his munificence should he diffused through all the 
 Protestant charitable institutions of Brooklyn. None of the more 
 noteworthy societies, homes and missions for unfortunate people in 
 this city failed to receive a gift of at least $1,000, and $20,000 were 
 distributed between the four leading missionary organizations in New 
 York. Ten colleges and schools in as many different States also were 
 remembered to the extent of $1,000 each and $45,000 is the bequest to 
 the Young Men's Christian Association of Cornell University, to be ex- 
 pended on a new building. It was no easy task that success imposed 
 upon the late Mr. Barnes, when he undertook to dispose of his property. 
 The result of his efforts is an encomium upon his common sense, his 
 family pride, his philanthropy and his judgment of the relative worth 
 of the institutions he has benefited. He was heart and brain a Brooklyn 
 citizen and therefore his bequests to Brooklyn charities are as generous 
 as consideration for the benign intentions of other rich citizens would 
 justify. Mr. Barnes might have put one or more of these concerns 
 beyond the need of future benevolence on the part of other wealthy 
 people, but such a course would have hurt the cause of charity as much 
 as the particular home or mission selected. Had he shown a decided 
 preference for any one institution, the others would have made that an 
 excuse for such lack of efficiency as mismanagement might entail. As 
 it is, all have been favored alike and there is yet abundant opportunity 
 for the exercise of post mortem generosity by men of honestly acquired 
 riches, of whom the late Mr. Barnes was only one, and of whom it may 
 be truly said, they are the salt of the earth. — From the Brooklyn Daily 
 Eagle of Friday evening, March 9, 1888.