James BARKER

BARKER, JAMES (b. Ipswich, England, 17 Jan 1852; d. Hadleigh, England, c. May 1901). Compositor, Salvation Army Officer.

James Barker was converted under the ministry of Salvation Army workers in London. He left his position with a London paper to work for the Salvation Army at Whitechapel, training as a cadet by night and working at the printery by day.

Captain James Barker's first appointment was in charge of Manchester 1 Corps. Shortly as Divisional Assistant for Lancashire, nineteen corps were opened, attended by powerful spiritual results. At Chester, he moved among the fishermen and common people; the Chief Constable acknowledged the work of the Salvation Army in the transformation in the lives of 200 of the worst sinners in that ancient city.

Alice Sutton, a soldier of the Bethnal Green Corps and forewoman in a local boot establishment was brave, sweet and quiet, and possessed of a remarkable power, becoming a spiritual mother to converts at the Corps. In August 1882 James Barker and Alice Sutton were married by the Founder in Congress Hall Clapton and the following day Major and Mrs Barker sailed on the Cotopaxi bound for Adelaide, Australia. Unexpectedly landing in Melbourne, they were yet greeted by admirers of the Army's work. Following a visit to Adelaide, the Barkers returned to Melbourne turning their attention to that part of Melbourne which reminded them of the Mile End Waste in London: it was on the Collingwood Flats that Major Barker proclaimed Jesus the Saviour. Dr Singleton (q.v.) lent his large hall in Wellington Street but it was soon overcrowded. So great were the converts, the Lord's Brigade was formed and Collingwood Corps was soon in full operation.

Major Barker secured the Temperance Hall in Russell Street, providing seating for 2000 people in the city. In a vicious locality, Punch Lane, Dr Singleton owned a small city mission hall, which he handed over to Major Barker. Here murderers, ex-prisoners and women steeped in immorality were converted. Oratory was not the secret of Major Barker's power with crowds; rather he exalted Jesus, told of the Saviour's love and urged all to accept his great Saviour.

Fifteen months after Major and Mrs Barker arrived in Melbourne they conducted the first anniversary of the Salvation Army campaign in Victoria in the Exhibition Building attracting 10 000 people.

Major Barker, a sturdy compact figure of medium height and military hearing, ruddy complexion, dark glowing eyes, had a mind quick to decide and prompt to act with characteristic energy. At home in both open-air and indoor meetings, forceful, clear and decisive in controlling his audience, he was a unique and attractive apostle. Mrs Barker contributed to the work different qualities from those of her husband: hers was a quiet, reserved personality but she stood firm for the things that had been committed to her charge. Though in a position to receive much personal attention, she accepted nothing but for God. She raised the standard of the Hallelujah lass in Victoria.

By the introduction of Dr Singleton, the Barkers were admitted to Melbourne gaol and allowed to hold weekly meetings with the prisoners, coming in contact with many criminals and after hearing his message, many professed a desire to live a new life. 'Come and see me on release and I will help you' he said; he took a house in Lygon Street Carlton, furnished it and to this haven he welcomed his brothers in distress. This was the first Prison Gate Home in the Salvation Army.

Barker determined to visit the opium dens in the back streets of Melbourne where he found women as drug users and prostitutes. Condemning this social evil he established a home for women.

Barker gave early attention to officer training. The first three cadets, like Barker at the Army's first printing works, worked by day at building the Prahran Corps Hall, and studied in between times. Two years after the Barkers arrived in Melbourne, one hundred corps and seventy five outposts had opened in Victoria, commanded by two hundred officers, mostly Australian raised. Major Barker was promoted to the rank of Colonel and appointed to direct the social operation in the Australian colonies.

After eight successful years in Australia, Colonel and Mrs Barker received orders to return to England. They were farewelled in the Melbourne Town Hall on 6 Oct 1890.

War Cry; B Ussher, 'The Salvation war’, in G Davison, D Dunstan, C McConville (eds) The Outcasts of Melbourne (Sydney, 1985), ch 6

C W ELLIS