Charles C. Barker › Hymnals

Barker, Charles (White Mountains, NH, 1837--November 30, 1901, Meriden, Connecticut). He became one of Connecticut's leading dentists, having practiced in Woodbury, Hartford, Waterbury, and Meriden. His father was a Congregational minister, but at age 26 he became an Adventist. He was ordained a minister in the Life and Advent Union, while continuing to practice dentistry. He was actively involved in the movement that fervently expected the second coming of Christ in 1873. He was president of the Life and Advent Union and of their missionary society for many years. He was the first president of the Campmeeting Association at Camp Bethel on the Connecticut River, where both he and his wife were inspiring singers.

He was the compiler of two songbooks: Hymns of the Morning; designed for the Use of God's People (Concord, NH: Charles W. Sargent, 1872) and Hymns of the Advent (Springfield, Massachusetts: W.N. Pile, 1881). He was editor of The Watchman's Cry during its brief run, 1872-1875.

--Leonard Ellinwood, DNAH Archives. A lengthy obituary and article about Barker from Herald of Life and of the Coming Kingdom, 12 December 1901, is also located in the DNAH Archives.