Editing Albert Barnes (theologian)

{{Short description|American clergyman and abolitionist}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Albert Barnes
| image              = Albert Barnes (cropped).jpg
| caption            = Engraving of Barnes by [[George Edward Perine|George E. Perine]]
| birth_date         = December 1, 1798
| birth_place        = [[Rome, New York]]
| death_date         = December 24, 1870 (aged 72)
| death_place        = [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]
| occupation         = theologian, author
}}
'''Albert Barnes''' (December 1, 1798 – December 24, 1870)<ref name="Major Bib">{{cite book|last=Olbricht|first=Thomas H.|title=Dictionary of Major Biblical Interpreters|date=2007-11-12|publisher=[[InterVarsity Press]]|isbn=978-0-8308-2927-9|edition=2nd|editor-last=McKim|editor-first=Donald K.|page=147|chapter=BARNES, ALBERT|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=oFLGroLOKq8C&pg=PA147 }}</ref> was an American [[theology|theologian]], [[clergyman]], [[abolitionist]], [[Temperance movement|temperance advocate]], and [[author]]. Barnes is best known for his extensive Bible commentary and notes on the [[Old Testament|Old]] and [[New Testament]]s, published in a total of 14 volumes in the 1830s.

==Biography==
Barnes was born in [[Rome, New York]]. He graduated from [[Hamilton College]] in [[Clinton, Oneida County, New York|Clinton, New York]] in 1820, and from [[Princeton Theological Seminary]] in 1823. Barnes was [[Ordination|ordained]] as a [[Presbyterian]] [[Religious minister|minister]] by the [[Presbytery (church polity)|presbytery]] of [[Elizabethtown, New Jersey]], in 1825, and was the pastor successively of the Presbyterian Church in [[Morristown, New Jersey]] (1825–1830), and of the [[First Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia)|First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia]] (1830–1868).<ref name=Britannica>{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Barnes, Albert}}</ref>

[[File:Albert Barnes (1798 – 1870).jpg|thumb|left|Albert Barnes (by [[James Neagle]])]]
Barnes held a prominent place in the New School branch of the Presbyterians during the [[Old School-New School Controversy]], to which he adhered on the division of the [[Christian denomination|denomination]] in 1837. He had been [[Trial (law)|tried]] (but not convicted) for [[heresy]] in 1836, mostly due to the views he expressed in ''Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Epistle to the Romans'' (1834) of the [[Imputation of sin|imputation]] of the [[sin]] of [[Adam]], original sin and the atonement; the bitterness stirred up by this trial contributed towards widening the breach between the conservative and the progressive elements in the church.<ref name=Britannica/>{{efn|For the views he expressed, see: {{cite book|last= Barnes |first= Albert |author-link= Albert Barnes (theologian) |title= Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Epistle to the Romans |date= 1834 |publisher= Leavitt, Lord & Company |location= [[New York City]] |url= https://archive.org/details/notesexplana00barn |page= [https://archive.org/details/notesexplana00barn/page/n20 1] }} Selectable text: [http://sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/barnes/rom.htm sacred-texts.com]}}

During the [[Old School-New School Controversy|Old School-New School]] split in the [[Presbyterian Church in the United States of America]], Barnes allied himself with the New School Branch. He served as moderator of the General Assembly to the New School branch in 1851.<ref name="PHS">{{cite news|url=http://www.history.pcusa.org/collections/findingaids/fa.cfm?record_id=13|title=Guide to the Albert Barnes Papers - Presbyterian Historical Society|newspaper=Presbyterian Historical Society|date=May 5, 2014 }}</ref> According to the ''Encyclopædia Britannica'': "He was an eloquent preacher, but his reputation rests chiefly on his expository works, which are said to have had a larger circulation both in Europe and America than any others of their class."<ref name=Britannica/>

Of the well-known ''Notes on the New Testament'', it is said that more than a million volumes had been issued by 1870. The Notes on Job, the Psalms, Isaiah and Daniel were also popularly distributed. The popularity of these works rested on how Barnes simplified [[Biblical criticism]] so that new developments in the field were made accessible to the general public. Barnes was the author of several other works, including ''Scriptural Views of Slavery'' (1846) and ''The Way of Salvation'' (1863). A collection of his theological works was published in [[Philadelphia]] in 1875.

Barnes was an [[abolitionist]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://scholar.library.miami.edu/emancipation/religion4.htm|title=Emancipation: The Caribbean Experience|access-date=February 5, 2021|author=Curley, Carmen|work=Miami - School of Education and Human Development}}</ref> In his book ''The Church and Slavery'' (1857),  Barnes excoriates slavery as evil and immoral, and calls for it to be dealt with from the pulpit "as other sins and wrongs are" (most pointedly in chapter VII, "The Duty of the Church at Large on the Subject of Slavery").{{original research inline|date=December 2021}} In his famous 1852 oratory, "[[What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?]]", [[Frederick Douglass]] quoted Barnes as saying: "There is no power out of the church that could sustain [[slavery]] an hour, if it were not sustained in it."<ref>{{cite book|editor1-last= Foner |editor1-first= Philip Sheldon |editor1-link= Philip S. Foner |editor2-last= Branham |editor2-first= Robert J. |title= Lift Every Voice: African American Oratory, 1787-1900 |publisher= [[University of Alabama Press]] |year= 1998 |page= 263 |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=hhSFxq5ZxqEC&pg=PA263 |isbn= 9780817309060 |quote= Albert Barnes but uttered what the common sense of every man at all observant of the actual state of the case will receive as truth, when he declared that 'There is no power out of the church that could sustain slavery an hour, if it were not sustained in it.'}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last= Barnes |first= Albert |author-link= Albert Barnes (theologian) |title= An inquiry into the Scriptural views of slavery |year= 1857 |orig-year= 1846 |publisher= Parry & McMillan |location= [[Philadelphia]] |page= [https://archive.org/details/inquiryintoscrip00barnuoft/page/383 383] |url= https://archive.org/details/inquiryintoscrip00barnuoft|quote= editions:kwlReKlBg-8C. }}</ref>{{efn|For Douglass's speech, see: {{cite speech|last= Douglass |first= Frederick |author-link= Frederick Douglass |title= What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? |event= Ladies Antislavery Society of Rochester |location= Corinthian Hall, [[Rochester, New York]] |date= July 5, 1852 |url= https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/What_to_the_Slave_is_the_Fourth_of_July%3F}}}}

Barnes was a [[Temperance movement|temperance advocate]] who encouraged complete [[abstinence#Alcohol|abstinence]] from alcohol.<ref>{{cite web|title=Albert Barnes|website=SwordSearcher|url=https://www.swordsearcher.com/christian-authors/albert-barnes.html|access-date=3 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728125855/http://www.swordsearcher.com/christian-authors/albert-barnes.html|archive-date=28 July 2017}}</ref>

Barnes was elected to the [[American Philosophical Society]] in 1855.<ref>{{Cite web|title=APS Member History|url=https://search.amphilsoc.org/memhist/search?creator=Albert+Barnes&title=&subject=&subdiv=&mem=&year=&year-max=&dead=&keyword=&smode=advanced|access-date=2020-12-15|website=search.amphilsoc.org}}</ref> While serving as pastor at the [[First Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia)|First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia]], Barnes became the President of the Pennsylvania Bible Society<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pabible.org|title=Pennsylvania Bible Society|website=www.pabible.org}}</ref> (located at 7th and Walnut) in 1858 – a position he served until his death in 1870. He served at First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia until 1868. He was then granted the title Pastor Emeritus.<ref name="PHS" />

==Death==
Barnes died in Philadelphia on December 24, 1870, of natural causes, 23 days after his 72nd birthday.  His widow wrote: 
{{blockquote|His death was sudden and entirely unexpected. His health, with the exception of his eyesight, seemed to be perfect, -- mind and body active and full of energy. The day he died, he spent the morning in the city, dined with us cheerfully as usual, and afterwards walked with my daughter about a mile and a quarter into the country, to visit some friends in deep affliction. They reached the house, and he conversed for a few minutes, when he threw back his head, breathed rather heavily, and before the physician, who was immediately summoned, could arrive, he had passed away. In an instant, as it seemed, without pain or any consciousness of entering the 'dark valley,' he was with his Saviour.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Threescore and Ten: A Memorial of the Late Albert Barnes|publisher=Hamilton, Adams, & Co.|year=1871|location=London|pages=93}}</ref>}}

==Bibliography==
* Barnes, Albert. ''Essays on Intemperance''. Morristown, New Jersey: J. Mann, 1828.
* Barnes, Albert. ''"The Way of Salvation": A Sermon, Delivered at Morristown, New Jersey, February 8. 1829, together with Mr. Barnes' Defence of the Sermon, Read before the Synod of Philadelphia, at Lancaster, October 29, 1830, and His "Defence" before the Second Presbytery of Philadelphia, in Reply to the Charges of the Rev. Dr. [[George Junkin]]''. 7th ed. New York: Leavitt, Lord, 1836.
* Barnes, Albert. ''Albert Barnes on the Maine Liquor Law: The Throne of Iniquity, or, Sustaining Evil by Law: A Discourse in Behalf of a Law Prohibiting the Traffic in Intoxicating Drinks—Delivered in the First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Feb. 1, 1852, and in the Presbyterian Church, Harrisburg, Feb. 29, 1852''. Philadelphia: T. B. Peterson, 1852.
* Barnes, Albert. ''An Inquiry into the Scriptural Views of Slavery''. Philadelphia: Parry and McMillan, 1857. Reprint, New York: Negro Universities, 1969.
* Barnes, Albert. ''[https://archive.org/details/churchandslaver03barngoog The Church and Slavery]''. Philadelphia: Parry and McMillan, 1857. Reprint, New York: Negro Universities, 1969.
* Barnes, Albert. ''The Atonement in its Relations to Law and Moral Government''. Philadelphia: Parry & McMillan, 1859.
*{{cite book|last= Barnes |first= Albert |author-link= Albert Barnes (theologian) |editor-last= Frew |editor-first= Robert |title= Notes on the New Testament: Explanatory and Practical. Vol. I - Matthew and Mark |date= December 1868 |orig-year= 1832 
|publisher= [[Blackie and Son]] |location= London |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=OmMFAAAAQAAJ&q=%22Matthew+and+Mark%22}} Selectable text:  [http://sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/barnes/mat.htm Notes on the Bible by Albert Barnes: Matthew: Matthew index] and [http://sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/barnes/mar.htm Notes on the Bible by Albert Barnes: Mark: Mark index]
*{{cite book|last= Barnes |first= Albert |author-link= Albert Barnes (theologian) |editor-last= Frew |editor-first= Robert |title= Notes on the New Testament: Explanatory and Practical. Vol. II - Luke and John |date= 1884 |orig-year= 1832 |publisher= [[Blackie and Son]] |location= London |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=BVoHAAAAQAAJ&pg=PR1 }} Selectable text: [http://sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/barnes/luk.htm Notes on the Bible by Albert Barnes: Luke: Luke index] and [http://sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/barnes/joh.htm Notes on the Bible by Albert Barnes: John: John index]
*{{cite book|last= Barnes |first= Albert |author-link= Albert Barnes (theologian) |editor-last= Frew |editor-first= Robert |title= Notes on the New Testament: Explanatory and Practical. Vol. III - Acts of the Apostles |date= 1884 |orig-year= 1834 |publisher= [[Blackie and Son]] |location= London |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=TFoHAAAAQAAJ&pg=PR1 }} Selectable text:  [http://sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/barnes/act.htm Notes on the Bible by Albert Barnes: Acts: Acts index]
*{{cite book|last= Barnes |first= Albert |author-link= Albert Barnes (theologian) |editor-last= Frew |editor-first= Robert |title= Notes on the New Testament: Explanatory and Practical. Vol. IV - Romans |date= 1884 |orig-year= 1834 |publisher= [[Blackie and Son]] |location= London |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dloHAAAAQAAJ&pg=PR1 }} Selectable text:  [http://sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/barnes/rom.htm Notes on the Bible by Albert Barnes: Romans: Romans index]
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the New Testament: Explanatory and Practical. Vol. V: I Corinthians''
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the New Testament: Explanatory and Practical. Vol. VI: II Corinthians and Galatians''
* Barnes, Albert. ''[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/barnes/epc.i.html Notes on the New Testament: Explanatory and Practical. Vol. VII: Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians]''
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the New Testament: Explanatory and Practical. Vol. VIII: Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon''
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the New Testament: Explanatory and Practical. Vol. IX: Hebrews''
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the New Testament: Explanatory and Practical. Vol. X: James, Peter, John, and Jude''
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the New Testament: Explanatory and Practical. Vol. XI: Revelation''
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the Old Testament: Explanatory and Practical: Job Vol. 1''
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the Old Testament: Explanatory and Practical: Psalms Vol. 1''
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the Old Testament: Explanatory and Practical: Psalms Vol. 2''
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the Old Testament: Explanatory and Practical: Psalms Vol. 3''
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the Old Testament: Explanatory and Practical: Isaiah Vol. 1''
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the Old Testament: Explanatory and Practical: Isaiah Vol. 2''
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the Old Testament: Explanatory and Practical: Daniel Vol. 1''
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the Old Testament: Explanatory and Practical: Daniel vol. 2''
*{{cite book|last= Barnes |first= Albert |author-link= Albert Barnes (theologian) |title= Barnes' Notes on the New Testament |type= Complete and unabridged in one volume |date= 1962 |publisher= Kregel Publications |location= [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]] |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=qvXCoSQ1y0EC&q=%22Notes+on+the+New+Testament+Explanatory+and+Practical%22+%22Albert+Barnes%22 |isbn= 9780825493713}}
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the New Testament''. London, Blackie & Son, 1884. Reprint, Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998.
* Barnes, Albert. ''Notes on the Old Testament''. London, Blackie & Son, 1884. Reprint, Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1998.
* Barnes, Albert. ''Scenes and Incidents in the Life of the Apostle Paul''.

== Archival Collections ==
The [[Presbyterian Historical Society]] in [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], has a collection of Barnes' original manuscripts, notes, sermons and lectures.<ref name="PHS"/> The Burke Library Archives of the [[Union Theological Seminary (Manhattan)|Union Theological Seminary]] in [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]] also has a collection of Barnes' sermons.<ref>{{cite web|author=Lisa Fishman|title=Albert Barnes Papers, 1840 – 1859|url=http://library.columbia.edu/content/dam/libraryweb/locations/burke/fa/uts/ldpd_6958378.pdf|publisher=The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary|access-date=12 May 2023|year=1997}}</ref>

==References==
===Notes===
{{Notelist}}

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote|Albert Barnes}}
* [https://archive.org/details/waysalvationase00barngoog "The Way of Salvation," the published form of the 1829 sermon that precipitated heresy charges against Barnes by Old School Presbyterians]
* [http://sacred-texts.com/bib/cmt/barnes/index.htm Notes on the Bible by Albert Barnes (1834)] at the [[Internet Sacred Text Archive]]
* [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/barnes/ntnotes.html Albert Barnes – New Testament Notes]
* [http://www.swordsearcher.com/christian-authors/albert-barnes.html Short Biography of Barnes]
* {{cite thesis|last= Cleaver |first= Kenneth G. |date= May 2002 |title= An Examination of Albert Barnes' Handling of the Bible in the Debate on Slavery in Mid-Nineteenth-Century America |type= Ph.D. dissertation |publisher= [[Trinity Evangelical Divinity School]] 
|url= http://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1024&context=fac_dis |access-date= 2015-09-24}}
* {{cite web|last1= Fishman |first1= Lisa |last2= Cameron |first2= Ruth Tonkiss |title= Finding Aid for Albert Barnes Papers, 1840 -1859
|publisher= [[Union Theological Seminary (New York City)]] |year= 2008 |orig-year= 1997 |url= http://library.columbia.edu/content/dam/libraryweb/locations/burke/fa/uts/ldpd_6958378.pdf |access-date= 2015-09-24}}

{{PCUSA General Assembly moderators}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Barnes, Albert}}
[[Category:1798 births]]
[[Category:1870 deaths]]
[[Category:19th-century American male writers]]
[[Category:19th-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:19th-century American Presbyterian ministers]]
[[Category:American abolitionists]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:American religious writers]]
[[Category:Temperance activists from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:American theologians]]
[[Category:Bible commentators]]
[[Category:Hamilton College (New York) alumni]]
[[Category:Presbyterian abolitionists]]
[[Category:Presbyterian writers]]
[[Category:Princeton Theological Seminary alumni]]
[[Category:Writers from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Writers from Philadelphia]]
[[Category:Temperance activists from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Moderators of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America]]
[[Category:Members of the American Philosophical Society]]