Spent Last Days at the Home of Brother Fasching at Portland, Oregon. Sister Fasching Describes The Pleasure of Serving This Saint of God. July 14, 1916

Replying to your request through “The Enterprise” for information regarding Brother Barton’s death, we take pleasure in giving you a short sketch of his visit on the coast.

On Friday, May 5, Brother Barton came to Portland, and at his request Brother (Dr.) Fasching treated him in his office. After treatment and diagnosis the doctor insisted that Brother Barton cancel all his engagements and take a month’s rest in Portland, where he could give him treatment (osteopathic) and care for him at his own home; but Brother Barton was so anxious to continue in the Harvest Work that he would not do so. His remark to the doctor was, “I thank you so kindly, brother, but think of the friends at the other end, how disappointed they would be.” So, leaving Portland at 9 o’clock the next morning, he went to McMinnville and the doctor followed, on the afternoon train, to care for him through his discourses Saturday and Sunday.

Brother Barton left McMinnville Monday morning for Dallas and Salem and arrived in Oregon City Wednesday, the 10th. He spoke there that evening and spent that night with Pilgrim Brother W. A. Baker in Portland, leaving there on the morning of the 11th and went to The Dalles, where he stayed two days.

Saturday, the 13th, he again came to Portland, where he spoke that day and Sunday, leaving for Corvallis on the 15th, and making one or two stops on the way.

He collapsed on his way home from a discourse at Corvallis and was immediately placed in the hands of an osteopathic physician, as this was his wish. This necessitated his staying at Corvallis until June 11, at which time Dr. Fasching and another brother [Lewton] in the Portland Ecclesia went after him, bringing him directly to our home.

As Brother Barton was tired, and it was already 5:30 p.m., he was assisted to his room and word was sent to the friends that he could see no one until further notice was given.

At no time during his stay at our home did Brother Barton seem to realize how weak he was, and his constant hope was that he might soon be well enough to return to Brooklyn; but the last letter he dictated was to his mother at Philadelphia and he stated that he had decided to come straight home to her.

Almost every evening while the doctor was treating him and caring for him, he would ask that the other members of the family downstairs would sing and play the hymns for him. Quite often he requested Number 305, saying it was his favorite hymn, and often called for more, but on the evening of June 23 he asked us not to sing as he was a little tired and wished to go right to sleep. We thought nothing of this, as he had eaten a hearty supper and seemed better than usual, but he had sat up for a while in the afternoon and we thought perhaps this had tired him a little. However, he did not seem to rest very well, and about 12 o’clock he rang and asked for a drink. The doctor, who slept near him, waited upon him and from then on he seemed to have quite a bit of difficulty in breathing, so the doctor stayed right with him.

From the first the doctor realized that our dear brother was going to pass beyond, so he quietly called the three other members of the family.

Brother Barton did not realize his condition until about three minutes before he breathed his last, then grasping the doctor’s hand he tried to tell him how he appreciated the kindness and care we had given him. At 1:15 he passed beyond, with only the four members of the household about the bedside. He said very little and it was a most impressive and beautiful scene. With perfect quietness and peace our brother passed into the Kingdom. We are assured that we witnessed the calling home of one of the Lord’s jewels; he had “finished his course with joy” and been “changed in the twinkling of an eye.”

The character he displayed during his entire stay was most Christ-like. He was so appreciative of every favor rendered him. Each morning we read the “Manna” to him and he always added some comment of his own. Aside from that we kept him very quiet, but the beautiful spirit manifested at all times made it such an enjoyable pleasure to wait upon him, Truly “a prince and a mighty one has fallen this day (June 24) in Israel.”

Very truly yours, Sister Fasching