TWICE-BORN MEN
REMARKABLE CONVERSIONS OF WELL-KNOWN MEN
IN DIFFERENT AGES AND IN VARIED RANKS OF LIFE
Compiled by HY. PICKERING
Founder of Barnardo’s Homes.
DR. T.J. BARNARDO, F.R.C.S., F.R.G.S., the Orphans’ Friend, whose “Homes” have received more than 11,000 orphans. His conversion story is thus related in his biography: “As an infant, young Barnardo was baptised in St. Andrew’s Church, Dublin, where his father was an office-holder and his mother a member. He attended Sunday School, too, in this church, and at fifteen was confirmed by the Archbishop of Dublin. But there is no evidence that these ministrations left any abiding mark. Certain it is that the example of his godly mother, with her Quaker traditions, he always revered; but equally certain is it that the rite of Confirmation was entered into without regard to its significance. He accepted it in a formal manner, impelled by external influence, not conviction; for, at this time, interested in Agnosticism than Christianity. Indeed, for a year before confirmation, he had been airing his sceptical views, and for nearly two years following, his chief idols were Voltaire, Rousseau, and Paine. And whatever inspiration these writers provided for “Radical” reformers on the Continent, they developed in young Bernardo only a cynical priggishness which made him sceptical of all regenerative power. But this was soon to change.
At this time Ireland was in the grip of a revival which caused thousands of twice-born men to enlist for service in the Kingdom of God. This awakening began far North in 1859, and the following year reached Belfast, where its influence was profound. Then, proceeding South, a tidal wave of spiritual power passed over Dublin. The Metropolitan Hall, previously a circus building, was the centre of operations; but auxiliary meetings were held in other quarters. As enthusiasm spread, several members of the Barnardo family, including two of Tom’s elder brothers, one of whom became a medical doctor and the other a civil servant in India, accepted the Lord Jesus Christ. But although these brothers told Tom of their newly found joy, and pleaded with him to consecrate his life to Christ’s service, he still scoffed. Finally, however, he agreed to attend the revival meetings and judge for himself.
Here he witnessed striking demonstrations of spiritual power. But his masters had taught him subtle arguments wherewith to explain away religious experience. Was not all this emotional hysteria? The revival results were psychological phenomena, and destined to no permanence. Watch and see the newly proclaimed “saints” revert to all their former sins. But though this stripling scoffed, he was set thinking; and, awkward thought, his explanations did not quite explain things to himself. Therefore, much as he disliked the ordeal, he decided to go with his brothers to some of the smaller meetings in private houses. Attending one of these gatherings, in the home of William Fry (father of Sir Wm. Fry), he was besought to surrender his life to Christ. But apparently in vain. The cynical attitude was still uppermost.
A letter, written years afterwards, to Mr. Fry, explains the youth’s conduct. Referring to this meeting, Barnardo confessed: “I did not half like to go, but nevertheless I went; and in that meeting Rocheford Hunt spoke to me, and so did you. I behaved very badly. I was just as cheeky as a young fellow could be, and I thought you looked at me as if you would say, ‘If I had that young fellow alone for five minutes I would take down his conceit. I’d give him a good hiding.” But somehow your words were very kind, and not at all in harmony with what I thought your looks meant; that was the beginning.”
Barnardo’s recollection is significant; this gathering in William Fry’s home was the beginning. From that day a sense of doubt invaded his mind; he felt compelled to test the efficacy of his Agnostic creed. Was his superior attitude a sham? Were those at whom he smiled right, and he wrong ? Regularly now he attended the meetings, and gradually he learned that there was more reality in the revival than he had permitted himself to believe. Finally, some weeks after the experience in the Frys’ home, he heard a trenchant address by JOHN HAMBLETON, the one-time tragedian. Conviction of error pierced his soul. He knew now that he was wrong; he knew also that peace and power could never be his until he found God. But before the dawn of another day light broke. One of Barnardo’s brothers, referring to Harnbleton’s address, says: “That was the turning-point.” Then, relating how Tom, long after midnight, entered the bedroom of two of his brothers “in great distress of soul,” he continues, “Many tears did he shed . . . for he was in great agony of heart; so the three brothers knelt together and cried to God . . . and He graciously heard, and light and joy and peace there and then . . . filled his heart. We all rose from our knees rejoicing and thanking God.”
Such was the manner in which Thomas John Barnardo, on May 26th, 1862, five weeks before his seventeenth birthday, had revealed to him the Light of God. That date marked for Barnardo a rebirth. From then on he, as much as Wesley, Wilberforce, or Shaftesbury, was a Christian to the bone.
According to the latest report of “Dr. Barnardo’s Homes,” more than 13,000 destitute children have been received, and though the founder is gone the work goes on.