Wednesday, August 25, 2010

By Margeret E. Barber


If the path I travel
Lead me to the cross,
If the way Thou chooset
Lead to pain and loss,
Let the compensation
Daily, hourly, be
Shadowless communion,
Blessed Lord, with Thee.




M.E. Barber was a missionary to China around the turn of the century. Though not much is known of her personally, having read the following, I think you will agree, she had quite a walk with the Lord.
The value of allowing the Lord to have His way with regard to discipline was a great asset to her. If I recall correctly, she would say, “I kiss the hand that smites me.” Indicating, not only that had she learned to accept the correction that came from the Lord she walked with, but she even embraced it.
The following relays the intimacy she maintained with her Savior! A student she had been discipling came to her with what he though was valuable information. He had received word the owners of some buildings she was leasing for ministry were going to terminate the aggreement. The student felt he had some very timely advice. Yet! Upon informing her, she insisted there was no need to look for other accommodations. Though given formal notice by the owners to vacate, she did nothing. As it turned out, the plans the owners had for the new occupants fell through, and only a short time before the end of the lease, she was asked to stay.
When querried as to why no plans were made, even after receiving notice to vacate, she answered, “The Lord had given the buildings in answer to prayer. And since He had not told her otherwise (to make alternative plans), she knew the buildings would be available.”
To the question, “What prevents us hearing the Lord?” she responded, “Whenever there is a problem hearing from the Lord it is because we are holding on to other things that are more dear to us than the Lord.”
And last: It was in response to the prayers that ascended from M.E. Barber and Dora Yu, that the Lord brought revival on Foochow. One of those who came to the Lord in the revival was a man you have probably heard of: Watchman Nee.
For more on the life of Ms. Barber, visit Living Stream
, or The Church in Cleveland (Biographies section). A small paperback biography is also available through The Chicage Bibles & Books. (This short biography is quoted from 
http://www.wellofoath.com/home.asp?pg=Bios&toc=Margaret+E.+Barber)

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