Barker, Cyrus

Barker, Cyrus a Baptist missionary, was born in Portsmouth, R.I, March 27, 1807. He pursued his literary and theological studies at the Hamilton Literary and Theological Institution, and was ordained to the work of the Christian ministry at Newport, R. I., September, 1839, and was appointed a missionary by the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions July 22, 1839. He sailed from Boston, Oct. 22, 1839, and reached Calcutta, Feb. 20, 1840. His first station was at Jaipur, Assam, where he arrived May 14, 1840. He remained here a little over one year, and then removed to Sibsagor, a town of eight thousand inhabitants, on the river Dikho. Subsequently he took up his residence in Gowahati, which had become the chief place in Assam for missionary purposes. Here Mr. Barker, devoted himself with zeal and success to his work for several years. A Church was organized in February. 1845; mission-schools were established, and much good was accomplished. On account of his health, Mr. Barker was compelled to leave his work. It was thought that a sea voyage would benefit him, and he embarked with this hope; but the expectations of himself and friends were disappointed. He died at sea, and was buried in Mozambique Channel Jan. 31, 1850. See The Missionary Jubilee, p. 184, 237. (J. C. S.) SEE BARBER, CYRUS.