The Rev. Charles Albert Berry, D.D., the noted Congregational minister of Wolverhampton, died yesterday, at the comparatively early use of forty-seven.
The death occurred suddenly, and in a singularly pathetic and tragic manner. The rev. gentleman yesterday journeyed to Bilston, a market town about three miles from Wolverhampton in order to conduct the funeral service over a late member of his congregation. He was standing, with his head uncovered, offering a prayer at the grave, when he suddenly stumbled and fell. The mourners went to his assistance, but found that life was extinct. Death is attributed to heart disease.
[The death of the Rev. Dr. Berry has deprived the Congregational Union of England and Wales of one of its ablest members and preachers. The rev. gentleman was a native of Leigh, Lancashire, and received his ministerial training at Airedale College, Bradford. On the completion of his College course in 1874 he became pastor of one of the most influential Churches in Bolton (St. George's-road), and removed thence in 1883 to a still more important sphere — Queen-street Church, Wolverhampton, where he remained till his death.
His great power as a preacher was evidenced by the fact that in 1887 he received a pressing invitation to succeed the late Rev. Henry Ward Beecher as pastor of the Plymouth Tabernacle, Brooklyn, U.S.A. an invitation he declined.
Dr. Berry visited America in 1880, 1887, 1891, and 1897; and Egypt, Palestine, and the East in 1886. In 1991-2 he travelled round the world, including Adelaide and other Australian cities in the tour.
About two years ago he was invited to represent the Arbitration Society in America to advocate the reintroduction into Congress of the Anglo-American Treaty. In that capacity he addressed large meetings in Chicago, Boston, New York, Washington, and other large towns.
He was welcomed by the President of the United States, and invited to open Congress in both Houses as chaplain.
The degree of D.D. was conferred on him in 1895 by the St. Andrew's University. His address from the choir of the Congregational Union in 1897, delivered at the City Temple, and entitled 'Congregational Churchmanship,' attracted widespread notice. Dr. Berry published a volume of sermons, 'Vision and Duty,' in the 'Preachers of the Age' series and also a small volume of essays in the 'Small Books on Great Subjects' series of James Clarke and Co., entitled 'Mischievous Goodness,' and other papers. In politics he was a stanch Liberal.]
The following extract from Dr. Berry's address as Chairman of the Congregational Union will indicate his views concerning human freedom and progress:— "During a recent holiday I amused myself scanning the pages of a book, one of many on similar lines in which the deliverance of the world from its present chaos, and the introduction of a new era of peace and goodwill, are to be effected by the application of scientific resources for the complete terrorization of mankind. My brethren, (?) force had been the best, or even a spiritually possible, expedient, there had never been a Gethsemane or Calvary.
But what some zealous reformers seem to forget is that what is true of force, in the sense just used, is equally true of it when springing from organizations and majorities. Force is no remedy. Might is not Right. Victories on the battlefield of capital and labour, not less than on the fields of carnage between nations, are only less disastrous than defeats. I am not expressing any opinion, and if I did it would not be an unfriendly one, upon organisations for the defence and the improvement of the conditions of life.
All I am saying not along that line will full and final deliverance of life be achieved. The solution, the only solution, of life's problem is in the keeping of love. The ideal order is only to be found where love has sway. And it is the Church's mission as it is to the Church's Glory to proclaim and exhibit that Eternal and Redeeming love whose sacrifice for sin is the measure and the power of new life for each and a new world for all."]