Introduction

The Lord’s servant, Miss Margaret E. Barber, became a seed of the divine life in China. She learned the lessons of life, strictly disciplining herself to follow the Lamb in detailed obedience while also becoming a pattern to train the younger believers. Through this process she became a faithful steward, committing her learning to faithful men who later became competent teachers also (2 Tim. 2:2). Perhaps the most notable of those under her training hand was Watchman Nee.

In taking up the burden to move from Great Britain to China for the Lord’s interest, Miss Barber deeply experienced the cross and learned to live by faith. Her poems, some of which are included in this volume, exhibit her deep experiences of Christ. She was very much in the Lord’s presence, and she eagerly anticipated His coming back.

In China she lived in a suburb of Foochow, traveling little and receiving no publicity. She simply prayed for the Lord’s move and helped those who sought her counsel in seeking after the Lord. Through Miss Barber, Watchman Nee obtained a foundation for his spiritual life. When the young Brother Nee would admire the eloquence, knowledge, ability, zeal, or natural power of persuasion shown by a Christian speaker, Miss Barber would point out that these things were neither of life nor of the Spirit. They could stir people up but could never minister life to people. She paid more attention to life than to work. She also warned the young brothers against doing a popular work, which would bring shipwreck to their spiritual life. By deliberately putting himself before Miss Barber’s instruction and strict rebukes, Brother Nee received much help.

In Witness Lee’s biography of Watchman Nee (Watchman Nee: A Seer of the Divine Revelation in the Present Age, Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry, 1991, 18), he mentions the help Watchman Nee got from Dora Yu and Margaret Barber: “He frequently told others that it was through a sister [Dora Yu] that he was saved and that is was also through a sister [Margaret Barber] that he was edified.” It was Sister Barber who introduced Watchman Nee to the writings of D. M. Panton, Robert Govett, G. H. Pember, Jessie Penn-Lewis, and T. Austin-Sparks.

For this website we have put together a brief biography of Miss Barber along with several of her poems and letters and some words spoken in memorial when she went to be with the Lord. The biography was translated from a source found in Mainland China which does not give its author. It has been edited and corrected in some points. The poems were collected from The Dawn magazine (edited by D.M. Panton), from The Overcomer (edited by Jessie Penn-Lewis), and from Witness and Testimony (edited by T. Austin-Sparks). Twenty-two other poems of hers can be found in Hymns (published by Living Stream Ministry, Anaheim, California).

This website is a reproduction of the book entitled M. E. Barber: A Brief History of the Lord’s Recovery, which was authored by James Reetzke and published by Chicago Bibles and Books. Written permission has been obtained from the author to use this material on this website. For information about Chicago Bibles and Books please visit their website at www.ChicagoBiblesAndBooks.com.