Mervyn Barter was ‘God’s gentleman’. All who knew him loved him and he was outstanding for his courtesy, graciousness and kindness. I had the privilege of being his pastor for many years and enjoyed his continuing friendship when that local church relationship ended.
He died on March 19 at his home in Fernhurst, near Haslemere, in Surrey, having moved there from Edinburgh with his wife Penny to be closer to their family. Not long after settling into their new home he was found to have cancer and for many months underwent different courses of treatment. A few weeks ago we had shared in an email Job 23.10: ‘But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.’ He replied, ‘Job 23.10 is a most encouraging verse and has been a favourite of mine over the last year or so. I just hope the LORD will enable me to maintain my faith so that through my present testing it will not fail and that when it is over I may come forth as gold.’ His desire was fulfilled. Just as fierce winds reveal the depth and strength of a tree’s roots, so the winds of suffering demonstrated how firmly Mervyn’s faith was rooted in his Lord and Saviour.
He will be especially remembered by innumerable ministers who attended the Banner of Truth Conferences, especially at Leicester, where he delighted to man the bookstall, with generous offers of books at discounted rates. The church fellowship at Charlotte Chapel, Edin-burgh, and, more recently, the church at Milland, will remember his beneficial influence and fellowship.
