The Ellen G. White Letters and Manuscripts: Volume 1

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BARR, Eli L. (c. 1813-1864)

Itinerant preacher from Vermont. Of Millerite background, E. L. Barr became a Sabbathkeeper about 1852 and began preaching soon thereafter. Until 1860 he traveled and preached widely, mostly in the New England states. He died in 1864 after suffering several years from tuberculosis. No records have been found indicating Barr's marital status. 1EGWLM 787.5

In 1852 Ellen White saw in vision that E. L. Barr was among those preachers “to be depended upon.” In 1859, however, he was reproved for his extreme position against the fad for photographs, which he regarded as a violation of the second commandment. Barr also veered toward fanaticism in his interpretation of the Laodicean message. He subsequently publicly acknowledged his mistakes in the Review and expressed his “perfect confidence in the gifts of the Spirit, and the testimonies given thereby.” 1EGWLM 788.1

See: Obituary: “E. L. Barr,” Review, June 14, 1864, p. 23; E. L. Barr, [Letter,] The Voice of Truth and Glad Tidings, Mar. 11, 1846, p. 88; [James White], “Eastern Tour,” Review, Sept. 16, 1852, p. 80; James White to “Dear Brother,” Sept. 30, 1852; E. L. Barr, “Conference in Connecticut,” Review, Mar. 5, 1857, p. 142; E. L. Barr, “From Bro. Barr,” Review, June 24, 1862, p. 30; Ellen G. White, Lt 19, 1859 (Oct. 4); search term “Barr” in Words of the Pioneers. 1EGWLM 788.2