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Arthur Richard Crocker was born in 1885 in London, [[England]], and in 1908, was standing on a street corner in Woodstock, [[Ontario]], Canada at the age of 23, and was converted to Christ thru the preaching of a Mr. Lester and a Mr. Brown who later served in Argentina. Crocker was received into fellowship at Brandon, [[Manitoba]] and commended to full-time laboring in the Lord's work among the open brethren (OB) from an assembly at Galt, Ontario. He labored for many years on Manitoulin Island, then in [[Florida]], then his remaining years in Los Angeles, [[California]] where he died in 1955. He married Dinah Higson Crocker (b. 1881 Bolton, England - d. 1969 Tustin, CA). He was in poor health for a good portion of his adult life, but still managed to lead scores to Christ, including while in hospitals, and was in high demand as a conference preacher. He and his wife were also in a car-semi accident in the late 1940's in Kentucky that set them back a bit, but not out.
=Writings===Devotionals==* AA 1955-8: '''Our Kinsman Redeemer''' "But I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms shall destroy this body, yet from my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold and not another." (Job 19:25) An able commentator has in part remarked, "The Last shall stand up for my dust." Three precious truths are developed here. 1. The Kinsman. 2. The Redeemer. 3. The Avenger. 1. Kinsman: Job spoke of a Daysman, Umpire, or Arbitrator to put His hand on us both. It was only the next of kin that had the right to redeem in Israel; so our Blessed Lord Jesus in taking on Him a body, became our Kinsman. Note Hebrews 2:14, "Forasmuch then as children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also likewise took part of the same." 2. Redeemer: The Kinsman must have the right and power to redeem. So our Blessed Lord by His cross has conquered Satan in the very place where he exercised his dominion over man. The Son of God became the Son of Man that He might become our Redeemer. There are three words for Redeemer: "''Agarazo''", which means to purchase in the market; "''Ex-agarazo", meaning to purchase out of the market and never to be for sale again; and "''Lutroo''", which means to be loosed from bondage. So in the book of Ruth, Boaz said, "I have bought all". So also David on one occasion said, "I have recovered all." 3. Avenger: "He shall stand up for my dust." Note Isaiah 41:4, "I, the Lord, the First and the Last; I am He." The Lord Jesus, the First and the Last, will have the last word to say about the dust of His people. Satan may contend with Michael about the body of Moses, but the Lord will have the last word to say about that. So Job knew that from his flesh he would see God and not as a stranger; he knew Him as his Vindicator or Avenger, in subduing the power of death and dealing triumphantly with his dust. Note Philippians 3:21 and the latter part of the verse, "according to the working whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself." Also Hebrews 2 and the latter part of verse 14, "that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil." Job looked on beyond his present sufferings, knowing the day would come when he, and all other believers, who have fallen asleep, and we who are alive and remain, et cetera, shall see Him as He is. "From his flesh" contrasts the difference between his present state and then. "Who shall change our body of humiliation and shall fashion it like unto His Body of Glory." ==TestimonyAddresses==The following is transcribed from Assembly Annals 1934-4, unrevised notes of address by A.R. Crocker, titled "'''Our Death With Christ"''', with main texts Rev. 2:1-6; 1 Kings 22:1-3. ''Italics'' his. Some spellings have been Americanized, editor's choice.
"We have been meditating a little in past nights upon the truths of the death, the burial, and the glorious resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and I would like to follow that up tonight and apply it to the heart, for there is a tendency to let these old-fashioned, yet nevertheless vital truths slip. The tendency today, as no doubt you will agree with me, is to depart from the simplicity that is in Christ.
==1950's==
* LOI 1950-1: A.R. Crocker, Los Angeles, CA: "Am feeling slightly improved, and am able to minister the Word in the different assemblies in the Los Angeles area. Will be in San Diego for Thanksgiving and remain for a few days. Yesterday I addressed quite a large group of [[InterVarsity Christian Fellowship|Inter-Varsity]] students and have been pressed to speak to them again next week before I go to San Diego. I hope to keep in touch with them as they are needy."
* LOI 1950-7: Parkside Gospel Chapel, San Francisco, CA: "We have been greatly cheered and helped of late by the visits of brethren A.R. Crocker, Tom Olson, E.K. Bailey, Will Hall, J.M. Davies, Mr. Willey of Greece and other brethren passing through. This ministry has been of a Christ-exalting nature, and very practical to old and young. Sunday school work is encouraging. Now and then, there are the one's two's who pass from death unto life. Our Bible study class on Tuesday evenings have been helpful and encouraging."
* LOI 1950-11: Kenneth Fleming @ Seattle, WA: "The conference in the Seattle Pacific College during the Labor Day weekend was well attended, there being approximately 900 Christians gathered under the ministry of Brethren A.R. Crocker, T.M. Olson, and T.E. McCully. The Lord graciously met our every need and there was a very evident spirit of anticipation as our theme, the soon coming of our Lord, was opened up. We can truly thank God for a time of spiritual awakening. Maranatha."
* LOI 1951-9: Harold Smeal @ LaBrea Gospel Chapel, Los Angeles, CA: "Southern [[California]] assemblies for the past six months or so have been deprived of Brother Crocker's exceptionally helpful ministry due to his having a serious heart ailment and a severe disease in the blood vessels of the lower extremities. His many friends in the United States and Canada will undoubtedly join in swelling the large volume of prayer locally that, if it be His will, the Lord will grant at least partial restoration, so as to permit His servant to continue to distribute the precious nuggets of biblical truth which have always characterized Bro. Crocker's unfolding of the Word."
* Believers Magazine: 1936-1
* Light & Liberty: 1937; 1947-9
* Letters of Interest: 1945:3,11-12; 1946:1,5-6,8,10; 1949:1-2, 8-10; 1950:1,7,11; 1951-9
* Our Record: 1928:6; 1929:3,6,10-11; 1930-4; 1931:8,11-12; 1932:2-3,9; 1933-2,4,7,12
* Sowing & Reaping: 1935-5
* Witness: 1937-2