PRE-14-Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fourteen Extent and Variety of His Labors—Extracts from Diary for 1877—Last Day at Home. To give an idea of the variety and extent of Brother Shaw’s labors, it has occurred to me that the best way to accomplish this would be to review the work of an entire year. For this purpose I have chosen the year 1877; not because it was one of his most laborious and successful ones, but because it is the only one of which I have a full and connected record. The first day of the year found him at Columbus, Mississippi, and the first lines in his diary are, “Lord, help me this year to do more for thee than in any previous year in winning souls to Christ. Convinced of my weakness and asking his strength I commence the work.” His first day’s work shows that he was instant in season and out of season. The record is brief:

“Monday, January 1, 1877. Deep snow. At 10 A.M., two men and two boys present. Read psalm, prayed, and sang. 7 P. M., Subject, ‘Watchfulness.’ Twenty-five persons out; and some feeling.

“Tuesday, 2d, 10 A.M. Twelve persons out. Subject of discourse, ‘Nearness to the Cross.’ 7 P.M. Subject, ‘Mercy and Obedience.’ Better audience. Fifty persons out; good attention.

“Wednesday, 3d, 10 A.M. Subject, ‘Christian Usefulness.’ Twenty-one present; good interest. 7 P.M. Subject, ‘Witness of the Spirit.’ Seventy-five present, among them Baptist and Presbyterian ministers.

“Thursday, 4^th, 10 A.M. Subject, ‘Prayer.’ Thirty-six present; good impression and feeling. Praise God. 7 P.M. Subject, ‘Glorious Gospel.’ One hundred present; remarkable attention. Praise God.

“Friday, 5^th, 10 A.M. Subject, ‘Patience.’ Fifty-four present. 7 P. M. Subject, ‘Resisting the Spirit.’ Good crowd. Thank God.

“Saturday, 6^th, 10 A.M. Subject, ‘Believe, Love, and Do.’ Sixty out—two preachers; good impression. Lord, give us a good work to-night. 7 P. M. Subject, ‘The Faithful Saying.’ Good audience.

“Sunday, 7^th, 10½ A.M. Subject, ‘God the Just and Justifier.’ Fine audience. Blessed meeting. 3 P.M. Subject, ‘Who is on the Lord’s Side.’ House full. Praise God. 7 P. M. Subject, ‘Decision.’ House crowded.

Monday, 8^th, 10 A.M. Subject, ‘Christian Progression.’ Fifty present. 7 P. M. Subject, ‘Prepare to Meet thy God.’ Three came forward; two confessed Christ.

“Tuesday, 9^th, 10 A.M. Subject, Prerogatives.’ Eighty present; one confession. 7 P.M. Subject, ‘Almost.’ House filled; three confessions.

“Wednesday, 10^th, 10 A.M. Subject ‘Harvest.’ 7 P.M. Subject, ‘Church and Preparatives.’ Good audience; fine attention. Lord, grant us fruit for Jesus’ sake.

“Thursday, 11^th, 10 A.M. Subject, ‘All Sufficiency in Christ.’ Good audience and attention. 7 P. M. Subject, ‘What Must I Do?’ Lord help us, forgive us, save us, and bring others to thy Cross.

“Friday, 12^th, 10 A. M. Subject, ‘Christ’s Temptation.’ 7. P. M. Subject, ‘Honoring God.’

“Saturday, 13^th 10 A.M. Subject, ‘The Lord’s Side.’ 7 P. M. Subject, ‘Pilgrim’s Invitation.’

“Sunday, 14^th, 10 A.M. Subject, ‘Mediation.’ 7 P. M. Subject, ‘Witness of the Spirit.’ House crowded to overflowing.

“Monday, 15^th, 10 A.M. Lecture. 7 P.M. Subject, ‘Christ Justified.

“Tuesday, 16^th, 10 A.M. Subject, ‘Evil Communications.’ 7 P. M. Subject, ‘Sanctification.’ House filled.

“Wednesday, 17^th, 10 A.M. Subject, ‘Morning Star.’ 7 P. M. Subject, ‘God’s Righteousness.’

“Thursday, 18^th, 7 P.M. Subject, ‘Angels.’ House filled.

“Friday, 19^th. Started for Memphis. 0 Lord, may our Memphis work be a glorious one for Jesus’ sake!” At Memphis he remained nearly three weeks, creating great interest, and gaining about thirty additions. The particulars of this meeting are given elsewhere, in the admirable sketch by Elder D. Walk, who was pastor of the church at Memphis at that time. After a brief sojourn at home, during which he preached almost daily, he went to Paducah, Kentucky, on the 22d of February, and at once gained a large and attentive hearing, which continued to the close. He was there some twelve days, and had twenty-five additions. At a previous meeting, at the same place, fifty-four were added. Geo. E. Flower, who was pastor of the church there at that time, writes on February 11^th, 1879: “No man ever visited Paducah that did as much good as Brother Shaw. It has sometimes been said that the members he took in were stony-ground hearers. It was not the case with us; they are most of them faithful yet.”

After a three weeks’ sojourn at home, not to rest, but labor, he started, on the 28^th of March, for New Orleans; and immediately on his arrival entered on his work. He soon perceived that the field was an extremely difficult one in which to labor, and would require more time to work up an interest than his other engagements would allow. Under these circumstances he thought it best not to make the attempt. He was persuaded to remain, and went to work, if possible, with more than his wonted zeal and earnestness; had hand-bills struck, and went to the Mayor of the city to obtain permission to preach in Lafayette Square on Sunday afternoon. The Mayor at first refused permission, but afterward granted it; and on Sunday afternoon he held an out-door service in the Public Square above mentioned. This advertised his meetings at the church and the house was soon filled. Soon it became necessary to fill the aisles with chairs; then every foot of standing-room was occupied, and many were unable to find even an entrance. By the next Sunday his meeting was well advertised, and on the afternoon of that day he addressed an audience of some two thousand persons: among them beggars, tramps, roughs, boot-blacks, and newsboys; many of whom had never heard a sermon before, and who would not have heard that if they had been obliged to enter a church to do so. On the next Sunday the crowd in the Square was still larger, and his meetings were regarded as a complete success. He made several temperance speeches while there, which were well received, and few men ever made themselves more widely or favorably known in New Orleans, within the space of less than three weeks, than did Knowles Shaw. Eleven persons were added to the church during this visit, and impressions were made on others that will never be forgotten. The following notice is from the New Orleans Times:

“THE SINGING EVANGELIST.

“Hearing much of Rev. Knowles Shaw, the celebrated singing evangelist, now visiting this city, our reporter concluded last night to see and hear for himself, and hence was in place ‘on time’ at the Christian Church, corner of Camp and Melpomene Streets. At 7:15 Mr. Shaw came in with hasty step and seated himself at the organ in front of the congregation and promptly began the ‘thirty-minutes service of song,’ which precedes each sermon. It was manifest in a moment that he was master of the situation—that he understood his work and meant to execute it promptly. His business-like management of affairs was the first noticeable peculiarity. ‘The service of song’ was interspersed with solos, in which the evangelist, though a little hoarse from cold, evinced wonderful power. This part of the service the large audience present seemed to enjoy very much.

“Following this was the sermon, in which the speaker enforced the thought that God’s mercy will not exempt man from duty—that in grace as in nature there is a human as well as a divine part.

“Mr. Shaw is marked by several peculiarities. He is a tall, raw-boned man, possesses great powers of endurance, and is deeply in earnest. He intersperses the sermon with many pointed anecdotes, and makes some powerful hits at popular sins in short, a live preacher; and though one may differ from him and object to his eccentricities, he will nevertheless admit he is a power for good. Mr. Shaw will hold open-air services again in Lafayette Square next Sunday evening.”

After a few days’ rest, which with him meant more than an ordinary man’s work, he again visited Memphis, where he remained two weeks engaged in active labor, which resulted in nine additions to the church. Less than one week after this he was at Jackson, Mississippi, where he continued two weeks, holding sometimes three and even four services per day; some of them in the open air. Twenty-eight were added to the church, and many recruits obtained for the temperance army. The Jackson Times thus noticed his meetings:

“Services were held at the Christian Church on yesterday morning, and again at night. Both were well attended, especially at night, when the house was filled to overflowing, many persons having to stand outside at the doors and windows. The theme was the “Trial and Crucifixion of Christ,” which was presented in a peculiarly unique manner. At the close of the services one young lady presented herself for membership, three persons having done so at the morning services, making a total to this date of nineteen persons who have united themselves with that church during this meeting. The minister in charge, Rev. Knowles Shaw, is certainly a man of no ordinary abilities, and we hope that his visit to Jackson will result in great good to the cause of religion here. And again:

“Rev. Knowles Shaw, the Evangelist, is still here and his meetings are becoming daily more interesting. Tremendous crowds of all classes, conditions, and denominations are attracted to his services. The open-air meeting in front of the Capitol, on Sunday afternoon, at 6 o’clock, was the largest of the kind we have ever seen in Jackson. He preached a powerful sermon and was listened to with marked attention. In the evening, at 8 o’clock, he held forth in the Christian Chapel to a house overflowing with attentive and eager listeners. Mr. Shaw is certainly a man of ability, of extraordinary musical powers, and his services are of such a character as to attract the attention of all classes. He will remain in this city for two or three days yet, and we would advise all who have not heard him yet, to do so without delay.” From Jackson the unwearied laborer returned home, and did a good work for the church at Columbus, and, adding some to its number, thence, on the 29^th of June, to West Point, Mississippi, where he labored for one week; and, after an interval of a few days, we find him at Saltillo, Mississippi, and, in a meeting of twelve days, had thirty-four additions. On the 27^th of July he began a meeting at Henderson, Tennessee, which continued one week; thirteen added; and on the 4^th of August, another at Lynnville, Tennessee, of ten days; seventeen added.

We next find him, after being one day at home, at Baldwyn, Mississippi, from August 17^th to the 29^th; added six there; and was at Lawrenceburg, Indiana, on the 1^st of September; preached eighteen days, with but two additions. The next three days preached at three places: Mount Pleasant, Harrison, Ohio, and Rushville. Next preached four times in two days at Little Flat Rock, Indiana; and, after five days at home, started for Mount Sterling, Kentucky, which he reached September 5^th, and preached nearly three weeks, with twenty-one additions. After a single day’s rest he began a meeting at Covington, Kentucky; had fine hearing, and twelve additions. A trip to his old home in Kansas gave him a few days of needed rest. He reached his home in Mississippi on the 23d of November, and between that and the 17^th of December delivered some fourteen vigorous discourses at home. The 8^th of December is the only day in the year which I find devoted to recreation. His last meeting for the year was at Henderson, Tennessee, which did not terminate until after the close of the year.

He preached four hundred and sixty-four times; in the intervals between his sermons talked almost incessantly, made the personal acquaintance of a vast number of people, visited the sick, worked in the temperance cause as if that were his whole employment, composed music, and sang a number of times every day, more indeed than if he had been a professional singer, and added to the churches at various points two hundred and twenty persons, nearly all of whom he baptized with his own hands. More than once at a single meeting he had more converts than during this entire year; in one instance two hundred and twenty-six in a meeting of three weeks’ duration. But even this year shows work such as but few men have been willing to undertake, and which still fewer have been able to accomplish. The next year, 1878, possesses a mournful interest. Before the half of it had passed this great toilers work was done. The first two days of the year were spent in a meeting at Henderson, Tennessee, and on the 3d of January he started for Paris, Kentucky. The meeting there continued nearly four weeks; large crowds came out to hear him. The daily entries in his diary show a very humble and prayerful spirit. There were two baptisms of special interest: one a little girl ten years of age, the other a man eighty-one years of age. During the meeting a man was shot in a drinking saloon, which caused him to say: “I feel more and more determined to fight the demon intemperance, the chief foe of religion and morality.” Sixty-five additions were the visible results of the meeting.

He reached home on the 2d of February, and remained until March the 15^th. During this time he inaugurated the “Murphy” temperance movement, amid great opposition and intense excitement. His lectures and songs were irresistible; large crowds gathered wherever he spoke; the whole city was agitated, and in about six weeks nearly two thousand persons signed the pledge. He then preached a week at Madison, Mississippi, and went thence to Jackson, in the same State; addressing great crowds during his stay. Here, he also started the temperance work, with gratifying results; as many as one hundred signing the pledge at a single meeting. On the 30^th of March he visited Aberdeen, preached with success, and aroused the whole community on the temperance question, inducing many to sign. On the 13^th of April he came home; which proved to be his last visit to his loved and dear ones. I call it a visit, because his arduous and abundant labors kept him away from his family by far the greater portion of his time. How he spent those few last days may be a matter of interest. Like all the rest of his time, they were spent in earnest efforts to do good. The following extracts from his diary tell of his endeavors and success:

“Sunday, April 14 1878, 9 A.M. Sunday-school good. 10½ A.M., preached. Subject, ‘Go Forward.’ Stormy. 3 P. M., preached. Subject, ‘State Privilege and Character.’ (Romans viii. I.) 7 P. M. Crowded house. Subject, ‘Commission.’ Two confessions; grand.

“Monday, 15^th, 7½ P.M. Subject, ‘True Road to Happiness.’ One confession.

“Tuesday, 16^th, 4 P.M. Subject, Romans vi. 4. Baptized three persons. Same evening lectured on Temperance. Forty-seven signed the pledge.

“Wednesday, 17^th, 4 P.M. Subject, Romans v. I. Baptized one. 7½ P.M. Preached on ‘The Power of God.’ Good audience.

“Thursday, 18^th, 7 P. M. Preached on ‘Sufficiency of Revelation.’

“Friday, 19^th, Stormy. Preached on ‘Zeal.’ (2 Corinthians ii. 3.) “Saturday, 20^th, Preached 7½ P.M., on ‘Election.’

“Sunday 21st. Sunday-school 9½ A.M. Preached at 10½, Subject, ‘Glad Tidings.’ 3 P. M. Spoke on ‘Evils of Drunkenness.’ Eleven signed the pledge. At 7½ P.M., preached on ‘Freedom by the Truth.’

“Monday, 22^nd, 7½ P.M. Preached. Subject, ‘Moses’ hands held up.’

“Tuesday, 23d. Temperance meeting.

“Wednesday, 24^th, Preached. Subject, ‘Christ our King.’

“Sunday, 28^th, Sunday-school at 9 A.M. Preached at 10½ A.M. Subject, ‘God revealed in Christ, and man reconciled to God.’ This was the last Lord’s Day with his home church and family. His theme in the morning was one which called forth all his powers, the glory of God as seen in Christ; the fearful danger of man through sin, unless reconciled through Christ, seemed vividly present. He said: “It is only in obedience to the divine law that man can reap the benefits from the life of love, and death-sacrifice of Christ. Indeed, no man can justly claim to be reconciled to God who is not willing to cease from his sin and yield his will and life to God; for the evidence of reconciliation is—subjection to the law of God.” He then set forth in language of the Scriptures, and closed with an exhortation to be reconciled to God now, on the terms set forth in his truth. And then, as if the “dark event,” not distant, “cast its shadow before,” he added: “I cannot close this sermon till I thank you for your good wishes for my safety while away. How often will I think of you! If I never live to get back, I feel pretty sure I’ll go straight home to Jesus, by whom, twenty-four years ago, I was reconciled to God.” Then, making a last appeal to the unconverted portion of his audience, he said: “All our days are fast passing away; and oh, the thought of meeting God in the judgment, without reconciliation—an enemy! To be banished for ever! Hear the word of reconciliation now: ‘O turn ye, O turn ye, for why will you die?’ The Savior calls, Mercy pleads, the Spirit woos, and the Father smiles, while all glory beams, and angels are ready to rejoice. Come, while you may.”

One who was present says of the discourse: “Nothing I ever heard could exceed the pathos and tenderness of that sermon; and so heart-aching is the memory of it, now that it is coupled with a mournful realization, almost makes me wish I had never heard it. The scene as now recalled was not unlike that when Paul parted from the church at Ephesus, when he told them that he would never return; and they sorrowed most of all for the words he spake, that they should see his face no more.” At 7½ P.M., the same evening, he preached on the “Fullness of Times.” One confession, seventy years old; the tenth one received of that age. Tuesday, 30^th 4 P.M. Subject, “Self-Examination.” Immersed Mr. and Mrs. Cline. 8 P.M. Preached on “Great Salvation.” Six confessions. Wednesday, May 1^{James 4} P.M. Baptismal service. Preached on “Harvest.” (Galatians vi. 7.) With this theme and the baptism of six converts, he closed his work at Columbus, and left the next day for Dallas, Texas, never to return.