PRE-18-Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Eighteen A Sad Scene—Strange Coincidence—Lines by G. W. Archer—Tribute of Affection—Memorial Service at Jackson, Mississippi—In Memoriam.
Sorrow for the sad fate of this faithful Christian soldier was mingled with deep sympathy for his stricken family. These kindred feelings found expression in a variety of ways, of which we give a few examples. The following we take from the Columbus, Mississippi, papers:
“REV. KNOWLES SHAW.
“The melancholy fate of this great and good man has saddened our entire community. Singular that he and his friend and fellow-laborer, Bliss, should both have been the victims of a railroad disaster. The last sermon he preached before leaving us for Texas had much with regard to what he wanted his people to do in case he never returned to them. Without expressing any premonition of his fate, he counseled them as though he was stepping into eternity. An army of good deeds are trooping up to heaven to bear testimony to his zeal, his fidelity, and exemplary Christianity. The world, and not Knowles Shaw, is the loser by this railroad disaster.”
* * * * * *
“One of the saddest scenes we ever witnessed was at the residence of the late Elder Knowles Shaw on Sunday night. By request of the family, the ministration of the Lord’s Supper was held there instead of at the church. Dr. Curtis delivered a discourse upon the philosophy of death, with a beautiful tribute to the honored dead. Dr. Lipscomb offered up a pathetic prayer for the consolation of the living. There were other sympathizing friends from the various churches, and it was a commingling of Christian faith and sorrow we never want to see again.
“The bereft household, consisting of father-in-law, wife, daughter and son, together with Miss Leonora Norris, left on the train for Rushville, Indiana, the next morning—‘sorrowing most of all that they should see his face no more.
“The following incident is noteworthy:
“It is a coincidence not a little singular, that on the afternoon of the day of his death, a drunken fellow in Columbus, Mississippi, mounted a box in a saloon and announced that he would ‘preach Knowles Shaw’s funeral.’ He then proceeded to abuse him for his war upon the whisky traffic, and while speaking was attacked with an epileptic fit, from which he did not recover for hours. In the meantime the dispatch from Dallas was received in Columbus, announcing the fatal accident. It had not been known before, and the circumstance created no little excitement.” The lines which follow are by G. W. Archer, of Baldwyn, Mississippi:
“Soldier, unclasp thy trusty sword and lay thy shield aside;
For the Master thou hast nobly fought and for the Master died.
Earnest zeal and constant toil thy unfaltering faith attest;
And He who heard thy earnest wish has called thee home to rest.
“Thy work was grand indeed! and great indeed thy loss!
For now no more thy clarion voice shall ‘rally to the cross.’
Thy powers of speech and song a tender chord could thrill,
But now, alas! the song is hushed, the powerful voice is still!
“Thousands have felt thy power and heard thy warning call
Who live to-day to bless thy name and mourn thy sudden fall.
Hundreds have listened to thy strains, and still with wonder heard,
Who bowed their heads in humble trust obedient to the Word.
“Soldier, go sing the victor’s song, receive the conqueror’s crown,
For thou wast faithful to thy trust and at thy post was found.
Go sing that ‘wondrous new made song,’ where saints and angels dwell,
And those that thou hast turned from sin will soon its chorus swell.” No notice better deserves to be called a “tribute of affection “ than this:
“One of the most useful and honored men that ever blessed this or any other community with his presence and example has been suddenly, and, without warning, hurled into eternity. Elder Knowles Shaw, the ‘Singing Evangelist,’ and pastor of the Christian Church at this place, was killed by a railroad accident near Dallas, Texas, on the 7th instant, while on his return home from a preaching tour of five or six weeks to that city.
“Of course we have neither the capacity, the facts in hand, nor yet the heart to do any thing even approaching the shadow of justice to the life, labors, or talents, of such a man as Knowles Shaw. Looking to the standard journals of his church to perform that important task, all we can do here is to scatter a few flowers of love upon his grave, and mingle our tears with those of the thousands over the land who have listened to his marvelous eloquence and felt the magnetism of his godly example.
“Mr. Shaw was born, as we have understood, in the State of Indiana, and when killed had attained about his forty-fifth year. Born of poor parents, and deprived early in life of his father, for many years his existence was one long struggle with ill-fortune; but by indomitable pluck, integrity, and native genius, he conquered an education, helped his widowed mother, and became one of the brightest lights in the pulpit of the ‘Church of the Disciples.’ As he attained to years of early manhood he entered somewhat into the dissipations of youth, but becoming convinced of the value of a Christian’s life, he put aside his violin and gave up the ball-room, and henceforth his career became one of glorious results in the spread of the gospel. For eighteen or twenty years his fame has been all over the North, among the people of his faith, as an evangelist of unequaled powers, and as a ‘sweet singer in Israel,’ that ranked him with the gentle and pious P. P. Bliss, of equally mournful memory. It was Mr. Shaw’s habit to keep a diary of his evangelical labors. At one time during the year 1877, he showed the writer the last entry of the persons baptized by his own hands in the seventeen years of his ministry. They footed up the marvelous number of over eleven thousand! To a minister of ordinary physical powers, zeal, or stationary life, the above figures would seem incredible—nay, they would be impossible—but it must be remembered that Elder Shaw was peculiarly an evangelist. His musical gifts, both vocal and instrumental, were wonderful; his energy and zeal in the cause of truth were amazing, and his powers of physical endurance such as are not possessed by one man in ten thousand. These, added to the spotless purity of his private life, and his dauntless presentation of the truth everywhere and on all occasions, make it easy enough to understand how one man could accomplish such a work in such a comparatively brief period of time.
“It seems that Rushville, Indiana, was most entitled to be called his old homestead, and thither his mourning family have followed the remains to their final resting place. Before coming to Columbus, upon the call of this congregation, he preached two years in the city of Chicago, while the grand scope of his labors extend from Pennsylvania, in the East, to Kansas in the West. In the field of spiritual song he had published five books, and had nearly ready for the press when he died a volume of sermons.
“But what are all these, and many other outside facts, in comparison with the knowledge of Brother Shaw that all of us here in Columbus have of him, and keep in such precious remembrance! About a year and a half ago he came to this city and began a series of discourses in the church. It was at the time of the ‘big snow.’ Since then (and we know we shall not be accused of denominational partiality in the statement) he has retained a hold upon the intellectual, the religious, and the social attention of the community, that has never found a parallel in her midst. Even those who differed from him most upon points of doctrine never for a moment doubted resistless sincerity of his convictions, while how like moral cowards do we all feel and seem in contrast with that heroic courage that never hesitated to tell the truth upon any subject, and upon all occasions!
“But the great, the starry beauty of his character, was its noble consistency. Just what he appeared in the pulpit and on the streets, he was indeed at home, or in the social circle—always impetuous, busy, kind, charitable, and affectionate. If he was oftentimes harsh in his form of expression, no man was more ready to make amends; and while he never would compromise what he felt to be the truth, he always said he never intended to wound. Only toward the Devil and his works could it be said he bore ill-will. His private life abounded with words and deeds of charity. It may literally be said that ‘he went about doing good,’ and this to a degree explains the fact that he was ever a poor man in this world’s goods.
“Perhaps nothing but his terrible death would have recalled the fact that of late months Brother Shaw has more than once expressed, in his own touching language, ‘a longing for rest.’ He had overtaxed his powers and knew it, and having accomplished great good, he perhaps felt that he deserved temporary relief from his labors. In his farewell sermon, before going upon his last trip, he seemed to have a presentiment of his fate—at least he alluded to the fact that we might never see each other again, and he wanted us to pray for him, and if we were not permitted to meet again on earth, we could all see each other in heaven. Nothing the writer ever heard could exceed the pathos and tenderness of that sermon; and so heart-aching is the memory of it now that, coupled with a mournful realization, almost makes us wish we had never heard it. If a parting under special divine guidance could ever suggest a scene of to-day, surely we commit (we know we intend) no sacrilege in likening it to that of Paul and his sorrowing disciples on the eve of the apostle’s final departure to Jerusalem.
“And now it seems strange that we who knew and loved him so well shall never be permitted to look upon his face again. That the giant form, the hearty salute, the bright, beaming eye, the awkward grace, the warm grasp of hand, the glorious voice, the melting tongue (the tongue so full of heart and the Savior’s love one almost forgot the power of logic that upheld it), are all lost and hushed in the thrall of death. Only sweet and tender memories—only an example jeweled with countless deeds of Christian faith and practice—remain to us, pointing to a higher sphere, where all partings are unknown, where no tears are shed, ‘where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest!’ May God help us all, for Christ’s sake. J. A. S.
COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI, June 10, 1878.” The impression made in scores of public places may be learned from the next extract, taken from the Christian Standard:
“MEMORIAL SERVICE.
“A TRIBUTE FROM THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, THE TEMPERANCE PEOPLE, AND THE COMMUNITY OF JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI, TO THE MEMORY OF ELDER KNOWLES SHAW.
“Sunday evening, August 4, 1878, a memorial service was held in the Christian Chapel, in this city, commemorative of the life and services of the late Elder Knowles Shaw.
“The meeting was opened in due form, and its object announced by the pastor, when Dr. S.R. Jones was, called to the chair, and J.C. Johnston appointed secretary.
“Col. F.T. Cooper then offered the following resolutions, which, after discussion, in which F.T. Cooper, J.W. Harris, H. Musgrove, and J.L. Power, took part, were unanimously adopted:
“PREAMBLE.
“On the 7th of June, 1878, Elder Knowles Shaw was killed in a railroad wreck in Texas, between Dallas and McKinney, after having just concluded a successful series of Christian meetings at the former place. A few moments previous to this disaster he was conversing with a Methodist preacher, and the last words which fell from his lips upon mortal ears were, ‘Oh! it is a grand thing to rally the people to the Cross of Christ!’ With these inspiring words ringing upon the air, the crash came which suddenly and tragically transferred him to another sphere. They are words of great import. They speak a sentiment of heavenly sublimity, and give a just clew to the character of the man. Perhaps it was a fitting finale to a life of purity and devotion, of continued success, and without a reproach, that he should quickly be brought face to face with his Master with these talismanic words fresh upon his mouth.
“Only a few short weeks ago Elder Shaw labored in this church for the cause of Christ, temperance, and humanity. His zeal, his eloquence, his magnetism, have left their impress upon the hearts of our people of all classes. We remember him as the earnest and faithful Christian evangelist, as the fearless champion of the truth, as the untiring friend and laborer in the promotion of temperance, as the devout and consecrated man of God, whose soul went out in sweet charity and benevolence to the whole human race, and whose indomitable will never flagged in good works. His untimely death has spread a gloom over us, and we, as temperance people, as members of his church, as friends of the gospel, as an entire community, desire to testify our appreciation of his worth, our keen sense of bereavement at his death, and to give formal expression to the sorrow that fills our hearts. Therefore, we declare:
“RESOLUTIONS.
“I. That although in the death of Elder Shaw, his church, the temperance people, and the Christian world, have felt the giving way of one of their staunchest pillars of strength, and we have lest a friend whom we had learned to love and honor, yet we will not murmur at the rulings of Providence. We recognize his death as a great loss to us and the holy cause he so unwaveringly plead, but at the same time we recognize it as a great gain to him. Hence we invoke the consolation of that sublime Christian submission found in the language of our Redeemer, ‘Father, thy will be done!’
“2. That we cordially approve of and will cheerfully co-operate with the Knowles Shaw Monument Association of Rushville, Indiana, and consider it a privilege to contribute our mite to the erection of a suitable monument to the dead evangelist, and for the support of his surviving family.
“3. That we tenderly express our condolence to the grief-stricken widow and orphans of our deceased brother, and while we would not insult their agony by comparing our feelings and sufferings with theirs, yet we hope to temper the heavy calamity to them as much as we can by the assurance of a heartfelt and sorrowful sympathy.
“S. R. JONES, Chairman.
“J. C. JOHNSTON, Secretary.”
“MR. COOPER’S SPEECH.
“Mr. President:-In presenting these resolutions for the action of this memorial meeting, I desire to add a word or two of comment. To many persons it may appear strange that I should appear in this role, and evince so much genuine feeling toward the memory of a man with whom I was scarcely acquainted personally. I never saw him until he held his meetings here in this chapel a few months ago. I am not a member of his church—alas! perhaps I am not fit to be a member of any church—but I attended several of his meetings here, and confess that I was impressed by him as I have been impressed by few men, with a profound respect and honor for the man. I saw in all his movements, heard in all his utterances, read in all his gestures, and realized in all his songs, the evidences of a sublime devotion, and a singleness of purpose, looking to the salvation of souls and the amelioration of his fellowmen. His face was aglow with enthusiasm. There was fire in his eye, resolution in his bearing, earnestness in his speech, and eloquence in his song. ‘Oh, brethren,’ he would often exclaim, ‘let us sing eloquently.’ And he did sing eloquently. It was here in this house, and under his voice, that I first fully realized the power and the true eloquence of song.
“Is it strange that such a man should inspire homage in my bosom? The interest which he then awakened prompted me to watch his movements since, and to read snatches of his history in the various newspapers of the country. I learn from these sources of information, that although Elder Shaw was comparatively a young man, and suddenly translated from earth to heaven in the meridian of his life and at the zenith of his fame, yet he has baptized with his own hands about twelve thousand persons.
“What a work is this? How shall we measure its greatness? A kind moral army rallied to the cross!
“I would not exaggerate the magnificent results of this active life, but here are twelve thousand personal witnesses to magnify and praise them—twelve thousand gladdened souls who have drank the waters of life administered by his individual hands. And when we come to consider the vast crowds that have flocked to his revivals, and afterward sought comfort in other churches, and the solemn rite of baptism from other hands, it is impossible to tell—it is a thing known only to infinite intelligence—how many thousands of souls have been quickened under the magic of his ministration!
“I learn also, from these same sources, that this man, Elder Shaw, began his evangelical work early in life, and that for the last fifteen or twenty years he has been ‘going about doing good,’ with no thought of self, absorbed, intensely absorbed in his mission, apparently as free from the allurements of the flesh and the sordidness of avarice as the apostles of old. At last he fell, translated in a twinkling, in the full vigor of health, manhood, and intellect, at the prime of life, in the midst of his expanding and ripening field of usefulness, without a moment’s warning, he was tragically cut off-but, like all true soldiers desire to fall, if fall they must, he fell with his full armor on—‘he fell at his post.’
“He has left a record of wonderful activity, and without a flaw. His success has been marvelous, and there is no taint upon it to mar its sweetness. The man does not live who can rise up now and point to a single blot upon his escutcheon. Surely such a character - so nearly perfect, so true, so devoted, so free from all the corroding cankers of humanity—deserves homage. In commemorating his virtues, we exalt our own natures. In honoring him, we honor ourselves.”
We close this chapter with the following verses by Miss Mollie McGee, of Columbus, Mississippi, which were read at the memorial service, of which we have already given an account:
“IN MEMORIAM.
“We are journeying in the shade,
He where flowers never fade.
We are in the gloom of night,
He where pinions flash with light.
We are weary, tempest tossed,
He where rest is never lost.
We ‘neath Heaven’s mighty dome,
He within that sacred home.
“We with hearts with grief now riven,
He with brow now crowned in Heaven.
We with songs that soonest tire,
He with glad angelic choir.
We from lost ones stand apart,
He with lost ones heart to heart.
We yet to cross Death’s icy river,
He by Life’s Fount to live forever.
“We with earth’s pilgrims in the dust,
He with seraphim and the just.
We to learn still more of sorrow,
He to dread no coming morrow.
We with steps that go astray,
He safe beyond life’s rugged way.
We on earth with blinded eyes,
He Lives with God in Paradise”