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Tuesday, December 11, 2018

More on A. M. Stewart

I have found some more bits of information on Angus McAlister Stewart, from copies of a few issues of the Harvest Gleaner, published at Phenix, Alabama by J. H. Jenkins, a Free Will Baptist minister. Thanks to Robert Picirilli for supplying scans.

Corresponding the Harvest Gleaner periodical – published October 28, 1896, p. 4 – Angus M. Stewart wrote,
Bryan, Texas.
Bro. Jenkins,
            “Have just returned from our Association. Had a most pleasant session. It was the best attended in the history of the association, a spirit of progress and aggressive work seemed to pervade the entire body. A cultured and intellectual minister, who had held important pastorals in this state and Nebraska, united with us from the Missionary Baptist denomination, evidently actuated by the most conscientious convictions.
            “Had it not been for the hard times the Gleaner would have some substantial help, all that could be done was to recommend that the ministers and delegates do all possible toward its support rustling subscriptions.
            “At the same time and place a preliminary organization of a convention of Texas Free or Freewill Baptists was made. The constitution is such that all Liberal Baptists, the main feature of whose work is identical, may participate in its work. The main object of this convention is to unite the various bodies of Free or Liberal Baptists, and to secure co-operation in general church work in the state. Officers are A. M. Stewart, Bryan, Tex., president, Joseph Apperson, Lone Star, Tex., and A. G. Graham, Aldorado, Tex.,[i] vice-presidents, C. W. Turrell, Taylor, Tex.,[ii] secretary, J. W. Orr, Hollis, Texas, assistant secretary, and W. T. Wood, Welborne, Tex., Treasurer. We invite correspondence with all Liberal Baptists in the State.
A. M. Stewart”

In September 16 through October 7, 1896, of available issues of the Gleaner, A. M. Stewart’s address is St. Louis, Mo., but in the October 14 issue (p. 4) he is listed at Bryan, Tex., with this note from the Editor:

STEWART.
“Rev. A. M. Stewart has changed P. O. from St. Louis Mo. to Bryan Tex. We are glad to welcome brother Stewart back, and still gladder to note that arrangements have been made, that he will continue in the field, as an evangelist. He has been very successful in the West, and we expect much good to result from the action of the Texas association. We congratulate them, and pray for God’s blessing upon the work.”


[i] Aldorado, Tex is probably an error. There is Eldorado in Schleicher County, Texas, and Alvarado in Johnson County, Texas. A. G. Graham may be Arthur George “A. G.” Graham buried at Salem Cemetery, Lavaca County, Texas. This A. G. Graham was in Glen Rose, Somervell County in 1899, which is a neighbor to Johnson County.
[ii] C. W. Turrell is identified in another note by the editor, J. H. Jenkins, as the “cultured and intellectual minister” who came over from the Missionary Baptists. Turrell’s church hosted a convention of Missionary Baptists meeting at Taylor on June 4 (The Galveston Daily News, Thursday, June 4, 1896 page 3; Austin Weekly Statesman, Thursday, June 11, 1896, page 11), but he was with the Free Will Baptists by October. C. W. Turrell apparently moved on to the Christian Church and served with them (The Lampasas Leader, Friday, December 30, 1898, p. 1).

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