Marshall S. Mason - 1882-1930

Photo by Tom L. Childers, Copyright Freed-Hardeman University

In 1911, Marshall S. Mason was baptized by John R. Williams.

In 1926-27, Mason came to Freed-Hardeman and spent two week in a special course of study offered for preachers and other church workers. In 1927-28, he taught at Freed-Hardeman in the absence of brother N. B. Hardeman.

Marshall Mason was murdered near Searcy, Ark. during a gospel meeting. Hugo McCord was one of the preacher students at Freed-Hardeman in 1930-31 who raised money to equip this room which is in Old Main.

On the first of June, 1933, more than seven years after the passing of his first wife, Homer E. Moore married Winfred Mason of Springfield, Missouri, the widow of M.S. Mason. Later they started "Christian Woman" magazine, now owned by the Gospel Advocate Company.

25 August 2008

The Life Of M.S. Mason

While Arkansas cannot claim Brother M. S. Mason as a native son, she nonetheless can claim a great portion of his life's work, and did in the pursuit of the work, claim his very life. He, therefore, certainly belongs to the Arkansas Angels.

Marshall Spencer Mason was born May 20, 1882 at Lambs, Illinois, the eldest of five children. The children were robbed of their mother by the death angel when Spencer was eight years old, and they were scattered among relatives. Spencer was taken into the home of an aunt, who was religious and zealous, and from a child he knew something of the beloved scriptures.

When Spencer was seventeen his father married again and gathered his family together at Strafford, Missouri. A Brother Roberts of Springfield, Missouri and other friends aided the young man and he obtained higher education in the colleges of Springfield. In 1902 he began a successful teaching career.

I have been able to reconstruct from the pages of the Memorial editions of The Christian Worker the life of Brother Mason. These were published under the dates of October 30 and November 6, 1930. Let me now tell that story in the words of others.

“My first acquaintance with Brother Mason was before his conversion. I was associated with John R. Williams in a meeting at Cardwell, Missouri in June, 1911 and there came in contact with M. S. Mason. He was teaching school in the country near Cardwell at the time. The meeting continued through three weeks, but it was not until toward the close of the first week that Brother Mason began attending the services. He was a Methodist, but sincerely seeking the truth of Almighty God. His religious experience had led him to the point where he was not satisfied and he was seeking and inquiring for something 'more substantial reasonable, and more in harmony with the word.' His presence in the service during the meeting was noted with regularity, and his deep interest was evidenced in no uncertain way.” —Ealen V. Wilson

“Perhaps there is no man in the brotherhood who had been more closely associated with Brother Mason than myself. In the year 1911 he came to the town in which I lived to teach school, and roomed with me that year. He had just obeyed the Gospel under the preaching of the prince of preachers, Brother John R. Williams, and much interested in the study of the Bible. I soon saw that he was very studious and earnest, and suggested that he devote his life to preaching the gospel. He at first declined the idea, but later agreed to, provided I thought he could succeed and that I would assist him. This I agreed to, and he soon began preaching and continued until called above.” —James E. Laird

“M. S. Mason was comparatively young when I first met him. He had not yet preached his first sermon. He impressed me as a young man of ability, integrity, and earnestness. He was even then a careful student of the Scriptures, able to explain many profound truths. I do not know whether or not I heard his first sermon, but I heard many of his efforts in the first few years of his work in the ministry. I predicted great success for him, and often expressed that hope to others. As the years rolled on, my predictions were verified.” —James L. Amis

“He was invited to become president of Monea College at Rector, Arkansas and decided to accept the invitation on one condition—that Brother James E. Laird come and be a co-worker with him. That arrangement was m.ade, and there the two men blended their lives and their loves in the one great purpose of preaching the gospel” —L .O. Sanderson

“Brother Mason was chosen president of the then Monea College at Rector, Arkansas, said, he would accept· the position on the condition that I would join him in the work, which I agreed to do, and we were associated in that work for years.” —James E. Laird

“It was during his teaching work at Monea that Brother Mason was married to Winnie Boles, of Rogersville, Missouri, to whom he had been introduced by Brother Clayton Gall. Immediately following their wedding, which was on May 23, 1914, they went to Monea to continue the work another year, after which they returned to the Ozarks, the choice home-spot of Brother Mason. Their home was made at 740 Normal Street, Springfield, where they have lived since, and where Sister Mason expects to remain.” —L. O. Sanderson

“I am now in a very interesting meeting at Cave-in-the-Rock, Illinois, the boyhood home of Brother Mason.

Fifteen years ago (1915 BEM) last June Brother Mason and I made a missionary tour of this section. We found an old meeting house in which there had not been a service held for nine years. Briers were ten feet high all around the house, the boughs of bushes had grown in through the windows. We borrowed axes and hoes, cleared away the briers, and bushes; ate our dinner off the briers, went out on foot over the hills and rocks and advertised our meeting. This was the beginning of the congregation that now worships at "Old Antioch," in Hardin County.

Brother Mason baptized four during this meeting. Since that time I have visited this congregation, for three years monthly and then yearly. Brother R. E. Henson, now of Memphis, labored with them three years.

“During this fifteen years many precious souls have responded to the gospel call; and quite a number have gone 'Home'.” —A. H. Lannom

Brother I. W. Essex reports that Brother Mason held a meeting at Cure-All, Missouri in 1922. This is now the Gospel Hill church 12 miles west of West Plains, Missouri.

Brother Earl E. McCord stated that he met Brother Mason in 1923 and was associated with him in meetings as a song director. He says, “I dearly loved him as a gospel preacher, brother, and associate. He had the biggest heart for the singer of any preacher I was ever with.”

"I think it was in 1923 that I first met M. S. Mason. It was at the County Line Bible School conducted by Brother S.C. Garner. (Fulton-Baxter Co., Arkansas, BEM). Brother Garner became ill, and Brother Mason came to finish out the term. I am glad it was my privilege to sit at the feet of Brother Mason as a teacher. Whatever success I may attain as a preacher of the gospel, Brother Mason had a part in it. From the time we met until he was enrolled as a martyr, we were warm friends. He was one among the best and greatest men in the brotherhood. When the sad message of his death came to me, I wept.” —Tillman P. Pope

“In the passing of Brother Mason, I can truly say I have lost the best friend I had among the preaching brethren. I met him for the first time in June 1924. I was attending Teacher's College in Springfield. The next summer I attended Business College in Springfield. After making a talk at the Broadway and Madison congregation, Sister Mason urged me to go to Wichita and study under Brother Hinds. She raised the money in that congregation and I went. Since that time the Masons have been close friends, and Brother Mason was my advisor. I advised with him before going to Freed-Hardeman.” —Clyde C. Corner

“When we launched the move in 1926 to establish the Arkansas Christian Home, Brother Mason was at the first meeting, and was chosen one of the directors and has served as such as one of the most valuable men on the board. Besides acting as director, he constantly worked, talked, and did all in his power to make the home a success.” —James E. Laird

“I met M.S. Mason about four years ago, (1926, BEM) in connection with the work of the Arkansas Christian Home!”
—Lee P. Mansfield

“I use the pronoun ‘we’ to include other members of the faculty and the student body of Freed-Hardeman College. Brother Mason was unknown, personally, to nearly all of us, before January, 1927. At that time, he, together with Brother C. L. Wilkerson, came to Henderson to take a special course of study that was being offered by the school for the benefit of preachers and other church workers. He only spent two weeks with us at that time, but long enough to make a lasting impression. He was invited to address the general assembly of the school once or twice while he was with us, which he did to the delight of everyone present.” —L. L. Brigance

“In the latter part of the school session at Freed-Hardeman College of 1927-28, I first knew Brother Mason. Here he had come to teach in the college in the absence of Brother N. B. Hardeman, president, who was away in meetings in Nashville and Detroit.” —John Fairs Nichols.

Brother C. E. Smith writes that he was called to Knobel, Arkansas in June 1928 to assist Brother Mason in a meeting there by directing the song service. He also directed the singing in the last meeting Brother Mason held, which was at Imboden, Arkansas.

“In the spring of 1929 when Brother Hardeman had to be away from the school a few days in one of the great tabernacle meetings in Nashville, the question came up as to who would take his place. The name of Brother Mason was suggested and his selection was immediately approved by all. The invitation was forwarded to him, he accepted it, and thus began his association with Freed-Hardeman College. His work was so satisfactory.” —L. L. Brigance

The last year of M. S. Mason's life is more readily followed. The Gospel Advocate of April 7, 1930 reported that he was to hold a meeting in Union City, Tennessee April 20-May 1; also, a May issue of the Gospel Advocate carried a poem written by him entitled “The Last Journey.” Also, this year, Brother Mason published a book of poems entitled "Lyrics of Life" of which I have a copy.

Brother C. B. Thomas, a student of Brother Mason's at both Monea and Freed-Hardeman, reports, "My last time to be with Brother Mason was during his meeting at Coal Hill, Arkansas last June (1930 BEM). In company with Brother Laird and others, we visited his meeting and heard him preach one of his strong sermons on Christian living based on the third chapter of James.”

Brother Clyde C. Corner mentions seeking his advice in July on attending ACC, which he was advised to do and which he did. August 21 Gospel Advocate reported that he had good meetings at Mammoth Spring and Lynn, Arkansas.

In August, Brother W. W. Otey reports he visited him while Brother Mason was in a meeting at Foss, Oklahoma. September 9 issue of Gospel Advocate reported baptisms in this meeting. His next meeting was at Ash Flat, Arkansas. C. E. Smith directed the singing. He went next to Dell, Arkansas, then visited home; and then conducted a meeting in Imboden, Arkansas, his last. Of it, Brother J. H. Curry wrote, “No man of God was ever more beloved by the brotherhood of Northeast Arkansas than was M. S. Mason. I had the privilege of hearing him on Wednesday night before his death, on the phrase, “In Christ.” “What a wonderful discourse it was.”

Brother Lacy Holt said, "When Brother Mason left Imboden, Arkansas on Monday before his death, he had closed our meeting that morning at the water's edge. Sixteen had been baptized and one restored.

Also as a staff writer of the Christian Worker, he was sorely missed. Brother Homer E. Moore, editor; wrote, “Brother Mason was our oldest regular writer. He began shortly after the paper was established. When the lamented D. F. Broadus, founder of the Worker, passed to his reward, Brother Mason was put on the first page. He wrote the first and fifteenth of each month, and in all these years he' never missed. The next morning after the hearing of his death, I eagerly watched for the mail carrier, for it was time for his article to come in. I was not disappointed. It came.”

He was also a staff writer for the Gospel Advocate. Several articles were printed in 1930 from his pen.

The Facts As To The Death Of Bro. Mason

“I have received a number of requests from brethren and friends of Brother Mason for the details as to his tragic death which occurred at the home of Brother Joe Miller, when he was shot by John Miller, the father of Joe Miller, at the home of the latter, about six miles northwest of Judsonia, White County, Arkansas, on October 1, 1930: about 6: 45 P. M. and I take this means of making the details public.

Brother Mason had been invited by the Bethel Grove Church which is located about five miles northwest of Judsonia, to hold a meeting, and had arrived at the home of Brother Joe Miller, where it had been arranged for him to stay during the meeting, on the afternoon of September 29th, beginning the meeting that evening.

The family of Brother Joe Miller consisted of himself, his wife, three small children, and his father and mother who made their home with him.

About thirty years ago John Miller obeyed the gospel, and attended church for about ten years, when he became dissatisfied over some trivial matter and quit the church. He never openly denounced the Cause or had any grudge against any particular preacher or preachers. He lived with his son Joe, periodically for several years, as had also his wife, although they had been estranged during this time.

Many preachers have made their home with Joe Miller during this time while holding meetings for this church, but not until this awful tragedy occurred had John Miller ever done more than to ignore them. On this occasion he had acted about as usual, except that he had refused to eat his meal at the table with Brother Mason on one occasion during the time he was in the home, stating to a member of the family that he did not like the company they had.

The family was preparing for church, except the father. Joe Miller goes to field to examine some hay, Brother Mason goes into sitting room to wait. Paul goes to get some crayon for Brother Mason, Sister Miller finishing her preparation goes to the car in back yard, John Miller enters the room and fired the full charge of one barrel of the gun striking Bro. Mason just back of the right ear. Brother Mason had no warning. When the shot was fired the electric light switch was jarred off, and that part of the house was left in darkness. Alfred Miller, Joe's brother, who lives on same farm, arrived, rushed into the house and disarmed his father, and he, in company with a neighbor took John Miller to Searcy, the county seat of White County, where he was delivered to the Sheriff. His trial will be in January, 1931.

This terrible tragedy was such a shock to the other members of the family of Joe Miller that they were prostrate with grief. Nobody who knows the facts hold any other member of this family to blame in any degree, as they had no inkling or warning of the impending tragedy. We know there was nothing they could have done to have anticipated or prevented it. The entire community, as well as the citizenship of White County, generally deeply regret the sad affair and extend heartfelt sympathy to the friends and relatives of this good man who has been sent to an untimely grave. —J. OSCO YINGLING

Bro. Roy Bixler preached the funeral. Burial was in Springfield, Mo. Brother and Sister Mason had one daughter, Alma.

—Arkansas Angels, by Boyd E. Morgan, pgs.128-133

Editor's Note: Tom Childers recently brought it to my attention that Mason's wife, Winifred Mason Moore Showalter, was remarried to H.E. Moore, editor of the The Christian Worker, after the death of Brother Mason. Later, after Brother Moore's death in 1941, she remarried G.H.P. Showalter. After Showalter's death in 1954, she returned to Springfield, and died in the spring of 1956. She was the founder and editor of the Christian Woman magazine for 21 years, that she was married three times in her life, and that all three of her husbands were gospel preachers, and writers for brotherhood journals, the last two of which served as editors.

Tribute To M.S. Mason At Freed-Hardeman University

The impression M.S. Mason made on the students and faculty of Freed-Hardeman University is worthy of note. He was described by L.L. Brigance as a fine writer and philosopher. His sermons were scriptural, logical, and simple. Following the shocking death of this much beloved preacher of the gospel and former teacher, the students of M.S. Mason at Freed-Hardeman College raised funds to refresh and refurbish the classroom where he taught. One of the young men involved was 1930 class president, Hugo McCord. The room still exists as the office of Financial Aid in the administration building on the campus of Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tennessee. (Photos provided by Tom L. Childers).


Freed-Hardeman University Administration Building







The M.S. Mason Room Lies In The SW Corner On The Main Floor Of The F-HU Administration Building



In Memory Of
M.S. MASON
Our Friend And Teacher
who was murdered near Searcy, Arkansas
October 1, 1930. This room is which he taught
was refinished, furnished and dedicated by
the Senior Class Of 1930-31.



Above is the refurbished M.S. Mason Room, sometime after 1930
In the foreground are W. Claude Hall (L) and N.B. Hardeman (R)
Photo: Courtesy of Freed-Hardeman University©

Directions To The Grave Of M.S. Mason

M.S. Mason and Winifred M.M. Showalter were buried in Springfield, Missouri in the Maple Park Cemetery. The cemetery is located in the center of Springfield at 300 W. Grand St. The office phone #(417)869-0217. The can assist you for the exact location. But when speaking with the office manager, she told me that you enter the cemetery at the only entrance, and make your way straight towards the rear of the cemetery. About 3/4 way stop the car and enter the center and to the east (left) for the plot. Look for "STEVENS/WOOD; MERIWETHER plots from the drive and it will be to the rear and right of them.

M.S. Mason - Southside NW quarter Lot 76 Block 75
Winifred Mason Showalter - Center of NW quarter Lot 76 Block 75





Winifred Mason Moore Showalter
Feb. 14, 1885
Apr. 9, 1956



Marshall S.
May 20, 1882
Oct. 1, 1930
Special Thanks To Tom L. Childers For Photos On This Site

* Written material was complied by Scott Harp at www.therestorationmovement.com.

Last Update: 05/22/10 - Copyright Tom L. Childers