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Knowles Shaw
1834-1878
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''IT IS A Grand Thing To Rally People to The Cross Of Christ!"
Knowles Shaw was born in Butler County, Ohio, on October 13, 1834. Of Scottish
descent, his father was Aibin Shaw, and his mother was Huldah Griffin. Soon after his birth,
the family removed to Rush County, Indiana. Aibin Shaw was a farmer and a tanner, stock
dealer and merchant in the small village of Rushville where they lived.
When Knowles was about nine or ten his father became very ill. When near death he
called for his son and said, ''My son, be good to your mother," and, "Prepare to meet your
God." The last thing he gave his son was a violin, which had often been a comfort to him
during his struggles of life. Very soon thereafter, he passed away.
As a young man, enduring the struggles of being In a fatherless family, young
Knowles did what he could to live up to his father's last request to be good to his mother.
So he helped in doing whatever he could. He worked diligently to learn the violin that his
father had given him, and often spent evenings playing the instrument for his mother and
siblings.
He was quick to learn most anything he put his hand to. He learned to make shoes in
http://www.therestorationmovement.com/shaw.htm 3/26/2009
Knowles Shaw Page 2 of 15
a single week, made grain-cradles for the neighbors, was a carpenter, plasterer, and
on one occasion greatly astonished a watchmaker from whom he obtained permission to use
his tools, by taking his watch to pieces, cleaning it, and putting it together again in good
order, as if cleaning a watch were an every-day affair with him. He quickly learned how to
work on sewing machines as weli. He Imew so many things from the habit of close
observation that he had cultivated, that one of the neighbors quaintly expressed the general
sentiment in regard to him by saying that "Knowles Shaw's head was like a tar-bucket, for
everything that touched it stuck to it."
By the time he was eighteen years old, he had spent a short time as a clerk in a
store, taught school several terms, and at one time fell in with a teacher who professed to
be able to give instructions in Greek and Latin. He became a pupii, and in one month
learned all his teacher knew.
His proficiency with the violin soon gave him fame throughout the area. He often
played for neighbors that would come by. He would play until late into the evening. He was
soon invited to participate in neighborhood and town activities. He organized others to play
with him In musical bands. They would then entertain the masses. Along with the music
came playing at dances and parties, where alcohol was often served. As a young adult, he
was living a free lifewhere religion was far from his mind.
In the biography of on Shaw's life, William Baxter related an experience that caused a
change to take place in his life:
One night he was playing the violin for a large company of dancers, and
in that most unlikely of all places for serious thought, there came into his mind
the dying advice of his father, in the impressive words of the prophet:
"Prepare to meet thy God." They came unbidden; they forced themselves upon
him with a powerthat he could not resist; they seemed to him not only a voice
from the grave but a message from heaven. Still the dance went on; but the
gayer the crowd became, the sadder grew the heart of the player, whose
mirthful strains were at such variance with the solemn thoughts with which his
mind was occupied.
Ayoung lady observing the sadness of his look, and the abstraction of
his manner, approached him and said: "Knowly, what is the matter?" He told
without reserve the state of his mind; and it was with strange feelings that she
resumed her place through the set, to music which she knew mocked the
feelings of the sad-hearted player. The dance ceased; another set was formed,
and all were waiting for the music to begin. To the astonishment of all, Shaw,
in response to the call to "strike up," said he could not play any more. Adozen
voices called on him to begin, when he gravely walked out into the middle of
the floor and told all that had been passing through his mind; told of his
father's dying words, neglected till then, and expressed his determination
never to play for another dance. He expressed regret for his past course of
life; that it was not such as it should have been; that it might do if this life
were all; but in view of the life to come, he must pursue another course. He
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Knowles Shaw Page 3 of 15
then asked the company, about forty In all, to promise that they would
throw no hindrance in the way of his attempt to lead a new life. His sadness,
manliness, and earnestness reached their hearts. They gave the promise he
asked; and to their honor be It said, they not only kept It, but some of them
even gave him help and encouragement to keep the resolve which under such
strange surroundings he had made. This proved to be no passing fancy; It was
the turning point In his life; and to the life which he had been leading he never
from that hour longingly looked back.
Very soon thereafter he began attending the services of the church of Christ at Flat
Rock. There he heard the preaching of Gabriel McDuffle and Elder George Campbell. Then
on September 13,1852 he confessed Christ beforewitnesses and put his Lord on in baptism
at the hands of George Thomas, an elder In the congregation.
For the next two years he worked as a farm hand for one of his neighbors, Mr.
George R. FInley. Finley had a daughter by the name of Martha, who very soon won his
heart. Knowles and Martha were married on the 11^ of January, 1855. They gave birth to
their first child, Georgle Anne on the 3^^ day of June, 1856, and then another daughter,
Mary Elizabeth was born October 31^, 1858. Then a son, John Albin, was born In February
18, 1862. All three were born In Rush County, Indiana. Another son, Carey W., was born at
Edinburgh, Indiana, February 26, 1864; and l^owles Shaw, jr., was born at Lebanon, Ohio,
February 14, 1869. The last two died In early infancy; the former on the 25^ ofJuly, 1865;
the latter on the 13th of August, 1869; both at Lebanon, Ohio. His eldest daughter, Georgle
Anna, when nearly fourteen years of age, was taken dangerously ill, while her father was
engaged In a very Interesting and successful meeting at Wellsburgh, West Virginia. Her
condition became alarming, and her father was summoned home; and a few days after his
return, she calmly closed her eyes in hope and trust, on the 29^ of December, 1869; to
open them, doubtless, in the presence of Him to whom she had given her heart In holy
obedience. Two of his children died In the same year; three within about four years.
Only a few days before the birth of Mary Elizabeth, Knowles was called upon to make
some comments at a worship services. It marked the first of many occasions he was called
upon to comment on scripture, and to bring the occasional lesson. His new found talents
also helped him in the area of family provision. He began teaching In a district school, where
he was both teacher and pupil, as he saw the need to broaden his horizons with study. He
also began seeking places where he might preach from time to time.
With his musical skills and his heart from preaching the gospel, invitations began
coming in from all about the country. By 1861 he had been preaching for two years, and
was already baptized many into Christ. Over the next nineteen years of his ministry he
baptized between eleven and twelve thousand people into Christ.
Knowles Shaw had a marvelous ability to reach people of ever social level in any
community where he would be called to labor. He worked tirelessly in Gospel Meeting
efforts. He preached at ieast twice every day, and three times on Sundays. During the day
http://www.therestoratiomnovement.com/shaw.htin 3/26/2009
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Knowles Shaw
when not with the brethren he could be seen going from business to business,
introducing himself, and inviting people to attend.
With a personal history of alcohol abuse, as well as witness to its destruction, he
became a strong voice for the Temperance movement. He organized chapters of the
Temperance movement In many of the cities where he worked. In his last work in
Columbus, Mississippi, he organized a local chapter that included over 1800 members. He
truly believed that alcohol was the single most destructive element In American society, and
encouraged responsible thinking citizens to ban together against it. In cities where he visited
for gospel meetings, he would often be in contact with city leaders who operated
Temperance movements in their own towns.
However his most effective work was seen in his gospel meeting efforts. His talent
with music, as well as preaching the powerful message of the gospel made him virtually a
"one-man show." As being one who believed in the use of musical instruments in worship,
he was often seen at the piano, in buildings where they existed for the first thirty minutes of
any gathering. He would play and sing music, most of which he had written. Then he would
get up and preach as convicting a sermon as could be offered concerning the need for
obedience to the call of the gospel. Very soon he became known as, "The Singing
Evangelist."
His versatility and talents sometime made him the focus of negative criticism from
some. He had some peculiarities In his speech and worship leadership. He referred often to
his experience with the shame and abuse of alcohol. One preacher visiting a service where
Shaw preached stated that over sixty-nine times in the lesson Shaw made reference to his
early years of debaucherous living: playing the fiddle for balls; going to theaters; drinking
alcohol; etc. In the same lesson twenty-seven times he made references to five times
where he went to the cemetery to bury members of his broken home. Yet, In all his
idiosyncrasies, no one could argue his success.
His determination to preach the truth of the gospel is also worthy of comment. Often
when entering into a communitywhere he would speak, the first night or two would see the
presence of denominational ministers from many churches In the community. He would take
the false doctrines of denomination to task by exposing their falseness in light of Scriptures.
When many thought he would have made concessions in view of a desire to Impress a
dignitary or church leader of great importance in a community, he shunned not to declare
Bthewhole counsel of God in his preaching, often times
alienating the town's "respected religious authorities."
I His talent in music was perhaps his greatest calling
I card. He began to compose music soon after he began to
preach. During his preaching career he published at different
times five Sunday-school singing books: 1^^. "Shining Pearls,"
1868; 2nd. "Golden Gate," 1871; 3rd. "Sparkling Jewels," 1871;
4^^. "The Gospel Trumpet," 1878; 5^*^. "The Morning Star,"
1878. He wrote many songs, that are now standards in most
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3/26/2009
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song books. One of his later pieces, "Bringing In the Sheaves," was dedicated to the
memory of A. D. Rllmore, and has proved to be the most popular of his songs, and gives
promise of living for many years to come. He also wrote the music for the much loved song,
"We Saw Thee Not."
During the preaching career of Knowles Shaw, he lived and worked regularly in three
or four different areas of the country. He lived for a time at Rushvllle, Indiana; Lebanon,
Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; and lastly at Columbus, Mississippi.
In May of 1878, Shaw left his Columbus, Mississippi home to attend to a Gospel
Meeting In Dallas, Texas. It commenced on May 4^^^ and lasted for thirty days. At the end of
the meeting where there was recorded one hundred twelve additions, he answered a call to
McKlnney, north of Dallas for a meeting. On the morning of the June 7^*^, Knowles, along
with the preacher from Dallas, Kirk Baxter, set out for McKlnney on a Texas Central Railroad
passenger train. During the trip, Baxter had been visiting with Shaw when he left him and
went forward to another compartment. While passing through his attention was called to by
a Methodist minister, Mr. Malloy, whom he knew from Dallas. They struck up a conversation.
Very soon the two were joined by Shaw, at which time he was Introduced to Mr. Malloy.
Malloy asked about the success of the eminent Shaw when he responded, "It Is a grand
thing to rally people to the Cross of Christ." These were Shaw's last words.
Just then, the train jumped the track, and the car where the three men were sitting
began rolling down an embankment. According to reports later, rotting crossties and a
broken rail caused the car to flip three times before landing In some standing water forty
feet below the track, and about one mile south of the station at McKlnney, Texas. When
people began climbing out. It was soon noted by Baxter that Brother Shawwas no where to
be found. He saw Mr. Malloy, who told him that Shaw had saved his life by pushing him out
of harms way during to wreck. When Baxter returned to the car, he saw part of It under
water. At that location he noted a hand sticking out of the water pointing upward. It was
the hand of Knowles Shaw. Upon pulling his dead body from the wreckage it was noted that
he had a deep cut on his head. There were many people Injured, some severely, but only
one person died, Knowles Shaw. The nationally known and great evangelist was now dead.
The brotherhood, and even the nation was In shock.
His body was returned to Dallas briefly for a funeral. Thousands were in attendance
there. His body was then returned to his home In Rushvllle, Indiana. There waiting at the
train station was his mother, who In tears claimed the body of her lost son. His wife and
family did not arrive until a few hours later. The funeral was held on the 13^*^ of June. No
church building was large enough for the service, so the body taken to the Courthouse
Square.
Participating In the service was Brother J. M. Conner and Brother Love H. Jameson,
of Indianapolis. Some twenty or more other preachers were In attendance, eight of which
served as pallbearers.
Upon completion of the service, the body was removed to the East Hill Cemetery for
http://www.therestorationmovement.com/shaw.htm 3/26/2009
Knowles Shaw
burial. And thus ended the life of a man who though only preaching nineteen years,
baptized nearly twelve thousand people into Christ.
For a fuller reading on the life of Knowles Shaw, be sure to read the biography of his
life by William Baxter on this website. See the link below.
Gleaned From Life Of Knowies Shayj, I'he SjngIng Evangelist
V /
y' J-r. -L-,.-
Life Of Knowles_Shaw, Biography
http://www.therestorationmovement.com/shaw.htm
. . .;V> _
...... ;. . .:
'Bringing in the Sheaves' hymn writer born in county
Roger Miller
Contrlbutingwriter
Many ofyou who read this
column attend church and are
well aware of the song "Bring
ing in the Sheaves." But, do you
realize that this song has con
nections through its author to
both Butler County and Warren
County?
First, the author ofthe song,
Knowles Shaw, was born in But
ler County, likely in Morgan
Twp. in the southwestern part
ofthe counlj^He was born Oc
tober 3l(l8^.ttoAlban and
Huddah Griffeth Shaw, who
were of Scottish descent. Not
long after he was born, the fam
ily moved to Rush County, In
diana. At the age ofthirteen,
while on his deathbed, his fa
ther called him saying, "My son
be good to your mother," and
"Prepare to meet your God,"
Also, Knowles was given his fa
ther's violin.
Shaw did what he could to
take care of his mother, worked
hard learning many different
trades, and learned to play the
violin, but he forgot about his
father's second request.
His proficiency with the vio
lin made him very popular. He
often played for his neighbors
and would play late at night. He
was invited to play in neighbor
hood and town activities. Along
with the music came playing
at dances and parties, often
where alcohol was served. He
was living a life where religion
was far from his mind.
Once while playing late at
night, his father's dying advice
came to him. As he continued
playing and the crowd became
rowdier, his mind became filled
with solemn thoughts. After fin
ishing a dance, the crowd called
for him to begin another. To the
astonishment ofall, he walked to
the center ofthe dance floor, and
told them what had been going
through his mind. He told ofhis
father's dying words and his de
termination to never play at an
other dance. He told them that
he was going to lead a new life.
After this, his life changed.
He started attending church
and became a Christian. While
working on a nearby farm, he
fell in love and married Martha
Finley. His first child was born
January 11,1855, the second on
June 3,1856. Shortly after that,
he was called upon to make
comments at worship services.
; After that came many more oc-
Icasions tospeakat churchser-
; vices. He also broadened his
horizons with study and started
seeking places to preach.
With his musical skills and
his love ofpreaching, invita
tions began coming from all
over the country. He had an
ability to reach people ofall so
cial levels. He preached at least
twice a day, and three times on
Sunday. He became a strong
voice in the Temperance move
ment and organized chapters
in many ofthe cities where he
worked.
His talent with music made
him a "one-man show." He be
lieved in the use of musical in
struments in worship, and was
often seen at the piano where
he often played for the first
thirty minutes of a service.
He would play music and sing
songs, most of which he had
written. Then he would get up
and preach, it was not long un
til he became known as "The
Singing Evangelist."
We have found a connection
to Butler County through his
birth, but, what about a con
nection to Warren County?
In the spring of1869, Shaw
came to Waynesville where
he established the Church of
Christ, in a recent letter. War
ren County historian, Dennis
Dalton shared that Shaw "fol
lowed an interesting pattern of
religious reflection. He would
often remain at the Hall after
services to pray and prepare his
next sermon and would come
there during the week from his
home in Lebanon just to sit and
think and wait to be inspired.
On one of those days at the
Hall, the words to "Bringing in
the Sheaves" came to him." In
1874, the song was written.
Shawbased "Bringing in the
Sheaves" on the fifth and sixth
versus of Psalm 126. The main
theme ofthe song is that we are
to reap a harvest of souls in the
name ofJesus Christ.
A total of five children were
born to Martha and Knowles
Shaw. Four of them were born
in Indiana and last one in Leb
anon. Three of his children
passed away while he was liv
ing in Lebanon. The other two
lived to adulthood.
His talent in music was per
haps his greatest calling card.
He began to compose music
soon after beginning to preach.
During his career, he pub
lished, at different times, five
Sunday school singingbooks.
He wrote many songs, most of
which are not as well known as
"Bringing in the Sheaves."
Shaw's life was cut short at an
early age. After leaving Waynes
ville, he continued traveling
and leading people to Christ.
OnJune 7,1878, while traveling
from Dallas to McKinney, Texas,
for a gospel meeting, the train
he was onjumped Ae tracks
and Shaw was killed.
According to records found
in his diary, Shaw recorded
more than 11,400 conversions
to Christ under his 19 years of
preaching. "The Singing Evan-
, gelist" entered heaven rejoic-
jing, "Bringing inthe Sheaves."
Roger Milleris a Monroe resident
who is interested in local history.
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MIDDLETOWNPAST-"Bringing In the Sheaves" April 15,2013
Many of you who read this column attend church and are well aware of the song
"Bringing in the Sheaves." But, do you realize that this song has connections through its
author to both Butler County and Warren County.
First, the author of the song, Knowles Shaw, was bom in Butler County, likely in
Morgan Township in the southwestem part ofthe county. He was bom October 31, 1834,
to Alban and Huddah Griffeth Shaw, who were of Scottish descent. Not long after he was
bom, the family moved to Rush County, Indiana. At the age of thirteen, while on his
deathbed, his father called him saying, "My son be good to your mother," and "Prepare to
meet your God." Also, Knowles was given his father's violin.
Shaw did what he could to take care of his mother, worked hard learning many
different trades, and leamed to play the violin, but he forgot about his father's second
request.
His proficiency with the violin made him very popular. He often played for his
neighbors and would play late at night. He was invited to play in neighborhood and town
activities. Alongwith the music came playingat dances and parties, often where alcohol
was served. He was living a life where religion was far from his mind.
Once while playinglate at night, his father's dyingadvice came to him. As he
continued playing and the crowd became rowdier, his mind became filled with solemn
thoughts. After finishinga dance, the crowd called for himto begin another. To the
astonishment of all, he walked to the center ofthe dance floor, and told them what had
been goingthroughhis mind. He told of his father's dyingwords and his determinationto
never play at another dance. He told them that he was going to lead a new life.
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bf:;:. b;-onr .-srnijlo'j aj/J/ bi?oi obv/ .-jovlu /fJisU-
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. /iniii/b) y/wy H "rr Mj8 cfleb lo/b'j;.
at. Yi-xlii ./lYjiob' iYiiijci (ii rriod y^ndA cYiY/onyi .jft/>:.* Yrb'ic jorijijAi /-evl
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biJivY.0il.-tb; inid nl |oRlbteYcsb ibYvVJ'o:!?(idyr tIjilO.ifi^bbiiE'lifts or '
r/o Y'jriv; ,n0.:;r'fr!rio yyl ^rii iA xngibn! .-Ar.ho'j fk'Al oi bv/orn viiarbi id; ,m?jd
;:,'.o-i;jq.'.-iS- Di-si '."./siiorT: '!Jo-/ t-.-t.vi xl ftoa yly'""'' .uaiyn>-. Y-iri bub-Y*-Y'tnYi b-YdrfeAj
.fijwi / /"/Yfii'b ''':! Y'.?v{^ rii-vV :-'Y:. Yrf.b .o^;!A ..d!"d 'uj'-'j ::: '!!
f b'Yiff . lid 'to ovsj o; h'-jKiO Y.rl b-:ti,vV brb /urid
b.'KipOo c')? It;'-' :Yri ijoiju Y/Yioi :.id ifid .aiie; v-ftq ij\ bya .g.YDiri, .rn^-E'-'ub
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-.-nuoi.C -.. jfin ii7;l - y.-jti.iAl uJiH- i'OOlWb is .0r!!'Y7'C j'/iYY Y:- !ii' Y;". b;';.'/ fjatilA
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nii':iiiw i/bii'! 'jira.'j-y* bnim .ri /i9ibv/oi cti/nsici .bvvc/o 01b ban :mh/bki
Yftj o'j .-[Yrlionii iiApd oi 7di boiisY srb s y:!i(i2i,ar lYft/. .iYipijob:
bGi- Uifiv.- fir blo'i Pfis :h'Oii ydj lo lOlnvo Y;jro2 bo/d},-'/ :..fi Jl/j'-io
0] noiY'jiiiia-itftvii ;>ifi oju. eb'iu'/-/ S'livb a 'lorlifti <nibo blc: v(l .uwrrf ?ifi diri-'/u:! pfuuij iioC'd
biii YYf; h bfi'jl oi quiOY asv/ 0(1 'icdi .r;:jr{j bjoi oM b ts-jous v/b
After this, his life changed. He started attending church and became a Christian.
While working on a nearby farm, he fell in love and married Martha Finley. His first
child was bom January 11, 1855, the second on June 3,1856. Shortly after that, he was
called upon to make comments at worship services. After that came many more
occasions to speak at church services. He also broadened his horizons with study and
started seeking places to preach.
With his musical skills and his love of preaching, invitations began coming from
all over the coimtiy. He had an ability to reach people of all social levels. He preached at
least twice a day, and three times on Sunday. He became a strong voice in the
Temperance movement and organizedchapters in many of the cities where he worked.
His talent with music made him a "one-man show." He believed in the use of
musical instruments in worship, and was often seen at the piano where he often played
for the first thirty minutes of a service. He would play music and sing songs, most of
which he had written. Then he would get up and preach. It was not long until he became
known as "The Singing Evangelist."
We have found a connection to Butler County through his birth, but, what about a
connection to Warren County?
In the spring of 1869, Shaw came to Waynesville where he established the
Church of Christ. In a recent letter. Warren County historian, Dennis Dalton shared that
Shaw "followed an interesting pattern of religious reflection. He would often remain at
the Hall after services to pray and prepare his next sermon and would come there during
the week from his home in Lebanonjust to sit and think and wait to be inspired. On one
ofthose days at the Hall, the words to "Bringing in the Sheaves" came to him." In 1874,
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'Viorn vintu vOin : "iob/. .nooivjt)?. qiri^iO^v if- o'Oii!. -.i-j ifoan bo!i/b>
!.:iK /5u.;" dbv/ nno-ii fOff nill be;n?bnOid pnii; oH iiojuno is dijoqn oj
rioijprn oj boJ'ifO;
jwofrijlriiTipn iKib ^
u: ^'Oibno'i'i >H .rie-vc;! i-dOKu: ilii in olr[t'y;/j^ .-jobo 01 VPIids mj .psfj -oii /Vf'ooo A'hio/o ffs
or'i 0" ;uioTj- o -jiifixiod oil .vslxuJc^ fro/.ornq jouij brm.Mb { i-.;:;oi
hy'sovf :! t-'ijiiw iu-jisio odi 'to Yfijpit. -'ii. boxiusgio bf;j; .'itOPfsvo!.*
do 02U orbTtJ i> .''oil jcl oH '\v/(..i';' fifpri-oiiG ' s ruid opSjP oiautn fbiy-/ inoiSi roH
bovGip livli-r, -J opr'p- oonifi in n-vs?, ribfin mw brip qidoiov^ id .prtiprnj-ii^ni iGOuona
in ,cOin.diioo::. gni.; b.M ofnipri vr:iq piiKiv/ oKi .ooivi.!^ s'lo eoTiPiini /tf/ib '?(H uifb k./I
o:pf:o:>d tM gnoi ro;T ,m.'/ li .rinjjMq ops qn biuo>; or! nor;']' .nobi tv; ben or! r!o(dv;
bJnibyaGvhl.gni'H.id -nT'Y^n f!v/oro!
i. ''';) /Kfbv .ipd j.:.:} :b' (iji-o;!. .'bT?/f. > loij.jH Oj rit.si.p- .-nno:. n b-.-jo't ??v.iil oV-/
' b'; q - . , ; b'\dni.f63/redisWobfroddJmnoo"
pb b;!i(^t!;c:?;n:o od -yio^h^ :j!;!7^sn\[BW fp onim v/Sfid ! 'io :; fij f!(
b-jinJ?. ro^uKi di:n.:G .osinnnp: a-z-rniY/ jobol ipoooi s u'-juui''}
js ojjirc/pf lipjlo blonv/ rjid .fKdiobri'P Piioigiioibo p;oj3S(jqmiiHa"'o]ai rrr; iwv/odct' v/su^^
g/boib Mfit Is :;niOo bido / btmnonron izotT ?i(i oinqoiq bns OiTiC; i. i aooi lobs [lsl.i orij
nn<; fiO .b::."*rqnni -jd dj jj-.v/ br.-; Jnrnj bPo Jb. oi noosdoJ. >\i Pfjiori gia :ao'd ioov/ oflj
.Mbbi oi ''.foid :?; oPiSiO'b^ovnofl!: od- (if qiig(iri8'"op ;^biov/oiii jitni obi jispyab oeorl; o.)
the song was written,
Shaw based "Bringing in the Sheaves" on the fifth and sixth versus ofPsalm 126.
The main theme ofthe song is that we are to reap a harvest of souls in the name ofJesus
Christ.
A total of five children were bom to Martha and Knowles Shaw. Four ofthem
were bom in Indiana and last one in Lebanon. Three of his children passed away while he
was living in Lebanon. The other two lived to adulthood.
His talent in music was perhaps his greatest calling card. He began to compose
music soon after beginning to preach. During his career, he published, at different times,
five Sunday school singing books. He wrote many songs, most of which are not as well
known as "Bringing in the Sheaves."
Shaw's life was cut short at an early age. After leaving Waynesville, he continued
traveling and leading people to Christ. On June 7,1878, while traveling from Dallas to
McKinney, Texas, for a gospel meeting, the train he was on jumped the tracks and Shaw
was killed.
According to records found in his diary, Shaw recorded more than 11,400
conversions to Christ under his nineteen years of preaching. "The Singing Evangelist"
entered heaven rejoicing, "Bringing in the Sheaves."
Roger L. Miller
March 29,2013
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itiliA'i .Jioyoil
-'A ():. iiviidv]
the Sheaves
George A. Minor
ing. sow - ing seeds of kind ness.
hine. sow - ing in the shad - ows.
mc. sow - ing for the Mas - ter.
dew - y eve. Wati-ing for the har-vest
chill - ing breeze: By and by the har-vest
oft . en grieves; When our wcep-ing's o - ver
lil come re-joic-ing. bring-ing in the sheaves.
U1 come re-joic-ing. bring-ing in the sheaves,
ill come re-joic-ing. bring-ing in the sheaves.
ng in the sheaves, We shall come re-joic-ing.
come re-joic-ing. bring-ing in the sheaves.
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Bringing in the Sheaves

... The harvest tndyisplentiful, butthelaborers arefew. Matthetf 9:37
nowles Shaw, the "Singing Evangelist/' wrote this gospel song in 1874.
Fouryears later, on June 7, 1878, he and Elder KirkBaxter boarded a train
in Dallas, en route to McKinney, Texas, where Shaw was beginning an
^1 evangelistic campaign. .\s the train chugged across Texas, the two men
fell into conversation with a Methodist minister named Mallov. Baxter later wrote:
IMalloy asked him to tell the secret of his success in protracted meetings,
which Brother Shaw proceeded to do in an earnest manner, saying he de
pended much on the power of song; preached Christ; always kept ^esus
I before the people: made them feel that chey were sinners and needed just
I such aSavior as he preached; rhaf he never became discouraged; had confi-
dence in the gospel truth as the poM'er of God; that he loved his work, and
I became wholly absorbed in it; and added: "Oh, it is agranJThin^to rally
1 people to theCross of Christ."
At that moment, I felt thecar was off thetrack, bouncing over the ties.
I saw Brother Shaw rise from his seat and realized a: once thecar was going
i> over. .All became dark as night. WTien I came to myself, the coach was at the
|, bottom of the embankment. 1looked round, but all were gone. When J got
I out. I saw the passengers on the railroad track above me, and made my way
/ up to them. The first one I met was Mr. Malloy. 1said, "Have you seen
p Brother Shaw?" "No," said he, "I fear he is under the wreck; but he saved
I? my life by pushing me from the position in which he himself fell."
I?. I wailed to hear no more, but ran down to the wreck, looked in, and
saw a man's hand pointing upward out of the water. It was Brother Shaw's.
|r Icalled for help, and in about fifteen minutes he was taken lifeless from the
P;' water.
g; I sent atelegram to Dallas, telling the sad news. In ashort time, adeep
P gloom penaded the whole city, asfrom house to house passed the sad words,
1; "Brother Shaw is dead."
!
Buthis life proved hissong. According torecords found inhisdiaiy, Shaw recorded
^^ore than n.40Q conversions to Christ under his nineteen years of preaching. He
^'fifltered heaven rejoicing, bringing in the shea^^es.