SPLAWN, WALTER SCOTT

b. Polk Co., N. C., Dec. 20, '58; Wake Forest College, B.L.; Sem. (2) '84-86, grad. eh. Gov. and Past. D., B. Int.; ord. Wake Forest College, in spring of '84; p. two country chs., near Stanford, N. C., '84; in Ky. since '86, Liberty, 4 yrs., Brownsboro, 3 yrs, Pewee ch., 18 mos.; La Grange, Ky., 2 yrs.--.

SOU. BAPT. THEO SEMINARY, 1859-89, p. 187 By: John R. Sampey (B/207/So8s)

SPLAWN, WALTER SCOTT, Gainesville, Tax.--Born Polk

Co., N. C.; W.F.C., B. L., 1884; Grad. S.B.T.S.; Lie. '78, White Oak Ch.' Ord. '84 Wake Forest Ch., N. C.; P. Liberty, Brownsboro, Peewee Valley, LaGrange, Burk's Branch, Upper St. Lexington, Ky., '84-95; Gainesville, Tex., '95--.

BAPT. MINISTERIAL DIRECTORY, Geo. Lasher, ed., p. 689

W. S. SPLAWN

The following brethren have been ordained to the work of the gospel ministry

since the last Association: At Wake Forest College, on November 15, 1883, W. S.

Splawn •.•.• ; Presbytery--Elders W. Royall, W. B. Royall, C. E. Taylor, R. T.

Vann and James S. Purefoy. Sermon by R. T. Vann; prayer by W. B. Royall; charge

by J. S. Purefoy.

CENTRAL BAPTIST ASSOCIATION MINUTES, 1884, p.10.

SPLAWN, WALTER SCOTT, 84 LL.B., min., Polk Co.

d3-08

WAKE FOREST ALUMNI DIRECTORY, p. 246

WALTER SCOTT SPLAWN By Forrest Smith

On Tuesday, March 17th Rev. Walter Scott Splawn passed from his earthly

home in Bonham to his heavenly home. Many of our brethren knew that he had

been a sick man for the last two or three years, caused by Bright's disease,

and that he had been critically sick for the last three or four months. His

last public discourse was his masterful sermon before the Baptist State

Convention in San Antonio last November. Those who heard it will say that it

was good enough to be the last message of any man.

Brother Splawn was cut down in the very prime of life, in the midst of

great usefulness. He was in his 49th year and but a few months ago the finest

speciman of physical man~ood among our splendid Texas ministers.

It became the duty of this writer, assisted by the local preachers to con-

duct the funeral services in Bonham before the sorrowing wife and grief stricken

children left with his body for Louisville, Ky., where the interment took place.

Probably no church ever gave greater evidence of genuine sorrow and showed more

kindness than did the Bonham church along with the city's whole citizenship.

All classes, from every walk in life came to express sympathy and begged to be

permitted to render some act of kindness. Two of the church's honored deacons

and Bonham's noble citizens went with the family to Kentucky, to lay the body

in Cave Hill cemetery till the resurrection morning.

Walter Scott Splawn was born at Mill Spring, Polk County, N. C. a little

more than forty eight years ago. His early education was received in the

neighborhood schools of his county. Later he went to Wake Forest College,

where he was an honored graduate. Still later he attended the Seminary at

Louisville, taking a thorough course.

He spent eleven years in pastoral work in Kentucky, the most notable being

Calvary church, Lexington. A little more than thirteen years ago he came to the

WALTER SCOTT SPLAWN -- 2

First Baptist Church of Gainesville in this state. There he wrought nobly

for six years. During this time their present splendid church building was

erected and the work grew and prospered in every direction. One of the

greatest meetings ever held in North Texas was led by this peerless preacher

during his fruitful ministry. Some eight hundred people were converted in

this meeting.and numbers of Cainsville finest people were added to the Baptist

church. A little more than seven years ago he accepted a hearty call from the

Bonham church where he has labored nobly and with splendid success until the

ravages of disease robbed him of his strength.

There were many things in the life of this valiant soldier that deserve

to be mentioned and above all, that deserve to be imitated. He was a faithful

and forceful preacher of the gospel. He was a devoted and tactful and

sympathetic pastor. He knew the way to the homes and hearts of the sick and

sorrowing. He knew how to lead lost men and women to Jesus. Even in his

suffering and pain he delivered personal appeals from the sick chamber that

settled the destiny of the lost. He was a friend that could be counted on at

all times. He loved his people with undying love. He was a loyal, faithful

Baptist. He was one of the finest christian gentlemen to be found among the

entire brotherhood.

The last words of his sermon were prophetic of his own life. He said in

closing his sermon in San Antonio: "Brethren, the prophets and righteous men

of Isaiah's time desired to see and hear what they never were permitted to enjoy

on earth; even so the greatest desire of our souls is yet prospective, but thanks

be to God, it will be realization bye and bye. The day is coming when our

heroic missionaries and their noble wives will receive ample compensation for

lonely waitings and wearisome journeys. In a little while and all the prayers

WALTER SCOTT SPLAWN -- 3

and plans and anxieties of our untiring secretaries and faithful editors will

be over. A few more years and the present pastors and loyal churches will rest

from their labors. It will not be long until heaven shall burst in upon our

souls and we shall be filled and thrilled with the sweet melody of angel's

harps and shall come into the presence of prophets and righteous men who now

look upon His face and listen to His words".

That time has already come to our brother.

At the request of Bro. Splawn, Rom. 8:18 was used as a text for his

funeral sermon. "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are

not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed to us-ward".

"The glory" has already been revealed to him and "the sufferings of this

present time" are things of the past.

Sherman,Texas.

BAPTIST STANDARD, Apr. 2, 1908, p. 5