[290 words]
Knowles Shaw was born October 13, 1834 in Ohio to Alban and Huldah Griffeth Shaw. At the age of 13 his father passed away. His dying words to his son, “Prepare to meet thy God.”
Around the age of 18, Knowles began to consider his father’s dying words. He met two men, Gabriel McDuffie and George Campbell, who taught him the gospel. On September 13, 1852 Knowles confessed his faith in Jesus and was baptized.
Following his baptism Knowles became a preacher and began to teach others the gospel. It is said that in his lifetime he brought some 20,000 souls to obedience. He had strong will, unwavering faith, and unusual empathy.
So why is this important to you? It’s not, in fact you’ve probably never heard of Knowles Shaw until now, but you do know his works. You see, Knowles Shaw was a song writer, penning in his lifetime some 114 songs. Included among his works are “Bringing in the Sheaves,” “I am the Vine,” and “Tarry With Me.”
On June 7, 1879, at the age of 35, while traveling from Dallas to McKinney, Texas for a gospel meeting, the train on which he was riding went over an embankment. Brother Shaw was killed instantly. Survivors of the wreck recall Brother Shaw’s dying words, “Oh, it is a grand thing to rally people to the cross of Christ.”
If you were to ask me, I’d say Knowles Shaw was prepared to meet his God and he was helping others prepare as well. Question is, how prepared are you?
“Sow for yourselves righteousness; Reap in mercy; Break up your fallow ground, For it is time to seek the LORD, Till He comes and rains righteousness on you” (Hosea 10:12).
Randy Mathis
Lake City church of Christ
Lake City, FL