Batsell
Baxter Biographical
Sketch Biographical Sketch On The Life Of Batsell Baxter Batsell
Baxter was born to Price and Etta Elliott Baxter on November 17, 1886, at
Sherman, Texas. He was baptized by
T. B. Larimore at a gospel meeting in Sherman, Texas, that lasted
almost six months.
In 1912, he married Frances Scott who was a wonderful
helpmeet and companion to him through their life together. She passed on
to her reward in 1940.
Baxter began preaching in
Nashville, Tennessee, in 1908 and attended Nashville Bible School, where he sat at the
feet of David Lipscomb and James A.
Harding. He was greatly influenced
by the life and teaching of David Lipscomb. He stood as a link with such
pioneers as Lipscomb, Harding, Elam, Freed and others. He
was very much like Lipscomb in his judgment and his mixture of meekness
and humility. Both men stood steadfastly for the truth and yet in
meekness and in love.
Baxter attended school at
Texas Christian University, Baylor University, and taught school at Thorp Springs Christian College, Abilene Christian College, Cordell
Christian College and Harding College. He was president of Abilene Christian College
from 1924-32,
president of David Lipscomb College, 1932-1934, and again in 1943-1946.
He was president of George Pepperdine College, 1937-1939. He had been
president emeritus and head of the Bible Department at David Lipscomb
since 1946. He had written regularly for the Gospel Advocate for 26
years and was a highly respected member of its staff.
At the services that were conducted at Sherman, Texas, on March 7, Don
Morris recalled the influence of Baxter upon his life, and stated that
it was quite possible that he would never have been associated with Abilene
Christian College had it not been for
Baxter. He first met Baxter when his father took him to see the young
Dean at Thorp Springs Christian College. He paid tribute to
Baxter's courage and vision in leading the college to the new campus in Abilene and in building the
new buildings to provide for the school's growth.
Athens Clay Pullias paid tribute to the great assistance
Baxter had been to him, personally, and to David Lipscomb College. He emphasized the
fact that Baxter would live on in his influence on the lives of students
who had studied with him.
It was the privilege of those present to close the service
by recounting some of the attributes of Baxter's life as a Christian and
as a gospel preacher. He was a man like Moses in his meekness. He was a
man of vision, a man who encouraged young men to prepare for places of
leadership, and was willing to step down and encourage them in taking
the lead. He thoroughly believed in Christian education. After Morris
had received news of Baxter's death, he opened a letter from Baxter
expressing appreciation for the wonderful lectureship week in Abilene.
The letter contained
a check for Abilene College. Truly, a great
prince in Israel died on March 4,1956, when Baxter went to
be with his Lord.
Baxter began preaching in 1908 in
Nashville, Tennessee. He preached in numerous places, particularly in Corsicana, Texas, and had numerous
appointments around the Christian colleges where he taught. He preached
the gospel in 21 States.
Funeral service was conducted in
Nashville, Tennessee, by Athens Clay Pullias, B. C. Goodpasture,
George Benson, and R. C. Bell. The body was
taken to his original home in Sherman, Texas, where another
service was conducted by Don Morris of Abilene Christian College
and Athens Clay Pullias of David Lipscomb College.
Baxter is dead at the age of 70, but he still speaks through
the work of his son, Batsell Barrett Baxter, whose work continues to
live. He speaks through his thousands of boys and girls who have felt
the impact of his life. He speaks through his writings of his lifetime.
We thank God for the blessing of knowing Baxter through the years. We
shall miss his counsel and encouragement. May the Lord multiply his
teaching and influence for the cause so that untold good may redound to
the glory of God through the ages. His body was laid to rest along side
that of his faithful companion who preceded him in death, in the Holloway Cemetery near Sherman, Texas. He was survived at
his death by his son, Batsell Barrett Baxter, who has now joined his
father in death.
—In
Memoriam, Gussie Lambert, Shreveport, LA 1988, pages 18-20 Batsell Baxter Called Home We
regret to announce the death of Brother Baxter at 8:10 P.M., on Sunday, March
4. He suffered a stroke while eating his noon meal and died at St. Thomas
Hospital, here in Nashville, without regaining consciousness. At
the time of his passing, Brother Baxter was president emeritus and head of the
Bible department at David Lipscomb College. He had been a staff writer of the
GOSPEL ADVOCATE since 1930. An extended notice will appear later. "Blessed
(Happy) are the dead who die in the Lord." -EDITOR. Batsell Baxter I met Brother Baxter for the first time in September, 1911,
at Thorp Spring, Texas. He had recently graduated from the Nashville Bible
School at Nashville, Tenn. He and his wife had moved to Thorp Spring, Texas,
where he was a teacher in the Thorp Spring Christian College. These few years
were symbolic of the whole of his life. It was his great delight with his wife
to take young college student on an all-day outing. He entered into all the fun
any took great delight in cooking outdoor meals. He and Mrs. Baxter endeared
themselves to every student of the college. His work as a teacher was outstanding in its influence on
students. He gave the impression as being deeply interested in truth for its own
sake and what it could do in liberating the personality of the student One
seemed to have no fear or other complexes b, being under his instruction. All
felt free to ask questions and to make comments. The next close contact I had with Brother Baxter was after
the death of Sister Baxter when he had moved back to Nashville and became
president of David Lipscomb College upon the resignation of E H. Ijams. We lived
near the campus of David Lipscomb College and upon many occasions we met for
long walks on Saturday afternoons. His work al Nashville was highly praised by
the brethren. He had been a student in Nashville for four years and had taught
there previously. So his moving to Nashville was homecoming. His going away was as he had wished. He taught the Bible the
last day he lived. He carried on his work within a few hours of his death. For
nearly seventy years he lived on the earth and a great portion of these years it
was his responsibility to lead and guide young people. It was this
responsibility that he was discharging to the very end. Few men among us were wiser in their counsel and judgment than Brother
Baxter. His judgment of men and things was an equal to any man among us. He was
able to write with clearness and force. He was able to teach with clearness and
simplicity. A
Tribute to Batsell Baxter At
8:10 Sunday evening, March 4, Batsell Baxter passed from this life. He had
taught his class at the Granny White church of Christ that morning and just a
few days before had visited the fiftieth-year lectureship at Abilene Christian
College. At this Golden Anniversary he had been signally honored by the college
and the reunion with his many friends and former students had thrilled his heart
to overflowing. The pageant depicting the first fifty years of the college
recounted the years he had unselfishly dedicated to this school. This week was a
fitting culmination of an eventful Christian life. Brother Baxter was born in
Sherman, Texas, November 17, 1886. He was baptized as a small lad by
T. B.
Larimore in the gospel meeting in Sherman which lasted nearly six months. In
1912 he married Frances Fay Scott, who was a wonderful help-meet to him
throughout their life together. She passed on in 1940. Brother Baxter began
preaching in Nashville in 1908 and attended the Nashville Bible School where he
sat at the feet of David Lipscomb and James A. Harding. He was deeply influenced
by Brother Lipscomb's life and teaching and is a link with such pioneers as
Brethren Lipscomb, Harding, Elam, Freed and others. He was a great deal like
Brother Lipscomb in his common sense and in his mixture of firmness and
humility. Both men stood steadfastly for the truth and yet in meekness and in
love. Brother
Baxter attended school at Texas Christian University, Baylor University, and
taught school at Thorp Spring Christian College, Abilene Christian College,
Cordell Christian College, and Harding College. He was president of Abilene
Christian College from 1924-32, president of Lipscomb College, 1932-34, and
again in 1943-46. He was president of George Pepperdine College in 1937-39. He
had been president emeritus, and head of the Bible Department at David Lipscomb
since 1946. He wrote regularly for the GOSPEL ADVOCATE for twenty-six years and
was a highly respected member of its staff. At
the services that were conducted at Sherman, Texas, March 7, Don Morris recalled
the influence of Brother Baxter upon his life and stated that it was quite
possible that he would never have been associated with Abilene Christian College
had it not been for Brother Baxter. He first met Brother Baxter when his father
took him to see the young dean of Thorp Spring Christian College. He paid
tribute to Brother Baxter's courage and vision in leading the college to the new
campus in Abilene and in building the new buildings to .provide for the school's
growth. Athens Clay Pullias paid tribute to the great assistance which Brother
Baxter had been to him personally and to David Lipscomb College. He emphasized
the fact that Brother Baxter would live on in his influence on the lives of
students who had studied with him. It
was our privilege to close the service by recounting some of the attributes of
Brother Baxter's life as a Christian and as a gospel preacher. He was a man like
Moses in his meekness. He was courageous and often had to fight for the right
alone, as an executive, yet he was kind. He was a man of vision; a man who
encouraged young men to prepare for places of leadership and was willing to step
down and encourage them in taking the lead. He thoroughly believed in Christian
education. After Brother Morris had received news of his death, he opened a
letter from Brother Baxter expressing appreciation for the wonderful lecture
week in Abilene. The letter contained a check for Abilene Christian College. Brother
and Sister Baxter were exceedingly hospitable. They kept a number of girls and
boys in their home through the years and they entertained strangers as well as
friends. Even after Sister Baxter passed on, Brother Baxter continued to show
unusual hospitality to his friends. Truly
a great prince has fallen in Israel. But we are thankful for the wonderful hope
that we have for him. "Well done, good soldier. We pause to express our
deep and abiding gratitude for your help and instruction and encouragement and
we turn to serve the same Lord and the same cause with renewed vigor inspired by
the memory of your faith and love." Brother
Baxter is dead, yet he still speaks. He speaks through his son, Batsell Barrett.
He speaks through his thousands of boys and girls who have felt the impact of
his life. He speaks through the writings of a lifetime. As the years come and
go, we believe that the accomplishments of this man of God will cause him to be
more appreciated than he was during his lifetime. We thank God for the privilege
of knowing him so well through the years. We shall miss his counsel and
encouragement. May the Lord multiply his teaching and influence for the cause so
that untold good may redound to the glory of God through the ages! —Gospel
Advocate
Vol. XCVIII, NO. 13, March 29, 1956, I
feel a deep sense of personal loss in the passing of the beloved Batsell Baxter.
His influence was far-reaching in my own life, and I owe to him a debt of
gratitude that I cannot pay. It was Brother Baxter who encouraged me so much in
the depths of the depression of the thirties and gave me the opportunity of
coming to David Lipscomb College to receive a Christian education. He was one of
my teachers and amid all the heavy duties and responsibilities as a college
president, he had time for every student and took a personal interest in every
one of us. In his quiet, yet powerful way, he impressed our lives with the
principles of New Testament Christianity. His quick humor, his facile comment,
his humility, his devotion to truth, his ability to unmask error and evil and
show up their true character, his consecrated home life, his deep personal
faith-these are qualities I especially remember about Brother Baxter. For the
kindnesses and help extended me during college days, I am eternally grateful to
Batsell Baxter. After
several years, it was my privilege to work under him as our leader and president
at David Lipscomb College. In those difficult days, he was a towel of strength
and sanity to all of his associates: I sought his companionship often, and
together we spent many quiet and happy hours. It was an inspiration to talk with
him about Bible themes, or to seek his advice about the affairs of life. His
life and counsel were a benediction to me. As
death has removed him from earth's scenes, heaven has been made more real, the
Christian hope brighter, and the desire within those who knew and loved him
stronger to meet "on yonder shore." Would to God we had many more
godly men of his strength and character to work "while it is day" in
the Master's vineyard. May God grant us the courage and faith to walk with
Christ as Brother Baxter walked with him. —Gospel
Advocate Vol.
XCVIII, No. 17, Batsell
Baxter—to all who knew him—affectionately "Brother Baxter," finished
his course and departed to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 4, 1956. There was
something peculiarly fitting in his being called home on the Lord's day, a day
in a special sense the Lord's. Many of our preachers have died on the first day
of the week. Alexander Campbell died on Sunday, March 4, 1866, exactly ninety
years before the death of Brother Baxter. Jesse L. Sewell died on Sunday, June
29, 1890. David Lipscomb died on Sunday, November 11, 1917; E. G.
Sewell, on
Sunday, May 2, 1924; Granville Lipscomb, on Sunday, February 20, 1910;
James A. Harding, on Sunday, May 28, 1922; G. Dallas Smith, on Sunday, November 7, 1920;
and J. C. McQuiddy, on Sunday, August 3, 1924. How appropriate, then, that
"Brother Baxter" should join "the choir invisible of the immortal
dead" on the first day of the week. Funeral
services for Brother Baxter were held on March 6 in the auditorium of the church
on Granny White Pike, Nashville, Tenn., where he had been a teacher in the Bible
school. Charles Chumley, minister of the church; and Athens Clay Pullias,
President; Willard Collins, Vice-President, and J. P. Sanders, Dean, of David
Lipscomb College conducted the services. Brother Pullias accompanied the body to
Sherman, Texas, where services were conducted at the funeral home by Norvel
Young, of Lubbock, Texas; Don H. Morris, President of Abilene Christian College;
and Athens Clay Pullias.
"Brother
Baxter" is survived by a son, Batsell Barrett Baxter, minister of Hillsboro
church of Christ, and professor of speech and Bible at David Lipscomb College,
Nashville, Tenn; two sisters, Mrs. Don H. Hockaday, Lipscomb kindergarten
teacher, and Miss Elizabeth Baxter, of Denver, Colo.; and three grandsons,
Scott, Alan, and John Baxter, of Nashville. Few
men have been able to do so many things so well as "Brother Baxter."
As college president, teacher, writer, and preacher he was eminently successful.
Hundreds of students in this country and other lands will remember him with
gratitude; thousands of his readers will cherish his articles and his memory.
His loyalty to the truth, his devotion to duty, and his love for souls were
unforgettable. The world is better because he lived; his friends are
impoverished because he died. As Markham said, when Lincoln died, he has
"left a vast lonesome place against the sky." We all miss him. "His
life was gentle; and the elements so mixed in him, that nature might Note
carefully the following tributes to the life and memory of "Brother
Baxter" by others who knew and loved him: Athens
Clay Pullias, President, David Lipscomb College: "One of the most cherished
memories those of us left behind at David Lipscomb College will always have of
Batsell Baxter is the inspiration we received daily from his quiet, scholarly
presence at chapel services. Sitting on the second row, ready to lead a prayer,
read a few words from the Bible, or encourage others taking the lead by his
close and courteous attention, the President Emeritus was a familiar and beloved
figure. At the final chapel program each school year, he always read the
Twenty-Third Psalm-as only he could read it. As he pronounced the words, `The
Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,' no one doubted that he was speaking from
the heart. For thousands of Lipscomb students and former students, this psalm
will always bring memories of Brother Baxter speaking words of encouragement to
them. "In
administrative council meetings, we who are charged with the heavy
responsibilities of directing Lipscomb's activities and discharging Christian
stewardship over the precious lives entrusted to our care, unfailingly drew
strength, inspiration and wisdom from this good and kindly man. Most of all, his
influence was felt in the Bible Department which he headed from 1946 until his
death. The Bible has always been the heart and center of Lipscomb's educational
program. In the Bible classes he exercised a lasting influence on the lives of
countless students; and in meetings with his fellow faculty members he inspired
them to greater service and more truly dedicated lives in the cause which he
served so gladly and so well. "The
life and influence of Batsell Baxter extended far beyond the confines of the
Lipscomb campus. No man of his generation has made a greater contribution to
Christian education. He has the distinction of having headed three Christian
colleges during crucial periods in their history-all of them remaining strong
and vital institutions today. He was president of Abilene Christian College,
Abilene, Texas, 1924-32, during years of expansion and growth. He was the first
president of George Pepperdine College, 1937-39, guiding it through its
formative years. He served Lipscomb twice as president-1932-34 and 1943-46. The
first period was the severest part of the great depression for Lipscomb, and the
second was the initial stage of the Lipscomb Expansion Program, leading to
senior college status in 1948 and full accreditation by the Southern Association
of Colleges and Secondary Schools in 1954. In addition to these colleges that
owe him so much, other Christian schools have also felt his influence as a
teacher. He taught at Thorp Spring Christian College, Thorp Spring, Texas, and
was dean of Cordell Christian College, Cordell, Okla., two of the early Bible
schools that did not survive. He was also on the faculty of Harding College,
Searcy, Ark., in later years. "His
career as a gospel preacher, writer, and strong leader in the church of our Lord
is equally outstanding. Baptized in Sherman, Texas, in 1895 by the great
evangelist, T. B. Larimore, he began preaching in 1908 when he entered the
Nashville Bible School (now David Lipscomb College), where he was graduated in
-1911. He was an active and vigorous preacher wherever his teaching and
administrative duties took him until his health failed in 1946, and since 1930
he had been a staff writer for the GOSPEL ADVOCATE. His regular column, `This
and That,' was one of the most popular features with ADVOCATE readers, and it
furnished a wealth of practical advice to elders, preachers, and other workers
in the church. After his active preaching career was curtailed, he continued to
have the love and respect of younger evangelists throughout the country, many of
whom sought his counsel and guidance in difficult matters.
"After
graduating from Lipscomb, he received the B.A. degree from Texas Christian
University and the M.A. degree from Baylor University. He was married in 1912 to
the former Miss Frances Fay Scott, and their life together was a wonderful
example of what God intended the Christian home to be. She died in 1940, and
they are survived by a son, Batsell Barrett Baxter, who is the finest monument
to both of these consecrated Christians that anyone could have. As minister of
the Hillsboro church of Christ in Nashville and professor of speech and Bible at
Lipscomb, the son is following in his father's footsteps as an educator and
evangelist, and has already achieved recognition as one of the most effective
and respected preachers and teachers of his generation. "Christian
education is necessarily a labor of love. The generous spirit of David Lipscomb gave the plan and the land upon which to build what has become a blessing to
mankind as David Lipscomb College. Splendid buildings and shining new equipment
have been contributed to Lipscomb by those deeply interested in the proper
education of young people. The college and each student who has walked through
its portals are indebted to the thousands who have financially supported
Christian education at Lipscomb. And yet there are greater gifts than money and
material things. Consecrated educators who give their lives to the cause of
training young people are Lipscomb's most priceless treasure. Among these
Batsell Baxter stands at the very top of the list. He gave the last full measure
of his strength and wisdom to the cause he loved, and those who are left behind
are comforted in the faith that he `shall not want' when God rewards the
faithful." Willard
Collins, Vice-President: "To me, Batsell Baxter was a symbol of Christian
education-in the home, in the church, and the classroom. He shed a wholesome
atmosphere over the entire Lipscomb campus. Lipscomb will not be the same
without him. We will miss his counsel and his friendly smile, but his influence
will live on through Batsell Barrett, his son, and the thousands whom he taught
during a busy and full life." J.
P. Sanders, Dean: "The passing of President Emeritus Baxter leaves a
vacancy that will be felt by all of us at David Lipscomb College. Brother Baxter
was wise in counsel, able in administration, and kindly in all his attitudes. He
was pleasant to work with and was always able to make the members of his staff
feel themselves fellow workers. He possessed a remarkable ability to clarify
issues in his thinking, and he refused to allow himself to be pushed into
positions he did not feel were right. He was steadfast in his loyalty to the
Bible as the word of God. In the hearts of thousands of people he distinguished
himself as an outstanding Bible teacher." Harry
R. Leathers, Chairman: "The Board of Directors will always feel deeply
indebted to Brother Baxter for the loyal service he rendered to the college. His
vision and leadership as president made possible the great expansion program
completed in the succeeding administration, and his interest in encouraging the
younger men succeeding him showed his unselfish devotion to the cause of
Christian education." A.
M. Burton, Vice-Chairman: "There was something so lovable, so kind, so
selfless and so humble about Batsell Baxter that his passing will be mourned by
everyone who knew him. He had a consecrated heart full of love for God and
humanity. He knew the dreams and hopes of many people. He sensed their joys and
their sorrows, and he stood by to help and encourage. His influence as a teacher
and preacher and writer and a Christian will be felt around the world. No one
has encouraged me more in my religious life than Brother Baxter. I also want to
pay tribute to the late Sister Baxter, a truly devoted Christian who shared with
her husband in good works for the Master." M.
N. Young, Secretary-Treasurer: "I have known Brother Baxter approximately
twenty-five years, and he was always a great inspiration to me. He has done much
for the cause of Christian education, and I don't remember ever knowing a better
man." —Gospel
Advocate Vol.
XCVIII No. 19 May 10, 1956, pages 434-436 _______________________________________________________
Brother
Batsell Baxter Others
have written of Brother Batsell Baxter, but possibly no one who wrote has lived
quite as close to him for the same length of time as I have. My
first wife was Batsell Baxter's cousin. When we first married, in 1914, and even
before, Elizabeth spoke often of her days at the old Nashville Bible school. She
could remember all her teachers-their idiosyncrasies, their foibles, their
frills, their mannerisms. She also was classmate with G. C.
Brewer. As she
recited school days in Nashville, having gone over from home on the farm near
Sherman, Texas, she would tell of the sensitiveness of one, the pride of the
other, the intellect of another. Always, however, she would refer to Batsell by
some such manner as: "He was like a brother to me." My first close acquaintance
with Brother Baxter began when I moved to Waco, Texas, in 1919. Later on, I
became better acquainted with him at Abilene Christian College. He named me as
head of the Bible department in the college, and was also an officer in the
college church where I preached. Our families were the closest of personal
friends to his death. Through all the meanderings of the years, our friendships
held. I claim a share in his selection to head the Bible department in Harding
College when he went there. When he was called to David Lipscomb College as its
president, 1944, he called me from Searcy and told me about it and closed by
saying, "I do not want to preach, but I am coming by and attend your
worship services there in Memphis (Tennessee) this morning." And he
consented to lead the public prayer. We continued close during all his stay in
Nashville. We met in Abilene at the lectureship of Abilene Christian College
last February; I visited him in his hotel room his last night in Abilene, and he
shared some confidences with me about his Nashville experiences. Within less
than a month he had gone home. As
I grow older I am less inclined to praise people after they are gone, for their
own lives say more than words. I desire, however, to make these observations:
Batsell Baxter could see the furthest into the future, see through the guile of
others best, and make the clearest observations under crucial circumstances of
all the persons I have known. He could live around people, work with them, get
along with them, and see through them as clearly as the sunlight without being
unfair to them or trying to harm them. They fooled themselves only if they tried
to deceive him. As
all of us are, Brother Baxter was human, and he knew it. He has talked as
honestly as one can talk with me on that point. While others of us may be silent
on the facts about ourselves or speak in generalities, Batsell Baxter could name
his specific weaknesses and ask prayer in them. I do not recall ever thinking he
was being mentally dishonest with me. If
God is kind enough to let me enter heaven, I expect to see Brother Baxter. As
his illustrious son, Dr. Batsell Barrett Baxter (but always more affectionately,
just plain "Batsell Barrett") assumes the headship of the Bible
department in David Lipscomb College-living his life as the sole surviving
member of the Batsell Baxter family-I pray for him, his wife, Wanda, and their
children. —Gospel
Advocate Vol. XCVIII, No. 28, July 12, 1956, pages 614,615 I
Remember My Dad By
Batsell Barrett Baxter
Batsell Baxter was born to Price and Nettie Baxter in
GOD'S
In looking back over the seventy-year span of the life of Batsell Baxter,
we believe that we can see the hand of God active in a decisive way at a number
of points. While in his teens, after the loss of his father, he was forced to
take much of the responsibility for leading the family, an experience which
caused him to mature much more rapidly than would have otherwise been possible.
In those early years he spent one or possibly two years farming a
hillside farm, with very limited success. A city boy, he had been weak
physically, so the outdoor exercise was helpful in that way, though it was
obvious that farming was not his life work. For a time he served as a cub
reporter for the "Sherman Daily Democrat," but this work was not
especially to his liking. It did contribute to a cramped, almost unreadable
penmanship which plagued him the rest of his life.
He applied to the United States Postal System for the job of Rural Mail
Carrier, a position which he very much wanted. Someone else got the job, so in
the fall of 1908, he came to CHRISTIAN
EDUCATION
After two years or so of preaching, an opportunity came to be Dean of
Cordell Christian College in
In 1932, in the depth of the depression, he became President of David
Lipscomb College, his alma mater. After two years it was back to
Ultimately he had been connected with six different Christian colleges,
serving two of them on two different occasions. Five times he had been either
Dean or President. While, in every case, at the time there seemed to be good and
valid reasons for each of his moves, looking back over his life, one concludes
that he "moved too often." His total influence, however, may have been
greater because of his being connected with the six colleges, located from CHIEF
QUALITIES
Looking back over my father's life, as a loved and loving son, I see as
his chief qualities these: He loved the Lord in a deep and genuine way and
wanted to spend his life in work directly related to the Cause of Christ. He
preached full time for a while, but found his greatest avenue of service in
Christian education. As a preacher his greatest ability was in telling a story,
being unusually adept at making it come to life. His brief, incisive
illustrations appeared in the GOSPEL ADVOCATE in his own column, "This and
That." He was associated with the ADVOCATE from 1926 through 1956, under
the editorships of Foy Wallace, John T. Hinds, and B.
C. Goodpasture.
Another of his virtues was his love for his family. Vacation times were
especially happy occasions, but even though he was a busy college president, he
often found time to spend an evening at home with his wife and son, reading
aloud to them from such sources as the Bible, or some especially interesting
One of his finest qualities, an ability somewhat rare, was his ability to
"come down the ladder of success gracefully." It is comparatively easy
to go up the ladder of success with good grace, but to step aside gracefully and
let others take one's place, to step into the shadows with good spirit, is
relatively rare. He was able to do this better than most who have been prominent
leaders. He rejoiced in the success of those who followed after him. This was
made possible, because he possessed no towering ego and also because he felt
secure, loved and appreciated by those about him. MEMORIES
While still a very small boy, I remember his carrying me one evening to
our car from the church building where we had worshiped. He was wearing a new
silk shirt, a rare experience, but when he stumbled and fell in the parking lot,
I was protected at the expense of a ruined silk shirt. . . . Often at home, he
assisted Mother in the kitchen, in the preparation of meals. His special forte
was the cooking of meat. After the meal, he was through, however, for I never
remember seeing him wash a single dish. . . . During the last half-dozen years
of his life, as we taught together at Lipscomb, we arranged our lunch schedules
so as to have two hours free, time enough for us to go off-campus to eat lunch
together. The conversations, going, coming and during the meals, as we talked of
anything and everything, were among the richest experiences of my life. Somewhat
lonely during the last sixteen years of his life, after my mother's death, he
looked forward to these daily visits at lunchtime.
All in all, even though I am undoubtedly prejudiced because of my
nearness to him, I think his life was
centered in the love of God and his fellow men. His influence lingers on and
still blesses my life and the lives of hundreds of others who were his –Gospel
Advocate Volume CXX No. 33 Directions To The Grave Of Batsell Baxter
Batsell
Baxter is buried in the Holloway Cemetery just south of Sherman, Texas and east
of the city of Howe. From State Hwy. 75 north of Dallas go to the last exit for
Howe, Hwy. 902. From Hwy. 75 you are about 5 miles from the cemetery. Travel
east on Hwy. 902 through town. When you cross the Railroad tracks in Howe, go
four miles east and turn left on Luella Rd. (Some maps have Holloway Cem. Road,
but it is posted as Luella Rd.) Go 1.8 miles and you will see the cemetery
on the right. Continue past the first entrance to the second, which is in a hard
curve to the right. Travel up the hill into the cemetery toward the sign facing
you and bear to the left in front of the sign. Go into the center drive up the
hill, and the Baxter plot is just on your right.
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