This beloved gospel preacher appeared first as the preacher for the television program "Herald of Truth" in August of 1959. Later he became a regular speaker for the radio series of "Herald of Truth." He produced his last television program last October and his last radio program last December.

          When he came to Nashville in 1945, he preached for the Belmont congregation. He also served at one time as an instructor at Pepperdine University in California where his father was the founding president. Three of his most recent publications were: The Family of God, The Search for Happiness and A Devotional Guide to the Bible Lands.

          In 1962, Baxter received Abilene Christian's Outstanding Alumnus of the Year award. In 1961, he led a month-long evangelistic campaign in London, England. In November of 1978, a program honoring Baxter at David Lipscomb College brought in contributions and gifts totaling $101,669 to the institution.

          This sincere Christian man will be remembered as a Bible scholar, Christian educator and an eloquent gospel preacher. He was the author of 18 books.

          I do not think of our friend Batsell Barrett Baxter just as a national radio and television figure, but as a warm-hearted, gentle and kind person!

          David Lipscomb College has lost its most widely known and best-loved administrator and faculty member.

          Tom McMeen, chairman of the Board of Directors at David Lipscomb College and an elder of the Hillsboro congregation in Nashville, said of his friend: "Batsell was one of the most loved and respected men I have ever known. He was one of the easiest to work with as a member of the faculty at Lipscomb, as a minister and as a fellow elder."

–Gospel Advocate Articles – Vol. CXXIV No. 8 April 15, 1982 pages 228,229, 242

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The Influence Of
Batsell Barrett Baxter
Flows On Like A
Mighty River

Ira North

          On Wednesday morning, March 31, the beloved Batsell Barrett Baxter crossed Jordan. We knew him well and loved him much. We had taught with him for eighteen years at David Lipscomb College. We had served with him on the 20th Century Committee of the GOSPEL ADVOCATE for a quarter of a century. We had lunch with Batsell Barrett on a regular basis for thirty years. The last few years Avon and I met once each month with Willard and Ruth Collins, and Wanda and Batsell and to enjoy a period of fellowship. We referred to our meetings as a "Crisis Luncheon," because we discussed the various crises in our brotherhood, in our church work and in Christian education. We feel a great sense of personal loss in the passing of this noble, gentle and faithful gospel preacher. We shall miss his fellowship, his counsel, and his unstinted friendship.

The Power and Importance of a Good Family Background

          When we think of Batsell Barrett Baxter, we think of the power and importance of a good family background. Batsell Barrett's father was a distinguished preacher and educator. He was President of David Lipscomb College, Harding College, and Pepperdine. His mother was a godly woman, who dedicated him from the womb to the work of the Lord. Batsell Barrett was blessed with a gracious and charming Christian woman for a wife. No wife could have stood by more faithfully and loyally and devotedly than she has since the malignancy was first discovered nearly eighteen years ago. Brother Baxter lived in a modest home and always on a modest salary compared to his great talents, and yet if he had had $10,000,000, he could not have bought the love and care and the concern that he received from the woman he loved.

          To have a great man we must start with his grandfather and grandmother. We ask all young married couples to begin now to plan to give their children a strong family background. Give them a father and a mother who are loyal and faithful to the church and who respect the dignity and the sanctity of marriage.

          The last speech we heard Batsell Barrett make was in the chapel assembly at David Lipscomb when we presented him with the Couple of the Year Award from the GOSPEL ADVOCATE. He told those young people that those who follow the path of free sex and serial marriage could never have what he and Wanda had and what Ruth and Willard Collins have and what Ira and Avon North have. He urged them to accept the Biblical principles of the dignity and sanctity and permanence of Christian marriage.

The Power and Importance of Preparation

          When we think of Batsell Barrett Baxter, we think of the great power and importance of preparation. After graduating from high school, he paid the price for a college education at Abilene Christian University. He then went on for the Masters degree and the Ph.D. degree in Speech at Southern California. And although he had family responsibilities and responsibilities at Lipscomb, he went on for another graduate degree at Vanderbilt, in order that Lipscomb might be fully accredited for its Bible work with the Southern Association.

          Years of preparation require strength of character, and sometimes it is easy to give up. Moses prepared for eighty years for the great task of leading the children of Israel out of bondage. Our blessed Lord prepared thirty years for his three years of public ministry. If Batsell Barrett Baxter had not been willing to spend many years in diligent study and preparation, he could never have wielded the great influence in our brotherhood and reached the thousands of people for good that he did. He was willing to pay the price, and God used him mightily.

The Power and Importance of A Good Example

          When we think of Batsell Barrett Baxter, we think of the power and importance of a good example. He lived so close to the Lord, that when you followed Batsell Barrett, you were following Jesus. It was not only his excellent gift of speech and his ability to communicate that endeared him to thousands of students and to our brotherhood, it was the good example that he set. This endeared him to the members of the church at Hillsboro, to his vast television and radio audience, and to the students who sat at his feet.

The Power and Importance of a Meek and Humble Spirit

          When we think of Batsell Barrett Baxter, we think of the power and importance of a meek and humble spirit. Brother Willard Collins was at his best when he delivered the tribute at the funeral service and pointed to 1 Corinthians 13, and stated that he believed the real secret of Batsell's success was found in that 13th verse, "And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

The Power and Importance of Overcoming Evil with Good

          When we think of Batsell Barrett Baxter, we think of the power and importance of overcoming evil with good. Some thirty years ago, Brother Willard Collins, Batsell Barrett Baxter, and this writer were meeting, as was our custom each week, to work on the circulation of the GOSPEL ADVOCATE. Brother Collins that day had received a paper from Lufkin, Texas. It was ugly and critical of Batsell Barrett Baxter. When I walked in and read it, I could feel my blood pressure rising, and within I felt anger and hostility. When Brother Batsell Barrett Baxter came in, Willard Collins said, "Read this and see what they think about you in Lufkin, Texas." Brother Baxter carefully read the article, and about that time they brought our food and Willard asked Batsell Barrett to give thanks for the food. He bowed his head and prayed the most sincere prayer for the man who had written the article. He called his name and the name of his family, and prayed that God would bless them with good health and happiness and would use them for the spread of the Kingdom and for the good of the work of the Lord. I could feel the hostility lifting from my own soul, and when he said Amen, I said to myself, "There is indeed an Israelite in whom there is no guile."

          We wish that everyone in our brotherhood could have attended the funeral service of Batsell Barrett Baxter. It was more like a graduating exercise than a funeral. Brother Baxter himself had planned the service. The congregational singing was superb as the auditorium and balcony of the Hillsboro church were filled to overflowing. We sang "When We Walk With the Lord," "Oh To Be Like Thee," "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," and "My Faith Looks Up To Thee." We all left rejoicing in the faith in which he had lived and now the glorious hope of the resurrection in which he fell asleep. We are thankful to the Heavenly Father that for sixty-five years he gave us Batsell Barrett Baxter. His influence rolls on like a mighty river, and heaven will be sweeter because of this gentle, kind, faithful and loyal servant of our blessed Lord. We believe we speak for millions when we say to Brother Baxter: "Christian soldier, well done. The battle is over, the victory is won.”