A Brief Notice of John H. Rowland

John H. Rowland was the first moderator of the Mt. Zion Baptist Association when it was organized at Lawsonville in Rusk County in 1857. He came to Texas from Mississippi, first settling in Anderson County, then moving to Rusk County. In 1855 he married Agnes Wood of Rusk County, and they lived at Bellview/Pirtle for a time.

Z. N. Morrell, author of Flowers and Fruits From the Wilderness, knew him personally, and wrote the following about J. H. Rowland.

“Prominent among the names of ministers in this body appears the name of Elder John H. Rowland. With a piercing blue eye, angular features, and well-developed head, he gives evidence of a man of mark. Although he did not enjoy the advantages of early education, the superiority of his natural powers of intellect, brought to bear upon the word of God from the pulpit, causes his audience to forget the defects in his early mental culture. Possessed of a full and commanding voice, with clear and vigorous thought, he presses truth upon the minds of the people with great power.” (p. 330)

J. H. Rowland pastored at least these churches: Springfield in Limestone County; Lake Creek near Springfield in Limestone County; Fairfield in Freestone County; Judson at Cayuga in Anderson County; Zion in Anderson County; Mt. Zion at Lawsonville, Rusk County; Mt. Moriah at San Cosme in Rusk County; New Prospect in Rusk County; Jamestown (old Jamestown) in Smith County; Starrville in Smith County; Baptist Church at Tyler, Smith County; Baptist Church at Millville, Rusk County; Harmony at Bellview, Rusk County; Baptist Church at Overton, Rusk County; Baptist Church at Bremond, Robertson County.

In the History of the Waco Baptist Association, Rowland is mentioned in reference to the M. T. Martin affair, concerning his ordination, in a somewhat negative light. I cannot endorse the views of Martin, but I think Rowland, as with others who have disagreed with B. H. Carroll, may get a bad historical rap regarding his disagreement with Carroll. In saying “if Waco church did right, Martin should not be restored. If Waco did wrong, he should be restored, not re-ordained,” I believe Rowland correctly maintained scriptural integrity on the issue and how to handle it.

The Galveston Daily News, Monday, May 7, 1894, page 1

Obituaries, page 6

Little Brazos Baptist Association

October 27-29, 1894