Born: Murray County, Georgia, August 18, 1845.Died: Turkey, Texas, August 23, 1930.
Born: Murray County, Georgia, August 18, 1845.
Died: Turkey, Texas, August 23, 1930.
R. WALLACE OFFICER was born August 18th, 1845, in Georgia; but, rather early in life, moved to Tennessee where he married Miss Lota Venable, of Winchester, December 26th, 1870. A merry Christmas.
He joined the Baptists and preached among them in Tennessee and Alabama for a number of years, but never did believe their doctrine. Not having a theological education, he knew no better than to preach what he found in the New Testament. This got him into trouble, and raised a great commotion in Baptist ranks. He was several times arraigned on the charge of preaching "Campbellism, and all sorts of isms!" But, in the manly and courteous manner that has ever characterized him, he showed that what he taught was found in the Word of God. So, the charges could not be sustained.
He was afterward charged with "breaking up Baptist churches." This he could not deny, for he was the innocent cause of many throwing their creeds to the moles and bats, and planting themselves on the Bible alone. On becoming acquainted with the disciples of Christ, he recognized at once the fact that he was one of us, and forthwith took his stand fairly and squarely with us, singing:
"This is the way I long have sought,
And mourned because I found it not!"
Since then he has baptized thousands into the Church of Christ, his father and mother among the number. From Tennessee he came to Texas, being called by the church at Gainsville, where he preached two years. He then removed to Paris, and preached for the church there four years.
All this time he had his eye on the beautiful Indian Territory, across Red River. He finally resolved to go there, and spend his life preaching among the Red Men of the Forest. "He stood not on the order of his going, but went." He has built up several churches among the Indians. He has sent off many Indian children to the States to be educated, and is now establishing an Indian Industrial School at Atoka, Choctaw Nation, I. T., where he resides. His mission is sustained by voluntary contributions, which may be sent to him direct.