Latest revision as of 05:07, 20 December 2024

Samuel McEwen, Sr. (b. 1877 NYC, New York; m. 1899 @ Matoaca; d. 1944 Petersburg, VA) was a traveling open brethren evangelist.

Light & Liberty 1944-3

The Home Call of Mr. Sam McEwen by J.T. Dickson

"The death of Sam McEwen on Feb. 5, 1944, at the hospital in Petersburg, Virginia, has caused widespread sorrow among the assemblies throughout the United States and Canada, and will be felt keenly by many in the British Isles. An outstanding figure as an Evangelist for over thirty years, Mr. McEwen's heart-searching messages moved the most careless, while he portrayed the doom of the lost and lifted up a crucified, risen and glorified Lord Jesus to the gaze of the perishing; and with tenderness and compassion he pleaded with sinners to be saved, and God gave him many souls.

Bro. McEwen's had a very unique ministry for the Lord's people, having very decided convictions regarding the path of separation from the world. His solemn warnings against the unequal yoke seldom failed to reach the heart and conscience, while edifying, exhorting and comforting old and young with messages and examples from the Scripture, they were established in the faith.

He was born in New York#New York City in 1877, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. R. McEwen, but was brought up in Petersburg, Virginia. Sam grew up to young manhood without Christ. Early in the '90's, William Beverege and Alex Lamb, followed by Benjamin Bradford and James Hamilton, went to Virginia preaching the Gospel of God's grace. The Lord used these young Evangelists greatly, and they pitched a tent in Petersburg. The hand of God was stretched forth, and there were many trophies of grace. Some of McEwen family were among the converts, but Sam had little interest in these things.

Becoming more careless, Sam McEwen was bent on a life of pleasure, but in 1896 he was brought under conviction of sin, and a deep sense of his guilt and danger laid hold upon him, resulting in his receiving Christ. The change in his life was very manifest. Baptized and received into the assembly, he delighted in owning Christ as Lord. John Monypenny visited Petersburg and Brother Sam was greatly helped through his ministry. There was a clean cut from all worldly associations. His time was used in studying the word and in happy service for the Lord. Mr. McEwen soon developed a gift for preaching the gospel, traveling near and far after his day's work, to make known the gospel to the unsaved. God was preparing the vessel for future use in his blessed service, and gave him about fifteen years of a most useful education in the assembly and in gospel work.

I first met Mr. McEwen at Philadelphia conference in 1912. He was deeply exercised about giving his full time making known the gospel. He was married some years before to Miss Annie Johnson, and together they were burdened about their path, as such a step with a little family to support was a test. However, the way opened up and with Hugh Horn of Richmond, our brother came to Central Falls in Rhode Island, for a series of gospel meetings. There are many in Pawtucket Assembly now who were saved in those stirring days. In the years that followed, from Boston, New Bedford, Lawrence, Lowell, and Pawtucket, precious fruit was gathered in through the ministry of Mr. McEwen.

Bro. McEwen linked up in service with B. Bradford, and in 1916 they went to Florida as pioneers, laboring a few winters in Miami, which resulted in souls being saved and an assembly being planted there, and also one in West Palm Beach. They became deeply exercised about Washington D.C., and after much difficulty they secured a site for the tent in that large city. The hand of the Lord was with them, and souls were saved and taught the truth of gathering in His Name.

In 1921 or 1922, Sam McEwen and his brother Hugh G. McEwen were invited to work a large tent in Toronto, Canada, and it became a memorable season. The tent was filled nightly and crowds were outside on Lord's days. Many passed from death unto life, and since then many have been saved through Mr. McEwen in Toronto.

For many years, Bro. McEwen cherished the hope of seeing the North of Ireland, the land of his forefathers, and in 1932, he left the United States to attend the Belfast Conference at Easter. His uncle, John Knox McEwen, met him there. His first addres to the assembled company of about three thousand was 2 Cor. 5:20, "We are Ambassadors for Christ". The Lord stood by him, and during his visit his ministry was valued.

It was on the heart of Bro. McEwen to visit California, and in 1941 when I was driving out with some of my family, he arranged to join me in the trip and in tent work. When we met him in Detroit he was well supplied with testaments and tracts. He enjoyed visiting a number of small assemblies on the way, and was always busy sowing the seed. The brethren in Jefferson Street, Los Angeles, had a large tent pitched, and we began Gospel meetings. Bro. McEwen suggested having the Monday night meetings for believers. Those Monday night meetings grew in numbers and interest, and will be long remembered. When leaving, he had many invitations to return.

He was on his way to the Conference in Jefferson Street Hall in January when he was stricken in Seattle, Washington. Mr. Alves undertook to accompany our brother across the continent, and when on the train he became very ill. Arriving in Petersburg, Bro. McEwen was taken to the hospital in a very weak hospital. He lingered a few days, and when able, testified to the grace of God. On Sat., Feb. 5, he passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord.

The funeral was held on Tues., Feb. 8, from the Gospel Hall in Petersburg, where he had so long and faithfully ministered the Word, and which was only a short distance from the spot where he was saved in 1896. Mr. Bradford spoke in the crowded hall from "Mark the perfect man, behold the upright for the end of that man is peace." (Ps. 37:37). Going over the long years he had known him, he spoke of him first as a pleasure-loving young man, then of his conversion and service. Mr. Alves followed, and gave a good account of his last public service and their journey home. At the grave, my message was Heb. 11:4, and W. Herbert Marshall of Boston prayed. There were many visible signs of deep sorrow as we laid away the precious remains of beloved Sam McEwen to await that resurrection morning. Much sympathy was expressed for the sorrowing widow, four sons and three daughters."

Parents

• William R.H. McEwen (b. Dromore, Ireland)
• Martha Donelly McEwen (b. Belfast, Ireland).

Marriage

In 1899, he married Annie Bell Johnson McEwen (b. 1877 Clover Hill, Chesterfield, VA - d. 1963 Petersburg, VA), daughter of Henry Johnson (b. 1839 Southampton Co., VA - d. 1894 Portsmouth, VA) & Sarah F. Patron Johnson (b. 1844 VA). The wedding was held at Matoaca Gospel Hall in Virginia, and officiated by William Daniel Best. The ceremony was preceded by a Gospel meeting by Henry Turner of Richmond, who was returning from Africa as a missionary.

Children

• Ruth Virginia McEwen 1901-1964 (b. 1901 Ettrick, VA - d. 1988 Longport, NJ). Husband (1964): William Waverly Elder (b. 1894 Petersburg, VA - d. 1976 Louisville, KY), a widowed printer of Louisville, KY by Ray McEwen Zander (PB evangelist from Boca Raton, FL), and the couple removed to Louisville. Elder retired in 1956 as safety director @ Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp. Later in life, Wm. and Ruth were in fellowship @ Louisville Bible Fellowship. They had three sons and one daughter.
• Samuel Moody McEwen, Jr. 1903-1976 (b. 1903 Matoaca, VA - d. 1976 Petersburg, VA) retired "Southside Candy Co." Wife: Myrtle Bolling Williams +1947 (1909-1947). Sam was lifelong at Matoaca Gospel Hall.
  • Samuel W. McEwen +1947+
  • Philip L. McEwen +1947+
  • Charles N. McEwen +1947+
  • Esther A McEwen Ellison 1905-1931+, +1976-1980+ (b. 1905 Matoaca, VA - d. 1996 Longport, NJ). Husband (@ Petersburg): Samuel McCracken Ellison @ Petersburg +1924-1931+, 1976-1980+ (b. 1895 Belfast, Ireland - d. 1982 Longport, NJ); by 1934, they were living in Washington, D.C., where Samuel was employed as a painter, and in 1940 as a meter reader.
• John William McEwen 1908-1936? (b. 1908 VA - d. 1994 Petersburg?, VA), salesman. Wife (1936): Frances Evelyn Partin (b. 1910 Berwyn, MD - d. 1983 Petersburg, VA), dau. of Lester & Virgie Kitchen Partin; The wedding was officiated by W.C.L. Correll in his home in Ettricks, VA, a Methodist pastor.
• Naomi Daisy McEwen Moon 1911-1926+ (b. 1911 VA). Husband (1947 @ Newport News, VA): William Moon II (b. 1894 Belfast, Ireland; div.; d. 1965?); Supt. of Western Union in Atlantic City, NJ); wedding performed by John Millar, Sr. of Newport News Gospel Hall (now Bethany Gospel Chapel). By 1954, Wm. and Naomi resided in Atlantic City. Need to research whether this Wm. Moon is any relation to an elder Wm. Moon from England who developed a ministry among the blind. William's father was the founder of Longport Gospel Hall Home, NJ.
• James Charles McEwen 1915-1930+ (b. 1915 VA - d. 2006 Virginia Beach, VA) Chief Master Sergeant WWII; employed by the American Tobacco Company, starting in Petersburg until 1974, then retired with them in VA Beach. One dau.: Rachel Ann McEwen Cummings of Atlanta, GA; Wife (@ Baptist Church, Richmond, VA): Rachel Etta Smith (b. 1919 Mataoca, VA - d. 2009 Virginia Beach, VA); dental asst. @ Fort Lee, VA during WWII, then homemaker;
• Dr. Philip Joseph McEwen 1920-1935+ (b. 1920 VA - d. 2004 Petersburg, VA); Sgt. Army Air Corps WWII Pacific; grad. Geo. Wash. Univ. and Doctorate @ Illinois College of Optometry. Wife (1947): Jane Elizabeth Collett (1922-2008) @ Rockbridge Methodist; Three sons; Philip & Jane were in fellowship @ First Baptist Church of Petersburg;

Assemblies

• 1899-1944 @ Matoaca Gospel Hall, Chesterfield, VA

Occupation

In his early years, he was self-employed as a tailor. In 1910, he managed a poultry farm in Namozine, Dinwiddie, VA.

Death

After Sam's death in 1944, his widow remained at Matoaca Gospel Hall for the remainder of her days, she was raised in that assembly.

Ministry

1912

• WiS 1912-12: Ardmore, PA: "S. McEwen has had three week's meetings in Ardmore. Attendance good and some fruit."

1915

Maryland history: The assembly now meeting at New Hampshire Avenue Gospel Chapel, Silver Spring began in April 1916 at F. G. Ruebsam’s house at 5224 Illinois Avenue, NW, in Washington, DC. The assembly moved in January 1917 to N. Fillmann’s home, 1422-22nd Street, SE, Washington, where it remained for a time.

Bible Readings were held each Lord’s Day at the homes of C.W. Birkett and F.G. Ruebsam alternately, previous to the Breaking of Bread, which was the outcome of Gospel tent meetings for two consecutive summers (1915 and 1916) by Evangelists Benjamin Bradford and Samuel McEwen. Their ministry was followed by F.B. Hanle in the fall of 1916 and the spring of 1917."

1924

• North Carolina history: "At about the same time that the work in Asheville began, a similar interest was stirring in Raleigh in the north-central part of the state, the so-called Piedmont area. The work at Raleigh dates to before 1924, when James C. Chappell returned from World War I. He had heard about the New Testament church meetings through a fellow soldier. He discussed what he had learned with his friend David Allen. They invited Sam McEwen and W.G. Smith to come to Raleigh for a Gospel effort, and these evangelists held a tent campaign in September 1924. After the campaign, a hall was rented on Gaston Street, and the first Remembrance meeting in the Raleigh Gospel Hall was held in November 1924, attended only by David Allen, Mr. and Mrs. Chappell, and the two preachers. About a month later four other Christians had joined the circle around the table. Records of the assembly show a continuous growth in numbers.

The two evangelists returned each year for five years. Souls were saved each year. By 1931, there was an assembly with 40 in fellowship, meeting in a former church building. James Chappell, a pharmacist, carried on an extensive pastoral and visitation ministry. Lester Wilson wrote for LOI in 1940, “In 1931, I came south from Canada with Brother Fred Nugent. We arrived in Canton, NC and after about three months we went to Raleigh where there was a hearty little assembly of around twenty; the fruit of the labors of Mr. Sam McEwen and W.G. Smith."

1940

• WiS 1940-1: Phil., PA: "James McCullough had several weeks meetings for Christians in the Olney Hall. Sam McEwen began meetings in the Bryn Mawr Hall, and H.K. Downie had meetings on the Feast of the Lord in the West Philadelphia Hall."

Sources

• Words in Season: 1912-12; 1940-7
• Letters of Interest: 1943
• Ancestry.com