The Rev. Allen W. Guthrie departed this life April 13, 1891,
the funeral taking place at the Cumberland Presbyterian church,
Macon, Mo., Tuesday, April 14, at 4 o'clock P.M.
Brother Guthrie was born November 26, 1813, in the State of Tennessee,
and with his father's family in early life removed to Missouri.
When a young man he was licensed to preach, his ordination sermon
being delivered by the Rev.
Matthew Patton, who still survives. The Rev. A. W. Guthrie
was an honored and able minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian
church for over fifty years, and in the last day many will rise
up and call him blessed for his work's sake. He belonged to that
pioneer class of ministers who came in an early day and planted
the churches throughout this broad land, much of his time being
given to this immediate section, and also the "Platte Purchase."
He was a power in the days of Caldwell, David, Dysart, and others
of those grand men who have gone before. His father and also two
brothers were ministers, and the name of Guthrie as ministers
was well known in the history and struggles of this branch of
the Presbyterians. He was the father of ten children, all of whom
have preceded him, except Captain Ben. Eli Guthrie and Mrs. Vina
Fox. The services were conducted by the Rev. J. S. Howard, of
Huntsville, Mo., assisted by the pastor, Rev. J. M. Gaiser. Death
meets no repulses; the march of time is one eternal funeral procession;
the graves are opening and monuments are rising; the tolling bell,
the casket, the hearse, the sorrowing friends, all teach us as
admonitory voices, that we too should be ready.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, April
30, 1891, page ]
Rev. Allen Washington Guthrie was born Nov. 26, 1813, in Sumner County, Tenn. He was the tenth child and youngest son of Rev. Robert and Mrs. Mary Guthrie. His parents were plain, industrious, conscientious people, who had brought all their wealth across the mountains from North Carolina on two ponies, and had reared a large family, giving them as good an education as the country afforded. There were five sons and six daughters in the family. An older brother, Robert Wesley, seems to have been the intimate companion of A.W. Guthrie. James S. and Eli seem to have had some influence in forming his character. Rev. S. G. Burney, who was his nephew and junior by only one year, was also a companion and schoolmate. Their homes were only three miles apart, and they were much together.
In manuscripts written by Rev. A. W. Guthrie, speaking of his father's Missouri home, he says: "His house was the preacher's home; it was the church where those new settlers met to worship, and the hospitable habitation of the children."
In 1830 young Allen and his sister Jane accompanied their brother, Rev. Eli Guthrie, to Missouri. They reached Chariton County on Oct. 6th. Every day they heard the crack of Indian rifles around them. Writing of their arrival, Allen says: "Before night we had a board tree cut and boards made, and Eli had purchased a beef for four dollars and a half which weighed more than five hundred pounds. In two weeks we had a log cabin built large enough to hold the whole caravan, thirty in all." Young Allen and his sister received their father with the remainder of the family in the following spring. In this new country he spent his manhood.
What time he professed religion is not known. On Aug. 30, 1834, he was received as a candidate for the ministry under the care of McGee Presbytery. On Sept. 28, 1835, he was licensed. Some time before his ordination he attended school under the Rev. Dr. Morrow, at Columbus, in Johnson County. On April 7, 1838, he was ordained and seems to have gone more fully into his chosen work. He was married Sept. 6, 1838, to Miss Elizabeth Ann, daughter of Hon. Benj. Young, of Callaway County, Mo. They lived together until May, 1855, when Mrs. Guthrie died, in Andrew County, and was buried at old Savannah camp ground. They had ten children, four of whom reached maturity, but only two, the oldest and the youngest, survived the father.
Mr. Guthrie continued active in the ministry in McGee Presbytery until 1848, when he moved to Andrew County and took charge of the Savannah congregation, and became a member of Platte Presbytery in the spring of 1849. He gave himself exclusively to the work of the ministry until 1854 and 1855 when, owing to the poor health of his wife, his activity was somewhat curtailed. After her death he devoted himself exclusively to his calling until 1858. He was married a second time in 1856 to Mrs. Margaret Ann Smith, of St. Joseph, Mo.
In 1856 and 1857 Platte Presbytery was establishing a mission at St. Joseph. Mr. Guthrie was the presbyterial missionary and the financial agent to collect funds for the mission. He traveled over the presbytery winter and summer. There were no railroads and he was confined exclusively to his horse. This work had its end in 1858, when his health gave way. This he never fully recovered. From that time to the close of the war he was largely out of active service, but he attended the judicatures and retained a full interest in church concerns.
In 1867 and 1868 his health improved somewhat and he resumed, to some extent, his ministerial labors, which he continued until 1879, when it became impossible for him to successfully pursue his work. He then moved to the home of his son in Macon, Mo., which was substantially his home until his death. He also transferred his membership from Platte to McGee Presbytery. He did some preaching, but took no regular charges.
Mr. Guthrie's preaching was plain, simple, methodical; his manner smooth and forcible. His ministry was fruitful. While a man of decided views, he did not press his views unseasonably upon others. While he could debate, and on occasions did, yet he rather avoided contention. In fact, he was rather modest and retiring, and indisposed to push either his views or his interests when they conflicted with others, especially with those whom he loved and respected.
His health continued gradually to decline, and on April 13th,
1891, he breathed his last, at the home of his youngest daughter,
Mrs. John A. Fox, at Summit, Macon County, Mo. His funeral was
preached at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, in Macon, by the
Rev. J. S. Howard, now of Weatherford, Tex. His remains rest in
Oakwood Cemetery, at Macon, Mo., and his works will follow him.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian,
August 20, 1896, page 231]
1834
Allen W. Guthrie and Eliah P. Cunningham
came forward and gave a relation of their experimental knowledge
of religion and of their internal call to the work of the ministry;
and they being in the communion of the church, were received as
candidates for the holy ministry under the care of this Presbytery,
and were directed to prepare written discourses from the following
subjects, to wit: Allen W. Guthrie from 1st Peter 4-18, and E.P.
Cunningham from 1st John 4-19 to be read at our next Presbytery.
[Source: Minutes of McGee Presbytery
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 1834]
1835
A.W. Guthrie read a discourse from
a text previously assigned him, which was sustained as part of
trial, and he was directed to prepare a written discourse from
Rom. 10-4, to be read at our next Presbytery, and that he make
improvement on English grammar and divinity.
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 1835]
1835
Allen W. Guthrie read a discourse
from a text previously assigned him, which was sustained as popular
previous to licensure.
The McGee Presbytery having
received testimonials in favor of Allen W. Guthrie, of his good
moral character, of his being in the communion of the church,
proceeded to take the usual parts of trial for his licensure;
and he having given satisfaction as to his aptness to teach, as
to his experimental acquaintance with religion, and to his internal
call to the work of the ministry and as to his proficiency in
divinity, the Presbytery did and do hereby express their approbation
of all those parts of trial; and he having adopted the Confession
of Faith of this church, and satisfactorily answered the questions
appointed to be put to candidates to be licensed; the Presbytery
did and do hereby license him, the said Allen W. Guthrie, to preach
the gospel of Christ as a probationer for the holy ministry in
the bounds of this Presbytery, or wherever God in His Providence
may cast his lot.
[Source: Minutes
of the McGee Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
September 1835]
1836
Resolved that Allen W. Guthrie supply
the whole of his time as missionary in Chariton and Randolph ...
until our next Presbytery.
[Source:
Minutes of the McGee Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, October 1836]
1837
Allen W. Guthrie, who was appointed
to ride as one of the missionaries, reported that he had complied
with the order of last Presbytery.
Resolved that
Bro. M.C. Patton and A.W.Guthrie ride as missionaries in the bounds
of this Presbytery until our next session, with the understanding
that they supply all the organized congregation in the counties
of Howard and Boon, at least once a month, with Sunday preaching.
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 1837]
1837
Resolved that A.W. Guthrie supply
the Pleasant Hill and Mt. Moriah congregations with two days meetings
once a month, and that he ride at discretion, and preach the balance
of his time in Calloway and Audrain Counties, ... until our next
Presbytery.
[Source: Minutes
of the McGee Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
October 1837]
1838
The committee appointed to examine
A.W. Guthrie, reported that they had examined him on all those
parts of trial required by our book of discipline preparatory
to ordination, which examination was satisfactory, and the report
was adopted, and the Presbytery proceeded to set apart the said
Allen w. Guthrie to the whole work of the ministry. The ordination
sermon was preached by Rev. M.C. Patton from Mat. 2-7, and the
said Guthrie, having adopted the Confession of Faith of this church
and answered in the affirmative the questions required to be put
to candidates to be ordained, he was set apart to the whole work
of the ministry by the imposition of hands and prayer. Rev. S.C.
Davis presided and gave the charge, and the whole was concluded
with prayer. Brother Guthrie took a seat in Presbytery.
Resolved
that ... Wm. W. Crockett and A.W. Guthrie ride at discretion in
the bounds of this Presbytery, until our next Presbytery.
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 1838]
1838
Member present - Rev. Allen W. Guthrie
Bro. A.W. Guthrie was chosen moderator.
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 1838]
1839
Member present - Rev. Allen W. Guthrie
The following brethren were appointed to organize
the following congregations into societies, viz: ... Allen W Guthrie,
Ebenezer, and all to report at the next Presbytery.
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 1839]
1839
Member absent
- Rev. Allen W. Guthrie
[Source:
Minutes of the McGee Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, August 1839]
1840
Member present - Rev. A.W. Guthrie
Bro. A.W. Guthrie was chosen clerk.
Resolved
that Bro. A.W. Guthrie ride the whole of his time until our next
session as a missionary in the bounds of this Presbytery, and
Bro. S.C. Davis ride all of his time after his return from the
General Assembly, until our next session. Resolved, that Bros.
Davis and Guthrie be required to lift collections for their support
where they may deem it expedient.
[Source:
Minutes of the McGee Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, March 1840]
1840
Member present - Rev. A.W. Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 1840]
1841
Member present - Rev. Allen W. Guthrie
Moderator - Rev. A.W. Guthrie
On motion,
ordered that Bro. Allen W. Guthrie ride and preach as much of
his time as he possibly can in the counties of Chariton and Howard.
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 1841]
1841
Member absent - Rev. A.W. Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 1841]
1842
Member present - Rev. A.W. Guthrie
Bro. A.W. Guthrie was chosen clerk.
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 1842]
1842
Member present - Rev. A.W. Guthrie
A.W. Guthrie was chosen moderator.
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 1842]
1843
Member absent - Rev. Allen W. Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 1843]
1843
Member present - Rev. Allen W. Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 1843]
1844
Member present - Rev. Allen W. Guthrie
A.W. Guthrie was chosen clerk.
At the
request of certain members of our church, living in the neighborhood
of Edenburgh, Scotland County, Mo., ordered that Bros. S. C. Davis,
S. G. Briggs, Wm. F. Lawrence and A. W. Guthrie hold a meeting
in that vicinity in the month of September and organize a church,
if they deem it expedient.
[Source:
Minutes of the McGee Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, April 1844]
1844
By the request of the moderator
the opening sermon was preached by Bro. A.W. Guthrie from Rom.
10-1.
Member present - Rev. A.W. Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 1844]
1845
Member present - Rev. A.W. Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 1845]
1845
Member absent - Rev. Allen W. Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 1845]
1846
Member present - Rev. Allen Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, April 1846]
1846
Member present - Rev. A. W. Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 1846]
1847
Member absent - Rev. A. W. Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, October 1847]
1848
Member absent - Rev. A. W. Guthrie
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery
of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 1848]
1848
Member absent - Rev. A. W. Guthrie
Application being made by Bro. Allen W. Guthrie, a
regularly ordained minister, for a letter of dismission and recommendation
from this Presbytery; on motion said was granted.
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, September 1848]
1849
Brother Allen W. Guthrie, of the
McGee Presbytery, presented a letter of Dismission and recommendation;
whereupon he was received as a member of this Presbytery.
Brother Allen W. Guthrie minister and A.R. McDonald
Elder were appointed commissioners to the next General Assembly.
[Source: Minutes of the Platte
Presbytery of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, March 1849]
1867
A.W. Guthrie
Commissioner
to General Assembly - May 16, 1867 - Memphis, Tennessee
Minister
- Platte Presbytery - McAdow Synod
[Source:
Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian
Church, 1867, page 5]
1868
A.W. Guthrie - Easton, Missouri
Commissioner to General Assembly - May 21, 1868 -
Lincoln, Illinois
Minister - Platte Presbytery
- McAdow Synod
[Source: Minutes
of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church,
1868, pages 7 & 107]
1869
A.W. Guthrie - Easton, Missouri
Minister - Platte Presbytery - McAdow Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1869, page 86]
1870
A.W. Guthrie - St. Joseph, Missouri
Minister - Platte Presbytery - McAdow Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1870, page 81]
1871
A.W. Guthrie - St. Joseph, Missouri
Minister - Platte Presbytery - McAdow Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1871, page 82]
1872
A.W. Guthrie - St. Joseph, Missouri
Minister - Platte Presbytery - McAdow Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1872, page 121]
1873
A.W. Guthrie - St. Joseph, Missouri
Minister - Platte Presbytery - McAdow Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1873, page 98]
1874
A.W. Guthrie - St. Joseph, Missouri
Minister - Platte Presbytery - McAdow Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1874, page 97]
1875
A.W. Guthrie - St. Joseph, Missouri
Minister - Platte Presbytery - McAdow Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1875, page 83]
1876
A.W. Guthrie - Commissioner to General
Assembly
Minister - Platte Presbytery - McAdow
Synod
[Source: Minutes of the
General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1876,
pages 5 & 101]
1877
A.W. Guthrie - St. Joseph, Missouri
Minister - Platte Presbytery - McAdow Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1877, page 89]
1878
A.W. Guthrie - St. Joseph, Missouri
Minister - Platte Presbytery - Missouri Valley Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General
Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1878, page
97]
1879
A.W. Guthrie - St. Joseph, Missouri
Minister - Platte Presbytery - Missouri Valley Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General
Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1879, page
93]
1880
A.W. Guthrie - St. Joseph, Missouri
Minister - Platte Presbytery - Missouri Valley Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General
Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1880, page
120]
1880
Revs. A. W. Guthrie, of Platte,
and J. B. Lowrance, of Kirksville Presbyteries, having presented
letters of dismission and recommendation, were received as members
of this Presbytery, and invited to seats.
[Source: Minutes of the McGee Presbytery of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, August 27-28, 1880, page 3]
1881
A.W.Guthrie - Macon City, Missouri
Minister - McGee Presbytery - McAdow Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1881, page 88]
1882
A.W.Guthrie - Macon, Missouri
Minister - McGee Presbytery - McAdow Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1882, page 119]
1883
A.W.Guthrie - Macon, Missouri
Minister - McGee Presbytery - McAdow Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1883, page 127]
1884
A.W.Guthrie - Macon, Missouri
Minister - McGee Presbytery - McAdow Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1884, page 116]
1885
A.W.Guthrie - Macon, Missouri
Minister - McGee Presbytery - Missouri Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1885, page 132]
1886
A.W.Guthrie - Macon, Missouri
Minister - McGee Presbytery - Missouri Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1886, page 160]
1887
A.W.Guthrie - Macon, Missouri
Minister - McGee Presbytery - Missouri Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1887, page 157]
1888
A.W.Guthrie - Macon, Missouri
Minister - McGee Presbytery - Missouri Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1888, page 169]
1889
A.W.Guthrie - Macon, Missouri
Minister - McGee Presbytery - Missouri Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1889, page 178]
1890
A.W.Guthrie - Macon, Missouri
Minister - McGee Presbytery - Missouri Synod
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1890, page 124]
1891
Whereas, Since the last meeting
of this Presbytery, God, in his providence, has called Bro. A.W.
Guthrie, one of the oldest and most efficient members of this
body, from labor to rest; therefore,
Resolved,
I. That by his decease this Presbytery has sustained a great loss,
the Church a shining example of sincere piety and consistent Christian
life.
2. That we meekly bow in humble submission
to the will of God in this dispensation of divine providence,
knowing that he doeth all things well.
3. That
we as a Presbytery now bow before God and join in prayer, giving
thanks to God for his past useful life and ministry among us,
and earnest prayer that his mantle may fall on some young man
whom the Lord may call to the work of the holy ministry.
[Source: Minutes of McGee Presbytery of the Cumberland
Presbyterian Church, August 28-29, 1891, page 10]
1891
List of Deceased Ministers
A.W.
Guthrie - McGee Presbytery - died, April 1891
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1891, page 37]