We often hear Cumberland Presbyterians of today deplore the fact that the preaching of this age is not so effective as it was in the olden times. The main reason for its being so, is that our ministers are not so earnest and self-sacrificing as were those of the past generations. To them the preaching of the gospel was of supreme importance, a thing of so much importance was wortht he greatest efforts of life, a gospel that received the gigantic efforts of these great men was sure to be blessed of God and prove a success. Rev. Robert Alpheus King was a typical preacher of this class. Today some of our preachers complain at riding on a palace car at half fare, even if going fifty miles an hour. Here are some of the experiences of our hero on the frontier of Arkansas a half century ago.

For six months he rode a three-weeks circuit with Rev. E. E. Morrow. The country was sparcely populated, society in a crude state; and the preaching places were log school-houses, dwellings and groves. For this six months service he received the commendation of the Mt. Olive Presbytery and $7.50, including two pairs of home-knit yarn socks at their commercial value. In 1860 his presbytery elected him commissioner in the General Assembly that met at Nashville May 17. From his home in Arkansas he went on horseback to Paducah, where he took a Cumberland River packet for Nashville. While living in Missouri he preached one year for a congregation in Arkansas, seventy miles away. To get there he had to cross two rivers. At times he paid the ferryman $1.00 to put him across, while his horse swam beside the boat. Once the river was full of floating logs and the horse could not cross, yet he and the boatman got across, and with his saddle bags on his shoulder he walked to his appointment. In February, 1883, the Salem Presbytery met one hundred thirty-five miles away; the ground was covered five inches wtih snow and ice. Brother King put ice shoes on his horse, and over the ice and rocks and hills of Southwest Missouri he went to meet his Presbytery. There is no wonder that his ministry, extending from 1861 to 1901, was a successful one.

His father was Samuel T. King, who was born of Presbyterian parentage, in South Carolina, in 1797. This Irish family settled here at an early day. Brother King's mother was Miss Elizabeth Farr, a niece of Rev. Samuel King, one of the founders of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. This family of Kings were of English descent, and had settled in North Carolina in Colonial times. Her father was Rev. James Farr, one of the early ministers of the Cumberland Church; her mother was Polly King, a sister of Rev. Samuel King.

The subject of this biography was born March 9, 1834, in Graves County, Kentucky. To a pious mother he is largely indebted for his early religious training. She read the Bible a great deal and believed and accepted its precious promises. She knew and talked of the struggles of the fathers of the Cumberland Church in the days of the "Council" after they had been excluded from the Cumberland Presbytery. In her childhood home, the Cumberland preachers would often meet and hold counsel together and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Many times these consultations extended to the midnight hour.

On Monday, after the fourth Sunday in July, 1846, Brother King accepted Christ. This acceptance came as a result of diligent seeking and deep repentance. Brother King says: "Glory sprang up in my poor soul. It is the very same I feel burning on the main altar of my heart today, sixty-five years after the time of which I am speaking. His call to preach was definite, yet like many another, he tried to avoid the responsibility. He told this to his mother first, hoping that she would disapprove; but instead she thanked God and said: "Where the Spirit leads there is always a way. I hope you are not mistaken, and that you will obey the call." Feeling that the time had passed when God would send a man along to do one's taling for him, he presented the old excuse: "No education." Finally in September, 1853, he presented himself to the Oxford Presbytery in Mississippi, and was received under its care. then came the years of trial for an education. By economy and hard work he attended school for several years, including two terms at the University of Mississippi at Oxford. In 1858 his health had been undermined by hard work and chills and fever were contracted. After a protracted illness his health began to improve and he found himself in debt. With the consent of his creditors he removed to Arkansas and began an active life in the ministry and teaching school. Soon the debt was paid; God's blessings attended him. In 1858 he was licensed by the White River Presbytery and in September the next year was ordained by the Mt. Olive Presbytery. At this writing (1914) all of the seven preachers of the Mt. Olive Presbytery have gone to their reward except Brother King. Brother King was honored many times by his presbytery. He served as moderator of Mt. Olive Presbytery, and as stated clerk of West Plains Presbytery.

In 1860 he was married to Miss Annie Bone, in Arkansas. She was the oldest daughter of Rev. Henry F. and Jane Bone. He tells of his own marriage in the following words: "I then had a horse and saddle and one of the best wives a preacher ever had." Then came the "War Between the States" that demoralized all school and church work. As he could claim exemption by being a school teacher, at the urgent request of his brothers and brother-in-law he remained at home to care for the families, while they enlisted in the Confederate service. From Arkansas Brother King moved to Missouri, from Missouri to Foss, Okla., and from there to Floydada, Tex., where he now lives. Here he has three sons living. In the suberbs of this little city he owns a pleasant cottage home and is quietly passing the evening of life.

Once upon a time at a meeting of the Synod of Arkansas, when he was a young preacher, he was called on to preach at the eleven o'clock hour. It was at Searcy, and the Synod had convened in a beautiful brick church, a splendid crowd was present, including many preachers. The pastor-host had selected his preachers for the important hours with great care. Brother King resolved to prove himself worthy of this honor by preaching a big sermon. He read his Scripture and announced his text, James 1: 27. This was his sugar-stick for special occasions. He got through the preliminary remarks fairly well. Then the ideas fled; he turned blind, reeled and would have fallen had he not held to the stand. Some of the brethren took him by the arms and aided him to get out of the pulpit. As he was being borne off the field he saw Rev. H. F. Bone, with the third button from the top of his coat in the top hole, approach the stand. It is said he preached a powerful sermon from the text already announced. Brother King says: "I was reported as having taken suddenly sick; I never tried to correct the report for I was sick. "I give the above for I know the brother ministers will enjoy it, for it is similar to some of their experiences.

In conclusion I now give the following in Brother King's own words: In retrospective glance I can see many errors and failures, yet I do not feel that I have lived wholly in vain. I have within myself a consciousness of having made earnest and continued effort for the cause of the Master, always relying upon Divine guidance and assistance.

Brother King was commissioner to the Assembly which met in May, 1914, at Wagner, Okla.

[Source: Our Senior Soldiers: The Biographies and Autobiographies of Eighty Cumberland Presbyterian Preachers. Compiled by the Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication. The Assistance of Revs. J.L. Price and W.P. Kloster is Greatfully Acknowledged. Nashville, Tenn.: Cumberland Presbyterian Board of Publication, 1915, pages 269-274]

Ministers Lost By Death

Robt. A. King
Amarillo Presbytery
Nov. 1914

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1915, page 110