This Week in Texas Methodist History-April 2
Martin Ruter born in Massachusetts--April 3, 1785
Martin Ruter who later led the first official missionary team from the United States to the Republic of Texas was born April 3, 1785 in Charlton, Massachusetts. As a youth his family moved to Bradford, Vermont, where he was "soundly converted". He received a license to exhort in 1800 and accompanied his presiding elder on the latter's rounds. By 1802 he had his own circuit and in 1804 was appointed missionary to Montreal. Upon his return to the United States he was ordained elder and served a variety of appointments in New England. In 1808 he was elected for the first time to the General Conference.
In 1820 he received an assignment to take over the Book Concern in Cincinnati. He served at that post for eight years and then assumed the presidency of Augusta College in Kentucky. He served there for four years and transferred to the Pittsburgh Conference. That membership led to his appointment as president of Allegheny College.
He was a delegate to the General Conference of 1836. When the call for missionaries to Texas was sounded, Ruter volunteered. In the summer of 1837 he bade farewell to his college presidency and began his journey to Texas as head of mission. He arrived at the Sabine in November, 1837, and threw himself in the work of organizing circuits, acquiring property, raising funds, and promoting a Methodist school.
In May 1838, he started back to the north to bring his family to Texas. He became ill and returned to Washington on the Brazos. where he died. His body was later reinterred in Navasota.
Although Ruter was in Texas only from November, 1837 to May 1838, his impact was great. His dream of a Methodist university was fulfilled in 1840 with the creation of Rutersville University.
Martin Ruter who later led the first official missionary team from the United States to the Republic of Texas was born April 3, 1785 in Charlton, Massachusetts. As a youth his family moved to Bradford, Vermont, where he was "soundly converted". He received a license to exhort in 1800 and accompanied his presiding elder on the latter's rounds. By 1802 he had his own circuit and in 1804 was appointed missionary to Montreal. Upon his return to the United States he was ordained elder and served a variety of appointments in New England. In 1808 he was elected for the first time to the General Conference.
In 1820 he received an assignment to take over the Book Concern in Cincinnati. He served at that post for eight years and then assumed the presidency of Augusta College in Kentucky. He served there for four years and transferred to the Pittsburgh Conference. That membership led to his appointment as president of Allegheny College.
He was a delegate to the General Conference of 1836. When the call for missionaries to Texas was sounded, Ruter volunteered. In the summer of 1837 he bade farewell to his college presidency and began his journey to Texas as head of mission. He arrived at the Sabine in November, 1837, and threw himself in the work of organizing circuits, acquiring property, raising funds, and promoting a Methodist school.
In May 1838, he started back to the north to bring his family to Texas. He became ill and returned to Washington on the Brazos. where he died. His body was later reinterred in Navasota.
Although Ruter was in Texas only from November, 1837 to May 1838, his impact was great. His dream of a Methodist university was fulfilled in 1840 with the creation of Rutersville University.
posted by texman at 9:44 AM
1 Comments:
Bradford Vermont history says that Margaret Appleton Peckett came to Bradford in 1779-1780 with her husband Giles. Before migrating from England she had been a housekeeper in the household of John Wesley. Religious instruction was held in her home on the Lower Plain in Bradford for Martin Ruter and five other young men. "This splendid Christian woman gave these young men access to her books and encouraged them in their work. They all became ministers and three of them were preachers and educators"
posted by Lawrence Coffin, President of the Bradford Historical Society lccoffin@charter.net
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