David Francis: Stephen Paxson: and the Sunday School Missionary

Stephen Paxson: Sunday School Missionary Stephen Paxson is perhaps the best known American Sunday School missionary. Because of an untreated childhood injury, he walked with a limp (but taught himself to dance). A stutterer, he was kicked out of school on his first day because of his impairment but taught himself to read. He traveled widely, plying his trade of hat-making. He married, became a moderately successful businessman, and settled his family in Winchester, Illinois. Well-respected and apparently fun to be around, Paxson was not a Christian. That changed in 1838.

A Daughter, a Daddy, and a Class of Boys

One day Paxson accompanied his daughter Mary to the union Sunday School in Winchester so she might win a prize for bringing a friend. Trying not to show his shock at seeing Paxson there, Mr. Haynie, the superintendent (a Methodist) introduced him to other leaders, including Mr. Carter (a Presbyterian) and Mr. Miner (a Baptist). Most of what Paxson knew of churches was their bickering so Haynie's remark "but we all unite to study the Bible" pleased and intrigued him. Yet Paxson was taken off guard when the superintendent proposed that he teach the 10- 15 year old boys class that day since the teacher was absent. In response to his objection, one of the boys suggested: "I'll tell you what we'll do, Mr. Paxson; you tell us all you know, and we will tell you all we know." He agreed to those terms. It was not a particularly good lesson. But the boys liked him. He liked them. And he fell in love quickly with the idea of Sunday School, never missing a Sunday for the next four years. He was so captivated by the idea of Sunday School as a newly-professed Christian that he began to travel the surrounding countryside on weekends, starting and strengthening Sunday Schools. In 1846 he organized what may have been the first county Sunday School Convention, a convocation to train and encourage Sunday School teachers and leaders regardless of denominational affiliation. It was a model for a national movement of such gatherings. With much effort and God's grace, he also trained himself to largely overcome his stammering. God, it seemed, was preparing him for something greater.

All Things Work Together for Good

Paxson was remarkable for overcoming his childhood. Indentured to an uncle, he had less than one day of formal schooling. His aunt would read to him from the only book in their house. Daughter Mary writes:

True, he had little education, but this very want made him sympathetic with those denied, like himself, all opportunities for culture. He remembered that there were thousands of children in lowly destitute regions, hungering for the bread of life and longing for books, as he had longed in his boyhood. To carry books to such children, to gather them into Sundayschools-- for this he would give up everything. He determined to persevere in his self-appointed task. He only wished he could give to it all the days in the week instead of one.

Meanwhile in New York, Dr. John Adams (whose ancestry includes two presidents of the United States) learned of Paxson and recommended him for appointment as an ASSU missionary. His acceptance came at great sacrifice to his family, as the salary of one dollar for each day worked would hardly pay for his family to remain in town. For several years his family lived an isolated and rustic rural life while he traveled the Midwest. (You'll have to read the book if you're interested in the rest of the story. If you love Sunday School, keep a tissue handy!)

A Horse Named Robert Raikes

Paxson's 15-year-old son traveled with his father and organized an additional 700 schools that enrolled 40,000 scholars and teachers. The Paxsons made a stunning contribution to the Mississippi Valley Enterprise, which ASSU records indicate established 61,297 schools, with 407,244 teachers, impacting 2,650,784 pupils over a period of 50 years while the population of the West grew to 4,000,000. Paxson made his rounds for many years in a buggy pulled by a horse named Robert Raikes. It is said that the horse would always stop without command when he approached a child! Paxson employed a simple strategy. He introduced himself to one child, one parent, one house at a time, inviting all to a meeting about starting a Sunday School. After he had it up and running, he would move on. He once organized over 40 schools in a period of 40 days. I'm looking forward to hearing how he did that!

David Francis, Missionary Sunday School (Nashville: LifeWay Press, 2011); available at LifeWay.com. Used with permission. 

David Francis is speaking as part of the All Star Sunday School Training Team. To attend an event, or host an event. see http://allstarsundayschool.com/