Walter Stillman Martin

8 March 1862—16 December 1935

Civilla Durfee Martin

21 August 1866—9 March 1948

WALTER STILLMAN MARTIN, son of Brotherton T. Martin and Mary Stone Robinson, was born 8 March 1862 in Newburyport, Essex County, Massachusetts. His earliest known hymn, “I see my Savior at the cross,” was printed in The Beacon Light (1881), edited by Elisha Hoffman. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Dummer College in Byfield in 1882, and around that time he married Emma Lucretia Adams (1859–1946), daughter of James Augustus Adams and Hannah Ilsley Adams, in Newburyport on 1 June 1882. In the 1882–1883 Newburyport Directory, Walter was listed as a horse-drawn omnibus driver. A Master of Arts degree from Dummer followed in 1885. He then studied briefly at Harvard in 1887, earned a Bachelor of Divinity from Andover Divinity School in 1890, and a Bachelor of Music from Boston College of Music in 1893, after which he taught Bible and music at Boston Lay College 1895–1897. He was granted an honorary Mus. D. by Bowdoin College and Dummer College. By the early 1890s, he had developed a reputation as a successful evangelist and preacher, while also writing and selling gospel songs. In August 1893, for example, he had been engaged in a three-week evangelistic campaign in Lubec, Maine. The 29 November 1895 issue of Boston Post relayed:

Thanksgiving evening was celebrated in the Baptist Tabernacle by a song service, in which a big congregation joined with spirit. A sermon was preached by the famous evangelist, Walter S. Martin, his topic being: “No man on the fence.” He dwelt upon the necessity of travelling in the one straight path of Christianity, and not deviating therefrom.[1]

In the mid 1890s, they lived for a time in Georgetown, Massachusetts. Walter and Emma are not presently identifiable in the 1900 U.S. census. They had no children. At the turn of the century, Walter’s hymns were being reprinted regularly, but not in the most significant collections of the time. Twelve of his pieces had appeared in Calvary Echoes (1887); his song “Tell the story once again” was printed in two minor collections in 1899.

CIVILLA DURFEE HOLDEN, daughter of James Nunn Holden and Irene Harding, was born 21 August 1866 in Jordan Falls, Nova Scotia, Canada. She married John F. Geddes (1845–1926), a minister of Scottish descent, on 19 May 1891 in Jordan Falls, Shelburne, Nova Scotia. He was 20 years her senior. They had a son, Austin Geddes, born 21 August 1892 in Canada. Civilla worked as a school teacher. In 1895, Rev. Geddes took to work as a travelling preacher in the United States. At some point in the late 1890s or around the turn of the century, their marriage appears to have dissolved. In 1900, Civilla D. Geddes was teaching school in Jordan Falls, Nova Scotia, but John F. Geddes was living by himself (although listed as married) in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her mother Irene died 9 March 1900 at age 70. In July 1900, Civilla and Austin appeared on a passenger list entering Boston as tourists. In the 1901 Canadian census, Civilla and her son, Austin, were living with her father and her sister, Grace, in Jordan Falls, all under the Holden name.

Marriage Disruption

The earliest apparent documentation of the connection between Walter and Civilla comes via newspaper accounts of a troubling series of events in the summer of 1903:

SKIPPED THE COUNTRY. [June 12]—“Rev. W.S. Martin” and Wife are Much Wanted in Shapleigh [Maine]. A man who called himself an evangelist and gave the name of W.S. Martin, accompanied by a woman whom he called his wife, arrived at the G.A.R. camps about seven weeks ago. From that time until June 3 the pair lived on the fat of the land, the man spending his time in running store bills, fishing, and occasionally preaching. His favorite address was a lecture entitled “The Meanest Man in Town.”
Martin made an impression on the people of Shapleigh and about the first of this month he was engaged to supply the Baptist pulpit during the summer season. As soon as the bargain was closed, he “worked” the committee to advance $10 on his salary. Then he bought a bill of goods of L.S. Patch, the corner store keeper, promising to pay as soon as “his wife returned from Boston,” where she was going to draw some money.
The pair borrowed a trunk from Mrs. Hurd, which they proceeded to fill [with] Capt. Lernerd’s property. Martin borrowed a mileage book from Mr. Patch, who was also engaged to convey “Mrs. Martin” and baggage to Springvale depo. As soon as Mr. Patch got away with his passengers (a woman formerly employed at the cottages accompanied them) the Reverend sharper took a boat from the landing, rowed to Emery Mills dam and hired a team to take him to Eastwood depot.
Capt. Lernerd’s loss, including rent and goods stolen, is over $100; Mr. Patch, $35; Baptist church, $10; Mrs. Hurd, a trunk. As soon as Capt. Lernerd discovered what was up, he gave the alarm, but the birds had flown. The police forces in several New England cities are now trying to locate Martin and his companion.[2]

MAY COME THIS WAY. [June 20]—The Poughkeepsie [NY] police have been notified that styling himself as the “Rev. S. W. Martin,” of Boston, had defrauded a boarding house keeper near Albany of a board bill amounting to $20. The man represented himself as a lecturer, singer, and author and said he intended giving a concert and entertainment in the village, at which a silver collection would be taken up. He was accompanied by his wife and ten year old boy, and after remaining several days he skipped out, failing to pay his board bill. The same game might be tried here [in Poughkeepsie].[3]

REV. MARTIN CAPTURED. St. Albans [VT], July 31—The Rev. Mr. Martin of Newburyport, Mass., who refuses to give his intials, but who has done evangelistic work for the Baptist denominations in Burlington, Richford, and St. Johnsbury in past years, is in the county jail here under the charge of larceny. He was arrested today in St. Johns, P.Q. [Province of Quebec], by Deputy Sheriff Holmes of Highgate, who had given the reverend gentleman quite an extended chase. He will be arraigned in court tomorrow for the crime.
The Rev. Mr. Martin is the man who came to Highgate Springs a few weeks ago accompanied by his wife and son and gave the name of the “Rev. Mr. Marvin,” claiming that he was pastor of one of the largest churches in Boston. They hired a cottage and engaged board of Mr. Platt there and were trusted for anything they wanted. After a stay of two weeks and the bills for board and other things began to come in, Mr. Martin took his family, a boat, tent, and other articles belonging to Mr. Platt and disappeared.
To Deputy Sheriff Holmes was assigned the task of apprehending the thief. He traced the parties to Plattsburg and Port Kent on the New York shore. At the latter place yesterday Mr. Martin raised $12 on his outfit and bought tickets for St. Johns. Sheriff Holmes went there today and found Martin. After a talk with the officer he consented to return to the state without extradition papers and was brought here on the night train.
Mr. Martin was seen in jail by a press representative. He acknowledged that his real name as Martin and that he had been engaged in evangelistic work for the Baptist denomination. He said home was in Newburyport, Mass. He did not deny his crime but claimed that he was driven to the act by a lack of money.[4]

FROM JAIL TO HOSPITAL. St. Albans, Aug. 4—Rev. W.S. Martin, who became involved in some financial difficulties at Highgate Springs about ten days ago and who was arrested and confined to the Franklin county jail, has had the misfortune to be stricken with a severe case of appendicitis, which today necessitated his removal to the hospital for treatment. Several of our prominent citizens, who have looked up Mr. Martin’s case and learned the true nature of affairs, have had their sympathies aroused and have furnished the necessary bail to allow Mr. Martin to leave the jail and go to the hospital. Those who have called on Mr. Martin and heard his story and know his condition of mind and body, are taking an active interest in his case, and believe that he will be exonerated from the charges against him when all the facts are known. The Hon. Fuller C. Smith and Hon. S.W. Flinn have volunteered to defend Mr. Martin and look out for his interests.[5]

MENTALLY UNBALANCED. St. Albans, Aug. 12—The Rev. Walter S. Martin was arraigned before Myron E. Barr, justice of the peace of Highgate, in the jail office this afternoon on a charge of grand larceny, the theft consisting in the alleged stealing of a boat, a tent, and other property. He was discharged, because the justice considered him mentally unbalanced at the time of the actions charged in the complaint, this view being coincided in by the state’s attorney. The following statement has been sent out by the Rev. Arthur C. Dennett of St. Albans Bay:
“At the hearing of Rev. W.S. Martin of Massachusetts today, I was requested to make a statement concerning his condition. While there is no question of the taking of the boat, I do not believe, from all the evidence I can secure, that he was guilty in the criminal sense of the term, but that owing to the effects of two severe attacks of nervous prostration he was mentally unbalanced. He has been taken in charge by his folks and will be treated for his trouble. Arthur C. Dennett.”[6]

The woman in these stories is not named, but with some stories observing a wife and son, this would appear to be an elopement and escape of sorts with Civilla and Austin, but additional details are lacking. Rev. Martin likely spent the next several months dealing with the repercussions of these events, and he generally managed to stay out of the press until 21 November 1904, when he was on the speaking circuit again, in better spirits:

To Lecture on Cranks. The Rev. W. Stillman Martin, the evangelist, will give his humorous lecture on “Some Cranks I Have Met” at Bethany Baptist Church [Wilmington, Delaware] this evening at 8 o’clock. No admission fee, but a collection will be taken during the evening.[7]

Emma Martin did not remarry. She was subsequently counted in Newburyport every ten years (1910, 1920, 1930, 1940) and died there in 1946. The 1910 census indicates she had no children. Civilla’s first husband, John F. Geddes, appeared in the 1910 census in Mount Vernon, Westchester, NY; he died 27 December 1926. Walter evidently adopted Civilla’s son Austin, or they unofficially gave him the Martin name, because he was thereafter known as Austin Geddes Martin.

Songwriting Partnership & Move to Pennsylvania

A couple of turning points for Walter and Civilla happened in 1905. In the summer of 1904 and probably into 1905, He and Civilla developed a songwriting partnership, submitting 30 songs to Songs of Redemption and Praise (1905), including “God Will Take Care of You.” They were included in the copyright application for the book as musical editors, registered 25 July 1905. That same year, Civilla penned the lyrics to “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” but when Walter was unable to supply a suitable melody, they sent it to Charles Gabriel to write the music. In May of that year, they relocated to Alba, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, and he was known to have preached sometimes at the Methodist Episcopal Church there. In March 1906, he became pastor of the Baptist Church in Wyalusing, Bradford County, PA, but he resigned at the end of the year. From there, they went to Chicago, where Walter became engaged with the Hall-Mack publishing company, but they returned to Alba in May 1907: “Owing to the state of Mrs. Martin’s health they have been obliged to settle among the Pennsylvania mountains. Dr. Martin will take up the interests of the Baptist church in Alba, preaching regularly.”[8] In June 1908, Walter delivered devotional remarks for a baccalaureate service at Canton High School (where Austin seems to have attended, starting in the fall of 1907). The following year, he was invited to deliver a baccalaureate sermon in Troy, PA, where he was regarded as “a thinker and speaker of force and eloquence.”[9]

To New York and Back Again

In the fall of 1911, after Austin’s graduation from high school, they all relocated to Schenectady, NY, where Austin enrolled at Union College. Walter preached regularly in the Baptist church there for the next four years. In 1912, the Martins penned “The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power,” which would later be adapted by gospel musician Andraé Crouch. With Austin’s college graduation impending in the spring of 1915, Walter accepted a calling to the pastorate of First Baptist Church, Canton, Bradford County, PA, which had been newly renovated. His first service there was 28 March 1915. Newspapers noted an increase in attendance and a general enthusiasm for his appointment. He conducted a Bible conference there in May, then attended Austin’s graduation in Schenectady in June. Austin graduated with honors in English and Latin. The Canton church hosted a large reception upon their return.

In the fall of 1915, Austin left to pursue graduate studies at Columbia University in New York City. Walter quietly interviewed for the pastorate at South Brooklyn Gospel Church, then shocked his congregation in Canton at the end of the Sunday service on 31 Oct. 1915 by announcing his immediate resignation and impending move to Brooklyn. While in New York City, he also served as Professor of English Bible at Nyack College. But his tenure there was similarly short-lived, because he and Austin both accepted teaching positions at Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, North Carolina, in 1916.

To North Carolina and Georgia

In 1916, Walter and Austin were hired into the administration of Atlantic Christian College, Wilson, North Carolina. Austin was a Professor of English, while Walter was Professor of English Bible, Homiletics, and Pastoral Theology. Within short order, he and Civilla had written a new school song, “Hurrah for Our A.C.C.,” printed in the Atlantic Christian College Bulletin, February 1917. Civilla was featured in Charles Gabriel’s Sketches of Living Gospel Hymn Writers in 1916. Her father died 16 November 1916 in Nova Scotia.

After three years at ACC, they moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 1919. Walter joined the editorial staff of The Christian Standard, whereas Austin became a teacher at Boys High School. Walter’s mother died 18 Oct. 1920, and his father followed on 5 Apr. 1921, both in Massachusetts. Austin became principal of Brown Junior High School in Atlanta in 1923. Walter actively filled pulpits and taught Bible conferences in various places across the country. In late 1929 into 1930, he was interim Chair of Theology at the Los Angeles Bible Institute. He taught a Bible conference at Silvis Baptist Church, Silvis, IL, in October 1931; he led a similar conference in Sheridan, Oregon, the following year. He preached a series of meetings at South Park Baptist Church on Los Angeles in March 1934, and he filled the pulpit of the First Brethren Church of Long Beach in August. In July 1935, he led a Bible conference in Hendersonville, NC. After a lifetime of service to the Christian church, he died 16 December 1935 in Atlanta.

Austin married Bessie (Sorrow) Beavers some time after 1930, widow of Reuben Willis Beavers; she had four children (Ellington, Martha, Bettie, James). When Brown Junior High was converted to a high school in 1947, Austin remained as principal. Civilla died the following year, on 9 March 1948, in Atlanta. At the time, she was a member of the First Christian Church. Austin retired in 1957. He died 4 February 1970 in Atlanta.

by CHRIS FENNER
with GORDON TAYLOR
for Hymnology Archive
23 August 2022
rev. 31 August 2023

1. “Baptist Tabernacle Service,” Boston Post (29 Nov. 1895), p. 6.

2. “Skipped the Country,” Sanford Tribune (Sanford, ME: 12 June 1903), p. 1.

3. “May come this way,” Poughkeepsie Eagle-News (NY: 20 June 1903), p. 5.

4. “Rev. Martin captured,” The Barre Daily Times (Barre, VT: 1 Aug. 1903), p. 1.

5. “From jail to hospital,” The Barre Daily Times (Barre, VT: 5 Aug. 1903), p. 1.

6. “Mentally unbalanced,” The Barre Daily Times (Barre, VT: 13 Aug. 1903), p. 1.

7. “To lecture on cranks,” Evening Journal (Wilmington, DE: 21 Nov. 1904), p. 1.

8. “Returns to Alba,” Canton Independent-Sentinel (Canton, PA: 16 May 1907), p. 4.

9. “Commencement is started with sermon,” Star-Gazette (Elmira, NY: 22 May 1909), p. 9.

Featured Hymns:

God Will Take Care of You
His Eye is on the Sparrow
The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power

Archives:

Special Collections, Willis N. Hackney Library, Barton College [Atlantic Christian College]: https://barton.libguides.com/special_collections/college_archives

Civilla D. Martin [Personality File], James G. Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center: https://atlantahistorycenter.on.worldcat.org/oclc/957568131

Related Resources:

Charles Gabriel, “Mrs. C.D. Martin,” Singers and Their Songs: Sketches of Living Hymn Writers (1916), pp. 51–52: https://archive.org/details/singerstheirsong00gabr/page/52/

Scotty Wayne Gray, “Civilla Durfee Martin,” “Walter Stillman Martin,” Handbook to the Baptist Hymnal (Nashville: Convention Press, 1992), p. 399.

Hymnary.org: W. Stillman Martin | Civilla D. Martin