Robert Gibbs Mood Collection
Scope and Contents
The contents of the Robert Gibbs Mood collections are made up of four types of documents: Pastor Journals; Thumb-Index Pastor Journals; Pressing Elder Minutes; and Condensed Minutes Books. In these various documents is information about the Methodist North Texas Conference including lists of members, people baptized, marriages officiated, sermons preached, money raised, delegates elected, total value of Church property, salary receipts, handwritten letters, and various shorthand math equations.
Within the pages of some of these journals there are folded or glued papers that relate to the preceding or following content, these can often be letters, both typed and written, to other members of the Church. Mood also has pamphlets of the various organizations he managed the financials for in many of his journals like Sunday Schools and Women's groups.
Dates
- 1894 - 1938
Conditions Governing Access
The materials are open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Southwestern University Distinctive Collections and Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the collections and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from SU Distinctive Collections and Archives before any publication use. Distinctive Collections does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.
Biographical / Historical
Robert Gibbs Mood, born on December 14, 1873, in Georgetown, Texas, was the son of Francis Asbury Mood and Susan Richardson. His educational journey led him to Southwestern University, where he graduated in 1894 with the aspiration of becoming a pastor.
Robert Gibbs Mood married Emily Gertrude Foster and they had three sons and one daughter. Stepping into the role of a Methodist circuit rider after college, he embraced the challenging life of a traveling pastor, venturing into various areas of Texas to preach and establish congregations. These journeys were undertaken semi-annually, involving extensive travel on horseback with only the essential provisions. It was a demanding profession that often saw its practitioners succumb to the hardships of the lifestyle, typically in their 30s or 40s. Remarkably, Robert defied this trend, living into his 60s.
As time progressed, Robert transitioned from the rigors of a professional circuit rider to a more clerical role within the regional church. His acumen in financial matters and numerical proficiency earned him a position of authority in the management of the Methodist Church in North Texas. Remaining steadfast in this clerical position, Robert continued to serve until his passing on October 1, 1943.
Extent
3.13 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
This collection encompasses the personal records of Robert Mood, a Methodist circuit rider based in North Texas, whose active pastoral service spanned from 1890 to 1940. Notably, the latter part of his life was marked by a transition to more clerical duties. Between 1894 and 1912, Mood traversed the open roads, dedicating himself to preaching and establishing congregations in rural areas of the state. A distinctive feature in his journals is the evolution of his responsibilities, with a discernible shift toward financial tasks in the later years. As he documented the financial information of various churches, a clear trend emerged, showcasing an increasing allocation of physical responsibilities as he progressed through life, all while maintaining his own circuit. This nomadic form of proselytization encapsulates a pivotal element contributing to the dissemination of Methodism in the American South.
Arrangement
This collection contains the following types of documents: Pastor Books, Thumb Index Pastor Books, Pressing Elder Minutes, and Condensed Minute Books.
Processing Information
Processed by Max McDaniel, 2021
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the SU Special Collections & Archives Repository