Finding Aid to the Mims Thornburgh Workman Papers The Archives at Bridwell Library Perkins School of Theology Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas Overview Creator: Title: Workman, Mims Thornburgh Mims Thornburgh Workman papers Inclusive Dates: 1910-1993 Bulk Dates: 1925-1962 Abstract: Mims Thornburgh Workman (1895-1973) was a Methodist minister and educator. Rev. Workman served on the faculty of Southern Methodist University, 1922-1925. The Mims Thornburgh Workman papers consist of articles, sermons, poetry, and prose written by Workman. The
Mims Thornburgh Workman papers Page 2 Accession Number: BridArch 105.19 collection also includes personal and professional correspondence, programs from church services, photographs, and newspaper and magazine articles. Extent: Language: Repository: 3 boxes (2 linear feet) Material is in English. Bridwell Library, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University Biographical Note Mims Thornburgh ( Thorny ) Workman was born in Conway, Arkansas to James Mims and Margaret E. Thornburgh Workman on February 4, 1895. Workman graduated from Henderson-Brown College in 1916. He received his B. A. from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas and his M. A. in New Testament Greek from Emory University. Workman married Lucille Thomas, and they had one son, Richard. In 1920, Workman moved to Dallas, Texas to attend the School of Theology at Southern Methodist University (SMU). He taught undergraduate classes while in school and remained on the staff of the School of Theology after receiving his divinity degree. In 1922 Workman was criticized for unorthodox teaching. A committee from the Methodist Episcopal Church, South investigated him informally. The committee cleared Workman of charges of heresy. At a Sunday evening service on April 5, 1925, Workman spoke at Grace Church, Dallas, on the Larger Evangelism. He later wrote: My address did not touch upon Christ or the Bible. It was a genial criticism of the strong-arm revivalistic modes of winning people upon which I was brought up Some of my hearers said they found nothing objectionable in it. Nonetheless, Dr. Charles C. Selecman, President of SMU, criticized Workman publicly at a denominational meeting. Selecman accused Workman of denying the divinity of Christ. The issue became a public one with charges and countercharges. Workman was a popular professor with the student body, and the senior class of 1925 chose him as their class professor. When students heard Selecman s criticisms, they rallied behind Workman by circulating a petition and calling a meeting with the board of trustees. The students hoped the trustees would consider their wishes and keep Workman on staff. When Workman was fired on June 2, 1925, the trustees cited this student involvement as a reason for his dismissal: Professor Workman spoke to members of his classes about his suffering for his opinions and about his approaching dismissal from the University; this was followed
Page 3 Mims Thornburgh Workman papers by student protests, and a bitter criticism of the University and the President It is reprehensible on the part of any teacher to speak to classes of students in criticism of the administration of the University as it concerns his relation to the University His own friends have followed a course in his defense which closes the door of usefulness to him in this institution. After leaving Southern Methodist University, Workman joined the faculties of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1926-1928, and Vanderbilt University, 1928-1931, as a specialist in the Old Testament and the Hebrew language. He wrote numerous articles and poems that were published. Rev. Workman also served as pastor of the Pulaski Heights, Dermott, Junction City, Bearden, Gurdon, and England Methodist churches in Arkansas. He retired in 1956 due to illness. Mims Thornburgh Workman died at the Halls Ferry Memorial Home on December 1, 1973. Sources: Rev. M.T. Workman, Ex-pastor at LR, Dies. Arkansas Gazette. December 2, 1973. Rev. M.T. Workman, former LR pastor. Arkansas Democrat. December 2, 1973. Vernon, Walter N. Becoming One People. Bossier City, La: Everette Publishing Co., 1987. Vernon, Walter N. Methodism in Arkansas, 1816-1976. Little Rock: Joint Committee for the History of Arkansas Methodism, 1976. Vernon, Walter N. Methodism Moves Across North Texas. Dallas: Historical Society of the Methodist Church, 1967. Scope and Contents of the Collection The Mims Thornburgh Workman papers chronicle the personal and professional life of Methodist minister and educator Mims Thornburgh Workman. The collection details the controversy surrounding Workman s dismissal from Southern Methodist University in 1925 and the support he received from students and friends. Articles and sermons reflect Workman s religious beliefs. The Workman papers contain 2 linear feet of correspondence; religious publications; newspaper and magazine articles; photographs; and poetry, prose, sermons, and articles written by Workman. Materials range in date from 1905 to 1993. Arrangement of the Collection The collection held by Bridwell Library was merged with two collections transferred from the SMU Archives. Newspaper articles were photocopied onto acid-free paper and the originals discarded. Folders are arranged in alphabetical order. The contents of each folder are organized chronologically.
Mims Thornburgh Workman papers Page 4 The collection has been arranged into four series: Series 1: Correspondence, 1926-1993 Series 2: Publications, 1911-1993 Series 3: Writings, 1905-1965 Series 4: Photographs, 1922-1948 Restrictions Access to Collection: The collection is open for research use. Publication Rights: Permission to publish materials must be obtained from the Director of the Bridwell Library. Copyright Statement: It is the responsibility of the user to obtain copyright authorization. Access Terms This collection is indexed under the following terms in the Southern Methodist University Libraries online catalog. Researchers desiring related materials may search the catalog using these terms: Workman, Mims Thornburgh. Southern Methodist University -- Faculty. Perkins School of Theology -- Faculty. Methodist Church -- Clergy -- Southern states. Letters. Administrative Information Preferred Citation: [Identification of item], Mims Thornburgh Workman papers, Bridwell Library, Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University. Acquisition Information: Bridwell Library s original Workman holdings were acquired prior to 1994. One folder (Acc. 1993.0180) was given to the SMU Archives in 1993 by Mims T. Workman s son, Richard Workman, and transferred to Bridwell Library in 2010. The Record of Courses (SMU 2006.0378) was also transferred from the SMU Archives to Bridwell Library, 2010. Processing Information This collection was arranged and described in 2010 by Allison Osborn.
Page 5 Mims Thornburgh Workman papers Encoded by Lara Corazalla, 2010. Detailed Description of the Collection Series 1: Correspondence, 1926-1993 The first series, Correspondence, consists of eight folders of letters, telegrams, and cards dating from 1926 to 1993. The majority of the letters concern Workman s published articles. These personal letters reflect Workman s ideas and beliefs. The correspondence also reveals Workman s relationships with his friends. Box Folder Contents Dates 1732 01 Correspondence from Workman 1937-1954 02 Correspondence to Workman 1926-1962 03 James Allen Chapman 1933-1962 04 Nelson E. Larat 1953-1955 05 Religious Controversy at SMU 1923-1925 06 Russell Lord 1949-1954 07 Third Party Correspondence 1938-1993 08 Walter N. Vernon 1949-1954 Series 2: Publications, 1910-1993 The second series is ten folders of newspaper and magazine articles, programs, and religious pamphlets and flyers. These publications, dating between 1910 and 1993, portray Workman s religious beliefs and the controversy surrounding Workman s dismissal from Southern Methodist University in 1925. Workman s published book of poetry, Forever Burning and other Poems, is also included in the series. 1732 09 Comparative Religion Articles 1991-1993 10 Dr. Franc L. McClure Inauguration Articles 1947 11 Flyers and Pamphlets 1933-1954 12 Forever Burning and other Poems 1971 13 Magazine and Bulletin Articles 1921-1993 14 Newspaper Articles 1911-1953 15 Nouum Testamentum Graece 1910 16 Principle or Expediency? 1925 17 Programs 1925-1955 18 SMU Clippings Religious Controversy 1924-1925 Series 2 Oversize: Flat File, Drawer 1 1925 Graduating Class of SMU 1925
Mims Thornburgh Workman papers Page 6 Series 3: Writings, 1905-1965 The third series is comprised of twenty-two folders containing Mims Thornburgh Workman s articles, prose, poetry, sermons, and speeches written between 1905 and 1963. These items offer insight into Workman s thoughts and activities throughout much of his life (1895-1973). Box Folder Contents Dates 1732 19 Church School 1927-1932 20 Notes 1941-1951 21 Other Poetry 1923-1954 22 Other Prose 1905-1944 23 Record of Courses, 1920-1922 1920-1922 24 Workman s Poetry 1934-1949 1934-1949 25 Workman s Poetry 1953-Sept. 1962 1953-1962 26 Workman s Poetry Oct. 1962-Jan. 1963 1962-1963 27 Workman s Poetry Feb. 1963-1965 1963-1965 28 Workman s Poetry Undated 1 1905-1963 29 Workman s Poetry Undated 2 1905-1963 30 Workman s Prose 1925-1941 1925-1941 31 Workman s Prose 1942-1963 1942-1963 1733A 01 Workman s Prose Undated 1905-1963 02 Sermons, Speeches & Prayers 1924-Feb. 1941 1924-1941 03 Sermons, Speeches & Prayers March 1941-1944 1941-1944 04 Sermons, Speeches & Prayers 1945-Aug.1946 1945-1946 05 Sermons, Speeches & Prayers Sept. 1946-1947 1946-1947 1733B 01 Sermons, Speeches & Prayers 1948 1948 02 Sermons, Speeches & Prayers 1949-1953 1949-1953 03 Sermons, Speeches & Prayers Undated 1 1905-1963 04 Sermons, Speeches & Prayers Undated 2 1905-1963 Series 4: Photographs, 1922-1948 Series 4, Photographs, contains one folder of photographs. Included are a portrait of Workman and pictures taken on the SMU campus during graduation. The graduation photographs are not dated but were taken between 1922 and 1925. 1733B 05 Photographs 1922-1948