N. B. Hardeman
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Nicholas Brodie Hardeman (1874-1965) was an educator, debater and gospel preacher within the Church of Christ. Hardeman, along with Arvy G. Freed, co-founded the National Teachers Normal and Business College (NTN&BC) in Henderson, Tennessee in 1907. The college would later be renamed Freed-Hardeman College in 1919 and then Freed-Hardeman University in 1990. He would serve 25 years as President of Freed-Hardeman (1925-1950). He was also an avid horse enthusiast, participating in the Tennessee Walking Horse competitions as an owner, rider and a judge.
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[edit] Early years
Hardeman was born May 18, 1874, Milledgeville, Tennessee, the son of Dr. James B. Hardeman, Sr., a local physician and his wife, Nancy. He had a normal childhood and education for that period of the 19th century. He attended West Tennessee Christian College (WTCC), in Henderson, where he graduated in 1895 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and later he received a Master of Science degree from the same college. The college would later change its name to Georgie Robertson Christian College.
Hardeman married Joanna Tabler on April 21, 1901 which was officiated by A.G. Freed in Henderson. "Miss Jo", a life-long resident of Henderson, attended Georgie Robertson and excelled in music. Mrs. Hardeman would serve as head of the Instrumental Music & Voice department until her death in 1944.
R.P. Meeks baptized Hardeman in 1890, while the latter was a student at WTCC.[citation needed] Hardeman would later become an instructor at Georgie Robertson and later served as its Vice-President. He would also become a very charismatic gospel preacher, serving as the minister or assistant minister of the Henderson Church of Christ at various times periods. He would later serve as a deacon and elder of that congregation. Hardeman also served as Superintendent of the Chester County School District even while he served at as an instructor, Vice-President and later President of Freed-Hardeman College.
In the late 1890s and early 1900s a split of the local Christian Church/Church of Christ happened when the issue of musical instruments in the worship. In January 1903, after much discussion and prayer, a majority of the members left the church and formed what is now the Henderson Church of Christ. Hardeman and his family, including his father and his brothers and sisters families, brothers and sisters in the faith, went with the new congregation due to their convictions on the subject. Because of the stance of Georgie Robertson's administration were pro-musical instruments, Hardeman resigned as Vice President of Georgie Robertson.
[edit] The Establishment of an Educational Institution
It was announced that because to the lack of funding from private sources (mostly due to the withdrawal of members and supports against musical instrument in the worship), Georgie Robertson would cease operations after the 1906-1907 school year.
Upon hearing this, Hardeman and A.G. Freed, the former President of Georgie Robertson and then-president of Southwest Christian College, were approached by local businessmen about opening a new institute of high learning. The two gentlemen, seeing the need for such an institution to continue in Henderson, offered to purchase the land and buildings of Georgie Robinson in order to continue that purpose. The entity that owned the land and buildings, the Tennessee Missionary Association, a branch of the Christian Church, refused their offer, in part due to the ongoing animosity over the split of the Christian Church and the Church of Christ in that town. Determined to see that such an institution was still part of Henderson, and seeing the need for one, Hardeman and Freed purchased land across the street from Georgie Robertson, with their own monies, and construction of what is now known as the Old Main Building was started. Hence the need to construct new buildings for the new college caused them to delay the opening of the college and the 1907-1908 school year was not held. For the first time since 1869 there was no institute of Higher Education in session in Henderson during the 1907-1908 school year. In the fall of 1908 NTN&BC was open for their first school session. Freed became the first president of NTN&BC and Hardeman became Vice-President.
In an ironic twist, the lands and buildings, which were Georgie Robertson, were later donated to the Chester County School System, which Hardeman continued to serve as Superintendent. It wasn't until years after Hardeman's death that the buildings formerly part of Georgie Robertson were sold to Freed-Hardeman by the school system after years as a high school and renamed Milan-Sitka Building, used by the business and mathematics departments. The building was demolished in 2004. The Milan-Sitka building was razed due to poor maintenance on its limestone foundation. Another few years and the building would have fallen down by itself, as did a building in the downtown district did in the early 1990s. The new Bulliner-Clayton Visual Arts Center was built on the site of the old Milan-Sitka Gymnasium and was openned at the beginning of the Fall 2007 term.
In 1918, it was decided NTN&BC would be purchased from Freed and Hardeman and that a Board of Trustees made up by members of the Church of Christ would be set up to run the college. It was decided to keep the status quo however, and by unanimous decision, NTN&BC would be renamed in honor of the two founders and became Freed-Hardeman College.
Hardeman was kept busy not only with his duties with Freed-Hardeman and the Chester County Schools, where he served as Superintendent, he also was a widely regarded preacher and speaker. He was often invited to hold gospel meetings, some last for several weeks, throughout the United States. One meeting that lasted a week at the Union Avenue Church of Christ in Memphis resulted in 94 baptisms with 14 other as a result of the meeting after it concluded.[citation needed]
He was also a prolific debator for the cause of Christ. His first debate occurred when he was 25 years old, having preached the gospel for only two years. His last debate was with Baptist debater Ben Bogard and was considered his finest debate.[citation needed]
[edit] The Hardeman Tabernacle Sermons
The highlight of Hardeman's preaching career as a gospel preacher was the Tabernacle Sermons which was held at the Ryman Auditorium, a series of five lectures held in Nashville, Tennessee in 1922, 1923, 1928, 1938, and 1945.
The first of the sermons came about when some of the churches of Christ in the Nashville area wanted a qualified preacher to hold a series of gospel meeting as Ryman. It was just lucky that Hardeman was available and organizers staged the first meeting started March 28, 1922 and concluded on April 16 of that year. The other three meetings, held in the same location had the same effect.
Both The Tennessean and the Nashville Banner newspapers reported on the meeting, which in turn was picked up by many regional and national papers. All meetings were very well attend, in fact was overflowing with from 6000-8000 a night was reported and up to 2000-3000 people were turned away from the door which was unprecedented for the type of meeting.
So much interest was given that Hardeman commissioned the printing of the meeting, which was both transcribed and recorded for broadcast. The first edition sold out and a subsequent editions did the same. In 1992 Hardeman's grandson, Joe Hardeman Foy, and his family helped in a reprint of the three volumes which made up the four Tabernacle Sermons, which was presented to Bible Students at Freed-Hardeman as a gift from his family.
[edit] Presidency of Freed-Hardeman College
In 1921, A. G. Freed resigned as President of Freed-Hardeman College, which had been renamed in the honor of Freed and Hardeman in 1923. After the presidency of W. Claude Hall from 1923-1925, it was decided that Hardeman and Hall C. Calhoun would serve as Co-Presidents for the upcoming school year. Meanwhile Freed went on to become Vice-President of David Lipscomb College in Nashville until his death in 1931. When Calhoun resigned at the end of the 1925-1926 session, Hardeman contuned as President of the college until his retirement in 1950. During his tenure as President, Hardeman kept the quality of education for those who attended high.
Before becoming President of FHU, Hardeman and his wife, with other friends, took an overseas trip to Europe and The Holy Lands which greatly influenced Hardeman.
[edit] The Tennessee Walking Horse
Hardeman, who lived behind the Georgie Robertson property, also had a fondness with the Tennessee Walking Horse. He owned, rode and trained several horses and was active in the National Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration. He was actually a judge in during the 1939 celebration and continued to participate with the celebration in the 1940s as both a rider and an owner. One of these horses, Maid of Cotton, won a Tennessee Walking Horse Championship and continued to live in the stable on the Hardeman property until Hardeman sold him. Maid of Cotton died in 1964.
Hardeman attended the celebration until August 31-September 5, 1965, two months before his death. He had never missed a celebration in the 27 years of its existence up to prior to his death.
[edit] Later Years and Death
Hardeman left Henderson to live with his second wife in Memphis. He continued to preach and hold a limited amount of gospel meetings until his health prevent his continuation. On May 18, 1959, friends and family held a 'surprise' 85th birthday party for Hardeman at the Peabody Hotel in downtown Memphis. Many dignitaries were in attendance including a family friend - Majority Leader of the US Senate, future President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Nicholas Brodie Hardeman died November 5, 1965 peacefully at his home in Memphis. He was buried in the Henderson City Cemetery in the family plot next to his beloved "Miss Jo". His second wife was later buried near Hardeman in the family plot as well as several family members. His parents are buried in the same cemetery nearby. He is also buried in the same cemetery as his successor as President of Freed-Hardeman, H.A. Dixon as well as a short distance from the grave of the son of A.G. Freed.
[edit] Legacy
The influence that N. B. Hardeman has had on millions of people is shown even today. The Harding University Graduate School of Religion in Memphis houses Hardeman's papers. The Memphis School of Preaching is home of the N.B. Hardeman Library on Forest Hills Road in Memphis.
Several members of the Hardeman Family have served in local, state and national politics. Hardeman's Grandson, Joe Hardeman Foy served in the Texas State Legislature. Hardeman County in Tennessee and Hardeman County in Texas are named in honor of the Hardeman Family.
But the impressions and influence of N.B. Hardeman continues today through his works and printed words of his sermons as well as through those students that had the opportunity to attend Freed-Hardeman University. He continues to be counted on lists as being one of the most important leaders of the Restoration Movement of the Twentieth Century.
From July 1-July 3, 2007, there will be a celebration of the Tabernacle Sermons which Hardeman conducted called the Tabernacle Sermons Today. This event will also take place at the Ryman Auditorium. Former students of Hardeman as well as former professors and preachers of the Church of Christ will be taking part in this event. The Gospel Broadcasting Network (GBN) sponsors and broadcast the event over the satellite and the Internet at GBNTV.org.
[edit] References and Sources
- Freed-Hardeman University Catalog, 2006-2007, 'History of Freed-Hardeman University", Freed-Hardeman University Publisher, 2005, page 10.
- Hardeman, N.B, Hardeman Tabernacle Sermons, Vol. 1, Freed-Hardeman University, Publisher, 1977
- Hardeman, Hardeman Tabernacle Sermon, Vol. 2
- Hardeman, Hardeman Tabernacle Sermon, Vol. 3
- Hester, Samuel, History of the Restoration Movement, Freed Hardeman University, 1990
