In the book:
52 Years in Florida, R.H. Howren was listed (p. 50,52) among those in the "Tallahassee Station" in the early years (1831- ) and "tells his own story thus": (p.55)
" It was during the Indian war, when the torch,
tomahawk, and rifle were doing their deadly work in
this country. My work was mainly with the soldiers,
and with citizens clustered together under stockade
protection. I knew that I was exposed to sudden
and violent death every day, but the divine promise
sustained me: 'Lo, I am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world.'
"On one occasion, while holding a protracted meeting near Newnansville, we were surrounded by
seventy-five warriors, who withdrew without inter- fering with us at all. \Ve learned afterwards that
their intention was to make an attack upon us, but
seeing such an unusual stir among the people, they
became alarmed and withdrew. During one of our
night services, they climbed into the pines around
the house, intending to fire upon us, not being able
to do so from the ground owing to the stockade.
Fortunately we heard the signal given for firing, and
ran into the body of the house and escaped. One of our local preachers, Brother McCrary, was shot from
his horse and killed while returning from one of his
appointments Sabbath afternoon. He was in com- pany with a Mr. McNeil, who escaped with four
balls through his clothes and two in his horse. The
noble animal, though badly wounded, sprang forward
and soon bore his rider beyond the reach of danger.
A little boy, twelve years of age, riding a little behind, wheeled his pony and took the other end of the
road, a large Indian jumping into the road nearly opposite the boy. The race was nearly equal for a hundred yards or more, the savage making several reaches for the bridle, but at length the lad
outstripped him and escaped in safety to the
fort. Brother McCrary was talking to his un- converted friend on the subject of religion when the
guns were fired. How literally he realized the poet's hope:
Happy, if with my latest breath
I may but gasp his name;
Preach him to all, and cry in death,
"Behold, behold the Lamb! "
He was listed (p60) among 12 Elders who were at the first Florida Conference convened in Tallahassee, February 6, 1845. At the 9th conference in Quincy Jan 26, 1853, he was listed as serving (as P.E.?) to one of the 4 districts. At the 19th conference in Monticello in 1863, (p78) R.H. Howren was elected President.
In 1866 (p98-99) the conference was divided with "nearly half our territory...and nearly half of our members" being placed in a South Georgia Conference. R.H. Howren was among those "lost from our roll".
At the 30th conference held in Jacksonville, Jan 7, 1874, R.H. Howren was "received by transfer". p103
At the 46th conference held in Gainesville Jan 8 1890, R.H. Howren was listed as one "Death had taken from us", and this statement was provided: (p 120)
Robert H. Howren was a veteran, falling at his
post in the fiftieth year of itinerent career. He was
one of the original members of our Conference, and
had filled all classes of work, from mission to district, always acceptable, faithful, and useful. His
end was triumphant.