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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
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......
Copyright No
Sheir.T^f?
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
B. F.
FULLER,
History
of
Texas
Baptists,
BY
B- F.
FULLER
LOUISVILLE, KY
BAPTIST BOOK CONCERN.
1900.
70938
NOV
1900
stcuso copy.
OSDfcU DMSION,
[NOV
Entered According
to
17
1900
&
DEDICATION.
To
the three
dedicated.
The Author,
is
CONTEXTS.
11-17
17-25
35-44
Pages
CHAPTER V. The
Government
of a Church.
44-55
Pages
the
Is
to Associations?
CHAPTER VII.A
Relation
of
55-61
Pages
61-68
Pages
tists.
CHAPTER VIILThe
Introduction
CHAPTER IX.Baptists
the Declaration
2,
1836.
of
the
68-76
Pages
March
25-35
in
Texas
Pages
of
CHAPTER X. From
Texas Prior to
Independence,
76-86
Independence, March
2,
86-106
CHAPTER XL 1840
From
Disappearance in 1860.
Pages
120-126
Contents.
CHAPTER
"
XIII. From
the Organization of
Association in Texas in
1840, to the Invasion by the Mexican Gen126-130
Pages
eral, Wool, in 1842.
the
First Baptist
Founding
the
February
of
Bay-
1,
the Organization of
the Baptist State Convention, September 9,
1848, to the Organization of the Baptist Convention of Eastern Texas, May 25, 1855.
149-168
Pages
the Organization of
Baptist Convention of Eastern Texas,
May 25, 1855, to the Commencement of the
Confederate War, the Ordinance of Secession
Being Adopted on the 23d dav of February,
168-181
1861.
Pages
the
CHAPTER XVIILDuring
War
in
May
Contents.
from
Baptist
State
Conven-
204-219
Pages
December, 1885.
from
219-230
Pages
CHAPTER XXII.Three
General Body.
230-235
Pages
Educational Enter-
prises,
the
Decem235-252
Pages
Sunday-school
Pages
and
252-263
CHAPTER XXV.Baptist
Newspapers
in
Texas from 1868, to the Consolidation of
.263-266
Papers in July, 1886. Pages
.
CHAPTER XXVI.District
from 1868
to the
Present Time.
CHAPTER XXVII.Texas
Associations
Pages
German
266-291
Baptists.
291-297
Pages
Its
297-306
Contents
Con-
vention,
eral
Time.
305-328
Pages
328-333
Pages
vention.
Educational Enter-
prises of
CHAPTER XXXII.The
Since
Newspapers in
Consolidation, in
the
360-364
CHAPTER XXXIV.Historical
Few
of the
Texas.
1886.
Sketch of
364-383
Pages
Legal
383-409
Aspect of
in Texas.
Church Property
409-467
Pages
APPENDIX.
Pages
Pages
467-489
PREFACE.
Retiring from a long professional
life at
the bar, I
To
this
my
denomination I have
forefathers for gener-
Having been
pant in the
for
a partici-
affairs of the
its
its
works, and
now
desiring
and keep
green the
to
and thereby advance the kingdom of our Lord and Master, this work is submitted to our people and to the reading public.
sense,
nor
It
is
The purpose
it
is
intended
be exhaustively doctrinal.
to
give a concise
of the doctrines
the best
New
Testa-
ment.
The work
is
is
no individual or organization
be specially subserved.
The
life
(9)
is
intended to
10
Preface.
came an
essential part of
The execution of
The
and research.
memoranda,
with
personal
correspondence,
many manuscript
and
interviews
may
of Texas,
and that
it
may
and an
efficient
agent in
dis-
an humble way
to
I.
and
still
and practiced
and which distinguish them
WHAT
It is of
A CHURCH ?
settled in the
a true
IS
mind
God
is
builded
church
is
church
is
a local
Testament in another
sense.
is
body of
Still, it
must
used in the
New
In some passages
it
would
(ii)
12
may
to
under His
feet
Him
and gave
Among
"And hath put
worship God.
these pasall
things
head over
to be the
Him
all
be glory
without end.''
Also chapter
5:25:
"Husbands, love
and on
But
at the
it."
"Thou
same time
it
my
art
church."
church
is
it is
To
this agree
But in a very
etc.
common
faith in Christ.
is
at
Ephesus,"
throughout
all
"the
churches of
Asia,"
"the
churches
others.
This, doubtless,
is
the primary
meaning
of the term.
It is accepted
no such thing
that there
is
no
common
faith,
denomination.
all
of
denomina-
13
authority ot the
nation
New
is
Rome/
as
"The
"the Russian
New Hampshire
Him. The
now most
is
church
as
fol-
lows:
"A
church of Christ
visible
a congregation o:
is
:f
Christ, governed by
and privileges
church
is.
Xew
Testament idea of a
earth,
framed together
groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.*'' combining
these essentials
That it be made up of the right
1
through the
"a building
Spirit,*
fitly
(2) that
member
consider
whc
an integral part of
a gospel
frame-work of
church?
tc
Xew
Testament teaching
as
fitly
:.
this habitation of
be
:an properly be
it
it.
God? The
membership, according
understood by Bapt:s r s.
11
Repentance.
1.
dawn
John
voice of
dom
Gos
the
of the light of
of heaven
is
at hand."
kingdom
of
Gospel."
God
is
hand; repent
at
when
Later,
ye,
men
His resurrection,
after
and the
is fulfilled
"
should repent."
Jesus said
On
His name."
the day of
Faith.
Following
faith in Christ.
as is
repentance
The
Son hath
must
is
be
exalted
it,
as
everlasting life;"
there
Christ ;"
God;"
"By
and
From
it
very
is
used by mortals."
it
to
it
infuses into
His all-prevailing
it
in-
What
tercession
Church?
is
Regeneration.
righteousness.
3.
Is a
15
to
it
His
spotless
church membership, after what has been written of repentance and faith;
come a new creature in Christ ;" "is born again ;" "born
of the Spirit," and "quickened together with Christ."
If faith, then, is required, regeneration must also be as
a prerequisite to baptism and church membership.
ceremony
is
it
are
moral prerequisites to
the
BAPTISM.
Pendleton designates baptism as the ceremonial qualification for
church membership.
Wm.
Croell, in
his
is
no
member
of
There
received as a
is
a public
dence of
parent.
tists
fitness
for
The Confession
of 1611 says:
of Faith of the
"Every church
is
London Bap-
to receive in all
16
faith."
is
congregation
of
baptized
to
believers."
Surely
is
nothing
without baptism.
And
that this
is
"Go
which
is
is
CHAPTER
II.
OFFICERS OF A CHURCH.
to
officers for
Baptists un-
a church.
New
Testament
church, as
we read
"To
in Phil. 1:1:
all
to be that
officers of
the saints in
can be
filled,
and
must
first exist
before these
In
the
officers.
New
terms
herd.
so
is
But what
is
implied by
all these
As
shep-
(17)
and provide
18
food for his sheep and his lambs, so must the pastor do
as our Savior
my
lambs.*'*
"The nature
is
flock
It
committed
to his care."
logic;
way of salvation, as Paul did bewhen he "reasoned of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come.**
The great work of the
minister is to preach Christ and Him crucified. A pol-
it
may
please,
it
is
a failure as a
After
delight,
is
all.
seeking.
this
sermon.
fail as pastors.
life,
kind of preaching
It does
meet
may
stir
and
who
is
does not
pulpit
preachers
it
orators,
has ever
London, and
D wight
exemplars of
this
but
known
perhaps
is
the
most
popular
Charles H. Spurgeon. of
plain,
practical,
spiritual
preaching.
all
Church.
Officers of a
19
must not for a moment be entertained, howany intention here to decry the embellishments and power of learning and oratory in the
The
idea
ministry;
may conduce
to the great
a failure.
is
all
church work, in
all
qualification for a
where,
is
its services
its
existence
The
indispensable
supreme love
and
its
preaching
and every-
to Christ.
own
pastors, free
As
the
Xew
common.
is
Testament.
direc-
Annual
calls
are
perhaps most
it
and churches/' and thinks pastors should always be chosen for an indefinite period. We would not
dissent from such high authority without the greatest
to pastors
caution.
But we do not
wisdom
of this view.
more dignity
in
among our
an indefinite
The
is
but
20
dignity
is
mu-
fact
is
definite or indefinite.
It is freely
admitted that there are always possibly a few discontented members in churches who cannot be harmonized, and
who might properly be ignored; but when any considnumber think a change is desirable, from any cause
erable
who
is
relation of pastor
tented
right or
who
is
members may
be,
and often
are, entirely
Such disconwrong
mend
is
their
not the
remedy.
self, after
leave, let
his
duty to
Let a minister
flee
'church
him
quarrels'' as
act accordingly.
he would a pestilence.
if
He may
not be
re-
Some
this
life,
remedy
demn annual
calls as
21
Church.
Officers of a
The passages
by annual
of Scrip-
and good
calls,
pointed out.
upon annual
calls as identical
in fact, there
is
when,
ex-
fest itself in
call.
The independent
spirit
and every-
and
indefinite
where manifests
effort to
in such matters,
itself
It is aggravating, rather
faction,
there
a continual agitation.
is
one
indefinite
year,
call of
and
dissatis-
unsettled,
a pastor for a
The
happy and
it
become
so,
not by a vote
were, by limitation.
As,
when
the relation of pastor and church have been so harmonious, that the time for the stated election
consent
is
by common
grows to be indefinite, and should be commended and upheld without limit of years.
Besides
all this, it
must be
evil,
22
and
short-
comings.
Few
They
may
is
the pastor
who
is
any
is
lield.
On
the contrary,
change of
The
unqualified
It
the church,
Happy
obligation rests
sacrifices
to
of
pastor in all his work, and to see that the sacred relation
of pastor
Those
restless
spirits
in
the
church,
who
demand
are
it.
always
Deacons.
The
office of
It
became ap-
Word.
They therefore proposed to the church to appoint some
laymen over this business, that they might "give theminterfere with their spiritual ministration of the
est
and
to the
ministry of the
The church then appointed seven men "of honreport and full of the Holy Ghost," and set them
Word/'
23
Church.
Officers of a
of the church
officers
we conclude that
called "deacons,"
1st
life
They
assert that,
and
is
although a deacon
is
matters connected
service
finan-
by virtue of their
To
office,
manner
con at Jerusalem.
The
duties
and
church work
24
It is greatly to be
attach so
little
It is
even
and are
so
office
by the apostles,
it
common
This
committee.
dained
office
and work
of deacons.
Deacons should be
should be no
less
"When
The
office
CHAPTER
III.
THE DOCTRINES OF
BAPTISTS.
belief as to
This creed
teaches.
is
most
nevertheless true
this.
It
It
is
we can conceive
If
and a covenant
tion of faith,
must
to do, there
still
derstanding
among
be,
the
as to
and always
members
is,
a definite un-
of such a church as to
it
Without
of any kind
it
society of agnostics.
If
it
alone
is
meaningless,
some
as to
as
would be
between
There must be
is
understood to
still
must be
all
and
teach."
And
in
or verbal, as to what
is
to be
er
History of Texas Baptists.
26
ing.
declaration as to what they understand to be the teachings of the Bible on certain fundamental principles, and
doctrines.
CANNOT BE CHANGED.
After having organized on this distinctive declaration of faith, and entered into this solemn covenant, a
unanimous consent.
been entered into with God and with each other by this
as a body, but
by
same
relations,
and
is
entitled to the
no more right
to
same consideration.
than
the
ma-
Other-
Mohammedan
consti-
of worship into
faith, or give
up
their
church.
When
it is
The Doctrines
always bear rule,
it
of Baptists.
27
must be understood
as limited to
make
a right to
having
judicial
and antagonistic
authorities
ground on
in
The highest
faith.
a'
taken high
majority, however
if
and
all
right to the
vs.
Supreme Court
Vasconcellos, 31
many
111.
"The
rule as
as follows
is
where a church
is
members
abandon
but such
se-
single
member
of the church.
tice/
This rule
is
"
vs.
28
"Upon
rule:
church
promulgation of
its
and
by
is
may
the whole,
not divert
therefrom."
it
is
it is
not
ever preponderant, by reason of a change of views on religious subjects, to carry the property so confided to
to the support of a
new and
church cannot, in
them
conflicting doctrine."
its
of
its
tists
It
who
is
it
of faith as to
Scriptures.
a declaration
and covenant of
is
its
as uniform, definite,
and
is so,
the faith
clearly understood
and
creed,
which
all their
The Doctrines
faith,
29
of Baptists.
Without referring
to the sev-
New Hampshire
is
known
as
from
"The
tially
the
adopted
Of
1.
the Scriptures.
was written by
men
We
believe the
and
shall
remain
God
all
human
matter;
will
to the
which
it
has
a perfect
God
for
its
its
that
Holy Bible
is
that
judge us;
it
reveals the
and therefore
tried.
That
there
name
2.
the
Of
the
True God.
and
is
one,
and only
JEHOVAH,
honor,
is
worthy of
in-
all possible
Son
and the Holy Spirit; equal in every divine perfection,
and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the
great work of redemption.
sonal
3.
Of
the Fall of
Man.
in
30
voluntary transgression
fell
consequence of which
state, in
ners, not
God
wholly given
and of
own
their
sinful passions;
condemnation
just
to eternal ruin,
without defence or
excuse.
The Way
4.
sinners
is
fices of
the
Son
without
yet
of Salvation.
That
the salvation of
of God,
sin;
of-
nature,
and an
all-
sufficient Savior.
Of
5.
Justification.
That
in the
Him
justification;
is
pardon of
sins
principles of righteousness;
that
it
of eternal life, on
is
bestowed not in
that
it
Of
made
free to all
of all to
That
the bless-
by the Gospel
accept
them by
that
a cor-
The Doctrines
and obedient
dial
31
of Baptists
faith,
own
to
an aggravated con-
demnation.
Of Grace
7.
in Regeneration.
That
in order to be
that re-
mind, and
is
effected in a
sion or calculation
Spirit, so
and
that
its
proper evidence
we bring
is
Of God's Purpose
8.
of
and
it
all
the
means
utterly
excludes
mercy; that
highest degree
who
election
is
He
agency of man,
it
end
comthat
is
free
That
according to which
Grace.
saves sinners;
prehends
which
fruit
it
that
ascertained by
is
its effects
in all
and that, to ascertain it with regard to ourdemands and deserves our utmost diligence.
assurance;
selves,
9.
Of
that
grand mark
32
salva-
tion.
Harmony
10.
law of God
is
of the
Law and
Gospel.
That
the
moral government
that
it is
holy, just
men
of sin;
to deliver
through a mediator
law,
is
from
their love
to restore
them
church.
11.
Of
of Christ
is
That a
visible
church
invested in
Christian baptism
in the
name
is
of the Father,
Son and
Spirit, to
show forth
in a
fied,
that
it
lation,
is
its
purifying power;
and
love of
Christ,
to
com-
preceded
Of
That
the
first
day
The Doctrines
week
of the
is
33
of Baptists.
is
from
all
observance of
public,
and
by abstaining
the
all
Of
14.
is
of
Government.
Civil
That
human
society,
government
and good order
civil
for, conscientiously
to be
prayed
the
is
Of
15.
is
a radical
the Righteous
and
and
the Wicked.
essential difference
That
there
name
of the
sanctified
by
while
all
Of
16.
world
is
the
approaching;
to
in
and
Come.That
and
this
after death.
descend from heaven and raise the dead from the graves
for final retribution
judgment
heaven or
hell,
men
in
to
on principles of righteousness.
CHURCH COVENANT.
As we
trust
34
His Spirit
to give ourselves
up
to
Him,
us,
we
will
we do now
God enabling
that we will
so
exercise a
other,
we
we
deavor,
and en-
other's burdens
may
that
we
among us;
that
we
will
and through
life,
amidst
evil report
Him who
and good
report, seek
CHAPTER
IV.
ORDINANCES OF A CHURCH.
A
"A
He
is
tians,
tablish
es-
These ordinances
We
cannot
no observance
at all.
They
men.
Baptism.
sion of
-As
Faith,
"Christian baptism
water in the
forth, in a
12 of the Confes-
name
is
of the Father,
Son and
Spirit, to
show
36
and
crucified, buried
The immersion
risen Savior."
is
water
is
not,
and cannot
The
Christian baptism.
be,
must be a believer in Christ. To call that baptism which sprinkles a little water on unconscious infants which cannot believe is inexcusable.
The very nature of baptism, and the examples in the
New Testament of its practice, all point unmistakably
subject
who
it
is
The commands
who
are to be baptized,
except in the
His
are
commanded
disciples,
single
instance
In that instance
to baptize.
of
must be
commanded to
commanded to carry
not
is
baptize
infants;
Ministers are
nor
of baptism.
be-
Without immersion
It is fallacious to talk of
modes
the efficacy?
As
and
resurrection.
stress
it
The
first
forth
on baptism, pedo-Bap-
lightly.
give
we show
we show
make
it
it
too
37
Ordinances of a Church.
the application of water in almost any
Baptists
hold that
its
Word
will
answer
reject
as
of God.
significance
Him
Him
way
for baptism.
is
"We
to
believers
also,
"Buried with
Him;"
it is
It signifies that
is
It has
we
are
no agency
It testifies
we
is
an
openly that
we
have come out from the world and have committed ourselves to Christ in devotion
it
is
and
In
service.
the
Confession of Faith,
is
pre-
As baptism
is
a personal, individual
38
act,
is
and
to be observed
assembled
is
supper, which
is
is
it
as
not the
It
is
called a
It is called a
a social repast.
we break
'
com-
Christ?" Paul, in 1st Cor., eleventh chapter, in correcting the shameful and disorderly practice which the Corinthians had fallen into in partaking of this sacrament outthe
side
says
"What
have not?
Wherefore,
my
to eat
and drink
in,
brethren,
when ye come
That
is,
to-
until the
Baptism
it
is
is
Supper
first
This
will clearly
instituted,
pri-
appear
nothing
is
39
Ordinances of a Church.
from the
plainer
New
Testament.
from John's
Gospel, 4:1-2.
great force and clearness
2.
from
"Go
ye, therefore,
and
name
of the
From
this it
is
baptism
is
to follow dis-
The order
and
believing, or conversion;
'thus being
added
to the church, as
Baptism
after believing,
and
Christ,
on the day of
is made
communion
is
then a
and by
fit
is
the
it
first act
to
of
of the dis-
he publicly confesses
them
teaching, or
Pentecost.
ciple
is,
then baptizing,
whatsoever I have
"Teaching
commanded
you."
3.
The
this great
apostles understood
distinctive order.
On
this
effect
same
to those
and in prayer."
When
At
Philippi,
40
and
When
baptized.
went down
Philip
Samaria and
to
men and
others,
In
women."'
it
is
quite
evident
that
and indeed in
nothing
4.
is
said about
of the
all
is
Xew
Even pedo-Baptists
chapter
2,
"Xo church
as follows:
9,
Among
Dr.
all
the ab-
were baptized.''
communion
before they
certain
that
Christians
general
in
"It
is
And
it is
knowl-
edge of primitive authority extends, no unbaptized person received the Lord's Supper."
"It
is
who have
communion
agree.
They
at the table of
here divides us
is,
What
is
41
Ordinances of a Church.
Pedo-Baptists can, with their view of baptism, admit Baptists to their communion with propriety, but on
the other hand Baptists, with their views, cannot con-
sistently reciprocate.
is
to
when
this?
We know
said to
John
He
instituted.
becometh us
that
baptism.
Supper was
the
is
at the time of
and that
He
Is
it
it
supposable
righteousness?"
righteousness,
is
said,
believers.
That
ciples."
conceive for a
selves be
Now,
is,
His
moment
disciples baptized.
It
disciples than
dis-
and them-
unbaptized?
there
conclusion that
it
in this chapter
1.
That
That baptism
visible organized
is
essential to
church of Christ.
membership
in this
42
3.
comes
4.
is
of the ordi-
church member.
That
it
do not
Many become
expressed by
it.
They conceive
"Let a
man examine
himself,
and
so let
We
him
eat of that
are not to
examine
When
pedo-Baptists, therefore,
it is
commune
with
them and have Christian fellowship for them, but because we do not recognize their sprinkling and pouring
as valid baptism, however much we may love them. And
this we conceive fully answers the contention often made,
to the effect that if it is the Lord's table, we have no
Ordinances of a Church.
right to refuse
it
our
it
to
43
"Were
to
But
our
it
is
feel-
the
own
He
Who
table.
The most
communion
Baptists.
dare to abro-
shall
is
that of open-
CHAPTEE
V.
may
Congregationalism.
is
or pope, as
we
find
it
in
power
is
officials,
voice.
all
of
in which the
In Presbyterianism
from the
and have always contended for and maintained the Congregational, or Independent, form of church government, which is a pure democracy, in which every church
is
there
equal.
The organized
local church,
is
all
which
is
self-gov-
all
nized by Baptists.
The government
is
administered by
eminence.
(44)
The Government
of opinion as to
is
45
of a Church.
rule.
It
maintained:
1.
in the hands of
is
the people.
The
2.
members
of
3.
is final,
and
its
power cannot
be transferred or alienated.
Every church
is
make
laws,
any
or
man
its
be,
amended
or body of
men
to
"The
church cannot
thus
or repealed.
acts of a
It
has been
summed up
limited.
not un-
may
gives
be.
them
to
run
to
unbridled license.
As
civil liberty,
"Mad Men
of Munster,"
and
to the
AG
Not the
grotesque heresies.
least
among
these
exhibited
is
is
limited:
1.
It is limited
2.
It is limited
indi-
its
vidual members.
of Faith
and
its
member.
It
may
Declaration
its
moment claimed
Of
course,
it is
not for
it
is
no one
is
it
all
to respect
Any
them.
right to be recognized
church.
It has been
government that
To which
Baptists reply, by
way
of demurrer, that
it
is
all
demo-
cratic governments.
The
had
in the
men began
to be
ciples to Baptists
The
woven
The Government
of a Church.
and
47
and had
polity,
When
must be taken
none
such
felt
so
but
now saw
that civil
and religious
liberty were
From
the
Ehode
first
first
govern-
emplify
this
Up
to
of worship,
and Baptists,
were forbidden
to
all
forms
Many
In August
bars.
way without
interference;
to the
Gen-
of Virginia, pray-
God
in their
own
48
may
that
In response to
Thomas
Jefferson,
who was
a great ad-
mirer of Baptist polity, presented to the General Assembly of Virginia, of which he was a member, a
It
was adopted
bill
em-
at the October
"Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and it is hereby enacted by the
authority of the same, That all and every act of Par-
liament, by whatever
known
title
or distinguished, winch
renders criminal the maintaining any opinions in matters of religion forbearing to repair to
ercising any
scribes
mode
shall
from henceforth
"And
whereas,
there
within
are
this
Common-
support, and
and
it
justice that
to the
its
to contribute
can
therefore
them
receive
to join,
no
benefit:
For remedy
may
es-
they
civil,
Commonwealth,
"Be it (further) enacted, etc., That all dissenters
of whatever denomination from the said church shall,
from and after the passage of this act, be totally free and
exempt from all levies, taxes and impositions whatever
this
The Government
49
of a Church.
now
is
may
or hereafter
be established, and
its
min-
isters."
and
this line,
first
the
bill
Pending
mony
The
to be met.
to contribute to
rites of
matri-
As both
among
declaring,
That
State.
this
and rights
Legislature
is
is
State depends.
As
made accountable
pressions, the
partiality to
offspring,
to
of the
or the inter-
religious oppression,
that
of the
ship of,
liberty
is
is,
God has
of all op-
is
its
genuine
without opposition.
made
single
advance
of religious liberty
is
what, as a
50
religious
would humbly
The
few particulars,
viz:
who
son to officiate
to a
eomformable
means
land, by which
whose property
is
the vestry.
"Second
The
solemnization of marriage;
that to
must be performed by a church clergyman according to the rights and ceremonies of the
Church of England. * * * Your memoralists conceive that the ill consequences resulting from thence
render
it
render
it
deavor
legal
it
removal.
their
humbly hope
Your
memoralists
may
this
or
religious
sentiment.
all
as
by appellations
diversified
*
way
And
in
particular
that you will consign to oblivion all the relicks of religious oppression,
and make
At
matrimony
and such
marriages, as well as those heretofore celebrated by dissenting ministers, shall be, and they are hereby declared,
in law."
The Government
51
of a Church.
strance," prepared by
to the
General
still
It has
style,
it
It
may
its
length
it
cannot be given
it
covers the
given up forever.
was
son,
"Be
man
act, offered
by Thomas
Jeffer-
also passed:
it
any
re-
but that
on account of
all
men
shall
In
tists,"
among
this
connection,
"published in 1810,
bill
made by
when
the
52
contest,
ac-
sect,
all
laws vesting
etc.,
and
all religious
General Washington
to the
congratulations received by
Baptist
On
Presidency,
the election of
among
the
To
this
first
the United
confi-
Washington replied
as
follows
to preside
The Government
53
of a Church.
own
conscience.
"George Washixgtox/'
vs.
religious
U.
S.,
of the
to
which
an address
to
him by
the
lies solely
between
man and
his
God
that he owes
54
and not opinions ; I contemplate with solemn reverence that act of the whole American people which declared that their Legislature shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between church and State. Adhering to this expression of
the supreme will of the nation in behalf of the rights of
conscience, I shall see with sincere satisfaction the progress of these sentiments which tend to restore man to all
his natural rights, convinced that he has no natural rights
in opposition to his social duties/
only,
this
fundamental doctrine.
At the annual
session
of
from public
life.
In response
who was
to this,
Mr.
re-
Jeffer-
prayer.
my
and
Thos. Jeffersox."
affectionate esteem
CHAPTER
WHAT
IS
VI.
ASSOCIATION'S ?
etc.
At
Xew
all these
man-made.
It is always con-
is
it is
allowed
work
spirit
of the teachings of
"While Christ
made no mis-
all
on Christian work, provided the same are not in derogation of the teachings of the Bible.
Then
"What
relation
This question
has not, until recently, received general and mature consideration, but has been treated in the constitutions
and
to realize the
importance of a
this
set-
important ques-
56
tion.
1.
must be maintained inviolate at all hazards. They cannot compromise their sovereignty by acknowledging to
anybody or any power legislative authority.
As
2.
from
authority
among
which
Baptists:
"An
is
not composed of
the messengers."
"A Bap-
ever.
It
would
and
lose
its
And
if
many
re-
This
is
But
made
to a
What
57
fellowship;
body;
or, in case of
withdrawn.
If churches,
resentatives
is
it
would
church sovereignty
is
destroyed.
representative body
it is
constituents.
And
if
If
an association
absurd to say
it
is
cannot bind
its
is
no escaping the
make laws
for them.
And
government, that has always been maintained and upheld by Baptists, with such holy devotion,
is
swept away,
historians,
set up.
by Baptist
we contend for is
ciples upon which
that
But what
from the very nature of the prin-
stood by Baptists,
Baptists,
we cannot
The
on
58
to imply,
of its effect
on Baptist
polity.
them out
to carry
by trying to
Only recently we
affiliated
against a church
was called
to account for
it.
The church
man
employing as a pastor a
it
an account of
actions.
its
to
account for
affili-
it
had previously
now
seeking
affiliated,
affiliation.
although
The church
was held
ciation,
to be amenable to the Constitution of the Assoand charged with a violation of it, thereby as-
how
is it
some degree of
plausibility,
if
and
To which we must
reply:
That
it is
is
What
Churches
Is the Relation of
to
Associations?
59
its
members composing
its
or
other way.
have done, that the pastors should compose the association, or that the pastors should name the messengers
without any church action, and such a body would be a
de facto Baptist association, perfectly competent to do
that is now done by associations. In such cases, could
any one for a moment contend that the churches composed such a body? The appointment of messengers by
all
selects this
means
of carrying on
and only
so long as the
it is
among us
called
is
into
as a Council,
and
it
existence
is
which
may
is
known
The
churches, as re-
quested, appoint
is
organized.
Or
that
it
exists
any right
It is a
60
common
is
perfectly inde-
is
ince."'
its
sphere of
own
prov-
namely
What can
We
a church, in
its
up whomsoever
give
in its fellowship
them upon
that body.
It
may
do for
own
to
impose
may
upon the
sovereignty of the church.
Such a body would be impotent, indeed, and wholly worthless, had it no power of
its
mem-
CHAPTEE
VII.
Very many
idle
nation of Christians.
statements,'
we
from authors
following quotations
on
this point.
"The
Next
earthly ministry.
to the
and
evangelists,
who preached
"They commenced
And
church.
the
first
"The Baptist may be considered the only Chriscommunity which has stood since the apostles, and
read:
tian
as a Christian society
Mosheim, in
Baptist
is
From
"The
name
of ana-
might be added
to the
same
(61)
effect
from
many
others
authorities of
62
existed
It is not
meant here
of Christ seems to be
But
and
is
it
name can be
most
clear.
an unbroken
traced through
manner
of life,
had
a succession, continuous
from
and His
apostles..
characteristic principles.
They
have contended:
1.
ment
That nothing
2.
a believer in water,
is
come
bership, or can
communion
of the Lord's
Supper.
3.
4.
The
to salvation,
5.
And
and
new
rejected.
birth in order
finally, resolutely
and
ecclesiastical power,
liberty,
from
all
and always
in
all
lands have borne testimony and adhered to these Godgiven and inalienable rights and principles in dungeons
and in
flames.
63
of Christianity, but
has been
it
In
all
Eome
form a union with the State, Baptists have thus suffered ; not from Eome only have these persecutions come,
to
suffered.
About
the time
of
John Bunyan's
jail,
where he
the
same cause.
As one instance we
left
Obadiah
Congregationalists
the
and
a Baptist meeting.
He
and given
record
whipped
thirty lashes.
the
following
thirty stripes,
many
tatement
"Mr
Holmes
was
but lay upon his knees and elbows, not able to suffer any
part of his body to touch the bed whereon he lay."
me
had such
fleshy
fell
upon
had nor
felt,
tongue express."
law,
64
of imprisonment.
The
first
imprisonment for preaching the Gospel was in Spottsylvania count)', on the 4th day of June, 1768,
Waller, Lewis Craig and
ers,
James
when John
services
On
Magistrates.
their trial
who were
"May it
men are great disturbers of
meet a man on the road but they
trying the case, said:
must ram
a text of Scripture
Judges offered
to release
them
down
if
his throat."
The
to
and
close jail;
which
While in
is
as they
marched
streets of Fredericksis
jail they
converted.
it
is
said:
"After their
and
worthy
In December, 1770, William Webber and Joseph Anthony, two zealous young Baptist preachers, were arrested
in Chesterfield county
and
A
the Gospel.
65
James Greenwood and William Loval, while preaching, were seized and thrust into
in
county,
prison.
We
to a
few instances
to give in
some
sort
on to
suffer.
them
means to stop the
The blessed Gospel
abroad.
The
persecutors found no
believed.
Henry an unwavering
liberty,
friend.
without hesitation
fires.
It has ever
upon
them.
66
He came from
ica.
Wales
to
Amer-
set-
Not long afterwards he adopted Baptist views of docand church polity, and boldly announced his belief
in unrestricted liberty of conscience and freedom to worship God according to the dictates of his own conscience,
without dictation or interference from civil or ecclesitrine
astical authority.
For
this
among
Finally,
fixing his
location
Island.
He
and
city of Providence, in
Ehode
all
unbaptized,
curing a Baptist minister, the whole body of them, consisting of twelve persons, authorized Ezekiel
to baptize
Holliman
this.
tist
Bap-
It
is
this Provi-
dence church.
this
church twelve
67
Other
The
than the
that
first
church in Newport
first
to be
church of Providence.
an older church
It is
even claimed
dissolved,
is
in
New
Jersey, Pennsylvania
numerous in every
But Eoger Williams must ever be
remembered
first
CHAPTER
VIII.
the
first
Europeans
to settle in
was
first
introduced here.
priestly government,
their
command
As
of Narvaez,
among
the Indians.
In 1540 Cora-
made
in Texas.
command
of
La
Salle,
fort,
among
which he called
St. Louis.
De Leon
river
among
The Introduction
69
Wher-
or fortress,
priests
and
Mission
a mission,
and the
Alamo was
first
it
cross
was
set up.
Grande
finally built in
its
ruins
The most important and greatest of all missions was San Jose, founded in 1718 on the beautiful
San Antonio river, a few miles below the town of San
Antonio. The foundation was laid with great pomp and
still
stand.
ceremony
soldiers,
by
Franciscan
Mexicans
All continued to
ly
which
structure,
assisted
friars,
by
Spanish
once
at
stronghold,
as
years before
well
as
mission.
presidio,
was
It
or
sixty
Other missions
is
at this
people.
METHODISTS.
Methodist preachers seem
to
have
made their
now Red
made by Amer-
first
The very
first
settlement
is
Red
river,
and while
70
fortress, there
was a
flourish-
Bed
it is
sermon in
at
first
Henry Steph-
1819.
Upon
to consult
From
at Clarksville,
lived
memoranda
left
W.
P.
first,
Mcdis-
facts
man by name
first
This
The Introduction
Jonesboro on Red
son,
river,
Among
isters.
71
all
Methodist min-
who soon
fol-
The
first
quarterly Con-
McAmis, near
Clarksville.
in this
list, if
He
P. McKenzie.
W.
In 1839 he
Fork
circuit,
and
After
1841
in
This
school
McKenzie was
in the State.
able
man.
in
many
men
respects a remark-
ability to
About
this
was
or-
time J.
W.
in Austin's colony.
at
Z. N".
72
estant Methodist,
This was
first
pro-
meeting of
its first
church organiz
and the next year he organized a church at IndeAbout the same time John McCullough and
W. Y. Allen organized churches at Galveston and Housson,
pendence.
ton.
1840, which
firs:
Presbytery in
From
these
denomination of Christians.
J.
first
represented in Texas
Me Go wen
and
churches in Texas.
and eleven
In
ministers,
all
The Introduction
73
THE CHEISTIA>T CHURCH, CiLUXG THZilSZLVZS "DISCIPLES OF CHEISr' A2TD ALSO "CHUBCH OF CHEI3T."
Him denomination
of
Protestants,
having had no
statistics]
Their
first
West Texas,
North Texas, in the counties of Lamar, Red
River and Bowie.
In those days they were known as
Canipbellites, or Reformers; bnt they have in recent
and
also in
on being
and
no reproach
is
is
insist
When
called Campbellites
them in Texas.
On the Colorado there were Giles.
Thomas. Dr. Ale Call and Carrington. In Korth Texas
Mansel Mathews, a lawyer and preacher of prominence,
being a natural orator, was widely known.
man
McClusky. of
At a later date
Hall, of Grayson county, a gifted and scholaralso a
of note.
ly preacher, attracted
Carleton,
many
erudition,
years, is a
74
at Dallas.
Within the
last
affiliation
sions
distinct factions,
having no
all
These
McLennan
One of these
"Firm Foundation" party, and
the other as "Progressives." The Firm Foundation faction oppose all organizations other than churches. They
faction constituted the Christian church.
factions
oppose
is
all
known
as the
They oppose
all
to accept
That
is,
they
and
sins.
reject their
remission of
Baptists as Chris-
baptism because
it is
sins.
The Progressives
mission of sins
also,
The Introduction
views,
The only
they require
is
immersed, or
is
75
is
the
Son
condition
membership
of God,
willing to be immersed.
is
to
They
receive to
of
McLennan county
erty,
claiming
ment of the
to
District Court
The judg-
CHAPTER
IX.
INDEPENDENCE, MARCH
2,
1836.
Perhaps the
first
Baptist
who
river
Orleans, and
settlement on
from
New
Red
Clarksville.
born in Clin-
ever preached in
He was
river,
till
river,
and
William Newman.
in this settlement
able to learn.
There
to
is
organize a
we
that settlement.
and
We
only
know
Joseph Bays.
This
first
Baptist
He came to Texas in
way west to San Antonio
Moses Shipman, near San
(76)
and
this is
thought
By
to have been the first
77
B. F. Fuller.
tist
man
Smalley on Eed
river.
.of
Free-
reached
all
Mexican law
to
do
The
so.
and he was ordered away by the Mexican authorities. He then returned east to San Augustine, and continued with unabated zeal to preach from
soon
made
trouble,
he was arrested;
Texas.
an oath
which was
es-
found
their
way
was
settled
as early as 1822.
but
it
had an
from house
set-
from
78
the priests.
Reed continued
Rev.
to preach.
Marsh.
E.
This
sissippi
and
'Rev.
river,
died.
Abner
Smith,"'*
below Bastrop.
sion spirit,
and
his
member
of Smith's church,
sound Baptist
faith.
to Xashville,
But Morrell
He
where he
tells
us the
sad story that his work was cut short by an Indian raid
in the spring of 1836, in
Z.
all
He had
act-
"
^pfg?
REV.
--
Z.
N.
MORRELL.
By
79
B. F. Fuller.
to
go to Texas.
When
for Texas.
In 1834 he gave
waged with
fiercest cruelty
by Mexico against
to preach.
He
About the
1st of
De-
After a few days' preparation they set out, and on December 21, 1835, crossed the Sabine river into Texas.
of
make
camp near
At
Texas.
first
sermon in
SO
country, and the wide, open field for the spread of the
spel,
and
his heart
to
occupy this
would be
field.
suitable to one
was
It
set
to preach to them.
Calling
he read his
be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blos-
som
ness,
many
Gospel in Texas by these devoted pioneer Baptist ministers, they had some noble co-laborers among the lavmen, whose names deserve to be preserved in everlasting
remembrance.
Xew York
San
Sunday-school ever
organized in Texas.
necticut, but
is
the
first
Felipe, on the
had come
directly to
Texas from
Xew York
San
Felipe.
By
81
B. F. Fuller.
its
I felt the
on the
subject,
and I was
An
it
could be by con-
and
lecture
and giving
82
and
it
to the char-
to
Gonzales, and
interest
His name
is
and
zeal in
written in
He
Fly,
who
are
still
After a long
living at Gonzales.
life of
home
at
to
God
lay
down
to die.
But while he
sleeps the
Deacox H.
R.
Cartwell.
He had
In
settled
near Washington.
Nashville,
zeal
was
at
its
to
He
first
This church
first
deacon.
By
83
B. F. Fuller.
first
committee
of
missions.
That committee opened correspondence with the American Baptist Home Mission Society, and appealed earnestly for
In response to
He became
1ST.
and remained
to
sent out.
first
an
this appeal
Morrell, but he
history.
who came
to
Among
make
a na-
some
The
first
prayer-meeting in
In 1833
tled
she,
set-
stands, a
to
raids of Indians.
trees
the river from her house, that afforded Mrs. Millard and
fervent prayer.
them
When
other
women and
There
and kneel
in
children joined
84
their hearts to
for their
own
Him
She
strong arms to defend their homes and country.
moulded bullets for her husband during the day, and
prayed for his protection and success at night.
These services in
terest,
it
led into
as
ties,
This seclusion
a regular prayer-meeting.
also secured
the
church would rarely escape the watchful eye of the Catholic priests.
Reed
till
Elder Isaac
It
still
is
first
Bap-
last-
She
memorable thicket
memorial of the
still
first
stands,
and
is
pointed out as a
Texas.
Colorado
and
first
at
whose house
sermon, were
Z.
N. Morrell
women
of verv
By
85
B. F. Fuller.
work.
These devout
women
deserve to live in
CHAPTER
X.
9,
1840.
By
in Texas.
months
of total
The
already
This
made
a formal declaration
of
had
independence.
spirit of
1836.
of Elder
in the place,
The next
day,
March
General
By
men
183
87
B. F. Fuller.
in the fortress of
Alamo
closely investing.
ing.
had none."
tal
Travis,
were
names
among
who had
back
zos, still
fallen
left
From
On
Mexican
courier,
it
who was
was learned
that Santa
below.
When
the morning of April the 21st, 1836, the two armies lay
88
the
San
Jacinto, but no
and
officers
soldiers,
siesta,
to
It
when Deaf Smith galloped into camp and reported that Vince's bridge across Simm's Bayou, about
o'clock
off
to
nue of
retreat to the
beat
all
lost
seven wounded.
only seven
was 632
killed,
killed or captured.
killed
and twenty-
The commanding
the prisoners.
men
general, Santa
first
to Galveston.
By
89
B. F. Fuller.
messenger.
Burnett arrived
Pres.
at
treaty
G-.
from
power and
influ-
Anna was
to use his
to
re-
The
hue.
God
husbandmen with
withstanding their great embarrassment from the demoralized condition of the country.
Great
brought
to be
impetus
many
was given
to
immigration,
found not
which
whom
are
civil
and religious
af-
fairs.
Eld.
Z.
X. Morrell.
original
and
his-
As Daniel Boone, with his strong and rugged charway for civilization in Kentucky, and
became the most conspicuous pioneer in that great commonwealth: as Davy Crockett, with his no less original
traits,
90
Alamo
freely at the
life
with
no
less
heroism
less
He
Texas,.
zeal, his
on our early
Xot only
sketch of MorrelFs
first
has done.
this work.
man
no other
history, as perhaps
to
life
is
and
life necessarily
Hastening back
more
includes a
to Mississippi,
he
dis-
set
out
and
die.
to live, labor
Sabine in April, 1836, the most startling and discouraging news met them.
had fallen;
that
Fannin and
his
relentless
fire
Santa
Anna was
and sword.
all
God and
this?
What
Morrell, how-
pressed on.
In
few
By
91
B. F. Fuller.
days he met news as inspiring as the other was discourCouriers came shouting the tidings of Houston's
aging.
great victory at
ture.
settlers
there that he
In January, 1837,
Lt
it
the
As
their
pro-
Morrell, feeling
lead.
On
his
at Nashville long
On
till
this
same supply
of
powder and
men
hastily
Elm
them
back,
Two
brave young
men were
92
of
rell
preached his
Mor-
sermon.
mand.
He
command
officer in
in.
Mor-
as this could
down
the
gun
As every man
to church, the
The funeral
many and
rites
bitter.
k. e. b.
bay:
by
home,
93
B. F. Fulle;.
moment
He
lost
as
not a
his
He
In the
latter part of
organized the
first
in 1837.
a revival
to
meeting
t^e
summer
Plum Grove
Church, In
of 1839.
R. E. B. Baylor.
Perhaps the
rr->st
distinguished
doubt, been
more marked in
to
had been
Kentucky was
where he commenced
In 1838,
He
made
a
at
Feeling
profound impression
to
9-1
of the cross,
When
he
Texas he located
reached
first
the story
tell
church to preach.
his
He
at
La
was, however,
He
man
in every way,
He
Ed
under Gen.
Plum
He
creek,
and participated in
the
campaign of 1842.
member
During
ister
Supreme Court.
He
was a
Judge.
He
were incessant.
Christian min-
an opportunity
to speak a
word
for Christ.
He
lost
would
at night.
Rev. E. G. Green.
From
man.
He was
get,
when he came
State he came.
He
It
seems to be un-
to Texas,
He was
and
his
command-
By
95
B. F. Fuller.
by intemperance.
Elder
W. Cox.
T.
fields.
He
was
a strong man.
from Alabama
In
commenced
county, where he
1838
this
minister came
to
The
constituted
stituent
La Grange
Travis and
He became
members.
assistance of J. L. Davis,
pastor at Independence,
La Grange.
sociation,
the
first
moderator.
of great power,
and
abilities, to
first
In
to
to the Colorado.
and was an
active
96
and
converted
baptized
together;
and
afterwards
this
He
was
or-
old
After this
He
others.
is
He was
Christ.
mony
to his
Many
bear testi-
zeal.
when he
with
Ellis,
gifts
and graces
advised
him
first
him
at once recognized in
meeting
special
to preach.
an^
vious convictions, and he yielded and gave all the e$ orgies of his
manhood
Xoaii T. Byars.
'o the
One
and
inde-
was N. T.
REV. N.
T.
BYARS.
By
97
B. F. Fuller.
down
His
earliest impres-
ments of
He
new
this
first
country.
He
first
1838, and
this
Washington, of the
moved
to Bastrop,
married in
He
About
on the Colorado.
He
Paul's
"Woe is me
La Grange to
ears,
went
St.
to
panying Cox
to
li-
censed to preach.
On
President
ordained
Lamar and
98
During
Texas were
also
to
Texas from
him
world.
As
and
He
ren looked to
In
this
well-deserved reward.
His numerous children, grand children, and greatgrand children were nearly
respected and prosperous.
and
full of
of the church,
on his name,
was most certainly apHeavenly Father and when the final sum-
proved by his
members
all
Without a
life
:
blot
By
99
B. F. Fuller.
rest.
to his
precious heritage.
life is a
tist
It is
connect with
and together,
a
to
were appointed
and the
Home
destitution in Texas.
set
marked an
vast import
and boundless
concatenation of
The committee
who
New
to his old
Home
Mission Board at
attract
vast
double
it
when
The Board
and
will
necessary."
at
100
and sent out James Huckins, and on his further sugand sent' out W. M. Tryon, a former
Huckins and Tryon were the first
student of Mercer.
cer,
gestion, appointed
men
of fervent
piety
ability.
others, set in
motion
we
as, as
on in these pages.
first
1840.
1833,
and we have
failed
name
or locality,
Washington Church.
of Texas, of which
The
we have
Z.
N".
Eichard
Baptist church
N. Morrell, H. P. Cartwell,
first
J. R.
Morrell
clerk.
from Virand W. H.
was chosen
and J. R.
to work at
Ellis,
first
con-
The church
also took
By
ficulties
was uncertain.
never
to build a
immediate steps
101
B. F. Fuller.
By
built.
eer church of
Union
called the
Church.
This
organization,
sometimes
Sunday
first
at
in
Xacogdoches.
This
is
the
first
There
the
constitution
of
this
John Eaton and wife, Chas. H. TVhitaker, Sarah Tipps, Mary Drain and Emily Knight, all bearing
letters from churches in Tennessee; Ruth
Anderson,
from Missouri; and also two negro servants, belonging
to B. F. WhitakeT, but the names of these faithful pionchurch
eer Christians
among our
In those days
of negro slavery,
On
ters.
it
was customary
to re-
first
baptism in Texas.
come of the
first
This was
to. as
conducted by Mrs.
In 1839
large
this
102
maintaining
first
living today,
its existence, is
more
Plum
Grove.
For most
W.
many
tends throughout
its
ears,
we
are indebted to
P. Karnes,
whole history.
ex-
sketch published
is
located about
river.
It
La
was
when
Z.
year, however,
con,
till 18-42,
In the previous
clerk.
Before
ing of
many
At
built.
these
to unite
pastor.
As he was
of baptism.
first
of March, 1839.
first
west of
By
its
organization,
nounced
103
B. F. Fuller.
number
It
was an-
of persons
off.
would
When
the
new
front,
spiritual appeal.
little
first
time in Texas.
Subsequently
summer
this
of 1839.
Independence.
The
Noah
first
Sunday
Thomas Spraggins,
Hill.
in
members on Saturday
September,
1839.'
Eev.
104
M. Tryon, which resulted in 34 baptisms and 21 remaking at once perhaps the strongest
Baptist church in the republic. T. W. Cox was the first
ceived by letter,
sumed the
by
The church.
this
make but
became
a church of great
deflections,
little progress.
ever,
with Cox.
conflict
faith,
The
and for
It. how-
and eventually
and education,
in proportion to means.
Independ-
landmark on these
lines.
La G-eaxge Church.
this
T.
In
W. Cox and
J. L. Davis.
_.-.
by
first
By
105
B. F. Fuller.
dissensions.
harmony prevailed.
Travis Church. In the summer of 1839, Travis
church was constituted by T. W. Cox and Judge Baylor,
on seven members.
Cox became the first pastor, and
commenced his duties immediately after organization.
Several years elapsed before
faith, voting
was
at last dissolved.
till
recovered
its
when
it
1847,
A.\~T> ISil.
ithe
year 1840.
During
The demoralized
:::t ;; :z_:
were
::
Vifi'.Lr??.
.".::::
':'.:-
::::.::::-: a:::
endurance.
:r :*:ir
::~:p'.r
The currency
of
make a
crop.
The
very helplessness
mighty power, and more trust in God. The less comand peace the world could give them, the more they
fort
They
and
down
in large
several persons,
after
sight
who, always
alert,
(106)
Ed
Burleson.
Thi
107
all
the
men
of Colorado
500 strong, on
Plum
creek.
N. Morrell, Judge
attempted
treat, they
E. B. Baylor and T.
W.
Cox.
^lorrelFs
woman
in
woman and
rows.
to pull it
a negro
woman
out.
Xear
her" a
white
them from
their hold.
He
called a surgeon,
and
finally
from the suffering woman, and she was cared for as best
they could.
She eventually recovered and lived a long
and useful life. Amid these troubles and many more
similar ones, the cause of Christ was not overlooked.
adjourned
Austin county.
On
108
next day, October 9th, 1840, Union Association was organized, with Cox, Moderator; Collins, Clerk,
and
of Faith
and Judge
In adopting Articles
"Article 1. Each church is forever free and independent of any and every ecclesiastical power, formed by
men on earth, each being the free household of Christ.
"Therefore, every ordination and power granted by
the churches, emanating directly, as they do, from the
churches, those who are thus ordained, or upon whom such
power is conferred, must be to her forever obedient.
"Article 2. Each member shall forever have a full
and free right to exercise his or her own discretion in
contributions to the support of missions, general beetc., and in other matters that may not lead
nevolence,
to immorality."
This
effort,
to define
members
from this
They were amenable to theii
body.
The Association had
body
churches,
and not to
this
members
line,
of the churches.
The
109
Home
organization in
its
He
was the
commenced
his
organized
the
Baptist
First
George
He
Massachusetts; Francis
W.
E. Wright, from
Pettigrove,
New York;
Maine;
from
letters of
Barnabas Has-
kell
to
first
4,
1840, in the
gospel baptism in
in
pursuance
of
his
missionary
work,
on sixteen members:
P. Andrews,
kell,
S.
110
ryne, Louisa
L.
Hannah
Andrews and
LB.
clerk.
Articles
of
Faith and a
be their pastor.
May, and
it
was agreed
Supper on that
oc-
casion.
it is
of
approval.
much
If,
on exam-
or-
ure, to
tice.
is
recognized.
This custom
is
sis-
ter churches.
it
evi-
It
But very
little is
known
of
its
The
the
it
ington,
that in 1845
Ill
it
this church,
and
W. M. Tryon.
Under
Home
much
The Board
State.
made
and asked in
capital
letters,
AS?"
This
reached
great
of
at once,
success
"Here am
W.
M.
in
Alabama,
I,
Tryon
send me."
amid
and
he
his
labors
responded
He
and
commenced
his
results to
at
first
He
had
church organized
been disbanded and the few saints were scattered and disbut he gathered them together and soon a
;
was very much in evidence; and on the second
heartened
new
life
2,
with eleven
or-
mem-
bers.
Articles of Faith
ton clerk.
112
At
and 29
for baptism,
and
with
ices at
gers
Independence,
La
Grange,
The
Mt. Gilead.
Of
letters
ing, Clerk,
in
interest
This Associa-
Tryon, and
many
the
discus-
Huckins and
At
this
for-
at
and
other able
session a resolution
as Baylor,
men
and
education,
in the body.
Baylor, as Correspond-
it,
members
organization was
of it."
affected
at
this
time.
This was the beginning of the great educational enterprise that has culminated
in
at large.
It
was
The
not, however,
ized
ties
113
till
and equipped for successful work. Great irregularihad become apparent in some of the preachers of the
These were
Association.
so obtrusively present
during
termined
the
that
church,
tor
of
the
doctrines
this
must
issue
in
sermon,
Alexander
of
When
them
The church
finally
and
ex-
he was pro-
after the
manner of
others.
de-
pas-
avowed
openly
Campbell,
The
met.
be
its
reg-
Rev.
re-
is so full
of the consecration
is
style,
and
This
cir-
and devotion of
pointed to as a model.
Giving as
it
does
we could not do
it
here
in full:
it
is
The present
is
114
The
great design of
God
in planting
pose
into
eyes
The
115
ceived a trust of infinite value. Are we prepared to fulto answer the expectations of
fill the designs of God?
Christians and of angels? Let us look for a moment at
our qualifications for this great and glorious work.
Some of us, it is true, have been members of the church of
But still it is to be feared that we
Christ for years.
have progressed but a short distance in the narrow way.
Our attainments in holiness and in divine knowledge are
passion, and
and the world have been but partially cruMany of our members have been but recently
cified.
restored from a protracted course of backsliding, in
which, by example and precept, we inflicted such a wound
on the cause of our Eedeemer as is now but partially
healed.
The influence of former sins and habits, is still
lurking about our hearts, ready to draw them away from
God again. And, again, a very great majority of our
members have been but recently converted they are babes
in Christ, young and tender, peculiarly exposed to injury
and danger, like young plants. While in the judgment
of charity, there must be others of our number, whose
hearts have never been changed by the Spirit of God,
small.
We,
sinful habit,
116
in a vertical direction.
Him, etc.
"Here
The
117
delightful fellowship.
giveness reign.
Here
love
for-
right.
God's
prayer
Word
prepares
the
heart
for
prayer, and
prepares the mind for the
study of God's
118
Word.
A church composed of students of the Bible
and suppliants at the throne of grace will grow in
every Christian grace; they will know more and more
of Christ and duty; they will reflect the image of Christ
upon those around them. Such a church will be united;
such a church will be an unhappy place for deceivers, or
such i church
God
with such
Let
the habit of cultivating a fervent spirit of prayer be
maintained by you. connected with that of the diligent
study of God's Word, then God will be with you. as truly
as He was with His ancient people.
"And if God is with you. you will answer His design.
Let me also entreat you to maintain the habit of great
watchfulness over one another. Watch over one another
for good; and particularly is this important with the
young members of the church. How often might a
brother or sister be saved from a protracted course of
backsliding by a few tender admonitions, a little kinddeceived persons
a church the
ness,
and
a little
know when
Holy
will bless
up His abode.
But in order to
and admonition, you
keep the most constant
will
save them from
judicious instruction.
The
119
broken.
no man.
"Finally, brethren, seek to be such a people as God
and strive for the attainment of the great objects of your high calling.
And may the Spirit of God
will bless,
keep you and preserve you from all evil, and at last present you spotless and blameless at His own right hand.
"In the Gospel of Jesus,
"James Huckins."
CHAPTEE
THE BAPTIST EDUCATION
XII.
SOCIETY.
FROM
ITS ORGANI-
As
oping
this society
th-
it
ex-
it
was shown
of
Tryon exerted
at
in 1842.
army
try,
so
the nex
--
The invasion
Mexican
to
adjournment.
at
Providence church, in
shington county, the Texas Baptist Education Society was fully organized, with E. E. B. Baylor President;
S.
P.
Board of
Huckins.
Z.
Man
._
J.
Collins, Treasurer.
X. Morrell,
J. L.
(120)
By
up
its
121
B. F. Fuller.
its
The
J. L. Lester.
till
1847.
reward of
its labors,
sistently, that
he feared
it
By
own
name
of Baylor
and in
this form,
the charter was forwarded to the Congress of the Bepublic, and passed by that body and approved by President
Anson Jones on the first day of February, 1845, under
the name ''Baylor University.''
The charter provided
for fifteen trustees, and that when any vacancy shall oc-
such vacancy
society,
Texas
spreading
its
State.
The
its
work
al-
122
among
Holy
men
that felt
moved by
the
expenses.
their
gifts be evident.
At
all its
Many
upheld
a
it
number
They
it.
we
At
ceived $305.50.
this session,
tion of ministers
That we must
"Second.
destitu-
it
to
rely
re-
That
'"Third.
made
to assist
young men
of piety
and promise in
their
"Fourth.
a
as
society.*'
The
President:
Jesse G.
At the meeting
By B.F.
in
123
Fuller.
adopted
.solved,
Thai
it
is
re-
this society
devoted, ar.d
commends the
The
officers at this
last
meet-
The
on hand, and
it
was ordered
that, the
money be held
made
as
present,
124
fill
The mission
now
to
irs
and the
and
But the grand
''quietly
servation."
results of the
and
felt,
receiving
is still
recognized throughout th
society,
young mir
entered
University under
its
self ear:
his books
dained and
work done by
this consecrated
Jan.
chris-
and
till
be accomplished.
Convention
till
when he was
work of the mini-
1849,
upon the
hen entered
life of a
or-
consecrated
power of
D. B.
his ministry.
-UorreJl, another beneficiary,
ty
was placed
\&
reatfa.
-:.
The
E. B. Baylor, H. L. Graves,
in the
l
W. Bai
and
.7
J-
H.
STRIBLIXG.
By
1*5
B. F. Fuller.
power was
felt
wherever he went.
For want of
list
T\for-
rell
space,
Coming
into existence
amid the
was
imbued with the spirit of the times, and shared in the
growth of the Republic, and its work was part and parAfter two score years of splendid and
cel of the glory.
conspicuous toil, this famous society sank into the econhardships, struggles and dangers of pioneer
omy
life, it
that has
warmed
CHAPTER
XIII.
During
this period,
home
ins
at Gonzales,
was active
Huck-
and
at
dis-
same room
at night.
community was
was a great
revival.
stirred,
and there
and Burleson
work in Washington
(126)
Second church
at
By B.F.
Washington;
also
127
Fuller.
settled
in
to
Washington
This
to
settled in
and
retarded,
society in general
much
disturbed by the
While they
to
any government,
tory.
ruled.
ulators,
men was
first
party.
They
128
for a
man
to live
tinued
18-14,
till
down
affairs con-
compromise
their arms.
strife.
During
crushed out.
This condition of
we
find
work
of the ministry,
He
and
insisted
on retrench-
ment.
ments were
Sunday
still
very great.
in
in regular conference,
On
little
first
letter;
Brother
It
first
applicant
morning, but
late
Sunday
instead of a baptism
In
there
was
it
comparative
quiet
After this
and
peace
By
129
B. F. Fuller.
The
under headway.
the fall
and
ing message:
"Colonel:
many
The
lawyers
of the Mexicans.
John W.
and
hands
Smith/''
CHAPTER
WOOL'S
FRO}!
INVASION,
XIV.
SEPTEMBER,
1842,
TO
THE
dren
fled
men
chil-
turned
hundred,
(130)
commenced by
early
By
131
B. F. Fuller.
won by
at the
Hondu, 26
men and
boys from
La
surrounded.
This massacre of these brave boys was one of the saddest trials to our poor soldiers.
It took place
within
hearing and almost within sight of Morrell and other devoted fathers, who were defending their own position in
the bed of Salado creek.
They knew
their sons
were
them.
As soon
as it
re-
last
Mexican invasion.
Gen. Houston's
to
the
dark
As the din
132
received to fel-
lowship.
much
less of prosperity
letters,
than in
churches united with Union church in sending messengers to meet with the last
named
others, and,
The
ex-
that
it
The Anti-mission,
in
Louisiana,
five
churches
Anti-
They
By
133
B. F. Fuller.
Association.''
tist
Durham
A.
was
their
first
Moderator.
They opposed all secret societies, benevolent organizaand missionary boards. The 11th Article of the
Constitution of this body was as follows
"Having for
tions
years past viewed the distress that the following institutions or societies have brought
is,
Conventions
human
and in a word,
all the
cause schism,
all
we
and calculated in
their nature
to
such/'
In 1850
total
membership of
We
numbing
and a
73.
find
The
no
be-
MIDDLE TEXAS.
many
visible.
Up
to this time,
Middle
but
134
up regular preaching
to keep
at Huntsville
and
An-
at
so
an extent that
Added
it
to
have preaching.
to this embarrassment.
upon
was using
Morrell,
He
all the
powc
McClenny and
eloquence in opposition to
others,
his followers.
at
Huntsville was
"That being
Union
a
and
member
prosperous from the beginning, and has enjoyed the pastoral care of several of the strongest ministers
State.
Z.
less
the
S. G.
some time
for
of
from
and in No-
and Horsely
at this place,
on seven members.
to
Anderson.
The
Post Oak
of
Montgomery, on
six
members.
By
135
B. F. Fuller.
NOBXH TEXAS.
Even
river, in that
many
for
and
vicinity,
on Red
many
river,
-At
river
and rested
a year,
mak-
There were
preacher,
ment near
till
so-
The Bap-
this date.
the
After
a Baptist
church in this
1842.
it,
and the
and there
liberty.
Red River
county.
He
had not been ordained to the ministry at that time, although he had been preaching for a year or two. Soon
after his arrival, he
136
lt>43.
others
one other.
months afterwards.
For this purpose, the church called a presbytery,
composed of Elders X. T. Byars and Benjamin Clark.
rtt then became the pastor, and so continued for
many years. Brother Pickett became a very active, consecrated minister, and many of the leading churches in
Xorth Texas were organized by him. Concord has al: ionization, been a prosperous and inuntil his ordination, a few
fluential church.
In the
fall of
him on
Sam
"I leave
Mexico, which
still
Houston, who
all
na-
know
its
that the
resources
moral
influ-
The
develop::
its
ence incr
Baptists of
re
By
and,
among
137
B. F. Fuller.
On
located
at
Independence,
in
Washington
CHAPTER XV.
FROM THE FOUNDING OF BAYLOR UNIVERSITY, FEBRUARY
1, 1845, TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE
BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION,
SEPTEMBER
Gen. Houston had
9,
1848.
now concluded
his second
term as
wise statesmanship.
as the State,
On
Anson
On March
Jones issued a proclamation for the election of a convention to consider the proposition.
The convention
as-
was submitted
unanimous
vote.
(138)
elected Gov-
By
139
B. F. Fuller.
who was
a very brilliant
rise
unapproachable splendor/'
Xew
life
was apparent in
all
activity.
to
Baylor University.
This
pioneer institution of
Their
names
R. E.
were as follows
Wm. M.
E.
W.
Taylor.
The
The
met
at
Brenham, May
porarily,
15th,
trustees
Taylor, Secretary.
They adjourned
to
Tryon, and
meet
At
at
Mt. Gil-
this meeting,
it
was agreed
to receive pro-
Propositions
and Independence.
lected.
The value
was estimated
to
On
a vote,
Independence was
se-
be $7,925.
Permanent organization
140
History of Tea
effected
Secretary
Taylor,
Baptists.
Havocs, Treasurer,
to
meet
at Inde-
pendence in December.
December meeting,
lected
of Independence.
to
a building site w;
The Board
L.
ind H.
vlected
I.
Gillett
was elected
fitted up.
They determine"
the college building should
be of stone, and the building committee was directed to
begin the work at once. The board appointed Richard
I
lor andTryon to solicit
SI
ss til
The
funds, not only in Texas, but bcr
v of Mr. Gillett. teacher of the Preparatory De-
May
.
1846.
At
-ling
as requested
In 18
collect
ibama.
The
all
The primary
school
re-elect-
had opened
seventy.
REV.
J.
W.
D.
CREATH.
By
141
B. F. Fuller.
fill
Wm. M.
November
ton,
trus-
16, 1847.
On
W. D. Creath
The
memory
of
Wm. M:
of the Board.
agents in the
now
fill
thirty by fifty
respect to the
With such
field,
to
efficient
management and
able
assured.
MISSIONARY WORK.
In 1846, Morrell was commissioned by the Mission
Board of the Southern Baptist Convention as missionary
for that part of the country between the Trinity
zos,
San Antonio
to
road.
and Bra-
This board,
Texas as missionaries J. W.
in
Middle Texas.
to
La Grange, and
Hill to Matagorda.
Chandler
The valuable
la-
142
already on the
lists
peri:
field,
Alorrell organized a
the eaase.
:;
church at Le-
could.
in those days
f;:
was not
all
done by preachers.
He
_
:i.
fch
and
of
Providence
power in the
a strong support to
plain,
_-
Of
1 to
when
S]
ever-earnest appe;
rrell
s,
"hen the
hortation
He
in this
By
143
B. F. Fuller,
num-
influence
of
his churches,
Texas Baptists in the early part of 1847 was very cheering in the West.
COLORADO ASSOCIATION.
In November, 1847, this Association was organized at
Eocky Creek church, in Lavaca county, with messengers
Rev
R. H. Taliaferro.
This
able minister
brilliant light
in the pulpit.
man
came
to
settled in Austin,
on the Colorado.
of great power
He
and eloquence
Texas churches."
abler,
The number
of sermons
number
by thousands."
must be counted
144
In
R. H. Taliaferro.
as follows:
W.
Grooms.
He
of this church.
from the
city of
'^beloved
ver.
city.
The meeting
but devoted
all
and energies
his time
to the sick
and
On
and
life,
As an
orator.
as a friend
Wm.
man and
a Christian
and led
The church
was
Iff.
Tryon had no
a leader,
suf-
equal in Texas
He
Xovember,
at that time,
still
a model.
survive.
He was
and
His
life as
born to be
at
a pastor only a
By
short time.
145
B. F. Fuller.
person.
once extended a call to Dr. Burleson, and with the consent of the Board, he accepted this pastorate,
upon
and entered
EAST TEXAS.
While Baptists in the West enjoyed great peace and
prosperity during this period, there was trouble in the
The Anti-mission
East.
which, from
its
spirit
organization,
in
Sabine Association,
effort to
It
was
so
de-
On
At
its
to
Soda Lake
146
Baptist Association.
At
mem-
grown
As
creased.
was
there
had
membership
of
de-
also organized
other.
They emphasized
to such
free salvation
will
saints.
from
adopted by them:
recommend
to
the
"Resolved,
prayerful
that
this
consideration
Association
of
all
the
out of
a tent of cloth
By
147
B. F. Fuller.
will not
made but
Tins organization
little
progress, as
"''the
leader
and followers
edge,'''
and
it
seems
fifties,
and
is
heard of no more.
to
have
and
man,
came
up by
as a missionary,
He
as
he was able
to give
mission principles.
subject and did
He
much
at
Texas.
On
at Provi-
Byars.
to organize Trinity
its
and
Eiver
148
work, so
much
The eighth
session of
as-
8,
During this period, churches were organized that became strong and active, and a great power in spreading
the Gospel.
Dr.
Wm.
Evans, Nancy Evans, Miss Martha Evans, Nelson Trawick, Mrs. Trawick,
C. Vanzant,
preserved.
James D.
and four
others,
On
W.
W. H. Ray and
Amy
Walker,
pastor.
S.
J. G.
Walker, Mrs.
Adrian.
W.
CHAPTEE
XVI.
FROM THE ORGANIZATION OF THE BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION, SEPTEMBER 9, 1848, TO THE ORGANIZATION OF THE BAPTIST CONVENTION
OF EASTERN TEXAS,
At the beginning
25, 1855.
MAY
probably
then
about
thirty-five
organized
to
churches.
the meeting at
New
to exist at
Plum
The comwho
(149)
150
was known
to be as ready
rifle
W. D.
Thomas Recording
Secretary,
and
J.
W. Barnes,
Treas-
urer.
Home
Baptist Paper.
Missions, Finance,
The
and on Publishing a
named committee
dividual enterprise.
The
of,
and
will assist by
efforts."
who were
young minis-
It
in
May, 1849.
The Corresponding
of Baptists
all
and Bap-
Second Session.
this
number
Only
a few messengers
attended
By
151
B. F. Fuller.
W.
Baines, Treasurer.
re-
of
number
whom
Third Session.
May, 1850.
The attendance
at this
meeting was
L. Graves was
made
At
J.
W. D. Creath was
appointed to collect historical facts relating to the introduction of the Gospel, and the rise and progress of our
The
constitution of all
all
Baptist min-
Fourth Session.
June, 1851.
This
session
met
at
Independence
The
152
past,
and the
The
it
This
met
session
at
Marshall,
in
made
At
Female School
to es-
at Tyler.
dis-
it
would lead
to
utmost capacity.
commending
it to
the brethren
and
who might
At
W. D. Creath was appointed General Agent
Sixth
18,
1853.
Session.
sent messengers,
The
Convened
Thirty-five churches
at
Huntsville,
June
enrolled.
Certain queries on
dancing were presented, which the Convention wisely declined to entertain, on the ground that such matters did
The
report on
By
153
B. F. Fuller.
completed.
June
17th, 1854,
dent,
officers
The report on Education showed that the Female Department of Baylor University was under the management
of Eev. Horace Clark, and was in a flourishing condition.
The property of the University was now valued at $40,000.
The Convention adjourned to meet at Independence in October, 1855.
During
pered.
Law
in this department.
Judge Lipscomb
session,
At the
The
154
sixty-five,
Board
re-elected,
was
At
meeting of the
and
it
which should be
at the close of
The degree
Rowe, the
was appointed
ing,
of A. B.
first
to draft a
a contribution of
committee
to
Sam Houston
of
for
young
ministers.
General Prosperity.
During
this period
the rapid
relig-
In 1849 there
Elm Fork
and by
Association.
letter.
or-
of October, 1848, at
Honey Grove,
in
By
155
B. F. Fuller.
counties.
Concord, in
Red River
county, the*
Moderator.
first
The second
ville
session of this
at this
statistics
showed
ty-five.
The
this Association
J. R. Briscoe
Pickett,
Who came
to Texas in 1842,
is
was
at
Bonham.
It is to be regretted that
and
faith,
tist
It is not
portunity.
He
an op-
session of
ciation.
of this Association
two.
156
Honey
north of
This
C. Parish.
pastor, J.
first
W. Jones
M.
Mary Loving.
Mrs.
pastor,
clerk.
Red River
Association.
Mrs.
first
Clarksville
many
times en-
Loving
after-
and
still
retains her
is
living
membership in that
Of the churches
The
First
Baptist
Church
of
Paris.
This
Homer
con,
and
Amanda
Little.
J.
H. Cross
Goodman Tucker
dea-
clerk.
in each
be-
By
157
B. F. Fuller.
At the
who
is
all these
lamp burning.
Dur-
At
Red River
Association.
Pickett was appointed messenger to the East Texas Convention, to meet at Tyler.
Concord
church,
to
which
he
many years. At different times he was misthe Red River Association, and Moderator
preached for
sionary of
several sessions.
tions,
He was
He
Greenville, so well
this
158
establishment of a Female
High School
at
Tyler, in
Smith county." This Association was active in missionary and educational work. At the fifth session, held with
Carmel church in Smith county in 1855, fourteen churches were reported, with a total membership of seven hundred and three. The territory of this Association at that
time covered the counties of Rusk, Smith, Wood and Van
Zandt.
Bethlehem
Association.
On
es: Sardis,
Woodchurch-
made Moderator.
E. Vining was
much
that
sixth
the
five
total
Its territory
session
membership
embraced the
At
missions,
and
The minutes
this
San
fervor.
show messen-c
first
Moderator of
this Associa-
In
By
159
B. F. Fuller.
with a
Hill, Salem and New Hope
membership of one hundred and forty-five. Eev. J.
0. Walker was elected Moderator, and a Missionary Board
was appointed, consisting of Gideon Smith, S. D. Rainey,
Bonham, Pleasant
total
of
Bonham
Bonham Church.
This
J. R. Briscoe,
sister of
on
six
members:
Lizzie Russell, a
these,
two are
still
living
B.
Bonham, formerly Miss Lizzie Russell. J. R. Briscoe became the first pastor, and he w as also pastor in 1854 and
1855, and again in 1859. Bonham soon became one of
the strongest churches in North Texas, and has continued
T
to be
among
Christ.
Among
in 1854.
W. Connally
church, J.
relates
The small
an incident that
and ardor
this
illustrates
characteristic of
hang up
in,
their bacon.
but
On
and emphasizing
his earnest
words by vigorous
160
gesticulations, his
from the
joist
it,
it
on the
table,
and spreading
it,
hung
but, without
laid
hand struck a
it
up,
and continued
which the church was organized with the Bible on the side
of bacon.
met
and the
board reported that J. E. Briscoe had been employed as
missionary for the Association. He had been abundantwith the
Bonham church
ly successful, he
conversions,
in September, 1854,
the year.
Judson Association.
sociation
was organized
In November, 1853,
at Larissa, in
this
As-
Cherokee county,
first
Moderator.
elect-
were thirty-six
Houston appears
tist history.
first
During
Sam
to fight sin
to
and Satan.
clear, satisfactory
cross,
statement by
him
as to his
After a
change of
On
November,
By
161
B. F. Fuller.
His
Independence.
life
He
education,
vention.
umphs
tri-
Sam
women
of Texas.
ord of her
tached
life
"She was
pious, devoted
and strongly
at-
higher
But
brilliant gifts.
to
strong
and blighting
But
this ter-
habit.
This,
and
labors, with
success.
was always ready with her pen, with her labors, and with
162
blest.
ministers.
bama.
Johnson directed
For many
he was a
member
of the
Board of Directors
An-
years
of the State
Like him,
W. Baines.
to Tex-
The
At
Convention.
his
name is found in
Dr. W. C. Crane
says of him
"He was intimately connected with every
good enterprise of the denomination." In 1851, he be:
REV. G. W. BAINES.
By
came pastor
163
B. F. Fuller.
at Independence,
to
was
down
He
continued to be
and ruin
paper
his
management,
the
18G0.
Under
war
of the
of
Texas,
denomination
in
was a great power for good in the
and a most valuable factor in building up every Christian
in the wreck
enterprise.
Eev. A. E. Clemmoxs.
In December, 1847,
this elo-
He
settled
Eed River county, and heartily cooperated with W. M. Pickett, preaching about two years
Beat his own charges as an independent missionary.
at
Clarksville, in
ing himself a
man
of means, he asked
Bonham
E.
no pecuniary com-
Clemmons was
will,
He
and with
man
a bright
of great energy
and
active mind.
As an
orator,
The
seemed to be
so
him
preach,
when
his audience
A.
and indomitable
of
D.D.
period,
came
near Mt. Vernon; but at that time he had not been ordained. He afterwards moved to Hunt count}', and became a member of Bethlehem church, by which church
he was ordained to the full work of the ministry, and
was an
vears.
county for
many
164
During
many
this period
The
First Baptist
Church
of Waco.
At
the
missionary to the
upon
Waco
He
country.
at once entered
and soon gathered together the few scattered Baptists of the town of Waco (then a small fronhis work,
village)
tier
a small board
into
1st
streets
now
about where
shanty,
intersect;
and on the
Church of Waco, with four members: James C. Johnson, Geo. T. Holman, Noah Wood and Matilda Johnson.
Wood was elected clerk, and on the following Sunday
Brother Byars was chosen pastor. The church continued
to worship in this rude structure
years,
Byars resigned
at once filled
S. G.
by
S. G.
O'Bryan".
till
this pastorate
Wake
After two
O'Bryan.
1857.
He was
to
a gradu-
numbered
at
Waco
membership
of twenty-eight.
He
remained
six years,
when
this little
By
165
B. F. Fuller.
to
and was
at the
Association.
This
short-lived.
remembered that
made
to the
Convention by the
and management
of this school.
We
it
its
its
infancy,
on a permanent foundation,
While
to
assume
it
this
yet strong
and
at
with propriety and force. The evil consequences that followed cannot be said to have been the legitimate results
of this action of the Convention.
166
Elder G.
man
G-.
Baggerly,
school,
who was
to
its special
championship, was a
in his advocacy,
a reused
vention;
bitter
as he
or,
called
it,
brgan
November, 1853, "The Texas Baptist General Association" was organized at Larissa, in Cherokee county.
It
tion.
The
had but one more meeting after its orthe 24th day of May, 1855, an adjourned
meeting of this body was held with the Tyler church,
extent that
it
ganization.
On
By
By
167
B. F. Fuller.
had gone.
Far up the Trinity, that intrepid pioneer, X. T. Byars, with J. C. Hutton and E. A. Daniels, was organizing churches and laying the foundation for West Fork
zation
Association.
Evans and
West
J. G.
of
the Brazos, J.
Thomas and
S.
Allen,
W. B.
ing churches and preparing the way for Little River Association.
CHAPTER
XVII.
of Eastern Texas.
Cass,
Texas, and
of
counties,
organizing a
came together
Convention of East
gerly, Hollingsworth,
Davenport and
On
Griffin,
were ap-
May
which
The member-
proportion to the
money
contributed.
"To
The
societies in
objects of
By
169
B. F. Fuller.
formation
the
men
young
and
pious
to
possible.
fund
for
ministry,
the
useful
nomination."
tended
of
for
education
in
education
the
and
Baptist
the
of
promote
to
de-
was adopted:
now go
and
difficulties,
That
fthe
G-.
W.
cents.
But
that
had been
Upon
carelessly prepared.
made
plausible,
showing the
deficit
Thus
and
it
appears that
all
this trouble,
bad
feelings,
This
1T0
incident ought to have been a very impressive and instructive lesson to financial agents of after years, but the
same troubles
same
still
carelessness,
to learn noth-
recommend
to be
and un-
Gr.
at
Rusk, November
9,
twenty
was
so
in
all.
W.
ceived
1855, with
amended
At
this ses-
admit one
as to
to
money
and one additional for even' ten dollars contributed; and five dollars contributed by any brother en-
basis,
titled
him
to a seat.
at
Marshall.
November
five associations
Clerk.
At the
and seven
7,
and twelve
at
annum.
associations,
By B.F.
171
Fuller.
Clemmons was
A. E.
S.
D. Rainey, Treasurer.
At
this
to our
money
basis
the brother
brother
mons
it
ability
and
as such
this
The
Convention,
however,
before
adjournment,
less,
"That
contributing to the
thirty
five
first five
172
they employed
W. B. Featherstone and
management of the
school.
Under
war-cloud overshadowed
it,
as
it
did
Fifty-seven churches
interests.
Clark to
J. E.
all
and
other educational
Associations
five
was made
and Josh Johnson was elected General Agent.
The Convention adjourned to meet in Quitman in June,
were enrolled at this session.
J. S. Bledsoe
President,
1861.
Convention
at
In
and
Independence,
1855
this
thirty-nine
The Trustees
hun-
Dr. R. C. Burle-
of the
of the
er
From
this
time
till
number
about held
its
own during
this
At the
It
had
just
1860 at Inde-
The General Agent had raised durHosea Garrett was made Presi-
and
J.
Baylor University.
prise
Treasurer.
This great educational enterhad been very prosperous under the presidency of
By
The
Dr. R. C. Burleson.
173
B. F. Fuller.
report of the
Board
of Trus-
tees of
iences
and
In
the
ment.
The
Stephen D.
first
On
naugh, the
first
Mary
Grentry
ceived a diploma.
I.
the
Kavare-
Wheeler,
Judge Baylor, and Capt. W. P. Rogers were elected professors in the Law Department, and in 1858, Honorable
John Sayles was also made Law Professor. There were
thirteen graduates in the Law School in 1858, and sixteen in 1859.
up
to
December, 1857, to
He
School.
of
anything
the
alone
as
the
Law
extended to the
whole.
have
as well
Female
responsible
partment.
say
to
about
Department.
for
it,
as
the
He
management
held
professor
of
himself
that
de-
The
trustees
Af-
Male
174
of the
The
President.
between
unpleasantness
President
some
differences
them
to declare in
management
and
Professor
no uncertain terms
of the schools.
isfied."
with
Still,
this,
all
it
costill
widening.
NEWSPAPER.
The Texas
Baptist.
of this
:r:,J
"The Texas
way
difficulties in the
W. Baines as
The paper was located
Anderson, where Baines was serving as pastor. The pa-
at
by
J. B. Stiteler.
By B.F.
to
175
Fuller.
At
year.
mid increased
io over 1,400.
In 1558. in order
to
Pubhad in-
lication Society.*''
In
creased to 2/200.
In I860,
1859,
the
J. A.
circulation
Kimball removed
to
had succumbed
to the general
wreck
from
At the
it
said,
among
other things:
"The Texas
re-
Baptist,
committee,
is
again/*'"
the
de-
nominational enterprise.
ASSOCIATIONS.
erator.
the Austin
first
Mod-
organization.
tist doctrines,
Mount
176
and
J.
thirty.
first
Moderator, and
the organization.
activity
prosperity
the
and
State,
Gonzales county.
and
organized in
Novem-
ber,
J. A.
J.
Elm Grove
T. Powell was
church, in
made Moderator,
made
now
ordained ministers
18-12.
in the Association.
same year of 1858, four other new assosprang into existence, namely: Kichland, Leon
During
ciations
now
this
Try on,
all
who met
membership
ministers.
with
messengers
at Birdsville, in
first
from
twelve
Tarrant county.
N.
At the
Dallas county, twenty-one churches, with a total membership of six hundred and twenty-three, were enrolled.
Little River Association" was organized at CamNovember, 1855, with messengers from eleven churches, having a total membership
eron, on the 9th day of
By
of five
isters.
hundred and
At the
177
B. F. Fuller.
sixty-five,
session of 1859, at
Elm Grove
church, in
thirty-seven.
organized in 1858,
Waco
Association.
On
Waco
W. B. Evans, L.
Marlin
Cobb,
T.
Horsely
and
H.
Vaughn.
White
EockW.
Eiddle.
Cow Bayou
Eobert More.
Codo
Z. X. Morrell preached the introductory sermon, and
was made Moderator, and J. W. Speight, Clerk. This
was the last association organized during the period
extending up to the adoption of the Ordinance of Secession, February 23, 1861.
There were now within this
These
associations
Waco
are as follows:
178
Sister Grove,
Red
River, Judson,
Mount
San Antonio,
New
EDUCATIONAL.
During
this period,
our brethren
made commenda-
enterprises.
As
early
At the
Col. Smith.
session of 1859,
ed to locate
it
arid a
it
was resolved
to
ments.
Ladonia was
selected,
as principal
Institute.
Professor Moffett
was chairman.
As
school,
"Waco
Classical
it
at
School.
School," and by
By
179
B. F. Fuller.
affiliated.
The
school for a
Eev.
S. G.
J.
By
Waco
large
two-story
brick
to Waco Association.
General Prosperity. During this
period, peace
and harmony prevailed throughout the State, and general activity and co-operation in all the labors and enterTwo genprises of our Texas Baptists were manifest.
eral bodies were now working harmoniously together, and
a great number of able and zealous ministers were heralding the Gospel in every part of our great State, and
calling sinners to repentance.
all
liveliest
Texas.
who had
Peaceful
war.
At
Already the
ISO
all
things
else.
Baptists,
al-
to shoulder their
it,
as they under-
CHAPTER
XVIII.
DURING THE WAR, FROM TILE ADOPTION OF THE ORDINANCE OF SECESSION, FEBRUARY 23. 1561, TO THE
CONCLUSION OF THE AVAR IN MAY, 1865.
This period was ushered in with "wars dread alarm."
and engrossed
The shrill commands of the drill
officer were heard more distinctly than the mellow entreaties of the man of God, and all religious and edu-
The
universal interest.
at
and T. M.
Griffin
was.
made
President.
This
made an
attack
use of
money
collected.
its
Xot only
specially,
its
In
to
Baptist conven-
this instance
financial agent,
not only
was assailed by
(181)
all
182
this complaint
much
Texas in
days.
earlier
It
was
still
lurking
in
the
We
of the masses.
was the
The outcry
chief means
it
is
Convention on
this
charge of
made
in
God
But
work was attempted at this meeting. It was announced that Dr. P. C. Burleson, President of Baylor
little
elected
Waco
in 1862.
filled.
The Con-
W.
C CRANE.
D. D..
LE
D.
By
that the Texas Baptist
because
it
was impossible
still,
made
of pledges
basis
suspend
to
Missionaries
to obtain paper.
183
B. F. Fuller.
in
at
Independence, and
The
trustees of
young ministers
might
as
at-
tend the school, and an earnest appeal for this cause was
made.
raise
$10,000
to
make an
effort
to
versity
mission fund.
made
The
Baylor Uni-
of
trustees
and
this
all
other
it
Little missionary
at Huntsville in 1864.
The
follow-
and patronage,
still
it
is
pledged
its
contributions
and
hails with
'
184
year,
who
EDUCATIONAL.
Featherstone "and J. K.
Clark,
had an auspicious
it
for
lo-
W. B.
be-
more than
Ladonia Institute.
When
this school
was located
amounting
institution opened
The
Under
this
J.
C.
management the
school nourished
and gave
Baylor University.
As
some time.
In 1860 there was such a lack of co-operand harmony between the two departments, and
such general dissatisfaction in the male department with
ation
The
By
Board
"Not
of Trustees
185
B. F. Fuller.
President, Principal
to let
them know
it
God
by their conduct, we
will
is
exhaust-
will be required;
they shall
if
ties that
connect us together.
if it
Co-oper-
ation
official report,
At
when
from
and
of resignation
letters
at once applied
them-
The
Stare
may
These un-
outcome of the impracticable and cross-grained governing relations of the male and female departments of the
University by the Board of Trustees.
Xo
one doubts
to
comprehend the
when
186
By
was destroyed.
all co-operation
Baylor opened
its
session of
1861 under
this
burden,
The
trustees
as well as the
had elected
G-.
S.
Gr.
cient
cept,
and
to
forty.
In 1864 there were one hundred
and one in the male department, and one hundred and
Waco
After
the organization
Waco church
ment
of
Waco
Associations, so
The
employed Dr. R.
1,
Principal,
John
C.
Bay-
male
de-
partment of that institution, who had resigned their connection with that school.
dent-
with
Classical School
on the
1st
charge of
Waco
ByB.F.FuOer.
1ST
name
was not
eiation
tees
was
still
nan
rela-
the asso-
Cole,
::
affected.
with the
P. Aycoek, H. It Watkins,
J. P.
Waco
to
University.
W.
Wm.
P. Rogers,
of trustees: Thos.
list
Hogue. W. A. Mill:-:
D. Towns,
M. Perry,
The records
J.
to give a
more
_-.
Waco
is
good.
"We
accomplishing
much
institution,
two of
whom
this
this
reported that
Waco
stn
many
as
:.
MISSIONARY WORK.
188
H.
Stribling
At
the
on
it
for a support.
Elm Fork
baptisms,
Association,
He
every battle
regi-
As an individual
at
Waco.
To
may be
Waco
save
By
mortgaged
he could
to
his property,
had maintained
in
189
There were
fifty
B. F. Fuller.
their integrity,
main
Much
general way.
we can only
r.
7zz
war.
__-_
settle-
at
S
:i
r since
ant
^! ::" ::^t Li
ihz
z:z_l77 :y :i :z: z^ :>:
z 1:^1 _-Zi.77
:i 77ZZ37L5
rzirl' I* *
:7-:
:::
Our cause
lost:
rz!
"
-_.t
--
z;
and the
i :>--.".
-;:-_-
:~zf
77. fi
Iiien:::-
.-
:'.
Hone-
faint.
of reconstruction, was
'/:.:
:.
m Texas
7.-
::
little less
77
7^
--"
]
7777
.7
77777;
life
and
~'
7.77
~"
~"
-- ;;
-'
.1
77
_.;
7"-"
"7
'
II
"7-
-7
"
A"77rf
(190)
"
By B. F.
191
Fuller.
free
The
great importance of a
was recommend-
coi
In 1S66 the C n ention met at Independence. Twenty-one churches and four associations were enrolled, and
ontinued.
for Sunday-schools.
It
nvention
had
independent
J. TV.
college.
field as general
resolution
made
rval
at this
special interest,
~r: c
'if
eventful Listory
still
At
objects.
its
organ-
member
and a
life
Any member
at
any one
of a Baptist euareh
session
might
re
member on payment
of $25.
This eondit
It at length.
192
it
as follows:
Each
to
num-
their
Convention.
amount
missionaries
without
of indebtedness.
of
limit,
money they
and
chose,
any
create
other
startling consequences to
lead,
at the
end of the
year.
The
amendment
to the constitution
In
was
to appropriate
money
By
The
now
upon
proceeded,
193
B. F. Fuller.
ought
to be.
at the
commencement
is
to
but the
is
She does
is
sum
It is plain
At the session of 1SG5 an amendment to the conwas adopted requiring the members of the
Board of Directors to be selected from the members of
the Convention.
These are all the changes of any importance that have been made in the constitution since
They are no reflection upon the
its adoption in 18iS.
wisdom of those who framed it; they are simply a constitution
and
it is
a proof
from
its
The
smallest
The
Convention in
amount in specie funds was $3,The records show that where the Con-
largest
353.52, in 1858.
The time
more travel-
has
now
arrived
when
194
to the life
of the Convention.
The plan
to collect
funds
is
homes of
visited
the brethren,
invariably gone
up
to comparatively large
The
amounts.
To
associations
for
missionary
purposes,
men
to
feeble
All
contributions
is
the
The
arm
erection
denomination.
By
God has
195
B. F. Fuller.
and
this
at Gonzales
on Novem-
ber 30, but the scourge of yelllow fever that had prevailed
in the State for months
The
made
The
prevailing
pend.
to suscollect-
ed $1,380.15.
The next
session
was held
at Ladonia,
in
Fannin
The
196
The
was transacted.
He had
all
He had
He
to
a general
quested to take the matter under consideration and report through the general agent.
and secure
was continued
of Angelina, and
and
as general agent,
J.
Mor-
D. Williams,
appointed missionaries.
so troubled the
ously in
tions
many
still
churches in
working injuri-
all
who did
The
spirit of the
brethren
The
special
met
tion
The
still
prevailing epidemic
The
proposition carried
from
each, association,
By
197
B. F. Fuller.
vitality in
However, a gen-
among Texas
It
began
to be
The
many
many
on
foot.
Union Association in
Chairman of the
report, made a strong appeal
At the meeting
1865, at Washington, S.
Committee on Work, in
I.
his
of
Caldwell,
of Sunday-schools.
meet
at
W.
C.
Crane, F.
19S
M. Law, H.
Garrett, J.
W.
Judge E. E. B.
Terrell and
to report a
plan of
The
first article
"This body
school
"The
were elected.
officers
objects of this
Union
The next
article reads
promotion of the
shall be the
means
securing a full
exist,
and
of our de-
in general to take
religious interest.
Union
to establish
It
shall also be
a system of colportage.
may
to
Texas/'
Union was
to
the
The
for.
Union met
at
Lexington,
at
In
and twenty-five
H.
J.
and Deacon
Strib-
had been
organized,
and increasing
F.
M. Law
interest
read a
J.
B.
LINK.
By
report on colportage;
E.
tions;
schools
C.
199
B. F. Fuller.
J. J.
W. H. Land on Sunday-school
The
periodicals.
At
this
of this
to
Link
13, 1865.
trip to Central
was
at
On
once undertaken.
reach-
received
discouraged.
But
this Tyler
flattering
The
first
compliments
all
over
the
Herald
country.
March
3,
The second
when
the paper
became
March
July.
to help
All of which
self-
was made
During the
fearful
of 1867
200
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY.
On
1866, the
Law De-
By an
approved September
Female Department of the University was
act of the Legislature,
made
a separate institution, to be controlled by a sepBoard of Trustees, under the name of Baylor Female College. This action was approved by the Convention at its session in October following, and all neces-
arate
On December
the separation.
6, W. A. Montgomery was
Economy and English Lit-
At a meeting in February,
new building was named "Hosea
Up
a con-
to the charter
and nominally,
a part
management.
separate
By
201
B. F. Fuller.
made President
of the
college.
WACO UNIVERSITY
Continued under the nominal control of Waco Association, but
The
Trustees.
its
manage-
Union Association met at Washington in its first seswar in September, 1865. Judge
R. E. B. Baylor was made Moderator, and 0. H. P.
It
Sunday
fifth
enterprise.'"'*
Re-
and
education,
Sunday-
temperance,
all
of
not quenched the noble Christ-like spirit that had characterized this body
throughout
this
from
period
its
all
And
so
subjects continued
to
earliest
these
history.
Waco
Association.
The
first
session
of
this
body
Waco church
202
in August, 1865.
C. Burleson was
J.
R.
W. Speight
Clerk.
nevertheless
missions,
home
odicals,
colored
Throughout
this
temperance
missions,
the
movement
and
finance.
In indorsing
new
or-
mote the
efficiency
is
to pro-
churches.''
body,
its
boundaries were
now
considerably contracted.
Quickly recovering, however, from the depressing influences of the war, great activity in all Christian
work
Elm Fork
Association held
its first
that the past year had been the most prosperous in the
By
At the meeting
received by baptism.
Hope
church, in
Kaufman
At
sent messengers.
in
the
Throughout
great activity
in 1866, with
New
were enrolled.
put
203
B. F. Fuller.
field
this session
J.
F.
Pinson
Not being able to mention all the assc Nations in dewe have referred to these only as fair examples of
tail,
Soon
identity.
Xew
impracticable
to
of special interest.
sketches
Xeither
of
is
living
it
in a
few instances
practicable to give
ministers
or
form
State.
it
biographical
lost their
laymen.
is it
may
CHAPTER XX.
THE BAPTIST STATE CONVENTION, FROM THE ORGANIZATION OE THE BAPTIST GENERAL ASSOCIATION, JULY
17, 1868, TO THE CONSOLIDATION OF THESE
GENERAL BODIES IN DECEMBER, 1885.
Up
to this point
we have
now pursue
We
same period.
shall
The Baptist
its
session
first
dependence, October 3 to
annual
first
session.
6,
twenty-
its
preached by S. C. Orchard.
On Monday morning H.
Secretary,
The Board
J. Beall.
$850 had been collected from the Vickers fund, and the
balance of the $2,500 satisfactorily secured.
eral agent, J.
as
follows:
preached
W. D.
Twelve
The genhim
hundred
and
sixty-six
sermons
;
seven
(204)
By
205
B. F. Fuller.
1869.
2,
session
The old officers were continH. Clark was made Corresponding Secretary."
The reports showed one hundred and fifty-six baptisms,
and $1,143.25 cash, which had been collected, and $600
in pledges. The committee appointed at the last session
ciations sent messengers.
ued, except
re-
set
Up
to this
basis of
now
by
directly
its
district asso-
board.
under
its
its
money
mission-
The removal
many
miles
off
the
road,
Inde-
town.
"That
it is
a resolution,
moval."
col-
lected,
ses-
sion.
The twenty-third
tober, 1870.
were enrolled.
session
met
at
Brenham
The same
officers
in
Oc-
six associations
It
was
206
for
it
W. D.
de-
from Inde-
Creath, in addition to
gaged in the
and
lot in
for the
employed
churches organized
ninety-five
its
organized:
secured
the
one hun-
organiza-
seven asso-
erection
of
sixty-five
deacons and
fifty-five
The
schools.
vention
is
total collections
$35,
'.
rolled, together
TV.
TV. C.
Crane
The usual
The
of.
in October.
association
met
at
Independence
TV.
C.
ing Secretary.
But
little
made Correspond-
By
The
associations.
district
207
B. F. Fuller.
financial
agent,
J.
W. D.
Among
missionary
in
these were
W.
Baines, Jr.
for
to raising
funds
whole time
that missionaries
of
since
the
hundred and
fifteen churches
sand persons.
session
1871.
received
$1,050.50.
Twenty-eighth Session.
at Calvert in October,
churches co-operating.
in
1875
W.
C.
208
dent,
0.
United
by
States,
common
had proposed
consent,
to
special
vention,
solved,
the
"Re-
Educational
Convention,
assembled
at
Bremond,
dow one
ceived.
The
when
the
money
is
to
an evangelist among
their people.
The
was appointed
special
commit-
The board
of the Convention
was
By
B. F. Fuller.
20>
made
to assist
still
needed.
The
thirtieth
October,
1877,
churches.
The
with
Bryan
at
from
in
thirty-eight
On
Satur-
collected.
The Con-
all
W. H. Dodson was
at
San Antonio,
to
complete the
purposes $7,500.
Thirty-first
Annual
Session.
It
was
at
Lagrange
except Pinckney
retary.
night,
Sunday-school
school missionary.
The
mass-meeting
to
was
held
at
all
assembled at
and
five
Independence,
The
session of
1879
The same
officers
DtaHgi
i.li
m.
i_'r'7
:-f.:i
>--.- -i
:-
vr'l
>
'*'
."_"-.
_-'-:.
1'
:--.-
7 m*
:ei.
l.
iculz
Lii
tl
"_:--
1~tj1
~1<
-_'_--_
*il
:-t~
Z
_
"
'
'
'
If'.
tlZLZil" .:
I-
--
;:
By B.F.
board of the Society,
211
Fuller.
service
and
ap-
"The A. B. H. M.
Convention."
if
make
quarter-
vention.
(4)
to
general mission
Society,
also.
The
Society to
ing
foi the
of satisfy;:;:
1881.
1,
(6)
on reception
fports,
tributions be
made
of the Convention.
church
edifice
directly
::
these bodies
from the
field
mass-meeting was
The death
The
Convention met in IS 5
at Belton,
and twelve
association-.
0. C.
C orresponding Sec-
212
He
The
$3,378.30.
purposes
board
reported
sta-
'
tions,
fifty-one baptisms.
all
thirteen
Sunday
was
held,
taken.
Dr.
work.
I.
Home
Mis-
The Treasurers
Convention.
missions,
$2,693 30
.
ministerial
education,
San Antonio
and fourteen
Session.
This
session
met in
associations co-operating.
were retained.
lic
Annual
He
now
of
was commended
women.
The propo-
By
co-operation.
213
B. F. Fuller.
On Sunday
The
Corresponding Secretary reported thirty-seven missionemployed, and that there had been
aries
fifty-six
five
hundred and
The
many
its
bounds.
No
such year's
session
was
from
fifty-eight
In
It
The Superintendent
of Missions
Thirty-five mission-
had been employed, ten churches had been organand four hundred and seventy-three had been re-
ceived by baptism.
On Sunday
the
Home
Board.
was yielding in
that the
permanent fund
from
Lampasas
in October,
annum.
last session
214
it
the
and, as appeared by
most prosperous
year.
called to order
J. H. Stribling.
F. M. Law was elected President,
H. P. Garrett Recording Secretary, and G. B. Davis
Treasurer; R. Andrews, M. V. Smith and J. H. Stribling, Vice Presidents.
W. R. Maxwell was made Corre-
by
0.
0.
and seated
at a cost of
$5,175.54.
It
was the
The
labor,
sixteen
hundred
and
thirty-one;
weeks
sermons
and sixty-four;
visits,
hundred and twenty-seven received by letter, nine hundred and thirty-four; and churches organized, nine;
teen."
the
Home
Mission Society
satis-
this
State,
it
five
be appointed to
may have
been, or
By
may
215
B. F. Fuller.
mass-meeting
Chaplin..
The committee
and
dis-
a special board, to be
known
as the
composed of eleven members, and be located at LamThe Treasurer's report gave an itemized sum*
pasas.
mary
of the
money
collected, as follows:
Foreign mis-
sions,
terey,
isterial education,
total,
$29,744.52.
G.
W. Smith, Chairman
of the com-
"The Baptist
State
thereby,
to
meet
like
com-
to all parties,
to
meet with
and we
committo enter
'
216
if
Owing
to
completing
its
at
brief meeting
Brenham, October
At Bren-
ham
meet
to
and appoint
to co-operate
work
The President
of the consolidation.
of the General
Association,
meeting appointed
committee
9, to
meet
at
TemThese
Dr.
M. V. Smith
committee of
five
from each
"We, your committee, believing that the consolidation of the general bodies
"First
That
the
is
desirable,
Baptist
recommend:
General
Association
of
By
That
"Third That
"Second
shall be
217
B. F. Fuller.
the
name
of
of Texas.
shall
be the same as
heretofore.
the
first
two bodies
"Fifth
respectively,
That
the
and be reported
first
to that
meeting.
body be held
first
was adopted:
"Resolved, That the language used in the consolidation of the general bodies was an
legal status of affairs,
and not
in
accommodation
to the
From an
minutes
it
Convention in 1848 to
its last
hundred baptisms resulting from the work of the Convention, one hundred and twenty-six churches organized,
and about fifty Sunday-schools organized. Besides this,
much
double this
list.
s:s
SICS.^-: _^1
...
:.
i^
rv
.--.rk.
DR. R. C. BUCKNER,
SUPERINTENDENT OF HFCKXER'S ORPHAN HOME.
CHAPTER
XXI.
tist
to change to a
At
this
meeting sixteen
General
Corresponding Secretary;
J.
retary; J.
stone,
A
tion.
The
to
prepare a constitu-
By
of Texas,"' and
it
con-
Un-
were appointed.
(219)
220
reU,
Texas.
session
was held
at Tyler,
July
I860.
23,
A. E. Clemmons was
the
collections.
The
ty-eight
Tlie
met
third session
Thir-
officers
of
the
last
session
were re-elected.
The
five
months'
service.
this
was an
in-
General J.
six
associations
W. Speight was
officers
were continued.
McComb had
was located
at Tyler.
sent mes-
elected President,
At the
The Missionary
been appointed
At
this session
By
On Monday
no report.
was invited
221
B. F. Fuller.
He
to a seat as a visitor.
mended
to the churches
and on motion
their protest
Fifth Session.
This
was held
session
and eight
at
Rowlett's
Forty churches
But
little
and
The
moved
The
location
of the
and that
through which
sion work.
Agent
J. B. Daniels
Sixth
met
Annual
Session.
at Jefferson in 1873.
ued, except
The
General
Association
The
Correspond-
The Sun-
The Mis-
222
Financial Agent.
He had secured pledges to the
amount of $2,110, to be paid per annum for five years.
Of this, however, but $398.25 had been collected, leaving
$824.25 due Brother Daniels on his salary. Thirty-one
baptisms were reported, and ten churches had been oras
ganized.
Seventh Session.
in
1874.
Dallas
The
The Board
for Missions
and Sunday-schools
had
that step.
iels,
re-
from the yellow fever epidemic, and had reHe had collected $245, though, before taking
That $517.95 was
still
made
to
pay
this.
Eighth Session.
The
in 1875 at Sherman.
|
The
Association held
its
meeting
tion should be
composed
.of
effect
to
The
report of the
Committee on
last
Home Missions
Home Mis-
The organ-
By
of
ization
223
B. F. Fuller.
Sunday-school
General
Association
was
recommended, and a meeting for this purpose was appointed to meet at Longview on Friday before the first
Sunday in November. It appears from the report that
E. B. Hardie and J. E. Sligh had been appointed Gen-
had
collected $567.45.
brethren.
In
General Association
and the
Ninth
Waco.
Session.
the
Association
met
at
enrolled.
Clemmons, R.
idents;
1876
C.
Buckner and B. H.
Secretary; J. T.
224
Deacon W. E. Penn at Waco during the past year, resulting in one hundred and fifty-two baptisms.
Tenth Session. This session met at Paris in 1877,
with fifty-four churches co-operating. The officers of the
last session were continued, except S. J. Anderson was
made Eecording Secretary, and R. C. Buckner, Corre-
sponding Secretary.
S.
B. Maxey, which
On Monday
Dr.
Sumner
Theological Seminary.
tist
restoring
associations
the privilege
to
co-operating
of
him
The
on the proposition.
work
met
at
Ft.
Vice
the
In 1878
Worth.
Messengers
Presidents.
from
The
Bible,
Colportage
five
eighty-two
the
meeting.
six
Twelfth Session.
co-operating.
The
at Pittsburg
made
were con-
Treasurer.
The
By
225
B. F. Fuller.
Nothing
Waco
and
much dominated by
now called the Texas
too
The
none
In
to
Thirteenth Session.
met
The
1880.
be principally of a personal
at
col-
and
$2,622.87 collected.
Fourteenth Session.
at
In
The
old officers
were
re-elected.
twelve mis-
missions in support of
for
home
W\ B. Bagby,
in Brazil, $2
missions, $1,016.60;
missions,
$19.
Fifteenth Session.
at
Sulphur
The
messengers present.
The
Sunday-schools organized.
~ork
188
tation
met at
ns enrolled.
t'r
had been paid out to them for their services. There had
been one hundred and fifty-five baptisms, five churches
t^>
committee on
H. Carroll Chairman.
He made an
elaborate report, in
was
tl
St
b,
Convent
difficulty
nndefinable boundari
at associations
have been
By B.
227
F. Fuller.
churches have
committee
all
greeting,
to
these
Second
and expedient?
If so,
Is
by Waco Association
it
unifica-
desirable
Third
practicable?
it
to
made by
Waco
the city of
to give
and a
$20,000
fund of the Universit} , provided the GenAssociation should raise a $G0,000 'endowment fund.
T
to the building
eral
Is
the Association.
proposition was
strife
send a
to
form
endowment
raised.
Seventeenth Session.
Paris.
It
to per-
its
fund should be
was
The
at
The
enrolled.
The board
hundred
and
received
thirty
by
letter,
twenty-four
churches constituted,
$54.50 received
at Atlanta.
It
collected for
or due
from the
was reported
home
Home
missions,
and
Mission Board
endowment fund
for
Waco
Eighteenth Session.
University.
last session
at
of
228
L.
ciations enrolled.
dent,
The
session.
last
fifty-seven missionaries
L.
officers
and
churches
eighty-nine
Sunday
ilected by missionaries
^ v
letter, fifty-one
school?
on the
organ
field,
and
Mm-
Hayden
A.
S.
offered a preamble
and resolution
name
Chancellor for
life,
pointed to
visit
the matter.
T.
the
S.
Burleson as
C.
:th
this Association to
Borh
was
then
them
appointed,
to the State
and
were
Convention.
to
be
presented
The Board
by
of Directors
to co-operate
585
this
of the schools.
it
December
meet-
By
the State Convention.
to act on consolidation.
full
power
229
B. F. Fuller.
set
CHAPTER
XXII.
TO
THEIR
BODIES,
FINAL
FROM THEIR
INCORPORA-
convention
There were
and
at
a preamble and
resolution
"The
language
is
used:
to the
supply
for us to do our
(230)
By
Him
depending on
23 L
B. F. Fuller.
eral missionary
in
thirty-two,
collected.
churches
fifty-six
were enrolled.
ISTine
had been
at
schools
The
Treasurer's report
forty-five baptisms;
and
The
sixth session
met
at
232
dred
schools
Sunday-
Thir-
at Tyler.
and one
Xo
society
report of
The eighth
meeting of
solidation
this body.
The
the general
of all
last
ball
of the Convention.
at Allen,
This
A
con-
of procedure
enable
all
the brethren
to
to
it,
had been
co-operate with
Those
it.*'
this
the
result.
An
address to the
this
was
it
its
own
busi-
ness.
work
pended.
of the Convention.
ex-
Bu
233
B. F. Fuller..
Weather-
at
ford.
ated; $527
The Conven-
met
and
was
it
its last
meeting.
with
and by
ly,
a vote the
ad leased
:il
it
::
py l ^ e entire north-
The Central
ber
1880
1"2.
mess
rs
On
Novem-
denominated
P.
B.
it
at
Conven-
They
"The Central Texas Ban::-: Convention. 53
for Missionary
S.
G.
O'Bryan. Secretary.
In 1882 twenty-four churches and one associ
co-operated
missionary work.
The
in 1885.
out $445.
at Abilene,
S. G.
and P. B.
O'Bryan, Sec-
and
body me:
at
Hico
fcodjr.
to
Tfee
fc&e
tesritoarjr
&sgned
Ek> Gsnsfe
Ut k
to be
fettel to
~
~
-r
CHAPTER
XXIII.
grown
tired of
tional schools
it,
and
had greatly
fallen
off.
denomina-
accessible
seemed
to be discouraged,
and
it
travel.
Waco
also
up
a great school.
it
and that
it is
it
by any means.
Under
But
the prevailing
(235)
C;
f:
.:
z :.:
.\-
feeling
and make
brotherfcood.
'.
_"
'
:
:
"
"
i>
Li
i zr
-;
_t:i:-
...:...:.
.:
-oliredV
'z
lz
/f-z'rr.
it:
zTL.
-.
__.
op such an
ing
"'
.
i:~. ::-":'
::-::
i Gentry of
tT
_
:
-.
'.
--
:r-f
Waco
_._
._
___*
-"-. :'nz:
"t
The General
-
<-l*
"-
_ :
'~
'.
1
:-.
-<
"
--.-
Tri
.-.
_:::-.
_
:
may.*"
it
^saon in I>>\ at
Association.
"
'
"
'
be located where
":'
il
-b:
:
:
"
."
"
-"
ifiols
~:.:'"
-
~-
"
I
"r.';:
r-fv'zi" fz
t:
::"-:-
.-
------
17
r
"
z"--\-.
"-j^
"".
-,
:?
- -^
pi:-
_-
By
ham,
237
B. F. Fuller.
State."
Bremond.
At
this Fairfield
it
Union"
Educational
was desirable
when
scribed.
organize.
3,
"The
organize
to
should
$10,000
spot,
be
sub-
and a meet-
1872, at Bryan, to
and when
this
amount
to
at
Bremond,
movement
cation,
and
same in the
to utilize the
interest of Baptist
education in Texas.
At
this
ident, and J.
Jr., Secretaries.
were represented.
It
was
much
at once very
much
in evi-
Finally a proposi-
making
a committee of fifteen.
238
to the
cedure.
this
committee made
their report,
provisions
of thirty, to be
no impediment
is
to be
known
as
Commission of Texas,
That when $100,000
be located. That
is to
of existing schools.
educational
Its
meetings were
to
all the
unanimously.
ed.
interests,
as provid-
An
The
first
at
Sherman, July
quorum
present.
Secretary.
6,
at
Bremond, January
mission.
financial statement
Bremond, when
to be
work.
No
other full
the total
amount
of assets
was reported
'
By
work for
239
B. F. Fuller.
greatly hindered in
and
field,
and
it
began
to be
much
as pos-
There
success or leave
began also
to be
where
it
much
it
was, so that as
of education,
sity of consolidation,
to do in
BAYLOR UNIVERSITY.
Baylor received almost no support or patronage within the bounds of the General Association
its
from
whole existence.
in 1869,
organi-
its
The UniMclntyre
de-
W. Chambliss and H.
F. Buckner.
increasing the
made
was
less
endowment
much
time in
as practicable. President
than $4,000.
Crane
which
sixty stu-
In 1875
S.
S.
240
ature,
now
made
be
to
funds to
to secure
complete the main building, and the friends of the University were requested to act as voluntary agents for this
In 1879
purpose.
it
contract was
and
main building.
made
The
The
They had
an honorable discharge,
and were
ex-
The
financial pressure
was
so great in
were extended
to President
Crane in 1882.
No
Professor
institu-
The endowment
to
com-
Wedemeyer resigned on
secure
penses,
endowments
at
salary
of $1,500
and ex-
In 1884 Gen. A. T. Hawthorne and O. C. Pope were appointed special agents, on the terms that they receive a
number
cent.
The
R. C.
BURLESON,
D.
D.,LL. D,
raiscuously, by
way
By
B. F. Fuller.
of
compliment
many
241
to
men
disconnected
effect to
These honorary
titles
can only be
now been
and rare
at
He had
money,
to build
up Baylor
When
1863
was a time of
it
From
all
signed,
and went
to
Waco was
Crane threw
Dr.
scholarship and
and
if it
was not a
final success,
Through
all
he can-
these years of
toil
Andrews
President.
The Board
memory, and
In addition
elected Eev.
to his
of
suit-
Eedin
labors at the
from 1871
24:2
His
honor.
Sev-
eral
-was a
"Life of
young men
Sam
He
Houston."
educated
many
live.
President Andrews
made
on
The
forty.
trustees
made no
his resignation.
The Boards
and Baylor
Female College held a joint meeting, and strong resolutions against the proposed removal of the schools were
meeting
to
be held at
It
was
finally
Brenham on
referred to a
the 16th.
At
this
as a painful necessity.
removal
re-
Lampasas in October.
at
at
By
The Convention
this purpose,
243
B. F. Fuller.
which was
Female
College.
stitutions be
removed
to
some more
eligible locality,
and
and
this
questions that
all
may
may
and
the
new
and that
location, or locations,
by September, 1886
paratus and furniture be tendered 'to the Union Association for educational purposes,
to
be maintained at
and
college to the
new
location: any
left
endowment, the
with the schools
Independence."
The committee of fifteen was appointed as recomA. W. Dunn. Chairman of this committee,
mended.
of this question
244
committee of fifteen already appointed, in connection with the Board of Trustees of Baylor University and Baylor Female College."
*to the
On
teen met at
Brenham with
the
fif-
The
College.
The Con-
to co-operate
consolidation.
pointed a
cember
at
9,
to
This meeting
fifteen, representatives of
Female College, a committee from the General Association, and representatives of the trustees of Waco University.
From
five
from each
tion, C. R. Breedlove, J. B.
Sledge and F. M.
Link, M. V. Smith, R. J.
Law; from
and B. H.
Carroll.
W.
B.
Dunn
following report:
"1.
consoli-
dated.
"2.
University.
shall be
Baylor
DR.
F.
M.
LAW.
By
245
B. F. Fuller.
V. Smith, Harry Havnes, G. W. Breedlove, Hosea Garrett, A. W. Mclver, Wm. Howard, J. H. Stribling, S.
A. Beauchamp, W. R. Maxwell, C. C. Garrett and S. F.
Styles."
It
was
WACO UNIVERSITY.
When
the
246
ized in
erty of
a
Waco
Board
was
still
the prop-
The
re-
The school continued under the nomWaco Association, but was managed by the
original
except
President Burleson.
The
continued to
school
and usefulness.
The
school was
made
co-educational,
He
raised in cash
In 1873 the
department was
report on schools
in
so far
at the
Waco
Association
to
1880
there
The
completed as to be in use.
and education
in
was adopted by
that body:
<r
body than
is
much
larger
and comprehends in its scope of operation a much more extensive territory than ours, that body
desires the supervision and control of Waco University,
so far as the provisions of the charter will allow, and has
this,
By
negotiations
authorized
247
B. F. Fuller.
Board
formal consent.
With
this
is
From
and gen-
management of the General Association. A movement was inaugurated to raise an endowment fund for
eral
much
As
During
versity,
set out,
W aco.
r
Waco Uni-
it
History
248
Texas Baptists.
Christ.
1 - 1
ojf
many
to the great
and cultivated
of
citizenship.
If Horace, by his
brass,
mildew
bli_
his
noble
ris-
life
Christ.
">
L
He
H.
g:?rald.
ident Clark.
to
elected,
In
By
Col.
249
B. F. Fuller.
Wm.
Royall suc-
ceeded him.
signed,
and Dr.
1878.
J.
it
was removed
to
Belton in 1886.
more
the other
LADONIA IXSTITUTE.
a well known eduwho had conducted a nourishing
Boston, Texas, and also at Tyler, was made
In 1867, W. B. Featherstone,
cator of high standing,
school at
Principal,
and
at the session of
The following
resolution was
W.
W.
J.
Brown, continued
to
conduct a nourishing school of great usefulness and influence in that section until 1873,
when
school
250
From
served
it
2.
being President.
The Education
Society Xo.
is
which
2,
is
sometimes
re-
In the pro-
"i'.
Education Society.
to
to
and,
God and
now
human
are
them in
"
By
251
B. F. Fuller.
have been
lost, therefore,
we now reorganize
first
is
Novem-
in regular order,
idle.
raised
It
when Dr.
G-.
W. Rogers was
now
in
debt.
this society
was
lost,
so that
was
identity
of history, accomplishing in
bered.
its
its
day
much
to be
remem-
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL AXD COLPORTAGE CONTENTION,
FEOM THE CHANGE OF THE TEXAS BAPTIST SABBATHSCHOOL AND COLPORTAGE UNION TO THE TEXAS
BAPTIST SUNDAY-SCHOOL AXD COLPORTAGE
CONVENTION IN JULY, 1867, TO ITS
CONSOLIDATION WITH THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL CONVENTION OF
THE GEXERAL ASSOCIATION, JULY 23,
1885.
When
the
twenty-five
Union met
at
Lexington in July,
18j67,
The
present,
com-
The
it.
had
and
much
valuable
mending,
a clause
no proposition
was inserted
to alter or
7. ten
in this constitution
amend
years."
(252)
"That
J.
By
253
B. F. Fuller.
churches
Sunday-schools/'
The two
satisfactory.
largest
Sunday-schools in
the
at
&
M.
Sheldon, of
Xew
York, to
The
to
session of
session.
at
Brenham
in October,
asso-
sold
five
From
it
appeared that
254
History
of
Texas Baptists.
The Con-
all sources.
to the
of meeting at the
1872. at Austin.
Dr.
Howard was
Convention met
There were
at
this
meet-
The
still
Penn was
elected President.
The Board
of Directors,
"Soon
after the last annual meetiug of the Convenyour board was so fortunate as to secure the service?
of Elder M. V. Smith as Sunday-school Missionary and
tion,
By
255
B. F. Fuller.
Much
ment.
stirring
256
the limited call for books, libraries, tickets, etc., for Baptist Sunday-schools.
We do not keep a stock of Union
books, but have an arrangement with a private book
house, by which such orders are filled.''
The Treasurer's
collected
sta-
from ninety-one Sunday-schools, with seven hundred and sixteen teachers and five thousand, seven hun-
tistics
dred and seven pupils, and had raised $3,800.16 for missions.
ton.
tary,
at Calvert in 1875,
W.
and
J.
H.
Baines, Jr.,
mitted
to the
State Convention.
few were present, and nothing had been done during the
By
year.
257
B. F. Fuller.
and the
at the meeting,
but
it
was
W. W. Keep,
pastor at Anderson,
and W. P. Howell,
Sunday-school Superintendent, and a few others at Anderson, with a commendable zeal for the cause, applied
themselves to the work of securing a larger attendance
and arousing a
By
Convention.
of the
and by earnest
tion, so that
work
in this direc-
in 1877 fifteen
done.
1879
at Luling.
twenty-six
At
this
Sunday-schools,
five
and two
J. M.
associations
gether with
made
W. D.
Powell,
Sunday-school missionary,
cessful
year's
work.
Ninety-five
Sunday-schools had
to
existing schools,
Sunday-
258
school mass-meeting on
in cash
year's work.
At the meeting
ing
off
at
fa-l-
in attendance.
At the meeting
at
Bryan
Sunday-schools co-oper-
to
in
or.
five years
Our chur
By
259
B. B. Fuller.
and
we teach the
More than five hundred new schools
children to give.
have been organized; thousands of pages of tracts have
been distributed, hundreds of persons, destitute of the
Scriptures, have been supplied through the liberality of
the matter of Christian benevolence until
Several
American Baptist Publication Society.
churches have been organized, several county Sundayschool Conventions been put in operation, which have
done much good. Truly the Lord hath done great things
for us, whereof we are glad.
"Your missionary held the first meeting on the banks
of the Eio Grande., where a soul was converted under
Baptist preaching.
He was the first missionary from
Texas to enter Mexico. He was the first Baptist missionary of any kind to enter many counties in Eastern
and Western Texas. Ours has, truly, been a pioneer
work. A narrative of the trials and difficulties would be
startling.
I have always, and everywhere, been kindly
the
received.
hundred
"With
missionary.
of the Master's
my
resignation as your
I feel that
260
sionary,
The
report of
The
had
Eesolutions of
Convention.
The
In
The
session of
W. R. Maxwell
on the
and
at
indirectly,
Houston
was $3,508.50.
in 1885.
At the
last
to consolidation with
a report.
to visit that
body made
and
After a
committee reported
and practicable."
submitted:
also
By
For
1.
number
of the
Board
261
B. F. Fuller.
body
will appoint
an eqnal
of Managers.
2.
intendent.
The present
3.
may be
continued.
4.
to be located at
Lam-
pasas.
5.
6.
tions,
7.
board.
to
This meeting
W.
R. Maxwell was
new
Deacon W.
body, and
made Superintendent.
Up
to
1875
the
Sunday-school
Waco
in 1876,
Sunday-school
It met with
and appointed a board.
262
is
had been sold by T. W. Compere. Twenty-two Sundayschools were organized in 1884. Aid had been furnished
American Baptist Publication
Society to the amount of $2,000.
L. W. Coleman and
Kit Williams had each worked six months for the Convention. W. K> Maxwell, who was in charge of the colportage work of the Sunday-school and Colportage Convention, was also employed to take charge of the colportage work of this Convention, in connection with that
work, and he had organized fourteen Sunday-schools.
About this time the question of consolidation with
the Sunday-school
to
was sent
to the
plan of
Ennis.
At
this meeting,
CHAPTEE XXV.
BAPTIST NEWSPAPERS IN TEXAS, FROM THE ORGANIZA-
At the beginning of
seen, the only Baptist
this period, as
we have
already-
J. B.
Before
this,
Texas.
The Herald warmly seconded this movement,
and contended that Texas Baptists should concentrate
their efforts on one great central school as the best educational policy for Texas.
Both Baylor and Waco protested, and the scheme did not make headway.
In 1874 The Christian Messenger was established at
become a permanent
tensive
made
circulation
3,
1874.
institution,
and
first issue
appearing
influence,
Pope became
in-
(263)
In 1881, on
264
came
into
In January,
moved
to Dallas,
1876,
and
its
when
1883,
it
was moved
to
Dr.
list
of
more than
5,000.
all
all
our
its
policy to
den.
Unification became
tinguishing feature of
its
its policy.
The columns
dis-
of the
The Herald
movement.
Dr. Ander-
den in 1885.
After the consolidation of the general missionary
Two
mate
it
remained
to
in 1886, to
consolidate
make
the
unification
newspapers.
or three committees had been appointed to consumthis work, but the matter
was
finally referred to
S. J.
ANDERSON.
By
265
B. F. Fuller.
Waco
in 1886.
The
Link
to
Texas Baptist, for $10,000, thus closing the separate existence of the Herald. Its last issue was July 8, 1886, in
which a
list
The
consol-
and
proprietor.
at Dallas
by
S.
A. Hayden, editor
CHAPTEE XXVI.
DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS, FROM 1868 TO THE PRESENT
TIME.
The
briefly sketched in
tending up to the year 1868, about the time of the organization of the General Association.
numerous that
work
the history of
all.
is
im-
the strongest
the State,
will
among
UNION ASSOCIATION.
The
thirtieth
ciation
met
1869.
J.
at
H. Stribling was
elected Moderator; 0.
H. P.
W. H. Thacker,
Treasurer.
Corre-
By
267
B. F. Fuller.
Convention.
much
showing
and
his
successful.
The
received.
at a salary of
Independence.
F. Kiefer
$70.85.
at
The
rent.
Sunday was
as missionary
He had
baptized
of books.
R. F.
He had
on the
field.
In 1871
the
Association met
responding Secretary.
with Willow
Creek
as missionaries. There
had been seventy-three baptisms and two churches organized.
received dur-
At the session of 1872 forty-two churches were enand eight new churches were received. Five missionaries had been at work, and eighty-five had been bap-
rolled,
tized, eight
organized,
Treasurer.
268
Sunday-schools organized.
received
The
H.
thirty-fifth
Montgomery.
at
The
L.
great finan-
cial
work
He had
The year
The
young minister
at
1875.
received $440.70.
From
fifty-one
this
was attempted.
but there was
The
W.
and organizing
little
In
Rev. Mitchell
as missionaries, bap-
four
Sunday-schools.
little
H. P.
G.
Garrett,
responding Secretary.
sity
The property
of Baylor Univer-
Union Association
solidation of Baylor
to
Waco, and
At
this ses-
Independence.
By
schools,
269
B. F. Fuller.
Wood was
W. G.
all
purposes.
and
to
Ac-
field.
There
churches,
that purpose.
raised for
ported $1,074.75
was
a mission-
collected.
At
meeting,
this
re-
which
at Huntsville, a
but
when
the Association
met
in
1890 the
W. H. Cleveland was
fifty
to
who
years be-
to prepare a
program for
a semi-centennial session.
The
270
to satisfy a lien,
and
The
this
semi-
Holmes and
J.
its
organiza-
tion took place at Travis, fifty years ago, with only three
churches
Travis
affiliating,
W. H.
La
Independence,
Cleveland,,
now
through
all
Texas
that
its
first
Baptist As-
and
The
body.
Grange
men
State Convention
belonging principally
first
this
missionaries to Texas,
last,
but not
least,
was the
What
a glorious record
Let
its
memory
its
work
line.
in 1896.
five
Twenty-two
was adopted:
"That we again emphasize the importance of co-operation with the State Board in our mission work, and d.is-
By
271
B. F. Fuller.
is
calculated
also adopted:
members
and church
action,
renounced
by published resolutions
Association
all allegiance to
the
same
as
un-
scriptural; and,
form
of doctrine
fall,
known
as Martinism, there-
fore,
An
mem-
was appointed and located at Houston. Two hundred and fifty dollars was pledged for the ensuing year.
Two general missionaries had been in the field, at a sal-
bers,
Six new
L. Ellege was
The
fifty-eighth session
in August, 1898.
received.
W.
J.
Durham
The
met with
272
among
sions,
The
Moderator.
chosen
other
H. M. Burroughs was
Committee
things,
on
State
Mis-
"Your committee
Union Association to
said:
this great
State."
field.
The
year for
of
all
Houston $3,119.99.
WACO ASSOCIATION.
This body met in 18G8
north of Waco.
W.
C.
Waco.
estly,
set
at
Brother Lockett, the pastor, protested very earnbut the motion carried, and the whole Association
The
there with
by
letter.
to
Little mis-
The Executive
his
By
concerning
in disorder/''
and order
"fellowship"
the
church, reported
"The
273
B. F. Fuller.
of
Ebenezer
to visit that
The meeting
in IS TO
membership
colored churches
recommended "that
committee be ap-
pointed to aid the colored brethren by counsel and correspondence, to organize into an association without de-
lay,
and correspond-
feelings
ren."
still
on
in disorder,
On
weak churches.
work of the Association
existence there had been about
East
Waco
At the twelfth
session,
its
mis-
affiliated.
Ebenezer
fellowship.
and
his career as
an
and most
successful.
Many
of the
"
874
The meeting
churches
at
affiliating,
new plan
fifteen bap-
for mission
work was
adopted.
Waco
be a Missionary Convention of
Association.
This
At the meeting
at
Bremond
in lS?-i, Dr. B.
roll
EL Car-
The plan
of a
ber
is
chosen by his
the Association
district,
church, and
is
President in each
own
and there
is
The President,
in the minutes.
published
is
In IS? 5.
affiliating,
and
with
eighteen.
this year
a total
Two
V. G.
rock outside.
gers.
at
J. B.
membership
of sixteen
hundred
Cunningham
in the city,
and
J. B.
Par-
field as
mis-
sionary,
fifty-seven baptisms.
ELDER
B. H.
CARROLL.
D. D,
By
three hundred
and
275
B. F. Fuller.
thirty-seven.
The Sunday-school
missions.
one baptisms.
W.
S.
at a
At the session
$805.45
FIRST
ment
of the work.
were made
and
affiliated
all or
1881,
to rejoice,
thirty-six in 1885.
of this period
1885
close in
nine.
membership
at the
beginning
it
at the
The total contributions for missions and orhome were $10,679.42. The missionaries sup-
letter.
phans'
total
The
seventy,
by
The
'
Associational
M. L. Duncan. J. Daffin. J. T.
Crawford. V. G. Cunningham and >. F. Sparks: on the
frontier. E. S. Hurt. W. B. Long and J. E. Kelly; on
ign fields. W. B. Bagby and Z. T. Taylor, in Brazil.
and W. D. Powell, in Mexi
general missionaries. L. W. Coleman. Kit Williams and A. J. Holt.
field.
T. D.
Snttle, T.
During the
five
heresy,
formidable
:in. a
se
This
Although
an.
troubled
greatly
this
the
Mar-
churches
half decade,,
affiliating
in
with the
re
;.
thirty-five
churches
at the close of
The
total
it,
hundred and
id been thirteen
forty-one.
in
mem-six
In this
five
The amount
of
money contributed
thirty-six meet-
By
277
B. F. Fuller.
FOURTH DECADE.
The thirty-second
Moody
held at
Waco
session of
Association was
by Section
2 of Article
-i,
The
section referred to
is
as
follows
and
to this
of
this
action by
unanimously decided:
tion.
2.
to
should be con-
to
is
at
any time
The
It
is
contrary to the
it
certainly ad-
-.-..
-:
By
879
B. F. Fuller.
if
church
first
that church.
TVhen
Association
the
its
new Association
tion should be
if
from
The
no
letter
its
nature of a
exist.
in the constitution
is
of officers,
and
it
the affiliating
prob-
The Asso-
its
its
when
and
be presented no objec-
satisfy
church to one of
is to
made on
as satisfactorily.
new
letter
affiliates
letter, be-
this,
from
a church, as in
is
anyway
is
extra
and unjustifiable
judicial
affairs of the
independent church.
Association to disfellowship
no more applicable
to
than
to
an outside church,
At the
it,
session of
it.
five
hundred and
280
At
committee appointed
this session a
known
ing,
as 'Martinism/
which
is
or
grace, that
many
ommend
that
ally advise
to
Waco
and
to the disturbing of
Your committee,
therefore, rec-
and warn
all
on regeneration, repentance,
This
faith, prayer
and assurance.
We
'If
any come
to
speed
is
him God-speed,
him not
five
reported in 1894.
your houses,
There were
into
him God-
"
its
judgment
in
most
By
281
B. F. Fuller.
and
this matter,
W.
"Whereas,
various
in
portions
of
Texas,
Baptist
churches are being divided, and schismatic bodies organized in antagonism to Baptist churches by the advocates
of the heresy
known
"Whereas, at
as 'Martinism f and,
this
Waco
M. T. Mar-
may
principles
The
Waco church
in 1896, with
an enrollment of thirty-eight
churches.
mary made
in 1860 to
salaries,
tisms reported
The
total
re-
general sum-
pastors'
is
church home expenses and contribuAlso that the total number of bapseventy-five
hundred and
eighty-five.
forty-three
hundred.
that
own houses
was $81,500.
Fortieth Annual Session.
282
352;
follows:
''Baptisms,
churches;
objects, 3 churches;
not reported, 9
all
number
tisms.^
It
objects,
his time at
The
144 more
a missionary shall be
two
to only
10
all
employed for
to
now
For
all
to $3,160.
affiliating
As we have already
seen, this
organized
in
name
to
of "Eastern Mis-
its
second session,
embraced almost
all
East Texas.
It
soon
As Union Association
By
283
B. F. Fuller.
so
Soda
Samuel Herrin, who so boldand successfully upheld the cause of missions in the
being the
east,
first.
Then
Jesse Witt, of
whom
Creath
For
has written:
and for
orator he
He was
vineyard.
had not
great, intellectually.
As
Mas-
a pulpit
We may
also
David B. Culberson,
so
Clemmons, a matchless
M. Griffin, W. H. McClelland, D.
B. Hale, E. B. Blalock and E. B. Eaken.
New Salem Association on the north, Harmony on
organization,
Association
1843,
is,
1847
with
the
Sabine,
organized
in
the State.
formed,
of
This
Eastern Baptist
it
many new
now as strong
Since so
is
not
session of 1899
it
once was.
The
S. M.
M. Callaway, Clerk;
and W. W. Xelson, Treasurer. S. M. Russell was chosen
missionary at a salary of $50 per month. The Association declared itself in full sympathy and co-operation
ber.
enrolled.
284
Ac
ating.
this pioneer
we have only
to
remember that
Z.
X.
due to
its
Its
territory extended at
fifty*
north.
At
this
affiliat-
hundred and
five
sion.
In 1857,
fifty seven.
at the tent:
the
after
years.
sary.
sts,
It
territory
its
its
and
messengers.
r.e*v
Association
associations
this
W. R.
Twenty-four churches
md
Board.
body
semi-centennial anniver-
River
As
met in
Trinity
activity.
the minutes
now showed
a total
jht bap-
membership
By
The
of 1,056.
285
B. F. Fuller.
num-
Annual
Fiftieth
session
nial
of
Jewett, October
Session.
1,
erator;
W.
W.
met
at
Mod-
Dr. R. C.
semi-centennial sermon.
R.
W. Swain,
members
membership
the
only sur-
of the Associa-
P.
It
sent messen-
T. Chase. Clerk,
S.
the semi-centen-
Twenty churches
1898.
urer.
This was
many
years,
was
a total
hundred.
Secre-
re-elected.
In 185S
a convention
brethren in that
section
Shiloh church, in
At
this
Refugio,
The min-
from other
ena, Escondido,
sources
the
it
name
Association.
In a few
286
years the
to
San Antonio
Association.
ties.
affiliated
with
Hope
E.
M,
S.
C.
all suffering
from
spiritual dearth.
At
were enrolled.
J.
Pearcy, Clerk.
At
this session a
this
It
proper policy.
.
By 1883
had
in-
Eighty-six bap-
J. J.
Maurer, Clerk.
The
first
Mexican
In 1891
ing.
with a
membership of twenty-three hundred and ninetyand one hundred and seventy-one baptisms were re-
total
six,
ported.
By
had been
28?
B. F. Fuller.
The churches
of the
Association had paid out during the year for all purposes,
To
962.
messengers.
In 189-1
value to $73,656.
all
in
departments of associa-
Four hundred
and seventy-nine baptisms were reported, and seven missionaries had been in the field.
E. E. King was Moderator, and J. W. Daniels, Corresponding Secretary. Fortywork had been very prosperous.
tional
met
The
at Charco.
letters reported
At
eighty-five baptisms.
this
was
session a resolution
and
Fortunism,
with
non-fellowship
declaring
all
1896
at
Leesville,
churches were
thirty-one
in
hundred and
total
thirty-four.
met
affiliated
at
Moderator:
at
Corresponding
W.
Clerk,
and
C.
The number
elected
D. Daniel,
of
baptisms
its
The
a request for
position on divorce
and mar-
ported as follows:
of
W. W. Sloan was
Coltrin,
Secretary.
membership
Floresville,
this meeting.
G.
Forty-two
Gonzales county.
with
enrolled,
re-
History
SS
:~
Texas Baptists.
that this body of ministers and memBaptist churches put itself on record as believing
that the teachings of Christ in Matt. 5 :32, Matt. 19 :9,
Mark 10:2-12, and Luke 16:18, forbid divorce for any
other cause than adultery or fornication, and do not
authorize re-marriage of the divorced.
"We recommend
:f
p.
S.
Snodgrass,
"C. A. Brelsford,
L.
t.
Forty-nrs: Annua]
Session.
San
Roberts
Antonio Ac-
On permanent
or-
all
purposes
the property
total
amount
7.
man, who had been for a number of years German missionary, was again employed, and Elder Rodrigo Cruz
was employed as Mexican missionary.
ogest church in the Association
From
its
is
the First
organization
the Association
the city of
Thurmond,
field.
In December,
a missionary of the
it
By
came
tion,
to the place
terest, collecting
289
B. F. Fuller.
in-
whom
constituent
members
the
in
There were
organization,
membership
work.
and
in the church,
Thurmond became
the
is
first
The
still
holds
active in every
good
pastor,
nation of Mr.
1876.
Thurmond
The
and
his pas-
until
San An-
of
an important mission
field,
many
and Bap-
J.
W. D.
de*-
work
Creath
In 1876 a special committee appointed by the Convention reported that a lot had been purchased for $1,000
and
The
In 1880
290
following order
ridge, E. E.
J. A. Hackett, E. C. Gates, J.
King and A.
J. Harris.
N. Prest-
gan
in
The
now
call in
Jan-
San Antonio
in the State.
CHAPTER XXVII.
TEXAS GERMAN BAPTISTS.
Immigration from Germany had been, from our early
history, flowing into Texas, until quite a large popula-
There
was a great deal of infidelity among them, and great interest was felt by our brethren in their conversion. Every
avenue of approach seemed to be cut
off.
In 1854 Dr. R. C. Burleson became pastor of the Independence church, and a revival of great power was enjoyed.
to pass
He
away
Partly for
understood
little
of the lan-
and, to
he
felt
felt a
him unaccountable,
Soon he
by Dr. Burleson.
He
soon
made known
(291)
292
Dr
him
was
to
to
He
was
a bright student,
and learned
to speak the
Eng-
lish
full
istry,
ment
in
isters,
verted.
organized the
Texas.
number were
German
con-
Baptist
church in
Miller, at
called Ebenezer,
and
is still
a flourishing church.
The
minutes of Union Association for 1871 show the membership of this church to be one hundred and thirty-one,
Xow
F. J. Gleiss,
a Methodist preacher
and
were baptized by Brother Kiefer, and he was soon ordained, and set apart to the full work of a Baptist min-
He at once became pastor of this church, thus becoming the first German Baptist pastor in Texas. He
was an earnest and faithful minister, and the Lord
ister.
among
He and
among
their
293
On the 20th day of November, 1869, the second German Baptist church in Texas was organized at Cedar
Hill,,
in
About
church.
From
erhood of Texas.
sixteen churches
and
dred.
of
date of organization:
PLACE.
Greenvine
Cedar Hill
COUNTY.
Washington
Washington
Lebanon
Harwood
Gonzales
Harris
Brenham
Bethel
Cottonwood.
Denton.*
Guadalupe
Washington
Brenham
King
Coryell
Moreville
McClellan
Denton
Kyle
Denton
Kyle
Hays
Waco
Waco
McClellan
Dallas
Canaan
Salem
Blue Mount.
Hurnville
Dallas
Dallas
Coryell City. Coryell
Needville
Fort Bent
.Blue Mount. .Denton
Henrietta. .'. .Archer
.
ORGANIZED.
1861
1869
1876
1879
1883
1884
1886
1884
1886
1886
1890
1891
1891
1893
.
1894
1894
294
GERMAN CONFERENCE.
For the year 1884 the German Conference was
ganized, which
associations.
the same in
or-
its
is
all
went into
this organization,
having
The min-
were F. Kiefer,
W. Becker and
J. E.
Sydow.
its
in the field,
well sustained.
as follows:
Petereit, F. Heisig
and F.
Sievers.
complete
list
of
is
as follows
F. J.
Gronde, J. E.
Gleiss, J.
D. Kuchenbecker, A. Becker, 0.
in
1894
Board and do all their work through the General Convention, and make all their contributions through that
board, looking to
it
In 1895,
it
ap-
a splendid showing.
aries employed,
There seems
annum, which
to be
295
is less
German
churches.
and slow
to reach,
to
to
The Germans, as
move in religious
matters.
There
is
is
great stability
they are, by
most
sionary enterprises.
MEXICAN CHURCHES.
The Mexicans, as a general rule, are very unlike the
They lack the firmness and strength of purThey are very appose so apparent among the latter.
Germans.
is
Their churches
stant
encouragement.
M. Flournoy,
a missionary to Mexico.
W.
In June, 1888,
Among
a preacher
those baptized by
among
at once
woman
work
it
of Dallas,
for several
among
the
women.
to this
296
In 1891 Rev. C.
D. Daniel, of San Antonio, was employed as general missionary to the Mexicans, and two
it
There were
zeal that in
Del Rio,
New
San Antonio, has for several years had the overwork among the Mexican population, and the work there is making some progress.
It is
impossible, however, for him to give personal attention
work
at
encouraging.
among
the Mexicans,
and
now devoting
is
sion work.
to labor
time
to the
Mexican mis-
CHAPTER
XXVIII.
its first
conception
in 1877.
This
is
churches and
however,
alienable.
is
all people,
and
to the world.
Its property,
is
in-
of Dallas,
better
3,
1893, as
follows
(297)
298
sition.
was
"Dedicated, September 27, 1880, in a cedar log
house, fourteen by eighteen feet, which had been built
as a residence by a pioneer, John Xeely Bryant, in 1841,
and was the first house within a radius of one hundred
miles of where the city of Dallas now stands (save a
picket tent on the bank of Trinity river, which he occupied while building).
It was also Dallas' first postoffice
The
By
299
B. F. Fuller.
house
was erected on
dren, in
practically.
"Enlargement.
The
additional lands on his own judgment and his own personal credit, and made improvements in the same way,
period the
Up
to
this
300
ment
is
monument
to the
judgment and
jy
Texas
of
a beneficiary,
is
and
possibilities
expectations of
until
its
early friends.
unprecedented, considering
:rces
achievements, capacity
its
small beginnings,
Up
been
mc
to
Oc-
tober
fifteen
since
its
it
States
Christians, as well as
Jews and
having
all their
infidels.
The Home
industrial
is
fam-
By
the
Home.
trades
301
B. F. Fuller.
The children
are trained
and educated in
all
Literary train-
ing
is
the
Home.
and a Sunday-
made in October,
number of children for the past
year to be three hundred and thirty, and that they were
supported for the year at $65 per capita. The total reThe
ceipts
In 1898 the General Manager's report, which was approved by an Auditing Committee, shows that there was
belonging to the
Home
at that
Home
that
from the
thirty-five
homeless widows.
All
this
agent to
solicit
ings.
bless-
solicitations.
When
these
own
individual
credit.
302
The splendid
still
In 1897
for
special
purposes,
The nature
of this
new
enterprise
Home
that
in the
is sufficiently
"Then I turned careful attention to my long-cherished purpose, to enlarge and add other important features to the capacity and charities of the great institution, by purchase of property in the city of Dallas, which
was for the contemplated new feature of the work, that
The
care
in the charter,
my
heart,
non-residents
By
for opening orphan
Home
303
B. F. Fuller.
located.
Home
in the country.
office
How
But
alas
how
seven returned to
all
our prospects.
appalling catastrophe!
look
Home, and
uncertain are
upon a
304
When
the sad
cluding
158.02.
sums
of
the
Home and
the
and
current expenses."
Home
Home
the
sum
of $28,551.56.
Among
other things, about $4,000 had been spent in the completion of the boys' building, which
is
now
a beautiful
The
of the
greatest enthusiasm
Home
and
On
General Convention by unanimous vote, about two hundred orphan children from the Home, headed by Dr.
down
sition
on the
stage,
By
B. F. Fuller.
305
song.
bution,
and
in behalf of the
it
former pledges.
CHAPTER XXIX.
THE BAPTIST GENERAL CONVENTION, FROM THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE GENERAL BODIES ON THE 9TH DAY
OF DECEMBER, 1885, TO THE PRESENT TIME.
It will be
remembered
Tem-
"The
designated
Its first
first
Sunday
in July, 1886, at
Waco.
dent,
ed Secretaries.
S. J.
Anderson were
fifty
elect-
churches and
A. J. Holt was
and Corresponding
Secretary.
The committee
to
nomi-
presented a
B.
II.
list,
W. H.
W. Dunn, C.
G. W. Pickett,
mons,
(306)
By
G.
ett,
307
B. F. Fuller.
G. Muffins, J.
Simnis and T.
S. Potts.
who
are ex-o
was located
at
cio
Waco.
On
H.
Carroll, F.
Z.
M. Law, R. T.
F. Golden, presented
ARTICLE
Section
1.
The name
I.
of this
body
shall be the
Bap-
tist
and concert of action among Baptists, and a system of operative measures for the promotion of the interest of the Redeemers kingdom; but no individual enfeeling
on by this
body.
ARTICLE
II.
MEMBERSHIP.
1.
This body shall be composed of messenfrom regular Baptist churches, and associations of
Baptist churches, and Baptist missionary societies, co-
Section
gers
Each church shall be entitled to two mesand one additional messenger for each $25 contributed to the funds of the Convention, and in no case
shall any one church be entitled to more than eight mesSec. 2.
sengers,
sengers.
308
Each association shall be allowed two mesand one additional for each $100 expended in
missionary work done within its own bounds, and one
additional for every $100 contributed to the funds of this
Sec. 3.
sengers,
Convention.
III.
ARTICLE
Section
1.
The
IV.
OFFICERS.
officers of this
Convention
shall be
3.
fill
his place.
It shall be the
By
B. F. Fuller.
vention,
all
309
Sec. 4.
It shall be the duty of the Corresponding
Secretary to conduct all the correspondence of the Convention and the Board of Directors. He shall make an
annual report in writing of all matters he may deem
important.
Sec. 5.
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to take
charge of all moneys belonging to the Convention, and to
dispose of the same as he may be directed by the Conven-
Board
tion or
of Directors.
The
recorded.
Sec. 7.
The highest number of votes shall constitute
a choice in all cases except for President and Treasurer,
which
cast.
ARTICLE
Section
1.
V.
BOARDS.
The Convention
as follows:
(5)
310
whom
shall be a
members,
five of
quorum.
ARTICLE
VI.
ARTICLE
The Convention
and place
VII.
as the Convention
of Directors shall
Convention.
ARTICLE
VIII.
session
was held
the
at
First
elected President.
sionaries
had been
and that
Not quite
work.
sion
the
as
tions.
many churches
"Missions.
follows
so
traffic
reported as
By
311
B. F. Fuller.
"Your committee,
to which was referred the ques'What should be the attitude of Baptists towards
tion,
respectfully
fenceless,
nal war.
"B. H. Carroll,
"J. B.
The
vened
at Belton,
October
and
Board
J.
M.
President, and
The
Carroll, Secretaries.
of Directors
Convention con-
made
5.
Cranfill."
fT.
B. Cran-
report of the
retary A. J. Holt.
showed
It
the
and
sixty-five
missionaries
amounted
831.
to
sions.
The
session of
church, of Houston.
at
Spaulding was
continued as
T. S. Potts, of
312
collected.
$2,-
At
this session a
act in con-
and
to
Hayden was
of S. A.
edgment
elected by acclamation.
In acknowl-
"Whereas, Rev. A.
J.
to
accept
it
and
official
fidelity
vention."
at
Inde-
ommending
rec-
and Col-
Union
Association.
The Convention
of
at
Waxahaehie.
were continued.
The
By
313
B.F. Fuller.
its
L. L. Foster was
The matter
The Cor-
No
re-
The Committee on Independence School Property reported, and again recommended to transfer to Union
Association.
M.
Carroll,
mary embraces
work
Statistical
to the Convention.
year,
Elder
J.
Secre*
His sum-
Number
of churches, 2,221
number
of
associations.
all
purposes during the year, $266,995.70, but nearly onehalf of the churches failed to contribute anything to any
mission work.
State
is
Number
of
Baptist preachers
in
the
in 1892 at Belton.
Dr. E. C.
session a change
so as to consoli-
314
management
Board of Directors
of the
the
all
State,
different
depart-
at Gainesville.
R. C.
H. Truett,
and
Secretaries,
The
ing Secretary.
J.
M.
Carroll, Correspond-
Secretary.
The
many
hindrances
five
fifteen
hundred and
sixty-eight
baptisms, and sixty-two churches and eighty-four Sunday-schools had been organized.
for all departments of the
The Corresponding
tistical
Texas
total
collections
to $42,653.42.
Membership
tal,
The
work amounted
White,
to-
220,000.
White,
92
colored, 1,343
total, 3,743.
total, 124.
Union
to
the
Association,
as a
had brought
By B. F. Fu
At the board meeting
sive.
member
315
Waco
at
me
amht
hire. etc.
in April. 1894, a
clerks
salaries,
Xinth
met
Annual
Session.
xTarshall in 1:9-.
a:
The
R.
General
Convention
Burleson was
C.
elec
In
me
total
his statistical
summary
mtrease in membership
in
file
making
That the
total expendi-
at
Tenth Session.
Texas met in
1S95.
its
e-~:m
at
Convention of
Belton in October,
to order,
when
is
and appointed
Committee on Enrollment,
faiths;
and.
"Whereas.
Baptist
churches
in
this
country
have
316
in 'Pendleton's Manual'"
said Articles of
Word
of
supposed to be com-
is
God's
Word
in
harmony with
said
Articles
of
Faith,
therefore,
its
the Conven-
it,
by W. A.
Jarrell
"Whereas,
this
body
is
member
of
to
''Resolved.
this
as that
saved,
is
known
as a
is
doctrine held
by 'Fortunism/
direct action
on this resolution
By
On permanent
317
B. F. Fuller.
tinued, except
committee of
eligibility to
five
fif-
The
report,
"Your committee,
to
whom
318
"Resolved, (2) Strictly in accord with the Constituand in pursuance of the rights therein reserved to
this Convention, we hereby declare that any organization
which, by formal declaration, by support of ministry or
otherwise, promulgates, indorses or encourages any teaching to the effect that perfect and full assurance of salvation comes with regeneration, or birth of the Spirit, or
saving faith, and is thenceforth uniform, unvariable,
never increased or diminished, and that those who do not
have such assurance, with never a doubt, are unsaved, is
not such 'regular Baptist church' as is contemplated by
the Constitution; and a messenger from such organization cannot be seated as a member of this body.
The
fact that a man presenting himself here for membership
as a messenger is known to believe and teach, by speech
or pen, the doctrine hereinbefore mentioned, and commonly known as 'Martinism/ shall be sufficient cause for
his rejection as a member; but the whole matter of the
tion,
church purging
3,
Section
where
it
2, of
by Article
rightly belongs.
"J.
M. Robertson,
"R. H. Pender,
"J. H. Cason,
"J. D. ROBNETT,
"J. B. Riddle."
By
On
319
B. F. Fuller.
the
country,
Convention put
the
on
itself
record as follows:
0. S. Lattimore offered the following resolution
"Kesolved,
to brutalism in the
form
of prize fighting,
and that
it
from two
to five years/'
Agent.
met in the
officers
In
The
the
The
For
all
There was a
the objects of
and only
old
all
sixty-six missionaries
field,
work with
others,
320
about seven-
is
The
salary of the
fixed at $2,000.
The
contained a
list
of
names
Committee on Cre-
of messengers, to
whose rights
to seats in the
also a
of
The majority
presented.
board
still
report
was adopted.
The
The
receipts
to
Sixty-six missionaries
dred and
unanimous
sixty-eight
from Waco
to Dallas.
a final report.
majority report
By
was moved
By
321
B. F. Fuller.
report
to
Historical Society.
Thirteenth
General
Annual
Session.
The
assembled
Convention
the
at
Texas
Baptist
First
Baptist
was called
session.
to order
On
tee of fifteen
by R. C. Buckner, President of
last
on credentials.
On
the
coming in of the
permanent organization.
is
On permanent
W.
as out
on the ground
organization
M. Robertson,
The
dents.
report of the
Board
of Directors
was pre-
all
The
report showed a
For
all
all
departments
collected
one hun-
re-
to the
and
his salary
was fixed
at
$1,800
322
and necessary expenses. The final report of the Credentials Committee was adopted.
Fourteenth Annual Session. The General Conven-
tion
met
in
by R. C. Buckner, President of
to order
last
session.
anywhere.
It
if
accommodated with-
to be
handicapped by
its
greatly curtailed.
own proportions
The largest vote
there were
proceed-
its
It is
that
is
so
its efficiency is
cast at this
Conven-
to vote,
and conservative estimates have placed the actual number of messengers present at about three thousand.
the President.
brought
in,
When
containing
large
list
was
unchallenged
of
had been
filed,
list,
as a basis for
permanent
J.
H.Truett
J.
B.
Gambrell,
new and
large factor
work
still
Corresponding
of the Educational
had come
The
great
By
made
for
schools,
it
to
raise the
which was
323
B. F. Fuller.
Texas Baptists.
$ 8,071 19
10,550 44
2,237 45 1-2
32,823 19 1-2
$53,682 28
Total
There had
supplemented pastors.
The work
of the Education
Com-
H. and
sources
were able to report before the end of the year that the
The
names
from churches of
which they were not members. The committee had declined to enroll them, on the ground that it was not
of a few persons coming as messengers
324
own membership.
This
left
this
latter part
unanimous
members seems
to be
open to
seri-
it
belong."
The
constitution was
amended by adding:
"Article 9.
Whenever any church, or association,
os society, shall, by a majority vote of the Convention,
be declared to be in the attitude of general or continued
work or purposes
when any person is declared to be
of
the Convention, or
in
He
By
325
B. F. Fuller.
When
came up for
entertain some
Convention declined to
In con-
any one.
While
it is
At
report,
Committee on
Statistics, in their
Texas in a
FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.
For
For
For
For
For
For
For
For
For
State Missions
Home
Missions
Foreign Missions
Aged Ministers
Orphans'" Home
Christian Education
$ 24,094
7,582
9,755
1,921
28,561
60,100
10,707
3,000
204,702
07
35 1-2
93 1-2
76
26
99
43
00
51
$350,426 28
326
Many
this
work
service.
many worthy
H. M. Burroughs
as Corresponding Sec-
Through
his labor
No
and
enlists
the
labors
of
the
Baptist brotherhood of
Texas.
and
and a number
beneficiaries,
and
$3,dis-
reports
that
had been
die-
By
bursed, and the
327
B. F. Fuller,
the
sum
of between $35,000
At
this
and
this
turned over to
it.
This
and aged
We
to
the highest
should see to
it
that
who have
laying up a
kingdom
now
in Texas, in tears
and in poverty,
suffer want.
thirty-five beneficiaries.
The
endowment fund had been abandoned,
and the endowment notes were returned to all who de-
original plan of an
sired
it.
CHAPTER XXX.
OTHER SMALLER BODIES CO-OPERATING WITH THE GENERAL WORK OF THE CONVENTION.
Baptist
In
1880, at
Austin, the "Texas Baptist Missionary Union" was organized, and Mrs. F. B. Davis, of
1886.
until
In the
spirit
of general consolidation at
name of
Women's Missionary Workers," and Mrs. Davis
"Baptist
The
its
burdens.
tution, are:
1.
2.
To organize societies.
To win the co-operation
of
women and
children
in the
money
for missions.
3.
4.
cies State
their agen-
denominational enterprises.
The proceedings
seem not
raised.
At
Miss Minnie Slaughter, of Dallas, Corresponding Secretary, reported that the year's
(328)
By
up
perous, footing
The
ized.
a total of
Nineteen new
the societies.
329
B. F. Fuller.
$10,177.39 raised by
all
societies
Mrs.
W.
report,
amounted
the
of
to $13,-
organization.
W.
Williams.
to
Mrs.
Gambrell,
port,
L.
re-
ing of $393.60;
noble Christian
total,
women
$13,605.88.
is
Board
fostered by the
of Direc-
which
all their
Conference.
At
State Convention at
isterial
Bryan
in
until
to
preside until
when
F.
to
have been
form
large
number
of ministers
State- Wide
Conference,
for
: ;
and
ral
it
work.
was decided
to
of the Convention.
made
pur-
the
up
in
President,
C .infer-
B.
first
liberal,
Baptist
Young
vithin the
People's Union.
All
been awakened.
seem
to
an extraordinary interest
In the
this direction.
Movement"
it
first
was known
it
While great
known
was
as the
felt that
"Epworth
League.'*'
Among Bap-
Younz
Pr:;:-"= Union."
At the
Gen-.
Ten-
By
Waco
tion at
ii:t:ei
331
B. F. FulUr.
~ere
Z':\:r. f r^::
?ie=:".-r5.
f_l ::::.: :.:: Ji'itig
people in their organizations, make their contributions
through their respective churches: and that thev thus
support such agencies as the churches in their wisdom
:
LjLTr
iir-riztri.
J'zu-z.
IS
:hrre
attctL-r-izii-T
it
ii.h
iii-titir.
?::: ; 5rr~ri
~:
"fits i=
232
President,
and
his
successors
have
George W.
The Correspond-
been
Lyman
Bryan.
CHAPTER XXXI.
THE EDUCATIONAL ENTERPRISES OF TEXAS BAPTISTS,
FRO}! THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE UNIVERSITIES
ON THE 9TH OF DECEMBER, 1885, TO 1900.
we
from Baylor and
Waco Universities at Temple on the 9 th day of December, 1885, when a consolidation of the two schools was
fully effected under the name of "Baylor University at
Waco," thus re--uniting the educational interests that had
It will be
remembered that in
a former chapter
parted in 1861,
of Baylor
and went
to
Waco.
On
ident,
Baptist
General
Convention.
The
Dr.
first
University.
teachers,
five students
new
site
had been
fur-
(333)
33-i
Wood
Park.
building,
dents,
was
On
designed to accommodate
erected.
The plan
and commodious
five
hundred
of co-education,
stu-
which had
been successfully followed by Dr. Burleson for twentyone years, was approved and adopted by the trustees for
ten years.
The matriculations
had
during
the
year,
preachers in school.
University, and
Something had
it
and
there
students
were
matriculated
forty-seven
young
to be done.
By
They undertook
con-
W.
to raise the
By
335
B. F. Fuller.
2.
3.
The school is
The grade of
The finances
better organized.
scholarship
higher.
is
managed on
are
better
business
principles.
4.
The
school, year
military department was formed in the Univerand placed under the control of Lieutenant Beaumont B. Buck, of the United States Army, on detail
duty.
The matriculations this year arose to seven hunsity
trial.
school was
made by
by persons, of
whom some
It
was encouraged
powerful.
The onslaught
is
of education
an attack of
its
brutality.
It
This
was
inci-
the fact that the full ten years had elapsed since consolidation, completing the time agreed
upon when
the
male department
shall be retained in
Upon recommendation
Baylor University.
Convention
and that
336
hundred and
President of Baylor at
Waco
Immediately preceding
years.
dent of
Waco
and in 1897
this
now
eleven
of Baylor at
He
emeritus.
The
from 1851
to
1897
forty-
had earned a rest. Dr. Burleson was now seventy-four years old, and was entitled to
some relief, and he was, by the Board of Trustees, now
retired from active service, on full pay, as President
certainly
made Chairman
of the Faculty,
five
mer
fifty
literary
summer
In
Bible school.
filled
The
A
is,
elecfinit
is
expected that under his management Baylor will continue to grow in usefulness and greatness.
The grand
By
departments amounted
337
B. F. Fuller.
seven hundred.
company
his
tle is in
command
and
is
now
in active
and has
or-
Valuable im-
stated,
its
location,
location
State.
at
the
Lampasas meeting
and general
fitness.
The
its
known
city gave as a
in
health-
bonus
During
F.
and
The
two hun-
this session
M. Law was
still
continued
hundred
by year.
to the
at a cost of
338
the comforts
and conveniences of
and held
over,
Dr.
trustees,
His thirteen
years' adminis-
to the Col-
lege,
Mississippi,
tered
the
trustees.
upon
He
en-
is
The main
build-
steam heating,
electric
sewerage system;
also,
and laundry
light
plants,
and
feet
of the building,
on every
floor,
from basement
to
dome.
And, in addition
of the College.
institu-
The
trustees
Dr. J. B. Link, whose love for the College and her noble
tution.
In 1895 the
1st
its
existence.
The
trus-
By
school
well,
since
now
339
B. F. Fuller.
At
three years.
of Lexington, Missouri,
The
session of
perfect.
In 1898
estates.
this
is
soon to be en-
tirely liquidated.
F.
the efficient
much
and unceasing
and
pres-
is
due to
care.
About
ninety per cent, of the young ladies in school are professed Christians.
is
benefit of
able to
and industrial
cottages,
est
young
ladies
who
are, for
school.
Some
of the bright-
tages.
The alumnae
of Baylor
The
340
with pride
come
all
be-
by
whom
Belton
is
This Baylor at
Waco
the University at
is
co-educational.
SIMMONS' COLLEGE.
This school
ier
is
The
its
char-
is
shall be co-
is
valued at more
marked
our country.
was
It took about
The
is
in
first
session
Dr. O. C. Pope
is
the President,
is
and under
to oppress
it,
first
year.
his efficient
the future
bright.
HOWARD PAYNE
COLLEGE.
The
charter of this
By
shall be appointed
341
B. F. Fuller.
that males
By
and females
shall be
for students
Two
was assessed
The value
at $40,000, but a
tracted in building.
By 1897
cation
ness.
celled.
The
cor-
Commission assumed the burden of the indebtedAll the debt was paid and the mortgages canThis put the school in a happy condition for
future prosperity.
is
The
An
Tt
June of that
The
342
Convention, and
it
and
J.
Faculty
school.
By
co-educational.
at
Five Bap-
tist
it
the
by
concurrence of the
Associations.
five
It
was not
the second
College,
graduate of
Northwest Texas.
The
made
By
the
co-educational,
special educational
advan-
Forest
eight professors
level,
Wake
A.
and sixty-two
of
De-
By
phere
is
343
B. F. Fuller.
especially invigorating
and healthful.
Besides
There
is
also a
of ministerial students.
in
means
common
welfare.
This led
to the
and promoting
their
formation of a system
of federation, by which most of these schools were correlated into one general body,
General Convention.
this system,
is
at this
time supported
The Board of Trustees is as follows: Rev. J. L. Ward, President; C. J. Crabb, Secretary; C. W. Martin, Treasurer; J. M. Bennett, Z. B.
Bobo, Rev. S. G. Christal, Eev. J. F. Elder, G. H.
Fletcher, C. B. Gunn, Rev. A. W. McGaha, D. D. B. C.
Mitchell. J. E. Xeel and John Spencer.
The school is
row en a permanent basis, and in easy circumstances.
by a strong Faculty.
344
is
State,
assured.
Liberal contributions
tober, 1894, a
pared and
stitute
filed
In Oc-
effected,
and
three-story
nished.
The
first
students.
President.
Rev.
The value
C.
F.
Maxwell was
of the property
elected
was assessed
at
The
There
is
commendable
interest
men
ciations,
tist
BURLESON COLLEGE.
Located
at
Greenville,
Texas.
movement was
By
345
B. F. Fuller.
commen-
By
February,
enterprise
had taken a
definite
shape,
filed
the
1895,
It desig-
named
in
By
cational.
was to be co-edu-
By
erected.
to
whose
Dr. S. J. An-
first session.
active
the
of
and
first
year.
and
many
years pastor of
most
active.
re-
Hunt Coun-
To meet
this expressed
own
incorporation, that
1898, took
it
was
might be
charter
Secretary of
On
the same
it
filed,
346
local
co-oper-
which must be
ciation.
The
On
ratified
by
Hunt County
Asso-
The
tion.
to correlate
The
years.
shall be
College was
now $2,983.45.
This was
all
the
paid, except
Dr.
and
W.
T. Tardy
full support of
the Education Commission, backed by the powerful influence of the General Convention, this college
is
destined
By
347
B. F. Fuller.
to
of the sons
At a conference in 1897
at
representatives
from eight
"Resolved, That
it is
appoint a committee of
five brethren,
who
ly connected with
and
rela-
soon as possible for acceptance or rejection. Then, provided, as many as five of our schools, including the two
Bayolrs, agree to unite in said confederation, the said
committee of thirteen shall be the Education Commission for Texas Baptists for the current conventional year,
with power to proceed to the work of raising funds to
promote the financial interests of the schools so agreeing.
Provided, further, that until such arrangements are made
each school shall be permitted to attend to its own affairs,
as at the present."
When
this resolution
tion $7,000
lege.
The
relief of
Decatur Col-
was
348
appointed, and proceeded to arrange a plan for the correlation of the Baptist schools of Texas.
The plan
tions.
finally
The terms of
1.
Each
all of its
were as follows
affiliation
2.
full college
Master degrees.
all
The other
3.
by the sophomore
The diplomas
4.
need
by the University
affiliated
work pro-
for.
The
5.
and not
identical.
is
classed
Commission,
this
if
some
That no
By
349
B. F. Fuller.
certificate, or
such branches as
local
J.
sum
collected
debt.
up
to give
relation.
The condition
position
work
itself.
made
These conditions
350
J.
year.
The
Of
sum
is
con-
The money
pense account
is
The
their patronage.
ex-
also
its in-
Baylor
lies
before
CHAPTER XXXII.
THE TEXAS BAPTIST SUNDAY-SCHOOL AND COLPOETAGE
CONVENTION, FROil THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE
TWO SUNDAY-SCHOOL CONVENTIONS AT
ENNIS, JULY 23, 1885, TO THE
PRESENT
It will be
TIME,
1900.
to the consolidation
and
Association.
In the
met
at
com-
"The
M.
first
President; J.
and M. V.
Smith',
made Superintendent
Treasurer.
W.
of the work,
constitution
R. Maxwell was
it
now
and
to devise
and
foster
352
of the
Board
"Article
of Directors.
6. It
shall be the
and
of
By
B. F. Fuller.
353
354
written
bers of
bled at
for the
notice to each
the
member
of the board.
Five
officers
memassem-
upon them.
"Article 11.
The Convention
meet annually
body may
This Constitution may be amended
shall
any annual
at
elect.
at
voting, provided
not taken later than the second day of
the session of the Convention."
of the enrolled
that said vote
is
ganization.
W.
C.
Luther and E.
C.
C. Everett.
W.
C.
Wingo, L. E. Peters,
In 1896, at the Con-
Luthur was
re-elected,
He
The Sun-
the
successive
Superintendents have
expanded the
By
355
B. F. Fuller.
means and more laborers to the enterprise. At the meeting at Bryan in 1895, $10,018.72 had been expended
in the year's work.
The Corresponding
his report,
Secretary,
W.
C. Luther, in
From
women had
and needy
hundred and
tc
To
thirty
year,
The
Bible schools.
whose duty
is
Six Bible
women had
and
'been
employed,
distribute religious
literature,
meetings.
tures
children's
enrolled.
C. L. Seashoals
:f
.-.-
:::
:_ T I
::
::
:s
r- :Liz. =^---- n
:
There had been sixty-three mi.^MMfiM
IZ.L
7.'.'
The number of
ilies
:r-
LZ1
".."."ll.":
7 "in
"--".
z.
--~
r7
"
:.""
t-.
Tz.i?-=
Ll:
Ml
"".
^--^
--
i
-_
-.-r
:-r
"
.
~~-
":.:::^:
Tire-f
"
'---.
:7rr=
:..
^- --
"
r-i
..
gift,
-._:.".
>=
::7f: 7:
zzr.
rlrrr-f^-rz
".
~~"
--:::
:':.:.::
""
~.'T7~-r~.Z~".
-."~
::
C:.
_ -~ "-'-
eC.i:
the collections.
rZlT. "t
-i
i=l~:~:-l ::V.e.ll
:7r
was
called to order
-.:'-
;-.
"
-'--
The
-
:
.
."-i-
cent of the
"
^
-
Corresponding Seeretarr.
:.::.-
::
-1
-*7
7~i:. '<-
"::
~~ :.::::::
~
-:::_
::.
collections.
r -'.---'
;"
nio,
"
"
:-T-:7i:-r
7".
:i
7u
:i
;:r.
"
"
others in their
Imndred and
fire.
making a
work as
total of
By
ninety-three.
357
B. F. Fuller.
Ten
Bible
fifty
women
among
great usefulness.
It
it
women know,
and, above
all,
life,"
"Whereas, all our denominational work is one, whethbe missionary or educational, or whether it be represented by the Texas Baptist Sunday-school Convention,
by the Texas Baptist General Convention, or either one
of our denominational schools, our denominational work
is all one
one in spirit, and one in their aim to carry
out the will of Christ through the churches and the agencies which they authorize and employ; and,
"Whereas, the present State Board and the present
Superintendent of State Missions under that board, have
shown the utmost regard for our work, and have by words
and deeds stood faithfully by our organized work, and
have treated our board and our Corresponding Secretary
with the utmost cordiality, therefore,
"Resolved, first, That we extend most hearty and
fraternal greetings to the Baptist General Convention
when in session at Waco, October next. That we assure
the Baptist General Convention of Texas' that we heartily
er
it
358
indorse
Fifteenth Session.
The
by President
J. A.
French.
and was
called
On permanent
or-
W.
The amount
Sev-
The number
Testaments by gift or
and
thirty-seven.
sale
work
at
and twenty-eight.
women
en-
hundred and
fort}^-six
fully received
ers'
The
and abundantly
blessed.
women was
grate-
conducted by them.
They had
distress.
Before
clos-
By
"Whereas,
all
359
B. F. Fuller.
is
essentially
of this Sunday-school
actions
and
policies, therefore,
The Board
em-
Mc-
Houston; A. J. HarH. Thorn, of Eusk; W. W. Harris, of Galveston; A. W. McGaha, of Fort Worth, and
G. W. Truett, of Dallas. E. C. Everett was again elected
Intire, G. Z. Gaston, J. C. Hill, of
ris,
of
San Antonio;
J.
The Conven-
CHAPTEE
XXXIII.
IN 1886.
The
now nearing
its close, a
enterprise wherein
its
Bap-
tist
It is pain-
papers
In this State
The
field
open
to
We
in this direc-
their influence
and
pat-
ronage.
is
and published by
S.
The Texas
Baptist,
It will
owned
J. B.
(360.)
By
361
B. F. Fuller.
S. A.
J. B.
home
this has
continued to be
Hayden
In 1888, how-
ever,
den.
Hayand
ability,
The Baptist
denomination,
persistently
opposing heresies
in
that
is
is
as fol-
W.
Honey Grove,
J.
moved
to Dallas,
362
ern Baptist."
"The Texas
to
to
it
Waco.
with
office,
In January.
was destroyed by
It
fire.
J. B.
presses, printing
office,
with
fitted
bought a one-half
interest,
to Dallas,
Standard."
joint stock
to "The Baptist
company was organized and
Manager
and E. D. SlaughThe Standard has an extensive circulation within the State, and is rapidly extending to other
States.
The Standard is sound and conservative in docter,
C. C. Slaughter, Treasurer,
Secretary.
trine
and true
to the
Baptist faith.
lo-
common
cause.
is
It is not
newspaper
The Helper
is
work
the
official
monthly
at
promo-
in Texas.
San Antonio by E.
It is pub-
C. Everett, the
By
363
B, F. Fuller.
devoted
work, and
specially
is
good things,
to
Among
other
M.
J. Nelson, of
efficient laborer in
San
Sun-
day-school work.
now has
associated
The Baptist Echo is published in East Texas at Jackby Bev. J. M. Newton, and is a zealous supporter
sonville
Convention.
We
Visitor
CHAPTEE XXXIV.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF A FEW OF THE STRONGEST BAPTIST
rirst
.
which
CHURCHES IX
TEX..
now
There are
sixty-three years.
at
churches,
ninety-three.
The
make! Short
first
extend
We
of the early
work
It
like this to
his-
at this
Commencing
its
<
::
~:ence
at
once alligned
itself
with
By
365
B. F. Fuller.
fellowship of
Union
was the
first
commission of the
Association.
Home
withdrew
still
sup-
and devoted
The church prospered,
build a house.
The pastor
to
and
solicit aid.
to travel
In August, 1846.
sufficient to justify
The
work of building.
church and the citizens added to this fund, and a Building Committee was at once appointed and put in charge
the church in beginning the
The committee was composed of J. S. SydH. Borden, W. X. Sparks, Gilbert Winne, G-eorge
of the work.
nor, T.
The
James Huckins,
the
Noah
first
few months.
of 1848.
About
this
sumed
in January,
J. B. Stibler
when he
re-
The
first pastor,
366
been
and second
first
him by
tendered
making
pastorates.
fifteen years
call
Wentworth-street
the
had
Baptist
Although the
that
it
accept.
"His
will manifestly
is
slay
me though
;
December
it
crush
all
my
dearest hopes.''
Who
among
others
though
12,
"The
and that
field.
may
your place
comfort the
of the destitute
indeed
fill
afflicted
widow ?
Who
From many
orphan?
is
and dying?
a desolate hearth
from
Great Father of
all,
work
the prayers of
may
go,
in
your hands/ 7
Elder J. H. Stribling commenced his pastorate in
June, 1860.
He had
off the
when
the gun-
harbor to blockade
numbers
members
So many of the
By
ices
367
B. F. Fuller.
They went
lasted.
fields.
After
re-
diligently to
war
work
Among
to revive
an
the new-comers
in-
who
were
many
is
assessed at $30,000,
Hisic
TexQi
sts.
work July
1.
The
is five
Young
The
present
mem-
There
Union
People's
is
W.
8. Griffin.
cient clerk. G. D.
capacity for
many
years.
ins,
ern
to
W.
II
Jan.
seems
effi-
W.
G. D. Douglas.
years, after
which there
Home
Trvon was a man of great power, and he enupon his work. Largely through his
a good church building was erected, and in
Heated.
active
and
all,
seemed destined
to
do a great work
in
and died on
the
By
369
B. F. Fuller.
Then many
The
and
and
all
these questions,
of the
church.
Up
to this
time the
church had been aided by the board of the Southern BapConvention, but
tist
now
felt strong
themselves self-supporting.
Rev.
Thomas
Chilton,
enough
to declare
of Greensboro,
Alabama.
Mr.
became a minister, had been an eminent lawyer and politician in Kentucky. Like his cousin,
Judge Baylor, he had also been a member of Congress
Chilton, before he
from that
He was an
and continued
During the first
year the membership increased rapidly.
The old question, however, of choir and pew-renting, was again reState.
able minister,
and
370
pastor,
There was
division, even,
to
do anything.
followed.
and resigned.
In 1865
life.
it
is
scarcely
stated that a
pulpit.
as the
entirely abandoned.
to be as distressing
first
and "I
love,"
will
"Thou
thou repent."
made
to have
the
in the services.
first
They
to repair the
tist
in
was
come
to the State
J. T. Zealy,
called, but
1869.
active
and
home was
established
women
letter.
built,
and chapels
of Christian
became
faithful.
erected.
The
zeal
stations were
and
efficiency
dis-
After Dr.
there was
Zealy
resignation in November,
J.
M.
1875.
C. Breaker
By
came, at the
371
B. F. Fuller.
call of the
He
con-
in the Fifth
a church
In the spring
new
and
house,
and
it
W.
0. Bailey followed
him.
On
brated
the
its
first
Sunday in
semi-centennial.
Dr. Burleson,
who was
the
in the organization
Hadley
She kept
devoted friend.
name
history.
of Mrs. Piety L.
372
letter.
the
$603 incidental expenses. In 1897 there were one hundred and three baptisms, and forty received by letter, and
the total
membership was
five
hundred and
forty-foui.
and the
membership was
total
five
re-
hun-
membership
down
W.
at $37,000.
S.
Xapier
is
put
is
clerk.
The
of five
State,
of the
and
it
now
We
this
church with
to
During
the
new building
services in
in
built,
1857.
When O'Bryan
closed his
to
two
fire.
lost in re-
By
pining.
and under
roll,
373
B. F. Fuller.
from the
pastor. B.
loss.
H. Car-
any
necessarily be slow.
and
it
was
debt.
fully completed in
May
Convention in
of that year.
After
"Bryan's resig-
R. C.
prior to 15 TO.
Waco church on
January. 1899,
to
sion.
upheld.
Xo
it
in contri-
The pastors
many
and for
great
giving.
Waco
of contributions
and
collections.
Xo
collection
is
ever
374
There
is
There
is
to
the
sal-
ary,
may
determine to promote.
at a mission chapel,
city.
revivals- in
Waco
church.
M. V. Smith,
who
its close
There have
At
was estimated
There was another great
versions
at three
number
of con-
hundred additions
to the
By
375
B. F. Fuller.
hundred and
At
the end of
the next decade there were only two hundred and one
In 1880 there were three hundred. and ninetyIn 1890 the number was five hundred
members.
eight reported.
is
it is
its
organization, the
and by
letter twelve
mem-
thirty,
total of
W. H. Jenkins
whom we
many
Brother
The deacons
phries, F. L. Carroll,
and
J.
John T.
C. Lattimore, all of
capacity a great
many
years.
Battle,
whom
W. H.
Hum-
Standifer
P. B.
The Board
From
it
was an
The membership
in
History of
376
itists.
member
constituent
six
sixty-eight
to
Ba
I ?xa&
Odd
time in the
room was
Afterwards
Fellows* Hall
used.
At
serv:
then
this time
there,
good Courthouse.
in Tyler,
and
it
was a center of
and Baptist
it
built a
locating
political influence,
influence.
church
tion the
For
this
B55,
inch
all
by a
fire in
Cherokee Association.
in 1859, but
it
It
when
this
which
house was
The new
belonged
to
built,
and continued in
D. B. Man-ell,
still
lot,
.1.
this ca-
in 1868,
Elder John
and continued
By
1872.
Elder
J.
377
B. F. Fuller.
in 1873,
and
to
have services every Sabbath, and regular prayer-meeting during the week.
suc-
ices
It
The propo-
best.
The building
day of September.
cost $25,000,
and
is
one of the most beautiful and convenient houses of worship in the State.
home
in 1888,
com-
prosperous.
at a cost of $3,000.
of
day-school
fifty.
The
prayer-
A mission,
known
as
of a
the re-
sult.
During
At
first
manv
weeks,
Ber.
mm
and up
tion;
r.
::d
great energy
supported
and devo-
.er
During the
church
associa-
exhibit
is
salary
me, $131
$100; ;.___-
hundred and
forty,
as
now
Orphans3
ational missions,
-
reported.
Although the
as la:_
great usefulness.
church
clerk.
to the country.
W.
He made
L.
fall
By
of
ever,
379
B. F. Fuller.
and
TV.
L.
on the 30th day of July, 1868. There were eleven constituent members, and the organization was designated
'The
First Baptist
became the
The church
Church
first pastor,
sent messengers
fellowship of
Elm Fork
August of that
W. W. Harris
of Dallas."
few months.
year.
first
baptism in con-
rela-
1871, and was baptized the next day in the Trinity river
by
For
S. S. Cross.
In
was employed
raise
him was
Weaver was
W.
and
successful,
torate of G.
Abram Weaver
Eev.
Rogers, Deacon
W.
E.
Penn conducted
hundred and
of all indebtedness.
fifty additions
380
In Sep-
married again.
j
and
J.
1878.
parsonage.
the
title
city missionary
of assistant pastor.
dissatisfied
still
In view of
church determined
to
threatened trouble
the
The membership
arose.
at this
re-
memorial was
to fellowship.
by fifty-nine,. de-
in
January, 1880.
These excluded
By
381
B. F. Fuller.
were granted
in East Dallas.
to
In January, 1887,
letters
to
The
pastor's salary
The church
members
thirty-four
point.
to
During
church at that
Pastor
Second
Hanks tendered
his
by
organize
letter.
At
1880 the minority, who had been expelled, was recognized as the First Baptist church of Dallas.
jority,
Convention.
tor,
The ma-
and began
had determined
to build a
1889, while
were excused
to a great
so pressing that
they
.:
382
work.
church
as follows
W.
"Signed:
L.
Williams, Chairman.".
of cash that
until
first
June
1,
1.
1891, $9,409.35.
1891. was
Amount
Bills con-
same
to maturity.
$4,284.52.
church
became pastor
rolls,
in
August.
membership was
six
it
hundred and
be remembered that as
many
as
On
revision of the
It
must
now
perous.
pastor,
is
W. Truett
CHAPTER XXXV.
'
HERESIES.
Texas Baptists have, for the most part, been eminently conservative in doctrine, and have promptly repudiated
specially
all
from the
departures
faith.
They have
is
They
Rome and
word
and recent
They have
we have them.
and interprets
all that
it
by
for faith.
scientific investigations,
and
verified, leaving
rejects
no place
now
They maintain
code of ratiocination.
and complete.
it
is
the in-
first
T.
departure that
Campbellism seems
afflicted
man
to
have been
our churches.
of
marked
ability,
and
(383)
384
La
G-rangj churches in
its first
Moderator.
He
developed strong
Many
were led
off
by him, and
among them
the sweet-spirited
J. L. Davis.
At
we
During the
in our State.
ceive
member of
members after
when
This
finally
In a
well as a
led to a long
that church,
the
manner
to the
was proceeding
of the
it
to re-
Campbellites,
was determined
Cox
The
Cox's influence in
At
from
his
own church
By
385
B. F. Fuller.
Tryon was
also pastor.
joined,
present.
definite issue
was
Baptist faith, and this church was also saved by a majority of one.
Davis
left the
suffered greatly
this incident.
J. L.
years
Campbellism.
THE HAEDSHELLS.
Our
form
of mission work.
which made
it
183-i,
Xacogdoches.
He
miles
north
church, the
of
first
and
influential minister,
the
earlier
spirit,
churches.
and
Elder Isaac
settled a
organized
He was an
While professing
all
active
missionary
Eeed
Union
he resolutely opposed
olent organizations.
few
all
benev-
first
in East
His opposition
to all these
enterprises
386
Reed and
his
turbing element.
Rev. Abner Smith came to Texas from Alabama in
opposed
ently
all
mission
all settled
to affiliate
The
and
little trouble,
between the
line
became
so
marked and
Daniel
Rev.
enterprises.
in his
on
persist-
still
distinct
few of
State,
lifeless
less.
his-
At
On Saturday
Morrell, Creath
When
this subject.
Association.
By
About
this
bounds of
387
B. F. Fuller.
He
name
of Free-will
tists.
first.
less
Bap-
and
and
latter
gave
first
gave
were
were
munion
table.
An
any other
While the
denominational char-
all-effort,
Bible allowed.
They
invited all
qualification, to the
com-
was
lost entirely.
The pioneers
of our faith in
and
way
In our
later
history,
last
had
to be met.
therefore,
MARTIN-ISM.
Rev. M. T. Martin, a
member
538
Christian
:_-.;:::
life,
iTiiriiizis::-
izizng in=
zr-^hr^r.
:v
"?;:
::ir;.
ance.
him from
claiming
ence failed to
forced an issue
re-
which the church could not grant without heing committed to his heresy.
lis
By
389
B. F. Fuller.
"
six specifications,
1.
new
(New Hamp-
a birth of
contradistinguishing
regeneration,
birth, but
of the
Holy
2.
and in making
articles, in that
and
denies
the
effect,
not
sion
it
faith
its
He
opposes these
confounds
it
with regeneration
it
logically
heaven.
3.
On
He makes
a full
com-
History of Texas Baptists.
390
is
He makes
ercise.
it,
By
the former.
and
self,
istry
this
to the ordinances,
unknown
(See Article 9
and
it-
min-
to
Xew Hampshire
of
and
Declaration,
Making Assurance
By making
a Prerequisite to Baptism.
without
is
5.
On Repentance. His definition: "Repentance is
knowing God and turning from dead works." As might
be expected from such a definition, he minifies and de-
He
We
submit
that, aside
will, it
tell
him
itself/'
in this
it
effect not
dependent
"We
and
vomits
emetic,
illustration,
upon the
him an
preach
"When
to
preach
is
a sacred duty
and grace
we turn
to
contrition,
On
Prayer.
re-
By
391
B. F. Fuller.
mum,
exceptionally
little stress
on
its
may
and
be for-
given.
Specification 2
pressed to a vote.
was not
specifications
in these words
"The
trial
was
good, and
M. T. Martin's
were. then recalled.
Martin went
to
Soon
He
Waco
a council,
W.
Cappis, S.
W. Smith, A.
J.
Wharton,
to his
This
J. F.
McLeod
"That
Association.
as follows:
a committee of
392
to restore Brother
When
church
it
this
was referred
C. Burleson, S. B.
to a committee,
composed of R.
Humphries, A. H. Sneed,
W. H. Jenkins and B. H.
Carroll.
J. T. Battle,
Brother Carroll, of
By
393
B. F. Fuller.
These answers were declared to be unsatisfactory for several reasons, among which was
"There has been no scrap of evidence whatever sent
writing.
M.
T. Martin's doctrine,
Waco
church,
resolution investing
to
When Waco
1 B
J,
the letter
Association
from the
met
at
Lorena in September,
Waco
of the
The
charge.*'"
to the charges,
394
dilatory
made
proceedings
the
own
Association,
by
vestigation.
CHARGE.
"In her several proceedings relative to M. T. Martin,
church in the same Association, the Baptist church at Marlin has repeatedly, wilfully, and in spite of timely admonition and labors of sister
churches, violated the principles of associational compact embodied in our constitution, thereby disrupting
the peace and harmony of the Association.
a minister deposed by a sister
SPECIFICATIONS.
"1.
We
1,
by
may
institute
By
Section
3,
B. F. Fuller.
395
difficulty in or be-
'
ties,
the presence of
its
enemies.
"We
of 'instituting inquiry
396
M. Touchstone,
"To
Waco
rena, Texas
Dear Brethren:
Waco
Upon
J. R.
M. Touch-
At the next
from
Mnrlin church was presented by Pastor Touchstone, asking restoration to the fellowship of the Association, in
By
which,
among
397
B. F. Fuller.
other things,
stated:
is
it
"We
willingly
of our
to fel-
lowship.
and he emphasized
this
with
all the
fervor of his
is
man
not
sound.''"
a right to
doubt
it.
too."
And
man
is
saved he knows
was that
if
it,
and the
clusive that he
it,
The
of the oldest
faith
upset,
and
as-
Waco
it
necessary
39S
'"Besolved, That the Waco Association declare nonfellowship for the doctrines and followers of M. T. Martin,
to
in Belton
"The
that a
fact
membership
man
as a messenger is
known
to believe
and teach
commonly known
In
of
member."
Waco
Elder
Association, says:
J. B.
drawn
all
extreme
is
Martin.
"It
J.
J. F.
McLeod perhaps
to his
reward,
view-.'"
It is to be
is
forever dead.
FORTUXISM.
In the autumn of 1891 the First Baptist church of
Paris. Texas,
in Paris a
was without
man
a pastor,
church
called
to preach.
After preaching
by the church
to be their pastor.
He
He
was unknown"
was
man
of fine
By
399
B. F. Fuller.
and seemed
and withal
fine
be scholarly in
to
pulpit
orator.
It
seems, from what was afterwards learned, that his previous life
had been
He had
checkered one.
Methodist preacher in
Illinois, a
been a
it
The trend
of his teaching
harmony with
criticism,,
the accepted
In 1S94 he published
ment
of Jesus Christ,
and
for,
instead of sinners, becoming the sinners'* substitute; rejecting also the doctrine of the imputed righteousness of
we
markable
life.
sermons
will
illustrate
Br.
Fortune's
re-
wild
Referring to
substitution, he says
"Looking
ing
it
upon
and analyz-
its
merits,
its
meaning obviously
leads to two
only
to the
The fundamental
his sins.
The
first
objection to this
if
sin,
that Jesus
is
who knew no
of
that"
God made
sin.
That
is to
a sinner, in
order that
He
might be
400
not change
its
nature."
we find it
it must be
doctrine because
"We
if it
tues.
cannot accept
charges
This
on logical principles
verified
of ratiocination,
to say:
however sanctioned,
a proposition,
is
Calvin.
To regard Jesus
true,
He
as a sinner
is
with untruth.
made Jesus
If false,
it
charges
So that when
it
is
if
God
be the
God
said
If
God
God
a sinner, I understand
not be true,
folly
and
and falsehood.
a sinner,
the proposition,
scriptural
It charges
this
is
it is
of truth.
It
and says:
way
in
is
it,"
literal
and
a progressive science."
for grati-
form and
Baptist ministers
all
it
met with a
By
401
B. F. Fuller.
Both of our
condemned it, and there appeared
in the papers many able reviews and criticisms. Dr. W.
A. Jarrell sounded the note. of danger in a communication in the Texas Baptist of September 5, 1895, in which
general, if not a universal, condemnation.
he said:
if
much
church,
less a
membership in a
church."
tist
Bonham
church, in the
may
it
race of
man
and experience that He might resand that this is effected by His life,
by His death, which He regards as acci-
in nature
lost,
sermons
"I regard
it
as a candid,
dom.
forward does
this time
eyes
it
looses
from Baptist
402
When
W. A.
among
who holds
that Christ
is
mem-
by Fortunisni."
"We
cross
tist
to be 'regular
Bap-
through
us,
faith,
come
God imputing
to
us by grace
Christ's righteousness to
Any
organization
in
is
not entitled
Xotwithstanding
carry with
him
all
this,
a controlling
number
of the church.
to
But
pastor.
ity,
In every
a great
many
test vote
as
all.
reso-
ma-
by a decided majority
then proceeded to
call
vote.
The
protesting minority
an ex-parte council.
many
Letters mis-
churches
all
over
By
403
B. F. Fuller.
elect, to
many
men
of the ablest
enrolled,
When
the
including
let
so kindly
which
may
for us,
else.
We hesitated some time about this, but we
remembered that the greatest crime known to military
law was for a soldier to desert the flag in the face of the
enemy, and we felt that, leaving the church when it was
where
so assailed
God.
We
by
this
We
must stand by
There are
we remembered
404
We
be
the
Lord
% even
hundred and
fifty
men/
We
He
is
vindicated, or
who
condemned/'
were
to be investigated.
as fol-
"1.
That he has no just conception of the unapproachable truths of Christianity and its incomparable
superiority over all other forms of worship, and has openly taught 'That the substitution of one system of worship for another is of no moment whatever, and is not
worth the utterance of a sigh, or the falling of a single
tear/
"2.
He denies the Bible account of the introduction
of sin and transgression into the Garden of Eden, and
fall of Satan, etc., and teaches that Satan did not tempt
Christ.
It
is
By
that no
stand.
"5.
man
is
405
B. F. Fuller.
That he
is
unbaptistic in
all his
sympathies and
literature."
The
third
ed as follows
modern notion
Xot
is
how
justice
406
of
it.
is
:hat
nowhere in the
New
It
ic
sufficient to
Testament
is
the doctrine
of the imputation of Christ's righteousness taught Xowhere do the writers of the New Testament .-11 us that
"
Chris:
rightc rasness is imputed ro us."
:
ecial
eral findings of
1.
to repor:
unanimously
folio
adopted
council, called together by the minority of
the First Baptist church of P :
Texas, February 11,
:
to the doctrine and pr
Mir. George If. F
liter careful
:
:ion
do
unh
_"_-.-
"1.
:orge
declare
He
He
M.
:ral
or personality of the
devil.
"2.
devil
seduced our fi
the tempter of
He
the Bible.
is
He
er.
death
sinner.
"8.
He
He
He
tion.
"9.
By
407
B. F. Fuller.
of evo-
lution,
"1.
to
God.
"2.
"3.
cipline and
members of
Xotwithstanding
all this,
Fortune continued
when he
to
preach
resigned,
still
He
summer
of 1897,
when he abandoned
a law
office
now
affiliate
perous organization.
The
them many
There
are,
however,
who
among
up
the Bible,
As
seem
to be
making no
effort to
keep up an organize:
all
v&
the State.
if fee
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE LEGAL ASPECT OF THE OWNERSHIP OF CHURCH
PROPERTY IX TEXAS.
The
an increased desire
to
There
is
evidently
is
In view of the
held.
vast
church
consecrated by so
edifices,
and endeared by
The absorbing
tist
so
many
many
sacred memories
memorials, this
is
but natural.
humble houses
main-
Can
is,
by any possible
be diverted to
and subversive of
than
at will
Whether a
to constitute
something
else other
with them to
its
support
Do
(409)
410
An
examina-
was charged
church as held at
ciples of such a
its
organization,
and
An unbroken
line
To show
we
this,
instead of quoting
was decided.
from
This
is
the Mt.
when
Tabor Baptist
tice
of the
and we give
it
as reported.
it
majority
were strongly
Calvinistic,
were Arminian.
the
The
by
is
it
This
838, and
is
as follows:
"Albert Smith et
(Indiana.)
al.,
By
B. F. Fuller.
411"
"1.
The majority of the church which has abandoned
the religious faith, on which the church was founded,
cannot hold the church property against the minority,
which adheres
"2.
The excommunication by
a majority faction of
an
412
The
entire
argument therein
is
ositions:
members of
and not being
not being
pulsion,
The leading
:
i
and
those electing
them
that the majority of a church, divided into two conflicting bodies, may hold the church property, though such
majority have abandoned the religious faith on which
it is founded, is Watson vs. Jones (80 IT. S.), 13 Wall.,
679 20 L. Ed., 6G6. That was a case where the Third, or
Walnut-street, Presbyterian church of Louisville, Ivy.,
became divided into two conflicting bodies, each claiming to be the church, and each claiming the right to the
;
The
case has
By
413
B. F. Fuller.
rebellion.
members must
ty.
whom
who
414
The
quiry into which is denied in the opinion, have no reference to the original faith, but have reference rather to
the conflicting views of the two opposing bodies as to the
Christian duty to adhere to the lawful government of
There was no
the country in time of war of rebellion.
pretence that the original faith on which the church was
founded, in that case, made any declaration on that subject.
There are many differences of opinion as to religious duty
of the
same
Louisville,
court had in
That
and
mind
it
was that
in
class
of differences
the
to all cases
of.
it
is
It reads thus:
"In such
By
B. F. Fuller.
415
Therefore, that case not only does not lend any sancis against it.
The next case cited by appellees' counsel in support
of the proposition in question is Keyser vs. Stonsifer, 6
Ohio St., 363. That also was a suit for the possession of
a church house property by Keyser and others, a small
faction of a Baptist church, who had separated themselves from the church about a matter that had nothing
whatever to do with the original faith upon which the
church was founded.
And it was held in accordance
with the rule laid down in the last mentioned case, that
in such a division of a church the property, as in ordinary voluntary associations, is held at the will of the
majority. The division in the Ohio case was caused by
the church's excluding Keyser on charges preferred
against him in the course of discipline for misconduct.
He afterwards got another member named Cox and some
married women to join him to sue for the church edifice.
tion to appellees' contention, but
416
By
B, F. Fuller,
417
case seven
trustees,
and made periodical uses of it 5 without the conand in defiance of the prohibition of the church.
To settle the controversy the members of the original
session
sent
ship for the purposes of devotion, a part of the time proportioned to the number of each party. It was under this
provision that the defendants justified their attempted
use of the house. There was no question of a difference
of religious belief involved in the case between the two
parties.
The Court of Appeals held that the statute did
not apply. The only other point decided was as to the
legality of the election of trustees by the plaintiffs, constituting themselves into a new society.
That point we
shall notice further on.
The next case cited in support of the proposition in
question is Petty vs. Tooker, 21 N". Y., 267. That case
does squarely hold that a religious society, incorporated
418
the members,
|
But
By
419
B. F. Fuller.
cite and quote from First Bapchurch, Witherell, 3 Paige, 296; 24 Am. Dec, 223,
without definitely stating what point it is designed by
it to support, the following passage
"All questions relating to the faith and practice of the
tist
420
upon
By
421
B. F. Fuller.
charge.
contrary.
of
is
422
may
serve in purely ecclesiastical relations, we unhesitatingly say the civil law will not adhere to it, when the result is to divert trust property from its proper channel.'*'
This position of appellees at once assumes the truth of
the very proposition that is in dispute, namely, the claim
Tabor
that the majority faction is the real and true
Mt
belief.
lief
that
it
By
423
B. F. Fuller.
name
The three
of the "Liberty Prairie Church.''
many things acted jointly in their business
churches in
Each one
affairs.
of the congregations
became divided
election.
succeed to the rights of the pre-existing voluntary organization known as the 'Eastern Church;' in other words,
tion
if
the anti-
Missourians were not members of the Eastern congregation, they could not give the notice required by 1990 Revised Statutes, nor execute the certificate required by the
following section, which must be executed by members
of the society. The. question is Were the members of the
anti-Missourian minority still members of the Eastern
church? It is undeniably true that they were members
of the church up to the time of the trouble in 1885 or
:
188G.
Now,
Have
if
424
expulsion.
church, has, in fact, affected the rights of the anti-Missourians in the least.*'
The same legal principle under like circumstances is
distinctly recognized in Xance,vs. Busby, 91 Tenn., 317,
15 L. E. A., 801. This is sufficient to dispose of all the
cases counsel cite in support of the proposition that civil
courts are not authorized to determine whether the church
judicatories decided right or wrong, and hence cannot, in
this case, determine whether the minority was wrongfully
or rightfully expelled from the church. They quote from
Shannon vs. Frost, supra, among others the following
passage
"We must take the fact of expulsion as conclusive
proof that the persons expelled are not now members of
the repudiating church, for whether right or wrong the
excommunication must, as to the fact of memberlaw to the court. For every judicial purpose in
this case, therefore, we must consider the persons who
were expelled by a vote of the church as no longer members of that church, or entitled to any rights or privileges
incidental to or resulting from membership therein."
Thev cite as sustaining this proposition: Chase vs.
Chenny, 58 111., 509
11 Am. Eep., 95 White Lick
Quarterly Meeting of Friends, 89 Ind., 13G Lamb vs.
Cain, 129 Ind., 486; 14 L. R. A., 518, and Bouldin vs.
Alexander (82 U. S.), 15 Wall., 139; 21 L. Ed., 71. There
is no question but that the proposition settled is thoroughly settled.
But it is equally true that in the case from
which the proposition is quoted there was no question
made, and none arose or existed in the case, as to the
authority of those that performed the act or adopted the
resolutions or order of expulsion. It was not denied that
it was done by the church.
There was no division of the
act of
ship, be
By
425
B. F. Fuller.
they had been wrongfully expelled, but did not deny that
the church had expelled them. But here it is denied that
the expulsion was by the church. We agree that no judicial inquiry can be made as to whether the act of the
church in expelling members is right or wrong, fair or unfair, so long as such act is in harmony with the law of the
church.
Nor can any such inquiry be allowed as to
whether the laws, usages, practice or faith of the church
are right or wrong.
That belongs to the exclusive province of the church, to fix order and establish it and when
the church acts within its sphere or province, such act
or acts are universally held binding and conclusive, not
only upon the members of the church, but also upon the
secular or civil courts, even where the rights of property
are involved, and are dependent upon the action, rules
or orders of the church.
But it must be the act of the
church, and not the act of persons who are not the
church.
In this case it was not denied that the church
had become divided into two conflicting bodies; the
minority charging that the majority had departed from
the standard of faith set up at the foundation of the
church, and that both factions were claiming to be the
church, and both acting accordingly when the expulsion
took place. The evidence shows that each faction, claiming to be the church, expelled the other. How absurd it
is then to say, as counsel do in this case, that there can
be no inquiry beyond the fact of expulsion to determine'
whether appellants are still members of the church.
Appellees' proposition is that appellants are not members, because they have been expelled by the church.
It
is not sufficient, to make good this claim, to prove the
mere act of expulsion, because that proves only one part
of the claim. The other part is that the act of expulsion
;
426
By
427
B. F. Fuller.
investigation.
Baptist church?
there said:
And
A.,.
property thus dedicated is being diverted from the use intended by the donor by teaching a doctrine different from
that contemplated at the time the donation was made,
difficult and delicate it may be, it is the duty of
the court to inquire whether the party accused of violating the trust is teaching a doctrine so far at variance with
that intended as to defeat the object of the trust, and if
however
the charge
in other States,
is
as follows
428
jority of the
tenets
to the property,
even
if
"Upon
By
B. F. Fuller.
429
Accordingly it was said 'by Judge Sharswood, speaking for the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, in Schnorr's
Appeal, 67 Pa., 138, 5 Am. Rep., 415, cited in the original opinion, that "in church organizations those who
adhere and submit to the regular order of the church,
*
*
*
though a minority, are the true congregation
if incorporated."
corporation,
and
Chief Justice Shaw, speaking for the Supreme Court
of Massachusetts, in a similar case (Stebbins vs. Jennings, 10 Pick., 181), said:
"That an adhering minority of a local or territorial
parish, and not a seceding majority, constitutes the
church of such a parish to all civil purposes, was fully
settled in Baker vs. Fales, 16 Mass., 503, and Deacons
of First Church of Sandwich vs. Tilden, Id., note there
cited."
430
It follows as conclusively as
that appellants
directly
omitted here.]
This decision of the Supreme Court of Indiana covered the whole ground of ownership of church property
where there
clearly,
is
"Xo
of a church by
its
principle
is
In the
better set-
it.
By
No
case
431
B. F. Fuller.
of Texas, but it
The
first
from a division in the Christian church at McGreggor. As this church is independent in church govsulted
came
among
Baptists.
divided, into
be-
and took exclusive possession of the house of worship, and refused to allow the use
of the house by the Progressives for any purpose.
Suit
was then brought in the District Court of McLennan
county by the Progressives, who were greatly in the minority,
Mc-
the property.
On
the trial
"The courts of this country have no power to determine for religious bodies ecclesiastical or doctrinal
questions, and they have never evinced a disposition to
invade that domain, and will only inquire into such questions when property rights become involved and are the
subject of litigation, and then only so far as to determine
-32
hear evidence and determine what that doctrine is, regardless of its ecclesiastical or denominational bearing, in
order to ascertain the trust, and having so found will
enforce the trust, and not permit it to be diverted to other
and different doctrinal purposes. And it is the duty of
the court to decide in favor of those, whether a minority
or a majority of a congregation, who are adhering to the
doctrines professed by the congregation and the form
of worship in practice at the time the trust became fixed.
"In this case the members of the Christian church of
McGreggor purchased the lots in question and paid therefor, and for the church edifice thereon, from donations by
the said members and their friends, and procured a conveyance of said lots to certain trustees named for said
Christian church, and it thereby became immediately
dedicated to the principles and doctrines maintained by
said church at that time: and, though a majority of its
members may have changed their views on these subjects, or others become members who never entertained
them, yet the indelible stamp of the original doctrines
has been placed upon the property, and it is held as a
trust for the use of those members who still adhere thereto, however much in the minority, and those having control of the property will not be permitted to apply it to
the promotion of doctrines not consistent with the funda-
By
B. F. Fuller.
433
upon a profession of that faith, are Christians, and entitled to membership in their church, whether baptized
into the Baptist, Methodist or other Christian denomi-
nations,
and regardless of
for
the remission of sins' or 'because of the remission of
sins/ and exercising towards and permitting the exercise
434
and
defendants,
who
"Marshall Scrratt,
"Judge Nineteenth Judicial
District of Texas."
Court
judgment of
in the
the District
Judge
following opinion
to our
Supreme Court
for a
By
435
B. F. Fuller.
as
shown
Tabor regular
tinism.
Austin county.
a previous chaj
this doctrine.
When
and declaring
ciples
and
faith.
it to
action.
its
majority of the
who opposed
this action.
excluded members.
church of Wallis.
suit in the
thereby forfeited
all
and had
all
of the property.
On
seems to have been nothing presented to prove that Martinism was a departure from Baptist faith, except the
lutiona of the General Convention:
and
to
show the
436
entirely
upon
The}' rested
upon
the assumption that the finding of the council was conclusive, because the Association with
was
affiliated
had
council."
He
to
Judge Teichmuller,
was not
sufficient to establish
issue,
with
all
harmony
were created."
The
As
Appeals
at Galveston.
ment
of
no
state-
nothing
upon
the church,
sufficient
Martinism.
The
proof
had adopted
By
437
B. F. Fuller.
to the
Up
dear.
to this
It
courts,
now seemed
strictly
law in
it
it
existed at
Under
its
to the
Texas were
frequently ornamenting
pillars of the
of those
to their reward,
whose
But
faith.
all
this
confident
security
was
On
handed down
a decision
which put
new
aspect on the
Texas.
of Paris, Texas.
a previous chapter.
large
which
is
the grossest
438
tist
This de-
It is in direct
and ad-
now
chaos
among
sense of uncertainty
and
in-
State.
This
arid
so
is
important in
its
The nature
of the case
and the
which
is
is
issues initself,
as follows:
Trust Deed.
"1.
Where land is donated to a church organized under articles of faith, and having no ecclesiastical superior,
and the church building erected thereon was paid for by
subscription from
members and
others,
and there
is
no
or subscriptions, that it should be used for the propagation and support of such articles of faith, the courts will
not imply such a trust for the purpose of expelling from
its use those who, by regular succession and order, constitute the church,
re-
By
43#
B. F. Fuller.
"3.
A judgment foreclosing a trust deed on church
property cannot be entered in a suit between different
factions of the church for the possession of the property,
where neither party sought a foreclosure of the trust deed
nor a sale of the property, and the society holding the title
was not a party to the proceeding."'
"Error to Court of Civil Appeals of Fifth Supreme
Judicial District.
"Action by First Baptist church of Paris and others
against J. M. Fort and others. From a judgment of the
Court of Civil Appeals reversing the judgment of the
Circuit Court in favor of plaintiffs, and ordering the
property sold under foreclosure, plaintiffs bring error.
Modified.
"W.
S.
for plaintiffs in
error.
"Hale
&
Hale, Denton
G.
Wooten
Brown,
J.
The
S.
H. Webb. W. F. Ed-
'
440
charging that the defendants and their adherents, a majority of the members, had departed from the original
Faith adopted by the church in
of
Confession
and had diverted said property
organization,
its
from the purposes to which it was dedicated,
plaintiffs
and
the
those
and
that
represented
by them, a minority of said congregation, had adhered to the original confession of faith, and were, in
fact, the First Baptist church of Paris, and entitled to the
The case was tried before
possession of said property.
the court without a jury, and the following conclusions
of facts were filed, upon which judgment was entered for
plaintiffs
below
The
By
441
B. F. Fuller.
The
U. Hearon, F.
Samuel H. Webb, T.
up
to about the time of the completion of its church building in 1895, continued to worship and hold religious
services upon the articles of fairh and church covenant
442
worship since
its
organization.
The
court finds: That at the time said dissensions arose the membership of the First Baptist church of
Paris was about four hundred ; that said dissensions continued to grow until the church was divided into two
factions, one faction adhering to the doctrines, teachings
"6.
and preachings
of said G.
tion standing by
anti-Fortunites,'
convenience, hereinafter styled the
strenuously opposed the re-employment of said Fortune
as pastor of said church, and, after he was employed, insisted upon his resignation because of his doctrines; but
at the several meetings when these matters came up and
were discussed and passed upon, the faction which adhered to the doctrines of said Fortune, which faction is
hereinafter styled for convenience the 'Fortunites,' had
a majority of the members present and voting, and refused to request the resignation of said Fortune, and refused to accept his resignation when offered by him, and
re-employed him as pastor for an indefinite length of
time.
That some time in the month of July, 1896, said
Fortune tendered his resignation as pastor of the First
Baptist church of Paris, which was accepted by the Fortunites, and that about the 30th of August, 1896, saidFortune rented a hall in the city of Paris and delivered
therein a series of sermons and lectures in opposition
and criticism of the creed of the Baptist church, which
were attended by his adherents. That during this time
the anti-Fortunites continued to meet and hold service?
By
US
B. F. Fuller.
History
444
and
Baptists.
and commission
eipal
ing
interest, cost
to $5,378,
and
a receipt
>
The
church property by the said Spivey. and before the Crittenden note became due, the said purchasers under the
-ale had bought up the Crittenden note, and the
sale by Spivey was directed by theni, and the said purchasers were all members of the said First Baptist church
(some of them trustees) and adherents of Fortune: that
s -on as the aforesaid defendants bought in said church
9
property, and got a deed to it from said Trusts
died back to preach in said
the
was
church by the Fortunites as a supply, and continued to
preach in said church until about the 25th of July,
-
Meyer's Hall.
By
"10.
The
445
B. F. Fuller.
and who adhered to the artiupon which the church was organized, and
the doctrines and teachings of the Baptist church, were
and are the First Baptist church of Paris, and that the
plaintiffs* trustees were and are the legal trustees of said
First Baptist church of Paris, and that they acted for the
styled the anti-Fortunites.
cles of faith
Paris."
The
upon the
"The Court
came
Moreover, the evidence in the record and the findings of the trial Judge
show exclusively the fundamental doctrines of the Bapdenomination on the subject of the vicarious atonement of Christ for sinners, and the full inspiration of
the Scriptures, and -that this church had been organized
upon these doctrines, set forth at the time the church
property was acquired/*'
The findings of fact and the undisputed evidence establish that on -the 10th day of April, 1861, there was in
tist
known
as
446
their successors
Baptist church."
At its organization, and before the making of this
deed, the church had adopted what is known as the *Xew
Hampshire Articles of Faith." A church building was
erected upon the said lot. and paid for by subscriptions
c
The
_ anized without adopting a declaration of faith.
Bible is received as the creed of a Baptist church,
whether any be adopted or not. It is claimed by the
upon the conveyance of the lot to trustees
and benefit of the Paris Baptist church there
plaintiffs that
was attached
by that
adopted
in force
Articles
By
447
B. F. Fuller.
Hale
vs.
Everett, 53
1ST.
H., 71;
Am.
16
Ferraria vs. Yasconcellos, 31 111., 54; Bowen vs. McLeod, 1 Edw. Ch., 588 ; Morville vs. Fowle, 144 Mass.,
Smith vs. Pedigo, supra, and BapE., 766.
109; 10
tist Church vs. Whitmore (Iowa), 49 N. W., 81. 13 L. R.
case.
vs.
Everett, 53
enough
N".
H.,
9,
who wrote
and most
is
against them.
by the
plaintiffs,
but
448
down
he broadly lays
terms:
By
4Ad
B. F. Fuller.
for the Paris Baptist church, a majority of that congregation could have abolished the Xew Hampshire Confession of Faith, and could have adopted the Philadelphia
Confession, or could have substituted a confession drafted
by themselves; or they might have abolished all articles
of faith, and have relied upon the Bible alone as their
creed.
But when the deed was made to the lot and the
house built by subscription, the right to change or repeal
the Articles of Faith was taken away from the congregation, and to change it would not only forfeit their
rights in the property, but would deprive them absolutely
of their membership and good standing in the church,
which, to a Christian, is of greater value than houses or
The presumption involves the absurdity that a
lands.
Methodist, who contributed to the building of the house
of worship for the Paris Baptist church, did so for the
express purpose of perpetuating and promulgating the
doctrine that immersion alone is baptism, and that infants are excluded from the rights of the church.
The
contributing Jew
they are not few is presumed to be
especially anxious that the Messiahship of Christ should
be taught, though the failure to believe it cast down his
temple and broke down the walls of his holy city, making
his people wanderers upon the earth.
If the majority
of such a congregation should be converted to the belief
that sprinkling is valid baptism, and so change their
teachings and practice, the Methodist brother who aided
to build the house could interfere and say: "Xo, you
must teach immersion as the only valid mode, because
my gift was based upon your continuance in teaching
Or, if the majority should abandon their
that error."'
faith in Christ as the Messiah and change their teachings,
as did the Unitarians in Hale vs. Everett, the Jew contributor could say: "Xay, you must not abandon your
doctrine, because my donation binds you to teach the
member
which adopted
might enjoin
450
soundness of the teachings is not involved in the propoError is perpetuated the same as truth. Courts
sition.
cannot decide between conflicting opinions upon the theo-
The
logical questions.
fallacy lies in
sumed
is
who
terprises.
and
so far as
church government
is
By
We believe
451
B. F. Fuller.
and
fairly pre-
upon
The opinions of learned judges are of
great length, and varied in the subjects discussed, but
the points at issue and decided in the cases we have been
able to examine are fairly represented by Judge Miller's
sents the result of previous decisions of the courts
this question.
statement.
This case comes distinctly within the second class. As applicable to the question before the court,
we quote further from that opinion as follows:
"The second class of cases which we have described
has reference to the case of a church of a strictly congregational or independent organization, governed solely
within itself, either by a majority of its members or by
some other local organism, as it may have instituted
for the purpose of ecclesiastical government ; and to property held by such a church, either by way of purchase or
donation, with no other specific trust attached to it in
the hands of the church than that it is for the use of that
congregation as a religious society. In such cases where
there is a schism which leads to a separation into distinct
and conflicting bodies, the rights of such bodies to the
use of the property must be determined by the ordinary
principles which govern voluntary associations.
If the
principle of government in such cases is that the majority rules, then the numerical majority of members
must control the right to the use of the property. If
there be within the congregation officers in whom are
vested the power of such control, then those who adhere
to the acknowledged organism by which the body is governed are entitled to the use of 'the property. The minority, in choosing to separate themselves into a distinct
body, and refusing to recognize the authority of the governing body, can claim no rights to the property, from
the fact they had once been members of the church or
congregation. This ruling admits of no inquiry into the
existing religious opinions of those who comprise the
legal or regular organization, for, if such were permitted,
a verv small minoritv. without anv officers of the church
History of Texas Baptists.
452
among them, might be found to be the only faithful supporters of the religious dogmas of the founders of the
church.
There being no such trust imposed upon the
property when purchased or given, the court will not
imply one for the purpose of expelling from its use those
who, by regular succession and order, constitute the
church, because they may have changed in some respect
their views of religious truth."
In support of this position we cite Bouldin vs. Alexander, 15 Wall., 131 ; 21 L. Ed., G9 ; Cox vs. Walker, 26
Me., 50-1; Shannon vs. Frost, 3 B. Mon., 253; Gibson
Harper vs. Straws, 14
vs. Armstrong, T B. Mon., 481
B. Mon., 48; Presbyterian Congregation vs. Johnston, 1
Watts, E. S., 1; McGinnis vs. Watson, 41 Pa., St., 9;
Harmon vs. Dreher, 1 Speer. Eq., 87; Miller vs. Gable,
2 Denio., 492; Hendrickson vs. Shotwell, 1 N. J. Eq.,
571 Bowden vs. McLeod, 1 Ewd. Ch., 588.
The First Baptist church of Paris is a corporation
created under the laws of the State of Texas, and is the
successor of the Paris Baptist church, to the use of which
Under
the deed for the property in question was made.
;
down
we approve,
Watson
in the case of
is,
to that society?
It
is
By
B. F. Fuller.
453
The movement
revolutionary.
up
to
454
members
of
it,
arid be-
it existed prior to the division, continued, and that plaintiffs entered into a new organization
upon the ground that the defendants had abandoned the
faith, and thereby forfeited their rights in the church
property.
The presumption upon which the supposed trust is
based belongs to the class known as "disputable presumptions of law." which are "the result of the general
organization, as
By
455
B. F. Fuller.
from a Biblical
is
originally adopted
explicit terms,
right
or theo-
made
is,
in
Grant-
ing that the defendants have abandoned the ~New Hampshire Confession of Faith, the rules of that church prescribed that a majority should control.
The minority
took membership with those rules in force, and must
abide the result. In Miller vs. Gable it is said
"If any class of our citizens are of opinion that spiritual blessings can only flow in a particular channel; if
a church or creed in their minds usurps the place of the
revelation upon which they suppose them to be founded
and if such persons found churches, they must declare
their opinions explicitly, to have them respected.
Such
was not the belief of the plain men who established this
456
church.
They have
left
to
show
when purchased
trust
By
457
B. F. Fuller.
of
the
it
may be
amounted
an abandonment
458
Appeals
is
The judgment
affirmed in so far as
it
reverses the
judgment
it is
re-
versed.
upon
case,
which
was held up by the court until the 28th day of June and
From
our
apparent that
all
it
is
so
new
in
we cannot
afford to pass
it
over lightly.
The
special
other courts,
1.
may
be classed as follows:
to
In other words,
By
dum
459
B. F. Fuller.
clause,
Williams,
property
to
that church.
2.
That there
is
no limit
and
faith
its
a majority
at will the
erty
power of
may change
to the
from the
and may
and
lutely
4.
That minorities in
a Baptist
The
the court:
will respect
and
enforce.
articles,
denied
its
organization
that
about
460
and criticism
position to
of
and
lectures in op-
and refused
and refused
when
Fortune,
offered by
were
still
Upon
property.
ment
of Christ,
and
still
a division
on doctrinal
questions and alleged departure from the faith, and property rights are involved, in order to determine
which
fac-
and
is
entitled to the
is
an
difficult
is
the grounds of
tist
By
461
B. F. Fuller.
dissensions continued to
grow
way divid-
and preaching of the said G-. M. Forand the other faction standing by and adhering to
the doctrines of the Baptist church and the Articles of
Faith upon which the church was organized; that the
trines, (teachings
tune,
and
after he
was employed,
in-
but
at the several
were discussed and passed upon, the faction which adhered to the doctrines of said Fortune had a majority
of the
anti-Fortunites
<the
that the
minority) continued to
and
*
the
Fortunites;
and continued
to preach in said
25 th of July, 1897, and the anti-Fortunites, or the adherents of the original Articles of Faith, were thereby
and
Upon
these facts
462
?.
of the
seem
to be justified
written.
He
if
it
though the
church was a joint stock company, each contributor holding an interest in proportion to the amount contributed.
authorities cited by
Judge
cases.
tributors
their
,
own
demanding
from
this
and effect. Xo
and no one connected with the Paris Baptist
case holds,
The
trust
of the church.
The
the
members
lute,
contribution
is
an abso-
it
to
By
no
sort of interest in
contribution
may
or
463
B. F. Fuller.
The motive
it.
may
is
sustained
must be admitted
that our
and adherence
which
it
was founded.
a trust in
church property
to see
Our Su-
fundamental,
vital nature.
The minority
not contend, and no court has ever held, that there was a
violation of the trust by a change in unimportant par-
464
ticulars,
but
it
denial of the inspiration of the Scriptures and repudiation of the atonement of Christ were not trivial in their
up
faith,
jority of a
all
to this case
trust.
Justice
Brown seems
to see
no
differ-
manner
fundamental principles
institution
church.
tist
Xo
else other
than a Bap-
total dissimilarity.
It
case that the majority did not have the right to control,
but
it
power in the
While church
litigation
and antagonistic
faith.
is
still
to
be no principle in
and enjoyment of
It
seems
to
be intimated in
this
may
and ex-
ular church.
By
465
B. F. Fuller.
As long
it.
menace to
They stand in peril of being
support and propagation of any strange
will be a
it
converted to the
Koran, or
its
infidelity
which the
to
would be no answer
to
led, it
preme Court,
it ,is
this opinion of
many
years, has
the
He
has,
known
our Su-
century, and has always recognized the strength and correctness of his well trained
He
man
among
in this case,
it
may
of the ease,
as being
be followed as a precedent.
The
466
tion is determined by
it,
but
it is
Supreme Court
for
of
known
if
it
mark
Our
is
From
it
not
is
thought there
may
not have
and
APPENDIX.
LEGAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE NATURE, FUNCTIONS AND
POWERS OF THE BAPTIST GENERAL CONVENTION OF PARIS.
Opinion of the Court of Civil Appeals, in and for the
Fifth Supreme Judicial District of Texas, decided in
April, 1900:
J. B.
Cranfill et
Hayden,
al.,
appellants
(No. 2,868)
vs.
S.
A.
appellee.
This suit
Court of Dallas county ^ against J. B. Cranfill, J. B.
Gambrell, J. M. Eobertson, D. G. Wooten, G. W. Truett,
II. C. Gleiss, G. C. Slaughter, T. J. Walne, J. B. Riddle,
L. M. Mays, W. H. Jenkins, J. M. Carroll, L. R. Millican, W. R. Maxwell, F. W. Freeman, R. T. Hanks, J. C.
Burkett, Bennett Hatcher, I. B. Kimbrough, R. A. Lee,
G. W. Baines, A. E. Baten, J. C. Gentry, and certain
other persons, as to whom the cause' was voluntarily dismissed.
The suit is for damages on account of alleged
libelous publications.
A recovery is sought for actual
and exemplary damages.
The petition represents that the plaintiff was a
preacher of the Gospel, belonging to the Baptist denomination of Christians, and the editor and proprietor of a
religious newspaper devoted to the interests of that denomination and the cause of the Christian religion. It
is alleged that each and all of the defendants are members of churches in this State of the Baptist denomination, though not members of the same local church organization.
It is alleged that each and all of the churches
(467)
trict
468
Appendix.
member of said Convention. It is alleged that the challenge related to his personal conduct and character; that
the validity of his credentials as a messenger were not
brought in question, and that the Baptist General Convention was without jurisdiction as to the subject matter, the church to which he belonged alone having jurisIt is
diction and authority over his personal conduct.
charged that this challenge was in writing; that it was
libelous in character, and that it was published, -first, by
the reading of it to the large membership of the Convention assembled ; second, printing it in the minutes of
Appendix.
-189
Appendix.
470
it is
3sary for the protection of the interests of said Convention, themselves and the Baptist denomination.
The plaintiff*.- pleadings set nut in full the challenge,
ity
-'itutingthe alleged libel and the majority and minorreports thereon, including the defensive paper pre-
pared by the
The
471
Appendix.
tioned the jurisdiction of the Convention over the subject matter of the challenge, sought to refute the charges,
and justify Dr. Hayden's course of conduct toward the
Conventioin, its officers and agents and his Baptist
brethren.
The case was tried before a jury and resulted in a
verdict and judgment for plaintiff against all the defendants for $20,000 actual, and $10,000 exemplary damages.
The defendants have appealed.
OPIXIOX.
The
first
contention
made by
the appellants
is
that
sixth edition.)
On
mitted to
and acts of particular defendants occurring in the absence of other defendants. Witnesses Parks,
to declarations
Appendix.
472
was said and done before the Committee of Challenges in relation to the challenge against Dr. Hayden.
Some of the persons who composed that committee and
that
took part
in
its
proceedings are
not members of the committee, and were not present during its proceedings, or the occurrences testified to. Witnesses were permitted to testify to declarations of certain
defendants, some made before and some after the Convention, to the effect that it was their intention to keep
Dr. Hayden out of the Convention. Letters written by
Dr. Cranfill to Mr. Cason, of Huntsville, and Mr. Bowell,
of Jefferson, prior to the Convention, manifesting antagonism and hostility toward Dr. Hayden, and a determination to force an issue with him, were allowed in evidence.
The proceedings of the Baptist General Convention in
relation to the challenge of Dr. Hayden, as published in
The Baptist Standard, a Baptist denominational newspaper, then exclusively owned and edited by Dr. Cranfill,
were read in evidence. Dr. Hayden was allowed to testify
to a difficulty between him and Dr. Hanks, occurring long
prior to the San Antonio convention, occasioned by a
publication made by Dr. Hayden, charging Dr. Hanks
with scandalous conduct with women.
The defendants
asked the court to instruct the jury that the allegation
of conspiracy had not been proven, and that the jury
should not consider against any of the defendants declarations of other defendants, in which they did not participate.
In other words, the jury should not hold any
defendant responsible for anything done or said, except
This charge was refuted,
his own language or conduct.
and nowhere in the charge of the court is the allegation
The charge submits the case
of conspiracy mentioned.
to the jury as though conspiracy had not been alleged,
and directed them to find whether defendants or any of
them took part in publishing or causing publication of
Further, that the plaintiff would only be enthe libel.
Appendix.
473
Appendix.
-74
a conspiracy,
existence of which
fact.
But it is insisted by appellee that appellants have
no just ground of complaint at the manner in which the
"Only one of
name
Appendix.
475
from
his
own
acts.
Appendix.
4? 6
good
faith, believing
and not
Was
the publication
communication?
This
is
To
-1
Sees. 1
The
and
2.)
communication
are such, therefore, as to require the Judge in determining the question of privilege to look to all the circumstances developed by the evidence touching the matter,
including the expressions contained in the alleged libel,
477
Appendix.
and unjust.
(lb.,
p.
the publication
its
charged with
478
Appendix.
affairs of
any
society.
(1{. S.,
713.)
One
of the products
ment be
lie
thirds majority.*'
From these provisions of the organic law of the Convention we must determine its nature, functions and
powers, there being no other lights to be seen in the
record.
It does not appear that the Convention is a
While its memberbody exercising delegated powers.
ship is made up of persons selected by churches, associations of churches and missionary societies co-operating
with the Convention, as an institution, it nowhere appears that such messengers are to perform delegated
any way bound to conform to instructions
naming them as messengers, or have any
right whatever to bind such bodies.
On the other hand.
duties, are in
of the bodies
Appendix.
-7-
the
many
Appendix.
480
The challenge
a long continued
it
as malicious
and unjust,
Xeither are we
prepared to hold that the failure to publish the minority
report and Dr. Hayrlen's defensive paper along with the
challenge and the report of the majority of the committee thereon was such an ex-parte and unfair proceeding
as to justify its condemnation as malicious and unprivileged, as a matter of law.
There is a question in the
evidence whether the minority report and Dr. Hayden's
paper as a part thereof was ever offered to be read to the
Convention, or was lodged with any member of the Convention charged with the duty of presenting it.
It further appears that Dr. Hayden's paper contained
serious and defamatory charges against members of the
Convention, its trusted officers and agents.
To refrain
and
strip
it
Appendix.
481
482
Appendix.
The
plaintiff
Appendix.
ley vs. Heath, 12 Pick, 164-165; Remington vs.
2 Pick, 315; Conn vs. Clapp, 4 Mass., 169.)
483
Cogdon,
Appendix.
48-i
and under a
mere fact that they did not like the plaintiff, or were unfriendly to him, would not render them liable in damages.
There was some evidence of unkind, state of feeling of the defendants, or some of them, toward the plaintiff, but they testified that this did not prompt their ac-
the plaintiff.
The court excluded the evidence of Drs. Buckner and
Kerfoot, shown to be experienced parliamentarian?, and
and
irrelevant.
Plaintiff
alleged,
mitted to provo. as evidence of malice, that the proceedings against him were conducted in a harsh and unfair
manner; that the Committee on Challenge made a report
Appendix.
485
usage.
upon the
basis of non-participa-
the grounds
it
detailed
and reiterated
entitled to recover.
The only
is a just complaint against the charge.
defense presented to the jury arose under the general
This
issue of not guilty to the charge of publication.
course on the part of the trial Judge was doubtless taken
by reason of the Judge's conception of the effects resulting from the failure of the defendants to plead the truth
of the alleged libelous charges in justification.
That
character of plea is a plea in the nature of confession and
avoidance under which the burden of the case practically
rests on the defendants.
The failure to confess the publication and excuse it by affirming the truth of the matter published does not cut the defendant off from any
other legitimate defense.
He must plead the truth of
the libelous matter published if he would avail himseJf
This
486
of
it
Appendix.
urged
to
420.)
838, Sec. 1
lb., p.
and that
Appendix.
487
Appendix.
488
THE STATE OF
I,
TEXAS.
George W. Blair, Clerk of the Court of Civil Ap-
489
Appendix.
the seal of said court at Dallas, this 24th day of February, 1900.
George W. Blair,
Clerk.
Extract from the opinion of the Court of Civil Appeals for the First
Supreme Judicial
District of Texas,
1899:
"The government
of Baptist churches
is,
as
we under-
advisory,
and
TJNUM.
NOV
iwu
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS