The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 2, July 1898 - April, 1899 Page: 78
[335] p. : ill. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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78 Texas Historical Association Quarterly.
"Tuscumbia, Ala., August 22, 1837. This day I start for the
Republic of Texas, there to labour as a missionary. I have re-
cently been appointed to this work by the Board of Foreign Mis-
sions at New York. The impression on my heart and the call to
go as a missionary to Texas were as strong and as loud as was my
call to the ministry; consequently I go fully expecting the presence
and blessings of God. While viewing the labours and privations
that await me, my soul is unmoved. Rather do I rejoice that I am
accounted worthy to labour and suffer for my blessed Lord; yet the
fact of leaving my country, my kindred, my friends, and brethren,
fills me with deep sorrow and touching affliction. Rev. Dr. Martin
Ruter and Rev. Robert Alexander are to be my co-labourers in the
mission field of Texas. * * *
"In Arkansas I engaged John B. Denton, a local preacher, to
accompany me to Texas to work in the missionary field. * * *
We held a camp-meeting near 'Clarksville, Red River County, near
'the first of October. From 'Clarksville, in the protecting company
of three others, we two, with provisions for 'four days packed on
our horses, struck out across Texas for Nacogdoches. We slept
in the forest four nights, and arrived at Naogdoches on October
16, 1837, 'and preached two sermons. On our way 'thither we passed
the unburied body of a man who had been shot six weeks pre-
viously for horse stealing.
"O-ctober 19th we reached Sian Augustine and preached four
nights in succession. There I began a subscription for building a
church. In less time than two weeks a lot was deeded, $3500
'were subscribed, trustees were appointed, and the building was un-
der written contract to be finished before the first of next Septem-
ber. 'Praise God from whom all blessings flow.'"
This 'was certainly the church, the laying of the corner-stone of
which is written of in an isolated part of the missionary's Kentucky
journal. It has often been written that Littleton Fowler set up
the first Protestant church in Texas. However 'that may be, here
is quoted the isolated entry mentioned:
"San Augustine, Republic of Texas, January 17, 1837." (The
figure seven is evidently wrong, a slip of the pen, and should be
eight.) "To-day the corner-stone of a Methodist Episcopal Church
was laid at this place, according to the usages of the Masonic Order.
Between forty and fifty Masons were present, and from five to
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Texas State Historical Association. The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 2, July 1898 - April, 1899, periodical, 1898/1899; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101011/m1/82/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.