History of the First Baptist Church, Austin, Texas Page: 11
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arranging themselves for the morning service. On
the north side sit the men and on the south the women.
Near the front is a small melodian, and Dr. Collins of
the Institute for the Blind is about to play the opening
hymn to be sung by the whole congregation. Being
seated we notice that the walls and white plaster, the
windows plain white glass, and down the middle of
the church runs a line of posts on which are hung the
lamps with large reflectors behind to increase the light.
The floor is bare, the windows are shaded only by the
good green blinds, the pews are of local manufacture,
and the only other furniture save the speaker's stand
consists of two large iron stoves, midway on each side
of the house. On the back benches are ranged the
negro slave members of whom there are quite a number.
Soon Mr. Taliaferro rises to speak, and we
listen to a sermon, somewhat longer perhaps than the
modern kind, but filled with the love of the Christ who
died that we might live.
As the congregation is dismissed we are immediately
greeted by Mr. and Mrs. Taliaferro, who introduce at
once Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Harrell, Col. Bouldin and
his family, Mr. and Mrs. G. R. Freeman and Mr. D. C.
Freeman, whom we met downstairs, Mr. Alfred Groom
and his mother, Mr. Geo. Glasscock and family, Mr.
and Mrs. J. B. Hedspeth and family, Mrs. Ragsdale
and her daughter, Miss Maggie, Mr. and Mrs. Chandler,
Mr. Dave Wilson, Mrs. Sarah Brown and family,
Mrs. Washington, Col. Stephen H. Darden and family,
Mrs. Bettie Townes, Mrs. S. T. Smith and family, the
Aaron Burleson family, and others whose names I
wish it were possible to procure.
During the service we have noticed on the men's
side a rather distinguished old gentleman who has
been occupied with whittling on a board which he
had apparently brought with him. Now he stands at
the door of the auditorium and we are introduced as
we reach the spot to Governor Sam Houston, who, as
he bows in return, presents us with a small bobbin for
-11
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Brooks, Mrs. V. L. History of the First Baptist Church, Austin, Texas, book, 1923; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth33019/m1/12/?rotate=90: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Austin History Center, Austin Public Library.