Texas Presbyterian. (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 18, Ed. 1, Saturday, July 17, 1847 Page: 2 of 4
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gratis. Accordingly many enter them
and receive 'their advantages but after-
wards they always have some reason
why they cannot comply. Thus the
State is at the great expense of sustain-
1 ingthe Normal School and no adequate
advantages result. Hold out the pro-
per inducements to teachers and the
Normal School will sustain itself.
Young men w ill attend them and pay
their own expenses as others do who
frequent the schools of Law and Medi-
cine. Debar the Common School mas-
ter of a just dividend of the public mon-
ey as recommended in this No. and No.
IL and the State will be at double the
expense if they introduce anything like
a proper plan of public instruction.
Some at first glance might think that
the free list money this quota of public
money and the fees of those who are
able to pay would be too mach for the
teacher. It would not be so great a sal-
ary as some might suppose because the
Trustees would always make their con-
tract per scholar; and the discount
would be proportionate generally to
the supposed amount of public mo-
ney. This ought not to be to but it
would be because bey ond the control
of legislation. Therefore there is no
danger of school-masters recehiiig too
much salary.
It is useless to talk of a Normal School
unless the profession of teaching will
yield a salary sufficient to remunerate
for years of hard labor and study. It is
also equally useless to talk of a great
plan of public education when there are
no inducements for men of talents and
learning to engage in the profession.
This subject we will dwell on more
particularly in another No.
' We care not whether it be said that
the Texas plan of education originated
with the M. C. Institute or any other :
and though as a society for the diffusion
of knowledge we arc the oldest in the
State we arc willing that any society
shall have the honor. Let them intro-
duce a plan similar in principle to the
one we have proposed and they will re-
alize their most sanguine expectations.
Surely none will object to our high
standard of education. A glance at the
' outline of our plan will make its prac-
ticability evident. 1st the State Uni-
versity to give character to the profes-
sions : 2d the Normal School with its
Board of Examiners to grant licenses
to qualified teachers and rescuing the
schools of Texas from a horde of ml ven-
turers: 3d the Collegiate Academy in
each county of the State opening the
gates of science to thousands w ho oth-
erwise never would have entered : 4th
the Common Schools with Academic
advantages and under the control of the
county Academy : 5th the county Aca-
demy under the control of the State Su-
perintendent and responsible for its
operations both in regard to the com-
mon Schools and its own school gov-
ernmcntandiacasetheCommonSc!iooIs of the county arc badly supplied for-
feiture of the money due for the grant-
ing of licenses and also the money due
the Common School m:istcr for bcholars
1 on the free list and the dividend of pub-
lic money. This plan "will exclude all
favoritism and ensure complete suc-
cess. For those of our classic readers
who might find fault we will conclude
aur number with a quotation : "Dehinc
quia pleriquc quo: delicta reprehende-
ris malevolentia et invidia dicta pu-
tant. Ubi de magna virtutc atque
gloria bonorum memoses: qua: sibi
quisque facilia factu putat squo animo
accipit: supra ea vcluti ficta pro falsis
ducit.""
M. C. IxsTITCTE.
FantharpsGrimes co Texas.
Tuxlte Reasons for toting a Religious
Newspaper.
1. That I may be well informed res-
pecting the religious condition of this
and other countries.
2. That I may learn what dangerous
errors are propagated by those who
would subvert the truth.
3. That I may know what benevolent
societies are formed and what are their
claims for support.
4. That I may have information re-
specting our public schools colleges
and theological seminaries.
5. That I may learn what books are
published and what is their general
character.
6. That I may know what our deno-
mination is doing for the cause of
Christl
7. That 'I may know what other de- '
womnMtions are doing ; what' views of '
Christian doctrine and duty they teach.
8. That I may be informed what
Churches are enjoying revivals of reli-
gion. 0. That I may gain a large amount
of miscellaneous information not to be
found in books.
10. That I may furnish useful read-
ing to my family and thus disajurnge
the reading of papers which iurrcra bad
moral tendency.
1 1. That I may read on questions of
morals and religion the views ot our
best Christian writers.
12. That I may .aid in sustaining
those who by the press are inculcating
right principles. iV. E. Puritan.
lc eocft$ ttsfytitkn.
Kiv. A. J. McGOWN Eorrot.
HOUSTON. TEXAS:
SATURDAY JULY 17 1S47.
Rev. R. O. Watkins will act as agent
for the Texas Presbj tcrian.
.Constitutional Presbyterian Church
We think that perhaps it would be of
interest to our readers to publish the
proceedings of the Constitutional Pres-
byterian church on the subject of a un-
ion with our church. Wc wish to keep
our church and especially our church
in Texas apprised of the doings of both
churches on this important and highly
desirable object. So far as the action
of the two bodies has gone wc arc high-
ly pleased and do not sec anj thing to
discourage the union. We especially
invite the attention of our Traders to the
rcmarksof Messrs. Campbell and Town-
send. The subject was postponed un-
til the meeting of the Assembly in 1849
on the ground that it was unconstitu-
tional to introduce new matter into the
Constitutional Presbyterian Assembly
being nn adjourned session
We annex the proceedings of the
Constitutional Assembly. The minutes
of our Assembly have not come to hand.
When they do wc will give the proceed-
ings in full.
Mr. Campbell of the committee of
correspondence with the committee ol
the Cumberland Presbj terians on the
subject of the union of the two said that
in consequence of ill health he had been
compelled to get as substitute Mr. Wing
and that the substitute was ready to re-
port in part.
After some question and debate as to
whether the Assembly was competent
to hear the report it was finally ruled
by the Moderator to be in order and
the report was read.
The committee had met the General
Assembly of the Cum. Presbyterians at
Lebanon aud there they had arranged
thcplan ofa more complete union which
was submitted to the Assembly.
The question rccurrine on the recep
tion of the report Kev. Mr. McLain. of
U. Usaid that he could not see how the
Assembly could receive a report order-
ed to be made in 18-10.
The Moderator ruled that the Assem-
bly could receive such report. He said
that it often happened that a commit-
tee ordered to report at n future time
found it practicable and expedient to
report earlier and he never knew that
report refused.
After some other discussion the ques-
tion of acceptance was taken and car-
ried. Rev. Mr. Rowland protested ; he did
not believe that the Assembly had pow-
er to take up new business originating
after the last meeting of the Assembly.
It was now moved that the report be
adopted.
Rev. Mr. Dickey called for a division.
There were some parts of the report
which might be adopted by the present
Assembly and some must be referred to
the next.
The first part of the report then came
up. It describes the conferences be-
tween the two committees says that
they found such a state of affairs exist-
ing both as to doctrines and go ernment
as to render a closer union desirable
but not so much so as to render a com
plete union desirable or even practica-
ble but that to the end that such com
plete union might be m time brought
about they presented a plan of partial
uniuu. iiie pian is very similar to the
famous plan of union of 1801. between
Congregationalists and Presbyterians.
u permits ids nunisiersio preach in the
churches of cither denomination when
they cannot be supplied by their own
ministers and the churches of cither to
call ministers from the other body if they
desire.
Mr. Mason wished this report to be
recommitted to the committee with in-
structions to give more definite informa-
tion as to the orthodoxy of their body
and their standard of ministerial educa-
tion. If he had not been misinformed
they were mostly Arminians in doctrine
and opposed to making a classical edu
cation a pre-requisite to the ordination
of ministers. Mr. Campbell said that
they like wc had been misrepresented.
They had men among them who were
Arminians and that this fact ha.d been
taken advantage of to misrepresent their
views as if they were all so. They
ought to be judged of by the mass and
not by single individuals as wc were
and by their book of discipline. They
were opposed to what they called lntal-
iiy and unconditional reprobation
had put those passages out of our lj
which thev supposed taught this i
trine. lie had suggested to one of tl
leading men that their difficulty mi;
ocoDviated ny putting loot notes to
confession of lank disclaiming the i
of fatality and he had cnught at the
idc-i with great avidity. They were
coming up with great rapidity on the
subject of education bavins two colle-
ges and a number of female schools.
Wc need not fear said Mr. C. on the
scorcof thcirorthodovy. He hadprcach-
wmi mem anu laoorcil witli them
very much ; and they had the men and
wc could get eastern money to educate
them and prepare tlicm for higher utc-
fulncss. Mr. Townsend said wc were not pre-
pared fora union now but ought to take
steps to prepare the way for it hereaf-
ter. He had labored with these breth-
ren very much and could bear his tes-
timony to their piety and orthodoxy
but he assured the Assembly that they
were just as shy of this Assembly as ft
was of them and neither party was pre-
pared to come together just at this time.
He was in favor ol" recommitting the
report to be offered at tlic next Assem-
bly. Dr. Duffield wished that there might
be instructions given to this committee
to makp a retrospective report which
should in some manner lend to heal the
breach between these bodies acknow-
ledging that there had been manv and
wipe away all those grievances which
had arisen. He thought that succeed-
ing cents had clearly proven that the
acts of this Assembly of which this one
is i lie irue succession was hasty and
unwisj in manv rcsnects. and wc ouht
to be willing to conless that fact to our
Cumberland brethren in holding out
iur ouve orancii to ihcm.
Several other addresses were mule
all favorable to the nlan of union mid
of recommitment of the report with in-
sirucuons 10 nring it Deiore the next
Assembly. A motion to that effect pre-
vailed. -""
Rev. Mr. Dickey Mr. Townsend Dr.
Duflueld Mr. Watson and Dr. Riddle
were added to the committee ; Rev. .Mr.
Campbell was released from the chair-
manship of the committee. Solhc whole
mattcrof the Cumberland Presbj terians
was uisposc.1 oi.
MINISTERS.
In our last number we stated that it
was important that the Ministry should
be divided into two classes the local.
and the missionary- or itinerate. Wc
stated that the organized congregations
that were able to employ a Pastor or
Bishop to attend to their spiritual wants
would certainly do so. We ha c more
to do at present with the itinerate sj-s-tcm.
It is however incorrect to urge
the proprietyofa measure without show
ing the practicability ofnccomplisliin
that object and that on Presbvtcrian
Gospel principles. Wc are gratified
that our Prcsbjtcriesarr somewhat like
our States ;xthat they hae delegated
rights that cannot be taken from them.
r e.l :!.. ii i .
jiik ui uiu iiius aiiuucu io nnovc is
the privilege and duly of supphiiig the
destitute in their bounds w ith the preach-
ed Word. How is this to be done ?
Not as our church was once in the habit
of doing by sending out our circuit or
uiueruit: ureiurcu unprovided lor. e
hope that the church has lost sight of
that kind of itineracy.
They should be provided for pro i-
ded for above all others for t hey are
the class of men that subdue the forest.
How is this to be done I Bj- a Pres-
bytcrial fund raised from the organized
congregations. Then let the church in
Texas carry out the plan of missions
that our government warrants and the
Asscmblj- recommended and in a few
years all of our large cities as well as
the destitute portions of the countrj-
will be supplied with a pious and ener-
getic Ministry. If our local and itine
rate brethren would attend to this they
would find an increase of feeling in the
church to sustain them. Brethren we
have much to do in Texas. Let us make
a strong pull a long pull a pull alto
gether on this subject.
Gen. Scott. Wc hope that the rumor
that is abroad about the conduct of
Gen. Scott in making ourtroops conform
to the Romish customs in worship is
not correct. If it is true our correspon
dent is not too severe on the General's
conduct. We would be pleased to have
an account of this matter from some of
the friends in the army.
Frontier Regiment. The frontier Re-
giment for our State is now ready for
organization.
nnAHUdte
im.
tUVV
GEOLOGICAL EXAMINATION.
We wish to call the attention of the
citizens of Texas to the importance of
aving a geological examination of our
The discover' of mines is not
nly reason why it should be made :
:h the discovery of coal it must be
.ttcd is of great importunce or even
tcrminc the probability of its cx-
nce would be a benefit. But the
mines of gold and silver are of much
Jess importance to a country than the
capability of its soil to produce the ne-
cessaries of life or material for exjmrt-
ation. We look upon this last object
as the best that every locality of a
State should be examined by a compe-
tent geologist.
We would be hardly thought vision
ary at this day when the general gov-
ernment has done so much credit to the
country by its exploring expeditions to
recommend the survey of this State as
an encouragement of Science. But it is
not with that view it need be done.
The object should be to know the qual
itics of the diluvial deposits of the
countrj-. In our State they are extreme
ly various. The suitableness of these
varieties to particular products is be
coming known by experiment in other
parts of the Union. That knowledge
can be applied to our cultivation when
the qualities of soil arc ascertained ;
and these can be by a well informed
geologist.
The rock minerals are also of no
small importance in any countrj-. By
an exploration of the rock beds of our
State the mill-stoncand the grind-stone
grit would not escape notice. The
building rock is another important item
in the wealth of every countrj-. Wc
have it no doubt but in the unsettled
parts of our State. The soft sandstone
and magncsian limestone that have
been used are of little value. The up-
per portions of the State have no doubt
the seinitic granite and porphyritic
rock which will compose its future pub
lic edifices.
There is but little doubt if any that
the success of boring depends on the
dip of the rockj- strata of a country
That the water descends between the
strata of which the beds of rock are
composed and being stopped bj- dj kes
or dislocations or by contact of the stra-
ta is contained in ast cavities and
forms as it were inclined cisterns;
sometimes the higher part of this accu
mulation of water being more elevated
than the surface of the lower por
tions of the countrj-. From the dip and
bearing of the rocks ofa country a ge-
ologist would form a tolerablj- correct
opinion of the success of boring for wa-
ter. We believe however boring has
gcncrallj- succeeded in everj-countrj-in
which it has been tried. Wc have seen
indications that it will succeed in the
central part of Texas. A well dug fifty
feet through soft sandstone reached a
bed of water which rose within sixteen
feet of the surface of the earth and re
mained stationaiy; another two miles
distant and somewhat deeper rose
higher and in winter run out at the
mouth.
It is probable that the waters which
pour out in such abundance at the sour
ces of the San Antonio and St. Marks
rivers might lie taken to the surface of
the earth at anj- place in Ihe prairies
which extend from those sources to the
sea coast. But to estimate these pro-
babilities is the province of the profess-
ed geologist who is accustomed to de
termine the formation of vast tracts of
countrj-.
Nothing will be lost in the end by
giving to the world authentic informa
tion of ihe resources and advantages of
the State. It has great geological in-
terest and thousands in other countries
w-c believe are desirous to know more
of it. Accurate scientific information
is wanted. The landscape appear-
ance of Texas and the thousand
charms of its mild climate and fresh
breezes jobright skies and clear wa-
ters have been often written. The man
with the test bottle and lens with the
experienced eye and clear head is now
needed. Nothing will bo lost we re-
peat of what is paid for such explora-
tion of our State. At present it must
be regarded by other States as a some-
what mysterious territory with its
mountains and wastes almost unknown.
They should be known by clear authen-
tic scientific description. Wc hope our
Legislature will duly consider the im-j
portauce of this subject and do what
other States have alreadj' done pro-
vide fora geological survej'.
An alTraj the nature of which is not
explained occurred in Gonzales be-
tween Messrs. Triplctt and fipwns on
the 17lh June resulting intSdcathof
the latter.
Dancing. We take pleasure in in
forming our "Blue Stocking friend and
the public that the members of the
lumhcclaiid rresbj-tcrian church never
were allowed to dance and Cfeer will
be. The whole church from North to
South are opposed to tills (as we con
ceive) e il practice.
War. We hae nothing late from
the scat of war that can be relied upon.
Rains. Wc have had nle.is.int slmw.
crs for the last few weeks. Wc believe
those showers fall about the same hour
c vcrj- daj-.
Crops. Wc have received intelli
gence from almost every section of the
countrj- and the prospects of abundant
crops arc very flattering. Now is the
time for emigrants to come to Texas.
It is thought bj-one of our correspond
ents that corn can be had early in the
tall on the Guadalupe for twenty-five
cents per bushel.
President. Mr. Polk was received
with great respect irrespective of par-
ty during his recent tour through the
Northern States.
Col. Doniphan has been nominated as
a candidate for Governor of Missouri.
The Fourth of July. This day coi
ing on Sundaj-thc citizens of Galvcst
made a celebration on the 3d. We are
much pleased to see the Temperance
Societies selecting this daj- as a public
daj- of their celebrations. Without a
temperate people our national indepen-
dence would not be long celebrated.
Meet ins. The 2d Quarterly Meetim?
of thcMcthodistE.Church forthis place
closed on last feabbath night.
Steamboat Suid. The steamer Star
Spangled Banner struck a snag ten
miles above Baton Rouge on the 29th
June and sunk in ten minutes drown-
ing about twentj- persons.
Taylor's Marine Camels. Another
experimnet was tried in our waters yes-
terday on which occasion a vessel of
the largest class was taken over a bar
w hich she could not possibly have pas-
sed in anj- other manner. The more
wc examine the merits of this new in-
v cntiou the more are we impressed with
the advantages which will be derived
from its general introduction into our
Navy. The officers of the American In-
stitute w ere so much pleased with it
tlmt thev li.l tnkpn itipnninetnuiiK.
lish a full report wherein they recom-
inenu u io uie puuuc in ine strongest
InnjTU.le. TVTnt nnlv pnn ttirc m1?
be used to lighten vessels over said bars
and to get otf those that may have been
stranded but by being inflated and pIa-
ced ill the hold of n. shin thpt- will buni
the heaviest craft from sinking and
uicn-uv nc eucciuai in preserving lite
as well as property. Boston Posf.
ould not the above "Marino Cam
els' be useful in enabling vessels to
pass the bars and other obstructions at
the mouths of our rivers in Texas! WillV-
those who know inform us?
For the Trxu Presiyterim.
Fantharp's Julv 5. 1847.
Friend A. J. McGown
I visited the Masonic Colletriatn Inst.
tute to dav. and received an intrlleetnnl
treat of such a character as we seldom
hear. The Temperance Society of this
place gave notice that James Laurance
Esq would address the meeting on th
4th. He is a young lawyer who has
emigrated from Kentucky. There vu
a very large concourse of persons pres-
ent. He made his maiden address in
this countrj- before that assemblage
and l am sorry that I was not in time to
hear the whole of his anrumenL bat what
IdidhearwastraIysuMJBKx Yon may
imagine that this sefinWRUone is ton
commendable but I can assure yotbthat
for beauty of conception sublimity of
style and force of argument it has been
dui seiaom equalled ; and I venture to
assert upon the same snbieet rare.lv
has it ever been surpassed. I hear it is in
contemplation to solicit a copy tor pub-
lication. I hope such may be the case
as such reasonings arc well calculated
to do good in a community and at the
nP?
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McGown, Andrew J. Texas Presbyterian. (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 1, No. 18, Ed. 1, Saturday, July 17, 1847, newspaper, July 17, 1847; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth80399/m1/2/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History.