USA > Texas > History of Methodism in Texas > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14
154
METHODISM IN TEXAS.
[CHAP. VI.
I must do something ; I have felt bad ever since I saw that man in the box.' I told him I would go back and hear him make his next speech, which I did, and in his sermon understood something of the plan of salvation. At the close of his sermon he invited all who wanted religion to go to the mourners' bench. I went, of course. This was the first mourners' bench I had ever seen. It was a split log with legs in it; the ends were east and west. I knelt, with my face toward the north. I felt sick, and not sick either. There came around a brother and told me to give up all to God. I told him I had nothing but Roan, and he was welcome to him if he wanted him. The brother told me my error; I then began to try to say, ' Not my will, but thine be done.' An hour afterward I suddenly felt that I was in the middle of a dark world, in the middle of a dark room, on my knees on a black pile of powder, and it flashed, and I went up with it. I then found out what was on the old preacher's face ; it was glory ! It was on everything I could see. The trees, the ground, the people, all seemed glorious. Brother, you know how I felt ; I felt glorious ; and even now, while I write, I can hardly stand it. I felt glorious and triumphant in my blessed Saviour. I began to meditate, to see if I could understand why I was so happy. I first thought I was mistaken in the boy ; it was not Tom, it was somebody else. After close examination I could not decide until I recollected I had mashed my finger-nail not long before, and there was a white speck under the nail if it was Tom. I looked, and it was there. I then traced the finger to the hand, and along the arm to the body, and found it was Tom Parmer, and shouted, 'Glory ! Glory !' The next morning Father Stevenson gave me a Bible and hymn-book, with these words: 'Take these, my son, and be faithful.' "
Young Parmer started for his Texas home singing two verses of "Jesus, my all, to heaven has gone," the only hymn he had learned. He at once commenced holding prayers in his father's family. Five years after, Henry Stevenson visited Texas. His young friend had learned to read the Bible, and was still faithful. At Mr. Teel's, where Father Stevenson preached, young Parmer formed the ac-
155
METHODISM IN TEXAS.
SEC. IV.]
quaintance of Miss Rachel Teel, who was not then a pro- fessor of religion, and had, from some cause, failed to hear preaching. He says of her, "I thought she would suit me if she had religion, and I thought it was only necessary for her to hear Father Stevenson preach to make her reli- gious. Not long afterward he had an appointment to preach on Bayou Sara, La. This young lady and another and myself went to hear him. We had to ride twenty miles the last morning before preaching. Father Steven-
son was just taking his text as we got in. It was, 'Mar- tha, thou art careful and troubled about much serving,' etc. The two young ladies were quite gay. They had got hold of some starch that a merchant had brought to Texas, and used some, and felt exalted. ' But Mary has chosen the good part which shall not be taken away from her.' Father Stevenson had got about half through his sermon when he took the starch out of the girls, and, they both cried aloud for prayer, and were soon converted. Rachel and I fixed up things at once. I was now a mar- ried Methodist, with a Methodist wife."
Mr. Parmer settled near Sabine Bay, and in 1834 Father Stevenson visited him and preached in his house. Subse- quently he lived in Walker Co., and was a near neighbor to Gen. Sam. Houston. Gen. Houston often declared that the conversations and prayers of Tom Parmer had been of unspeakable advantage to him when he was seeking religion. The old General, as is well known, after he professed religion united with the Baptist church. After various moves, Mr. Parmer and his excellent wife are now residents of Galveston Island, and worshippers in St. John's Church.
Another venerable couple of Texas Methodists were also
156
METHODISM IN TEXAS.
[CHAP. VI.
present, and deeply interested in the dedicatory services at St. John's-David Ayers and his excellent wife. This couple have been married upward of fifty years, and having been present at the first official organization of Methodism at the camp-meeting in 1835, have watched the progress of the Church from its foundation to the pres- ent time, always ready to lend a helping hand in every good word and work. Being hard of hearing, Mr. Ayers had a special arrangement for conveying sound from the preacher's stand to his pew. Old as he is, Mr. Ayers had been very active in collecting means to build the new church ; and hardly was it dedicated until he had taken steps toward organizing a Sunday-school, and preparing to build another church toward the east end of the Island City.
The year 1871 opened most auspiciously for the Church in Texas. The previous season had witnessed gracious revivals, and large accessions to the church from immigra- tion, so that there was reported an increase of 12 travelling and 34 local preachers, and 3,284 white members. The work was pretty well supplied with preachers, who entered upon their labors with encouraging prospects of success. After dedicating the church in Galveston, Bishop Marvin held protracted services in the city, and visited succes- sively Houston, Bryan, and Navasota ; spending a Sab- bath and conducting interesting revival meetings at each place. He then proceeded to Hearne, Calvert, Kosse, and Springfield, preaching at all these places. He held district Conferences at Butler and at Waxahachie, and at the lat- ter place presided over an Educational Convention called to take measures for the establishment of a Methodist University at some central point in Texas. This visit of
157
METHODISM IN TEXAS.
SEC. IV.]
our bishop gave a fresh stimulus to all our church enter- prises at the points he was enabled to reach during the limited time at his disposal.
The district Conferences have been more largely attended than ever before. All the material and spiritual interests of the church were inquired into, and the result is seen in the general improvement everywhere visible. The local preachers, forming the reserve-corps of our ministerial forces, have this year been unusually active and efficient. This class of men, well distributed throughout the State, supply points not visited by regular itinerants, and render most valuable assistance at our protracted and camp- meetings. They are also especially useful in altar services, among those who are seeking the pearl of great price. Fortunate is that circuit that is well supplied with working local preachers. At this present writing we are unable to give the results of this year's labors, but, judging from our own observation, and notices which have from time to time appeared in the newspapers, we have good hope that this year will be one of more than usual prosperity. A brick church is about completed in the town of Marlin. A rock church is ready for use in Belton, and already some 75 or 100 accessions to the church are reported on that circuit. A brick church is being built at Clebourn, and frame buildings at three other points on the circuit, and an increase of over 200 members reported. On the Chatfield circuit three new churches are going up and 60 accessions reported. A church has been erected in Greenville, costing $5,000, and 200 have been added to the membership. Ex- tensive revivals have taken place in all of the five Confer- ences. We see notices of revival meetings at Jefferson, Paris, Johnson's Point (including a goodly number of the
158
METHODISM IN TEXAS.
[CHAP. VI.
students of the district academy located there), Sulphur Springs, Webberville, Austin Circuit and Station, San Antonio, Hempstead, Navasota, Anderson, Caldwell, Go- liad, Palestine, Crockett, and other circuits. At Corsi- cana a new church, eligibly located, has been built for the session of the Northwest Texas Conference. It is 42x74, with a spire 87 feet high. Many other church- buildings are in process of construction in all parts of the State, and there is a general spirit of improvement abroad among the people. Among the signs of progress we are glad to note that a more than usual attention is paid to the collection and instruction of the children of the Church in the Sabbath-school.
Our readers may desire to know something of the strength of the various Christian denominations in Texas. We can only give approximate estimates, most of which are taken from the New York Observer Year-Book for 1870. The missionary Baptists have 28 associations, 602 churches, 400 preachers, and 25,168 members. The old regular Baptists have about 40 preachers and 4,000 members. We have seen no estimate of the number of colored members of the Baptist Church in Texas. It must be very large. The Christians (Campbellites) have 100 churches, 100 preachers, and, say, 5,000 members. The Catholics have 86 priests, and a population of from 30,000 to 50,000. The Congrega- tionalists have one church and a preacher at Brownsville, on the Rio Grande. The Protestant Episcopal Church has 35 parishes, 23 clergymen, and 2,010 communicants. The Lutherans have 20 ministers, 30 churches, and 3,000 mem- bers. The Methodist Episcopal Church South has 5 Annual Conferences, 239 travelling and 526 local preachers, and 34,772 white and 2,007 colored members. We have no
159
METHODISM IN TEXAS.
SEC. V.]
statistics of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Methodist Episcopal Church North has 50 travelling and 147 local preachers, and 9,347 members; a large majority of their preachers and members are colored. The Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church (entirely colored) has 20 preachers and 2,200 members. The Presbyterian Church has 1 synod, 4 presbyteries, 44 ministers, 103 churches, and 1,915 members. There is also a presbytery with 3 preachers belonging to the Northern Presbyterian Church. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church has 15 presbyteries, 160 preachers, and an estimated membership of 15,000.
SECTION V.
Necrology, 1866, 1867-S. A. Williams, Wm. A. Smith, George Tittle, J. H. D. Moore, N. H. Boring-The Epidemic of 1867-T. F. Cook -Death of Wm. T. Harris at Lavaca, of Perham at Corpus Christi, of O. B. Adams at Victoria-The Fever at Houston-Mr. and Mrs. Rees and others Victims-Heflin and Kitrell at Huntsville-Fever at Chappell Hill-The McIntyre Family at Brenham-Q. M. Menifee at Lagrange- Wooldridge, Homil, Goodgion, Lynch, Lambden., Tanzy, Foote, Bond, Shipman, F. Wilson.
"LIKE the memory of joys that are past, pleasant and mournful to the soul," such are our feelings as we look at the long catalogue of names of brethren who have departed during this period. It is pleasant to recall happy associa- tions of the past, mournful to think we shall see these loved brethren no more in the flesh; and yet we are animated with a joyful hope of a reunion in a purer and better land.
Samuel A. Williams is the first name on our list ; he died in 1866. We turn to the Minutes and find the ominous words, "no memoir." Mr. Williams entered the Tennessee
160
METIIODISM IN TEXAS.
[CHAP. VI.
Conference in 1834, in the same class with S. S. Yarbo- rough and David Coulson. Mr. Williams followed Ruter, Fowler, and Alexander, to Texas, reaching the new republic in 1838. With a feeble constitution, he labored to the full measure of his strength, for twenty-five years, in the bounds of the East Texas Conference, filling most important cir- cuits, stations, and districts. Twice he had presided over the sessions of that body, three times represented it in the General Conference, and now he passes away with no earthly record. Well, his record is on high.
The next year the name of William A. Smith disappears from the Minutes of the Texas Conference, with no note to indicate what became of the person who formerly bore it. Mr. Smith had entered the Tennessee Conference in 1830, in the same class with Robert Alexander and Asbury Davidson. Mr. Smith fell into the Alabama Conference, and was present at its organization in Tuscaloosa, in December, 1832. He travelled in that Conference eighteen years, fill- ing its most important circuits, stations, and districts. In 1850 (partly at the suggestion of his brothers-in-law, Mor- gan C. and A. J. Hamilton), he was transferred to the Texas Conference. He did efficient work in Texas until 1860, when his lungs gave out, and he was compelled to ask a superannuated relation. He was in very feeble health when the Conference met in Galveston, in October, 1866, and sent his brethren a message through his brother Wes- ley Smith. "Tell the Conference that my faith wavers not ; I am ready for my final change. Christ is my rock, my refuge. My heart is with them, but weakness and want of funds prevent me from attending the Conference." He died January 4th, 1867.
George Tittle entered the Texas Conference in 1847.
161
METHODISM IN TEXAS.
SEC. V.]
After eight years in the itinerant service he became par- tially deranged. He died in the Confederate army.
Joseph H. D. Moore came to Texas in 1852, and did good service as an itinerant until the failure of his health. He died in Richmond, in January, 1866. Thomas F. Windsor had been thirteen years in the Texas Conference, and died in 1866. John Carmer, as a teacher in our Con- ference schools, was a number of years connected with the Texas Conference. Nicholas H. Boring, son of Dr. Jesse Boring, was killed by a railroad accident. He was a most promising young man.
The year 1867 might, in Texas, be denominated the year of death. The yellow fever in a malignant form ap- peared at Indianola, in July. The first minister who fell its victim was Thomas F. Cook, who contracted the disease at Indianola and died July 24th, at his home in Texana. Mr. Cook was a son of Valentine Cook, of Kentucky. He had been eighteen years in the itinerant work in Texas, and had been a very successful preacher.
William T. Harris had been ten years connected with the Texas Conference. He was this year (1867) stationed at Lavaca and Victoria. When the fever appeared he was appointed President of the Howard Association at Lavaca. The fever became epidemic the week appointed by our Bishops as a week of prayer. Mr. Harris was stricken down. Alluding to the week of prayer, he said, during his sickness, and as his end approached, "instead of holding a meeting with the congregation, he would go up to the great meeting of the Church of the first-born in heaven." One of his children was buried by his side. When Mr. Harris died, Rev. George C. Moore, pastor of the Presby- terian church, was at Victoria, which was under his pas-
162
METHODISM IN TEXAS.
[CHAP. VI.
toral charge. Mr. Moore died soon afterward. The only ministers in Lavaca, after Mr. Harris' death were Mr. Thrall (whose residence was at Lavaca, though his pas- toral charge was at Indianola), and Father Alexis Renox, Catholic. In the visitation of the sick and dying, Father Renox and Mr. Thrall frequently met, and formed an agreeable acquaintance. Finally, Mr. Thrall was taken down with the prevailing fever, when Father Renox visited him and in many ways expressed his sympathy. Mr. Thrall recovered in time to visit Father Renox when he was pros- trated by the fearful scourge. When all hope of life had been given up, Mr. Thrall asked the dying priest how he felt. The good man raised his emaciated hand and pointed heavenward, exclaiming, "So happy, so happy," and in that frame of mind the spirit departed to its eternal rest. This was on the 8th of September, and the priest was one of the last victims of the epidemic in Lavaca that fatal year. O. B. Adams died in Victoria of the fatal malady. Jesse C. Perham had formerly been a member of the Alabama Conference, living at Corpus Christi. When the epidemic broke out, he gave himself to the work of visiting the sick and dying, and fell a victim to his self-sacrificing devotion. A large number, including some church-members, died in Galveston. In Houston, William Rees was the stationed preacher. His wife was the daughter of John Rabb. In a letter to the writer, probably the last he ever wrote, Mr. Rees stated that he and Mrs. Rees had talked the matter over and deliberately determined to remain at their post. Mrs. Rees was one of the first victims of the fever. Mrs. Cross (then resident in Houston) describes the death-scene as one of rare Christian triumph. With rapt vision, the dying lady seemed to gaze into heaven, and with wonderful
163
METHODISM IN TEXAS.
SEC. V.]
eloquence and pathos exhorted all around her to meet her in the better land. In common conversation Mrs. Rees was not remarkably fluent, but in times of religious excite- ment we have heard her exhort and pray with a fervor and unction that overpowered all hearts. Mr. Rees, who had been ten years in the Texas Conference, followed his com- panion the next week. He possessed a fine and finely cul- tivated mind, and was rapidly rising into distinction in his calling, when he fell a martyr to his fidelity .*
The epidemic spread through the country to parts which had been considered exempt from its visitations. At Huntsville, Rev. R. T. Hefflin, D.D., President of Andrew Female College, died. Dr. W. P. Kitrell, one of the trus- tees of the institution, and many other citizens, fell victims to the fatal disease. At Chappell Hill it was singularly fatal. Among the other victims the pastor of the church, Rev. Dr. B. T. Kavanaugh, lost a son and a daughter. Richard Weemes, a most promising young man, just pre- paring to enter the itinerancy, was stricken down. M. P. Meyers, a local preacher, and many worthy church-members and valuable citizens, fell victims.
Dr. C. McIntyre, a local preacher, lived at Brenham. This family were highly esteemed by all who knew them. The father, mother, and grown daughters, furnished noble
We annex the names of those connected with the Houston church and Sunday-school, who died from July to November. Names of teachers: Rev. William Rees, pastor, Rev. James McLeod, Dr. J. L. Bryan, Hon. I. C. Spence, Andrew Crawford, Mrs. Melissa Rees, Mrs. Louisa Bering, Miss Candace Adams, Mrs. Anderson, Mrs. F. Simms. Names of scholars : Miss Mary Morris, Miss Mary Ann Cross, Miss Texas Dechaumes, Miss Dora Dechaumes, Miss Belle Dawson, Master Ralph Culburtson, Master John L. Diamond, Master Francis Carter.
164
METHODISM IN TEXAS.
[CHAP. VI.
examples of Christian piety and prudence. The fearful epidemic entered this peaceful and happy household, and left the house empty and desolate. Father, and five chil- dren of the family, sleep side by side until the resurrection morn.
Lagrange, also, high upon the Colorado, suffered fearfully from the terrible scourge. We cannot particularize, but our readers will permit us to pay a passing tribute to the memory of the pastor of the church, who fell a victim to the dread destroyer. Quinn M. Menifee, son of Hon. William Menifee, was a native Texan. We were intimately acquainted with his boyhood, and watched with growing interest the development of his mental faculties, first in the school-room, and subsequently as he took his place at the bar, with a fine prospect of success in his profession. At the call of duty he relinquished the practice of law, and entered the itinerancy in 1857. During the war he enlisted as a private soldier in the army of Virginia, and endured for nearly two years the hardships and perils of soldier-life. At the battle of Sharpsburg he lost a leg, and was for some time a prisoner in the enemy's hands. One of the most touching scenes we ever witnessed took place when he first entered the pulpit after his return home. It was at a camp-meeting, among the playmates of his boy- hood. As the noble young man went hobbling into the pulpit upon his one leg with his crutches, the sight awak- ened the sympathies of the whole assembly, and there was scarcely a dry eye in that multitude. The early part of the year 1867 witnessed a gracious revival on his charge, and he had every prospect of a pleasant and prosperous year. But the pestilence came, and the faithful pastor was one of its first victims. Quinn Menifee was a young man of
165
METHODISM IN TEXAS.
SEC. V.]
noble and generous impulses, a high-toned gentleman, and a pure-minded Christian. He prepared his sermons with great care, and delivered them with an unction and pathos that awakened a profound interest in his hearers. Not- withstanding the loss of one of his limbs, his friends pre- dicted for him a useful and successful career in the min- istry. But his sun of life went down ere it had reached its meridian.
Thos. Wooldridge, twenty-two years connected with the Conference, died very peacefully, Jan. 27, 1867. John N. Hamil died Jan. 1, declaring that he expected to anchor at last in that harbor beyond all storms. A. W. Goodgion re- gretted that, just as he was learning to preach, he should be called from the church below ; but added, " all is well."
Samuel Lynch had been eighteen years an itinerant, and had probably received more members into the church than any other Texas preacher during that period. When asked how he felt in reference to dying, his reply was, "All right, all right, in that direction."
Wm. McKendree Lambden, the son of a distinguished minister of Pittsburg Conference, had been licensed as a local preacher in early life. In 1857 he joined the Texas Conference, and at once took rank among its foremost preachers. In 1859 he was stationed in Houston, and 1860 and following three years on Fort Worth district. He was a member of the General Conference of 1866. The theme of his last sermon was, faith in Christ as the condition of salvation. Jas. K. Tanzy, while travelling in Conal Co., was basely murdered. No clue was ever obtained as to the perpetrators of the crime. Wm. G. Foote came from Vir- ginia to Texas in 1853. For several years he was Professor of Mathematics in Soule University. He also filled accepta-
166
METHODISM IN TEXAS.
[CHAP. VI.
bly and usefully several pastoral charges. He died in 1867, of consumption : "no memoir" is the statement in the Min- utes.
Joseph Bond commenced itinerating in the St. Louis Conference in 1846-was transferred to East Texas in 1865. He had just been reappointed for the second year to the Crockett district, when he died Dec. 27, 1867.
James W. Shipman came from Arkansas to East Texas in 1850. Subsequently he came into the Texas Conference, and filled various stations and districts. In 1857 he was appointed agent of the Texas Book Depository and Advo- cate. After the war he located, and commenced the com- mission business in Galveston. We have understood that on his death-bed he expressed his regrets that he had not continued in the itinerancy.
The last year the name of Francis Wilson appears on the effective list was 1851, when he labored on the Austin circuit. His family remained in East Texas, and he re- turned there, and became a superannuated member of that Conference. In his day, Bro. Frank Wilson, as he was uni- versally called, was a strong man, and a zealous and suc- cessful preacher. It was observed, when he was on the Kenawha circuit, that he very frequently referred to the capture of Jericho. He had an appointment for a two days' meeting at the Salines, above Charleston. Two gentlemen bet a hat, that at every service the preacher would exhort the people to blow the trumpet around the walls of Jericho. He did so until the last service, Sunday-night, and in this, when he arose to pronounce the benediction, he appointed another meeting, and exhorted the people to come with their rams' horns, to sound around the walls of Jericho. Of course, the winner gave the hat to the preacher, and by
167
METHODISM IN TEXAS.
SEC. V.]
some means he ascertained how he came to receive it, and from that time ceased so constantly to sound his ram's horn around the walls of Jericho. Both of the gentlemen subsequently professed religion, and became stewards. A correspondent gives, in the Texas Advocate, Sept. 2, 1857, some illustrations of Mr. Wilson's style of address. But a few years ago, in his own language, he was strong for the war in the open field, and left others to abide by the stuff. This sentence from his lips would thrill you with a variety of emotions ; the words strong-war-open field-others left to abide by the stuff, would be enunciated with such direct effect, as to instantly array before your mind a giant refreshed with new wine, and yourself that giant, warring with an embattled host of foes on some memorable field ; but with a breath you would be contemplating a class, time- serving, world-loving, labor-shrinking, sitting idly by the stuff; and that word would signify, by the manner of its utterance, all that was worthless, and meanly poor. Mr. Wilson was an excellent manager of protracted meetings. He resorted to many successful expedients to awaken and keep up the revival-spirit. Sometimes he however failed, and then he could gracefully cover a retreat. On one occa- sion all his efforts had failed, and on Sunday night, after another minister had preached, it was expected that the elder would deliver one of his thundering exhortations. But when he arose, instead of a fresh charge upon the enemy, he quietly remarked that the meeting had been of singular advantage to him. He had discovered that the people were unable to bless themselves, and as it did not seem to please God to answer their prayers for a revival, he would pronounce the benediction, which he proceeded at once to do. We subjoin some extracts from a letter written by
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.