after many interviews with leading men, proposed to the Leg-
islature, through the Governor, to make a donation of $6,000,
to be continued during the pleasure of this Board, if the State
would establish and maintain a first-class N ormal school. The
Governor advocated the measure in a special message, and a
law to that effect was accordingly passed, making an annual
appropriation of $14,000. The location of the school was
fixed at Huntsville. There has been some objection made to
the location, yet as an offer of its college building was made
free of charge, it was accepted. But for this offer the bill
might not have passed. Provision is made for paying all the
expenses of seventy-four State pupils. The colored ISTormal
school, established at the same time, is to be at Prairie View,
with an annual appropriation of $6,000, and a given number
of scholarships.
In a message to the Legislature at its special session, the
Governor expressed his views respecting ]N'ormal schools in the
following manner :
"The importance of these ISTormal schools as a necessary
incident to an efficient system of public free schools in this
State, can not, as I believe, be well over-estimated. They are
simply indispensable in the effort gradually to attain that de-
sirable object. jSTo efficient system can ever be attained in
Texas, whatever else may be done, without the aid of ISTormal
schools. I regard it as the first step in the right direction,
which, if persisted in, will, above all else, to the extent of its
expenses, aid in the consummation of the final success of the
undertaking to establish a system."
The foregoing is the last report but one from the lamented
Dr. Sears. In February, 1880, his report is brief and relates
exclusively to the successful establishment of the Sam Hous-
ton Xormal Institute at Huntsville.
396 The Life A^'D T\"ritixgs of
Dr. Barnas Sears died at Saratoga, July 6, 1880, after a
brief illness. He was a great and good man and was cut down
in the midst of his usefulness.
At the regular meeting of the Trustees in February,
1881, Dr. J. L. M. Curry was unanimously chosen General
Agent of the Peabody Fund, who ably and conscientiously con-
tinued to work for his predecessor. Dr. Curry, Avho is a Bap-
tist minister, was United States Embassador to Spain during
Cleveland's first administration, and has few superiors as an
author and scholar.
Governor Eoberts' veto of the Appropriation Bill" of-
fered by the Sixteenth Legislature has been sufficiently ven-
tilated as it regards the subject of free schools. "Pay as you
go" became the popular motto of his administration. The
usual plans were resorted to by ambitious politicians to arouso
an opposition to his re-nomination in 1880, principally thi-ough
garbled extracts from his veto message with reference to pub-
lic free schools. Governor Roberts was easily nominated on
the first ballot. His second term began January 11, 1881.
Early in the Legislative session of 1881, the committee
appointed by the State Teachers' Association, of which Dr.
O. H. Cooper was chairman, presented an able memorial to
the Governor for the establishment of the "University of
Texas," which was transmitted by him to the Legislature with
his message on education. "The act to establish the Univer-
sity of Texas was passed by the Legislature as stated and ap-
proved March 30, 1881. It provided for the manner of its
location, and generally for its government and regulation, and
that its institution might not be delayed, another act was
passed and approved April 1, 1881, providing for the appoint-
ment by the Governor, with the consent of the Senate, of a
Board of Regents, to be chosen from the different parts of the
State. "The attempt had been made in 1858, under Gover-
nor Pease, to inaugurate this institution, but the war and its
distressing accompaniments had postponod tlic great work
nearly a quarter of a century."
"Among the important economic changes adopted by the
State in remedying the expensive school system instituted dur-
ing the "period of reconstruction," was one recommended by
Governor Eoberts, classifying the teachers into several grades
Dk. Kufus C. Bukleson. 397
so that great saving was effected in tlie salaries, instead of pay-
ing the teachers all alike. The prices of sale of the public
lands were reduced and various measures were taken for the
more rapid disposition of them to produce greater funds for the
support of the free schools and establishment of the University.
What was known as the "fifty cent's act," reducing the price
of the public lands to that figure, was suggested by Governor
Roberts.
The location of the Academic and Law Departments of
the University Avas established at Austin and the Medical
branch at Galveston by a vote of the people. Austin was also
chosen, as the law required, for the branch for the education
of the colored youth of the State. The Agricultural and Me-
chanical College at Bryan had already been designated in the
Constitution as a branch of the University. The Twenty-
third Legislature of 1891 also made Prairie View College a
branch of the University.
The Academic and Law Departments having been pre-
viously organized, the University was formally opened in the
main building September 15, 1883. The University is con-
ducted on the simple co-educational plan which admits stu-
dents of both sexes on equal terms. A popular provision has
been adopted for correlating the University with the public
schools by admitting graduates of the school without special
examination at the University when the applicants are from
approved schools. This action had a tendency to better feel-
ing between the friends of the free school and the University."
(Lane.)
"The inauguration of the Medical College at Galveston,
as a branch of the University is the result of liberality on the
part of citizens of Galveston, and of the city authorities in
co-operation with the action of the State, whereby the Medical
Department has not only been put into operation sooner than
it otherwise wonld have been, but the University has secured
an elegant property, known as the "John Sealy Hospital."
The conditions proposed were accepted on the part of the State,
and at the next meeting of the Legislature, in 1889, Galveston
offered to donate twenty-five thousand dollars upon the further
condition that the State would appropriate a like amount for
the purposes of the institution, which proposition was accepted.
398 The Life and Wkitings of
and all that the terms required was consummated. The first
annual session of the college began October 1, 1891.
An act of the Legislature in 1876, entitled 'Mn Act to
Establish an Agricultural and Mechanical College for Colored
Youths," and twenty thousand dollars was appropriated for the
purpose. It was located in Waller County, where a site with
suitable agricultural lands was purchased. As the patronage
it received did not warrant its being maintained as a school
of industrial training, it was converted into a State Kormal
to meet the demand for trained colored teachers. Its indus-
trial features have since been restored and the Legislature of
1891 constituted Prairie View College a branch of the Univer-
sity. The College receives direct appropriations from the
State and gets annually one-fourth of the Congressional pro-
vision of $15,000 for the Agricultural Experiment Station in
Texas. Students of both sexes are admitted to the school.
As a l^ormal school it has been very successful.
Summer Normals are a feature in the educational system
of the State, and they render valuable assistance to teachers.
They are located and the conductors of them are appointed by
the State Superintendent of Instruction.
Formally the State made appropriations for the support
of Summer ISTormal schools for the benefit of teachers and
others, but the appropriations were eventually discontinued,
and they and teachers institutes are held in such cities and
towns as provided for them.
JSTo statistics have been compiled from which to ascertain
the total value of public and private school propert}^ in Texas,
but it must amount in the aggregate to many millions of dol-
lars. Baylor Universiy and many of the denominational col-
leges own valuable buildings and other property, and possibly
altogether the school property of the State represents an in-
vestment of $20,000,000. Many city school buildings are
expensive structures and are now found in almost every town
of any size and importance in the State.
In addition to the State educational insT:itutions already
cited, eleemosynary and charitable institutions, public and
private, possess an educational feature, and are conducted most
liberally and in the most perfect manner.
Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 399
In concluding the enumeration of the educational fea-
tures of Texas the newspaper is a factor which can not be
justly ignored. As disseminators of knowledge, as agents for
moulding public opinion, arresting crime and the spread of
intelligence their value could scarcely be overestimated. The
prostitution of this medium of intelligence to subserve sordid
and unworthy purposes, as has been done in some instances in
the State, by those who conduct them, should forever entail
on the offender the odium merited by the offense. The Press
is a powerful projector for good or evil according to the dispo-
sition of those who are in control. Texas owes much to her
newspapers, and especially to those that were established early
in its history, and struggled for life during the adverse condi-
tions which encompassed her infancy and youth, because they
did much to hasten the day of her deliverance from Mexican
depotism.
This reference to newspapers, and placing them in the
category of educational enterprises, is made for the reason that
Dr. Burleson was a sincere friend of the Press, and believed
in its potency and power. The young men in Baylor were en-
couraged to establish college journals, as a means of mental
training.
Having now concluded an enumeration of all the institu-
tions of Texas possessing an educational feature, a brief recap-
itulation will explain the plan we have had in contemplation
throughout the story.
We have viewed Texas as a wild wilderness inhabited by
a rude and savage people. We have witnessed the desires and
struggles of the early settlers to encourage education, both the
founders of Baylor University, and the friends of public
schools. We have seen how by means of law, under the fos-
tering care of the government enterprises launched resulting
in failure; and then noticed the more successful efforts of the
colonists to foster schools amid the dangers of frontier life. We
have observed school enterprises under five governments and
collected the record of their demands for the education of
their children.
In some instances the liberality of the people was carried
to an extreme, and in both public and private enterprises
amounted to prodigality. Texas has donated nearly all its
400 The Life a'sd "Whitings or
splendid public domain, to the value of untold millions to the
education of its children. Nowhere more than in Texas has
the world witnessed such devotion to knowledge and educa-
tion.
In all the campaigns made in Texas from 1848 to 1901
for better educational facilities, Dr. Burleson has been a con-
spicuous figure. He was among the first to take the field in ad-
vocacy of a system of common schools.
By reference to his first report as Lecturer for the Pea-
body Fund it may be ascertained that he was the first to recom-
mend the holding of teachers institutes by the teachers of Gral-
veston and they have continued since to grow in favor. With
the members of the profession.
He was among the first to insist on the enforcement of
that clause in the State constitution providing for the Univer-
sity of Texas.
He was the first teacher -in Texas to suggest the estab-
lishment of a jSTormal Institute in which to train teachers.
It is to Dr. Burleson's credit, that the present free school
system of the State, the system of holding teachers institutes,
the Sam Houston ]S3"ormal Institute at Huntsville, and the
State University at Austin, are all largely the result of his
earnest work and love for education in its broadest sense. All
of this service he performed while President of Baylor Uni-
versity, and that he did so without neglecting his official duties,
shows his wonderful capacity for work.
One other statement, and letter will show the breadth of
Dr. Burleson's interest in the cause of education. He was
President of a denominational school, but felt the keenest in-
terest in the schools of all other churches, and rendered them
aid and encouragement, rather than treating them as competi-
tors and rivals, as the following communication will show:
Add-Ran Christian University,
Hermoson, Texas, Wo v. 24th, 1900.
Dr. R. C. Burleson, Waco, Texas:
Honored Sir: — I am told that Add-Ran has heretofore
had the pleasure and honor of your presence on all public
occasions of special interest. I take this means of assuring you
Dk. Rufus C. Burleson.
401
of our hearty appreciation of your interest in our welfare, and
in behalf of Add-Ean Christian University. I cordially invite
you to be with us on Thanksgiving day. Our program con-
sists of a Thanksgiving service, dinner, and dedication of our
new building at 3 :30 p. m.
Most respectfully and cordially yours,
E. C. SNOW,
Chairman Facultv.
m^
402 The Life and AVeitikgs of
CHAPTER XLVII.
Kesolutiox of the East Texas Coxventiox October 12tu,
1867 — Oegakezatioi!?^ of the Baptist General Asso-
ciation OF Texas July 17th, 1868 — Gen. Jajmes E.
Harrison, of Waco, Elected President — R. C. Burle-
son, Corresponding Secretary — Gen. Joseph W.
Speight, Chairman of Committee to Remodel Consti-
tution — Dr. Burleson Moves to Send Eraternal
Delegates to State Convention — Dr. Burleson
Elected Corresponding Secretary foe the Fourth
Time.
Q X the 12tli of October, 1867, the Baptist Convention
mrrS of East Texas, assembled in a special session in
^^3 Tyler, at which time a resolution was Introduced,
debated and adopted, changing the name of that body to the
Baptist General Association of Texas. The matter had been
previously canvassed among the churches, associations and
individuals composing the East Texas Convention, and the
question predetermined. The adoption of the resolution was
merely pro forma.
The East Texas Convention had confined its operations
entirely to the Eastern portion of the State, and the reason for
making this change in the designation of the convention, was
to give the body a name of more general significance, that it
might with unquestioned propriety, enlarge the scope of its
activities.
The State convention was, and had been from the date
of its formation in 1848, extending fostering care over Baylor
Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. 403
University at Independence, and the real reason for changing
the name of the East Texas Convention, and extending the
area of its jurisdiction, was that it might include the territory
of Waco Association, which would give the new body the
undisputed right to foster Waco University, and assume all
the authority over it, that the genius of Baptist Ecclesiasticism
would allow. The data and facts to hand does not justify this
statement, but speaking from behind the scenes for a moment,
it can be safely asserted, that Dr. R. C. Burleson was largely
instrumental in inducing the East Texas Convention to prac-
tically dissolve, and surrender the situation to the new organi-
zation.
The Baptist General Association of Texas, held its first
annual session at Chatfield, ISTavarro county, July 17, 1868.
General James E. Harrison, of Waco, was elected President;
W. B. Featherstone, W. C. Buck and E. C. Burleson, Vice-
Presidents; Prof. J. T. Hand, Recording Secretary, and Gen-
eral Joseph W. Speight, Treasurer. Very few religious bodies
have ever been launched with a more distinguished corps of
officials.
Dr. Burleson expressed a preference for the position of
Corresponding Secretary, a position he filled as we have seen
in the State Convention. He therefore tendered his resigna-
tion as Vice-President, W. G. Caperton was chosen to fill the
vacancy, and Dr. Burleson unanimously elected to the posi-
tion for which he had expressed some preference, fie was
made chairman of a committee, with General Joseph W.
Speight, W. B. Featherstone, W. C. Buck and W. L. Foster
as associates, to revise and remodel the constitution so as to
make it provide more fully, for the enlarged territory, in-
creased demands, greater operations and new interests and
enterprises of the body.
This committee prepared and presented a constitution,
using the constitution of the erstwhile East Texas Conven-
tion, as a basis, which was a substantial reproduction of the
constitution of the old State Convention. It stated: "This
body shall be called, The Baptist General Association of
Texas."
404 The Life axd AVeitixgs of
"The objects of this association shall be Missionary and
Educational, the promotion of harmony of feeling, concert of
action among "Baptists, and a system of operative measures
for the promotion of the Redeemer's Engdom."
"This Association shall be composed of messengers chosen
annually by Baptist churches, not exceeding two from any one
church, and by associations, not exceeding four from any one
association, and one additional messenger from every church
that shall contribute $10 annually, and one additional mess-
enger for every $20 contributed annually by any association,
and such members of Baptist churches as shall contribute
annually the sum of $5."
The constitution goes on to re-affirm the principle of
church sovereignty, so tenaciously clung to by the Baptists
of the world, from the time Paul declared it to be "the ground
and pillar of the Truth."
Section 1, Article III., of the constitution says: "This
association shall never possess a single attribute of power or
authority over any church, or association of churches; but it
disclaims absolutely any right of this kind, or any other
ecclesiastical authority, hereby avowing that every church is
sovereign and independent."
The constitution offered by the committee having been
adopted, the association was now in the field for Divine and
denominational favor. To assure the friends and constituency
of the convention, that the spirit of the association was not
antagonistic, but fraternal, the following resolution was
adopted :
"Resolved, That the following messengers be appointed
to the Baptist State Convention: J. Beall, "W. A. Dunklin,
M. B. Hardin, R. C. Buckner, J. B. Link, and that they be
instructed to assure our dear brethren of our highest Christian
regard, and our desire to be co-laborers -wdth them, in the grept
Avork of promoting our Bedeemer's Kingdom in Texas.
"Respectfully submitted,
"R. C. BURLESOIT."
The extent and condition of the territory to be covered
by the General Association, and the leading objects to Avhich
its energies and resources would be devoted, are stated in a
Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 405
most interesting waj by Rev. E. C. Buckner, in a report on
Home Missions, and Rev. M. B. Hardin in a report on Ednca-
tion.
To say that the General Association prospered beyond
the expectations of those who projected it, would not prehaps
be a correct statement, because great things were planned and
great results were expected. But that its growth was rapid
cannot be doubted. At the first session there were eighteen
churches represented. At the second session held in Tyler,
July 23, 1869, thirty-eight churches and eleven district asso-
ciations sent delegates to the meeting.
Rev. Thomas F. Lockett, chairman of the committee on
Education, made this reference to Waco University in his
report :
"Waco University, a regular chartered Institution, under
the Presidency of Dr. Rufus C. Burleson, has been in success-
ful operation for about nine years, sending forth its graduates
to take their places among the great Baptist family of Texas.
This Institution is now putting forth efforts, through its
Financial Agent, to place itself with the very best Institutions
of our land. We cordially recommend it to the sympathies
and support of our churches and brethren."
Corresponding Secretary Burleson, presented and re-
viewed the work of the year, and made suggestions for future
operations.
Dr. Burleson was re-elected Corresponding Secretary at
this session and also at the sessions held in Paris July 22, 1870,
and Fairfield in 1871. Here, Waco University, and the
cause of higher education in Texas, received a large share of
attention from the association.
Dr. Burleson was re-elected Corresponding Secretary at
the annual session of the Association held at Rowlets Creek,
July 26, 1872. In his report for this year, he deplores the
fact that the operations of the body had not been so successful,
or actively prosecuted as they deserved to be, notwithstanding
which, the churches already established, and the cause in gen-
eral, was flourishing.
"Your Corresponding Secretary has received important
communications froni the Home Mission Board, at Marion,
406 The Life axd Weitixgs of
Alabama, and from the Foreign Mission Board, at Richmond,
Virginia. Texas Baptists have received over $30,000 from
the Southern Baptist Convention in their early struggles, and
we should now show our gratitude, by fully co-operating with
her Boards, in their glorious work. We would call especial
attention to lOssions in Rome, which is worthy of our sup-
port."
He then proceeds in a gladsome, joyous strain to sum up
the situation :
"Dear Brethren: — Our Savior has blessed us with
ample means, to respond to all these calls."
"N'ever have our fields ^aelded such abundant increase;
never have our churches been blessed with greater revivals;
never have our District Associations been more successful in
their Mission work; never have our Institutions of learning
been so prosperous."
Concluding, he remarks with that confidence born of a
broad purpose, and a willingness to work :
"All that is now wanting is, for the General Association
to do her duty, and the desert shall blossom as the rose."
Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 401
CHAPTER XLVII
Growth of the General Association — Dr. Burleson
Elected President at Jefferson July 25th, 1873 —
Ee-elected at Dallas, 1874; Sherman, 1875; Waco,
1876; Paris, 1877; Fort Worth, 1878; Pittsburg,
1879 — Served the Association as Corresponding
Secretary and President Eleven Consecutive Years
— Movement to Establish Organic Connection Be-
tween General Association and Waco University —
The Pott's Kesolution — Movement Consumated at
Sulphur Springs in 1882 — A Sketch of the Con-
solidation Movement Kesulting in the Union of all
THE General Baptist Conventions in the State.
MULTITUDE of great Baptist preachers, and dis-
tinguished laymen contributed of their v^dsdom and
work, to the phenomenal growth and strength of the
Baptist General Association of Texas, during its brief but
vigorous existence of seventeen years. The reports of the
various committees on the various departments of work are
literary productions of a high order of excellence, and are
worthy of being placed in more enduring form and being pre-
served forever. It would be delightful to perform this task
now, and give just and merited recognition to the noble hosts,
who made this short but glorious chapter in the history of
Texas Baptists.
" Oh! your merit speaks loud; and 'tis wrong
To lock it in the wards of covert bosom;
When it deserves, with characters of brass,
A forted residence 'gainst the tooth of time,
And razure of obhvion."
408 The Life axd Weitixgs of
This, however, would be entirely beyond the scope of this
work, and only such men and measures are noticed, as touch
him, the story of whose life we are telling.
Dr. Burleson was elected President of the General Asso-
ciation at the annual session held in Jefferson, July 25, 1873,
and re-elected for seven consecutive years; namely: At
Dallas, July 24, 1874; Sheraian, July 23, 1875; Waco, July
20, 1876; Paris, July 20, 1877; Fort Worth, July 26, 1878;
and Pittsburg, July 25, 1879. After this session, while he
continued to attend the annual meetings, he was not an officer
of the body. His official connection with the association
embraced a period of eleven consecutive years. It is a fact
deserving mention, that his official connection with the General