TYRELL J. JACKSON".
Bro. Jackson was a noble co-laborer of the Old Guard —
a real Aaron and Hur to Wm. M. Tryon, R. E. B. Baylor,
Jas. Huckins, Z. 'N. Morrell, Hosea Garrett and a peer of O.
H. P. Garrett, T. J. Pilgrim and A. G. Haynes. Indeed the
lives and character of brethren Haynes and Jackson were very
similar. They were both born in Green Co., Georgia, both
converted and baptized early, both lived some time in Ala-
bama, both married noble Christian ladies, and raised and
educated large families of useful sons and daughters. Both
718 The Life axd AVkitings of
moved to Texas and settled in Washington county in 1841,
both were Baptist deacons and trustees of Baylor University
for over a quarter of a century, both were plain, wealthy
farmers, eminent for their public spirit and hospitality, both
lived and died \Adthout even a breath of suspicion on their
reputation as Baptist deacons and Christians. I knew them
most intimately. I educated, baptized and married their
children. And many of the happiest hours of my life have
been spent in their families, and in counseling with them for
the cause of Christ and for the glory of Texas.
Brother Jackson, as we have seen, was bom in Green
county, Georgia, but was raised chiefly in Alabama, where he
resided till he moved to Texas. When 27 years old he mar-
ried Miss Julia A. Coleman, a lady eminent for modesty,
gentleness, and every domestic excellency. She ever dis-
pensed the hospitality of their beautiful home so cordially and
so sweetly that every guest was anxious to return, and as a
loving Christian wife and mother she had no superior.
In 1838 Bro. Jackson was converted and baptized by
Elder John A. Taylor into the fellowship of the Mount Enon
Church, Dickens county, Alabama. He moved to Texas and
settled. in Washington county in 1841. He first joined the
church at Independence and under circumstances very pecu-
liar and illustrative of the crisis, of the character of himself
and his noble wife and the consummate generalship of Kev.
W. M. Tryon. It was in the midst of the fearful struggles
of the little handful of Baptists with Campbellites as led by
the unfortunate leader, T. W. Cox. The little church at In-
dependence was nearly equally divided; thirteen in favor of
Cox and twelve Baptists firmly set on the Old Land Marks.
The church conference was that day to settle the vital
questions; first, the validity of the baptism of Kev. Lindsey
P. Kucker, and second, whether T. W. Cox or Wm. M. Tryon
should be elected pastor.
Eev. Mr. Rucker (now an Episcopal minister), had been
a Methodist Protestant preacher but being a good scholar, he
saw immersion alone was baptism and applied for membership
in the little church at Independence. He was cordially re-
ceived and his baptism fixed for a day in the near future.
But Dr. Clough, a deacon, and thoroughly imbued with
Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 719
Campbellite ideas, persuaded Elder Rucker that any man
had a right to administer baptism and took him down to the
beautiful little stream called Rocky and immersed him, con-
trary to the grand old landmark, that "three things are essen-
tial to a valid baptism: 1. A converted believer. 2. A
regularly ordained Baptist preacher in good standing. 3.
Immersion in water in the name of the Father, Son and Holy
Spirit.
The twelve Baptists knowing the Campbellites had one
majority, made every effort to get Bro. Jackson and wife to
put in their letters, which would give them a clear working
majority of one. But Bro. Jackson, with his great love of
peace, and having been sorely tried by the fearful divisions
of the churches in Alabama about missions, Sunday schools,
etc., resolved to keep out of church trials and wars, and re-
sisted all importunities to join till the difficulties were settled.
The Campbellites came up so full of confident success that
they invited Bro. Tryon to preach on Saturday before going
into conference. The old Independence Female Academy
building was crowded. Bro. Jackson and wife rode twelve
miles to be there.
Bro. Tryon's sermon was to demonstrate the duty and
importance of every good soldier coming boldly to the front
in the day of battle, and to illustrate the shame of a soldier
shirking danger, he related the familiar story of the old pion-
eer when the big black bear came into his little log cabin,
climbed up into the loft till his wife with the axe tackled the
bear and felled the black monster in the floor, and when the
danger was all over the husband jumped down, seized the stool
and knocking the bear's brains out, shouted : "Old woman,
ain't we brave !" Bro. Jackson's angel wife gave him a sug-
gestive look, and in telling me the incident afterwards, he said :
"I first felt small enough to crawl into an auger-hole, and then
felt brave enough to fight a whole regiment of black bears,
and thirteen Campbellites besides." As soon as Bro. Tryon's
sermon was over he said : "Julia, I do wish we had our letters
here; I want to join right now." The angel wife replied:
"All right; I brought them along in case we might conclude
to join !"
720 The Life and "Writings of
They joined; they elected Wm. M. Try on pastor; they
told Deacon Clough and good Bro. Rucker and the whole
Campbellite element to go! That one vote secured by tho
bear story saved the little church at Independence, defeated
the wiley and fallen T. W. Cox, and made Independence the
great educational center of Texas for nearly forty years.
Yet the unthinking world will never understand the im-
portance of little things, and also that there is often more logic
in an anecdote or fable than in a learned stupid essay.
Bro, Jackson and his angel wife saved the church at In-
dependence. Soon, however, they aided in organizing dear
old Providence, near his home. He and O. H. P. Garrett and
Xelson Kavanaugh became deacons and Hosea Garrett pastor.
Por years it was the strongest country church in Texas. In
one single revival there were eighty-four conversions.
There Rev. James H. Stribling was converted and bap-
tized, and for more than forty years he has been a noble banner
bearer in every good and great enterprise. There IN'elson
Kavanaugh and his noble wife were converted and baptized,
and became pillars in our church at Houston and Brenham.
Bro. Jackson and his angel wife lived to see all Wash-
ington county dotted with Baptist churches. They raised
and educated a noble family of sons and daughters, who are
to-day an honor to their parents and pillars in the Baptist
cause, wherever they are. It was one of their daughters, Mrs.
R. J. Sledge, with her noble husband, who said to our aged
homeless brother, Z. :N'. Morrell : "Our house is your home."
I often think of the many times I have seen Brethren A.
G. Haynes, Tyrel J. Jackson, James Huckins, Nelson Kav-
anaugh, R. E. B. Baylor, Henry L. Graves, A. C. Horton,
Robt. Jarman, James R. Jenkins, and others, seated in the
cool shade of the magnificent live oaks in Bro. Haynes' yard
in delightful familiar conversation about the cause of Christ
and Texas and Baylor University. And by faith I see them
by the rivers of Paradise, under the shade of the tree of life,
with their noble wives, all shouting : "Safe at home !" And,
like Paul, T am in a strait betwixt the two, having a desire to
depart and be with them at Jesus' feet, nevertheless it is prof-
itable for me to abide in the flesh to finish the work they began
in building up a great Texas Baptist University that shall
De. Rufus C. Bukleson.
Y21.
dispense light and knowledge and holiness for a thousand
years to come.
GAIL BORDEN, JR.
GAIL BORDEN.
Bro. Borden published at San Filipe, in 1835, the first
newspaper ever printed in Texas, called The Texas Telegraph.
He and his angel wife were the first persons ever baptized in
the gulf at Galveston. He was for nearly twenty years dea-
con and Sabbath school superintendent of the First Baptist
Church at Galveston. He was the inventor of Borden's con-
densed milk, now famous around the globe. He was emi-
nent for child-like simplicity, humility and earnest piety.
He therefore deserves a place in the ranks of 'The Old Guard
and their Co-Laborers."
Bro. Borden was born in the State of N'ew York, U^ovem-
ber 9th, 1801. In 1814 his father, Gail Borden, Sr., moved
to the far West "to grow up with the country," and after re-
siding a few years in Covington, Ky., he settled in Indiana
while it was yet a territory.
Seeking still a milder climate, the whole family moved to
Pearl River, Miss., in 1824 or 1825. There Brother Borden
722 The Life axd WKITI^'GS of
was so fortunate as to van the heart and hand of the noble
daughter of Eli Mercer, brother of the celebrated Jesse Mer-
cer, of Georgia.
As Texas, the Paradise of the West; was then attracting
universal attention, and none but persons of high moral char-
acter were allowed to join Austin's colony, it was believed it
would become a real paradise. In 1833, Brother Borden,
with his two brothers, John P. and Paschal, and his father-
in-law, Eli Mercer, came to Texas, each receiving a league,
4,428 acres, and a labor 177 acres. They settled near Egypt,
so called not from its darkness or its pyramids, but for its
abundant supply of com always for sale. Brother Borden first
tried farming, but not succeeding like his father-in-law, wh.)
was a prince among farm.ers, he became discouraged and
moved over on the ITanadad river and joined the celebrated
ISTorth Alabama colony composed of the Hinds, the Menafees,
the Southerlands and many others, all intimate friends of my
father in Morgan county, and noted for their purity, hospital-
ity, industry and patriotism. In this model community,
Brother Borden, like K. T. Wheeler, R. E. B. Baylor, J. D.
Giddings, O. M. Roberts and most great men, taught school
as the first ascending round in the ladder of fame.
In 1834 he removed to San Eilipe de Austin, the capital
of Austin's colony. In this historic town, where Thos. J.
Pilgrim established the first Sunday school in Texas in 1828.
Brother Borden and his brother, Thomas, established the first
Texas newspaper, called The Texas Telegrapli.
The Borden brothers, though 2,000 miles away from a
telegraph line and dependent for news on fleet telegraphic
mustangs, made a lively paper, full of all the latest news,
especially of the fearful, stormy war cloud gathering darkness
in the West. They kept all Texas informed as to the move-
ments of Santa Anna in subverting the Republican Constitu-
tion of 1824 and the repeal of the colonization act, which "\4o-
lated the plighted faith of Mexico to the Texans, and the
brutal imprisonment, in a Mexican dungeon, of the spotless
and beloved Stephen E. Austin, wholly on account of his fidel-
ity and devotion to Texas.
In burning words the Telegraph spread over all Texas
the return of Stephen F. Austin and his stirring speech, de-
Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 723
livered to a thousand of his devoted fellow-citizens, assembled
at Brazoria to greet his return and hear the advice of their
political father and jSTestor. It gave a glowing account of the
glorious victory, October 2, 1835, of the Texans at Gonzales,
under Colonel John H. Moore, over the Mexican army under
Gastanado, and of the proceedings of the Convention of all
Texas, assembled at San Felipe, l!^ovember 3, under the presi-
dency of Dr. Branch T. Archer. On receiving the thrilling,
glorious news that the Texan army, under command of Gen-
eral Burleson, had captured the city of San Antonio, with
General Cos and the whole Mexican army, a flaming extra
was issued, giving all the particulars of the undying heroism
of Ben R. Milam, F. W. Johnson, J. C. IN'eil and others, with
the whole terms of the surrender, signed by Gen. Edward Bur-
leson, Commander of Texas Army; Gen. Cos, Commander of
Mexican Army.
This memorable extra is now before me, and was pre-
sented to me as a family relic by Mrs. Judge Sneed, of Austin,
daughter of Gen. Burleson.
But that faithful sentinel soon telegraphed to all Texas
that Santa Anna, the Attila of the South, had determined to
vindicate his title, "The :N'apoleon of the West," by organiz-
ing an army of 8,000 veterans, flushed with over twenty vic-
tories, and swoop down like an eagle on Texas.
The next Telegraph was that the Alamo had fallen.
Travis, Bonham, Bowie and Crockett were dead. That
Fannin and his little army were captured at CoUita and
butchered at Goliad, and that Houston, with his army and all
Texas, were fleeing before Santa Anna. The editors mounted
their press in a wagon; just escaped from San Felipe in time
to look back from the eastern banks of the Brazos and see their
office and the town burned to ashes.
But the Telegraph, mounted on a flying mule wagon,
poured forth its bitter denunciations of tyranny, and its trum-
pet called all freemen to rush to the rescue and be free or die.
But the enraged, savage foe captured the faithful sentinel al
Xew Washington, threw it into the fire, and then scraped up
the tj^e and ashes and threw them into the San Jacinto river;
but, like the bones of the liberty-loving John Wickliffe, when
burned to ashes and thrown into the rushing stream, con-
T24 The Life and Writings of
tinned to thunder against Catholic tyranny and despotism.
The waves of that San Jacinto, lashing against the shore, in-
spired the battle cry, "Remember the Alamo," "Remember*
Goliad;" and San Jacinto became the fatal Waterloo to "The
ISTapoleon of the West."
As the town of San I'ilipe was burned to ashes and Col-
umbia was selected as the temporary capital of the new Re-
public that had sprung into full being, fully armed and
equipped, like Minerva, from the brain of Jupiter, Brother
Borden bought a new press and resumed publication at Col-
umbia as The Texas Telegraph and Star, and continued to ,
flood the country with the glorious results of the war and the
organization of the Republic of Texas, with Gen. Sam Hous-
ton, President; General M. B. Lamar, Vice-President, and
Stephen F. Austin as Secretary of State.
But in the midst of universal rejoicing, the Telegraph
announced that Stephen F. Austin died December 27, 1836 —
a man whose name deserves a place on the tablets of undying
fame by that of Washington, Fabricius, Aristides and Epami-
nondas. Austin lived to see the little company of fourteen
persons with whom he crossed the Brazos on New Year's day,
1822, form into a heroic Republic of 60,000 people in four-
teen years.
Brother Borden, becoming deeply interested in the ris-
ing fortunes of Galveston, sold his Telegraph and Star to Dr.
Francis Moore, who removed it to Houston, and, under the
editorial supervision of Dr. Moore and E. H. Gushing, has
exerted a powerful influence in shaping the destiny of Texas.
Who can ever estimate the power of Brother Borden's press
in that dark and trying hour, and yet how strange how few edi-
tors or historians of Texas ever even refer to it. As the world
grows wiser, men will learn "the pen is mightier than the
sword," and that the man who moulds the sentiments of men
is entitled to as much praise as the man who moulds the bullets.
Brother Borden became a large real estate owner in Gal-
veston in 1837, and for nearly twenty years held the highly
responsible oflice of Secretary of the Galveston City Company.
There he and his noble wife were converted and baptized,
in 1840, by the great pioneer missionary sent to Texas by the
$2,500 given by Jesse Mercer for the Texas Mission, who,
Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 725
as a far-seeing divine and philosopher, saw the coming great-
ness and glory of Texas.
Brother Borden and wife were baptized on a beautiful
Sabbath evening, just before sundown. The whole village^
estimated at 1,500 or 2,000 persons, assembled on the beach
to witness an ordinance so solemn and so beautiful, now ad-
ministered for the first time in Galveston. A talented and
devout Presbyterian lady gave me a glowing description of it
in 1848, as the most impressive scene she ever beheld. She
said that Mrs. Borden's face, as she came up out of the gulf,
was so radiant with joy and devotion, and seemed to be the
countenance of an angel. Oh, what a change from the time
when those waves were lashed and agitated by the dashing
ships and roaring cannon of the pirate, La Fitte, and his bloody
men, who made Galveston their home till expelled by Commo-
dore Kearney in 1821. For nearly twenty years Brother
Borden served the First Baptist Chuch as a zealous deacon and
Sabbath school worker, often under the greatest discourage-
ment.
There I first met him in 1848 in a great revival. His
angel wife, whose praise was on all lips, had been called horns,
and he had married again, yet his love and zeal were untiring.
He led the choir, he led in prayer meetings, he superintended
the Sunday school ; indeed, was city Sunday school missionary
for poor children and for strangers. His joy to see his preci-
ous daughter. Miss Phila, since Mrs. Johnson, and son, Lee,
and scores of others, converted, was unbounded.
His countenance, so radiant with smiles and tears of joy
thirty-nine years ago, has never been effaced from my mem-
ory. And yet every rose has a thorn; no joy on earth is un-
mixed. And I remember with sadness the pain I was com-
pelled to infliction one I loved so well. Brother Huckins had
baptized Brother Borden, but had not obeyed that great com-
mand after baptism, "to teach them all things." Brother
Huckins, like most men brought up under the shadow of
Plymouth Rock, was not an old Landmark Baptist — did not
"contend earnestly for the faith," and had never explained
Baptist faith and Bible doctrine. I was astonished at the utter
ignorance of people of rare intelligence about Baptist practice
and history.
726 The Life akd Writings of
Two devout Presbyterian ladies of great intelligence,
when I announced that at the 3 o'clock service 'Sve would
open the door of the church for the reception of a number of
young converts/' came and asked the privilege of attending,
as they supposed the door of the church house would 07ily he
opened for those who Avished to join.
Another man objected seriously to Baptist "close com-
munion," for, said he, the bread and wine are to show forth
the Lord's death, and I don't believe we ought to close the
doors at communion. And I actually met people that thought
Roger Williams founded the Baptist Church and others that
Baptists originated with the Anabaptists of Germany. They
had never learned that Christ founded the Baptist Church
when He said, "Thou art Peter, and on this rock I will build
my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,
neither shall it be destroyed nor given to another people" —
Matt. 16:18, Dan. 2:44 — and that Heaven and earth could
pass away sooner than that promise could fail, and that church
history demonstrates, as Sir Isaac Newton and others have
shown, has never failed.
I saw a special obligation was laid upon me to teach the
young converts baptized to obser^-e all things, as Jesus com-
manded.
Hence, when the vast throngs crowded around our bap-
tismal waters, I explained baptism clearly, boldly and "in
love."
Our dear Brother Borden was alarmed. He said, "Oh,
my dear brother, you will offend the Pedobaptists and ruin
our meeting. Brother Huckins never did preach on baptism,
and he was the most popular preacher, with everybody, ever
in Galveston." I assured him that I would deeply regret to
annoy any child of God, but that -Jesus commanded "'to teach
young con^'erts all things," to contend earnestly for the faith,
and that as God's A\dtnesses we were bound to tell the trutli
and the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. He came
to me finally with the proposition that as I had already
preached Baptist doctrine enough, to turn our glorious re-
rival into a union meeting, and invite Rev. Dr. S. Henderson,
the Presbyterian pastor, and Rev. J. M. Wesson, the Metho-
dist pastor, who wore attending the meetings daily, to join us
Dr. Kufus C. Burleson. Y27
in a union meeting, and preach nothing but Christ,, and not
say one word about baptism. I assured him no living man
could preach Jesus and leave out the first act of His public
life in the river Jordan and His last command as He ascended
on Mt. Olivet. And that union meetings generally ended in
strife and disunion and sectarian warfare, so much to he la-
mented; that I never had held a union meeting, and never
would; that I had no doubt Elders Henderson and Wesson
were noble Christian gentlemen, and I would rejoice to have
aid, but with the distinct understanding it was a Baptist meet-
ing, and if I aided them in a meeting, I would understand it
was their meeting; that on this plan every man could preach
his own doctrine plainly and tenderly, and give no reasonable
ground of offense. By pursuing that plan, Elders Henderson
and Wesson and I have been lifelong, devoted friends. By
pursuing this for nearly forty years, I have lived in love with
the greatest and best men in all the denominations, without
ever compromising a single iota of Baptist or Bible doctrine.
But Brother Borden, like very many other devoted
Christians, had never been taught the grand Bible, philosophic
truth that Christianity or religion has a body, a form, as well
as a spirit; that there is one body as well as one
Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism. And while
the body is never as important as the Spirit, yet it is neces-
sary to enable the Spirit to accomplish its mission on earth.
The casket is not so valuable as the jewel, but every jewel
should have a casket; and the costliest perfume is wasted
without a vase. Our pious Pedobaptist friends have the soul
of religion without the body. Our Campbellite friends, I
fear, have often the body or form of religion without the soul,
but a genuine, old-fashion Bible Baptist has the body and soul
of religion united in one body; and not a body or form of his
own, that he can neglect or change, but that very body, that
very form that Jesus selected 1887 years ago, and was so
beautiful and so simple that an angel said, "Come, behold; I
A\all show the bride the Lamb's wife."
Brother Borden never had been taught the beautiful and
sublime truth, like thousands of good meaning Christians are
ready to say,
For modes of faith let graceless bigots fight:
Those can't be wrong who act within the right.
728 The Life axd Weitixgs of
This mistake has introduced all the strife and confusion
in the Christian world, and if ever carried out fully, would
drive Christianity from the earth.
Baptists, as God's witnesses on earth, should guard against
these delusive errors -with great firmness and tenderness.
From Brother Borden's standpoint, he saw no inconsist-
ency, when he moved to ISTew York and the Baptists did not
treat him cordially, because he owned slaves in Texas, he
joined the Congregationalists. But in all times and places
and changes, he was an earnest, devout Christian worker. As
a church member and deacon. Brother Borden was eminently
faithful and tender.
His conscientiousness was equal to his piety and tender-
heartedness.
I was his guest for several days when he was a witness in
an important suit in Avhich Galveston City Company was
largely interested. He trembled under the fearful responsi-
bility. One morning I was walking in a retired part of his
large fig orchard and heard a low voice agonizing in supplica-
tions. Supposing Brother Borden was at the court house, I
drew near to see who it could be, and there, in sweat and tears,
was Brother Borden, imploring di\ane aid to enable him to
so give his testimony as to honor God and his profession as a
Christian and good citizen.
I was greatly rejoiced, the next day, to hear a lawyer on
the opposite side say: "Mr. Borden's testimony, under the
critical, trying circumstances, was the clearest and most satis-
factory I ever heard." But the greatest achievement of life,
and that which has extended his name around the globe and
perpetuated his fame for ages to come, is Borden's Condensed
Milk.
A great philosopher said a man who discovers a new
article of food or invents a new, healthy dish, is a greater
benefactor than he who discovers a new planet or a new solar
system. This simple and wonderful invention of Brother
Borden condenses all the essential, nutritious properties of
sweet milk, so as to preserve it fresh for years or ship it to the
remotest ends of the earth, and so cheap that the humblest
family can buv it.
Dr. Eufus C. Burleson. 729
The origin of the wonderfiTl discovery was as simple as