ised the preacher you would come, or else I would have got
the whole sermon this evening.'
'Oh, yes, of course, we will all go out, just for your sake,
and because he is kin to old Ed. Burleson.' They did come in
great numbers, the house was crowded, and I have never
preached to a more attentive audience before or since. In
the depths of my soul I felt that God was with me, and that
glory would follow. After the service was over, the congre-
gation slowly and silently retired. Large numbers of them
assembled at Mr. P saloon, their social headquarters,
and discussed the situation. They said it was mighty good
preaching, drank to my health. General Ed. Burleson's health,
and then to their own health; and I was told, that many
of them not only got healthy, but wealthy and happy also.
They said I should never come to Brenham again and start a
meeting with a congregation of one, that they would all turn
out, to hear me every time I preached.
I spent Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in prayer,
study, and visiting such families and persons as I hoped would
be benefited, and in preaching to vast crowds at night, for the
whole town and surrounding country was thoroughly aroused.
On Wednesday night the service was unusually good, and the
entire congregation was moved. Afterwards as usual, the
boys assembled at Mr. P.'s saloon, and talked over the incidents
of the night. One of them said : 'See here, boys, how long
is this thing going to last ? I can not stand it much longer.
Last night I dreamed the old devil came after me with a red
hot chain and a pair of tongs, and was about to drag me right
down to hell.'
Another remarked: 'I am getting awful tired, for I
do believe some of you fellows have told him all about my
meanness, for in every sermon he says something that fits my
case precisely.'
Another remarked : 'I am getting enough myself, for
I can not sleep at night, he makes me think so much of my
mother and her prayers, and the promises I made her when I
came to Texas, and how shamefully I have broken those vows.'
88 The Life axd Writings of
Another said : 'I'm getting enough of this meeting my-
self, and wish he would quit, and but for the looks of the
thing, I would propose to run him off.'
'That would never do,' one said, 'it would give us and the
town a bad name, but I tell you what we can do. You heard
him say he never swore nor smoked, and did things like that,
we can smoke him out of the church, and he will be sure to
leave town.'
They had all smoked rabbits out of hollow trees, when
they were boys, and agreed that they could smoke a Baptist
preacher out of his pulpit just as successfully. I never could
tolerate the fumes of tobacco, and was about the easiest victim
of an assault of this kind, they could have selected.
Well, they decided to try it, all filled their pockets full
of cigars, fired up and came to church. Some of them came
in, and sat with the congregation. Others stood in the doors
and filled the windows, but all smoking like a tar kiln. It
was no unusual thing to see men smoking at public gatherings,
in those early days in Texas.
Soon the house was full of smoke, and I began to grow
a little faint, but I understood what they were up to, and
determined to speak on if it killed me. I never saw so many
people smoking at once. It looked to me, as if every man in
the house, had two cigars in his mouth instead of one. I made
it a point in my sermon to talk a good deal about sulphur,
fire and brimstone, and drew an awful picture of the doom
that awaited the wicked in a gulf of fire and smoke, where
Dives was then calling for one drop of water, to cool his
parched tongue. They smoked me, and I smol-ed them. My
fire and brimstone was eternal and outlasted theirs. Very
soon their cigars went out, the house became clear of smoke,
I recovered from my spell of faintness and preached on.
After the benediction, they assembled at the saloon, and
one of them said : 'Boys, he has beat us at our own game,
we can smoke rabbits out of hollows, but we can not smoke
Baptist preachers out of their pulpits. We have all acted
shamefully tonight, and now let us do as we promised, go to
hear Parson Burleson every time he preaches, and behave
ourselves like gentlemen.'
Dk. Kufus C. Burleson. 89
Many in this crowd whom I outsmoked, were converted
during the meeting, joined the church, and spent lives of
Christian usefulness.
The meeting continued with increasing interest until Sun-
day night, when that grand lawyer and Baptist preacher,
Judge K. E. B. Baylor came to open district court the next
morning. After my sermon he arose and made a powerful
and touching appeal, that moved the vast congregation to
tears.
'Our young brother,' he said, 'who has been preaching to
you so earnestly, privately and publicly, for two weeks will
leave in the morning for his home in Houston. The yellow
fever is raging in that city, and this may be our young broth-
er's last sermon to you. He has seemed to preach to you
tonight as a dying man, to dying men. He has proclaimed
the truth, not perhaps as you would like to hear it, but as he
is commanded by the book of eternal truth. These truths you
must accept, if you ever secure the favor of your Heavenly
Father, regardless of any preconceived opinions you may en-
tertain on the plan of salvation. God saves people in the
wilds of Texas, just as He saves them everywhere, and only
as He saves them everywhere, by grace, through faith in
Christ. May his burning words sink deep into your hearts.'
On the 20th day of December, 1846, two years before, a
church had been organized by Judge Baylor, four miles north
of Brenham, and christened i^Tew Years Creek Baptist Church.
A few of the members lived at Brenham, but no organization
had been effected.
As a result of this meeting, the Baptists became quite
strong around Brenham, and on the 25th of IN'ovember, 1851,
the :Rew Years Creek Church passed the following resolution :
"Whereas, In the gracious providence of God, it has
become necessary to afford church privileges to the citizens of
Brenham, and its vicinity, and as it is deemed inexpedient at
present to organize a regular church there ;
Resolved, That Brethren Elliott Allcorn, J. C. Mundine,
G. W. Buchanan, and James Stockton, together with any
other members of this church, that may attend the meetings
in that place, be, and they are hereby authorized, to sit in
90 The Life akd Writings of
conference and receive members into full fellowship of this
church, and report said members to our conference meetings,
from time to time immediately after their reception. This
the parent church desigTiated as "an arm."
One week afterward, on the 1st of December, 1851, the
arm at Brenham held its first conference meeting. E. C. Bur-
leson was present, and presided, preached the first sermon to
the "arm," placed the resolution passed by 'New Years Creek
Church, into enforcement, saw the fruits of the meeting held
in 1848, three years before, gathered into an organization the
nucleus formed, and the foundation laid for the first Baptist
church of Brenham, which became one of the leading churches
in the state.
Dk. Kufus C. Burleson. 91
CHAPTER XII
Mr. Burleson's Estimate of the Pastorate — Authority
OF THE Church — All Legislation, Canon, Creed or
Decree not Authorized by the Word of God Rejected
- — Opposition to a Union of Church and State — â–
Indeffinitely Called to Houston Pastorate — Dr. A.
J. Gordon — Diversity of Ministerial Gifts — Mr. Bur-
leson Stricken with Yellow Fever, Cholera —
Called to Pastorate at Huntsville, Ala. — Declines
— Visits Independence — Dr. H. L. Graves Resigns
Presidency of Baylor University — Mr. Burleson
Elected to Succeed Him — Sees Larger Opportunities
FOR Usefulness and Accepts— Resign at Houston —
Resolutions of the Church.
EAV ministers ever lived who entertained a more
exalted opinion of the Church of Jesus Christ, and
had a clearer conception of the authority and calling
of the pastor than R. C. Burleson. He imbibed much of the
sentiment, and held to many of the opinions on this subject,
of Dr. E. G. Robinson, his renowned preceptor, Professor of
Biblical Interpretation in the Western Baptist Theological
Seminary at Covington.
He believed "the inspired Scriptures contained the
supreme authority of Jesus Christ in all that relates to Chris-
tian faith and practice, whether in ordinance, doctrine, a holy
life, or the administration of church government. "These
92 The Life axd "Writixgs of
alone must be followed. All legislation, canon, creed or decree^
springing from tradition, ecclesiastical authority, or usage of
antiquity, not enjoined in the Scriptures, is to be resisted and
rejected, from whatever source it may come, either inside the
local church, or outside, as intolerable in the faith and prac-
tice of the churches.
That a Christian church must be made up of persons who
are morally regenerated; and that it is not a simple voluntary
association, but a body of people called out of the world around
them, by Christ's special authority, to be a people peculiar to
himself. That the regeneration of each person in the church,,
must be wrought by the Holy Spirit, he must be baptized on his
own choice and covenant to maintain the gospel in its purity.
That the object of a Gospel church is to promote mutual
growth in Truth, Purity and Love, the advancement of
Christ's cause on earth, the salvation of the Christless.
That Baptism and the Lord's Supper, after the apostolic
appointment, both as it regards their relation to themselves
as ordinances, and to other great Gospel teachings, should be
practiced solely as God's Truth enjoins. Water can never
wash away the stain of sin, and the Supper should only be
celebrated when the local church is met in one place as a
body."
He earnestly opposed all connection of a Baptist Church
with the government, and resisted all discriminations and dis-
tinctions made by the State to the citizens on religious grounds.
Baptists protest that civil governments have nothing what-
ever to do with the control of religious organizations, but to
give unrestricted liberty to the citizens to "woi'ship God
according to the dictates of their conscience, under their own
vine and fig tree, where none dare molest or make them afraid,'"
That God never designed that his creatures should worship
Him by law, or according to law, but to "render unto Ca?sar
the things that were Caesar's, and unto God the things that
were God's," Mr, Burleson insisted that this had been the
contention of Baptists from the birth of Christ, along all suc-
ceeding ages and times, and any other position held by a Bap-
tist was nothing more and nothing less than heresy pure,
simple and unmixed. For the doctrines of soul Liberty, civil
De. Rufus C. Burleson. 93
and religious freedom, they have suffered pain and penalty
in every form, even to martyrdom, in a thousand horrible
ways.
He believed, also, that not only individual Christians
should witness for Christ, but that church members, in this
organic capacity, should dwell, and live in such beautiful
Christian harmony and fellowship that it would be the most
effective of all witnessing, a light set upon a hill.
Mr. Burleson believed, with that prince of modern pul-
pits. Dr. A. J. Grordon, of Boston, that "there is one calling
which deserves the name of the "High calling in Christ Jesus,''
namely, the preacher of the Gospel.
First, because it is a ministry of the Lord Jesus, of whom
he is a disciple and embassador.
Second, it is a ministry of the Gospel of the Grace of
God, of which he is the Herald and witness.
Third, it is a ministry of the Kingdom of God, in which
he is a subject and representative.
Fourth, it is a ministry of the Church of God, in which
he is the servant and shepherd.
Fifth, it is a ministry of the Holy Ghost, of whom he is
an example, and overseer or bishop."
He also believed with that great Southern preacher and
scholar, Dr. E. B. C. Howell, his pastor while in N'ashville
University, in the authority and office of Deacon.
"They are the depositories of all the common property
and funds of the church ; to supply the necessities of the desti-
tute and suffering.
"They frequently receive contributions, and disburse
the same at discretion. The whole church and congregation
must, therefore, have, in their incorruptible integrity, the
most abiding confidence. They must be of honest report."
"They may be strict in their morals, spiritual in feeling,
kind, courteous and sincere in Christian intercourse, regular
and punctual in the performance of all duties, and their
hearts deeply imbued with a love of Christ. But even all this
is not enough if not accompanied by orthodoxy in their Chris-
tian doctrine; they must hold to the mystery of faith."
94 The Life axd Writings of
"Deacons ^vill be called on to instruct the erring and
weak, to confirm the strong and establish the wavering. They
must, therefore, hot be unsteady or wavering in their tenets,
disposed for any reason to compromise truth, nor, on the
other hand, dogmatical and overbearing in its defense, but
gentle, firm and decided."
Mr. Burleson believed also and taught the democracy of
the congregation. When they come together and reached
conclusions, after a prayerful deliberation, that the voice of
the church was supreme, when not contravened bv the word
of God.
He thought, furthermore, that where there was earnest,
prayerful co-operation by the pastor, deacons and congrega-
tion, that a mighty spiritual force was there formed, which
would impress the most callous community for good, and press
on with resistless might, though all the powers of darkness
should oppose.
"Di^dne Truth, in fact, all truth," he said, "might be
temporarily overshadowed, and seemingly crushed, but it
would rise from the ashes oi the most despairing situation,
just as John Bunyan emerged from Bedford jail, to illuminate
the darkest recesses of earth."
j^ot only did Mr. Burleson entertain this view as to the
Divine authority of the church, the high calling of the min-
ister and the office of Deacon, but preaching with him was a
passion, from the time he felt called to proclaim the truth,
until he was settled in the Houston pastorate.
While a student in Xashville TJniverstiy, he filled regu-
lar appointments in the suburbs of the city of Nash^dlle and
surrounding country.
At Covington, while attending the Theological Seminary,
he had regular preaching stations, and notwithstanding his
arduous school duties, he never failed to fill his appointments
Saturday and Sunday. Newport was one of the stations sup-
plied, to which he transferred his membership in 1847. He
continued this kind of missionary work after coming to Texas,
and preached in private houses and communities, as the leisure
could be found, within a radius of sixty miles around hh
place of residence.
Dr. Rufus C. Burleson. 95
In Houston he found the church composed of very
strong, but incongruous elements. These were, however,
brought into beautiful harmony, and his work was pleasant
to himself, and acceptable without exception, to the members
of the church and congregation. Which is shown by the fol-
lowing facts taken from the old record :
On January 3d, 1849, four days before the close of the
first year's v/ork, he was unanimously recalled to the pasto-
rate, for as long as it was agreeable to him to serve the church
in that capacity. At the same conference a resolution was
passed expressing thanks to the Board of Missions of the
Southern Baptist Convention, for sending him to Houston;
and a committee, composed of Nelson Cavanaugh and R. S.
Blount, appointed to transmit this resolution to the Board at
Marion, Alabama; and with instructions to accompany the let-
ter with a check for $25.00, as a contribution from the church
to its missionary enterprises.
April 25th, 1850, a resolution was passed reciting per-
fect and entire satisfaction with his work, and expressing the
hope that he would continue in the pastorate. His salary was
increased, and always promptly paid on the first of every
quarter.
He had loving access to the home of every member of the
church and congregation, and to the homes and hearts also of
hundreds of families not Baptists.
Almost every day he received testimonals, sometimes
verbal, and sometimes in the form of affectionate letters,
expressing high appreciation of himself as a man and minister,
and containing assurances of warmest personal regard.
ISTotwithstanding his belief in the divine institution of
the church, authority of the pastor, the ofiice of deacon, his
love for proclaiming The Truth, his pleasant environments
and congenial situation, Mr. Burleson was not satisfied; he
longed for a broader, wider field of operations, and larger
opportunites of Christian work and usefulness.
He had conducted two successful revivals during his
nine months' residence in Texas, one in Galveston, and one in
Brenham, both begun and continued under the most untoward
circumstances, which impressed him that he possessed some
fitness for this kind of religious work.
96 The Life axd Writings of
On the 31st of August, 1850, he handed in his resigna-
tion as pastor of the Houston Church. Its consideration was
fixed for September 2d, at wliich time the church refused to
accept it, and begged him to withdraw it, if a sense of duty
would allow him to do so. He explained that the course he
had pursued was from a sense of duty, as he felt he could do
more good as an evangelist.
The old record, which has been closely examined, does
not mention that the resignation Avas withdrawn, but it is pre-
church.
As stated, he tendered his resignation not because he
was tired of the pastorate, or this particular pastorate, nor
because his love for preaching was diminished, but to enter
the field of evangelism.
He believed, with that immortal Georgia preacher. Dr.
Jesse Mercer, that among the ministers of Jesus Christ there is
a diversity of gifts. Some are sent, like Paul, for the defense
of the Gospel, an-d the establishment of the saints in the faith;
others, like J amos, to excite professors to every good word and
work; others, like Peter, to awaken sinners to the fearful
consequences of "neglecting so great a salvation." He also
believed, that thorough self-knowledge was essential to the
success of every minister; that he must know his peculiar capa-
bilities and gifts, and then study, not only how to apply them,
but the situation and field in which they can be most success-
fully employed.
"While serving as pastor of the church in Houston, the
resolution formed on the day of his graduation, to consecrate
his life to Texas, was subjected to a severe test, and in a great
variety of ways. In the summer of 1848 he was prostrated
with yellow fever, during the dreadful epidemic that prevailed
in that year, and little hope was entertained of his recovery.
In 1849, he fell helpless and insensible on the street, a
victim of cholera.
Was offered the pastorate of a wealthy church in Hunts-
ville, Alabama, and was asked if he would entertain the offer
of Secretary of the Southern Baptist Publication Society, a
position to which he was subsequently elected.
Dr. Rufus C Burleson. 97
All these scourges, misfortunes and tempting honors
would have been enough, it seems to cause an ordinary man
to forget his vow, and turn his back on a people with whom
he had resolved to rise or fall. ITot so with Mr. Burleson.
"When death stood grimly grinning over his prostrate, helpless
form, when imsolicited honors Avere his to command, he
repeated his resolution to consecrate his life to Texas, and
added, in the language of the Apostle Paul, "^one of these
things move me."
Since his advent into the State, Mr. Burleson had made
it a point to attend the annual commencement exercises of
Baylor University, at Independence, in which he had always
felt a deep interest. ,
In June, 1851, he was present, as usual, encouraging the
professors and stimulating the pupils. Dr. Henry L. Graves,
who had been president of the institution since 1845, tendered
his resignation at the close of the exercises of the week. The
Trustees were called together at once, and elected Mr. Bur-
leson to succeed him. He had in no way sought this distin-
guished honor, but saw in it the larger opportunities for which
he had longed. The Trustees appointed a committee to
officially inform the members of the Houston Church, and
request*^ that their pastor be released from any contract or
obligation under which he might be resting.
The church was called together in special conference
July 5th, 1851, and the communication from the Board of
Trustees presented and read. Mr. Burleson tendered his
resignation, which was accepted, whereupon W. W. McMahan
offered the following preamble and resolutions :
Whereas, The Bev. E. C. Burleson, pastor of this
church, has been called to the high and responsible position
of the presidency of Baylor University, situated at Indepen-
dence, Texas, and having tendered his resignation as pastor,
and intimated to us that he would accept the call; therefore,
be it
Eesolved, That we feel it to be our duty to acquiesce m
the choice our pastor has made. Though the sacrifice on our
part be irreparable, yet it is our duty to yield without a mur-
98 The Life a>:d AVritixgs of
mur, to the loss, for the greater good which may flow to our
beloved denomination.
Eesolved, Second, That we earnestly hope that he may
prove himself to be a blessing to Baylor University, over
which he is called to preside, and in the hands of Almighty
God a blessing to the rising generation, is the prayer of this
church.
Eesolved, Third, That our retiring pastor, R. C. Burleson,
be invited to remain with us, preach and preside over our con-
ference and business meetings, as moderator, until his duties
shall call him to Independence."
Mr. Burleson was much attached to this church and
these people. He preached as many sermons during his long
ministry as perhaps the average preacher, but this may be said
to be his first and last pastorate.
True, he served some churches in Mayhew Prairie, Mis-
sissippi, in 1844-5, in an ofiicial capacity, but here his time
was devoted to teaching, and preaching was the only capacity
in which he served them.
He was loth to leave this his first love, and only a sense of
duty, impelled by a desire to do more for the people of the
State he loved, than was offered in that position, led him to do
so.
Even then he was moved by the same holy emotion of the
Savior, when taking leave of the apostles, 'T will not leave
you comfort,less," "I will pray the Father and He shall give
you another comforter." He recommended as a suitable man
for that pulpit, Eev. Thomas J. Chilton, of Kentucky, an ex-
member of congress, and a distinguished preacher.
The church acted on Mr. Burleson's suggestion, and
called Mr. Chilton to the pastorate. He accepted, and was
formally installed as such December 6th, 1851.
And thus ended the loving, tender relations between this
popular preacher and pastor and these people, after covering
three and one-half years, which was unruffled by a single
inharmonious or discordant incident.
Dk. Rufus C. Buelesox. 99
CHAPTER Xlll.
"Wisdom of Texas Pioneer Baptists in Founding Educa-
tional Institutions — Union Association Organized — â–
Texas Baptist Education Society Fokmed — Objects
Delayed by the Mexican Invasion — Baptist Univer-
sity Projected — Charter Issued by the Republic of
Texas — Its ISTame — Beautiful Story of Rev. Wm. M.
Tryon and Judge R. E. B. Baylor — Towns Competing
FOR Location — School Located at Independence —
Subscription List — Dr. Henry L. Graves First Presi-
dent.
\\^ HATEVER may be said in derogation of the foresight
l ^y^ and good sense of Texas pioneer Baptists, inattention
{ ^s»i£k, } ^^ ^j^^ importance of educational matters cannot be
charged against them.
Since the patriots had made provisions most magnificent
in proportions, in the Constitution of 1836, for a system of
public education, which mil be more fully noticed in a suc-
ceeding chapter, they realized that steps must be taken with
the view of founding a great Baptist university, where the
morals of their children would be cultivated as well as the
minds, and their education not entirely committed to the
State. The subject had engaged the minds of Baptist min-