The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 19, July 1915 - April, 1916 Page: 160
452 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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160 The Southwestern Historical Quarterly
1844, was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Washington, and
left the same year for Houston as a missionary. It had been ar-
ranged that Dr. Beatty should follow him and that they should
devote their united lives to the upbuilding of Presbyterianism in
the Republic of Texas. But Dr.. Beatty remained at Steubenville
and spent a life of great usefulness in the Female Seminary.
Rev. James Weston Miller was twenty-nine years of age when
he arrived in Houston. His field of labor is thus described in
his diary:
Monday, 30th December, 181/4. I pen a few statistics for after
reference respecting this prospective scene of my labors in the
ministry. The Presbyterian Church has thirteen members; place
much altered in regard to religion. People always ready to attend
preaching, always attentive, respectful, polite, kind and confiding
whenever met. Thick forests are in the neighborhood. The howl-
ing of the wolf is often heard. The Methodist and Episcopal
Churches each number about thirty whites, and the Methodist
Church about thirty colored members. The place looks old, houses
generally unpainted and as if built in a hurry and soon to be left.
In this respect, however, improving. Weeds seem to have over-
run the whole town during the last summer. Business improving.
Navigation to Galveston much impeded by northers and little
water in the bayou. Weather very dry and rather cold usually.
Am boarding at Dr. Cones.'
The young minister zealously took up his work. His diary
says:
May 18, 1845. Preached both morning and evening. General
Sam Houston, President of the Texas Republic, and wife attended
both services. May the Lord come and take away his and others'
madness.
"Left July 1, 1845, for the North; gone eight months and
collected $1344 for the church on this trip." His failing health
is often bemoaned, but he adopted as his motto "Better wear out
than rust out." While he was away collecting money to finish the
church, Texas became a State. The church was finished in 1846,
and they no longer were forced to use the, Capitol for services.
By March 21, 1847, the church had become self-supporting, and
the young missionary was installed as pastor of the First Presby-
terian Church of Houston-the first installation in Texas. The
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 19, July 1915 - April, 1916, periodical, 1916; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101067/m1/175/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.