Texas in 1850. By Melinda Rankin. Page: 37 of 196

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TEXAS IN 1850.

of the barren and unproductive wastes of land which
might meet his view, but the great scarcity of Churches
and School houses might attract his attention and be
the subject of his inquiries. Oftentimes the superior
physical resources of a country for wealth engrosses so
much attention, as to prevent those other objects being
attended to as their importance demands. The people
of Texas may be subject to this temptation, and in their
haste to be rich and mighty, they may outrun their literary
and religious institutions. These objects, however,
have received a good degree of attention, but not, as
yet, sufficient to meet the moral and intellectual wants
of the people. Institutions for literary and moral
instruction are in operation in various parts of the
State, in different stages of progress. In many places,
the school house and church of God are found side by
side, showing that education and religion are twin sisters,
and should not be dissevered. Much destitution
yet exists, but the disadvantages attending a new country
affords some grounds of excuse. It is evident,
however, that Texas has not done as much as some other
countries have, under the same circumstances. Did
these objects hold as high a place in public estimation
as they ought, those buildings for moral and intellectual
improvement would oftener greet the eye of the traveller
than they now do. Would Texians give their country
a good reputation at home and abroad, let it bear
the sign which may serve as an unfailing index of its
real happiness and prosperity.
To secure a country's prosperity, God must be hon