Texas in 1850. By Melinda Rankin. Page: 39 of 196

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TEXAS IN 1860.

desirable to see in buildings dedicated to so sacred a
purpose. A certain degree of elegance attaches a respect
for the house of God, which is not felt for a rudely
constructed building, erected, seemingly, without due
regard to its design.
With the public spirit manifested by Texans in every
thing which pertains to the interests of their State, we
may confidently expect this deficiency will be remedied;
and anticipation ventures to cast the eye forward to the
period, when the lofty spire shall lift its sacred head
over every Texian village, showing that the Gospel is
there proclaimed, with " peace on earth and good will
to man."
Education is receiving a good degree of attention inTexas,
but the country is not sufficiently supplied with
teachers or such as are regularly taught in their profession.
The great scarcity in the State often obliges
the people to employ those who are not competent to
assume the important responsibility of instructing the
youthful mind. Public sentiment is, in a measure,
awake to the importance of securing good teachers; and
sufficient inducement, in the way of pecuniary compensation,
is extended, to encourage a greater emigration
than has been hitherto. As few school teachers are
manufactured in the South, the North and East is the
source from whence the supply is to be expected.
A broad field presents itself into which a host of
laborers might enter and cultivate with advantage and
success. Those persons who conscientiously feel the
important responsibility attached to youthful instruction,