The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-12-04
TEXAS LETTER.

A Few Notes by the Way.
am confident that our friends in the
North will be interested in items of our
church extension in any part OF the world.
judge from myself. We are advancing
in this great State of our Union, slowly
but surely.
Immediately after the organization of
our State Association at Meridian start
ed to answer some urgent calls, like the
Macedonian cry. After having our first
meeting to bring us into a more compact
system, and hanging our banner upon
the outer wall, took circuit to visit
the faithful. My first stopping place was
Cleburne.
fine city in the heart of q fine countrv.
L preached number of discourees to
quite small congregations in the Congre-
gational house of worship. Notwithstand-
ing l had but few to hear me, yet some
of the seed fell upon good ground. My
next place was
Fort Worth.
Here l delivered discourse upon the
"Law Of Compensation" to a large
audience of the odds and ends of
every shade Of faith and unbelief. By
the appearances my remarks we're well
received, but how much good was &C.
complished l am unable to say. One
thing is certain, the mass of saloons and
other kindred evils that exist in this
thriving city cannot be charged to our
faith, nor to anything that is akin to
Universalism. The heathen dogma of
endless torment has had it's full sway.
The track has been clear for the endless
misery mountebacks to enter the course
at any time and the effect has been de-
moralizing and the morals of the city
grow no better, The doctrine of endless
misery, gambling and whisky form the
trinity of the place. If they keep on and
are prospered, they will have another
addition to their triune of morals, that is,
unbelief and skepticism. This last addi-
tion may in time produce reform. 1 am
not sure but what the work has already
commenced.
Dallas.
My next town which visited was the
city OF Dallas. I did not preach here.
The city was in commotion preparing for
two State fairs. We have a few good
friends and when our Br. Street gets locat-
ed there, hope that he will succeed in
calling them together, and, in time, bring
them into an organization. After having
pleasant visit, went on to Farmers
vile, Collin county, where we have par
ish which l organized some two years ago,
with only six members, but now we have
some forty. Our good brother, j. M.
Wright, is doing noble work in this Sec
ton. He breaches three Sundays every
month in the circle of his parish.
l delivered number of discourses
there; had excellent audiences. Baptized
one member and marsied one couple,
and another couple wanted to be, but
not coming to time, before I left they
will have to wait, till I come again, yet I
fear they will not. My next station was
at
Emory.
There I found Br. W. N. Mates, who
has been Baptist minister. But on
reading the discussion between Br. Bur
russ and DR.. J. r. Graves (who is the great
champion OF the Baptist church south),
the scales began to fall from his close
communion eyes, and the consequence has
been he has come out boldly in the faith
Of the gospel of the final holiness and
happiness OF all men. He is a good man
and stands firm for the truth of the Bible.
I preached series of discourses in the
courthouse, had a fair hearing and laid
the foundation for parish at no distant
period, to which Br. Mates will break the
bread of life. That is, this is what I ex-
pect and trust will take place. May the
smiles of the good Father rest upon
our friends in that section.
Garden Valley
was my next place. Friends met me at
Minneola and took me eleven miles to the
valley. preached six of the first gospel
discourses ever delivered in that section.
had large congregations who gave good
attention to the messages of divine truth.
At the close organized the first Uni.
versalist parish of Garden Valley with
nine members, and baptized three. 1 am
in hopes to get Br. Mates to visit them,
and preach the good news of the kingdom
am sure a strong parish will grow up in
this vicinity. We commence with good
materials, and there are others who are
almost persuaded to come and go with
us. May God bless them.
LANES RIrrrA1oc