Morning journal and courier., 1890-08-18
THE LONE STAR STATE.

GOOdsen Talks in His Inter- | estfng Way on Some Phases of Life | and Work i'm Texas - Some of the | Resources of That Great State-His | Field of Work fin the World.
 The pulpit of the First M E. church was | with Bishop Goonsen of Texas. He preached at both services to large con gregations that listened attentively. His style of preaching, so forcible and simple, is of unusual interest. Especially so was his talk in the evening upon 'sSome Phases of Life and Work in Texas
 In our branch of the work in Texas we do not have diocesan bishops. They are of equal authority everywhere, and have the world as their field There are sixteen of the principal cities which are named by the council aud among these place sixteen bishops, if there be that number, select their places for residing in order of senior ity, but it is merely for residence and does not constitute diocese.
 My residence is Fort Worth but my field of work is the world. I may be called even to go to Africa or Japan. I have been called here in New Haven the bishop of Texas. I am not even Methodist Episcopal bishop of Texas but simply bishop of the M. E. church residing in Fort Worth, Texas. Texas is now @ name that is on mems lips as that of state with great future in store. Not long ago it's name was rather held in contempt and of small worth. There is yet much incorrect information concerning this noted lone star state of the Union Our first impress sion is that it is large state, but even in that we have not very clear conception. The inhabitant of Texas is as proud of the size of his state, as we were wont some time ago to feel proud of the extent of our whole country. What can you say of state to cross which you enter car at 5:3O a. m. and ride all day and then on till 1 o'clock the next afternoon, and by the fast est express at that? I would not wish you to go down to Texas and sug- gest the practicability of divid- ing that state into two or more smaller ones. I don't think you would return in the best of health. They want to make it the grandest as we'll as the largest state oe the union. Its eli ing one to take his choice from the delight fully temperate to tropic heat. The eli mate is most universally healthy and in vigorating. That famous institution, the Tex as cowboy, is fast disappearing. The condition of things is changing The land is fast being fenced in with barbed wire and the cowboys duties are now chiefly to ride around and see to the condition of the fences. Its early settlement was largely from the adjoining southern states, but since the advent of the railroads, it's popu- lation has largely increased, which has given an impetus to all the h., ,,ahn of manufacturing. I will say it if it does sound little bit big, that there is fertile land in Texas to raise enough to feed the nation; there were more than 1,750, 900 bales of cotton raised last year, and it is expected that it will be over 2,O00;00O this year. The eastern portion of the state is sandy, with white pine plentiful When further west there is black fertile streak, then more arid tract further to the north west is some of the <best wheat land in all America, where is an immense area of pas ture lands and also large tracts that only need to have water to be valuable.
 The western part as well as the north eastern is hilly with peaks so high as 5000 or 10000 feet. Here lie mineral deposits of untold wealth. The state has gained in larger proportion in the last ten years than any other southern state. It has gained in that time about GOO, 900, and has population at present of over 3, BOO, ,000. The northern portion is being rapidly filled up with northern people, and here is an example of great progress and energy. The town of Dallas has finer buildings for business purposes than any in New Haven. There is now no trouble from the Indians, as the Co., manches were removed from the state some years ago by the government. The ,n1a oek k1,o, ,1oks forty thousand, nearly all of whom live in squalid surroundings. They are Roman Catholics and hard to get at for Protestant influences. They are respectful toward the government. The southerner con- siders him to be white man, but not the same kind of white man that he is himself There are about 70, ,000 negroes in this state. I believe the condition of the black man is better in Texas than in any other of the southern states. The state gives them good schools and the law is made to respect their condi- tion of citizenship. If troubles of race remote rural districts. One great thing in favor of this race is their hunger after knowledge. They send their children to the best of schools in their power. These people occupy pecu- liar position. On the one side are the whites, who have from generations back inherited feeling that they had right to own the blacks, and also felt that it was moral responsibility. Now the blacks are suddenly emancipated and put on an equality with his former master. There have been strained relations and acts of violence, but will say that the two classes have acted more harmoniousiy in Texas than perhaps elsewhere in the south, and there is bright prospects for the future.
 There are about one hundred thousand of Methodists in Texas. The Protestant Episcopalians are strong likewise, also the Presbyterians and other Protestant denom- nations. The Roman Catholics have no believers outside of the Mexican element There is one thing certain-that the reli- gious atmosphere in the entire south is thoroughly orthodox. They believe i'm plicitly in the fundamental truths of the Bible and do not have any trouble with doubts and wrangling on questions of future probation, the divinity of Christ, | etc. I wish to say that on the whole I have been treated very kindly in my work south. I have been attacked some, per | haps, by the newspapers and even by the I church for my position toward the black man in relation to the church.
 There is great work for Christians to do down in Texas. Thousands of young men are pouring in, who are connected with the railroads in one way or another. They are floating around with no fixed home There is need of Y. M. c. A. insti- tutions and need of those who will exert their influence for Christ in the condition of social chaos.
 Brethren, great many men have asked | me how do you like it down there in Texas I'll tell you how I like it. The lord made me the son of godly father and gave me ad
 vantages that are enjoyed only by few
 Any why should I dislike the opportunity to be a help in hastening on the church o1 God universal in one of the grandest parts
 of this country. pray that God may
 make my work there glory to his name
 and blessing to his people.
 Superintendent Blakeman Resigns
 Superintendent George Blakeman oi
 the Evergreen cemetery is very i'll at hii
 home with complication of diseases and
 has been obliged to resign his position a,