Page:Life and Select Literary Remains of Sam Houston of Texas (1884).djvu/256



was a Member of the House of Representatives from Texas when Gen. Houston was a Senator from Texas. He told the writer that he always knew, night and morning, from occupying a room just under Gen. Houston's, when Gen. Houston retired, from his regular habit of kneeling for prayer, when he laid down for sleep and rose up for the day's duties. It is stated on good authority that he kept generally a supply of "Nelson's Cause and Cure of Infidelity," and gave copies away gratuitously to such of his friends as avowed skepticism about Christianity.

The following letter will give an insight into the incidents which led to his public profession of religion, when he was immersed, November 19, 1854, by Rev. Rufus C. Burleson, D.D., and became a member of the Independence Baptist Church. As a member of the Church, Gen. Houston took a deep interest in all that appertained to the religious growth and prosperity of its members, and gave liberally of his means to advance Christian education and missions. It is stated that the Rev. J. W. D. Creath, having reached his house while on a mission, having lost his horse, he readily supplied him with another, saying, "Take him; the King's business requires haste." He was never asked to pray in public that he did not kneel down with the congregation and offer up an humble, fervent prayer.

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" .—Your letter, asking that I would note clown for your use any reminiscences of General Sam Houston that might he of value in your proposed Memoir, is received. It is, of course, in reference to his religious character and life that you will expect me to reply. Of his views as a statesman, and of his course in his political life, it did not belong to my relationship as a chosen pastor to take account; and others to whom that field belongs can supply all you desire. "It is natural to men of the world, and even to' Christians, so far as they are controlled by worldly interests, to entertain doubts of the sincerity and (240)