Texas, of German descent, that will ere long we hope be sufficiently numerous to have church organizations and preaching in their own native tongue.

Elder Kiefer no longer labors alone. Elder F. J. Gleiss had long labored as a preacher in Methodist ranks. In the providence of God they were thrown together, and after faithfully comparing their views with the word of God as their guide, Elder Gleiss recognized the Baptists as the people holding the true doctrines and ordinances of the gospel, and was baptized. Since his baptism he has been the pastor of the Ebenezer church, and works with all his might on that field. He is a man of strong mental powers, and displays ability as a pastor second to but few in Texas.

Two years ago Elder F. Heisig came to Texas, leaving the pastorate of a German congregation in London, England, and has since been giving to the German mission the benefits of his talents and energies. As a Baptist, he makes no compromise with error. He is in possession of a clear and discriminating mind, has enjoyed the benefits of a thorough education, and is eminently qualified to oppose those systems of error that have taken such a deep hold upon the German mind. He is under the patronage of the mission board of Union Association, and while he preaches with great power in his native tongue, preaches also acceptably in English.

In addition to this noble trio is Elder C. M. Hornburg, the pastor at Cedar Hill. There are, in addition, several pious young men qualifying themselves to enter this work. Elder Kiefer still toils on as a faithful missionary, beloved by the people, speaking both tongues, and is, in addition to his work as a preacher, scattering a large amount of Baptist literature among the people. He is possessed of a large

stock of common sense, and, being blessed with a liberal education, is well adapted to the position he occupies. In view of the rapid emigration from Germany to Texas, the lovers of a pure gospel should lend all the sympathy and aid in their power to these men toiling for the salvation of a people so hard to reach, and who, when brought to the knowledge of the truth, make such earnest workers in the vineyard of our Lord.

CHAPTER XXX.

I

SKETCHES. 1857 TO 1867.

ROM 1857 till 1861 so many were at work and

so much was done, that it is a difficult task to pursue further the plan adopted in the former

part of the book. A nobler body of private members and a more earnest and efficient band of preachers have seldom appeared on any field than the Baptists had in Texas during that period. The increase in our numbers since is clear evidence of the truthfulness of the statement.

On the first day of November, 1857, I was called on to part with my last child. A. H. Morrell, of whom notice has been given in the preceding chapters, fell asleep in Christ on that day. Four children were given me, and four were taken away, and their mother; and still God has permitted me to survive them all for fifteen years. My name has since appeared in the reports from the patent office of the United States as having received four patents. These rights to inventions were taken out, according to the request made by my son on a dying-bed, and were the results that followed the experiments before alluded to, with ploughs and harrow following after wheels. Misfortune, and the condition of the country in consequence of the war, prevented me from realizing anything from them.

During this same year I was present at the organization

of the Austin Association, with the church in the city of Austin. Thirteen churches were represented. Hon. E. D. Townes was the first moderator. Among the many brethren in the ministry, and among the laity, of piety and intelligence, I met Elder A. W. Elledge, according to my recollection, for the first time.

He came to Texas a few years previous to this, and in 1854 and 1855 his name appears as one of the missionaries of the Baptist State Convention. While serving in this capacity the Lord blessed him with much success. In 1857 he was in charge of three churches, Barton's Creek, Walnut Creek, and Bethlehem. His ministry has been confined to middle and western Texas; and wherever he has labored, saints and sinners all remember him; but especially has he made an impression upon that class of men who take pleasure in opposing Baptist principles, and who in their haste are sometimes guilty of misrepresentation. Such men on his field are never allowed to pass without rebuke. Girding himself with truth, and possessed of the same spirit that moved Paul when he "fought with beasts of Ephesus," he shows such men no quarters. While he abstains in his ordinary ministry from all unfriendly attacks on other people, his lion-like boldness is proverbial when the defence of the principles he holds so sacred becomes a necessity.

His mind leads him to do mission work, and in this field his soul is happy, while his masterly native intellect grasps the word of life and points the trembling sinner to Calvary. While serving as missionary in the State of Mississippi, he baptized more than a thousand persons, and his name is sacred to many in Texas, by reason of their submission to baptism at his hands. The last sermon

I heard him preach was in August, 1871, at the close of the revival at Eautaw, in Limestone County, from the words, “The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved." His clear understanding of the word of God, and his earnest zeal in that effort, revealed the great secret of his power as a preacher. He still lives and labors as missionary in Waco Association.

Representatives from thirteen churches, with a total membership of five hundred and thirty, met with the Mount Zion church, Rusk County, on the thirtieth of October, 1857, and formed the Mount Zion Association. Six ordained and six licentiate ministers were members of this body, with Elder J. H. Rowland moderator.

The year 1858 was one of harmonious activity and progress among our people. Five new associations sprung into existence. Four of them - Richland, Leon River, Brazos River, and San Marcos were west of the Trinity River; named after him who in an early day

while a fifth, Tryon,

did so much to give the Baptist cause position in the public mind, was composed of churches on both sides of the river. The aggregate number of members that formed these bodies was two thousand five hundred and thirty.

I was present and took part in two of these organizations, Richland and Leon River. Great destitution had prevailed in the counties of Bell, Williamson and Coryell, until the voices of Elders John Clabaugh and John McClain declared the way of salvation to the people. Both of these were earnest men, and men of God. They were well adapted to such a field, and the people heard them gladly. Possessed largely of the spirit of Christ, they were willing to work, and their labor was of that effective kind that moves and