Our C atl1olic Heritage in Texas
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Monday in December, they took office on October 22, 1836, upon the resianation of President Burnet and Vice President Zavala, who were 0 anxious to be relieved of their responsibilities. Under the able direc- tion of the veteran warrior and colorful statesman the Republic attained standing among the powers of the world during the next two years, established the framework of a government organization, and solved the more pressing problems of finance and defense. It was a period of consolidation and cautious administration in order to launch suc- cessfully the frail ship of state upon the uncharted ~ea of its unknown destiny. Renewed i11terest in religion. With the restoration of law and order the routine of daily life was resumed, and the people of Texas, rein- vigorated by a grateful heart, turned again to religion. Providence had given them victory and they were thankful. A pioneer historian of Texas rightfully observed, "No people can live without faith." As if to illustrate his point, he added, "What else was it that brought the Franciscan friars to the wilds of Texas, and caused them to devote days and years of peril ... to the instruction and culture of the savage mind?" Here is a spontaneous tribute from a non-Catholic to the unselfish sacrifice of the pioneers of religion in Texas. 15 The tolerant spirit of the easygoing Mexican officials had permitted many Protestant ministers to migrate to Texas. They had been active in spite of restrictions; -now that independence had been attained and toleration had been formally guaranteed by the Constitution of the new Repubtic, they redoubled their activities. To carry out their resolve more effectively, they organized an "Ecclesiastical Council of Vigilance for Texas" at a meeting held in Houston on March 8, 1837, in the office of the Reverend R. Marsh, a Baptist minister from Alabama. Their purpose was to guard against pseudo-ministers and to prevent the "ingress of rogues" under the guise of holy men. The Council, composed of representatives of four denominations, appointed a three- man Committee of Correspondence to keep in touch with all ministers in Texas and verify the affiliation of newcomers. 14 By a strange coincidence, a group of Texas Catholics were at the ve?' same time taking steps to secure the services of English-speaking priests to minister to their spiritual needs. While in New Orleans they drew up a petition in March, 1837, which they addressed to Bishop UHenderson Yoakum, History of Te:r:as f,-om !ts Fi,-st Settlement in r685 to Its A11111:r:aJio11 to the United States;,, 1846, pp. II, 219. 14 /l>id., 11, 223-224.
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