01'r Catlwlic Heritage in Texas
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found old acquaintances among members of Congress and the citizens that crowded the streets. On Sunday, four days after his arrival, he was pleased to see the two Masses so well attended that all could not get into the one-room hut. 31 Timon's fame as a speaker had spread. As a consequence, he was invited to preach on Sunday afternoon, January 6, in the Hall of Representatives. When he entered the spacious Capitol, a two-story log strncture. he found it filled to capacity. Ex-President Houston, Vice President Burnet, most of the forty-two members of Congress, Colonel Philip Sublett, of San Augustine, and John S. Roberts, of Nacogdoches, four sectarian ministers, and many leading citizens of the new Republic awaited his address. For almost two hours, until twilight warned him of the approach of night, he held his hearers entranced by his simple but lucid exposition of the basic teachings of the Church. Congressmen, government · officials, and average citizens vied with each other in ex- pressing their appreciation. Many asked him to preach again the fol- lowing Sunday, but Timon informed them that he would have to leave before then. Even the four ministers present-two Methodists and two Baptists-had nothing but praise. 39 Soon a building committee, headed by John Fitzgerald, a young poli- tician, and Congressman John J. Linn, was appointed to secure contri- butions and pledges for a church. A definite beginning was thus made at this time for establishing a permanent parish, which, if insuperable obstacles hampered and delayed, was, nevertheless, the beginning of Catholic activity in the future industrial center of Texas:' 0 During his brief stay Timon met many notables. He made the per- sonal acquaintance of ex-President Sam Houston, who showed "admirable affection for our religion," he wrote, adding in a communication to Bishop Blanc, which he knew would be forwarded to Rome, "General Houston declares himself to be a Catholic." Timon accepted an invitation to lunch with Vice President Burnet. In the course of the unofficial visit Burnet "disclosed all his prejudices to me quite frankly, but in terms of un- feigned respect for our religion," observed Timon in his report to N ozo. 31 Llebaria to Etienne, January 1S, 1839, C. A. T. 39 Timon to Nozo, January 14, 1839, Annales de la Congregation de la Mission, V, cited by Bayard in ot. cit. _'°Fitzgerald to Timon, February 17, 1839, C. A. T. Cf. B. H. Carrol, Standard Hutor,y of H011ston, Texas, 63, and S. 0. Young, A Tliumbnail History of tlie City of HQUs/011, Texas, IIS, Sec also A History and Guide of Houston, Texas (com- piled by workers of the Writers Program, W.P.A.), 1 86.
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