Although many of the early settlers in Texas were immoral in their habits, yet the mass of the people entertained a great regard for religious observances. Most of them were educated in the older States, and brought with them their reverence for sacred things. The leading men among them were well aware that no people can be prosperous who do not encourage the worship of God. This was particularly true after the country became independent of Mexico. It was then that a feeling of gratitude to Heaven, for his blessing on their efforts to become a free people, seemed to pervade all clases, and Ministers of the Gospel, of all denominations, were cordially welcomed to the country. It is now difficult to decide what christian sect had the honor of organizing the first church in Texas. The Methodists and Baptists both claim this distinction.

As early as 1818, the Rev. Henry Stephenson, of the Methodist denomination, preached in the Red River settlements, in Western Louisiana. In 1824, he paid a visit to Texas, and preached the first Protestant sermon west of the Brazos, near San Felipe. There were four families present on that occasion. The first camp-meeting was held in Texas in 1833, ten miles from San Augustine.--About eighty persons attended. A few individuals professed religion, and a church was organized. On the 17th of January, 1838, the corner stone of a Methodist house of worship was laid in San Augustine. Gen. Thomas J. Rusk delivered an address on the occasion. This was the first effort to erect a church building west of the Sabine.

In 1837, the Rev. R. Alexander emigrated to Texas, preached extensively throughout the State, was the means of doing a great amount of good, and still lives to see the fruits of his labors. About the same time, the Rev. Dr. Ruter, for some time President of Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, a man of practical views, sound learning, and of a truly missionary spirit, settled within the bounds of the young Republic, and labored and died in Texas.

One of the most remarkable preachers, whose name appears in the early history of the State, was Paul Denton. He was early left an orphan in Arkansas, and lived in a family where he was treated as a servant, and had to cook, wash, scour, and perform other degrading work.--Until he was twelve years of age, he was a stranger to hat and shoes. When he became older, he ran away from his oppressors, and commenced life for himself. At an early age he married, and learned to read and write after becoming the head of a family. He finally became a preacher, and soon showed remarkable powers as a public speaker.--He was a man of fine person, agreeable manners, and although without any advantages of education, displayed a high degree of eloquence. His first efforts as a preacher of the Gospel, were in the Red Lands in Eastern Texas.--He afterwards removed to the Northern part of the State. He was a man of public spirit, and was brave as well as good. He raised a company of volunteers to chastise the Indians, who had become troublesome to the white settlers, and was killed in battle. Texas has honored him in calling a county by his name.

Among other ministers of the Gospel, who came to Texas as at an early time, the Rev. Sumner Bacon is worthy of honorable notice. He arrived in the country in 1828. He was a native of Massachusetts, and was first a soldier in the United States army before he became a clergyman.--He was a man of great energy and courage. In connexion with his duties as a preacher, he distributed thousands of copies of the Bible from the Sabine to San Antonio. On one occasion he was overtaken by a band of rowdies, who seized him and threatened him with instant death. He begged his captors to first join with him in prayer. They refused to unite with him, but consented that he might first pray himself before they put their threat into execution.--He knelt down and prayed so fervently, that they all quietly left him. On another occasion, as he and some others were preparing to hold religious services near San Antonio, certain persons sent him word that they intended to come and break up the meeting. Col. James Bowie, being in the neighborhood, and hearing of their purpose, went to the place where the meeting was to be held. He made the sign of the cross on the ground, and informed them that he was Captain in those parts, and that the meeting should take place. Knowing the character of Bowie, and fearing his wrath, the opposers of the meeting withdrew, and Bacon and his friends proceeded with their services. Mr. Bacon belonged to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.