Friday, January 02, 2009

This Week in Texas Methodist History January 4

Vice President Burnet Transmits Methodist Resolution to Congress January 7, 1841

Among the business items of the organizing conference of the Texas Conference held at Rutersville in December 1840 was a resolution directed to the Congress of the Republic of Texas. On January 7, 1841, David G. Burnet, vice president of the Republic transmitted the resolution to the Congress. He was acting as president because President Mirabeau B. Lamar was out of the country. The resolution was as follows:

To His Excellency, David G. Burnet, President of the Republic of Texas, and to the honorable, the Senate and the House of Representatives of Texas, in Congress assembled:

Gentlemen:--I take pleasure in complying with the request of the Texas annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, on the occasion of its recent organization, to present to your excellency and to your honorable bodies, the respect and affection which its members cherish toward you, as the constituted guardians of the independence, rights and privileges of the this growing republic. The objects of this organization are religion, morality and literature. Believing that the peace, prosperity and perpetuity of this infant republic will be secured in proportion to the prevalence of sound learning, sound morality and sound religion, it will be the aim of the conference to promote these with energy and perseverance. While thus engaged, it confidently relies upon the ability and disposition of the government to extend to it the protection and privileges which are common to all Christian denominations, under the provisions of the constitution. It seeks no peculiar immunities, not does it desire any special legislation in its behalf. The conference, however, in availing itself of the occasion to present this testimony of its patriotism, cannot refrain from the expression of its deep conviction of the importance of religion and morality, in every department of the government, and among all ranks of its fellow citizens. Without the protection and blessing of Him who setteth up or putteth down nations at His pleasure, what people can prosper or continue? Righteousness only can exalt a nation to true dignity, and secure to it permanence. Sin is a reproach to any people.
The Conference cherishes lively hope that the men, who from time to time shall be elected make and to execute the laws of the country, will give forth the conservative influence of good examples to the community before whom they occupy a ground so conspicuous. It is and shall continue to be the prayer of this body of Christian ministers, that the blessing of Jehovah may always rest on Texas for her glory and defense, and that her independence, peace and prosperity may continue while the sun and moon shall endure.

Signed by order, and in behalf of the Texas annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at its first session, held at Rutersville, this twenty-ninth day of December, A.D. 1840.

B. Waugh

Thos. O. Summers, Sec.

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