This Week in Texas Methodist History April 18

Bishop Morris Informs Fowler of His Missionary Commission April 20, 1837

In April 1837 the Missionary Board of the MEC met in New York City and approved a mission to the Republic of Texas. Martin Ruter would head the mission. He would be joined by Robert Alexander and Littleton Fowler. Bishop Hedding should have written all three men to tell them of their assignment, but he did not have Fowler’s address so he asked his brother bishop, Thomas A. Morris to write the letter.

On April 20, 1837, Morris wrote to Fowler. In doing so he was renewing an old relationship. Morris had been Fowler’s first Presiding Elder. Fowler would later name his son Littleton Morris Fowler. The bishop told him that Ruter was being asked to head the mission, but if Ruter declined, Fowler would have that role.
Morris might have been aware that he was writing on the one year minus one day anniversary of the Battle of San Jacinto, because he closed the letter with a rhetorical flourish that is worth repeating.

I know this will be welcome inteligence to you as it is to me. Some have fought there for an earthly inheritance with the weapons of death; you will contend on the same ground for a crown of life with weapons which are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds, casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God. May you conquer thro’ the blood of the Lamb.