This Week in Texas Methodist History  June 4

New Orleans Advocate Publishes Sermon Preached by Rev. Elias Dibble of Houston   1866

One of the greatest Methodist preachers of 19th century Texas was David Elias Dibble (1811-1885) who was at the center of Houston's civic and religious life during the years immediately after the Civil War.   Dibble was born into bondage in Georgia and brought to Texas in 1837.  He taught himself to read and write and became part of the Methodist community in the Bayou City.   His prefacing skills were obvious, and he was licensed to preach while still in bondage.  Upon emancipation he continued to preach, now as a member of the MEC, He is honored as the founder of Trinity Methodist, the oldest African American Methodist congregation in Houston.  He also was trustee of a school, and member of a fraternal association, a founder of Olivewood Cemetery, and an early organizer of Juneteenth celebrations in Houston.  That celebration eventually led to the purchase of land for Emancipation Park---one of the most important African American historic sites in Texas.  

I was surprised when I ran across the full text of a sermon Elias Dibble preached in March, 1866, printed in the New Orleans Advocate.  Why was I surprised?  Because very few sermons of the era were printed, and those that were usually had a connection to someone in one of the publishing ventures of the church.   To have the full text of a sermon from someone who had so recently been in bondage is a rare treat.  

The sermon text is Luke 5:31    They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.  

The sermon repeats several themes common in 19th century sermons and shows that Dibble had knowledge of both the Old and New Testaments as well as Methodist theology.  His sermon development is clear and progresses logically to the conclusions We need not be astonished if the Christian shouts, for he has had his feet taken from the mire and clay and placed upon the rock;  and new songs have been put in his mouth, even praise to God.  This is the privilege of all, and in the name of our master, we invite you to flee from refuge to the hope set before you in the Gospel.  

]