Baptists and the American Civil War: October 24, 1863

Texas Civil War MapTexas Baptists meet this month for their annual convention, collecting funds for army missions and destitute home front families and hearing reports of yet-growing educational institutions.

The Texas Baptist State Convention met at Independence, on Saturday before the fourth Sunday in October.  A delegation nearly twice as large as that of last year was present.  Over thirty thousand dollars in cash and pledges, redeemable on demand, were contributed to support Missionaries to the army and the destitute parts of the State. The Female College of Baylor University was reported to have near one hundred and fifty pupils, and to be in a flourishing condition.  The academic and Collegiate Department for males was reported to have about sixty pupils.  All the objects of the Convention received proper attention.  Rev. H. L. Graves, of Fairfield, was re-elected President; Prof. B. S. Fitzgerald, of Baylor University, was chosen Recording Secretary, and Gen. J. W. Barnes, of Anderson, Treasurer.  The next meeting will be held at Huntsville, Walker county.

Texas is less impacted by the war than Southern states to the east, and some Texas institutions emerge from the war in relatively good condition.

Source: Galveston Weekly News, November 18, 1863 (link)