Flowers and fruits from the wilderness: or, Thirty-six years in Texas and two winters in Honduras,/ by Z.N. Morrell, an old Texan.

FLOWERS AND FERETS.
In May, 1837, on my second trip to Houston, a "Committee of Vigilance" was organized, consisting of the followillng minilisters: Dr. Marsh, Baptist, Dr. Smith, Protestant Methodist, Rev. W. W. Hall, Presbyterian, Rev. L. L.
Allen, Episcopal MIethlodist, Rev. H. Mathews, Episcopal
Methodist, and Z. N. Morrell, Baptist. The object of this
committee was to prevent impostors from securing the confidence of the people, in the exercise of ministerial functions.
A notice of this organization, with an address to all ministers coming to Texas, was published in the "Telegraph."
After this no minister was recognized by any of us, until he
exhibited unmistakable credentials of authority from his
denomination. The effect was very beneficial to the cause
of religion in the republic.
The circumstances that gave rise to this organization
were as follows: An impostor, a short time before, came to
the town of Washii4ngton, in my absence, and preached un der Baptist colors. He represented himself as sadly in
need of pecuniary assistance. Some person kindly circau lated a subscription, which procured the amount of funds
called for. He was soon seen at the grocery, and then on
the race-track, as one of the standard-bearers of that
immense number of sportsmen that gathered about the
town of Washington. I would be glad to know that every
Baptist pastor in Texas at the present time considered
himself as a member of a Vigilance Committee. An impos tor, if he succeed, is a great curse in any community, and
should be persistently ruled out. Impositions have been
practised in Texas since 1837, and nmay, in the future, with out great care. No pastor should allow a man in his pulpit
until he gives clear evidence of his right. He who takes
offence because his papers are demanded, is, to say the
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