A few months ago, I shared with you the salvation testimony of Samuel Houston. It is from this man that the city of Houston derived its name. Sam Houston is revered by most Texans, but he should also be honored by the children of God around the world.
Sam was born in Virginia on this day in 1793. During his spectacular life he was a lieutenant in the United States army before becoming a major general in the army of Texas, defeating the Mexican Santa Anna at the battle of San Jacinto. At various points in his life he was a lawyer, a district attorney, a congressman and governor of Tennessee, and eventually he was governor of the State of Texas; that was just prior to the Civil War. While his allegiance was firmly with the South, he was opposed to secession and as a result the office of Governor was declared vacant forcing Sam to retire to his farm.
Sam Houston, for most of his life, was an immoral rebel when it came to the things of God, with a long list of public sins. And yet, in 1840, he married a Christian – a Baptist girl – named Maggie Lea. Through her witness and the prayers and testimony of many others, the Holy Spirit eventually broke his sinful spirit. In 1854 Sam Houston was baptized and joined the Baptist Church at Independence, Texas. He became a regular attendant, rejoicing in the preaching of the Gospel, leading in public prayer and serving God in other ways.