In March 2021, we lost an amazing writer. Born in 1921 in Stephenville, Texas, Carol Leon Hale passed away at the age of 99. In a New York Times article, media critic Phillip Lopate said that Leon Hale was among “the top three columnists writing today in America.”

For over 65 years, Hale was a regular columnist for the Houston Post and the Houston Chronicle. His witty, homespun writings garnered many well deserved awards from notable institutions like the Headliners Foundation of Texas, and theAssociated Press and United Press International wire services.

Leon Hale authored 11 well-received books, each showcasing his distinctive flair for local citizens with offbeat personalities, an undercurrent that oozed cryptic sarcasm, and Texas-sized yarns. One needed to re-read his articles several times to fully grasp the philosophical brilliance that he wove into each story.

My admiration for this “roving Texas columnist” began in 1978 with his articles in the old Houston Post. As a pastor who was always on the prowl for homegrown anecdotes to bolster a sermon, Leon Hale never failed to scratch my preacher’s itch.

My library contains a number of Hale’s books, with four of them author signed. He often referred to those who read his articles as “customers,” and relished introducing the reader to intriguing characters like retired fortune teller “Madam Z,” “Old Friend Morgan,” and “My Friend Mel.” This spring, Hale released his final book, titled, “See You on Down the Road: A Retirement Journal.”

Of special interest to me was Hale’s writings about religion. While church was never his primary topic, occasionally he would use words and phrases that only devout attendees would recognize. Two hilarious stories were featured in Hale’s book, “Old Friends.”

In one story, while Leon was still in the military, he and his friend stumbled into a local church. His friend had been drinking and had a bottle of whiskey in his pocket. During the altar call, the bottle fell out and his friend accidentally kicked it toward the front. Only a preacher can fully appreciate the chaos of that moment.

In another story, Hale mentions that he loved to listen to the late night preachers on the radio as he drove throughout Texas. He recollected hearing crying preachers, shouting preachers, and gasping preachers.  They kept him awake!

Leon Hale always showed deep respect for God and the Church. This is something that more newspaper writers should emulate. I appreciate the Fort Bend Herald for always placing a significant Bible verse on the front page of every edition. Well done editors, and much needed.

The only hope for our world is found in the Bible. Referring to Jesus the Scripture says, “In His Name the nations will put their hope.” (Matthew 12:21 NIV)

I salute Leon Hale. Thanks, sir, for the high standards you have set. And hopefully, we’ll all see you on down the road.

The Battle of the Alamo has always intrigued me. Born and raised in San Antonio, I often stood in front of the Cradle of Texas Liberty and wondered about the military maneuvers that occurred during the 13 day siege. Mexican General Vicente Filisola stated that his troops were at their stations by 2 a.m. on March 6, and ready for the final assault. But how could he know the exact time?

They had pocket watches! In the San Jacinto Monument Museum, you may notice a display that features such treasures as General Sam Houston’s ring inscribed with the word Honor, the glove of Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, and a pistol used by Commander Edward Burleson, who led Texian Army forces during the Revolution.

Also, there is the gold pocket watch with key and chain, that belonged to Mexican General Martin Perfecto de Cos. After the Battle of San Jacinto in April 1836, Cos was imprisoned with other Mexican combatants in Anahuac. Dr. George Moffett Patrick visited the prisoners and cared for their wounds. During those visits, Dr. Patrick and General Cos became friends, and Cos gave Patrick his pocket watch.

If you visit the Long Barrack Museum at the Alamo, you will see many of the artifacts from the Alamo era. One interesting relic is the key wound pocket watch that belonged to James Allen, an Alamo courier. This particular watch has Roman numerals on it and the case is made of coin silver.

And you probably remember the tragic story of Colonel James W. Fannin. While serving as the commander of the Presidio de la Bahia at Goliad, he was captured by the Mexican Army. After his men had been killed, Colonel Fannin was brought before the firing squad. His last request was that he not be shot in the face, that he would receive a Christian burial, and that his treasured pocket watch would be given to his family. However, the commander of the firing squad took Fannin’s watch, shot him in the face, and callously threw Fannin’s body into a heap of murdered soldiers. It is thought that this same watch is now the property of the Dallas Historical Society and can be seen there.

Without a doubt, keeping time was very important in Revolutionary Texas. The generals had to coordinate their plans and take the appropriate action at the proper time. Their lives depended upon it.

Time is important to God, too.  King David said in Psalm 31:15, “My times are in Your hand.” The Apostle Paul warned in Ephesians 5:16, “Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.” And notice Romans 13:11, “Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed.”

To read more stories about Texas history, purchase David’s book, “God and Texas.” (Available at Amazon.com)

To read more inspiring articles from David Rose visit www.davidroseministries.com

To contact the author, email Parsonrose@aol.com.

In 1884, Henry Navarro owned 520 acres of prime farmland in Atascosa County, south of San Antonio. The census reported that Henry was the head of a 10-member household that included his wife, five children, a housekeeper with two children, cattle, hogs, oxen and a large amount of farming equipment.

It may surprise you to know that only 19 years earlier, Henry owned nothing! Henry was born and raised as a common slave, had no last name, and was illiterate. When Texas slaves were emancipated in 1865, Henry was suddenly on his own. While many of his peers fled to the refuge of big cities, Henry acquired 160 acres of land through a federal preemption grant. Through hard work and wise business dealings, Henry more than tripled his land holdings and increased his wealth.

You may have correctly assumed that Henry was a former slave of wealthy Texan José Antonio Navarro. José was one of the first signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence, in early March, 1836, at Washington-on-the-Brazos. Later, he also signed the Constitution of the Republic of Texas.

When Henry was set free, Jose allowed him to use the Navarro name. Further, Jose and his wife Margarita de la Garza, served as godparents to Henry’s children. While the Navarro name may have provided an introduction, Henry had to earn everything that came his way.

Then, in 1884, Henry and his wife Patsy made a huge decision. As he entered his twentieth year of freedom. Henry donated an acre of good land to the Methodist Episcopal Church in Atascosa County. The land was to be used for a church, school, and cemetery.

If anyone knew the potential of a good acre of land, Henry did. He probably knew the exact size of crop an acre would yield. However, instead of more profit for his family, it was in his heart to honor God. Henry fulfilled Deuteronomy 15:10, “Give generously to Him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this, the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.”

Henry employed three key Biblical principles to accomplish his dreams. First, he made God the priority in his life. Psalm 127:1, “If the Lord does not build a house, they labor in vain.”

Second, he worked hard. Proverbs 13:4, “Lazy people always want things but never get them. Those who work hard get plenty.”

Third, he was a giver. Proverbs 11:24, “Some people give freely and gain more; others refuse to give and end up with less.”

Henry transformed from a slave into a servant of the most high God. When he died in July 1904, he left behind a powerful declaration of human ingenuity and esteemed industriousness. But more than that, Henry honored God with his life.

Will this be said of you?

To read more stories about Texas history, purchase David’s book, “God and Texas.” (Available at Amazon.com)

To read more inspiring articles from David Rose visit www.davidroseministries.com

To contact the author, email Parsonrose@aol.com.

As newlyweds in 1861, Valentine and Martha Poole moved to Galveston. Though their roots were in New York, they had heard the thrilling stories of the Karankawa Indians and the pirate Jean Lafitte. The East Coast newspapers had presented Galveston as a modern city with ornate iron fronts on their buildings, sidewalks with gaslights, and primary streets that were paved with exotic seashells.

When they arrived in the “Oleander City,” Galveston was experiencing the Romantic Period, featuring themes in architecture that were found in England. The young couple may have walked the streets of the Strand shopping district or marveled at the incredible architecture of the Menard House and the famous Tremont Hotel.

Indeed, Galveston was quite a paradise. But Martha wanted to attend church. To her, finding a congregation of faithful Believers was tantamount to shopping or consuming fine cuisine. In a short time, the Pooles visited the struggling First Baptist Church. The women of the church provided Martha with the friendship that she needed, and when asked, she readily agreed to start a choir.

At that time, the church secretary was Gail Borden, inventor of condensed milk. In February 1840, he and wife Penelope had been the first persons to be baptized in what was then a thriving church. But now, there were only 30 members left, and the church could no longer pay the pastor.

To make matters worse, many of the men were called to duty in the Civil War. The First Baptist church had to close, so Martha attended the Methodist church and sang in their choir. When the war finally ended, Martha was the driving force in reviving the Baptist church.

Martha held ice cream socials and bake sales in order to raise funds for the church. When asked again to lead the choir and to sing, Martha gladly agreed. But it was also in her heart to start a children’s Sunday School class. For over 47 years, Martha faithfully taught dynamic Bible lessons to generations of impressionable young hearts. Even the hurricane of 1900 couldn’t stop her.

On her 91st birthday, Martha was still teaching. The whole church gathered to celebrate her birthday as well as the amazing ministry of Martha Poole. She died in 1927 but will always be revered as a faithful woman of God.

Perhaps you recall the chorus of this song by Steve Green, “O may all who come behind us, find us faithful. May the fire of our devotion light their way. May the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe. And the lives we live inspire them to obey. O may all who come behind us find us faithful.”

Question: Will Christ say of you, “Well done, good and faithful servant”? (Matthew 25:23)

To read more stories about Texas history, purchase David’s book, “God and Texas.” (Available at Amazon.com)

To read more inspiring articles from David Rose visit www.davidroseministries.com

To contact the author, email Parsonrose@aol.com.