GOD & TEXAS: White Angel

Blindfolded, Aline could identify the native trees of Texas by touching their bark and leaves. She also acquired a fascination with poetry, music, science, and astronomy. As a young child, Aline could distinguish many celestial objects in the night sky, including planets, stars, and galaxies.

Born in San Antonio in 1892, Aline was part of a historic Texas family. Her Virginia-born great-grandmother Elizabeth married John Menefee in San Antonio in 1841. In 1842, their new-born daughter Sarah wasl born in San Antonio. Sarah married Robert Eager, and their daughter Blanche Eager Badger became the mother of Aline B. Carter.

A prolific writer, Aline documented the Revolutionary days of San Antonio in her thousand-page manuscript titled Light Beyond the Hills. It describes life in early Texas as gleaned from the experiences of her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Alines award-winning poetry gives expression to her various interests and led to her being named the Poet Laureate of Texas from 1947 through 1949.

In 1914, newly married Aline, and her attorney husband H. C. Carter, purchased a three-story limestone mansion that was built for William Harvey Maverick, son of one of the founders of Texas. Located in downtown San Antonio, the Maverick-Carter House is now a Texas and national landmark.

Aline renovated the original library into a small chapel, including a small pump organ. She then added a planetary observatory on the roof complete with a telescope and necessary auxiliary instruments. As a devout and outspoken Christian, Aline had the following words written on the ceiling of the observatory: Psalm 8:3, When I consider Thy Heavens….

Every Sunday, Aline would walk a few short blocks to attend the services at St. Marks Episcopal Church where she taught Sunday school. Because she was so beloved by the congregation, Aline was known as The Angel of St. Marks. For over 30 years, she and her husband hosted in their home a Christmas party for the Protestant Children’s Home for orphans.

Aline’s favorite vacation spot was Mustang Island. Near her seaside house, in what is now Aransas Pass, she built the Chapel on the Dunes. Here she spent many hours praying, thinking, and writing poetry. The Chapel was the first church on the Island and was dedicated to those who seek and wonder. Above the entrance to this beautiful sanctuary are written the words, Come and listen for the whispers of God.

The children of the Island called Aline the White Angel because she often wore white flowing gowns with a white floppy hat. After they attended her Sunday School class, Aline would serve them ice cream and cake, and whisper mysteries about the wonders of God’s creation. The Carter family still owns and operates the Chapel on the Dunes.

After Aline died in 1972, her family recalled that she often quoted Proverbs 23:7, As he thinketh in his heart, so is he. May we often think of God and listen for His whispers. (1 Kings 19:11-13)

-----------------------------------------------

For more inspirational reading please visit www.davidroseministries.com

To purchase the historical non-fiction book GOD and TEXAS by David G. Rose visit www.amazon.com