"We have never favored the divorce of the Pulpit from politics which many excellent persons deem essential to the welfare of both. The object of preaching is to apply the principles of Christianity to the conduct of life, to bring them to bear upon personal character, and upon the general well-being and improvement of society.
Especially in a crisis like the present, when dangers threaten the public peace, and when men's minds are heated with passion on the one side, or paralyzed with fears on the other, it is proper that the Christian teachers of the land should throw their influence into the scale of peace and of Christian truth.
The general tenor of the discourses from the Pulpit yesterday was towards conciliation--inculcating the duty of preserving peace at any sacrifice short of principle , as of paramount obligation upon every Christian citizen. They all indicate a serious and settled conviction that the country is in danger, and that it is the duty of every man to treat the peril as real and formidable, instead of dismissing it as fanciful and unworthy of serious attention. Nearly all agreed, moreover, that both sections were in the wrong--that each had given the other just ground of complaint--and that both had steps to retrace and reforms to practice, if there was any real purpose of union and harmony for the future."
(Editorial, New York Times, November 30, 1860)
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
November 29, 1860 (Thursday--Thanksgiving Day)
"It is not necessary for us to rehearse the mercies and the benefits which call for gratitude at our hands. No heart disposed to recognize an Almighty Providence as the giver of good will need to be reminded of our grounds of thankfulness. Whatever we have--life, health, reason--the continued capacity to labor and to love--home, families and friends--comforts in the present, and hopes for the future--all are gifts from God, and deserve our profound and sincere acknowledgments.
It is true there are drawbacks to our enjoyments and our anticipations. The political condition of the country is one of agitation and uncertainty. But is a single cloud in the sky to make us forgetful or distrustful of the sun in heaven? Are we not to be grateful for what we have, because we have not every thing we may desire? That man has very little of the Christian in him who can take such a view of our obligations. And his faith in Providence must be weak, indeed, who cannot trust that all the storms and commotions of the present moment are but the appointed means by which God works out his just and beneficent designs.
The people will assemble for worship today in their respective churches, and the clergy will probably avail themselves, as has hertofore been the general practice, of the opportunity to review the political affairs of the country in the light of principles of Christianity." (New York Times, editorial)
It is true there are drawbacks to our enjoyments and our anticipations. The political condition of the country is one of agitation and uncertainty. But is a single cloud in the sky to make us forgetful or distrustful of the sun in heaven? Are we not to be grateful for what we have, because we have not every thing we may desire? That man has very little of the Christian in him who can take such a view of our obligations. And his faith in Providence must be weak, indeed, who cannot trust that all the storms and commotions of the present moment are but the appointed means by which God works out his just and beneficent designs.
The people will assemble for worship today in their respective churches, and the clergy will probably avail themselves, as has hertofore been the general practice, of the opportunity to review the political affairs of the country in the light of principles of Christianity." (New York Times, editorial)
Sunday, November 28, 2010
November 28, 1860 (Wednesday)
On this day, President-elect Lincoln wrote a letter to Henry J. Raymond, editor of the New York Times in response to a request for a policy statement. Lincoln complains that none of the opposition papers picked up and reported Trumbull's speech.
"Has a single newspaper, heretofore against us, urged that speech [upon its readers] with a purpose to quiet public anxiety? Not one, so far as I know. One the contrary, the Boston Courier, and its class, hold me responsible for the speech, and endeavor to inflame the North with the belief that it foreshadows an abandonment of Republican ground by the incoming administration; while the Washington Constiution, and its class hold the same speech up to the South as an open declaration of war against them." (Abraham Lincoln)
"The blackness is gathering so fast that if anything can be done so save our glorious Union it must be done speedily." (Former President Franklin Pierce)
"It is now too late, however, for any statutory concessions to save this Union. (Charleston Mercury)
Governor Brown of Georgia declares a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer.
"Has a single newspaper, heretofore against us, urged that speech [upon its readers] with a purpose to quiet public anxiety? Not one, so far as I know. One the contrary, the Boston Courier, and its class, hold me responsible for the speech, and endeavor to inflame the North with the belief that it foreshadows an abandonment of Republican ground by the incoming administration; while the Washington Constiution, and its class hold the same speech up to the South as an open declaration of war against them." (Abraham Lincoln)
"The blackness is gathering so fast that if anything can be done so save our glorious Union it must be done speedily." (Former President Franklin Pierce)
"It is now too late, however, for any statutory concessions to save this Union. (Charleston Mercury)
Governor Brown of Georgia declares a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Religion and the Civil War--Part 5: Study One: Denominations
"...how little is to be expected from any other Union, if the union of Christians fail." (Southern Baptish Convention, Charleston Mercury, 1845)
"The very worst omen of the times is the fact that the religious men of the country stand apart to so great an extent in this hour of trial. Most of the Churches have split on the very rock upon which the State is foundering. In fact, their divisions have prepared the way and laid the political foundations for the political divisions which now exist." (Presbyterian Herald, November 1860)
"On significant factor in the disuniting of the United States was the division of America's popular churches into sectional factions several years before the political break." (Broken Churches, Broken Nation, 1985)
"This war is on our part, a war for Religion." (William Norris)
"The very worst omen of the times is the fact that the religious men of the country stand apart to so great an extent in this hour of trial. Most of the Churches have split on the very rock upon which the State is foundering. In fact, their divisions have prepared the way and laid the political foundations for the political divisions which now exist." (Presbyterian Herald, November 1860)
"On significant factor in the disuniting of the United States was the division of America's popular churches into sectional factions several years before the political break." (Broken Churches, Broken Nation, 1985)
"This war is on our part, a war for Religion." (William Norris)
November 27, 1860 (Tuesday)
"Whether we shall now destroy that Government or make another effort to preserve it and reform its abuses, is the question before us. Is that question not entitled to all the wisdom, the moderation and the prudence we can command? Were you ever at sea in a storm? Then you know the sailor often finds it necessary, to enable him to keep his ship above the waves, to throw overboard his freight, even his treasure. But with his chart and his compass he never parts. However dark the heavens or furious the winds, with these he can still point the polar star, and find the port of his safety. Would not that sailor be mad who should throw these overboard?
We are at sea, my friends. The skies are fearfully darkened. The billows roar threateningly. Dangers are on every side. Let us throw overboard our passions, our prejudices and our party feelings, however long or highly valued. But let us hold on--hold on to reason and moderation. These and these alone point always to the star of truth, by whose guidance we may let safely come to shore." (B. H. Hill, Georgia statesman)
We are at sea, my friends. The skies are fearfully darkened. The billows roar threateningly. Dangers are on every side. Let us throw overboard our passions, our prejudices and our party feelings, however long or highly valued. But let us hold on--hold on to reason and moderation. These and these alone point always to the star of truth, by whose guidance we may let safely come to shore." (B. H. Hill, Georgia statesman)
Friday, November 26, 2010
November 26, 1860 (Monday)
"But the South has grievances of which to complain far more galling than the bare election of a Republican to the Presidency. The surrender of fugitive slaves is a constitutional obligation upon every State in the Union--without such a guaranty the Union would never have been formed." (Herschel Johnson)
"Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln leave Chicago at 9 A. M. and reach Springfield at 6:30. Lincoln's return "is the delight of the reporters and a number of office-seekers, who have been lying in wait for him since [Nov. 24]. The President and party traveled in separate cars. No ovations were received on the way on account of the rainy weather." (Chicago Journal, 26 November 1860) (The Lincoln Log)
"Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln leave Chicago at 9 A. M. and reach Springfield at 6:30. Lincoln's return "is the delight of the reporters and a number of office-seekers, who have been lying in wait for him since [Nov. 24]. The President and party traveled in separate cars. No ovations were received on the way on account of the rainy weather." (Chicago Journal, 26 November 1860) (The Lincoln Log)
Thursday, November 25, 2010
November 25, 1860 (Sunday)
Much credit is due to Mrs. Sarah Joseph Hale. She promoted the idea of a national Thanksgiving Day. She contacted President after President until President Abraham Lincoln responded in 1863 by setting aside the last Thursday of November as a national Day of Thanksgiving. Some have said that this Proclamation came at a pivotal point in Lincoln's life. During the first week of July, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg occurred, resulting in the loss of 60,000 American lives. Four months later in November, Lincoln delivered the "Gettysburg Address." According to some accounts, during this period of time he experienced a renewing and awakening of his spiritual life. And the Proclamation was made: A National Day of Thanksgiving.
Then, in 1941, Congress permanently establised the fourth Thursday of each November as a national holiday.
Then, in 1941, Congress permanently establised the fourth Thursday of each November as a national holiday.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
November 24, 1860 (Saturday)
"The Continental Congress on the 20th of October, 1774, passed a preamble and resolutions solemnly pledging themselves, "under the sacred ties of virtue, honor and love of our country, that we will neither import nor purchase any Slave imported after the first day of December next: --after which time we will wholly discontinue the Slave-trade, and will neither be concerned in it ourselves, nor will we hire our vessels nor sell our commodities or manufactures to those who are concerned in it." (Henry Raymond in rebuttal to Southerner William Yancey--the spiritual godfather of secession)
This was the tone and the temper of the people at the outset of our national career. It was the policy which the framers of the Constitution desired to adopt.
In the 1787 Constitutional Convention neither Massachusetts, nor any Northern State, "insisted" that the Slave-trade should not be prohibited by Congress until 1808; that on the contrary, they demanded that the general Government should have power to prohibit it at once; and that they yielded their consent to its continuance for twenty years, only to threats of secession on the part of South Carolina and Georgia, and for the purpose of securing the adhesion of those States to the Union. (Henry Raymond in rebuttal to Southerner William Yancey) New York Times, November 24, 1860
http://www.civilwar-online.com/2010/11/november-24-1860-slave-trade-and.html
This was the tone and the temper of the people at the outset of our national career. It was the policy which the framers of the Constitution desired to adopt.
In the 1787 Constitutional Convention neither Massachusetts, nor any Northern State, "insisted" that the Slave-trade should not be prohibited by Congress until 1808; that on the contrary, they demanded that the general Government should have power to prohibit it at once; and that they yielded their consent to its continuance for twenty years, only to threats of secession on the part of South Carolina and Georgia, and for the purpose of securing the adhesion of those States to the Union. (Henry Raymond in rebuttal to Southerner William Yancey) New York Times, November 24, 1860
http://www.civilwar-online.com/2010/11/november-24-1860-slave-trade-and.html
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
November 23, 1860 (Friday)
"It is the duty of Republicans everywhere to exercise a magnanimous forbearance in their discussions and their acts. They have taken upon themselves the responsibilities of the Government and they are under the solemn obligations to discharge them in the spirit of conciliation and with a sincere desire to harmonize conflicting interests and restore confidence and peace to the country"
"If our Democratic fellow-citizens desire peace, let them aid in the procuring of it. Let them sacrifice for the moment something of their partisan rancor, and disarm the hollow but fatal terror which pervades the South. Not a solitary Democratic journal--North or South--so far as we have seen, has had the fairness to publish extracts from Mr. Lincoln's speeches, showing his exact position on all the controverted questions of the day!"
(New York Times editorial, 11/23/1860)
"If our Democratic fellow-citizens desire peace, let them aid in the procuring of it. Let them sacrifice for the moment something of their partisan rancor, and disarm the hollow but fatal terror which pervades the South. Not a solitary Democratic journal--North or South--so far as we have seen, has had the fairness to publish extracts from Mr. Lincoln's speeches, showing his exact position on all the controverted questions of the day!"
(New York Times editorial, 11/23/1860)
Monday, November 22, 2010
November 22, 1860 (Thursday--Thanksgiving Day)
"Twenty-eight millions of free men in the North are ready to meet disunion now, and crush it as the strong man crushes an egg-shell in his hand. The people of the North will never peaceable submit to the secession of the South. If the worst comes to the worst, let brother go to war with brother, and let the stronger party take possession of the whole Government. We must have no Southern Confederacy--no Northern Republic, but a Union of "many as one."
(James Brisbin, letter to Virginia governor)
"Eleven non-slaveholding States have passed laws which obstruct the execution of the Fugitive Slave Law. The Southern people have complained for years about these laws and have earnestly asked them to repeal them. The South asks only for the fair and faithful execution of the laws passed for the recovery and protection of her property--that if her property shall escape and be found in non-slaveholding States, you will see that it is promptly restored to the rightful owner. ...it is the duty of patriots in all sections of our country to cultivate a kind, generous and conciliatory spirit towards another. Your letter, however, breathes nothing of this kind; you taunt the South with your superiority of numbers, and threaten to crush them by your fancied power. I take the occasion to say to you, in the kindest spirit imaginable, your threats acted out will be taken at your peril." (John Letcher, Governor of Virginia)
(James Brisbin, letter to Virginia governor)
"Eleven non-slaveholding States have passed laws which obstruct the execution of the Fugitive Slave Law. The Southern people have complained for years about these laws and have earnestly asked them to repeal them. The South asks only for the fair and faithful execution of the laws passed for the recovery and protection of her property--that if her property shall escape and be found in non-slaveholding States, you will see that it is promptly restored to the rightful owner. ...it is the duty of patriots in all sections of our country to cultivate a kind, generous and conciliatory spirit towards another. Your letter, however, breathes nothing of this kind; you taunt the South with your superiority of numbers, and threaten to crush them by your fancied power. I take the occasion to say to you, in the kindest spirit imaginable, your threats acted out will be taken at your peril." (John Letcher, Governor of Virginia)
Sunday, November 21, 2010
November 21, 1860 (Wednesday)
"The entire South is angry and resentful, and the general current of public sympathy in all the Southern States is towards secession. There is no desire for union. Our Government was formed by consent, and by consent it must be preserved." (NY Times Nov.21, 1860.)
"There is no such thing as a peaceable secession! Peaceable secession is an utter impossibility. Why, sir, our ancestors, our fathers, and our grandfathers, those of them that are yet living amongst us with prolonged lives, would rebude and reproach us; and our children and our grand-children would cry out shame upon us, if we of this generation should dishonor these ensigns of the power of the government and the harmony of that Union which is every day felt among us with so much joy and gratitude." (Daniel Webster, 1850)
"There is no such thing as a peaceable secession! Peaceable secession is an utter impossibility. Why, sir, our ancestors, our fathers, and our grandfathers, those of them that are yet living amongst us with prolonged lives, would rebude and reproach us; and our children and our grand-children would cry out shame upon us, if we of this generation should dishonor these ensigns of the power of the government and the harmony of that Union which is every day felt among us with so much joy and gratitude." (Daniel Webster, 1850)
African-American Church and the Civil War: Part IV
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. That whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness. (Declaration of Independence)
One of the most profound religious changes in American life brought about by the Civil War was the formation of independent Black congregations and denominations.
One of the most profound religious changes in American life brought about by the Civil War was the formation of independent Black congregations and denominations.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
November 20, 1860 (Tuesday)
I am left with the impression: There is a great lack of trust in what government might end up doing. Even though Lincoln stated his thoughts, even though democrats controlled both houses of Congress, there was the idea that government would "trick" the people who advocated slavery.
Or, maybe the South had wanted to secede for many years now. They saw the writing on the wall. It was looking for some excuse to do so. So far in the south, there were some moderates who wanted to be thoughtful and carefully weigh the consequences of seceding. The voice of the "secessionists" were growing stronger and louder. All it will take is a spark.....
The business community is starting to see the inevitable coming and people are betting with their money. Markets are in disarray!
Only hope was to change the constitution so slavery would be acceptable....
Good articles today on the limits of the federal government; the effects of secession on the country; the markets, could the constitution be changed; state's rights; and President Buchanan and President-elect Lincoln.
Or, maybe the South had wanted to secede for many years now. They saw the writing on the wall. It was looking for some excuse to do so. So far in the south, there were some moderates who wanted to be thoughtful and carefully weigh the consequences of seceding. The voice of the "secessionists" were growing stronger and louder. All it will take is a spark.....
The business community is starting to see the inevitable coming and people are betting with their money. Markets are in disarray!
Only hope was to change the constitution so slavery would be acceptable....
Good articles today on the limits of the federal government; the effects of secession on the country; the markets, could the constitution be changed; state's rights; and President Buchanan and President-elect Lincoln.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Religion and the Civil War: Part 3--The Southern Church
As I live in 2010, I am abhored by the thought of any kind of slavery. For the church in the 1800's to find a rational for slavery through the Scriptures is "food for thought." In the last part of this series, we will explore deeper the theology that brought the church to these positions. What lessons can we learn about the various systems of "interpretation" related to Scripture? And, what issues face us in the 21st century where our interpretation of Scripture might possibly lead us to a moral-justification of arrogance over someone else and leave us narrow-minded? I think about these things.....
November 19, 1860 (Monday)
The American people have been a love story for almost a century. At the end of today's email a love song of the Civil War is linked to.
The final words: "Under the moon the mountains lie sleeping, over the lake the stars shine. They wonder if you and I will be keeping the magic and music, or leave them behind."
As in all things in life:
Will we keep the magic and the music....or leave them behind.
The final words: "Under the moon the mountains lie sleeping, over the lake the stars shine. They wonder if you and I will be keeping the magic and music, or leave them behind."
As in all things in life:
Will we keep the magic and the music....or leave them behind.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Religion and the Civil War--5 Parts
Use this space to make comments on the email study I am sending to you on Religion and the Civil War....
November 17, 1860
Here is a blog where you can make comments each day about the email that you get on the history 150 years ago today. I will make a new Post each day for your comments. Enjoy...