Baptists and the American Civil War: November 26, 1862

Convened in Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania Baptist Convention today passes a unanimous resolution of support for the United States Constitution, liberty for all, and U. S. President Abraham Lincoln‘s Emancipation Proclamation. In so doing, Pennsylvania Baptists join most other Northern Baptist groups in formalizing their support of freedom for African slaves. Resolved, That this Convention, representing…

Civil War States Map

Baptists and the American Civil War: October 14, 1862

Meeting in the weeks following U.S. President Abraham Lincoln‘s announcement of a forthcoming Emancipation Proclamation that will free African slaves from the ten southern states yet in rebellion against the United States, Vermont Baptists offer a hearty endorsement of Lincoln’s actions: “Resolved, that the proclamation recently put forth by our Chief Magistrate, looking to the…

Baptists and the American Civil War: October 7, 1862

Support of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln‘s Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation from Northern Baptists continues unabated. Today, the New York Baptist Convention unanimously approves a resolution in support of the Lincoln administration. Avoiding Christian nationalistic rhetoric, the statement voices harsh condemnation of the slave-based Confederacy and takes for granted that God wills freedom for all persons. Whereas…