Today is Charleston’s first Emancipation Day, three years after former President Abraham Lincoln issued his Emancipation Proclamation. In the heart of the former Confederacy and accompanied by the 33rd U.S. Colored Troops, thousands, many of whom are Baptists, participate in the parade, listen to speeches, and eat barbecue. The South Carolina Leader describes the scene:…
For white Baptists, Christmas Day is mostly just another day. Privately, relatively few families exchange gifts in their homes. Some mark the day with a special meal. Churches, opposed to holidays with pagan origins, do not celebrate or otherwise recognize the day. On the other hand, African Americans, including Baptists, have a different view. During…
Today in the District of Columbia the 39th Congress convenes. The big question looming over all others is that of what to do about the Southern states who, although defeated in the recent war, seem determined to defy the Union by continuing their oppression and violence against against former slaves. Republicans, the party of Lincoln…