The Hephzibah Baptist Association of Georgia concludes its annual meeting at Bark Camp in Burke County. The session has been marked by a mixture of celebration and anxiety, the latter a result of uncertainly pervading the South due to the war. Yet as delegates prepare to return to their homes, Hephzibah Baptists are firmly convinced of the righteousness of the Southern Confederacy, as voiced in the following public resolution:
Resolved, That in view of the past goodness of God in permitting our arms to achieve the most brilliant and triumphant victories, and in saving our soldiers from the hands of our enemies, we are placed under renewed obligations to Him.
Resolved, That the unmistakable evidences which we have of the willingness of God to hear and answer prayer, should encourage us to continue our supplications for the protection of our soldiers, and for a speedy and honorable settlement of the present troubles.
Resolved, That we recommend to the members of churches here represented the adoption of some hour, most convenient to each, for daily prayer, in behalf of our soldiers, our country and its rulers.
Resolved, that the late news of a religious revival among our soldiers in Virginia, is an occasion of the most profound gratitude, and encourages us to indulge the hope that many who have proven themselves brave in the battles of our country, may become likewise valiant soldiers of the cross.
God’s providential hand upon the Confederacy is thus far evident to Hephzibah Baptists: all the major battles to this point, and many minor ones, have resulted in Confederate victory.
The war over African slavery, however, has only just begun.
Source: Hephzibah Baptist Association Minutes, October 26-29, 1861
