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 40,000 of the citizens of Pennsylvania, mindful in the present national crisis of our solemn duties to our country and our God, hereby declare our profound conviction of the intimate relation there is between the cause of human liberty and the cause of pure religion, and also our set purpose as citizens, as Christians, and as Christian ministers, to employ our whole influence in supporting the supremacy of our National Constitution against all enemies whatsoever.
2. That as the institution of Slavery stands before the world as the confessed feeding source of the present mighty and wicked Rebellion against our National Constitution, we most heartily approve of the President’s Proclamation of Emancipation, without modification in substance, and without change of time in its execution.
3. That a copy of these resolutions, duly authenticated, be forwarded to the President of the United States.
Source: Edward McPherson, The Political History of the United States of America, During the Great Rebellion, Washington: Philp & Solomons, 1865, p. 477 (link)
