Today is day four of the Southern Baptist Convention meeting, hosted by the Green Street Baptist Church of Augusta, Georgia. After the singing of a hymn, the first order of business is a war-related matter: the offering of a resolution regarding army chaplains, missionaries and colporteurs.
Resolved, 1st. That it is the sense of this body that, the field opened in the army for piour labor is one of the most important that can be entered at present; and, that the Providence of God calls loudly upon His people to make prompt and vigorous efforts to secure the services of Chaplains, and to send forth Missionaries and Colporteurs into this field.
Resolved, 2d. That the Pastors of the Churches be, and are hereby requested, to bring this subject prominently and frequently to the attention of their people; and also, the duty of constant supplication of the Divine blessing upon such laborers among our soldiers, that we may be obedient to the sacred command, “whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”
Other related motions are also offered, including one requesting that Southern Baptist churches allow their pastors two months’ leave to “labor in the army.” (Few churches do so, however.)
The mood then turns especially somber as the death of Confederate Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson is noted. Vice president Dr. J. L. Reynolds of South Carolina
stated that, our hearts have been pained this morning, by the announcement of the death of that great favorite of the people, and what is more, the friend of God, General JACKSON; and requested Bro. Andrew Broadus, of Va., to lead in prayer in reference to this sad event.
Following several other reports and business matters, the committee on the state of the country makes their report. Following the addition of amendments, the report is unanimously adopted by the white, male and mostly slaveowner delegates:
Resolved, 1st. That the events of the past two years have only confirmed the conviction expressed by this Convention at its last session, that the war which has been forced upon us is, on our part, just and necessary, and have only strengthened our opposition to a reunion with the United States on any terms whatever; and while deploring the dreadful evils of the war, and earnestly desiring peace, we have no thought of ever yielding, but will render a hearty support to the Confederate Government in all constitutional measures to secure our independence.
Resolved. 2d. That we gratefully acknowledge the hand of God in the preservation of our government against the power and rage of our enemies, and in the signal victories with which he has crowned our arms; and encouraged by the experience of the past, and by the present condition of affairs, and humbly relying on the Divine blessing, we confidently anticipate ultimate success.
Resolved, 3d. That while we justify ourselves in this conflict with our enemies, we acknowledge that our sins have deserved the terrible calamities that God has sent upon us, and view them as a solemn and imperative call to penitence, humiliation and hearty turning to God.
Resolved, 4th. That the religious destitution of our armies is a cause of deep solicitude, and calls for renewed, vigorous and liberal efforts that it may be supplied.
Resolved, 5th. That the privations of those reduced to poverty by the war, and especially the wants of the families of our soldiers, demand our sympathies, our kind attentions, and our generous contributions.
Resolved, 6th. That the serious interruption of education, and the growing neglect of domestic discipline which the war effort has caused, are evils of the greatest magnitude; and we earnestly urge upon our brethren and fellow-citizens to keep their children steadily at school, and to give diligent attention to their moral and religious training.
Resolved, 7th. That we have just heard with unutterable grief, of the death of that noble Christian warrior, Lieut. Gen. T. J. Jackson; that we thank God for the good he has achieved, and the glorious example he has left to us, and pray that we may all learn to trust, as he trusted, in the Lord alone.
Left unstated is the nature of the sins of the South.
Source: “Proceedings of the ninth biennial session, of the Southern Baptist Convention, held in the Green Street Baptist Church, Augusta, Ga., May 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th, 1863” (link)
