As the year draws toward a close with Nashville, Atlanta and Savannah all securely in Union hands, some things nonetheless seem much the same in the South.
As has been typical for years, the Richmond Daily Dispatch newspaper contains numerous announcements of rewards for the return of runaway slaves.
Another announcement concerns “the sale of eleven Negroes,” one woman with six children, and one woman with one child, to be sold at auction. Yet another auction notice lists five slaves for sale. And at a third auction, slaves “Jane and Lizzie” are to be sold.
Nonetheless, any semblance of normalcy that may yet be found in Richmond is not indicative of troubles elsewhere within the Confederacy.
Samuel Boykin, editor of the Georgia Baptist Christian Index, is well aware that the South teeters on the abyss. Today he offers an assessment of the year drawing to a close, a year of trouble and turmoil. At the same time, Boykin wants to believe that God will not allow the South to suffer final defeat at the hands of the North.
The past has been a long year of disaster and distress to the Confederacy. Providence has tried us to a great extent. He has permitted our enemies to gain great successes over us; but, blessed be His holy name, ’twas God and not man who afflicted us and whatever God does is right. We may not discern the wherefore of any of his dealings, but in the counsels of eternity, they have been decided upon as best–as best for us; let us, then, accept the dispensations of Providence with cheerful hearts and devout spirits.
The pious Malan, of France, who during the year now expiring went to his heavenly reward, in alluding to his death-bed sufferings, said: “I did not suffer one moment more, I will not say than God wills–no, no– but that God ordains.” Yes, God ordains! Blessed be His holy name forever! He ordains that through fire and blood, through suffering and death, through sorrow and distress, we shall gain our independence. Whatever is to be our destiny, God ordains it–God knows what is best for us. Let us, then, banish gloom and despondency from our minds, and let us look up with cheerful eye of faith and hope and confidence to the God of our trust–the God of our prayers–the God of our Bible. And, though the year wing its flight to eternity shrouded in gloom and tinctured all over with blood and agony and disappointment; though his cerements are blasted hopes and blighted proposals; though his grave is filled up with ashes and bones and tears and groans, yet we can bid him a final farewell with a joyful heart, as one whose departure is a relief, and we can, through the cloud that lowers over his death-bed, with the eye of faith behold our heavenly father smiling benignantly upon us and prepared to reward constancy and well-doing, wiht peace and happiness.
Then, as the young new-year leaps into being, let us greet him with vows of amendment–with the voice of hope and confidence, and with accents of praise and blessing to our great God and Preserver.
Farewell, 1864! You have been a trying year to us; but not one tear hast though brought, not one smile hast thou quenched, not one sigh hath thou caused, but what our heavenly Father ordained.
Consoling thought!
The Lord God omnipotent reigns! And shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Aye, that will be!
Consoling reflection! ‘Tis this that comforts our hearts when sighing over the past; and ’tis this that cheers our spirits when dreading the future! We know not what is in store for us, but we are willing when performing all our duty, to leave the rest with God. Let us, then, as Christians, as citizens, as Confederates, perform our whole duty, and to God leave the shaping of our destinies as seemeth unto Him best.
Source: Richmond Daily Dispatch, December 29, 1864 (link); “Farewell to 1864,” Christian Index, December 29, 1864
