With gloom and bitterness, winter draws nigh. Death and desertion has left Confederate armies but a shadow of their former strength. General Sherman is mere miles from the Georgia coast and the Union is putting yet more men in uniform in order to prepare for a renewed spring offensive against Richmond. In all but the most determined of believers, the hopes of the Confederacy are fluttering to the ground like late autumn leaves resigned to their fate.
Yet true belief remains, and defiant at that, in the pages of the state Southern Baptist newspapers. This week’s South Carolina Confederate Baptist assures readers that the war, in reality, is going well. Even army missionaries are doing their duty by contributing to the efficiency and defenses of the nation.
South Carolinians, therefore, should be concerned that the needs of army missionaries are met, even if the state must step into the picture.
The Hon. James Farrow, M. C. from this State, is endeavoring, with his usual zeal and ability, to secure some action on the part of Congress, which will allow rations to Army Missionaries. We trust that the success which has crowned his efforts for the temporal welfare of our brave defenders, will attend him, in this new enterprise for their spiritual good; and thus our missionaries to the army will be provided with what is so necessary to the unimpeded prosecution of their work. The testimony of our best officers is uniform, as to the good influence exerted by these “messengers of the Churches.” They contribute largely to the efficiency of the army, and the defence of the country; and this public recognition of their services would be only a just tribute of their merit.
Source: “An Important Movement,” Confederate Baptist, November 7, 1864
