At times, war and religion mix uneasily in the South. Many Southern Baptists publicly and repeatedly frame the war as a holy conflict in which the Confederacy is God’s kingdom on earth, destined to prevail over the evil North. Yet others–sometimes the same individuals–lament that the war has brought about a lack of interest in…
Frederick Douglass, the most prominent African American proponent of abolitionism, has more than a few friends among Baptists of the North. It is with high hopes that many northern Baptists and Christians at large hear or read Douglass’ 4th of July address, entitled “The Slaveholders’ Rebellion” and delivered in New York, here noted in part:…
Cut off from the North and the world, the Confederacy struggles economically. Soaring inflation and shortages of food and clothing create unrest and uncertainty among the wealthy and poor alike. Southern Baptist army missionary and colporteur A. E. Dickinson of Virginia, however, offers a solution to banks and wealthy individuals who may be hoarding cash.…