Today, Abel Bingham, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Grand Rapids, Michigan, writes to his son, Judson, who is serving as a chaplain to the 20th Massachusetts. The elder Bingham, a long-time anti-slavery advocate, notes that he is pleased with President Abraham Lincoln‘s recent Emancipation Proclamation. He is a staunch supporter of the United…
Southern Baptist newspapers have not yet weighed in on the Emancipation Proclamation, but today’s edition of the secular Richmond Enquirer offers a few unkind words about Abraham Lincoln‘s legal freeing of Confederate slaves, calling it “the most startling political crime, and the most stupid political blunder, yet known in American history…Southern people have now only…
The new year continues to go badly for the Confederacy. Murfressboro, Tennessee is now occupied by federal troops. Meanwhile, Nashville, Tennessee has been occupied by Union forces since February 24. Today, the United States military confiscates the city’s First Baptist Church for use as a hospital. Church pews and other furniture are removed. Soon, other…