Northern Baptists by the tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, have in previous weeks and months enthusiastically embraced U.S. President Abraham Lincoln‘s plan to emancipate African slaves. Today, the President delivers his annual State of the Union address, in which he offers a few references to God’s blessings and speaks extensively to the…
Despite the war, the rituals of life continue for some Baptists in Georgia. Among these rituals are weddings, although nuptials are less frequent due to so many young men now serving in the army. In Columbus, Samuel Boykin‘s (editor of Georgia Baptist’s Christian Index newspaper) sister, Harriet Emily, marries Lieutenant William R. Turman. The ceremony…
This week, readers of the Georgia Baptist Christian Index receive a good dose of commentary concerning the need to allow African slaves to read the Bible. The argument takes place against the backdrop of some laws in the Confederate states that disallow the practice, growing out of a suspicion that reading skills will further foster…