Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-05-22
SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION.
cVUI HbIsN DIT \ TT - "
roEr OF rKx SPECIAL COMMITTEE on rae STATE OF THE

rrroEr OF rHx SPECIAL rae sraTx OF THE
COUNTRY.
In Convention, at Savannah, Nay l3 1861. Dr.. Rich
ard Fuller of Md, from the Committee the state Of
the country, made the following report
We hold this truth to be ssfevident, that govern.
mepts are established for the security prosperity aud
happiness Of the people. When therefore, any govern
meat is perverted from its proper desgn becomes OPP
pressive and abuses its power the people have right
TO change Is.
Asto the States once combined upon this continent,
IL il now manifest that they longer live together
as confederacy.
Tina Union constituted BY our forefathers one of
coeoual sovereign States The fanatca spirit OF the
North has or been seeking deprive us of rghs al
franchises guaranteed by the Constitution; and alter
years of persistent aggression, they have at last accom-
plished their purpose -
In vndicaton OF their sacred rights and honor in salt
defence and for the protection OF all which Is dear TO
man TIE Southern States have practically asserted the
right Of seeding from Union degenerated from that
ahShed by the Constitution, and they have formed
for themselves government based upon the principles
of the original compac.-adoptug charter when Sc
cures 10 each State its sovereign rights and privileges
This new government in thus disSolvlng former polt-
cal connections seeks cultivate relations OF amitv aud
good will with its late confederates and with all the
world aud they have thrice commissioners to Wash
ngton with oyetures for peace, and for FAIR amlcahe
adjustment of all difficulties The government at Wash
has insultluBN
and now insists upon devastating our land with lire and
sgord upon letting loose hoTdes OF armed soldiers to
page and desoate the entire South for the purpose OF
forcing the seeded States back into unnatural UuioD, or
OF subugatug them and holding them as conquered
provinces.
While the two sections of the lard are thus arrayed
40 ,iust each Other il might naturally have been hoped
that al leaS, the churches Of the North would intepose
and protest against this appeal to the sword this invok
ing Of civil war; this delugng the counIry in atrc'dal
! - fs...l -,
blood but with as0nishment ana 6ref we hnd church
s and pasors OF che North breathing GU. Slaughter and
c'amoring for sarglinary hostiCs with fercsness
which We would have supposed impossi6l, among the
d cpes OF the Prince of Peace. In view Of such prem
IS g. this Convention cannot keep silence. Recognizing
tn necessity that the whole moral influence OF tn peo-
pl in whatever capacity or organization, should De en-
listed in aid of the rulers who by their surages have
been called TO defend the endangered interests of person
and propery of honor and liberty, it Is bound 10 utter
its voice distinctly, decidedly emphatcay aud your
committee recommend therefore, the suhjoned resolu-
t)us:
Resolved That impartial history cannot charge upon
the South the dissolution CT the Union. She was lore
most in advocating and cementug that Union To that
Union she cuug through long years OF cslumny INJURY
insult She has never ceased TO raise Der warning
appeals against the anacism which has obsInaey and
necessarily warrcd against that Union.
Resolved That we most cord ally approve OF the Tor.
nation of the Government of the Confederate States Of
America and admire and applaud the noble course o'ha
Governm,nt up to the present time
Resolved That we will assiduOusly invoke the Divine
direction and favor in behalf OF those who bear III
among US that they may still exercise the same wise,
prompt elevated craftsmanship which has hitherto char
scterzed their measures that their enterprises may be
attended with success and that they may attain great
reward not only in seeing these Confederate States pros
per under their administration, but in contributing TO
the progress of the anscendent Kingdom oil our Lofd
Jesus Christ.
R.s,leed That we most cordially tender to the Pres-
dent Of the Coueder States 10 bis Cabinet and to the
members OF the Congress convened at Montgomery
the assurances Of our sympathy and entire confidence
with them are our hearts ard our hearty cooperation
Resolved That the lswless reign OF terror at the
North the violence committed upon unohendlng c-
z,us above ALL the threats to wage upon the South
warfare of savage barbJrty, deyastate our homes ana
he 4rths with hosts Of rutins and ieons, burning win
lust and rspae ought to excite the horror oil al cVEzd
pe,Dle. God forbid ihat should SO far forget the
shirt of Jesus AS to suffer mlSa ard YiEdictveness to
snu,te themselves into hearts; but every principle
of religion of PATRIOTISM and OF humanity, calls upon
~ 10 redre cur fortunes and lives in the good work OF
repelug an invasion, designed to destroy whatever Is
dear in our heroic traditions. whatever Il sweet IN our
domestic hops and )ymeuts; whatever is essential TO
Institutions aud our very mathoou whatever Is "orh
living or diving ice.
Resolved That we do now engage in prayer for our
lends brothers, fathers sons, aud citizen soldiers
who have left their homes 70 goio for the defense Oh
human heart; and 80 recommend TO the churches re-
presented in this body, that thsy constantly invoke
bo, and nerciul God guard them from the tenpta-
tons 10 which hey are exposed, 10 cover their heads
in the DAY Of battle aud TO give victory 20 their aims
Resolved That will pray for our enemies in the
shirt Of the Divine Master, who when be was reved
rcyed not again" trusting that there pitless purpose
nav be frustrated that God will giant them more poll
tic a more cousideIate and more christian mind;
that the iratricda strife which they have decided upon
Notwithstanding al our commissions and pleas for peace
my be ted by that Supreme Powe, who maketh
.he wrath OF man praise him; aud that thus, through
lyue blessing, the prosperity OF these sovereign aud
oucs allied States may be restored under the two gov
erpmeG,s 10 which they and herceiorth respective
Is belong.
Resolved That do Tic9mmend to the churches OF
the Blpts denomination in tie soG;hefn States, TO OBJ
serve the FIRST and second days Of June az days OF hnm
aon fas ug aud prayer TO Almighty God that de may
avert any caimites due 10 sns as people, and may
lo,l win mercy and favor upon Us.
Resolved That whatever calamtes may come upon
us our ina trust ald hope are in God, through the
a'tnement Of His Son, aud We earnestly beseech the
eluc e. represented in this b9dy-a cQnsttGency of six
or seven hundred thousand Chrstansthat they be fer
vent aai mporuuate in PRAYER not only for the un-
try but the enterprises VI the Gospel which have
been committed 10 care. IL the war OF the Revolu
ton and in the war OF 1912, the Bapists Dated no ot
o. heart or io2e for the Redeemers Their zeal
aud l,5erslity abounded in their deepes, affections
We beseech the CHURCHES to cherish the spirit and iml-
tate the example OF this noble AMY OF saints and heroes
70 be followers OF them, Who through faith and patience
inherit the PROMISE; to be steadas unmovaole, always
abouudn, in the work OF the Lord, for much they
know. that their labor ia not in vain in the Lord
Resolved, Tia. these resolutions be communicated to
the Congress OF tho Confederate ates at Aoutgome
~ with the signatures Of the President and Secretaries
OF the Convention.