Year: 1863

From the ii istian Ldex.
Speech OF Governor Brown, baptist Biennfal
Convention Augusta, Ga, 1Isy IIth ls63.
Rev. DIR. John A. Broaddus, from the committee on


the State OF the Country reported several resolutions
two OF which were as follows:


ResOUed That events of the past tr ears only con
hr the conviction expressed by this at it's last
session. that the which has forced upon US is or
our part just and Iecssay ard has only stre thened
opposition reGnion with the United States on any
terms whatever and that while deporing dreadful evils
q the war, ard earnestly desiring peace, have no
thought yielding bat will render hearty support to the
Contederae COVE in all Constitutional measures
secure tblz Independence


RsOlUed That have just heard with unuterabe grief
OF the death OF The noble Christian warrior Lieut. General
JACKSON ta We thank GCd Tor the good he has achieved
and the glorious example he has u.s. aud pray thai we
may ell earn to trust be trsted in the Lord alone.


Rev. DIR. Boyca Of South Carolina while be apDrov-
ed the sentiments of the resolutions opposed their
sage the ground that The Constitution of the Con
yentiOn does not permit it 10 consider and act upon
political questions OF this character and several other
members OF the Convention having admitted that the
Constitutional objection V.lid-GOv Brown said:


BROTHER PREsIDENT--WhiIe l accord to, Rev. Dr.
BOyce and the other members OF the Convention who
agrea with him the honesty of purpose and the
same patriotic sentiments which claim for myself
am constrained to differ from them upon the COnsttu.
tional question involved in this discussion. The Con-
sttutiOn OF this Convention contains the following LAM
guage


shall be The dtsign Of this Convention to promote
foreign and domestic missions, and other important
objects connected with the Redeemer's kingdom"





of the prime of the war, and that its protection
depends upon the success of our arms | know the
time was when the Southern church and people epoIo
gzed for the institution. While they denied that it
was per sinful, they admitted that it great DO


ticaI and social evil Many added that was moral
evil But the investigation of the subject, with The
study Of the Scriptures has satisfied not only states


men, but christians OF ali denominations that it is neh
er a mora social political evil. Like every other
relation 10 life it may be- aud has been, abused. God
will hold responsible for the abuse. But have
idea that he intends that shall be overbrown. Even
our enemies have found in the midst OF tie thai
is Of strength in place OF of weakness
to US. Ia planting it Eere Heavenly Father had
great purpose il tor the promotion OF his kingdom
upon earth. believe sir that it is an Institution of
God and that have revealed to us in the Holy Bible
clear aud overwhelming evidence OF its establishment
by Him and of His intention to perpetuate it. This III
stitutian is now wantoDy assaied by reckless infdel
anatcisn, and cruel war for its determination wick
edy waged against US by powerful, tyrannlcal gov
ernment Has the church interest iR this question
Is it violation of the Constitution OF the Convention
for us to consider and to act upon it Have mis-
sonary duty to perform among the Africans ID our
midst 1t has been well said by another that the South
church holds up to the gaze of heaven and earth
more converted heatbens, than can be found at all
our missionary stations heathen lands God IN
his providence has sent the heather among US,
and it is duty to ciVilze and chrlstanlze
them. Our enemies repudiate the Bible, SO lar
as it sustains the Institution of slavery, and
prosecute crutl war against Us W oFeFtno" du in
atitution Of God Our government IS wagiDg deen
siVe war to sustain relationship esa ollsbed by the
Head OF the church and shall it be said that we are
not labo.ing to promote the Redeemers kingdom,
when we sustain our government against this infd
crusade Is it violation of the Constitution to say
that the war is "iust and necessary upon part,
and that it has only strengthened opposition to
reunion with the United States on any terms what
ever Is it unconstitutional TO say that while
nestly desire peace we have thought of yield
ing but that we will support the Confederate govern
ment in all Constitutional measures secure iLdepen
dence2 We to-day enjoy the protecton.of our govern
ment, and shall refuse to yield it support Is it
unconstitutional to say that will support it in all
Constitutional necessary to secure our inde
pendeEee to maintain great principle of Bible truth,
and to prevent the destruction of the most yally i'm
portant missionary field which God has committed to
the care of the Southern church. But admitting the
Constitutional question to be doubtful it seems to be
too late to raise it now. Two years ago, when this