Year: 1863

Patriotic Resolutions Of the Cincin.


natl Annual Conference of tho NJ.
e. Church.


On the last day ofthe recent session Of the
Cincinnati Annual Conference held at
Xenia, Ohio, the Rev. j. NJ. Walden, from
the Committee on the State of the Country
made the following report:


Ministers of the Gospel in the United
States, who are true to God, are loyal to
the Government, aud ever ready to
give their influence to the preservation Of
the Union, the maintenance Of the Consti-
tuition, and the perpetuation OF our free in
stitutioDs. The Church of Christ must ever
have deep interest in all that concerns our
national welfare, for herministers and mem
bers have contributed largely by their in
Auenoe and their labors to the public peace
and prosperity, and they are under the
highest obligation to uphold good govern
ment, it being ordained Of God. Hence,
assembled in our annual Conference, at a
time when our beloved country is imperiled
by gigantic rebellion, we would be guilty
before God and man did we not unhesita-
tingly express the lively and abiding interest
we feel in this struggle, and record our con-
victions, our desires and our faith. We
therefore set forth the following declarations:
Resolped, |. That the present rebellion
against the Government Of the United
States, is desperate attempt Of = minority
Of the States and people to overthrow the
Government and lay waste our God-given
heritage, for no other cause than fear that
the rapidly increasing number, population
and power Of the Free States would prevent
the perpetuation, extension and naturali-
cation Of American Slavery.


ResolUed, 2. That the cause of our Gov
ernment is just, and right, and, there being
no security in q compromise with wrong,
the authority of the United States should be
maintained at all hazards, over every foot Of
the territory; that to this end, it is the duty
Of all Christian men and Christian ministers,
to sustain the Administration, by which the
Government only can be carried on, until
it shall put down the rebellion, and crush
out treason; that it is resisting the oIdnance
OF God to oppose those measures by which
success only can be attained, wherefore it is
morally wrong as well as disloyal, to embar-
rass and oppose the Government in its efforts
to raise the men and money necessary to q
vigorous prosecution of the war.


Resolped, 3. That the gratitude of the
nation is due to those noble men, the heroes
Of this second struggle for American liberty,
who have given themselves to the defense
of our country; that we tender our heart
felt sympathy to all persons and families
who are called to mourn the heroic dead,
and pledge our assistance to those whose
health has been broken in the service, or
who have been MANNED and crippled on the
battle field; that our brethren who are now
in the national army, in whatever position,
have our warmest sympathies, and shall have
our earnest prayers that God may protect
and preserve them, and guide them in the
faithful discharge of their duty.


Resolued, 4. That while we confess that
our sins as people have merited the right
eous visitations of an offended God, and Ia
ment the calamities which have fallen so
heavily upon US, yet have we faith in Al.
mighty God, that he will in His own good
time and way, vindicate the cause of Free
dom and Law by the utter overthrow Of the
Rebellion; that we render devout thanks to
God for the victories He has given to the
loyal army and navy during the past year,
that we will with strong faith besiege the
Throne Of Grace for the cause and rulers Of
our country, and will zealously prosecute our
efforts in public and private, as citizens, and
ministers, in behalf of the Government.
Resolued, 8. That in the course Of events
we recognize indications that the power Of
American Slavery, the chief cause of the
rebellion, will be broken; that we hope this
prolific source of national evil will, under
God, be entirely and forever overthrown in
the present struggle; that the Negro soldiers
by the yindication Of their manhood on hard
fought battle-felds, have refuted the sland-
ers by which the degradation of their race
to the condition of chattsls, has been defen-
ded; that they have demonstrated . readi-
ness to aid the Union cause-if need be, to
lay their lives upon the altar ofour country.
devotion to freedom which we trust will
secure its blessings to them and to thoir race


Resolred, 6. That the Proclamation Of
Emancipation, issued January lst, 1868.
made by the President in the exercise Of
the war power with which the Constitution
invests him, should have the unconditional
approval of the Church of Christ; that We
heartily indorfe this measure, and would de-
plore any event which would defeat its
operation; and that we respectfully request
the President and urge the Government to
continue to use all constitutional means to
secure universal emancipation.