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Chapter 15: Tennessee and the Church.
Rev. M. B. Dewitt, Chaplain of the Eighth Tennessee.
To one who had an active part in the great struggle of the war between the States, the religious element must ever be an important factor.
Indeed, to the thoughtful general reader and to the historian it must have great significance.
The reason is simple and ample.
It may be unhesitatingly said that no people ever entered into a mighty conflict of arms with a clearer apprehension and deeper appreciation of their constitutional, natural and religious rights and obligations than did the citizens of those States which withdrew from the American Union and formed the
Confederate States of America.
They inherited from their forefathers those great qualities and views of life which combine to constitute the finest character of an intelligent, courageous, patriotic and God-fearing people.
They drank the essence of freedom and faith from their mothers' breasts, and their noble aspirations and invincible honor were kindled from the teachings and examples of their fathers.
It is not too much to say here, that doubtless no part of the world was ever more thoroughly permeated by the spirit and power of the doctrines of the
Bible than that part of the
United States which has been long distinctly and historically designated as ‘the
South.’
The brave people of this broad region believed in God and in His written word, and the foundations of their commonwealths were laid in faith in the Author of their lives and liberties.
The Christian religion was as substantially a reality to them as the delights and comforts of home, and the blessings of free government under wise laws.
The
Church in its various branches had its organizations and
