Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 2.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[152] blessing, nevertheless peace itself or compromise of any sort would be worse than all the ravages of war, if the enemies of our Government should so far prevail as to give the leading character to public opinion, or to a national policy; because such a state of things would separate us from the sympathies of Christendom, and bring down upon us the curses of every civilized community in Europe, in Asia, in Australia, and in the “Isles of the sea;” because the course of events has brought us to a crisis that is ultimate, beyond which there is no issue for which any party can make a stand in behalf of any idea that enfolds a hopeful future; and therefore better for us to perish now in the struggle for the eternal right than to experience the degradation of inglorious life, or the pangs of a lingering death, under that reign of terror which the enemies of our banner would be sure to inaugurate.

Resolved, That as Christian men we recognize the truly righteous character of this conflict; that while it may be properly regarded as a war for our nationality, or a war for the life of a constitutional Government, or for the maintenance of our flag, or as a war for the rights of the people against the usurpations of an oligarchy; nevertheless, beyond all these aims, we recognize the existence of a war waged for the absolute supremacy of a despotic earthly power on the one hand, against the rightful dominion of our Lord Jesus Christ, whose kingdom guarantees the inalienable and universal rights of our redeemed humanity, on the other.

Resolved, That, in view of the death of our Lord and Saviour for men of every rank and class, of every nation, tribe, “kith or kin,” we regard the brotherhood of man, the moral and spiritual equality of all the races of men, as an essential doctrine of the Christian religion; that it rests like a sure corner-stone upon the foundation that God hath laid in Zion; that whosoever falleth upon that stone shall be broken; but upon whomsoever it shall fall it will grind him to powder.

Resolved, That in the patriotic devotion of the Christian women of our land we hail a “sign of the times” propitious of success, and while we remember that for many centuries in Europe the virtues of Christian womanhood have been a great barrier against the triumphs of Anti-Christian barbarism, we commend the cause of our country in its day of peril to the prayers and cooperation of the mothers and daughters of Israel, and to the cherished sympathies of every household.

Resolved, That we cherish a profound regard for the thousands of our brethren within the bounds of the Southern States who are loyal to the Government for which their fathers, as well as ours, sacrificed blood and treasure, and transmitted to all as a common heritage; and while many of them may have been deceived by prevailing misrepresentations in respect to the sentiments we cherish towards them, and while all of them are prevented from realizing in action their personal convictions of truth and duty, we extend to them the assurances of our fraternal confidence and of our continuance in prayer that God would soon appear for their deliverance, so that the bonds which have united us in former days may be strengthened by the fiery trials through which they shall have passed.

Resolved, That the Churches connected with this Association be requested to set apart the last Friday of June as a day of solemn humiliation and prayer for the reestablishment of our National Union in peace and prosperity.