The Christian men in the army, believing that the habitation of God by His spirit constitutes the Church, agree, for their edification and for the conversion of their fellowmen, to organize the Church of the Army, with the following articles of faith and constitution: I. We believe the scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the word of God, the only rule of faith and obedience. II. We believe in one God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.
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be recognized by all ministers as authoritative and acceptable.
This had a fine effect, and promoted union and earnestness in the cause of religion.
In illustration of what is meant, on one occasion the Rev. W. Burr of Tennessee, a Methodist minister, held services and men were converted whom he received in communion of the churches, and afterward reported his work, part of which was to the writer of these lines, who, as a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, accepted the names given to him as if they came from a pastor of his own denomination.
This course was pursued in a great many instances, and besides the benefit derived from influence exerted on the new converts, many other happy effects resulted from the work of the Army Church, among which may be mentioned that of the wide extension of the spirit of Christian charity and co-operation ever since the war. Many a brave soul lived to get home after the surrender, to report for duty in the warfare with sin and all wrong, having been equipped for it by his enlistment during the war in the South in the army of the King of Kings.
The following creed was adopted by one section of the Army Church, and it presents an excellent view of the existing conditions in spirit and comprehensive thought.
It is copied from ‘The Army and Navy Herald,’ February 15, 1864:
Articles of Faith and Constitution of the Church of the Army, Trans-Mississippi:
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