copal Church, in a General Convention,
held in Columbia, South Carolina, after having endorsed the
Confederacy, adopted a "Constitution of the Protestant Episcopal
Church in the Confederate States of America"; all its Southern
bishops being present and approving, save Bishop Leonidas Polk of
Louisiana, who was absent, a Major-General in the Confederate
army.(112)

The Methodist Episcopal Church South endorsed disunion and slavery;
it had, however, in 1845, separated from the Methodist Church North.

The Roman Catholic Church, through Bishop Lynch, early in 1861,
espoused the Confederate cause, and he, later, corresponded with
the Pope of Rome in its interests, receiving a conciliatory answer
in the Pope's name by Cardinal Antonelli.

The Young Men's Christian Association of New Orleans, May 22, 1861,
issued an _Address to the Young Men's Christian Associations of
North America_, declaring secession justifiable, and protesting,
"in the name of Christ and his divine teachings," against waging
war against the Southern States and their institutions.

Later, in 1863, the "Confederate clergy" issued a most memorable
"_Address to Christians throughout the World_," likewise protesting
against further prosecution of the war; declaring that the Union
was forever dissolved, and specially pointing out "the most
indefensible act growing out of the inexcusable war" to be

"The recent proclamation of the President of the United States
seeking the _emancipation of the slaves_ of the South."

And saying further:

"It is in our judgment a suitable occasion for solemn protest on
the part of the people of God throughout the world."

Thus encouraged and upheld, the new Confederacy, with slavery for
its "corner-stone," defiantly embarked.

The counter-action of the Church North was equally emphatic for
_freedom_, and the Union of the States under one flag and one
God.(113)

It is appropriate in connection with the attitude of the religious
people of the country toward slavery and the Confederacy, and the
war to preserve the one and to establish the other, to quote from
President Lincoln's valedictory Inaugural Address (March 4, 1865),
in which he refers to the attitude of opposing parties, the cause
of the conflict, and to each party invoking God's aid.

"Neither party expected for the war the magnitude or the duration
which it has already attained. Neither anticipated that the cause
of the conflict might cease with, or even