By R. L. STANTON, D.D., PROFESSOR IN THE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCa NEW YORK: DERBY & MILLER, 5 SPRUCE STREET In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. C. A. ALVORD, STEREOTYPER AND PRINTER. ска TO THE YOUNG MEN OF THE UNITED STATES, OF EVERY CREED IN RELIGION AND EVERY PARTY IN POLITICS, WHO PREFER FREEDOM TO SLAVERY; WHO ARE LOYAL TO THEIR COUNTRY, AND WHO ARE AIDING TO SUSTAIN ITS GOVERNMENT AGAINST REBELLION: This Volume IS MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY THE AUTHOR. PREFACE. THIS Volume does not claim to be a History, though some of its chapters are chiefly historical. The time for writing the History of the Rebellion has not come. It is, however, just as opportune now as it will be at any future period, to inquire into the causes of the revolt against the Government of the United States, and to examine the agencies which have been concerned in initiating and impelling it forward. These lie upon the surface of observation and are patent to all men. Time can throw no light upon them which will essentially change their character. Believing that the Church of God in this land,or, properly speaking, many of those in the different branches of the Church who have been leaders in its councils, and who are largely responsible for the formation and character of its public opinion, -may be justly held to have done much towards precipitating the Rebellion, as well as aiding it |