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

during the whole course of its progress, it is one aim of these pages to set forth the proofs and illustrations, in some small degree, of a record so deeply humiliating. No complaint need be entered in behalf of those whose conduct we unfold. Least of all will they themselves complain, for they glory in what they have done, and call on the world to applaud them.

There is another reason why it is essential to examine this record. Politicians, secular and religious journals, pamphleteers, men in all classes of society, freely lay the blame of this Rebellion, in a great measure, or wholly, at the door of the Church; charging the ministry, more especially, with having caused it. This is a very prevalent sentiment, if we may judge from what has been said and written. There is undoubtedly justice or injustice in the charge, according to the direction given to it. It is then essential that the matter be probed, so that if the Church or its ministers are improperly impugned, they may have justice done them; and that the really guilty may be held responsible.

We have examined many works which have is

sued from the press, calculated to elucidate certain phases of the Rebellion and the War, but we have observed no one designed to meet the demand which this volume is intended to supply, or which at all occupies the ground which several of its chapters cover.

We are indebted to many writers for the facts we present, and as far as possible have endeavored to give them credit in the body of the work, though omissions may have occurred.

With this statement of the object of this volume, we lay it before the public, in the confident hope that the Church and the Nation may soon come out of this strife, purified and invigorated, restored to those principles which were the glory of the earlier and better days of the Republic, and prepared for that great mission to which we have always fondly believed they were destined by the Ruler of the whole earth.

NEW YORK, August, 1864.