--
The Rev. Jas. O. Andrew, one of the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church South, writes to the Southern Christian Advocate:
‘
To return to the war, which is the all-ab-sorbing theme of thought and speech. --Throughout all my route there has been the same busy note of preparation.
All along my way the people seem to be a unit, and evince everywhere the same spirit of stern and defiant purpose.
The women of the
South during the Revolution were proverbial for their patriotic devotion to their country's weal.
I am perfectly satisfied that their daughters have inherited in full measure the same spirit.
Our people intend to fight to the death for their homes and their altars, and even should it so turn out that
Lincoln's Government should succeed in ‘ "crushing"’ or ‘"wiping out"’ the
South, which seem to be the pet phrases now so freely used by our enemies in reference to us, it will have been a costly struggle, and their victory will ruin them.
But we have little fear of their success.
1st.
Because our cause is righteous.
2d.
The people of the
South, thanks to
Lincoln's tolly and perfidy, are now very nearly a unit.
3d.
We are fighting
at home and
for home.
We ask only to be permitted to govern ourselves.
We wish to relieve our late associates from all participation in the sin which has so sorely troubled their consciences.
4th.
We have soldiers enough, an army made up of the very best material and commanded by officers second to none on earth; and,
finally and above all, we look up for God's direction and blessing.--Thousands of our soldiers are Christian men, who are not ashamed to confess
Christ in the camp; and every day thousands of prayers go up to God, invoking his guidance and aid. In many of our churches prayer meetings are being constantly held in behalf of the country, and our sons and husbands and brothers on the tented, fields, and will not God hear and answer?
’
