Rare Confederate Imprint on the Church & Indians

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005

Unlisted Confederate imprint, “The Assembly Reporter. The Southern Presbyterian ---Extra.” 8p. octavo, Augusta, Georgia, December 11, 1861, bearing recipients name at top in pencil “J.M. Potter”, it reads in small part: “Dr. Wilson announced that Dr. Kingsbury was detained by sickness from attending as was expected. This would be a great disappointment as he was the founder of the Choctaw Mission. He went on to the Indian country in 1818. There became associated with him soon after the Rev. Dr. Byington, and Mr. Alfred Wright, on whose tombstone, it was said that he had gathered 570 souls into the fold of Christ. Mr. Loughridge said that he represented the Creek Presbytery, which enclosed within its bounds the Creek and Seminole tribes. Just twenty years ago he was directed by the Board of Foreign Missions to visit the Creek Indians and establish a Church and School. The natives replied, that they wanted a School, but would have no preaching. I told them that they must have both or none, and after some parley, they consented that we might preach only at the School. About a year afterwards a great persecution was begun against all who attended Church, laws were passed against it, and many Christians were inhumanly treated. But after sometime the Creeks arose, saying ‘We are free men, we are not slaves, we have a right to do in this matter, as we please,” and the iniquitous laws were repealed. A great change has since taken place among the Indians. In dress, they no longer wear the costume of their ancestors, but have adopted the same style of dress we have. In occupation, they confine themselves almost exclusively to Agriculture, no longer do they lead the wild roving life of their fathers, but hunting is merely a pastime. In education, they are vastly improved…We have published in the Creek language, a tract, a hymn book, primer and the Gospel of Matthew. As regards religion, our labors have been greatly blessed…” More. VG.

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