Skip to content

UDC holds meeting

UDC holds meeting

Posted: Thursday, December 1, 2011 10:59 am

UDC holds meeting | Paris 2521 United Daughters of the Confederacy, Virginia Jones

Virgina Jones
Virginia Jones presented a program about Southern Religion at the Paris 2521 United Daughters of the Confederacy meeting held Nov. 19 at the Paris City Hall meeting room.
Americans used their religious beliefs and ideas about Providence to interpret and understand the War Between the States. Both sides had no doubt that God was on their side.
In his second inaugural address on March 4, 1867, Abraham Lincoln stated that both sides prayed to the same God and read the same Bible.
From the beginning, most churches supported the war. Ministers and laity naturally turned to the Bible, church teachings, and their own faith to explain the course of the war.  Religion provided comfort to the anxious and grieving, and rationalization for suffering, anguish, victory and defeat.
Letters send home by chaplains and officers reported the last words of soldiers declaring their faith during their final moments on earth. The deaths of these young men from wounds and disease did not shake their families’ faith in God.
It was logical for the clergy to say that the war had spun out of control, yet each victory rekindled hope and each defeat was explained as spiritual discipline.
Young men are often hesitant to accept religious appeals, but by 1862 the first reports of revivals appeared, mostly among the Confederates.
Both sides worried about their men in the Army, but also about a spiritual decline at home. When the War was over, Southerners were interested in evangelism and rebuilding their congregations.
Members voted to participate in a Division ad to be placed in the May issue of the UDC Magazine. They also made contributions to the fund for Christmas gifts for hospitalized Veterans in the VA Medical Center in Memphis.
During the General Convention, held Nov. 3-7 in Fort Worth, TX, Donna Cooley, chairman, had the best Division Music of the Confederacy report. Laura Nunnelee was the chapter’s delegate to these meetings.
“Thank you” notes from the Family Resource Center and Henry County Food Bank were read. Cards were sent to several veterans for Veterans Day.
The December meeting will be Dec. 10 at 11 a.m. at Tom’s Pizza and Steak House in Paris.  The Christmas tea will be Dec. 17 from 2-4 p.m. at Stephanie Tayloe’s home.

WCP 11.29.11

,