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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Reynolds, J. L. (James Lawrence), 1814-1877 Confederate Baptist. [Vol. 2, no. 14 (January 13, 1864)]

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05959.39.45 Author/Creator: Reynolds, J. L. (James Lawrence), 1814-1877 Place Written: Columbia, South Carolina Type: Newspaper Date: 13 January 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : 50.8 x 32.9 cm. Order a Copy

"A Defiant Memphis Woman" transcribes a letter from a woman encourages readers to examine allegiance to a proposed national Thanksgiving day to celebrate Union successes. An article titled "Consanguineous Marriages" examines inbred marriages and subsequent handicapped babies. A letter titled "American Sentiment Respecting the War" shows an expatriot's view of America during the war and a desire to return to Britain. An editorial examines "Over Worked Clergymen." A proposition is made for a convention of Southern "Female Writers." An editorial titled "Peace" states that the time is in God's hands. Several articles explore the institution of slavery -- "The African Race" crticizes the assertion that Africans are superior to Caucasians and "Inherited Calamity" establishes the connection between slavery and religion. An elegy to "Fort Sumter," presented by W. D. Porter, is also included.

The purpose of this journal, according to its first issue, is the advancement of the Baptist denomination in both intelligence and piety, while giving support to the Confederacy. Thousands of copies were distributed to soldiers.

Reynolds, J. L. (James Lawrence)., 1814-1877
Breaker, Jacob Manly Cantey, 1824-1894

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