1854 Circular Letter of the Lower Canoochie (Georgia) Association

WHEN WE TURN OUR ATTENTION to matters of our own country we see agitation and disorganization in the religious community: the object of which seems manifestly to eventually bring our political government under the control of religious bigotry and tyranny of priestcraft. We see that the priesthood, calling themselves the clergy of the New England States, have already attempted to seize the reigns of our political government by dictating to and pronouncing anathemas against the officers while in the discharge of their official and constitutional duties.

Whatever may be the result of these commotions, none of us is able to foresee; be we feel assured, brethren, that all these things are under the control of Him who holds the disposal of all events, and orders all things after the counsel of his own sovereign will; and we believe, also, that all these commotions have their appointed time and place in the fulfillment of the prophecies of the holy Apostles and prophets of old, and will be overruled by the mighty power of God for the good of his chosen ones; and we rejoice, brethren, that we have no knowledge of any of the Old School Baptist churches, or ministers, who have taken part in this pretended religious crusade in political affairs.