Barclay Speaks To UDC Chapter

Betty Lou Barclay
The Ann Fulmore Harllee Chapter of the UDC met March 10, 2016 at the Episcopal Parish House with Chris Harris serving as hostess. Mrs. Mattie Strickland called the meeting to order and opened with prayer. The Rev. Fred Gough and Bill Ward were welcomed as guests for the afternoon, after which everyone enjoyed a delicious dessert course served by the hostess.
Mrs. Strickland opened the business part for the afternoon with the club ritual which was closed with prayer by Rev. Gough. In the treasurer’s report, Mrs. Sloan reported that our dues have been paid to the district treasury for a total of $351.00, and checks for $30.00 and $88.00 have been sent to the UDC magazine for the placement of an ad and a picture. It was also reported that Jordan Ellis who is a Junior history major at Francis Marion University was the recipient of this year’s UDC scholarship fund.
The program for the afternoon was given by Mrs. Betty Lou Barclay who spoke on the important role that religion played during The War Between the States. Many chaplains left their clergy and enlisted in the Confederate States Army. Because of the shortage of local pastors, many communities ceased to have weekly services. However, many of the local churches were used for hospitals to care for sick and wounded. Because there was a lack of church services, there seem to be a decline of the morale among many across the South. Yet, in 1863, a strong spiritual revitalization movement was experienced which has been referred to in our history as a great religious awakening.
During this time, religion played an important pivotal part in the life of many Confederate soldiers. Old time tent revivals were widely attended whereby Confederate troops could meet to pray and share their spiritual testimonies. Prayer meetings were held and communion services were conducted prior to soldiers entering the battlefield. Many soldiers were baptized during this great religious awakening that was spreading throughout the ranks.
Many of the Confederate generals were very religious. General Robert E. Lee never wished to engage the enemy on Sunday. General Stonewall Jackson believed that “the Christian should carry his religion into everything. Christianity makes a man better in any lawful calling”. General Nathan Bedford Forrest was also known to put into practice his religious faith.
Many different faiths were represented on and off the battlefields. These different denominations included Catholic, Jewish, Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodists and Episcopalian just to name a few. And, of course, there were also atheists who fought as well. Local citizens distributed pocket-size New Testaments to the recruits before they left for war. More than three million New Testaments were published and distributed during the War Between the States. The Soldier’s Hymnbook published in 1863 by The South Carolina Tract Society in Charleston was also widely distributed among the troops. Many of these religious experiences have come to our attention through personal diaries that many of the soldiers had kept. We are grateful for these accounts which have given us greater insight into that particular time period in our country and how so many were sustained by their faith.
Following the program the meeting was adjourned.

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