Christianity and American theologians in the early Republic reveal much of how Americans interpreted the time in which they lived. One particular theologian, William G. T. Shedd, lived before, during, and after the Civil War. Many of his contemporaries acknowledged communicate theological perspectives clearly and effectively through his writing.[1]His sermon, “The Union and the War, preached in 1862”, reveals how his faith connected with his political beliefs. It is this sermon that this discussion will focus on. Shedd presented the cause of the Union as just, and he argued that there was a silver lining to be grateful for despite its atrocities.
Shedd begins his sermon by referring to psalms related to victory and confidence in God – Psalm 56, 118, and 136 – and he notes their relation to the war of their time.[2] It is the idea of confidence and its relationship with rejoicing and thanksgiving by the victors that Shedd uses to emphasize why he and others can likewise express gratitude. The victory ultimately was God’s work.[3] Shedd distinguishes the Civil War from other wars of conquest which were fought for self-serving reasons. He also acknowledges that the war was “exhausting and sad”.[4] Shedd then reminds listeners of what to be grateful for: harvests, friendly relations with other nations, and health.[5]
After his introduction, Shedd proposes that there is a deeper, more significant silver lining to the current situation in several ways. First, through the war, Shedd argues that Americans have become more united in nationalistic sentiment.[6] Without it, he claims, “the army breaks rank immediately.”[7] Americans became more aware of their situation as citizens of a Union, a fact that they had come to ignore, Shedd claims.[8] Shedd also presented a similar historical case with the Roman Empire, which, after massive territorial expansion, lost its stronger sense of nationality and declined.[9]Here, Shedd also claims that the American Founders envisioned that, through the Constitution, Americans would grow more united despite their differences.[10] Shedd interprets this nationalistic awakening as a gift from God and a sign that God desires to keep the nation intact.[11] He reminds his readers of President Lincoln’s promise to preserve the Union.[12]
Shedd also gives thanks because the war, according to Shedd, is a just “war against domestic treason and rebellion.”[13] Furthermore, he holds to a hope that the current war would result in a more “sober, circumspect, and humble” people.[14] Here, Shedd draws a distinction between the Civil War and the War of Independence and states his opinion on the current crisis. For example, all states signed a compact with the Union; therefore, they should not be allowed to secede without consultation with one another within the Union.[15] Southern secession, Shedd claims, is similar to the idea of Middlesex and Yorkshire counties trying to leave England.[16] Furthermore, the War of Independence’s purpose was rooted in the desire of the colonists to have equal station with other English citizens.[17]Southern citizens, Shedd argues, possessed the same voting rights and other rights as other citizens within the Union.[18]
The third and final reason Shedd highlights as cause for praise is the awakening of the American people towards the immorality of slavery. Shedd claims that most Americans agree that slavery is not an institution equal to that of the family, the state, or the church.[19] Slavery, Shedd contends, “has no foundation in the ordinance of God.”[20] Despite the cause of abolition, Shedd expresses a desire that the South had voluntarily abolished slavery as the northern states had.[21] Under the Constitution, he adds, the institution of slavery will end.[22] Such a hope, he continues, rests upon restoring the Union.[23]
In the same sermon, Shedd expresses high praise for the Constitution, which he referred to as “an instrument of remarkable wisdom”.[24] He also continues to express hope that reunification would occur, that slavery would be abolished, and that Americans would emerge more united and live to give thanks for God’s blessings.[25] By reading Shedd’s Civil War-era sermon, one can understand that Shedd believed in the cause of the Union, in the wisdom of the Constitution, and in a silver lining even in the darkness of war.
Bibliography
Colwell, Stephen. The position of Christianity in the United States, in its relations with our political Institutions, and specially with reference to religious instruction in the public schools. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Grambo & co., 1854. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0101287643/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=5d2748ca&pg=173.
De Witt, John. “W. G. T. SHEDD, D. D., LL. D.” New York Observer and Chronicle (1833-1912), Nov 22, 1894. 518, https://www.proquest.com/magazines/w-g-t-shedd-d-ll/docview/136227466/se-2.
Shedd, William Greenough Thayer, and American Education Society. “The Education of a Ministry, the Proper Work and Care of the Churches : a Discourse Delivered before the American Education Society, May 28, 1855.” Boston: Press of T.R. Marvin, 1855. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0108450902/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=18022412&pg=24.
Shedd, William Greenough Thayer. “Lectures upon the Philosophy of History.” Andover, MA: W.F. Draper, 1861. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0108296706/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=e8c78776&pg=80.
Shedd, William Greenough Thayer, and Amherst College. “The True Nature of the Beautiful and Its Influence upon Culture : a Discourse Delivered before the Literary Societies of Amherst College, August 13, 1851.” Northampton, MA: Hopkins, Bridgman & Co., 1851. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926 (accessed July 18, 2026). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0108450957/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=14f46b17&pg=30.
Shedd, William Greenough Thayer. “The Union and the War: A Sermon, Preached November 27, 1862.” New York: C. Scribner; J.F. Trow, 1863. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0102499497/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=9e927315&pg=32.
[1] John De Witt, “W. G. T. SHEDD, D. D., LL. D,” New York Observer and Chronicle, 1833-1912 (Nov 22, 1894): 518, https://www.proquest.com/magazines/w-g-t-shedd-d-ll/docview/136227466/se-2.
[2] William Greenough Thayer Shedd, “The Union and the War: A Sermon, Preached November 7, 1862” (New York: C. Scribner; J.F. Trow, 1863): 3-5, Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926, https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0102499497/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=9e927315&pg=32.
[3] Shedd, “The Union and the War,” 6.
[4] Shedd, “The Union and the War,” 7.
[5] Ibid., 8.
[6] Shedd, “The Union and the War,” 9.
[7] Shedd, 12.
[8] Ibid.
[9] Ibid., 11.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Shedd, “The Union and the War,” 14.
[12] Ibid.
[13] Ibid., 15.
[14] Ibid., 16.
[15] Ibid., 17.
[16] Ibid., 19.
[17] Ibid., 21.
[18] Ibid., 23.
[19] Ibid., 31.
[20] Ibid., 32.
[21] Shedd, “The Union and the War,” 32.
[22] Ibid., 33.
[23] Ibid.
[24] Ibid., 36.
[25] Ibid., 39.
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