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EXTRACT FROM JOURNAL - 1858 PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN LOUISIANA
Pages 21-22
It will be remembered I brought to your notice, in my last Annual Address, a movement which had been made to unite the ten Southern Dioceses of our Ecclasiastical Confederation, in the work of founding and establishing, on an extended scale, a University for the education of the youth of the Church, and of the South, generally, in the higher range of learning. At the time of my addressing you, the co-operation of the Bishops only had been secured. I am happy to state, that the action of the Bishops, has been fully endorsed by the Clergy and Laity, of all the Dioceses; and the action of the Conventions will present us leagued and united, as one body, pledged with one mind and will, to carry forward this great design for the commom benefit, to the highest point of attainable success.
For such an evidence of unity and harmony, among so large a number, spread over such an extended surface, our grateful thanks are due alone to Him, in whose hands are the hearts of all men, and for the extension of whose kingdom and glory, this enterprise is mainly designed. May His Blessing ever rest upon it:
On the 4th of July, according to appointment, the Bishops, Clergy and Laity representing the Dioceses uniting, assemble for the purpose of organizing themselves into a Board of Trustees, on Look-out Mountain, in East Tennessee. The day was eminently auspcious. Not only on account of its historical associations and suggestions, prompting and inspiring generous efforts to emancipate our posterity from the disabilities of their position, to break the yoke of ignorance and sin, and secure for them the liberty wherewith Christ sets free; but the bright and balmy atmosphere, the beauty and grandeur of the scenery of the surroundings, all contributed to add impressiveness to the religious, and other, solemnities with which
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our meeting was inaugurated. But as the details of the events of the day, have reached you through other channels, I need only advert to them here.
Our meeting was one of great harmony; the best spirit prevailed; the organization of the Board of Trustees was completed; a declaration of principles, as a basis of union, was adopted; and Committees appointed to collect information on the subject of a location and to prepare a Charter. To enable these Committees to prepare their work, the Board then adjourned to meet in Montgomery, Alabama, on the 25th November following.