Reed, V. D. The Conflict of Truth: A Sermon preached in the First Presbyterian Church, Camden, N. J., April 30, 1865. Camden, N. J.: Printed by S. Chew, at the Office of the "West Jersey Press", 1865. First Edition. [9370]
Printed wrapper, some light soil & creasing, 9 x 5 3/4 inches, 29 clean pp. Good. Pamphlet.
A sermon preached two weeks after the assassination of President Lincoln, and four days after the capture of Booth.
Rev. Reed takes for his text Matthew 10:34, "Think not that I am come to send Peace on Earth; I come not to send Peace, but a Sword." He then states that Christianity is in conflict with the world, and gives examples from history where holding to the truth of Christ caused military conflict. He then focuses on the Southern Rebellion and states that it was not until Southern ministers embraced slavery as a Christian norm that the civil governments of Southern States rebelled.
"See how the leaders of this rebellion have been anxious to secure the sanctions of religion, have appealed to the religious feelings and prejudices of the South; and Christian men, have not only prayed, that the rebellion might succeed, but have taught that the Bible sanctions some of the greatest wrongs that have ever been perpetrated in civil society."
Next follows three lesson to be learned from the war. I. The sacredness of law and the divine authority of government. II. Crimes against the government should be punished. "Treason, 'making war against the government or giving aid and comfort to its enemies,' is regarded as the highest crime that can be committed against civil society." and III. The Providence of God is plainly teaching, that the institution of slavery in this country must be abolished.
Villeroy Dibble Reed (1815-1901), b. Granville, NY; d. Poughkeepsie, NY. Rev. Reed graduated at Union College (1835), with additional studies at Auburn Theological Seminary and Princeton Theological Seminary. After ordination by the Presbytery of Albany (1839) he served as stated supply for several churches in upstate New York for beginning a 33-year pastorate with the First Presbyterian Church of Camden, NJ. He received the honorary degree of D. D. from Union College in 1858. He served for many years on the Board of Education, the Board of Ministerial Relief, and the the Board of Domestic Missions of his denomination.
