Leonidas Polk Family Papers

New Orleans April 11, 1864

Lieutenant General Polk Bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana Head Quarters - Demopolis Alabama

Dear Bishop

I address you by permission of General Brown Provost Marshall General Department of the Gulf. It is said that orders have been received from Washington "commanding all clergymen to read the Prayers for the President of the U. States and Congress" - I Know that orders have been issued by order of Major General [unclear]Banks[/unclear] Commanding this department, that the Liturgy of the Protestant Episcopal Church as contained in the Book of Common Prayer should be read in all the Churches - under penalty of placing them in the hands of trustees [unclear]apparintively[/unclear] the Provost Marshall and the trustees selecting Such Rectors as can be found to fill the Pulpit. The former officiating Clergyman of Trinity Church, Rev^d L. T. Jessup has Conciencious Scruples against reading these prayers - and in a conversation with him - I find that with your consent he as well as other Episcopal Clergymen of this diocese are willing to comply with the Military orders --- "Are you willing that all Clergymen within the Federal lines - shall read the liturgy of the Church as Contained in the Book of Common Prayer at Morning and Evening Service" if so please answer immediately -- It is unnessessary and inexpedient to write what I would be glad to communicate in person but would refer you to your Annual address to the Trinity third Annual Convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Louisiana - to your pastoral letter of January 30 1861 - to the Clergy and Laity of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Louisiana - and to the report of the Committee

New Orleans April 19, 1864

Lieutenant General Polk Bishop of the Diocese of Louisiana Demopolis Alabama

Dear Bishop

Trinity Church has "Cause to grief", A military order, (a copy of which I enclose) has been addressed to me requiring the prayers for the President of the United States and for Congress, to be read in the public services of the Church. A Verbal order was given to me, to have it done, or the Church would be placed in the hands of Trustees. I declined, acting and called a meeting of the Vestry. The gentleman composing the Vestry, exclusive of the Wardens, passed the following resolution - "Resolved. That in the opinion of the Vestry it is advisable that the morning and evening Services be read as Contained in the Book of Common Prayer of the P. E. Church in the United States of America".

The Officiating Clergyman Rev. L. T. Jessup, declined reading the Services, or filling the Pulpit, but intimated to me he would do so with your permission. Can you give it? Will you answer at your earliest Convenience.

I write at the request of the Vestry who are all your Warm friends. I Could Say, many things to you that would not be expedient to write. Miss Champlin joins me in kind regards to you and your family.

Very Respectfully Yours J. W. Champlin Senior Warden ~

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