They recognized that preparation was necessary, so they urged
immediate emancipation as a gradual process to begin immediately.
As they put it, «In fine, it is
immediate emancipation which is gradually accomplished.»
As soon as the Union forces proved victorious anywhere the Churches demanded
the immediate emancipation of all slaves.
He replied to a committee representing various Protestant denominations asking for
immediate emancipation in 1862 by saying: «I am approached with the most opposite opinion and advice, and that by religious men who are equally certain that they represent the divine will.