Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-06-09
NO. Q.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY,.
MINUTES ON THE DEATH OF GEN. JACKSON

MINUTES ON THE DEATH OF GEN. JACKSON
The dispatches announcing the severe illness
OF their beloved servant of God and invoking the
prayers Oh t1is Assembly on his behalf, had
scarcely accused our alarm, before the sad in
telilgeLce OF his death fell, with it's crushing
weight, upon our hearts and turned these pray
ers Ior him into weeping supplications for our
selves. and for our bereaved country. Seldom in
history has one been able, in so short time 10
write his name so deeply upon the hearts of his
coantrymen, ana to win the admiration of the
world at large. Uniting the most beautiful sim
plcl-y with tn mOstintense earuestness of char
acter, with religious consecration to duty as
the reguiatlVe principle of his life, he was true
man IL all the relations in which he moved -
The additional endowment of military genius,
quick to perceive and quick to improve the adj
vantage and opportunity, made him what he
was--the true soldier and the consumate Gener-
81. 1t were idle to compress within this record
MS brilliant military career which forms so large
part OF this young nations history. The ra-
pldlty OF his movements imparting 10 him SEEM
ing uoiquity, the promptness and daring and
uniform success of his achievements, rendered
his name terror to his foes and tower of
strengtn to ourselves. 1t is not invidious to say
That whilst other generals OF the army. SUPERIOR
to him IN rank, command equally with himself,
tne commence OF our people, he was the most
OF them all enshrined in their affections Ii will
be the office of history to assign the position he
Will occupy upon her impartial page and we
uouot not tnat the verdict of pOsterity will con-
urn the Judgment of his contemporaries in pro-
nouncng that the life of nero has been crown
ed with the death of msrtyr
but General Jackson has stronger claims upon
the affectionate and fearful remembra of this
General Assembly than those founded upon his
merits as Patriot and Warrior. He was
warm aud Jealous Christian, man that feared
God and walked carefully before Him; who be-
ing found blameiess, used the Office of deacon
IN the mouse of God, filling up the portrait drawn
Dy the apostles hand, ssgraYe, not double-tong-
ued, and holding the mystery of the faith. in a
pure conscience" His religion was woven into
the whole texture of his character and life. the
constructive element which made him the man
he was. 1t has been tersely and truthfulIy, and
therefore beautifully said OF him that in the ar
my he was the expression OF his countryS conf
dence In Gt d and in itself. Even those who
withheld from God the homage of their own obe-
oience and love, tooA refuge in ths thought that
their great military leader drew his strength from
the God OF Heaven, and like the Hebrew Moses,
daily eommuned with him the mount. And
the Churci of Christ turned their eyes to him
wi b a loving joy as the embodied and Concrete
the living exponent OF those pre-
cious truths, which 1t is her mission to testify to
Il dying world. In the army his religious lDfiu
e:ce diHased itself like the atmosphere around
him !; and by that strange magnetic power over
her mindS which Is given to all who are born
10 command, none were drawn into his presence
wDO dld not bow before the supremacy OF that
piety which was 80 silently, yet conspicuously
IN the carriage OF this Christian Gen
srai The evidence Is cumulative before tais AS
'emoiy OF his Zeal u oyertake the religious wants
oi his soidiery, and of the yearnings OF his soul
mat tniS venerable court should, during its pres-
ent sessions, concert large plans ftr the evange-
lzation OF the army aud Of the courtry at large.
Therefore it is, this Assembly, at the moment of
It's dissolution. IS It's last solemn act, would
place upon its records this memorial to his praise
and oedew 1t with their parting tears.
we shall not attempt here the Interpretation
OF the mysterious Providence which has taken
away from the country at such juncture, so
strong an arm. 1t is enough that He has done it
who has done all things we'll We will ..be still
and Know that he Is God Bat in the depth of
our own sadness We now speak word of cheer
10 our bereaved countrymen, that in the disap-
polntnent OF many OF onr most reasonable calcu-
latioaS, no less than in unexpectedly blessing as,
when all seemed dark and forbidding God seems
10 US only the more to have charged Himself with
the care and protection Of this struggling repub-
nc, ana IN THIS ne t" chastenlDg, We recognize the
token OF Him whose way it is to humble these
v hom 1t is His purpose TO exalt aud to bless
With the immediate family and kindred OF our
departed brother we desire 10 nlingle our grief
IS they pay the tribute Of their sorrow over his
grave; and the Assembly conveys through this
minute its tenderest sympathy 80 those whose
hearts are bleeding under what is to them a more
close and personal bereavement, praying the God
OF ali Consolation to grant unto them Joy tor
mourning, beauty tor ashes and the garments of
praise for the spirit of heav v:ness.
B. NJ. PALMER, Chairman
This paper was adopted by the Assembly 81
emily rising in their Seats.-P Presbgterian