Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-09-22
he promptly replied to my application, 81

will be most happy to grant all such per-
mits, and l should be glad if you would
bring the colporter to my headquarters"
Afterwards, introducing my friend, Jack
son gave him as cordial a welcome as a
prince could have received, and said: 'You
are more than welcome to my command,
sir, and shall be most happy to afford you
every facility in my power for the presecu-
tion of your work. l am more anxious
than [ can express that my men shall not
only be good soldiers of their country, but
good soldiers of the cross as WELL"
He did everything in his power to encour-
age his chaplains and help them in their
work, was a regular and deeply interested
attendant on religious services, and was
largely instrumental in the organization of
our Chaplain's Association. He was ac-
customed to say, when hearing accounts of
religious matters in the army which pleased
him: "That is good-very good-we ought
to thank God for that
l remember one day, when walking over
from near Hamilton's Crossing to meeting
of our Chaplains' Association, that Gen.
Jackson overlook me (riding alone as was
his frequent habit), inquiring where I was
going, he promptly dismounted, and throw
ing his bride over his arm he walked with
me several miles, engaged in earnest con-
versation about the religious interests of
his men, and how to promote them.
Upon another occasion / called at his
headquarters, and found him just going in
to prayer-meeting which he was accus-
toned to hold. l gladly accepted his inv-
tation to attend, and shall never forget the
power. comprehensiveness, and tender pa
thos of the prayer he made during that de-
lightful prayer-meeting. Only few days
before the battle of Charlottesville, had
the privilege lin company with several
brother chaplains) of dining with him at
his mess, and of lingering for an hour of
most delightful converse in his tent. Mill
tary matters were scarcely alluded to, and
then he would quickly change the topic.
but we fully discussed questions pertaining
to the promotion of religion in the camps
how to secure more chaplains and to induce
pastors to come as missionaries to the SOL
diers, and kindred topics. And then we
got on the subject of personal piety, the
obstacles to growth in grace in the army,
the best means of promoting it, &C., and as
the great soldier talked earnestly and elo-
quently from full heart, had to lay aside
my Office as teacher in Isreal and be content
to ''sit at the feet" Of this able theologian,
this humble, earnest Christian, and learn of
him lessons in the Divine life. More than
almost any man eyer met he accepted full
ly the precious promises of Gods word,
walked by living faith in Jesus, and was
guided by the star of hope as he trod firmly
the path of duty. Having lived such a
life, there is no wonder that he left behind
the record of so glorious death when he
was called on to "cross over the river and
rest under the shade of the trees" How
far the glorious revivals with which we
were favored were in answer to the prayers
and in blessing on the efforts of Stonewall
Jackson, and to what extent his influence
was blessed to individuals, eternity alone
can reveal. 1 have it from well-authen-
ticated source that the conversion of Lien
tenant General Ewell, Jackson's able Lieu
tenant, was on this wise: At a council of
war one night jackson had listened very at
tentively to the views of his subordinates,
and asked until the next morning to present
his own. As they came awav A. P. Hill
laughingly said to Ewell: swell, suppose
Jackson wants time to pray over it." Hav-
ing occasion to return to his quarter again
a short time after, Ewell found Jackson on
his knees and heard his ejaculatory prayers
for Gods guidance in the perplexing moves
ments then before him. The sturdy veter-
an Ewell was so deeply impressed by this
incident and by Jackson's general religious
character that he said: eff that is religion
must have it," and in making profession
of faith not long afterwards he attributed
his conviction to the influence of Jackson's
piety. I have not space for further details
of the influence of Christian officers on
their men, though might write pages of
incidents of "Jeb" Stuart, "the flower of
Cavaliers" who, beneath his gay uniform
and laughing demeanor, had spirit Of
deep-toned, earnest piety-John B. Gordon,
whom I have heard with streaming eyes
and eloquent voice exhorting his men to
come to Christ, Or seen with arms around
some ragged private soldier whom he was
urging to accept Jesus-Lewis Minor Cole
man, who exerted so wide an influence on his
men, and who left the world record of
chow Christian soldier should die" and
hosts of others of 'the bravest of the
brave" who led their men to follow Christ
as we'll as ''the stars and bars" and in
whose lives there is ample material for bio
graphies which would rival in thrilling re.
ligious interest those of Havelock, Hedley,
Wears, or Colonel Gardner.
J. W. J.
Richmond, Va.