Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-12-18

but in the consciousness of his insufficieDcy
felt some doubt whether he had the right
to come.
All that was natural and right; but soon
it settled this question with man SO res
olute in doing what he thought his DUTY
I baptised him alphabetically, for he was
not certain if he bad ever been baptized.
When the day of confirmation came it was
quite in keeping with his resolute charac-
ter, and when the Bishop called the candi-
dates to the chancel he was the first to rise,
and, as it were, lead the others on, among
whom were General Gorgas and several
other officers.
HE NEVER LOOKED BACK.
From that day, SO far as 1 know and can
Judge, she never looked back" He never
ceased trying to come up to his baptismal
VOW and lead Christian life. And so he
went on bravely and perseveringly, even
when it became clear that hope of success
was failing. He could not leave his post
He did not lose heart. The cause lost
defeated for a time-he felt sure would set
bring forth blessings upon the country
We know what followed and what was his
cruel fate. Here opens a page Of noble
martyrdom and patient endurance which
none can fully realize who have not seen
it.
HIS IMPRISONMENT.
Soon after he was arrested and confined
in Fortress Monroe. l wrote to President
Andrew johnson petitioning for permission
to visit Mr.. Davis, as his pastor, and min
lister to him.
At Bishop Jones advice-rather against
my iudgment-it was accompanied by no
argument, the Bishop saying that support
ing it by an argument would indicate that
it was by the petitioner himself not looked
upon as natural, right, and proper in itself.
Mr.. johnson deigned no answer.
In October following received commu-
nication of some friends that they thought
the time was favorable to again make the
application.
did SO, but this time gave what
thought was foil and unanswerable ar
gument. And it proved so.
PERMIT TO VISIT Mr.. DAVIS.
They were ladies who were acting with
me, and upon the advice of judicious
friend they gave my paper to Rev. DR..
Hall, rector of the Epiphany and pastor OF
Mr.. Stanton, Secretary of War. He first
was averse to acting in the matter, but the
ladies begged him at least to read the pc
| it in charge to Mr.. Stanton, and he got me
very full permit to visit Mr.. Davis as his
pastor.
From that time I went whenever l could
to see my beloved and nartyred friend,
and precious were the days and hours spent
with him. ! loved that lowly, patient,
God-fearing soul.
Mr.. Ssanton's permit must have been
very liberal, for General Miles, then in
command, who received me politely
enough, did not act for more than day,
after which he became very cordial and al
lowed all my wishes He evidently asked
and received fuller directions from the
Secretary.
l must say here that the Imprisonment
itself was better than those who hao
ordered it.
All at the Fortress were glad that the in
dignities OF putting that man in irons were
stopped. even for the honor of the country
The officers were all polite and sympathetic
and the common soldiers-not one of them
adopted the low practice of even high dig
nitaries, and officers. who seemed to glory
in speaking of him disrespectfully IN
sneering way as s'Jeff Davis"
Not one Of the common soldiers but
spoke of him IN a subdued aud kindly tone
as Mr.. Davis.
FIRST INTERVIEW AT THE FORT.
On my first visit I came on Saturday
evening, and spent pleasant enough
evening at the quarters of General Miles,
who promised to take me to Mr.. Davis's
cell next morning, Sunday, but he waited
till Monday morning.
I cannot describe my meeting with Mr..
=. III of M
coming, aud it was difficult to control our
selves.
Mr. Davis's room Che had been removed
| from the casemate, and the infamous out
rage of putting him in chainsl was an end
room on the second floor, with passage
and window on each side of the room, ano
an ante-rGom in front separated by an oper
grated door-a sentinel on each passage
and before the grated door of the ante
room. Sig eyes always upon him Gay anc
night: all alone, no one to see, no one tx
speak to!
must hurry on. You may yourselves
make out what our conversation must have
been.
| The noble man showed the effect of tbs
confinement; but his spirit could not bt
subdued, and no indigpity--angry as i
made him at the time---could humiliatt
him.
! was bis pastor, and of course our con
versatiou vas Influenced By that and there
could be 10 holding back between US.
had come to sympathize and comfort ant
pray with him.
QUESTION OF COMMUNION.
At last The question of the Holy Com
munion came up. | really do not remem
! bar whether he Or FIRST mentioned it. HI
was very anxious to take it. He was 6
purely pIous man, aud felt the need anc
value of the means of grace. But there
was one difficulty. Could he take it in tbs
proper spirit-in the frame of a forgiviug
mind, after all the ill treatment he had beef
subiec.ed to? He was too upright and
considerations Christian man ''to eat and
drink unic0rthily"-i. g., not in the proper
spirit, and, as far as lay in him, in psace
with God and man.
left him to settle that question between
himself aod his own conscience and wha
| be understood Gods law to be.
| Iu the afternoon General Miles took me
to him again, l had spoken to him about
the communion and he promised to make
preparation for me.
| found Mr.. Davis with his mind made
up. Knowing the honesty of the man. ano
that there would be, could be, mo sham
ming" nor mere superstitious belief 10 the
ordinance, l was delighted when ! found
him ready 20 commune. He had laid the
bride upon his very natural feeling and
was ready to pray "Father, forgive theT0?''
NOTABLE COMMUNION.
'fheu came the communicable and
alone, but with God.
1t was one of those cases where the
Rubsic cannot be binding.
1t was night. The Fortress vas s, still
| that you could hear a pin fall. General
| Miles, With bis back to US leaning agains:
| the fireplace III the ante room; his bead in
his haads not moyiugi the seDtinals or
dered TO stand still, and they stood like
statues.
1 cannot conceive of more solemn CON-
munion scene. But it was telling upon
both Of us; trust tor lasting good.
Whenever l could | went down to see
him, il only for an hour or two; and when
bis wife las admitted to see him it was
F.lain that their cOmmuningS were with