South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1891-07-31
THE FIGHTING CHAPLAIN.
He Prays That They May Stand as
Stone Wall Against Corruption.

Rev. DR.. 4. c. Hopkins, pastor OF
the Presby terian church at Charles.
town, and wellknown as tue Fighting
Chsplain OF the Stone#aIl Brigade
offered at the unyeiling the following
prayer: "Oh. Lord, our God. Thou
only art infinite, eternal and I'M
changeable: Thou, Most High, rul-
est in the kingdom OF men and givest
it TO whomsoever thou Wilt.. Not a
sparrow falIeth without Thee. In
Thy kind providence these veterans
are permit ed to meet here to cele-
brate the character and achievement
OF the man who led them through
hardship and battle TO victory. Like
him. who prepared for all action by
pray er, we invoke Thy blessing upon
these exercises and as 10 Thee be
ascribed the honor and power for
victory, so to thee We give Ihanks
for our hero and his TsnoWn-for his
greatness, most conspicuous In his
goodness.
Thou Gidst teach his hands TO war
and didst grid him With strength
lHbO Guo OabClS. AuOu uAu0st his
feet swift. His name Thou madest
an inspiration and tower Of strength
10 his followers, O shifting and a
terror 10 his enemies in the industry
end care Of his preparations, in the
fulIness and accuracy Of his ealcula-
ton, Ia the certainty OF his move
ments. In the might OF his resist
ance We recognize Thy counsel ard
Thy hand for the steadiastDess and
intensity OF his religion midst lho
temptations Of campaign camp and
battle. We give Thee .thAnksf for his
world wide fame, spotless, untsrnish-
ed and pure; We would render Thee
our thanks. Thy hand has written
his name imperiShably among the
worlds great captains and thrown
over it the halo OF ssnCti.y, that men
may learn the beauty and tho power
Of Christian faith.
And now We pray that the inHu-
once Of his life may become immor.
tai and universal that the people OF
the land be loved may learn from his
example to pray and to believe =,
to fear God and to keep His com
mandments, and specially that his
surviving comrades and their chill
dTen may stand as a stone wall
against all tides of social or political
corruption, OF moral decay and relig-
ious spostacy, unbelief or perseverance,
so long % this monument shall stand
itsLgusrd over bis sleeping body and
this statue look down upon The genera
tions. May The world here catch the
| idea and the dimensions Of the Chris.
tan hero, the patriot, the saint and
The soldier May the people Of OUT
whole land learn that righteousness
exalteth a nation but sin is a re.
proach TO any people, We hsk Thy
blessing upon the negro race, fol
whom We have prayed and thought
and labored that they may acquire
intelligence. morality and pure re,
ligion, and 80 become qualified fol
their new relations and duties ant
for their higher Obligations to God
"A father afihe fAtherless and Judge
Of the widow is God In His holy hab.
itation.' Protect and provide for al
who we're made orphans and widow
by the casualties Of war. We spec.
Tally ask that Thou wilt amply pro-
vide and tendetiy keep Thy hand
maid TO whom thou gavest our lead,
or in marriage and from whom Thol
didst take him. May che and hel
grandchildren DO shielded from ever,
unfrlendly blast be enriched will
all he blessings OF a covensnt.keep,
ing COD. oh, Spirit Of Grace J Come
breathe efftctually upon the hear
and touch the lips of Thy servAn
who shall now speak 10 us Of IT,
soldier his comrsde. Tn