Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-07-29
TaE EraIETlNa CHAPLAIN.
HE PRAYs THAT THEY MAY STAND AS
STONE WALL AGAINST CORRUPTION.

HE PRAYs THAT THEY MAY STAND AS
STONE WALL AGAINST CORRUPTION.
Rev. Dr.. 4. c. Hopkins, pastor Of the
Presbyterian church Gt Charlestown, ".
Va, and known as the 'tFighting Chaplain
of tie Stonewall Brigade" offered the fol-
lowing prayer: "Oh, Lord, our God, Thou
only art infinite, etornal and Interchangeable.
Thou, Most High, rulest in the kingdom Of
mon and givest ii to whomsoever Thou
wilt. Not sparrow falloth without Thee,
II Thy kind providence thsas veterans are
permitted to meet here to celebrate the
character and achievement of the man who
led thera through hardship and battle to
victory. Like him, who prepared for ell
action by prayer, we invoke Thy blessing
upon these exercises, Gnd as TO Thee be
asoribed the honor and power for victory,
SO to Thee we give thanks for OFF hero and
his reuown-fOr his greatness, most con-
spicuous in his goodness.
"Thou didst teach his hands to war and
didst sird him with strength in the battle.
Thou madest his feet swift. His namo
Thou radest an inspiration and tower Of
strength to his followers, a shifting ard
terror TO his enemies in the industry and
care of his preparations, in the fullness and
accuracy cf his calculation, IL the certainty
of his movements. In the might of his re-
sistanoe we recognize Thy counsel and Thy
hand fer the steadfastness and intensity of
his religion midst the temptations of cam
paign, csmp and battle. We give Thee
thanks for his world. wide farns, spotless,
untarnished and pure; we would render
Thee cur thanks. Thy hand has written
his name imperishably among the worlds
great captains aud thrown over it the halo
of saactity, that men may learn the bsauty
and the power Of Christian faith.
"And now we pray that the influence Of
big life raay become immortal and univsr-
eal; that the people of the land he loved
may learn from his example to pray and 60
| believe, to fear God and to keep His COM
maninsnts. and specially that hjs surviy-
| ing comrades and thair children may stand
as q stone wsll' against all tidea of social
or political corruption, of moral decay and
religious apostacy, unbelief or irreveTence,
| 30 long as this monument shali stand its
guard over his sleeping body and this stat
pe look down upon the generations. Mey
the world here catch ths idea aud the diz
msnsioug Of The Christian beTo, the patriot,
the saint and the soldier. May tine people
| of our whole land learn that righteousness
exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to
any people, We ask Thy blessings upon
the negro race, for whom we have prayed
and thought and laborsd; that they may
acquire Intelligence, morality and pure re-
ligion, and SO Become qualified for their
| new relatiors and duties and for their high
err obligations to God, "A father of Che
fathelIasa ard judge of the widow is God
in His holy habitation.' Protect and pro
vice for all who were made orphans aud
widows by theScasualties Of war. We spe-
cially ask that Thou will amply provide
and tenderly keop Thy handmaid TO whom
thou gavest cur leader in marriage and
f,o,n whom thou didst take him, Mav she
and her grandchildren be shielded from
every unfriendly blast, be enriched With all
the blessings of coyenant-keeping God,
Oh, Sperit Of Grscel Come, breathe efoctu-
ally upon the heart and touch the lips Of
Thy servant who shall nov speak to Us of
the Christian soldier, his comrade. lmbue
him plenteousiy with the same grace that
adorned the life he shall portray. Sustain
him in the same faith and comfort him
with the same hope.'