Morning journal and courier., 1891-10-29


 Jackson.
 [The Rev. Henry M. Field, D. D., ia Harper's Magazine for November.l
 Stonewall Jackson wss a devout man before, but the war made him still more devout, as new trials and new dangers called for stronger faith. His Iecogni- tion of God in all things, which might not seem extraordinary if it fourished in the vale of humility and peace, becomes most notable when it keeps it's hold and its mas | tery over him in conflict of arms mighty enough to rouse all the passions that rage | in the warriors breast.
 The religion of Stonewall Jackson is an | enigma to many who study the life of the | great soldier, while to others it is a scorn and derision. To those who seek sub | ject for caricature, the eccentricities in which he carried some things to an ex- | treme furnish plenty of material for their small wit. Such was his rigid observance of the Sabbath. Not only did he refrain | from all worldly occupations on that day, he would not even write letter, nor read one if he received it, even though it was | from her who was to be his wife. He was l sure that it would keep its sweetness till the next day, and meanwhile he had the | pleasure of anticipation. Nay, more, he would not post a letter on Saturday. lest it should travel on Sunday. One exception, | however, he was compelled to make. Sometimes he had to fight battle on that holy day; but that he looked upon as Ca | work of necessity" if not of mercy" and then he would keep Monday So scrupulous was he not to odefraud the Lord of his just due that he would sometimes keep two or three days running to balance the account
 | But more than any outward observance was the faith that vitslized his very being. This was the iron in his blood. It has been said that he was fatalist; that he had blind feeling of destiny" like that of Napoleon, as if his career was not of his own choosing, but that he was lifted up and borne on by power that he could not resist. This is the creed of the Mos | lem, to whom it gives confidence in bat tie that is in itself an element of power. But it is cold, hard, iron creed, which sees nothing around us but material forces that work on and on with tremendous power, caring not for the happiness they destroy or the suffering they infiict, crushing the lives and hopes of men with out pity and without remorse. Into this stupendous mechanism-this universe without a soul-faith puts intelligence and love, so that to the soldier who looks up | are not the cold, stony eyes of 6 relentless fate, but the tender eyes of one who looks down upon him, loving as well an un- sleeping watcher. That love and care Jackson never doubted. The power above was father, into whose hands he com. mitted the issues of life and death with childlike trust. This simple faith was the inspiration of his life. He carried it into
 war; indeed, it grew stronger as the clouds grew darker. His marvellous success might we'll confirm his faith in the divine protection. which he sought constantly by ) prayer. His negro servant said he always knew when there was going to be battle,
 because his master got up so many times in the night to pray! And he at once packed his haversack, for he knew that he } would call for it in the morning. When he was riding to battle, and spoke not ( |, word, his lips were observed to be moving
 in prayer. Thus relying upon a higher power, how could he help looking upon l success as the answer to his prayers, and say. what he fervently believed, that il was "not by his own might or power, . but that it was God who had given hin the victoryl