The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1897-05-13

eulogized the leaders of the Confedera-
cy, and said they were worthy of any
cause in any land, and declared over
and over that the world has never seen
greater heroism and valor than was
evinced by the private Confederate
soldier "The Private Confederate Sol
der, Who He Was, What He Was, and
What He Accomplished" was the
theme,
The life of the private solder was Wv
idly pictured, with the very pulse-beat
of life itself, from the easy days of 81
when they "played soldier" to the last
struggle and the scenes at Appomattox,
to which the brave boys in gray had
waded through fire and blood and
death, whereby they had achieved a
victory OF immortal glory.
DIR. Jones congratulated the school
on the Southern Night exercise and
babe the enterprlsing principals keep
the good work alive every year.
The lecture was masterful and the
old veterans present sat around the
camp fires together again, and the
young caught an Inspiration which led
up to an admiration of the Southern
soldier which they had never felt be-
fore.
"CHRIST IN THE CAMP
The programme of the exercises an-
nounced that DIR. Jones would speak in
the Baptist church Wednesday morn
ing on "Christ in the Camp, or Religion
in Lees Army"
At IL O'Clock large crowd assembled
to the filling of the church, and in the
audience were many old Confederate
veterans. Some had came from Martin
county to hear the story of how Christ
was in the camp and how God was
worshiped in the army.
DIR. Jones went with the boys in gray
all through the war, and serving Tor
good part of the time as chaplain, he
had an opportunity to know what in
fiuence the Bible and religion had up
on the soldiers.
He stated at the beginning that he
did not consider the soldiers in Lees
army angels or sanctified men; but
that there was much more religion
among them than many supposed.
DIR. Jones was at his best as he spoke
feelingly OF the prayer meeting by the
campfire, the rudely constructed
chapels for the convenience OF worship.
It was touching, indeed, to hear how,
after long days march, the soldier
boys would assemble and sing and pray
and read the Scriptures, commit them
selves to the keeping of God and lie
down to rest for the night.
The beautiful christian character of
many of the leaders was dwelt upon.
Lee, and Jackson, and Stewart, and
MANY others we're cited as noble exam
ples of deep conservation to God. And
while all listened lntently to the great
hearted soldier and divine they realiz-
ed how beautiful was the devotion to
! God of commanders and soldiers alike
together.
/! MANY instances of conversion were
given and also many pathetic DEATH
scenes, when the christian heroes both
from the ranks and from officers went
out of life rejoicing in their strong
hope of immortality and their abiding
faith in God. Having done their work
| faithfully, they lay down in death con-
tented.
DR.. Jones referred with much feeling
to the sweet christian character OF
Stonewall Jackson, and related how he
saw the great General forget all other
environments and lead an army prayer
/ nesting In which soldiers and leader
all united in song and prayer together.
DR.. Jones said that in the great REVEALS
that swept over the army as many as
5000 souls we're converted and that
even at Appomattox there we're con-
! versions to GOD. He spoke Tor more
than an hour and-the audience was
more than once melted to tears while
he spoke. He closed with strong and
j pathetic appeal to the old soldiers pre-
sent to remember the vows they made
To God under the rain of shot and shell.
He urged them to remember God as
God had remembered them.
He reminded them how they had
followed Lee and Jackson and others
/ who trusted God and he imp1ored his
old comrades In arms that as they fol
iIow those men into wars thick battles,
likewise to follow them in the service
of God. "Do the manifest and bravest
thing In all the world" said he, "by
! giving your heart to God and living Tor
him."
:, It was a mastery address, soft, sweet
and tender, and at the close the con,
prepation was melted to tears.