The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-08-27

IRON Rev. DR.. Hawthorne's Sermon
70 d Veterans at NashvilIe.)
veterans, In the few years that re-
main to us let It be our constant en-
de2vor to emulate the virtues OF these
men. Let Us follow them a. they
fouowed Christ, 20 that when life's
battles are e we may sleep serenely,
and In the morning Of the resurrection
awake to answer to the roll call OF
those who fought the good eight and
were faithful unto death.
There was nothing hat did more
to promote the growth of Christian
feeling and rectitude in the confeder-
ate army than the spirit aud bearing
OF its leaders. Never did an army
march n battle Differed by men
more loyal to Christ than Stonewall
Jackson, Robert e. Lee, and many
or their subordinates. Who can cal
culate the power Of Jackson's religious
influence upon the men whom he led
to battle? Gen. Ewell WIS so impress
ed by it that he was heard to say: IF
that be religion, I must have it. After
making a profession of faith in Christ,
he confessed that his rebellious heart
and will had been conquered by the
power Of Jackson's Cody life.
"Never did the angels of God de-
scend from their starry heights to
hover over a more touching scene
than Stonewall Jackson's death O. to
catch from human lips language
more beautiful and significant than
his dying words: Let US cross over
trees
Though dead he yet speaketh. The
sun has gone down, but there still
fingers a blaze of glory on every noun
tain peak, and the clouds that hover
about the scene Of his departure are
turned to amber and gold.
mo eulogy that my poor, feeble lips
could pronounce would be worthy of
the exalted character and the death
less fame of Robert E. Lee. ALI the
great virtues were harmoniously Inc
beautifully blended in him, making
an almost perfect man.
"Phidias proposed to make a statue
of Alexander out of Mt. Athos-a
statue holding in one hand a beautiful
river embelished with villages ard
bridges, and in the other hand a mag
nificent city suspended between the
grandeur Of earth and the glory of
heaven. The realization of that con
ception would nave been a work Of art
surprising the walls of Babylon, the
pyramids of Egypt, or the colossus at
Rhodes. Such was the tribute which
the great sculptor believed his hero
worthy to receive. A hero he was, but
not the type that Christian men delight
to honor. After he had climbed the
dizzy heights of his ambition ard
locke down upon a conquered world,
he died in the midst of a shameful de-
bauch. He mastered all things bu
himself.
There is an inward rule Of a man
a. government of the thoughts and
passions-which is an object Of loftier
ambition than any earthly crown or
Lirod0ro Ho uyhn r,1lec hipoCo1f on6
holds the castle of his inner being
against every outward foe is the only
real p%otentate. There have been such
monarchs on the earth, and conspic-
uou among them vas Robert E. Lee.
Neither man nor angel ever saw him
when he was not master Of himself.
To hat high degree of moral majesty
and repose he assembled, not by the
power of any human philosophy, but
by a living faith in the eternal Son of
God.
yellow Christians, a we doubt
that such men are immortal? hi
names of their traducers will be for
gotten, but they shall be in everlast-
ing remembrance.
Fellow veterans, I should be lack
ing in fealty to God and your most
sacred interests If I did not say to
you, in concluding this message, that
your patriotism will not save you
from the consequences of sin and Sc
cure for you honor and glory in the
life tt come.
Lee and Jackson were tranquil and
happy in death, not because they were
patriots, but because they were Chris
tians. They are crowned and scep-
tered in heaven, not because they were
brave and loyal soldiers, but because
they were faithful followers Of Jesus
Christ.