Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1911-01-20
THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER OF
LEE.

Inc CnrlSLldn character Vi 0eLeI d.
Robert e. Lee is treated at length in
an interesting article in the current
number of the Christian Observer. The
writer dwells upon the deep piety that
permeated the entire life of the
Southern chieftain, upon the profound
sense of duty that marked him in ey-
cry sphere to which he was called, and
the appreciation that the world has
shown of the wonderful purity that
brings his life out into such bold re-
lief,
Summarizing the attributes that dis
tinguished him even more than his
military genius, great though that was,
the writer says:
"The functional names of Moses
were many but they were all summed
up i'll the browning designation, The
Man of God Most willingly has the
world accorded this title to General
Lee, 1t constitutes the glory of Vir-
ginia's greatest son. Destitute of all
vulgar ambition which seeks personal
ACKNOWLEDGMENT his piety was humble
and profound, his moral character pure
and chaste, his private life beyond
criticism. August renown encircIes
his name with halo of military glory,
but the chief fact about him was his
religion. Respect for him felt by those
who saw him at all hours and most in
timately, WAS even greater than that
cherished by the community who look
ed upon him from a distance His
majesty of character was incompar-
able, and ever increased upon closer
inspection. Few are the men, living or
dead, of whom this may be said His
reports, always modest and uninflated.
We're ever reyerent towards God
Through all that heroic struggle, as
before and after it, he always in per-
son asked the divine blessing upon ev-
cry meal. Family prayers, when at
home, he never omitted.
ITO the church of Jesus Christ the
world over it is source of endless
felicitation, that this soldier so great
among the English-speaking nations
that none but himself could be his pay
allel was above all else the man Of
God His abiding view of the world
in life and in death, in victory and in
defeat, in youth as well as in advanc-
ing age, was ever that of the English
bard-a dissolying and insubstantial
pageant; but, with the apostles note
of joy, it was also a prelude to the rest
that remaineth for the people of God. !"
Gen Lees high conception of duty
as the prime impulse of life is cited.
with his memorable words, so often
repeated, DUTY is the sublimest word
in our language" In connection with
this Is given the letter to his son, G.
w. Curtis Lee, in which this sentence
occurs, as follows:
Nearly hundred years ago, there
was a day of remarkable gloom OF
darkness-still known as he dark
dana day when the light of the sun
was slowly eXtinguished as if by AMI
eclipse The legislature of Connec-
ticut was in session and, as its mem
bers saw the unexpected and unac-
darkness coming on they
shared in the general awe and ter
ror. 1t was supposed by many that
the last day-the day of Judgment
had come. Some one in the conster-
ration of the hour, moved au adj |
journment. Then there arose an old
Puritan legislator, Davenport, of San
ford, and said if the last day had
come, he desired to be found at his
place doing his duty; and, therefore.
moved that candles be brought in so |
hat the House could proceed with
its duty"
Commenting on this event, General
Lee adds:
There was quietness in that mans
mind, the quietness of heavenly wis
lOm and inneXible willinpnese 70 ohoyI