The Washington herald., 1914-03-11
HISTORY BUILDERS.
How Great Generals Prayed on the
Eve of the Battle.
(written Expressly for The Herald.)
By DR., T.. j. EDWARDS.

written Expressly for The Herald)
~ DR.. Il. J. EDWARDS.
uT have occasionally alluded in some
OF my addresses to Christian En-
! deavor organisations and to other
evangelical bodies TO an anecdote which
had from excellent authority telling OF
little address delivered by Gen. Fred
erlck ID. Grant at gathering on Cover
nors Island. New York harbor, few
years ago." said William p. Hail. widely
recognized as one of the leading lay
preachers Of the United States and vice
president of the Christian Endeavor or
ganization.
81 was told" said Mr.. Hall. by a
gentleman who was present at this gath
erlng that one OF the speakers had re-
ferred to Gen. U. s. Grant as an ardent
lover Of peace and as a profound believer
| In the efficacy of the Christian religion
| in securing ultimately worldwide peace.
Gen. Fred Grant, replying to this state
ment. said that he knew that his father
looked for the establishment of peace
throughout the world chiefly through the
spread of religion. He then said that
only the most intimate friends OF his
father knew that the latter was Of a
deep religious nature; that he was a man
of prayer. and that as he grew older he
became more and more convinced of the
truth which Is the basis of the Christian
religion.
"Curiously enough" said Mr.. Hall. Il
have recently had an unusual and really
strange confirmation of the statement
made by Gen. Fred Grant respecting his
fathers religious nature. My business
relations brought me not long ago into
rather close association with a man of
the name OF Koebee. I don't recall his
first name. but knew him not only as
good business man. but also as a man
of profound religious convictions.
Il was chatting with him one day when
happened to mention the anecdote re-
lating to Gen. Grant which / have just
told you.
II saw that what / was saying was
making a deep impression upon Mr.. Koe-
bee 1 realized that he had something to
tell me as soon as 1 had finished the an
ecdote. and this was the case, He said
to me that at one time before the civil
war ended his father had been detailed
for duty as an orderly at Gen. Grants
headquarters. His position made it pos
sible. in fact inevitable. that he at times
be very near Gen. Grant. In that way
he became familiar with some of the gem
erals habits.
''One invariabIe practice Of Gen. Grant
Whlch the orderly observed was that OF
praying. He frequently retired to the
inner compartment of his tent and then
prayed aloud and very earnestly.
My father could not help hearing some
OF these prayers, and he noticed that. so
far as he neard. Gen. Grant never prayed
for success in battle. But he earnestly
prayed for divine guidance. and was es-
pecially earnest on the eve Of some great
engagement
Il happened to mention this to
friend" said Mr.. Hall. and was told
that good many of the leading officers
m the civil war on either side. conspicu-
ously Gen. Stonewan jackson. Of the Con-
federate army, and Gen. o. o. Howard.
Of the Union forces. prayed every day
and on the eve of a great engagement
very earnestly. not asking for success,
hut for divine guidance. and. of course,
you will remember the statement made by
Gideon Wellcs in his diary that President
Lincoln, on the eve of the Battle Of An
tietam, spent a long while i'm fervent
prayer. and later acknowledged 10 his
Cabinet that he had done so"
Copyright. IsiiD
Tomorrow; The Magnate Who Be-
gan Life q Tinwsre PeddIerJ