Lesson 67: Stonewall Jackson
I can think of no sublimer picture than Jackson, whose prowess was felt and acknowledged over a whole continent, nay, over all Europe, whose prestige with his troops was overawing, almost to superstition, coming down to the common sympathies of the private soldier, and into the common prayer meetings of the common saint--the humblest and most childlike of them all--an incarnation of kindness and humility.
Now, uttering the word of command to the mighty hosts amid the tempest of battle, and anon breathing out the unction of pious faith as an elder at the sacramental table. Now executing the most marvellous combinations of military strategy and power, and anon expending his ingenuity in making a wounded soldier's bed a little softer. Now, unblanched amid the thunder of battle, riding serene and unanxious amid exploding bombshells and a hail of shot, while huge armies make the earth tremble with their tread, and anon speaking in tears to the tempted young soldier in his tent, and breaking the tempter's snare by recalling the pious counsels of sister and mother to his memory. Now stern as a stoic--no tremor, no shudder--not a muscle moves, not a riffle is upon the quiet surface of his deep spirit, although he heads the charge, storms the foeman's works, and rushes as an avalanche over the fortifications of the routed foe like a thunder cloud with a tornado in its womb, and anon you may see him at the prayer meeting, speaking words of tender cheer to the broken-hearted, and weeping tears of joy over the prodigal's return.
It was fitting that our young nation should be moulded under such an impress, and that its young affections and aspirations, as well as its memorial fame, should be made to cluster about such a model; that the nursery should find its richest songs, and the school-room its choicest "Lessons" in perpetuating such marvellous virtues of such a wonderful man.
When Lee and Jackson could spare an hour, they met in the prayer circle. They also met in "the councils of war." It is difficult to say which was most affecting and sublime--the penitent worshippers breathing fervent supplications where all were equals, or the mighty chieftains planning campaigns where the annals of time scarce affords their equals; but, in both places, alike consciously fulfilling a great mission appointed them by God.
Who wonders at the prowess and the divine interventions revealed in the history of that army? To these two great men--to their own souls, these holy convocations were refreshing showers on a thirsty land; to others gathered there, they were like "two full spring-tides coming down at once" upon a winter of solitude and frost.
With the prestige of their great names and greater deeds, and the awe which filled all those hearts, so long accustomed to move at their nod as to the fiat of fate, what must have been the solemnity and awe, the love and veneration the inspiration and encouragement awakened in their bosoms by the penitential prayers poured out by such men on a common level with the poorest soldier, imploring, at a common Father's throne, a common blessing upon themselves and their devoted troops! How must their hearts have leaped within them when, after battle and victory, (for what else could befall such men and such armies,) these great heroes called their hosts together and...
"With souls as strong as the mountain river, Pouring out praise to the Almighty Giver," lost themselves in the majesty of God, and hid themselves behind His glories ! While half a continent were wailing over their prowess in defeated armies and routed cohorts, and the other half were sounding peans to their honor for such wonderful deliverances by their valor, and all Europe was lauding their stupendous achievements, these men, "Princes in Israel," bent amid the brave cohorts by whom God had given the victory, saying, "Not unto us, not unto us, but to thy name be glory," and turning away their thoughts from adulations next to idolatrous, offered so sincerely by the people they loved so well, they bent the earnest ear at the altar of their God with only one great desire--"Lord, what wilt thou have us Now to do?"
Other heroes may imbibe the unctuous laudations of joy-drunk flatterers, and turn from the victorious battlefield to the voluptuous feast and bowl, to the dizzy mazes of the midnight revel, and to guiltier orgies which follow, alas! too often, in their train, till desolate homes groan out their anguish, and revenge howls after the voluptuary; but our Jacksons and our Lees, our Cobbs and our Hills, our Polks and other Christian warriors, content with their all in God, and seeing God in all, have ever satisfied themselves in prayer and preparation, faith and fighting, and after victory, thanksgiving, opening the way for new preparation, more vigorous faith and fighting.
Look over the history of this war, over fields of unexampled heroism! Where does the sunshine of Jehovah gleam, and "the ark of God rest?" Where are the signs of the divine withdrawal? Can you not see where proud and desperate godlessness has said, "WE will go up," but the ark of the Lord went not with them? Where are the scenes of disaster and mortifying defeats, but where there are few chaplains and little prayer, much profanity and frolicking revels! so true does nature respond to its own instincts, and God endorse and defend His own reign!
Let loose from the arm of God, and given over to vice, the intellect will not, cannot, be clear, nor the heart truly strong; while, in the wide distribution of agencies, some will always be found in a "godless crew," who, when the crisis comes, will fail in their part of the program, foredoomed by their vices to defeat at the very crisis of victory.