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Archibald H. Grimke, William Lloyd Garrison the Abolitionist, Chapter 16: the pioneer makes a new and startling departure. (search)
Chapter 16: the pioneer makes a new and startling departure. When Garrison hoisted the banner of immediate emancipation he was over-confident of success through the instrumentality of the church. It did not enter his heart to conceive that after he had delivered his message touching the barbarism of slavery that a church calling itself Christian, or that a ministry arrogating to itself the character of the Christ, could possibly say him nay. But he learned sadly enough the utter folly of such expectations. For from pew and pulpit the first stones were hurled against him, and the most cruel and persistent opposition and persecution issued. Then as the movement which he had started advanced, he saw how it was, why the church had played him false and the cause of freedom. It was because the poison of slavery which the evil one had injected into the nation's arteries had corrupted the springs of justice and mercy in that body. The Church was not free, it, too, was in bonds to s
William W. Bennett, A narrative of the great revival which prevailed in the Southern armies during the late Civil War, Chapter 1: religion among soldiers. (search)
also shows that every rise of the pure faith in ages of superstition and ignorance, every genuine revival, has been sustained and helped forward by military men. Among the Reformers in Germany, in France, and in England, there were devout soldiers, who wielded the sword of the Spirit as valiantly against the enemies of the Lord as they did the sword of war against the enemies of their country. Whatever some may think of Oliver Cromwell, there is no doubt that he was a devout and earnest Christian, and that there was much sound religion among his invincible Ironsides. He talks of experimental religion as no man could who had not felt its inward and renewing power. After a number of fruitless efforts against the Royalists, he determined to rally men of religion to his cause, convinced that with a set of poor tapsters and town apprentice people he could never overcome the forces of the King. With these men of religion he always conquered. They marched into battle singing psalms a
William W. Bennett, A narrative of the great revival which prevailed in the Southern armies during the late Civil War, Chapter 11: summer of 1862. (search)
t had cast such a radiance over Southern patriotism in the previous battles of the war. Give my love to parents and friends, said a young soldier, dying of his wounds; tell them all is well; I am not afraid to die, for I know they are praying for me. Another, the son of a faithful clergyman, fell mortally wounded by a shell. A friend near by gave him water, for which he thanked him, saying, I am a dying patriot, and then added, Tell my father I died like a man and a hero. A brave young Christian, when told by the surgeon that he could not live, sent home his last message: Tell my relations, father and mother, sisters and brothers, that I trust I am prepared to meet my God. Farewell, one and all, I bid you a long farewell, I hope to meet you all in heaven. Another gallant soldier, who was killed as the line of battle was being formed, left a pleasing testimony; just before leaving to join the army, he wrote: I wish only to know my duty; it then remains for me to perform it. It wa
William W. Bennett, A narrative of the great revival which prevailed in the Southern armies during the late Civil War, Chapter 12: autumn of 1862. (search)
e fight. Last night at preaching, while referring to the incidents of the battle and how God had preserved them, many tears fell, and many countenances spoke louder than words undying gratitude to the God of all grace. The instances of calm Christian courage exhibited on the field of Sharpsburg have never been surpassed. Here, with thousands of other heroes, Captain James G. Rogers, of Macon, Ga., offered his life on the altar of his country. He was a worthy citizen and a most useful Christian. As a minister and Sabbath School Superintendent, he exerted a happy influence wherever he labored to do good. He entered the service a captain of the Central City Blues, of the renowned 12th Georgia, and endured cheerfully all the hardships of the soldier's life. He passed unharmed through seventeen desperate battles, and fell gloriously on this bloody field. Wearied and almost worn out by the investment of Harper's Ferry and the march to the battle-field, his men lay on their arms aw
William W. Bennett, A narrative of the great revival which prevailed in the Southern armies during the late Civil War, Chapter 15: winter of 1862-63. (search)
erates; but among the honored dead there were many who yielded up their lives in joyful hope of a better life. Gen. Lee congratulated the army in the following general order, which, like all the utterances of that unequalled soldier and humble Christian, breathes the spirit of a true faith in God: General orders, no. 138:Headquarters Army of Northern Va., December 31, 1862. 1. The General Commanding takes this occasion to express to the officers and soldiers of the army his high appreciaished himself at the battles around Richmond, at Manassas, and at Fredericksburg. He was promoted and put in command of Gen. Gordon's celebrated brigade. The last year of the war he commanded Gordon's old division. He was an earnest, working Christian, and in the midst of war the call came to him to preach the gospel, but he wore his sword until the fatal day of Appomattox, when, with his noble comrades, he laid down the weapons of war, returned to his home, and was soon afterward licensed t
William W. Bennett, A narrative of the great revival which prevailed in the Southern armies during the late Civil War, Chapter 19: summer of 1863. (search)
ttle Mary in heaven. He then observed that in entering the army he was influenced alone by a sense of duty; that he did not regret the step he had taken; and that while dying he felt he had tried to discharge his duties both as a soldier and Christian. Thus died an humble private in the ranks of our cavalry, in whose life were most harmoniously blended the characters of patriot, soldier, and Christian. We are glad to record this glorious death of an humble private. It is but one out Christian. We are glad to record this glorious death of an humble private. It is but one out of many thousands. Those who are in highly places have their words recorded, but it is rare that the humble toilers can be heard in the rush and roar of life's battle. The untoward events of this summer's campaign served to depress the minds of soldiers and people. After a heroic resistance Vicksburg fell. The bloody battle of Gettysburg was followed by Gen. Lee's backward movement to Virginia. Charleston was closely invested and was shelled most vigorously. A deep gloom hung over the
William W. Bennett, A narrative of the great revival which prevailed in the Southern armies during the late Civil War, Chapter 21: winter of 1863-64. (search)
a saving faith in Christ. Their record below was one of Christian fidelity — on high, no doubt, it was acceptable to God. Among those who deserve to be specially mentioned are the names of Major John Stewart Walker, an upright, conscientious Christian, and one of the purest men I believe that ever died or lived-also Lieutenants Melville C. Willis and Jones Daniels. The last named two were bosom friends, who likewise fell instantly killed. On the same field and about the same time their liv A kind lady approached him as he was nearing the verge of eternity. Said he: God bless you, sister; this is the way Jesus went meaning perhaps alone among enemies. Tell my wife Farewell-all is right — to meet me in heaven. Another Christian, dying in the hospital, wrote to his wife: I don't want you to be uneasy about me, but do not forget to pray for me. I still have strong confidence in the Lord, and endeavor to put my trust in him in all cases. I hope the Lord may take c
William W. Bennett, A narrative of the great revival which prevailed in the Southern armies during the late Civil War, Chapter 24: autumn and winter of 1864-65 (search)
age of tracts to his men on the subject of heaven. He stepped on a log in rear of his guns to look at the enemy's movements, and was instantly killed. William Smith Patterson, of the Palmetto Sharpshooters, was a noble soldier of Christ and of his country. Colonel Walker, his commander, wrote to his mother: Your son was a gallant young man, and fell bravely doing his duty in the foremost ranks while engaging the enemy. He was never found lacking in his duty either as a soldier or Christian. He was shot through the body, and died almost instantly. When I told her, says Dr. Whitefoord Smith, the sad tidings, her first words were, Glory! glory! glory! The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. I know he is safe, and I would not have him back if I could by asking. Such were the mothers whose sons upheld the banner of the South. Sergeant Alfred L. Robertson, of the 12th Georgia regiment, fell in one of the battles in the Valley of Vi
William W. Bennett, A narrative of the great revival which prevailed in the Southern armies during the late Civil War, Chapter 25: spring of 1865. (search)
d to assure him of Christ's love and remembrance, and lead him still closer to the Cross. At length the eyes opened again: Tell my mother that I was brave, that I never flinched a bit. We cannot forbear to record a rare instance of the devotion of a soldier to the spiritual welfare of his comrades in his last hours: W. E. Howard, of Douglass' Battery, a soldier from Texas, says Dr. J. B. McFerrin, was converted in one of our revivals in the army and became an active, zealous Christian. During one of the fights last fall he was mortally wounded. Before his death he requested his effects converted into cash and applied to the cause of Christianity in the Army of Tennessee, especially in circulating religious reading among the soldiers. Lieutenant Harden thinks when all is realized there will be about eight hundred or one thousand dollars to dispose of in this way. Of all who adhered most firmly to our cause in the darkly closing days of the struggle, the women of t
John G. B. Adams, Reminiscences of the Nineteenth Massachusetts Regiment, Chapter 13: Macon continued; Charleston.-under fire of our batteries on Morris Island. (search)
uards were quartered, were two negroes who played the fife and drum. They could play but one tune, Bonnie blue flag. At reveille, guard mounting, dinner call, retreat and tattoo the fifer shrieked and the drummer pounded out this same old tune. I do not think that the southerners are a musical people, for I never heard their soldiers sing around the camp-fires, and believe they left this, like everything else, to the negroes. There was a chaplain confined with us who was a very earnest Christian. Every night he held services on the steps of the main buildings, and, with a voice that could be heard throughout the prison, would pray for our country and flag, and for damnation and disaster to all rebels. The commanding officer came in one day and ordered him to stop, but he said they put Paul in prison, yet he prayed, and while he had a voice he should pray to his God, and use language best suited to the occasion. Courage always tells, and when they found that they could not frig
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