4.09.2005

General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson

If you have an interest regarding the role of faith in the War Between the States, I recommend the book, "Faith in God and Generals." It is a compilation of essays which fleshes out some historical truth which was presented in the movie, "Gods and Generals."

The book is not about the movie, though obviously there are common people and places described, and you will find several color photographs from the movie.

The section on Stonewall Jackson brings out a point that I had learned elsewhere, though it wasn't portrayed in the movie or in any history class that I took in public school. Primarily, this point serves to combat the myth that all Southern men at that time were wicked slave-owners who fought for the right to abuse and misuse fellow human-beings.

"Jackson was ever devoted to the spread of the gospel, and this concern extended to the slaves as much as to the freemen of his community. Although he did not oppose slavery (he simply assumed there was some purpose in God's providence for slavery), he did recognize slaves as human beings who should be treated with decency and respect. . . . Morning and evening Jackson included the servants in the family devotions. . . . Jackon's burden for the spiritual welfare of the slaves even prompted him to start a Sunday school class for the children and young people of his community. His burden for the slave children was plain and obvious to all. . . . Jackson's concern for the well-being of the slaves was deep and sincere." - from an essay titled "Jackson's Mission Field"

No comments: