.
Chaplains’ Corps Chronicles
of the
Sons of Confederate Veterans
Anno Domini 2009
November Issue
“That in all things Christ might have the preeminence.”
Chaplain-in-Chief Cecil A. Fayard, Jr.
PO Box 595
Elliott, MS 38926
E-mail: cecilafayard@msn.com
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Editor: Past Chaplain-in-Chief H. Rondel Rumburg
PO Box 472
Spout Spring, Virginia 24593
E-mail: littlealec@mindspring.com
*****
Assistant Editor: Chaplain Mark Evans
20 Sharon Drive,
Greenville, SC 29607
E-mail: markwevans@bellsouth.net
Editorial
Fellow Compatriots in the Chaplains’ Corps and Friends,
Thanksgiving is essential to prayer, to national blessing, and to the worship of the one true and living God. Paul reminds us of thanksgiving and prayer—“in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Phil. 4:6). William Hendriksen reminds us, “Prayer without thanksgiving is like a bird without wings.” The approach that Jehovah desires is by making a declaration of joy, by serving with gladness, by coming into His presence with singing and by entering His gates with thanksgiving. To the nations, to the singer of the Psalms and to the individual believer the Lord revealed the kind of worship He requires,
“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD, with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations” Psalm 100.
The founding of America was a time that had manifest episodes of thanksgiving to the triune God of the Bible. These episodes were in accord with the demand of God in Psalm 100:1. Four hundred and two years ago in Jamestown devout prayers of thanksgiving were offered up for safe deliverance in their ocean crossing, and that was May 13, 1607.
America’s first official Thanksgiving was at Berkeley Plantation on the James River in Virginia. When the colonists reached Berkeley Hundred on December 4, 1619, in what is now Charles City County, they held a religious service on shore to thank the Almighty God for safety and good health. The service was simple in form and was held under the pine trees. The captain of the Margaret was charged by the London Company with the injunction,
Wee ordaine the day of our ship’s arrival at the place assigned for plantacon in the land of Virginia shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God.
The first presidential proclamation was by a Southerner, a Virginian, on January 1, 1795,
I, George Washington, President of the United States do recommend to all religious societies and denominations, and to all persons whomsoever, within the United States, to set apart and observe Thursday, the 19th day of February next, as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, and on that day to meet together and render sincere and hearty thanks to the great Ruler of nations for the manifold and signal mercies which distinguish our lot as a nation … and at the same time humbly and fervently beseech the [same] kind Author of these blessings graciously to prolong them to us; to imprint on our hearts a deep and solemn sense of our obligations to him….
The president of the Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis gave A Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1861,
WHEREAS, it hath pleased Almighty God, the Sovereign Disposer of events, to protect and defend us hitherto in our conflicts with our enemies as to be unto them a shield.
And whereas, with grateful thanks we recognize His hand and acknowledge that not unto us, but unto Him, belongeth the victory, and in humble dependence upon His almighty strength, and trusting in the justness of our purpose, we appeal to Him that He may set at naught the efforts of our enemies, and humble them to confusion and shame.
Now therefore, I, Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, in view of impending conflict, do hereby set apart Friday, the 15th day of November, as a day of national humiliation and prayer, and do hereby invite the reverend clergy and the people of these Confederate States to repair on that day to their homes and usual places of public worship, and to implore blessing of Almighty God upon our people, that he may give us victory over our enemies, preserve our homes and altars from pollution, and secure to us the restoration of peace and prosperity.
Given under hand and seal of the Confederate States at Richmond, this the 31st day of October, year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixty one.
By the President, JEFFERSON DAVIS
Thanksgiving was made even during the last Confederate Christmas. The nation was described as “starving on its feet.” One old veteran of many battles, who was overtaken with hunger, found something about which to give thanks to God, and he expressed himself pitiably and somewhat humorously, “He thanked God he had a backbone for his stomach to lean against.” The Southern Soldiers were quick to put their complaints away. Some of the men received from the ladies in Richmond one sandwich each. The sandwich had two slices of bread and a minute sliver of ham. Several hungry soldiers asked: “Is that all?” A moment later, as one reported it, they felt ashamed for their lack of gratitude. Finishing his sandwich, a corporal lighted his pipe and asked God to bless the women responsible for the day’s offering. “It was all they could do; it was all they had….”
Thanksgiving in worship is an acknowledgment of the benefits received from the Lord. Dr. Isaac Barrow said “It implies,
1. A right apprehension of the benefits conferred.
2. A faithful retention of benefits in the memory, and frequent reflections upon them.
3. A due esteem and evaluation of benefits.
4. A reception of those benefits with a willing mind, a vehement affection.
5. Due acknowledgments of our obligations.
6. Endeavors of real compensation; or, as it respects the Divine Being, a willingness to serve and exalt Him.
7. Also, esteem, veneration and love of the benefactor.”
Thomas Goodwin was correct when he wrote, “Those blessings are sweetest that are won with prayers and worn with thanks.” All God’s children are thankful people and they are not ashamed to give thanks. Yes, we need to “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
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In this issue you will find our Chaplain-in-Chief’s editorial on “State Sovereignty” part 1, and his first installment on the Book of Esther. Here you find chapter 1 on The Queen Who Refused. This book from the Sacred Scripture teaches us about the providence of God. Your editor has written on Confederate Chaplains and Compassion dealing with the need for compassion to be practiced in our Confederacy. Our Assistant Editor, Chaplain Mark Evans’ article The Governor of the Universe puts God and government in Biblical perspective. He reveals Confederate beliefs about government. This issue includes A Confederate Sermon submitted by Chaplain Kenneth Studdard of Chaplain J. N. Andrews on Why Do You Swear? Our Book Review is by the editor, and it is on Hymns for the Camp.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Editor H. Rondel Rumburg
[Compatriots, if you know of any members of the Chaplains’ Corps or others who would like to receive this e-journal, please let us have their names and e-mail addresses. Also, feel free to send copies of this journal to anyone you think would like to receive it. If you want to “unsubscribe” please e-mail the editor or assistant editor. Confederately, HRR]
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Contents
*Chaplain-in-Chief’s Editorial, Dr. Cecil A. Fayard, Jr.
*Esther: The Queen who Refused, Dr. Cecil A. Fayard, Jr.
*Confederate Chaplains and Compassion, Dr. H. Rondel Rumburg
*The Governor of the Universe, Chaplain Mark Evans
*A Confederate Sermon, Chaplain J. N. Andrews
*Book Review: Hymns for the Camp, Reviewed by H. Rondel Rumburg
***
Chaplain-in-Chief’s Editorial
State Sovereignty Part 1
I. The United States At the End of the Revolutionary War
A. The end of the Revolutionary War, England signed a peace treaty with the “United States.” Note carefully the opening words of this treaty: “His Britannic Majesty acknowledges the said United States, viz., New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, and Providence Plantations, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia to be FREE, SOVEREIGN, and INDEPENDENT STATES.”
B. When in 1781 the original 13 States entered into a “Confederation,” they also drew up articles. Among those articles, we read these words: “Each State retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and every power, jurisdiction, and right which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States.”
C. Note these statements from Sovereign States at the Constitutional Convention:
1. The Georgia delegation opened their statement to the convention with these words: “The State of Georgia, by the grace of God, Free Sovereign, and Independent.”
2. The delegation from New York closed their statement to the convention by saying: “This 9th day of May, in the 11th years of the independence of said State.”
3. The good delegation from Virginia in their acceptance of the Constitution said: “The powers granted under the Constitution, being derived from the people of the United States may be resumed by them, whenever the same shall be perverted to their injury or oppression.”
4. “….Virginia and New York explicitly reserved the right to secede from the Union whenever the National Government used its powers to the oppression and injury of the people” (Lee 183-184).
II. THE FRAMERS OF THE CONSTITUTION AND BIG CENTRALIZED GOVERNMENT
A. The framers never intended for the central government, federal, government to control the States. The central government was to have limited power, power to protect by raising an Army for national security, power to coin money, and power to regulate commerce.
B. Article X of the Constitution reads: “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states respectively or to the people.”
C. The rights of states to secede was meant to be a means by which the growth of Federal Government could be controlled, kept in checks and balances. States Rights was seen as a way to keep the Federal Government from taking supreme power over the states. “Absent from checks and balances on Federal Government, what is left is a government that knows and respects no limits on its power- an apt description of any Marxist or Nazi government” (Red Republicans 68).
D. Our newly elected President said recently: “Only government can break the vicious cycles that are crippling our economy.”
Yours in Christ,
Dr. Cecil A. Fayard, Jr.
Chaplain-in-Chief
The Queen Who Refused
Dr. Cecil Fayard
Chaplain-in-Chief
Esther 1
Text: Verses 1-12
INTRO: The book of Esther is an unusual book of the Bible. There is no mention of God, of prayer, or of religion. At the time the book of Esther was written, there was a strong anti-Semitic feeling in Persia.
Although God is not mentioned by name, He is in the wings directing all that is going on (Rom 8:28). The providential working of God is seen throughout this book of the Bible. At the very time when God needs people of faith to be used in His hands to save the Jewish race, Mordecai and Esther are in the right place at the right time (4:14).
Our story begins with a feast and a problem. The feast, as you shall see, could be called the Mother of all Feasts! It lasted 180 days plus. It was a big feast. Not only do we have a big feast in chapter one of Esther, we have a big problem: a marital problem that had international impact.
I. VSS. 1-8, THE SPREAD
A. Verse 1: Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, (this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces:) Ahasuerus is a title and not a name. This title means “high father,” “ruler,” or “venerable king worthy of reverence.”
1. When we hear the term Caesar, it is a title for a man but not the man’s real name. There are other titles that illustrate this: Darius–“maintainer;” Artaxerxes– “great king, great.” A ruler of a great empire.
2. The vastness of the Persian Empire mentioned here, has been confirmed by the excavation of the foundation stone of one Xerxes’ capital cities Persepolis.
B. Verse 2: That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, because of the vastness of the kingdom that Ahasuerus ruled over, I believe that he was Xerxes the Great of Persia.
1. Xerxes brought the Medo-Persian Empire to its zenith.
2. Xerxes made a great effort to wrest power from the west. He wanted the East to dominate the West.
3. He wanted to get the military leaders of the East lined up, that is the history of the feast we read about in verses 3-8.
C. Verse 3: In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: Ahasuerus had been ruling for three years when he really put on the dog. Here it is the mother of all feasts.
1. He made this feast for all his princes and servants. There were 127 provinces. Each province brought a delegation.
2. Possibly two thousand people went to this banquet. This was not a private supper party.
D. Verse 4: When he shewed the riches of his glorious kingdom and the honour of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days. For six months Ahasuerus showed off the riches and majesty of his glorious kingdom.
1. He did this to influence his princes.
2. Louis XV talked to his exchequer about this banquet saying that he did not see how Ahasuerus had the patience for such a banquet. The exchequer, who handled the finances of Louis XV said he did not know how he financed it.
3. Influence buying is big business. In September of 1863, the Russian Atlantic fleet visited New York. Northerners rejoiced at this visit because the U.S. Navy was hard pressed and feared that Britain and France would intervene for the South. In an effort to buy the favor of the Czar, many banquets were held. The most elaborate was held at the New York Academy of Music. “Hundreds of guests feasted on 12,000 oysters, 1,000 pounds of tenderloin, 300 pounds of salmon and 250 turkeys. All of it was washed down with 3,500 bottles of wine and champagne” (The Civil War, ed. Simons, 136).
E. Verse 5: And when these days were expired, the king made a feast unto all the people that were present in Shushan the palace, both unto great and small, seven days, in the court of the garden of the king’s palace; for the final seven days of feasting, Ahasuerus brings in many folks from the general public to the court of the garden.
F. Verses 6-7: Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble. And they gave them drink in vessels of gold, (the vessels being diverse one from another,) and royal wine in abundance, according to the state of the king. Note the wealth, the luxury and royal character of this feast.
1. Ahasuerus had a reason for all of this finery, influence peddling, selling his plans.
2. He wanted to be the supreme world leader and could have, should have, and would have if God had not stopped him providentially.
G. Verse 8: And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man’s pleasure. We see here that even these pagan Oriental rulers who had absolute sovereignty did not force anyone to drink. Today in our civilized world many times, you have to drink or get out, participate or be ridiculed.
II. VSS. 9-12, THE SCRUPLE OF THE QUEEN
A. Vs. 9: Also Vashti the queen made a feast for the women in the royal house which belonged to king Ahasuerus. I want you to take a good look at the name of this Queen for it will soon disappear not to surface again.
1. She made a feast for those wives whose husbands came to the king’s feast. It was as J. Vernon McGee said: “….a feast for the woman’s auxiliary” (31).
2. In those days, women could not go to the main banquet.
B. Verse 10: On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, Ahasuerus is about to do a foolish thing, something he would not have done if it had not been drunk.
1. Here is a ruler who cannot control himself. A man not fit to be a ruler.
2. Proverbs 16:32: He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.
3. Robert E. Lee said, “I cannot consent to place in control of others one who cannot control himself” (Wilkins 249).
4. In a heathen kingdom like that of Ahasuerus you expect paganism, but that does not make it right. In a Christian nation, you should expect godly leadership.
C. Verse 11: To bring Vashti the queen before the king with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. Because of his drunkenness, the king went beyond that which is accepted even in a pagan nation: the open display of a man’s wife. He had shown everything else about the kingdom now he goes too far. He wanted her to display her beauty, to display her body. There are things in marriage that are too intimate for public display.
D. Verse 12: But the queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the king very wroth, and his anger burned in him. The Queen refused to obey her husband. This took moral courage.
1. This started a scandal. The king is having trouble with his wife.
2. According to the etiquette of that day, she did not have to come. She did not belong in such a gathering.
3. The king had probably built everybody up about the beauty of the Queen, and now the program has to be changed.
4. The question is asked: “Is he king or not?”
III. VSS. 13-22, THE SURGERY
A. Verses 13-15: Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment: And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king’s face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;) What shall we do unto the queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the king Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? Here we have an emergency meeting of the cabinet. A great military campaign was in the works and now this! The queen is not submissive.
1. This bride, Vashti, may have had reason to refuse, but the bride of Christ will never be asked to do anything that is not right.
2. The bride of Christ, the church, is to be obedient. We are to preach the Gospel to every creature (Mark 16:15).
B. Verses 16-18: And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus. For this deed of the queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The king Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the king’s princes, which have heard of the deed of the queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. In these verses, we have the reasoning of Memucan. Some say he was henpecked and didn’t want his wife to get anymore ideas. (ILL: A man came into the office boasting: “Last night my wife was down on her knees before me.” One skeptic said, what were the circumstances. The man replied, “She was on her knees looking under the bed saying, ‘Come out from under there you coward!’”)
C. Verse 19: If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before king Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she. Here is Memucan’s recommendation, and it amounts to radical surgery.
1. I want you to know that what the king did was wrong, and it was unchristian. But remember this was a pagan king and kingdom.
2. Ahasuerus and his cabinet made a new law, the law of the Medes and Persians. The law they made is found in this verse.
3. This law reveals a hot headed leader. This is the same Xerxes whose navy was destroyed at Salamis after which in a fit of rage he beat the sea with his belt. Many leaders are abnormal like Hitler, Julius Caesar, Napoleon, etc.
D. Verses 20-22: And when the king’s decree which he shall make shall be published throughout all his empire, (for it is great,) all the wives shall give to their husbands honour, both to great and small. And the saying pleased the king and the princes; and the king did according to the word of Memucan: For he sent letters into all the king’s provinces, into every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language, that every man should bear rule in his own house, and that it should be published according to the language of every people. The law was now established and published. It was as all of the law of the Medes and Persians irrevocable.
1. We are reminded that God has laws that cannot be broken: they are irrevocable. Ezekiel 18:20: The soul that sinneth, it shall die…. Romans 3:23: All have sinned, and come short… All have sinned, the soul that sins dies. That puts us in a terrible way, for God’s law cannot and He will not change it. Yes: The wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom 6:23).
2. Friends, here is the answer to the dilemma of God’s unchangeable law. Jesus took our place. He became sin for us…..the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to give his life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). For he [God] hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us…. (II Cor 5:21).
CONCLUSION: Praise the Lord for Amazing Grace! Christ came to save sinners like you and me.
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Confederate Chaplains and Compassion
by Dr. H. Rondel Rumburg
“Touched with the feelings of our infirmities” (Heb. 4:15).
The culture in which we presently live has little compassion. Recently a boy was beaten to death on a street while people watched as if being entertained. A girl was raped over and over while no one lifted a hand to protest. These compassionless and wicked scenes occur over and over today. Why? The Christless man centered culture is bearing its morbid and deadly fruit. This is what you have when you try to void a culture of God’s Word. People don’t care as long as they are not personally the object of such treatment. This behavior brings up the question, “Where is the compassion?”
What is compassion? Compassion is a kind of affection which is impacted by the real distress of its object or by a calamity that has become imminent. Compassion is a fellow feeling or a benevolent sorrow for the sufferings or misery of another. The origin of the word, which introduces the sense of the word for “compassion,” is from the Latin com- “with,” and passio “suffering.” When you are compassionate it means you “suffer with” another. God gives compassion and Christ as our High Priest exemplifies compassion by being “touched with the feelings of our infirmities.” When we are compassionate is when we have a disposition in us that causes us to attempt the relief of sorrow or pain in another.
The Lord Jesus taught a lesson about compassion. There was a certain Samaritan that He extolled for this virtue. A man went down to Jericho and he “fell among thieves” (Luke 10:30). There was no mention of the man’s country, religion or people. This proved to be a dangerous journey for this man. He came to an area that provided good hiding for robbers and in that area he was set upon by thieves who assaulted, robbed and left him for dead. A priest, an official religious man, came along a bit later and observed the man lying in his own blood and passed by on the other side. Likely the man’s conscience bothered him a little, but he soon had it under control with excuses he made to himself. A little later a Levite, who was also an official religious man, came by. He also passed by on the other side. Perhaps he came up with some of the same excuses of the other religious man. Possibly he did not want to contaminate himself and impugn his religious standing. Lastly, there came along a Samaritan. Now the Samaritans were a hated people in the eyes of the Jews, but Jesus uses this one in His history lesson. Jesus declared “a certain Samaritan … came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33-34). The word “compassion” means literally in the Greek “to be moved as to one’s bowels, hence to be moved with compassion, have compassion (for the bowels were thought to be the seat of love and pity).” Yes, the Samaritan was moved in his innermost being to help the man and did so. His compassion was not momentary for the next day the Samaritan put the man into the care of another, personally financing his care. The Samaritan said, “Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee” (v. 35).
Jesus stopped His history lesson and asked those listening to Him which of the three men was a real neighbor to the robbed and beaten man. The reply was “He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise” (v. 37). The man who showed compassion was the true neighbor.
Confederate Chaplains as a group were compassionate men who were in touch with the feelings of their comrades in arms. The spread of disease, the constant din of war and its horrific after effects were a reminder to them that young men were dying, being maimed and being slain. They needed to be prepared for eternity. The chaplains preached and taught the gospel of Jesus Christ; they also looked to the needs of the wounded on the field of battle, they visited them in the field hospitals, they collected items needed to help comfort the sick and wounded, they entered into intercession before the Creator/Redeemer God in their behalf, they shared their food, they distributed Bibles and good literature, they shared their horses with soldiers overcome with exhaustion, they accompanied those they knew in army life to their burial, they wrote letters in behalf of those who were unable to do so, they dug graves for the remains of their fellows, they were moved by the conditions of their families in need, and on one could go with evidences of the compassion of the Confederate Chaplain.
Are we as chaplains in the Sons of Confederate Veterans touched with the needs of our compatriots? Perhaps the world in which we live has hardened us and turned us into mere observers. Do we need to pray for compassion? Are we like our Master? Often one reads from sacred Scripture, “And Jesus, moved with compassion….” The question is asked, “How does the love of God dwell in one who shuts up his bowels of compassion?” Jesus said the Samaritan “had compassion” that was carried into meaningful action.
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The Governor of the Universe
Mark W. Evans, Chaplain
Our Confederate forefathers understood the Bible and the Constitution of theSE United states of America. They knew what the Bible taught about true liberty and inalienable rights. They comprehended that the Constitution regulated and limited the federal government, while preserving State sovereignty. Our honest, freedom-loving ancestors treasured their liberty and defended their States. When they perceived that the Yankee majority was transforming their constitutional republic into an oppressive, centralized regime, they exercised their right to secede. Many abuses convinced the Southern people to take this final step. The Northern majority had imposed unjust tariffs that seriously drained the South’s agrarian economy, while using the collected tariffs to finance Yankee enterprises. Radical abolitionists and corrupt politicians threatened to shred the fabric of their society. The election of a president, determined to humble the South, awakened Dixie to its alarming plight. State sovereignty, as guaranteed by the ninth and tenth amendments, faced trial by fire. Walter E. Williams, in his introduction to Thomas J. DiLorenzo’s book, The Real Lincoln, quoted John C. Calhoun’s declaration on States’ Rights, made in the year 1850:
Stripped of all its covering, the naked question is, whether ours is a federal or consolidated government; a constitutional or absolute one; a government resting solidly on the basis of the sovereignty of the States, or on the unrestrained will of a majority; a form of government, as in all other unlimited ones, in which injustice, violence, and force must ultimately prevail [p. ix].
The War Between the States decided the question of States’ Rights in the negative. This governmental shield designed to preserve individual freedom evaporated under the presidency of Abraham Lincoln. We have reason to thank God for our ancestors, who stood, even to the death, in defense of the constitutional republic handed to them by their forefathers. Their stand rested upon the sure foundation of the Word of God. The battle is not over and God is not defeated. Our land is awakening to the necessity of restraining tyrants.
Our God is still the Governor of the universe. He reigns over all, including corrupt, blaspheming politicians, bent upon destroying our country. Nebuchadnezzar reigned over a vast empire, but when he gave himself the glory for his position, God made him insane and caused him to live for seven years as a beast of the field. When his sanity returned, the conquered ruler made a confession concerning God that should be required reading for every politician:
And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and He doeth according to His will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay His hand, or say unto Him, what doest Thou (Daniel 4:35).
This teaching is dreadful to rebels against God. The Bible records His judgment against tyrants throughout the Scriptures. Ahab and Jezebel stole Naboth’s vineyard by having him unjustly executed. The prophet Elijah foretold God’s judgment, that the dogs would lick the blood of slain Ahab and eat the body of trampled Jezebel. The prophecy was fulfilled in every detail.
In the New Testament, Herod executed the Apostle James and imprisoned the Apostle Peter. The angel of the Lord slew him and the worms ate his flesh, because he accepted the people’s praise that he was a god. When we consider the immoral character and blasphemous claims of modern leaders, we shudder to think of the consequences, if they do not repent. The Holy Spirit said:
Be wise now therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him (Psalm 2:10-12).
While so many adverse events sweep our land, we do well to remember that the Judge of all the earth will do right (Genesis 18:25). The example of our ancestors gives us courage. They did not bow to tyranny. They defended their rights, reverenced God, and believed His Word. At the end of the day, the truth they loved will triumph. Vice-president of the Confederate States of America, Alexander Hamilton Stephens, said:
If centralism is ultimately to prevail; if our entire system of free Institutions as established by our common ancestors is to be subverted, and an Empire is to be established in their stead; if that is to be the last scene of the great tragic drama now being enacted: then be assured, that we of the South will be acquitted, not only in our consciences, but in the judgment of mankind, of all responsibility for so terrible a catastrophe, and from all guilt of so great a crime against humanity.
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A CONFEDERATE SERMON
John Nevins Andrews (1829-1883) was a “Tar Heel” by birth and a chaplain for the 13th North Carolina by choice. He wrote “Why Do You Swear?” for use among the Confederate soldiers. This tract was published in Raleigh, NC during the war of Northern aggression.
No. 104.
WHY DO YOU SWEAR?
By
REV. J. N. ANDREWS, OF N. C.
FRIEND, permit me to ask you in kindness, if you have well considered the words which I just now heard you utter? As a thoughtful man, you must admit that there should be good reasons for all the acts of life. In all your business transactions, or pleasure-seeking pursuits, do you not consider before hand what will be the probable result? And if you have reason to believe there is a prospect of advantage to you, you go forward; otherwise, you do not. Why do you invest your money? Why do you pursue a profession? Why do you labor with your hands? Why are you a soldier? For all these you have doubtless good and sufficient reasons. My friend, why do you swear? If you have reasons sufficient to justify you in the practice, certainly you can have no objection to telling me what they are. Come, sit down a while and “let us reason together.” If you can convince me that it is proper and profitable, as a reasonable man, I must withdraw my opposition to it. But if, on the other hand, I shall be able to show that it is highly injurious, and extremely dangerous, will you not cease it forever? We generally speak of men as being possessed of a three-fold nature—the physical, intellectual and moral man. Such a man are you! Now I can understand how certain pursuits can be profitable to your physical man—labor or money-making, for instance. I can see how other pursuits can benefit the intellectual—such as study, reading, conversation, &c. I am convinced that yet other practices can be of advantage to the moral nature—these are the reading of God’s word, prayer to Him, and faith in His Son Jesus. But tell me, does swearing come under any of these heads?
1. As a mere physical creature, how much are you profited by being a profane man? Have you made more money by being a swearer than you otherwise would have done? Has your labor been easier? Can you march longer, and endure more fatigue and greater hardships because you are a swearer? Have you a better appetite—
2. Is your bread sweeter because you swear? Do you rest more quietly, and is your sleep more refreshing because you profane God’s holy name? Are you more exempt from bodily suffering and diseases, and will you live longer because you swear? Are you a braver man, a better soldier, and more ready to die for your country?—To all these questions you answer like an honest man, NO! Then why do you swear, when, by your own admission there is no bodily profit?
3. But you have a mind, and intellect. Does swearing improve that mind? Are you a wiser man for every oath which you utter? Do you reason more clearly, is your intellect more elevated by reason of profanity? As a rational being you ought to have exalted ideas of the character of God, does swearing produce them, or otherwise? You ought to revere and honor his laws. Does the swearer do so? Then
why do you swear?
4. But further. You have a moral nature. What say you to the effect of profanity upon it? You are a better or worse man because of it. There is no neutrality. Dare you say that you are a more pious man because you swear? Do you love God more—do you love your fellow-man whom you curse? Do you love the Bible which condemns the swearer? Do you, can you pray for yourself and others while your mouth is foul with curses? Stop, friend, do not leave so abruptly. ‘Tis because I love you that I speak thus to you. Analyze, for just one minute, your feelings while under the power of this demon of profanity:
First. With reference to your Heavenly Father—honestly answer me. Do you not feel a loss of respect and reverence for His holy name whom you revile? Is not your heart colder and more rebellious toward him? Are you not less inclined to pray to Him? Would you not prefer that His eye should not see, His ear hear you? Are you not less willing to meet Him at the judgment? Yes!
Secondly. In reference to your fellow-mortal. Do you not love him less or hate him more? After your imprecations, are you not more ready to do him an injury? Yes!
Thirdly, as to yourself. Is not your heart harder because of profanity? Is it not less susceptible of divine impressions? Is it not more gross, beastly, earthly, sensual, devilish? Yes! Have you listened to the voice of conscience in this matter? No! But you have a character—every man has! Has not your character suffered in the eyes of all good and rational men? Yes. Do you respect yourself as you would have done, had you never been a swearer? No.
Can you look into the eyes of that pure woman whom you call mother, wife or sister, and feel that she loves you more because you are a swearer? Would you love her more, were she as profane as you? Look at that innocent child; is it a pleasant thought that he shall become as foul-mouthed as you? No! No!! But see how he listens, he is now taking his first lesson in profanity from you. Your conscience does not approve it in yourself; you would not recommend it to mother, wife, sister or child. Then why do you swear? Now, if I can convince you that it is highly injurious and extremely dangerous, will you not cease forever to be a swearer?
My argument is simple. What ever fails to benefit the physical, intellectual or moral nature must in the end have an opposite effect—that is become injurious. There are few if any points of absolute neutrality in the moral universe and certainly this is not one of them, and you this moment are convinced that it is injurious, and highly so because it carries with it a spirit of rebellion against conscience, society and God which ramifies all your nature. Again. All open and voluntary transgressions of God’s holy law are extremely dangerous, because it puts the creature in direct opposition to the most powerful, wise, holy, and just being in all the universe, who says “I am a jealous God and will not give my glory to another.” Will He then allow you to detract from His glory with impunity? The most open, daring, and voluntary sin which men commit is swearing. There is no apology for it—no attempt at concealing it—no lust or appetite which calls for it. The murderer commits the deed in the dark. The adulterer in secret. The extortioner under false pretences. The one for revenge, the other for lust, the third for gain—but you swear publicly and loudly and for—nothing. And now listen to what God says, and may His Holy Spirit impress the solemn words of warning upon your hear. “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Ex. xx: 7. “For thus said He unto me, This is the curse that goeth forth over the face of the whole earth: for every one that stealeth shall be cut off as on this side, according to it; and every one that sweareth shall be cut off as on that side according to it.” Zech. v. 3.
“For the land is full of adulterers: for because of swearing the land mourneth: the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right.” Jer. xxiii: 10.
“By swearing and lying and killing and stealing and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein shall languish.” Hosea iv: 2-3.
See what a dark catalogue of crimes and you by your profanity have placed yourself in it, made yourself a companion according to Gods word with liars, murderers, thieves, and adulterers. According to the law of Moses a man
was executed for cursing the name of God. And had declared that “whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.” How terrible the responsibility—dare you meet it? And now farewell; perhaps until the judgment, and may God in mercy help you to cease to swear and learn to pray. Amen.
***
Book Review
Hymns for the Camp
Published by Sprinkle Publications, PO Box 1094, Harrisonburg, VA 22803. This is a reprint that has been newly typeset containing the 151 hymns used by Confederate soldiers. The reprint is a paperback.
Reviewed by H. Rondel Rumburg
Hymns for the Camp was originally published in Raleigh, NC in 1862 as the second edition revised and enlarged. The original copy pictured here has the following written on the front “Co. E. 52 Regt.” This was likely handed out to the men when a service was being held in that regiment. Company E likely had a box of these hymnals for use and recollection so as to have them for services. It was said that some of the men had the hymnal memorized after a while and could sing without need of it. Following is the dedication inscription.
TO
“OUR SOLDIERS,”
THIS LITTLE COLLECTION OF HYMNS IS
AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED.
GOD grant that every one who shall read or sing these hymns may join that great multitude, that glorious choir, that shall at last surround the throne on high, and there ascribe “Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honor, and might, unto our God forever and ever.”
What is important about a reprint of this hymnal? Not only can one discover the hymns our ancestors sang, but one can use such a hymnal in personal devotions along with the Bible. I have a copy of my great grandmother’s hymnal. My grandmother related that on the Lord’s Day afternoon she would find her mother in her bedroom with her Bible and hymnal. She was using the hymnal as well as her Bible in her private worship. This collection for Confederate soldiers is a treasure. What follows is a sample hymn from the book.
96
C. M.
1 FIRM as the earth the gospel stands,
My Lord, my hope, my trust;
If I am found in Jesus’ hands,
My soul can ne’er be lost.
2 His honor is engaged to save
The meanest of his sheep;
All, whom his heavenly Father gave,
His hands securely keep.
3 Nor death nor hell shall e’er remove
His chosen from his breast;
Within the bosom of his love
They must forever rest.
*****
We must remember who we are and what we must be about:
The SCV Challenge by Lt. Gen. S. D. Lee
To you, Sons of Confederate Veterans, we will commit the vindication of the cause for which we fought. To your strength will be given the defense of the Confederate soldier’s good name, the guardianship of his history, the emulation of his virtues, the perpetuation of those principles which he loved and which you love also, and those ideals which made him glorious and which you also cherish. Remember, it is your duty to see that the true history of the South is presented to future generations.
*****
Chaplain’s Handbook
Sons of Confederate Veterans
What a pleasure it is to continue to remind you of the Chaplain’s Handbook. Our Past Commander-in-Chief Sweeney, your Past Chaplain-in-Chief and others have highly recommended this tool. This volume will be of help and benefit. Any person who loves Southern History will appreciate this volume. Not only will this book be of great value to the Chaplains of the SCV or the UDC, but it will be of help to any who speak at memorial services, Lee/Jackson banquets, etc. Much of the material is from the period of 1861-1865. There are period weddings, funerals, prayers, hymns, etc.
There is an excellent chapter on Camp Chaplains in the volume. This chapter should be of personal help to local camp chaplains.
The Chaplain’s Handbook is a hardback book bound in gray cloth. The volume is printed on acid free paper, printed in signatures that are sewn, 131 pages long, and measures 5 ¼ by 7 ¼ inches. Thus, the book is produced in a form much like books of the Confederate era. The book can be purchased from headquarters (http://.scv.org) or from biblicalandsouthernstudies.com.
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