in
word, were living consistent Christian lives. They carried that faith,
and that life, and character, home when they went back after the
war--and they carried them through their lives. In the various
communities where they lived their lives, and did their work, they were
known as strong, stalwart Christian men, and towers of strength to the
several churches to which they became attached. Of that number twelve or
fourteen men went into the ministry of different churches, and served
faithfully to their life's end.

What I have described as going on in our Battery off there by itself at
Morton's Ford, was going on very widely in the Army at large. There was
a deep spiritual interest and strong revival of religion throughout the
whole Army of Northern Virginia during that winter. Thousands and
thousands of those splendid soldiers of the South, became just as
devoted soldiers, and servants of Jesus Christ, and took their places in
His ranks, and manfully fought under His banner, and were not ashamed
to confess the faith of Christ crucified, and to stand for His cause.

The effect of all this was very far-reaching. What these men carried
back home with them wrought a great change in the South--a change in the
attitude of the men of the South toward Christ's religion. There was a
great change in that attitude, from before the war, and afterward,
produced by the war.

I will try to explain what I mean: Before the war, in the South, as I
knew it--in the country neighborhoods, and in the villages, and small
towns--you would find a group of men, often made up of the most
influential, respected, educated, efficient men of that community, who
were not members of any church or professed Christians. These were men
of honor and integrity, respected by all, valuable citizens. They
respected religion, went to church regularly, as became a gentleman, and
gave their money liberally to support the church as a valuable
institution of society. That was, their attitude toward
religion--respectful tolerance, but no personal interest--no need of it.
Their thought, generally unspoken but sometimes expressed, was that
religion was all right for women, and children, and sick or weak men,
but strong men could take care of themselves and had no need of it. And,
of course, the young men coming on were influenced by their example and
thought it manly to follow their example. The argument was specious.
"There is Mr. Blank; he is an upright, good m