Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/255

 Address on the Demise of General R. E. Lee. 249

lar applause, which must soon be hushed in the silence of the tomb. The principalities and powers of this world, which had invoked his sword for their protection, he knew were doomed to an early job- livion ; but in the religion of Jesus Christ, his faith assured him that he was possessed of " an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away." The religion of our honored friend was not a creedless religion. His faith embraced all the doctrines of a pure and primitive Christianity. He was a communicant in this church. His children were baptized at her font, Her minis- ters leaned upon his strong arm for support. The church in the Diocese of Virginia derived strength from his frequent presence in her councils. His last act was to preside at a meeting of the vestry of his parish. Our beloved Zion was the chief mourner in the funeral procession which followed him to the grave. A great writer has asserted that every nation is to be judged by its heroes. His countrymen would all consent to stand before the tribunal of his- tory, and to accept as their representative in war and in peace the chivalrous and sainted Lee, for " God has set him among princes, even the princes of his people."

It remains for me to say, for the encouragement of the young men assembled before me, that the character which is here por- trayed was not one of sudden growth. The church sheltered his early youth, as it shelters you. He was a good boy before he was a good man. Some youths are tempted to think it manly to defy au- thority, to be impatient, at least, under its discipline. It is recorded of Robert Lee, that during a life of four years at West Point he never received a demerit, and he found it no hardship, so complete was his subjection to the law of duty. Others are tempted to think of religion as a great humiliation, and to affect indifference and unbe- lief as a token of independence. You mourn one to-day who was known as a devout Christian; and has the knowledg of this fact ever chilled the hearts of men towards him, or quenched one ray of his glory? Did the valiant men who followed him to the field ever have cause to blush for his lack of heroism, or to wish that he were less a Christian? True religion adds to every man's power. It helps to make men heroes, scholars, gentlemen. The religion of Christ is stronger than thrones and empires. It invests a man with honor to be a Christian. It is the only true honor, and a perishing world will shortly find it to be so. This life is hastening to its end. It is not in our power to arrest the progress of time, but we can improve it. We cannot prolong the bright morning of our days, but we can make