Take Time to Know

Gen. Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson

Today, January 21^st, is General Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson's birthday. This will be a day few people will celebrate. It has become unpopular to speak of Confederate Generals in a positive way in our current culture, but this man deserves to be highlighted for his dedication to his faith in the face of persecution and ignoring the political correctness of his own day.

Despite his success in both the Mexican War and the War Between the States, the accomplishment for which he was most proud was the Sunday school class he began in 1855 for free black and slave children in Lexington, Va. More than 100 children showed up every Sunday not just to learn the Word of God but also to read and write. Many of them became leaders in their communities after slaves were freed.

Jackson's effort was no small accomplishment. In the aftermath of the 1831 TurnerRebellion in southeast Virginia, legislatures in all Southern states enacted restrictive laws including the prohibition of black education. A local Lexington judge warned Jackson his Sunday school was in violation of such laws, and he could face a year in jail if he continued. Jackson was indignant and responded that black children stood in need of God's salvation as much as white children. He felt that each person deserved the right to read the Bible for themselves, and that they should not have to rely on other people for this. They deserved to know and study Christ for themselves. Jackson told the judge to follow his conscience, and he would follow his. He refused to close the school, which continued for many years after his death in 1863.

It is difficult to understand how believing in the importance of each person’s right to be able to read the Word of God for themselves could be in balance with the idea of maintaining slavery in the South.

In our modern age we think of Jackson as a Confederate general, a man fighting of the losing side, a person who seems to be supporting the institution of slaver. We are a little too quick to make a judgement on the people of this time. Maybe we should begin with an analysis of our own faith, seeing how words and deeds match up, before we judge the faith and intent of others. We simply must look to the inconsistencies and hypocrisy in our own faith, celebrating God’s grace and mercy to all people at all times, using each of us in His own way, and from our own starting point. Amen.

                                                            Pastor Craig