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After great deliberation, we are pleased to announce the winner of the Vision Forum 2003 Biblical Manhood Essay Contest. Upon thoughtful and careful examination of each of the entries, the judges have chosen “How Stonewall Jackson Demonstrated a Biblical Vision of Manhood,” written by Amanda Freeborn. Miss Freeborn concisely and directly answered the essay question, “How did Stonewall Jackson demonstrate a consistent vision of biblical manhood both in his homelife and in his professional military career?” All biographical information was pertinent to the subject of the essay. Her supporting points manifested a clear and thorough comprehension of Jackson’s vision of manhood as exhibited at home and in his career. We congratulate her for a very fine essay!

We would like to thank the many participants for their great effort and thorough research evident in all of the essays. It is always a privilege to read the contest entries. We hope you will enter again next time.

How Stonewall Jackson Demonstrated a Biblical Vision of Manhood

Amanda Freeborn

There is a name that casts upon the screen of our imaginations the image of the personification of godly manhood. That name is Stonewall Jackson. Thomas Jonathan Jackson has inspired boys and girls, men and women, young and old, throughout the ages with a burning desire to emulate his sterling character. His life was a testimony to the world of what God can do through a man consecrated to his purposes. Mr. Jackson lived a life worthy of imitation by placing his all in the hands of his Master and became an example of a true man for others to follow. I believe there are five main qualities by which this principled soldier demonstrated his biblical vision of manhood: he had undaunting courage; he was devoted to duty; he had a Christ-like love for his wife; he was self reliant while placing an unshakable trust in his Savior Jesus Christ; and he understood the principle of authority.

The courage of General Jackson has become legendary. Most Americans are familiar with the account of the Battle of First Manassas where Mr. Jackson won the nickname that has made his name immortal. They have heard how he stood like a stone wall against the Federal troops and became a rallying point for the fleeing Confederate fugitives. Mr. Jackson’s conduct in this and other battles is truly inspiring, but he also displayed his incredible courage in smaller ways that are equally amazing.

One Sabbath morning Stonewall Jackson’s pastor preached on the importance of church members attending the weekly prayer meetings. He also urged that those who were able to do so ought to lead the others in their offerings of prayer and praise. Later in the week Jackson called on the minister and explained to him that he suffered extreme embarrassment when praying or speaking in public and that he doubted whether he could lead the congregation in a way that would benefit them. He would make the effort to lead in prayer. He then gave his pastor permission to call upon him to pray at the next meeting if he thought it proper. The minister did ask him to pray, but Mr. Jackson’s embarrassment was so great that, as he complied with the request, many in attendance were as uncomfortable as he was. The pastor did not repeat his invitation for many weeks, fearing that to do so might hinder Jackson’s desire to come to the services, but when they met soon after, Jackson said, “My comfort or discomfort is not the question. If it is my duty to lead my brethren in prayer, than I must persevere in it, until I learn to do it aright, and I wish you to discard all consideration for my feelings in the matter.” ^[1] After a time of persevering with great moral courage, Stonewall Jackson became a very skillful leader in public prayer.

General Jackson also determined that he would learn to speak in public and so became a member of the “Franklin Society” which was a literary association in his hometown. During his first few attempts he was often greatly confused and would frequently end in abrupt silence because he could not control his thoughts. Even though this caused him great embarrassment he continued to attempt public speaking until he became very proficient at it. J.E.B. Stuart once said, “Fear God and you will have nothing else to fear!” ^[2] Jackson’s deep-rooted fear of God enabled him to meet small and great challenges with true courage and to conquer his feelings of embarrassment and anxiety.

There have been many great men in the annals of history that have had a remarkable devotion to duty. We read of Washington, Lee, Cromwell, and many others who ran great risks and suffered much in the cause of duty. Stonewall Jackson stands among these as another soldier who exemplified the principle of doing right no matter what the cost. During the Mexican War when the Americans were storming the castle of Chapultepec, Jackson, who was then a lieutenant, found himself and his men pushed forward by Colonel Tronsdale until they were dangerously close to the enemy. Many of Jackson’s horses and men were shot down and the rest were crouched in a ditch to escape the heavy fire. Seeing this, a captain named Magruder rode quickly to where Lieutenant Jackson was fighting. Arriving at the place, he found that Jackson had, by himself, lifted a gun across the ditch. Another gun was quickly brought up and together Jackson and Magruder heroically drove the enemy away. In later years, when Mr. Jackson was a professor at Lexington College, his pupils asked him to describe this battle which he did. Afterwards, one of his students asked, “Major, why did you not run when you saw your command was thus disabled?” Stonewall Jackson replied, “I was not ordered to do so. If I had been ordered to run, I should have done so. But I was directed to hold my position, and I had no right to abandon it.” ^[3] Even when facing death, young Jackson obeyed the call of duty, preferring to obey rather than hide himself from danger. He always desired to fulfill the wishes of his authorities rather than his own pleasures. When writing to Colonel Bennett while the Civil War was in progress, he said, “My hopes for our section of the state have greatly brightened since General Lee has gone there. Something brilliant may be expected in that region. Should you ever have occasion to ask for a brigade from this army for the Northwest, I hope that mine will be the one selected. This of course is confidential, as it is my duty to serve wherever I may be placed, and I desire to be always where most needed.” ^[4]

Jackson’s devotion to duty was fully realized by those that knew him. At the commencement of the Civil War he was recommended for a very important post in the army. A man asked, “Who is this Major Jackson that we are asked to commit to him so responsible a post?” Another answered, “He is one who, if you order him to hold a post, will never leave it to be occupied by the enemy.” ^[5]

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church, and gave himself for it.” Eph. 5:25. From the day they were wed to the moment he died looking into her face, Stonewall Jackson demonstrated this Christ-like love for his wife. Addressing Anna Morrison Jackson as his beloved Esposa, Jackson tenderly watched over her physical and spiritual well being even when separated by many miles. The Jacksons were only married for six short years, yet those years stand out as a testimony of the beauty of a godly marriage. Many only picture Jackson as the image of his nickname: stern, self-disciplined, and immovable, but Anna’s Stonewall was another person. He was, as described in her own words, “the most tender, gentle, affectionate, demonstrative, man…and he was full of love and gentleness.” ^[6] The letters he wrote while severed from his bride reveal his tender heart of love and concern. He lived in obedience to the scriptural command for husbands to wash their wives with the Word of God. One letter dated April 17, 1862, reads:

“My precious pet, your sickness gives me great concern, but so live that it and all your trials may be sanctified to you, remembering that, ‘our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, work out for us a more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,’ I trust you and all I have in the hands of a kind Providence, knowing that all things work together for the good of his people…” ^[7]

During the winter of 1861, Anna was able to stay with her husband at a friend’s house. The Rev. Mr. Graham, a Presbyterian minister who lived near-by, said that Anna’s stay at Winchester, “seemed to be the greatest alleviation of Jackson’s trials…His devotion to her was unbounded and he lavished upon her every attention and expression of tenderness.” ^[8] Stonewall Jackson was indeed a man of amazing self-discipline, stern resolve, and unwavering determination, but he was also a man of great gentleness, and that gentleness was best demonstrated by his relationship with his beloved Esposa. This great warrior understood that a true hero is one that is tenderly devoted to his wife and ready to sacrifice his life on her behalf.

“You may be whatever you resolve to be.” ^[9] This great maxim of General Jackson reveals his self-reliant nature. Jackson was a man that never shirked responsibility because he thought himself not fully capable of shouldering the task. To the contrary, he overcame daunting obstacles by persevering in his course to the end. One day Mr. Jackson told a friend that he would like, someday, to learn Latin. His friend answered by saying that because Jackson had not learned the language when a child he probably would only be able to acquire knowledge of a small amount of it. Jackson replied, “No; if I attempt it, I shall become a master of the language; I can accomplish whatever I will to do.” ^[10] This was not an egotistical boast, but a realization of the power of conquering self in order to accomplish your life goals.

This self-reliance of General Jackson was based on an unshakable trust in his Savior. Although Jackson did not underestimate his own abilities, he kept this confidence in check by his humble reliance on God Almighty. His confidence in the power of prayer displays his trust in the Lord. Once Jackson revealed to a friend his prayerful spirit: “When we take our meals,” said he, “there is the grace. When I take a draught of water, I always pause, as my palate receives the refreshment, to lift up my heart to God in thanks for the water of life. Whenever I drop a letter into the box at the post office, I send a petition along with it, for God’s blessing upon its mission and upon the person to whom it is sent. When I break the seal on a letter just received, I stop to pray to God that He may prepare me for its contents, and make it a messenger of good. When I go to my classroom and await the arrangement of the cadets in their places, it is my time to intercede with God for them. And so of every other familiar act of the day.” ^[11]

A few times Mr. Jackson’s powerful spirit was shown on the battlefield. While a brigade was marching up into close combat with the enemy, Jackson could be seen sitting upon his horse with one hand uplifted as the great warrior interceded for the lives of his men.

One friend asked General Jackson if he really believed the promise, “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” When Jackson answered that he did, the friend asked, “If you were to lose your health would you believe it then?” “Yes, I think I should.” “How if you were to become entirely blind?” “I should still believe it.” “But suppose that in addition to your loss of health and sight, you should become utterly dependent upon the cold charities of the world?” After a moment of thought Jackson replied, “If it were the will of God to place me there, He would enable me to lie there peacefully a hundred years.” ^[12] Like the Patriarch Job, Mr. Jackson’s complete trust in Providence could not be shaken, even during circumstances that would cause even the bravest of men to lose heart.

Few men have understood the principle of authority as Jackson did. While he honored and respected this in authority over himself, Stonewall Jackson also protected and fulfilled his own duties as a leader. Mr. Jackson had a deep respect for ministers of the gospel. He believed that they were the spiritual guides of the church and that they deserved to be treated as such. It is said that Mr. Jackson would not even give thanks for his own meal if a clergyman or older Christian were present to do it.

When Virginia joined the Confederacy, Jackson was in command at Harper’s Ferry. Realizing that the post was one of great importance, the Confederate government decided to send a commander of higher rank to this position. General Johnston was selected and, arriving at Harper’s Ferry, told Colonel Jackson that he had come to relieve him. But there was one problem. Mr. Jackson refused to give up the command! He told General Johnston that he had been appointed by General Lee as commander of the fort and that he would not give up his position unless instructed to do so. But when, soon after, Jackson received a letter in which Lee referred to the authority of Mr. Johnston, Jackson immediately relinquished the command and became a faithful subordinate.

Jackson was a true leader. He realized that it was not only his duty to lead his men in battle, but that he must care for their spiritual well-being as well. He was very interested in the great work that God did in the Army of Northern Virginia during the Civil War and did all he could to further the work that the colporteurs and chaplains were doing. General Jackson could often be seen leading his men in prayer before a battle and in praise and thanksgiving after a victory. Stonewall Jackson took his position as a leader seriously and endeavored to point his men to Jesus Christ, the ultimate authority.

Mr. Jackson had a vision for biblical manhood that shaped his life and spurred him on to accomplish great things for his family, his country, and his God. Today, Mr. Jackson’s life stands as a witness to a new generation of what God can and desires to do in each of His children. Let us rise up and follow the shining example of this stern soldier, loving husband, devoted church officer, and Christ-like man. Let us hold high and pass on the biblical vision of manhood to the next generation, as did the hero of the Army of Northern Virginia, Thomas Jonathan Jackson.

Endnotes

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