FRONT PAGE

 

 


BOOK EXCERPTS

I did want to read a couple passages directly from the book as all of our other presenters have. There is one rather poignant piece that I would like to share with you. This comes at the very beginning and sets the tone. It is a bittersweet story about a young boy who went off to war and returned home on a litter, battered, bruised, and dying.

Another section deals directly with the good reverend's experiences while stationed here in the Fredericksburg area. That's neat for us as residents because many of the stories that are recalled in this book took place in familiar areas. It makes the story even more fruitful as we can directly relate to the scenes in which his transcripts take place. [Excerpts read from chapters 1 and 10.]

In closing tonight, I'd like to say that this is a book that will appeal to not just history buffs. It's a wonderful testament to how faith can carry us through the best and worst of times. William Potter, a religious book reviewer penned the perfect definition of this book and I'd like to steal his quote here as I could not have said it better myself.

He wrote: "Christ in the Camp records much of the glorious work of God in the hearts of many men in the Army of Northern Virginia, but perhaps only in eternity will we see that the true extent of this six hundred page book is merely a preface to what glory is to come."

As with all of our titles in this program, here is a handout for each of you that contains both a book synopsis and ordering information for "Christ In The Camp."

[SYNOPSIS: In the midst of the titanic struggle of the American War Between the States, a spiritual war for the souls of men was waged with equal vigor. From 1861 to 1865, many thousands of soldiers professed Christ as their Savior and Lord, and many more were renewed in their commitment to serve God in camp and battlefield.

Herein are recorded stories of the heroism of chaplains who stood in the line of battle to minister to the fallen and to work at the bedside of fatally ill comrades. Some of the army pastors were themselves counted among the slain. It tells of worship services in camps attended by ten, a hundred, or a thousand men gathered to hear the Word of God expounded. Here, too, we read of the Christian generals who supported the many facets of Gospel work: Robert E. Lee, Stonewall Jackson, Jeb Stuart, and others. Hardback. 624 pgs. By J. William Jones.]

Q&A

I certainly hope that you will consider adding this book to your reading list. I think it's a wonderful read. Thank you all very much. Questions or comments?

This book is also available online:
Amazon.com hardback
Amazon.com softcover