5

those gifted and admirable
men. The terrible crises came.
The war began its mournful
work, and in communion with
very many of his warmest
friends, I deeply regretted your
dear husband’s act, in accep
ting a General’s commission in
the Army. But I never doubted
that he was governed by the free-
est conscientious desire to do
what he regarded as his duty
to God and his Country. The
spirit of a Christian martyr was
am element in his lofty character.
And while I could not have seen
the case in the same light, I was
well persuaded that he regarded
his course as a sacrifice laid on
the altar of truth, and went forth
believing himself called to wield
“the sword of the Lord and of Gideon.”

those gifted and admirable
men. The terrible crises [?]
The war began its [?]
work, and in communion with
very many of his warmest
friends, I deeply regretted your
dear husband’s act, in accep
ting a General’s commission in
the Army. But I never doubted
that he was governed by the free-
est conscientious desire to do
what he regarded as his duty
to God and his Country. The
spirit of a Christian martyr was
am element in his lofty character.
And while I could not have seen
the case in the same light, I was
well persuaded that he regarded
his course as a sacrifice laid on
the altar of truth, and went forth
believing himself called to wield
“the sword of the Lord and of Gideon.”