The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days - perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write you again, I feel impelled to write lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more.
Our movement may be one of a few days duration and full of pleasure - and it may be one of severe conflict and death to me. Not my will, but thine 0 God, be done. If it is necessary that I should fall on the battlefield for my country, I am ready. I have no misgivings about, or lack of confidence in, the cause in which I am engaged, and my courage does not halt or falter. I know how strongly American Civilization now leans upon the triumph of the Government, and how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing - perfectly willing - to lay down all my joys in this life, to help maintain this Government, and to pay that debt.
But, my dear wife, when I know that with my own joys I lay down nearly all of yours, and replace them in this life with cares and sorrows - when, after having eaten for long years the bitter fruit of orphanage myself, I must offer it as their only sustenance to my dear little children - is it weak or dishonorable, while the banner of my purpose floats calmly and proudly in the breeze, that my unbounded love for you, my darling wife and children, should struggle in fierce, though useless, contest with my love of country?
I cannot describe to you my feelings on this calm summer night, when two thousand men are sleeping around me, many of them enjoying the last, perhaps, before that of death -- and I, suspicious that Death is creeping behind me with his fatal dart, am communing with God, my country, and thee.
I have sought most closely and diligently, and often in my breast, for a wrong motive in thus hazarding the happiness of those I loved and I could not find one. A pure love of my country and of the principles have often advocated before the people and "the name of honor that I love more than I fear death" have called upon me, and I have obeyed.
Sarah, my love for you is deathless, it seems to bind me to you with mighty cables that nothing but Omnipotence could break; and yet my love of Country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on with all these chains to the battlefield.
The memories of the blissful moments I have spent with you come creeping over me, and I feel most gratified to God and to you that I have enjoyed them so long. And hard it is for me to give them up and burn to ashes the hopes of future years, when God willing, we might still have lived and loved together and seen our sons grow up to honorable manhood around us. I have, I know, but few and small claims upon Divine Providence, but something whispers to me - perhaps it is the wafted prayer of my little Edgar -- that I shall return to my loved ones unharmed. If I do not, my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battlefield, it will whisper your name.
Forgive my many faults, and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless and foolish I have oftentimes been! How gladly would I wash out with my tears every little spot upon your happiness, and struggle with all the misfortune of this world, to shield you and my children from harm. But I cannot. I must watch you from the spirit land and hover near you, while you buffet the storms with your precious little freight, and wait with sad patience till we meet to part no more.
But, O Sarah! If the dead can come back to this earth and flit unseen around those they loved, I shall always be near you; in the garish day and in the darkest night -- amidst your happiest scenes and gloomiest hours - always, always; and if there be a soft breeze upon your cheek, it shall be my breath; or the cool air fans your throbbing temple, it shall be my spirit passing by.
Sarah, do not mourn me dead; think I am gone and wait for thee, for we shall meet again.
As for my little boys, they will grow as I have done, and never know a father's love and care. Little Willie is too young to remember me long, and my blue eyed Edgar will keep my frolics with him among the dimmest memories of his childhood. Sarah, I have unlimited confidence in your maternal care and your development of their characters. Tell my two mothers his and hers I call God's blessing upon them. O Sarah, I wait for you there! Come to me, and lead thither my children.
"Saturday At Avignon," oil on canvas, 24 x 48 inches. My representational paintings explore the interactions between ordinary people in everyday settings. Peter Worsley's Paintings Home Page.
"Peace rules the day when Christ rules the mind." Anon.
Town Hall - Norman Rockwell
"All men desire peace, but very few desire those things that make for peace." Thomas a Kempis
Ordinary People -John Legend
"If it is possible, so far as it depends on you live peaceably with all." Romans 12:18
"When you are in Love you can't fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams." Dr. Seuss
First place
Ah ... the sweet taste of victory! Stump, a Sussex Spaniel, was named 2009 Best In Show at the 133rd Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. Click here to read more about the show.
Never As Good As The First Time - Sade
"Thou hast made us for Thyself, and the heart of man is restless until it finds rest in Thee." St. Augustine of Hippo
"Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit." Psalm 32:1-2
"He hideth our unrighteousness with His righteouness. He covereth our disobedience with His obedience. He shadoweth our death with His death, that the wrath of God cannot find us." Henry Smith
There is a fountain filled with blood - Selah
There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel's veins; and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains. Lose all their guilty stains, lose all their guilty stains; and sinners plunged beneath that flood lose all their guilty stains.
The dying thief rejoiced to see that fountain in his day; and there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away. Wash all my sins away, wash all my sins away; and there may I, though vile as he, wash all my sins away.
Dear dying Lamb, thy precious blood shall never lose its power till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more. Be saved, to sin no more, be saved, to sin no more; till all the ransomed church of God be saved, to sin no more.
E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream thy flowing wounds supply, redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die. And shall be till I die, and shall be till I die; redeeming love has been my theme, and shall be till I die.
Then in a nobler, sweeter song, I'll sing thy power to save, when this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave. Lies silent in the grave, lies silent in the grave; when this poor lisping, stammering tongue lies silent in the grave.
Words by William Cowper in 1772, music by Karl Digerness in 1997.
Bessie Pease Gutmann: Master Juvenile Artist, Painter, Illustrator, Painting & Print Reproductions on Paper or Canvas, Giclee Canvas Reproductions, Note Cards, Juvenile Fine Art, Childrens Art, Childrens Books, Childrens Illustrations, Full-Color Works...
"Baby close your eyes" by Celine Dion
Sun is creeping down Behind the hill Everything is calm Everything is still So baby close your eyes And rest your weary mind Let me hold you close I'll sing you this lullaby
Let your worries go You fall asleep Think of nothing more Memories will keep Your dreams will turn to gold And you will wake and find That you hold a smile all day From this lullaby
Maybe somewhere in the silence You may wake and you're all alone Just call and I'll be there Even when I'm gone Each day will end So I'll say good night Till we meet again Now baby close your eyes And rest your weary mind I'll let you know the joy you bring Every time you hear me sing You this lullaby
