January 19th marks the birthday of one of the greatest Americans who ever
lived. I am so thankful I even have an extra day off Monday for “Equality
Day” celebrated in my state, to reflect on the character and life of such a
gracious and heroic Christian gentleman.
Robert Edward Lee.
To help commemorate this great event and show why I highly respect this man
and his legacy, here are some quotations by and about him:
“Let us go home and cultivate our virtues.”
Robert E. Lee, addressing his soldiers after his surrender at Appomattox
“Duty is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You
cannot do more. You should never wish to do less.”
Robert E. Lee
“I am nothing but a poor sinner, trusting in Christ alone for salvation.”
Robert E. Lee
“Let danger never turn you aside from the pursuit of honor or the service to
your country . Know that death is inevitable and the fame of virtue is
immortal.”
Robert E. Lee
“I was raised by one of the greatest men in the world. There was never one
born of a woman greater than Gen. Robert E. Lee, according to my judgment.
All of his servants were set free ten years before the war, but all remained
on the plantation until after the surrender.”
William Mack Lee (Robert E. Lee’s black servant)
“It is well that war is so terrible, or we should grow too fond of it.”
Robert E. Lee to fellow officers on Marye’s Heights as he watched in pity
the trapped federal army below being destroyed
“His noble presence and gentle, kindly manner were sustained by religious
faith and an exalted character.”
Winston Churchill on the character of Robert E. Lee
“All this has been my fault.”
Robert E. Lee taking blame, to General George Pickett after the ill-fated
charge at Gettysburg
“He possessed every virtue of other great commanders without their vices. He
was a foe without hate; a friend without treachery; a victor without
oppression, and a victim without murmuring. He was a public officer without
vices; a private citizen without reproach; a Christian without hypocrisy and
a man without guile. He was a Caesar without his ambition; Frederick without
his tyranny; Napoleon without his selfishness, and Washington without his
reward. He was obedient to authority as a servant, and loyal in authority as
a true king. He was gentle as a woman in life; modest and pure as a virgin
in thought; watchful as a Roman vital in duty; submissive to law as
Socrates, and grand in battle as Achilles!”
Georgia Senator Ben Hill’s tribute to Robert E. Lee on his death
My grandfather, Jesse James Griffin, son of a Civil War veteran, named his
baby boy “Robert Edward” after this great American hero. He himself had
been named after an outlaw, a folk-hero of the West. But wanted a better
name for the legacy of his son.
And my father could think of no greater name than to simply pass this
“Robert Edward” to his firstborn son. Today, and every day, a wear it
proudly.
~~
Dr Robert Edward Griffin, Jr.
[email protected] www.grif.net
“Jesus Knows Me, This I Love!”