| "A Quiet Moment" |
When the idea first came to me for a work of art relating to the private character of General Thomas J. “Stonewall”
Jackson, it soon became evident that a true and accurate humanizing portrayal of the man could not be presented
without including a reference to Jackson’s deep and defining religious faith. Even a passing glance at any biography of
General Jackson will attest to this. More than a brilliant military genius, he was above all else faithful and devoted to
his beliefs in Divine Providence.
I have noted that many artistic renditions of Jackson portray his military brilliance, his fearlessness in battle, his genius
for command. These pieces rightly and beautifully display that audacious side of “Stonewall” the hero; characteristics
for which he will always and should always be honored and revered. Yet I found myself wondering how he,
personally, would have like best to be remembered, and the answer became clear once I studied his life and personality.
Thomas Jackson began his Christian faith as a boy, and by the time he was a man, it was the central tenet of his life.
He worried for the salvation of those around him; his relatives, his cadets at VMI, the men under his command. He
helped to start a Sunday school for African Americans, and contributed heavily to that object. Even General Richard
Ewell, after making a profession of faith in Christ, said that he owed much for that decision to the example of Thomas
Jackson.
It is also said that he prayed almost constantly. A reverend once described Jackson’s prayers:
“During his prayers, his tones were deep, solemn…He seemed to realize he was speaking to Heaven’s King, and
seemed to feel more than any man I’ve ever known the danger of robbing God of the glory due for our success.”
And Jackson said of himself:
“I never raise a glass of water to my lips without lifting my heart to God in thanks and prayer for the water of life.”
Clearly Jackson’s religious beliefs were the cornerstone on which all else in his life rested, which lead me to conclude
that, more than any other way, he would like best to be immortalized in some way that would exhibit this side of him.
When I read that Jackson often liked to slip away to the woods for some quiet prayer time, the mental picture I had of
that scene struck me as a most defining and humanizing image of General Thomas Jackson. It is my hope that “A
Quiet Moment” brings that image to life in a meaningful way, and pays adequate tribute to not only a great, but also a
good, man.
Jackson, it soon became evident that a true and accurate humanizing portrayal of the man could not be presented
without including a reference to Jackson’s deep and defining religious faith. Even a passing glance at any biography of
General Jackson will attest to this. More than a brilliant military genius, he was above all else faithful and devoted to
his beliefs in Divine Providence.
I have noted that many artistic renditions of Jackson portray his military brilliance, his fearlessness in battle, his genius
for command. These pieces rightly and beautifully display that audacious side of “Stonewall” the hero; characteristics
for which he will always and should always be honored and revered. Yet I found myself wondering how he,
personally, would have like best to be remembered, and the answer became clear once I studied his life and personality.
Thomas Jackson began his Christian faith as a boy, and by the time he was a man, it was the central tenet of his life.
He worried for the salvation of those around him; his relatives, his cadets at VMI, the men under his command. He
helped to start a Sunday school for African Americans, and contributed heavily to that object. Even General Richard
Ewell, after making a profession of faith in Christ, said that he owed much for that decision to the example of Thomas
Jackson.
It is also said that he prayed almost constantly. A reverend once described Jackson’s prayers:
“During his prayers, his tones were deep, solemn…He seemed to realize he was speaking to Heaven’s King, and
seemed to feel more than any man I’ve ever known the danger of robbing God of the glory due for our success.”
And Jackson said of himself:
“I never raise a glass of water to my lips without lifting my heart to God in thanks and prayer for the water of life.”
Clearly Jackson’s religious beliefs were the cornerstone on which all else in his life rested, which lead me to conclude
that, more than any other way, he would like best to be immortalized in some way that would exhibit this side of him.
When I read that Jackson often liked to slip away to the woods for some quiet prayer time, the mental picture I had of
that scene struck me as a most defining and humanizing image of General Thomas Jackson. It is my hope that “A
Quiet Moment” brings that image to life in a meaningful way, and pays adequate tribute to not only a great, but also a
good, man.
| FREE SHIPPING! Available in Two Sizes: 8.5" X 11" Limited Edition Print Signed and Numbered of 1000 on acid free fine art paper. 11" X 14" Limited Edition Print Signed and Numbered of 650 on acid free fine art paper. |
| Price: $19.95 |
| Price: $34.95 |
| A Quiet Moment |
Copyright 2008, Victoria Heilshorn
All rights reserved.
All published materials and images are
protected under copyright law.
All rights reserved.
All published materials and images are
protected under copyright law.
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