Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for November 2024 - Spirit of Confidence in These Tumultuous Election Times

2 Timothy 1:7

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of loveof love and of a sound mind." (NKJV)

 

By the time you read this column, we will either be getting ready to vote or have voted already. Every two or four years we hear that this is the most important election cycle ever. Unfortunately, I believe that is true this time. We are all concerned and anxious about the future of this country.  And it is stressing out a lot of people.

But God does not call us to be stressed out, anxious, or fearful people. He wants us to remember that He knows what the future holds, and He is in control.

In this world full of uncertainty and doubt, where fear and anxiety can easily take hold, it is essential to anchor ourselves in the unchanging truth of God's word. The Bible is there to help you walk through challenging times with the confidence that only our Lord can give. Scripture will show you how to overcome these overwhelming times and emotions, finding peace in God's word.

I often think about our Southern Ancestors. They came home to houses destroyed and communities ruined. They were occupied by a foreign government, many of whom forbid them from even voting. What was their answer to all of that? God. Many returned home having found or reaffirmed their faith in the Great Awakening in the Confederate Armies. Hundreds of thousands of men found God, and were baptized. They went home, built or rebuilt the Churches, and spread their faith in their communities. Some became Pastors, some became laymen leaders in the church. All helped rebuild Southern civilization centered on the word and power of Jesus Christ. We are their ancestors. We have the same blood, the same scripture, and the same God, who is everlasting. Can we do any less than them?

Finally, as we see in the above reading from 2 Timothy, God has not given us a spirit of fear but a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. Let us remember that as we go to the polls this month, and let us always stand firm in our faith, knowing that God is in control, no matter what happens in the world around us.

 

Deo Vindice!

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Dragoons’ Camp Meeting – Thursday November 14^th, 6pm social hour, 6:45pm camp meeting, Prattville Masonic Lodge

 

Prattville Christmas Parade – Friday December 6^th starting on Court St, downtown Prattville

 

Christmas Social – by reservation, Friday Dec 13^th starting at 6pm at Buena Vista, 641 County Rd 4 E, Prattville

 

Salvation Army Bell Ringing – Saturday December 14^th at the Winn Dixie on Main St in Prattville 8am-6pm

 

Vida Christmas Parade – Saturday Dec 21^st starting at the Community Center – lineup starting at 11am

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Fall Muster

Members and friends of the Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 enjoyed a warm fall day at their fall muster on Saturday October 26th.  Compatriot Philip Edwards and his wife Terri hosted the muster at their beautiful home in Poseys Crossroads.  A couple of canopies were set up just outside their back patio under which tables were assembled to serve the picnic lunch which included smoked pork butts, camp stew, Conecuh sausage, jambalaya, fried chicken, corn casserole, potato salad, baked beans, chips with 5-layer dip, drinks and desserts including pecan pie, hummingbird cake, cheesecake and cookies - an amazing and delicious picnic spread.  Earl Edmundson even brought and expertly grilled some bacon wrapped duck and dove breasts.  Philip also showed off his new Vizsla puppies who were super cute but will grow to be terrific bird dogs.  Attendees included camp Commander Harold Grooms who brought his wife who tried her marksmanship shooting clays for her first time ever.  Also present were 2nd Lt Karl Wade, Treasurer Billy Leverette, Adjutant Wayne Sutherland, Brigade Commander Waldo, Color Sgt John Dennis and his wife, and compatriots Bill Hamner, Tyrone Crowley, Bill Branch and his girlfriend, Todd Rogers and his son, Dale Boyles and, Darrell Haywood.  Todd and Philip set up a couple of electric clay throwers to send targets out over the back acreage of their homesite so everyone who wanted to practice their shooting had ample opportunity and challenge.  Philip and Todd were members of the camp's clay shooting team which participated in the Division clay skeet and trap competition last year so they along with Earl showed everyone how it was supposed to be done.  But it was a thoroughly enjoyable event with many thanks to all who attended and our wonderful hosts for a successful fall muster.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Meeting for October 2024

Members and friends of SCV Camp 1524 met on Thursday evening October  10th at the Prattville Masonic Lodge for their regularly scheduled monthly meeting.  Despite a few members absent to man the camp's booth at the Autauga County Fair, there were over thirty present at the camp meeting.  Rob Schwartz sang a song in honor of his brother who recently passed away.   Camp Chaplain Brantley gave a  presentation of his trip to the SCV National Chaplains' Conference which was held at the SCV HQ at Elm Springs in Columbia TN.  While there, Chaplain Brantley stopped by the SCV Museum.  Commander Grooms presented him with a check to help cover his travel expenses to the convention.  Scott Roberson was presented the 16 gauge single shot shotgun he won as part of the charity auction by Comms Officer Doug Butler.   Paul Brueske was the guest speaker who presented on "The Last Siege: The Mobile Campaign, Alabama 1865".  He was  very well educated and very thorough on the subject, speaking on the importance of Mobile to the Confederacy for trade as a major port for food and ammunition. 

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 at the Autauga County Fair

The 2024 Autauga County Fair was a great success for the community and for the Prattville Dragoons. The fair ran Tuesday thru Saturday October 8-12th.  Thousands of fair attendees passed by the SCV Camp 1524 booth, and Dragoons were able to talk with a number of people who stopped by, a number who are potential new members for the  camp.   SCV and Confederate heritage literature was distributed and, as always, the mini-Battle Flags, coins, stickers, and posters were a big hit with the youngsters, along with the free candy. A good many flags, caps, car tags, and other merchandise were sold from the camp stores which gets Confederate memorabilia out in the public and also raises funds for the camp.  Most importantly though, the positive image that all of the Dragoons presented was the one thing that made this event such a success, changing incorrect negative opinion in the woke public.   A number of  Dragoons took time out of their schedules to work the booth, some worked multiple days and multiple shifts and their hard work made the camp's participation in this year’s fair the best one yet:

Chaplain David Brantley, Comms Officer Doug Butler, Tyrone Crowley, Color Sgt John Dennis, Thomas Griffith, Commander Harold Grooms, Lee James, Stuart Knight, Treasurer Billy Leverett, Quartermaster Bill Myrick, Scott Roberson, Todd Rogers and his grandson Carson, Rob Schwartz, Larry Spears, Adjutant Wayne Sutherland, Mike Thomas, Louis Turner, 1st Lt Karl Wade and Brigade Commander Waldo and his daughter.

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for October 2024 - Identifying as Sons and Daughters of God

 

"And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (NKJV)

Matthew 3:17

 

   It seems like everywhere we go nowadays, everything we do and buy, someone is asking for our identification. They are trying to identify who we are or who we say we are. Scammers are always trying to steal our identity. But, who are we? Who are you?

   Recently we saw that famous actor James Earl Jones died. Jones was known for many famous roles, but was prominently known as the voice of Darth Vader from the "Stars Wars" franchise. He was also the voice of Mufasa, in the animated Disney movie, "The Lion King." In the movie, Mufasa, the King, has been betrayed and killed by his brother, Scar. Mufasa's son, Simba, has run away and become a coward, hiding away in the backlands. Mufasa visits Simba in a dream and yells at him, "You have forgotten me!" Simba denies this, of course, to which Mufasa says, "You have forgotten who you are, so you have forgotten me." Mufasa reminds Simba, "You are my Son!"

   In Matthew 3, God declares to all assembled that Jesus is His Son, in whom He is well pleased. In some translations God speaks directly to Jesus saying, "You are my Son, in whom I am well pleased." Jesus is the Son of God. And the Son of Man.

   We are also the children of God. We are His Sons. But when the world overwhelms us, our problems crash down on us, or if people ask if we are followers of God, His children, do we go silent when it is inconvenient? Do we, like Peter, deny it? Do we forget to go to God when we feel like we can handle it better ourselves? How often we have felt alone, abandoned, but God was there waiting for us to seek him out in prayer. How He waits for us to worship Him and praise Him for all our many blessings He has given us. And yet, like a petulant child, we go and complain of the things we don't have or didn't get and ask for more. We sometimes forget He is our Father, but we certainly treat God like a parent when we want or need something, don't we?

   But here is the good news! 1 John 4:4 reminds us that, "But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world." God, our Father, has conquered the world for us. We need to remember our identification next time someone asks us for it, or the world throws troubles our way. We are the Sons and Daughters of God! Let us never forget who we are and let us declare it to the world!

Amen!

 

One thing to remember though: "You can speak of God and not mention the Sons of Confederate Veterans, but you cannot speak of the Sons of Confederate Veterans and not mention God!"

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 Don't forget to vote on November 5th!

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

Autauga County Fair – Dragoons booth, Autauga County Fairground, Tuesday- Saturday, Oct  8-12^th

 

Dragoons’ Camp Meeting – Thursday October 10^th, 6pm social hour, 6:45pm camp meeting, Prattville Masonic Lodge

 

Dragoons Fall Muster – Oct 26^th 10am-til at Philip Edward’s home, 2104 CR 59, Prattville, Posey’s Crossroads

 

Battle for the Armory – Nov 9-10, Tallassee, AL

 

Prattville Christmas Parade – Friday December 6^th starting on Court St, downtown Prattville

 

Christmas Social – by reservation, Friday Dec 13^th starting at 6pm at Buena Vista, 641 County Rd 4 E, Prattville

Battle Flags Set on Confederate Veterans Graves at Historic Cemetery

Following a tour on Saturday September 28th of the 1848 Rockford Jailhouse Museum, Dragoon Tyrone Crowley and his wife Carol replaced 8 weather-worn Confederate flags on graves at Sears Chapel Methodist Church, just north of of Rockford in Coosa County on Highway 231.  Flags used were provided by SCV Camp 1524 Adjutant Wayne Sutherland.

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplain Attends National SCV Chaplains' Conference at Elm Springs SCV National HQ

On Saturday, September 14th, 2024, the National SCV Chaplains' Conference was held at historic Elm Springs, the National Headquarters for the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

I took the opportunity and drove up a day early. I have been a SCV member for 30 years and had, sadly, never visited Elm Springs. I decided to change that and to see the new SCV National Confederate Museum.

I arrived at the museum when it opened as I was warned it would take hours to tour. Ironically, right after I entered, so did fellow Prattvile Dragoon and former Brigade Commander, Josh Stover. Josh now lives in North Alabama but is still a proud member of our camp and sent well-wishes to all. Josh and his son were there to scan monuments to replicate and make for putting up around the Confederation. A fascinating process.

The museum is amazing. It has informative wall panels for each year of the war, major events and individuals that impacted the war. They also had QR Codes you can scan for more information.

The highlight(s) were seeing Robert E. Lee statue that was once in front of Lee High School in Montgomery, the bed John Bell Hood bed slept in during the Tennessee campaign, and the former coffins for General and Mrs. Forrest before they were reinterred on the grounds of Elm Springs! I could go on all day about what I saw at the National Museum. Every SCV member needs to go and visit to see it all.

I then toured the home of Elm Springs. They are returning to what it looked like during the War. It was, for years, the HQ for the SCV and had offices, etc., in the building. All of those offices have been moved to the Museum. It is well worth the tour. Ironically my tour was a lady from Indiana who knew the South was right! Oh, there are even some ghost stories to raise your hackles as well. Definitely a must- see!

The next morning we met for the Conference and it was an amazing day! Past Chaplain-in-Chief Gary Carlyle opened us in prayer and gave us a booklet of "positives" for Chaplains to pass to their flock. Current Commander-in-Chief Kennedy then greeted the assembly afterwards.

After singing some Hymns, like "How Firm a Foundation," former Chaplain-in-Chief Herman White spoke on the need of Chaplains to "be there" for the flock. Dr. White is 90 and still preaching the Gospel!

Current Chaplain-in-Chief Tom Hiter then taught us on how the SCV Charge is a Christian Document. You cannot speak of the SCV without speaking of God and Jesus Christ.

Dr. Micheal Bradley gave a fascinating speech on the "Southern Religious Tradition- before, during, and since the War for Southern Independence." He spoke at length on the revivals in the Confederate Armies and how it was a true religious awakening in the South!

After we returned from Dinner, Mike Dunn, from the Tennessee Division, gave an absolutely fascinating lecture on religious music during the War.

This was followed by former Commander-in-Chief Boshers who told the story of Sam Davis, the Confederate Martyr and his religious beliefs, which helped to bring one (possibly more) of his captors to Jesus Christ. An amazing side of the story I was unaware of.

Missouri Division Chaplain Thomas McConnell gave a no-holds-barred sermon on "What the Lord Requires" and what will be required of all of us in the coming days. Nobody slept through that Sermon, believe me!

Pastor Mark Evans closed us out by recapping the other speakers and reminding us of our commission as Chaplain to the camps and individual members.

There will be a picture of all of us that was taken before we all departed. It will be in the Jan/ Feb 2025 issue of the Confederate Veteran.

We parted that day renewed, refreshed, and focused on our duties as Chaplains. It was a great experience and I hope it once again becomes a regular event!

I would be remiss if I did not thank Gary Carlyle and Jason Boshers, who both fought to make this event happen. I would also like to thank Adjutant-in-Chief Jimmy Hill who helped them make it possible.

Blessings,

Chaplain Brantley

                                       

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Monthly Meeting for September 2024 - Confederate Memorial Park

A good crowd of members and friends of SCV Camp 1524 gathered on Thursday evening September 12th at the Prattville Masonic Lodge for their monthly meeting.  Compatriot Rob Schwartz provided music playing his guitar and singing before the meeting while everyone socialized.   Commander Grooms got the meeting started providing updates on news for the camp including upcoming events.  Salutes and pledges to the US, Alabama state and Confederate flags were recited led by Dragoon Larry Miller as well as the SCV Charge by Harold.  2nd Lt Karl Wade updated everyone on the upcoming Autauga County Fair and sign-ups for the Dragoons' booth as well as the upcoming holiday season canned food drive for Thanksgiving and Salvation Army bell ringing for Christmas.  Adjutant Wayne Sutherland handed out everyone's latest SCV membership cards to all members present.  Calvin Chapelle who is the curator at the Confederate Memorial Park was the guest speaker.  Calvin informed everyone of a couple upcoming events at the park including the Christmas at the CMP post office and the reenactors Winter Quarters.  Calvin said they have recently hosted a couple of school days at CMP which he very much enjoys.  Plans are still in the works for building a new pavilion at the park where the old one had fallen but they have otherwise replaced the roof on another and washed and painted some of the structures at the park.  Calvin also provided a slide show and stories of the history of the park from its establishment as a Confederate Veterans retirement home showing many photos from the early 1900s of the home and cabins on the property which were all destroyed by fire or razed when the Veteran's home was closed with the passing of the last of the Confederate soldiers and their widows. Calvin indicated they are rotating historic flags with the State Archives to display in the museum at CMP.   Larry Miller presented Calvin with a print of a battle scene from the War Between the States and Commander Grooms presented Calvin with a donation check for $250 to continue the great work CMP does educating the community.  Rob closed the meeting with a Benediction.  

Dragoons of Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Attend Autauga Genealogical Society - The Clotilda, the Last Slave Ship

The Autauga Genealogical Society (AGS) met on Sunday September 15th and had a speaker from the Alabama Historical Commission, Stacey Hathorn, who spoke on the last ship that brought slaves into the United States, the schooner Clotilda, and it happened down at Mobile in July 1860.  The Clotilda brought 110 slaves from Africa into Mobile Bay in July 1860.   For the full history of the Clotilda, check Wikipedia.   It appears the whole affair was the result of a wager between two men, both from the North, one of them a slave trader from Maine who came south in his 20s and made a fortune dealing in slaves.   The AGS meeting was mainly about the Alabama Historical Commission’s efforts to conserve the remains of the schooner Clotilda, so any history given was coincidental and due to questions from those present (14 AGS members). Prattville Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524  Bill Branch and Tyrone Crowley were in attendance as part of the audience.  

SCV Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoon Compatriot Tends Historic Cemetery Grounds

New Dragoon of Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Hubert Champion singlehandedly took care of the grounds maintenance at historic Robinson Springs Cemetery in Millbrook AL today, September 9th.  He brought his riding lawnmower and all his tools for mowing and trimming around all the gave markers and headstones and cleaned up the property of clippings and trash.  A commendable job by one of the camp's newest members who has worked such grounds maintenance projects with the camp and on his own many times previously including headstone repair.  Robinson Springs Cemetery is cared for by SCV Camp 1524 as part of the Alabama Division Guardian program.  

Prattville Dragoons SCV Camp 1524 Chaplain's Column for September 2024 - Jesus is the Peace in Times of Tribulation

"In the world, you will have tribulation;  but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." 

John 16:33

Ever have one of those days? Weeks? Months? Seems like years? One can relate. But Jesus tells us in the above scripture to expect hardship in our lives. Sometimes in our lives as believers we expect an easier path than those who do not follow Christ. But there is nowhere in the Bible that God promises an easy life until the next life. 

In John 16:33, Jesus specifically uses the term, "Tribulation." This is on purpose. Tribulation means to "press together, to compress." In Biblical times, most people would picture someone crushing grapes to make wine. Sometimes tribulations are merely aggravations and inconveniences rather than outright catastrophes. Of course, we as humans may process the little problems as big problems as we seem to forget that our God is bigger than any problem we face. 

But how do we process peace while chaos reigns in our lives? If we go back to John 16:33, Jesus tells us earlier in said scripture that, "These things I have spoken to you that in Me you may have peace." 

Did you catch the contrast? In the world, tribulation. In Me, peace.

When our focus is on Jesus and we're relying on Him, we find peace while enduring crises. 

As writer David Chancey notes, "Jesus spoke these words in the Upper Room on the night before his crucifixion, even as Judas the betrayer slipped out of the room to meet with the enemies of Jesus and plot His arrest."  In other words, He spoke these words of peace to the disciples as he knew His earthly demise was almost upon Him. 

As we know, Jesus would soon be arrested, forsaken by His closest friends and allies, denied, humiliated, tortured, and executed. 

Yet, He experienced peace. So can we. Jesus is the key to this deep, spiritual peace. 

We've all seen the sign on the Church marquee, "No Jesus, No peace. Know Jesus, Know peace." 

Tribulation in your life and in the world is promised, but peace is possible in Jesus because, as Jesus proclaimed, "I have overcome the world." 

Amen.

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

Upcoming Events for Confederate Compatriots

 

160^th Battle for Decatur Reenactment – Saturday Aug 31- Sunday Sept 1^st, Point Mallard Park, Decatur AL

 

Cannons on the Coosa Reenactment – 2 and 5pm, Sunday Sept 1^st, Heritage Park Boat Ramp, Rome GA

 

Prattville Dragoons Camp 1524 Meeting – September 12^th, 6pm social, 6:45pm meeting at the Prattville Masonic Lodge

 

Raid on Little General’s Farm – Sept 20-22, Gallant, AL

 

Autauga County Fair – Dragoons booth, Autauga County Fairground, Tuesday- Saturday, Oct  8-12^th

 

Dragoons Fall Muster – Oct 26^th 10am-til at Philip Edward’s home, 2104 CR 59, Prattville, Posey’s Crossroads

 

Battle for the Armory – Nov 9-10, Tallassee, AL

 

Christmas Social – by reservation, Friday Dec 13^th starting at 6pm at Buena Vista, 641 County Rd 4 E, Prattville

SCV AL Division Southwest Central Brigade Commander Visits Camp 764 in Marion

Alabama Division SWC Brigade Commander Waldo and Camp 1524 Quartermaster and past-Brigade Commander Bill Myrick visited Marion for the Gen. Isham Garrott SCV Camp 764 meeting on Sunday July 28th in Marion.  Camp 764 Commander Gary Johnson's home served as the meeting place.  It is an amazing high ceiling historic home where Gen. Forrest actually resided following the War for Southern Independence when he worked for the railroad.  The foyer and parlor have some wonderful artifacts and prints of Forrest and WBTS battle scenes.  Gary also has an extensive library of books on the War in shelves which stand from floor to ceiling requiring a ladder to reach them all.  Beautiful decor for an SCV meeting.  Commander Johnson's wife prepared some delicious refreshments including chips and fruit with dips and beverages to enjoy before and during the meeting.  Commander Waldo took the opportunity to introduce himself having recently started his role as Brigade Commander and to announce Division Commander Barrett's idea to provide funds more easily and directly to the camps thru the Brigade Commander's for camp initiatives, small projects and needs/wants.  Camp 1524 member Col. Altieri was the guest speaker for this meeting and he did his usual outstanding job with the presentation including overheads.  He introduced his new book "A Guest of Mr. Lincoln" which told the story of the service of Confederate Sgt Joseph Wheeless of North Carolina which included action in the battles at Dam No. 1 and Malvern Hill in Virginia before he was wounded.  After recuperation, he served as an ambulance driver during later battles including Gettysburg and the Wilderness Campaign.  Altieri had made presentations on the Battle of Dam No 1 and the ambulance corps previously for Camp 1524.  It was a very enjoyable afternoon driving over to Marion, home of the Marion Military Institute, with Bill and meeting the officers and some of the members of Camp 764 and hearing this latest presentation from Col. Altieri.  

Prattville Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524 Indian Hill Cemetery Grounds Maintenance

Members of the Prattville Dragoons, Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 met on Saturday morning August 24th to mow the grass and trim at historic Indian Hill Cemetery on the west side of Prattville.  The Dragoons had years previously reclaimed this cemetery from brush and tree overgrowth and installed an historic marker at the cemetery.  Dragoons Color Sgt John Dennis and his wife have taken it upon themselves to keep up with the mowing at the cemetery over the past couple of years.  But this Saturday morning John had help with compatriots Rob Schwartz, Philip Edwards and Todd Rogers and his son Carson joining in.  Camp Commander Harold Grooms had the day prior mowed some of the larger sections with his riding mower.  They mowed all around the cemetery grounds, under the large oak trees, and around the grave markers and got it looking very good.  This historic cemetery (circa 1820) is the final resting place of some of Prattville's founding families including some Confederate Veterans, original Prattville Dragoons of Co. H of the 3rd Alabama Cavalry.  

Prattville Dragoons Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Dixie Butt Fundraiser

The annual Dixie butt fundraiser of the SCV Camp 1524 Dragoons was a big success raising money for the camp treasury to continue the initiatives the camp does throughout the year including cemetery maintenance, festival and parade participation, donations to local food banks, placement of flags on Confederate gravesites, and other community service activities.  Over 100 butts were sold which were cooked by Smokin S of Wetumpka, always delicious and much requested.  The pickup and distribution of the butts was on Saturday August 10th in back of the Chevron on Memorial in Prattville.  Quartermaster Myrick picked up the boxes of butts from Smokin S on his way into town, some hot and some cold.  He also brought the canopy to provide shade although in the early morning hours from 8-10am, the shadow off the old bank building there served to shade everyone.  Color Sgt John Dennis served as the coordinator for the fundraiser recording all the butt tickets handed out to the membership to buy one and sell one, and recording the sales and the pickups on this Saturday - a big job he performs awesomely.  In addition to these officers of the camp, Brigade Commander Waldo helped with the distribution as did Treasurer Leverette, Adjutant Sutherland and compatriots Philip Edwards and Darrell Haywood.  A number of camp members came by to pick up the butts they ordered and fellowship for a while including compatriots Skip Ward, Larry Spears, Don Owens (from Auburn), Tyrone Crowley and others. Friends and neighbors who also purchased butts were thanked for their contributions.  A very good fundraiser for Camp 1524.

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Prattville Dragoons Meeting for August 2024 - Battle of Monroe's Crossroads

Members and friends of the Dragoons of SCV Camp 1524 gathered on Thursday evening August 8th at the Masonic Lodge in downtown Prattville for their regular monthly meeting.  Camp Commander Grooms was absent traveling so Brigade Commander Waldo led the meeting.  Chaplain Brantley was also absent caring for his ailing mother in Georgia so compatriot Bill Branch opened the meeting with the Invocation and the closing Benediction.  Color Sgt Dennis led everyone in the pledges and salutes to the flags; he and his wife have also done a tremendous job managing the Dixie butt fundraiser.  Commander Waldo recited the SCV Charge and then went thru the announcements which included a congratulatory recognition of the Division Life Membership of Scott Roberson, Commander John Land of Montgomery who asked for volunteers to help at the SCV library at CMP, membership dues and Dixie butt last calls, a sign-up sheet for volunteers to work the camp booth at the Autauga County Fair and, the date and place for the camp's fall muster in October.  James Barnes, retired Special Forces Sgt and Lt Commander of the SCV Camp in Woodstock AL was the guest speaker who presented on the Battle of Monroe's Crossroads. This was the last cavalry battle of the War for Southern Independence in March 1865 and occurred near what today is Ft. Bragg in North Carolina.  The Confederates under Generals Wade Hampton and Joseph Wheeler were successful in delaying the Union advance on Fayetteville and allowed the Confederate forces to cross the Cape Fear River.  The battle included the capture of a number of Union General Kilpatrick's HQ staff and a series of charges thru the Union encampment by Wheeler's men, shooting into the Union troops' tents in a surprise attack.  Kilpatrick was also almost killed and escaped by horseback after being awakened at the house he was using as his field HQ, deceiving the Confederates into pursuing another Union officer as him to make his escape in his nightshirt.  It was an enjoyable evening of fellowship and education.  

Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp 1524 Chaplain’s Column- Faith thru Tests and Stress

 

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for."

Hebrews 11:1-2

 

Gentlemen, I apologize.

I Sit here in a hospital room with my mom. Unfortunately time is a luxury I do not have much of right now.

I was thinking about times in our life when our Faith is tested and stressed. I thought about Hebrews 11.

I found this commentary on it from Knowing-Jesus.com and thought I would share it with you.

DBB

 

"The good news of salvation and life eternal, is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Whether Old Testament saints or New Testament believers, the only way to access this free and eternal gift from the Father is to trust in His Word and believe in His Son.

Faith is simply having the confidence that the future things God has revealed in His written Word, will unquestionably happen. The reformation verse that shattered corridors of Christendom was: "The just shall live by faith." The righteous man shall live by faith, the godly man, the virtuous woman, the justified sinner, the maturing believer, are to all live by faith, as well as being saved by faith.

A living faith in God's Word and the confident hope in His promises are two graces that embrace each other in love at the foot of the Cross. This is not a 'Que sera sera, fingers-crossed and-hope-it-happens' type of faith. This is the faith that accepts without question that the Word of God is entirely dependable and is an indisputable fact.

This is the faith that unquestioningly takes God at His Word, knowing that all He has promised to us in Christ is more secure than the rising of the morning sun and more certain than the daily passage of time. It is the firm persuasion, unshakable confidence, and indisputable expectation, that all God has said, in and through His WORD, is established forever and does not take refuge in the a 'maybe' or a 'perhaps'.

It is an objective faith that is secured to the knowledge that our redemption rests on Who Christ is, and what He has already done on the Cross on our account. Our faith is not on who we are or what we have done to commend ourselves to God, but on Christ and His accomplishments. Objective faith is not based on sight or sense but rests its case in the arms of God's Word of Truth.

Faith is not based on experience, nor calculated through reason. True faith is anchored on scriptural facts. It is beyond man's intellect and cannot be penetrated through reasoning or discovered through scientific 'proof'. It has nothing to do with personal opinion or impressions. It is beyond the dimension of human thought because it is the substance of facts that are conceived in the mind of God.

God is not a man, so He does not lie. The Lord is not a fallen being, so He does not flirt with fantasy or feasibility. He does not change His mind and has never spoken a word that He has failed to act upon. Has he never made a promise that has not been carried through to its fulfilment, and it is incumbent on us to know what His Word says and to believe the promises He has given.

The eye of faith sees beyond our present reality and places its feet firmly on divine revelation given by Almighty God, through the Word-made-flesh. It believes God's Word of truth in the pages of Scripture, which was written for our learning, instruction, encouragement, and hope. The heart of faith enables us to treat as reality those things that are unseen, even when circumstances of life appear to contradict the truth of God's Word.

All that God has revealed to us through holy men of God is just and good and true, and Scripture is designed to be a sure foundation upon which to build. It has nothing in common with so many superficial apologies for faith, based on sight, experiences, opinions, fancies, dreams, or imaginations that excite the soul, feed the flesh, and pander to the human ego. Without faith it is impossible to please God and Jesus said, "Blessed are those that have NOT seen, and yet have believed."

May the hope we have in Christ and the faith we have in God be built on the truth, of His Word and grounded on a sure conviction. May we never stumble when situations seem to go amiss, and may we be firmly persuaded: "He who started a good work in each of our lives is well able to bring it to completion."

Source: https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/hebrews-11-1