Happy birthday Stonewall!
“It is painful enough to discover with what unconcern they speak of war and threaten it. I have seen enough of it to make me look upon it as the sum of all evils.”
“My religious belief teaches me to feel as safe in battle as in bed. God has fixed the time for my death. I do not concern myself about that, but to always be ready, no matter when it may overtake me.”
“We are, in truth, more than half what we are by imitation. The great point is, to choose good models, and study them with care. People insensibly contract, not only the air, the manners, and the vices, of those with whom they commonly converse, but their virtues too, and even their way of thinking. . . Persist, therefore in keeping the best company, and you will sensibly become like them.”
“Revolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.”
“The Bible furnishes men with rules for everything”
“However dark the night, I am cheered with an anticipated glorious and luminous morrow. . . . No earthly calamity can shake my hope in the future so long as God is my friend.”
“Continue to pray for me, that I may live to glorify God more and more, by serving Him and our country.”
“Never distrust our God, who doeth all things well. In due time, He will make manifest all His pleasure, which is all His people should ever desire.”
“My whole trust is in God, and I am ready for whatever He may ordain.” 
Our annual Pastors Conference was held this week and it was outstanding. Doug Wilson, John Barach, Rob Maddox, and Duane Garner were our featured speakers and they all did a sterling job. 
Reading de Coulanges The Ancient City is fascinating. In describing the attitude ancient paganism produced toward your neighbor, he observes, 
THE AVENUE 