From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya: A Biographical History of Christian Missions by Ruth A. Tucker
On this presidents day I wish to put into remembrance our (the Southern people of the US) our 16 1/2 president, Jefferson Davis. Mostly forgotten and branded as a traitor. I quote the following,"It is reported that Mr. Gladstone said in 1861 of Jefferson Davis that he had "created a nation," while at the same time it was being urged upon England that he was attempting to take a nation's life. Neither statement was exactly true. Mr. Davis had not created a nation. He was but the executive head of a republic which the intelligent free people of a number of large and powerful States had created. Nor had he attempted the destruction of the United States, for that government remained the same living political organism after secession that it was before. The great English statesman was not a sympathizer with the Southern secession, but he saw with clear vision that a nation in fact had come into being whose greatness was reflected in the character of the ruler it had chosen. His administration was not restrained by his antipathies. With the true greatness of his own nature he could esteem the virtues which were conspicuous in the character of such a chieftain of such a people. Jefferson Davis and the people of the Confederacy being inseparable in the reflections of mankind, the South asks only that he and they shall be judged by honorable men who have the capacities of reason and gentility to render a just judgment.", from an article at http://www.civilwarhome.com/jdavisbio.htm
The real crime is that he spent time in prison for his beliefs (states rights to secede)without a trial and losing all his property. Who today does not believe that a group of people in a country that vote as a state does not have the right to leave a nation they feel unfair. Why was it right for Texas to leave Mexico but Texas could not leave the US. Let's think before we condemn him. And remember him for who he was. President of a nation.
Sure he was not the perfect president. We have not had many of them.His feelings for blacks was off. He was a man of his time. It was forgotten that, Before he left to fight for States Rights, he was one of the best Sec. of War the US ever had. After his arrest he was shackled and imprisoned without a trail. He refused to ask for a pardon although most Confederate officers had been given one. In his administration he pardoned every soldier of the C.S.A. that deserted the army. But he did not ask the same for himself. Instead he asked for a trial so he could defend himself and the south on the subject of the states right to succeed. He was not accommodated. Instead his home was took and he lived his last days depended on others for a place to live.You may not be from the south. but admit it. He stood for what he believed in. We need more presidents like him. One who does not follow the crowd for votes, but has his own convictions. He was wrong in not ending the war when it was time. But we've forgiven other presidents for less.
I would like to take this time to honor some fallen soldiers. Not the ones in brown with body armor, but those only wearing spiritual armor. Two Texas missionaries were brutally murdered in Mexico on February 2, 2011 . They were John and Wanda Casias of the First Fundamental Independent Baptist Church in Santiago. They had been serving there since 1979. Drug cartels are blamed for this crime. It seems we are losing our elder warriors at an alarming rate. Where are the younger generation that we here that are on fire for the Lord. Will they rise up to battle or are they content to stay in their contemporary Church services with their casual dress and contemporary worship? We need some with the old time religion of these devoted saints. 
I also just learned of 59 year old Nancy Davis who was also gunned down in Mexico last January 27,2011. Here is a snip from a youtube video of her and Sam, her husband.
Let us remember these sanits and all the others that serve the Lord. Not just will to die for Him but to really live for Him in the fullest.
