Edward Roy Hindman

West Point, 1949

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Susan Lee Hindman on March 23, 2012:

Dad and Mom went dancing at the Fort Benning Officers Club in Georgia on weekend evenings when they first dated in 1952-1953 and the band always played the familiar and joyous Dixieland style of When The Saints Go Marching In. They also visited New Orleans shortly after getting married where they saw on one of the streets a jubilant funeral procession of some black saints dressed in all white dancing and playing their instruments to the same exuberant tune. This song began as a spiritual with unknown origins sometime before 1862 and became a very popular traditional American Christian Gospel hymn and folk song. There are a number of different versions with other verses that were added since the original was first composed. One of these verses says: Up there I will see the Savior Who redeemed my soul from sin; With extended hands He will greet me When the Saints go marching in. Dad was the President and founder of his own builder-developer company called Edman Enterprises, Incorporated, which built the Oakbrooke single family homes sub-development and the Briary Farm town homes sub-development located in the Mount Vernon district of Alexandria, VA. These two sub-developments were constructed mostly on the property of River Farm which was one of the original five farms owned by President George Washington. Dad researched the history of President Washingtons last known words on December 14, 1799 that were spoken to his personal secretary Mr. Tobias Lear which were, "Tis well!" Dad named one of the streets of Briary Farm called Tis Well Drive in honor of President Washington who was a devout Christian. Dad named another street in Briary Farm called Dr. Craik Court after Dr. James Craik who was the friend of General George Washington and family physician. Dad also named Chollman Court in Oakbrooke after his mothers maiden name which was Swedish. Dads last known spoken words at the Inova Mount Vernon Hospital two and a half days before he entered into heaven to be with our loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ forever were, "God bless you, Susan." I was indeed extremely touched to hear those most special words and to receive his blessing! God had blessed me through my Dad! This same hospital overlooks Briary Farm. It was indeed well with Dads soul and spirit as he had accepted the Messiah and Savior of the whole world Jesus Christ as his own personal Lord and Savior and had made peace with God. There is an endearing Christian Gospel hymn called It Is Well With My Soul. Tis well (or "it is well") not only speaks of a temporary farewell from this earth for the believer and to those Christian family members that he loves, but it also says that it is well in his soul and in his relationship with God as a repentant sinner who becomes a born again saint! The words of When The Saints Go Marching In make reference to the Christian saints who believe in Jesus Christ who will go home to heaven, The Book of the Revelation apocalyptic end time events and the new earth. The original standard version of this spiritual is written here. WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHING IN We are trav'ling in the footsteps Of those who've gone before, And we'll all be reunited, On a new and sunlit shore, Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints go marching in Lord, how I want to be in that number When the saints go marching in. And when the sun refuse to shine And when the sun refuse to shine Lord, how I want to be in that number When the sun refuse to shine. And when the moon turns red with blood And when the moon turns red with blood Lord, how I want to be in that number When the moon turns red with blood. Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call Oh, when the trumpet sounds its call Lord, how I want to be in that number When the trumpet sounds its call. Some say this world of trouble, Is the only one we need, But I'm waiting for that morning, When the new world is revealed. Oh, when the new world is revealed Oh, when the new world is revealed Lord, how I want to be in that number When the new world is revealed. Oh, when the saints go marching in Oh, when the saints go marching in Lord, how I want to be in that number When the saints go marching in. The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans 1:1-7 says, "Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ." Psalm 51 says, "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar." With much love in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Susan Lee Hindman Christian daughter and Administrative Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Office of the Secretary of Defense The Pentagon (703) 697-7448 direct telephone number

admin