A Handkerchief Full of Tears

MICHAEL REID HANGER was born in Staunton, Virginia, on May 10, 1840. While working as a carpenter in Lexington, he enlisted in the “Rockbridge Rifles” on April 18, 1861, in response to Governor John Letcher’s call for volunteers to defend Virginia. A reporter for the Lexington Gazette described the ceremony:

When all was ready, after bidding adieu to friends and relatives, the Rifles were formed in front of the Court House, where Rev. Mr. Tebbs and the venerable Dr. McFarland stood prepared to call upon the Lords of Hosts for his protecting care under the trying circumstances in which they were soon to be placed . . . All hearts were softened; all eyes were moistened by the tear of sorrow for the necessitation of the case. Every soldier was determined, if need be, to stand to the last, and die in a cause so just and a service so honorable. His [Elisha F. Paxton’s] young wife with sad forebodings, wept until her handkerchief was wet with tears. In their last fond embrace he took this from her hand and as a reminder of her love carried it on many a bloody battlefield.

In ancient Roman times, those who were grieving the losses of loved ones collected their tears in a lachrymatory, a type of bottle as a memorial to the one deceased. Tombs have been opened in ancient Rome that reveal grieving family members who placed those tear-filled bottles in the grave with their deceased loved ones.

We are reminded in Scripture that our Lord collects our tears for the day of judgment when our sorrows will be turned to joy.