John R. Sampey, a Southern President and Professor of Old Testament, carried a legendary affection for Confederate General Robert E. Lee. A fictional student skit between Sampey (S) and a student named Pinnix (P) made light of Sampey's devotion:
"S: You’re too smart, Brother Arnold. What do you say about the nature of God, Brother Pinnix?
P: It’s all right, sir.
S: Certainly it is. Can God lie?
P: No, sir.
S: Can we lie?
P: Yes, sir.
S: Could Robert E. Lee lie?
P: Yes, sir.
S: No, sir; no sir! It’s not on record. There was a Christian gentleman, brethren. It is not even on record that he ever told a lie. I am surprised to find a man who would say he could lie. You must be a Yankee, Brother Pinnix."
--From "Oral Interview with Dale Moody"
In a chapel sermon on Christ, Sampey compared Lee to the Savior, a memorable comparison retold by former student Herschel Hobbs:
One year about the time of Lee's birthday, Dr. Sampey was asked to conduct chapel at the seminary. He spoke on Jesus. At one point he said, "Jesus was a good man. He was a good man. Good as Robert E. Lee." Realizing what he had said, he shouted, "Better, better, BETTER!!"
--From Herschel Hobbs, My Faith and Message
