Here is an example of how he brought his religion into politics. When he was in the legislature and the caucus sought to get him into schemes that were not creditable, in a discussion which lasted until midnight, contending that the end would justify the means, Lincoln closed the debate and defined his own position by saying, "You may burn my body to ashes and scatter them to the four winds of heaven; you may drag my soul down to the regions of darkness and despair, to be tormented forever, but you will not get me to support a measure which I believe to be wrong."
Judged alone by his actions Lincoln was a Christian of the very highest type; his principles were founded upon the teachings of the Master. He was gentle, kind, loving, thoughtful, tender, his big heart overflowed at the sight of suffering and he alleviated it when he could. His sympathies went out to the poor in their afflictions. He tempered the harshness and severity of the great war by words of comfort and acts of mercy. He denied himself at the White House to no one, the poorest woman being as courteously received as the most distinguished statesman. On one occasion a heartbroken mother came to plead for the life of an only son who had forfeited it by some breach of discipline in the ranks. She was sent away rejoicing. Turning to her male companion on leaving the White House she indignantly exclaimed: "You said the President was an ugly man,--why, he"s the handsomest man I have ever seen."
Both by act and word did Lincoln try to emulate the Man of Galilee.
Indeed few, if any, of the world"s leaders followed so closely the precepts and example of the Saviour. He adopted the Golden Rule as his standard of conduct and lived up to it in every particular. He acted on "the square" to every man, so that he gained for himself the soubriquet of "Honest Abe," which was fondly applied to him all through his public career. He was just in his dealings with his fellow-men and never once was guilty of deception.
If the character of this man is to be estimated by the words of Jesus Himself, "By their fruits ye shall know them," then Abraham Lincoln was one of the highest types of Christian gentleman that ever trod the earth.
During the four terrible years of the war he carried the sorrows of the people on his own shoulders and displayed the true qualities of a n.o.ble man and a Christian. He placed himself at this time absolutely in the hands of a higher power. Hear him make this confession: "I should be the most presumptuous blockhead upon this footstool, if I for one day thought that I could discharge the duties which have come upon me since I came into this place without the aid and enlightenment of One who is stronger and wiser than all others."
The light of Holy Writ was the beacon star that guided him through the darkness of trying days; not alone were the Holy Scriptures a guide for his actions, but they served as a model for his literary style. His education was defective, yet at times few of the great masters of literature could equal him in purity of language. High critics declare his second inaugural address to be one of the greatest masterpieces of English prose. Here are a few of the closing sentences: "Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray that the mighty scourge of war may pa.s.s away, yet if G.o.d wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman"s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn by the lash shall be paid by another drawn by the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said, "the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation"s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations."
Apart from the beauty and diction of the language there is a deep spirit of faith and dependence on G.o.d breathed throughout the whole of the address.
Surely the most sceptical must be convinced of the sincerity of Lincoln"s religious belief from his words, from his actions, from his principles, from his prayers, from his confessions, in a word, from the rect.i.tude of his life, and admit that he was, not only a fervent believer, but a practical Christian of the best kind, though he knelt at no denominational altar.
Such was our Lincoln. With wonder and admiration we stand in his presence and feel the magnetism that attracts us to the man. His goodness const.i.tuted his greatness.
As the world brings its frankincense of praise to offer as an incense at his shrine, in him men can see such an embodiment of true and glorious manhood that to him can fittingly be applied the word picture of Shakespeare"s ideal:
"The qualities are so blended in him that all the world can stand up and say, Here is a _man_."
A little doctor of divinity in a large Baptist convention stood on a step and thanked G.o.d he was a Baptist. The audience could hear him but not see him, so some one shouted, "Get up higher." "I can"t," replied the minister, "to be a Baptist is as high as I can get." He was mistaken,--there is something higher than being a Baptist or any other kind of an enthusiastic sectarian, and that is being a man. It is quite possible to be a churchman higher than the highest steeple and yet not have the affections which cl.u.s.ter around the throne of glory and find their nutriment in the bosom of G.o.d.
Lincoln"s religion was that of character, the greatest force in the universe. He gave us a life by which to know him, a life overflowing with good works, full of that seriousness which comes from seeing and dealing with eternal realities, a continuous exhibit of unselfishness.
The pure and unblemished character of this man, his integrity of deed, his honesty of purpose, his faith in G.o.d have given him an everlasting place in the affections of the people, and the example which he has left behind nerves the heart and strengthens the arm and inspires the courage of others to emulate him and follow in his footsteps. No higher or better type can be placed before American youth as an exemplar and spur for ambition.
He is not a Christian who, however orthodox in his beliefs, has not love and devotion, self-sacrifice and honesty, truthfulness and manliness.
No power is like character,--this was the power which Abraham Lincoln possessed and which carried with it the blessing of G.o.d, gaining for him the attachment of a continent and the personal love and loyalty of the Anglo-Saxon race.
We may truthfully describe this man, whose greatness was his goodness, as Tennyson describes one of his heroes: he was
"Rich in saving commonsense, And as the greatest only are-- In his simplicity sublime; Who never sold the truth to serve the hour, Nor paltered with eternal G.o.d for power; Whose life was work, whose language rife With rugged maxims hewn from life; Who never spake against a foe.
Let his great example stand Colossal, seen in every land, Till in all lands and through all human story, The path of duty be the way to glory."