Thus Spoke Lincoln

There is much said concerning Abraham Lincoln – yet not too much for such a subject. He is one of the great ones on the list of immortal men. Courage, integrity, compassion, humility were among his qualities of character – and there is no real greatness without any of these.

When he visited Richmond, but a few das before he died, some bowed down to him, while others fell at his feet. “This is not right,” he said. “You must kneel to God only, and thank him for the liberty you will hereafter enjoy. I am but God’s humble instrument,”

In one of the debates with Judge Douglas he said: “Our defense is in the spirit which prizes liberty as the heritage of all men in all lands everywhere. Destroy this spirit and you will have planted the seeds of despotism at our own doors…. Whether it is right or wrong to trample on the rights of others – that is the real issue…the eternal struggle between the who principles of tight and wrong throughout the world.”

This he said pertaining to the dignity of people: “It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels he is worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him.”

And this he said to the nation for which he gave his life: “Beware of rashness, but with energy and sleepless vigilance go forward…” “…devoutly recognizing… Almighty God in all the affairs of men and notions…. It is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgression in humble sorrow…and to recognize the sublime truth…that ‘those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.’ …It behooves us then, to humble ourselves…and to pray for clemency and forgiveness… All this being done in sincerity and truth… that the united cry of the nation will be heard on high.”

Thus Spoke Abraham Lincoln, who lived and died with this prayer and purpose: “that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom…and…shall not perish from the earth.”

God bless his memory, and ever preserve in righteousness the nation for which he was made a martyr.