Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-02-19
The Dawn of Hope.

awe will pray for YOU" owe will pray for
you" was the response of the crowd gathered
at the Springfield depot to bid farewell to their
townsman, called by the suiIrages Of his country
men to the leadership Of the nation in this crisis
of its history. In other circumstances, such n
parting might have called forth only partisan
demonstrations blended with the Vxhilaration OF
friendship and of city pride. But the people Of
Springfield shared with the Iresident-elcct the
feeling that he is about 10 assume a position of
the gravest responsibility and that the solemnity
Of prayer was more betting the occasion than
the cxultatiOn of pride. Mr.. Lincoln is not n
man OF empty rhetoric lie never uses words
without meaning. Those who have known him
Ms n townsman Tor twenty-five years, know him
to be a man of sincerity in word anil in deed
When, therefore, he speaks of prayer aud de
pendence upon God, il is no conventional phrase
Ology that be uses, but tho honest utteranco of
tho heart. For though not member by pro-
feseiou Of any Christian church, Mr. Lincoln is
u man of true religious sentiment, aud honors 10.
lgiou in his household and his life. In the
multitude that pressed upon him at the depot
were hundreds of praying, God-fearing men
for Springfield was early home missionary
post, and its society has been largely moalded by
the influence Of the Go'nel. The pledge Of his
tOwnsnen to pray for tue new President was as
sincere As his request for prayers in his behalf.
Was ever before an inauguration usherptl in with
such simple and touching soemnilrs Us those Of
Monday week Inst Mt Springfield?
AS the whole assembly stood silent, with un-
svered heads, Mr.. Lincoln said;
My FRIENDS mo one, not in my position.
can appreciate the sadness feel ut this parting
To the people owe all that mn. Here have
lived more than a quarter of q century here nv
children were born, and here one Of them lick
buried. know not how soon shall SEQ you
again. A duty devolyes upon me which is, pef-
haps, greater than that which Inns devolyed upon
any other man since the days of Wnshirrion
lie mover would have succeeded except for the
aid of Divine Providence, unon which be Mt all
times relied. feel that .alot succeed with
out the same Divine aid winch sustained him.
and in the same Almighty Bong / have placed
my reliance for support. hope you, my friends.
will all pray that l may receive that DIVINE
assistance without which | cannot succeed br =,
with which success is certain. Again, bidy 81,
all an afiectionate farewell. loud nppla ,ss
ard cries of ave will pray for you') ''''
"Toward the conclusion Of his remnrkg him.
self and audience were moved to tears .i;s a.
hortatiOn TO pray elioted choked exep ,,aa,;ons
of we will do il; we will do it, Asf "a ,nrnaI
to enter the cars three cheers were rivsn any
few seconds afterwards the train n owed slowlv
out Of tue sight of the silent gathesi ne.n
Every Christian must accept Fais nravarr,,,
beginning Of Mi. Aincoln's gre at task no nn
omen of hope. lie does not exa ,cerato oN h u.s. a
and responsibility. Washing .on. inJesd No NY
snmed an untried Government, undor a COnsttu.
toh which had barely been adopted lp,, tbe Sta,ao
to be united and harmorizcd und y ;s S.,.gS
sons. MI. Lincoln assumes the Government t' nj
moment when third of tho s. stes nra e;, at
in open rebellion agaiuyt the Government or ave-
h"od ~ rea ai9 Washing on came to the
country, and The grateful n.dmirStion os S" tho
people for his leadership in successful i war tr'
Mr. Lincoln is almost stra niger eve n 10 ,Ioae
, wno nave elevated him to fhe Pres ency, and
open enemies. But while Mr.. Lin coIa go, sa
Sates the difficulties and perils of his posti be
does not shrink from his respopsibi Ii,v ne
se ihumbly relies upon Divine assistance S'I anS
rs ot sat WIN IBIS success is certain" viii
cord make daily specification to Go5 y gnr Nc ,
resident who begins his Administration by i in'
Voking their prayers S--IadpendenL " 'n-