The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-05-15
From Memphi, and Arit. Christian ADVOCATE,
Lincoln's Religion.

From Memphi, and Arit. Christian Advocate,
Lincoln's Religion.
VIM. 81. Herndon, of Springfield, ILL.,,
for many years Mr. Lincoln's law partner,
gives the following synopsis of his reli-
gious opinions:
l. He did not believe in in the special,
miraculous inspiration Of the Scriptures.
At the same time, he believed they were
inspired to a higher degree than perhaps
any other book.
3. But he believed that other works
were also inspired-such as those of Plato,
Aristotle, Shakespeare and numbers OF
others-and inspired in avery high degree,
also. He believed that all writings were
more or less inspired.
8. In fact, he believed in general law
of inspiration, to which every man, woman
and child born upon earth, and even the
earth itself, and the productions, animals,
and vegetables thereon, were alike subject,
according to their powers and capabilities
in the degree of the receptivity of each.
The whole world, and all things thereon,
were to him vast receptacle into which
God was continually breathing the life OF
lives-the soul by which and through
which the universe, with all things therein,
exists.
4. He did not believe in the tairaeulous
conception of the Virgin Mary, or in the
miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. he
looked upon Christ as man endowed with
superior inspiration, but only as man. In
fact, he was decidedly Unitarian in his
belief, as respects this dogma of the Chris
tian religion.
S. He believed in the ultimate salvation
of all men. Hs was want to observe that,
if one man was saved, then all men 10ould
be, or God could not be just God. "All
would be saved, OF nobody" was an ex-
preston he was IN the habit of using 10
his friends. He generally, however, avoid.
ed discussions upon religious subjects; and
was heard, on mort than one oteasion to
saw. "It would not do to investigate the
subject of religion too closely, as it was
apt to lead to infdelity." In 1885, Mr..
Henderson informs me, Mr.. Lincoln, wrote
rationalistic work, giving his peculiar
views on religion at length, and which he
showed to merchant, named Samuel l..
Hill. Mr.. Hill took the manuscript from
him and consigned it to the flames, warn
ing Mr.. Lincoln of the fate OF Tom. Paine,
and other infdels, placing before him the
fact that he was young man, having his
way to make in the world; and that the
publication of snch work would ruin his
social, as well as political prospects. This
work was subsequently thrown in MIR.
Lincoln's face while he was stumping this
District for Congress, against the celebra-
ted Methodist preacher, Rev: Peter Cart
wright. Bit MIR. Lincoln neyef publicly
or privately denied its authorship, or the
sentiments expressed therein: Nor was
he known to change his religious views
any, to the latest period OF his lite. "That
Mr.. Lincoln" says 2 correspondent of the
Chicago 1yHeS, writing from Springfield,
twas believer in the Christian religion,
as understood by the so-called orthodox
sects of the day, am compelled most en-
phatically to deny; that is; If l can put
faith in the statements of his most intimate
friends and acquaintance in this city. All
of them with whom l have conversed on
this subject, agree in endorsing the state
ments of MIR. Herndon.. Indeed, many Of
them them %unreservedl5 cell hin an infdel. But
by such view of his religious opinions, l
think they misjudge him, merely because
they compare his faith with the so-called
orthodox religious opinions of the day.
Narrow-minded people may class Mr.. Lin
coins religious belief with that of Paine,
voltaire, or Volney. To my idea, howev-
er, Mr.. Lincoln's views of religion were as
sublime as his views respecting human
rights and human duties. Lincoln was
too good a man to be Pharisee; too
great o man to be Sectarian, and too
charitable man to be bigot."