The Cecil Whig., 1878-03-02
INTERVIEW WITH MR.. LINCOLN.
BY JUDGE SAMPLE, OF INDIANA.

BY JUDGE SAMPLE, OF INDIANA.
From the Christian Adc0cate.
| first met Mr.. Lincoln in December,
1861, in Washington, D. C. My personal
friend, Hon. C. B. Smith, introduced me-
| had seen him the Sabbath before in the
First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Dl. Cur
ley the pastor.
In August of 1869 visited the city again
on business for Hon. John w Burson of
Muncie, and was introduced by Rev Mr.
Moore, a Methodist minister, then in the
city. Having attended to the matter which
bad brought me into his presence, arose
to depart, when Mr. Lincoln pleasantly
said, "Don't he in a hurry; have just
finished writing my reply to Greeley, and
would like to read it to you and take your
opinion Of it. | would rather you would
not say any thing about it, for may want
to change it somewhat, and indeed may
not publish it at all, for it would be rather
strange thing for President to enter
into newspaper controversy on Il matter
of policy involving his power to do GER
tain thing; but l suppose you will not say
any thing about it,"
Mr.. Lincoln had then issued his procla
nation, notifying the slave States that on
the first of January next ensuing. in any
State found in arms against the Govern.
ment of the United States. slavery wonld
be abolished. This act of Mr. Lincoln had
been commented upon by Mr.. Greeley. who
called in question the Presidents power
and authority to do this act, saying that it
would be usurpatou. To this article Mr..
Lincoln had written 4 reply. l felt fiat
tered at the thought that Mr.. Lincoln
should ask my opinion on so important a
document. and resumed my seat. Mr.. Lin
colu read 1t through and awaited my com
ments upon it. said to him, Nh. Lin
coin, you are right, sir. This is an i'm
portant work devolved upon you. God is
III this movement, and | doubt not that he
will make yen his instrument to carry ont
his designs. The rebel South brought o.
let it close till human slavery closes with
it. You know, Mr.. Lincoln, the efforts
which were made years ago to cxtinguish
slavery in this nation. Tie wisdom of the
10y which it could be done Colonization
was tried bat in vain. The minds of the
best statesmen and philanthropists of the
nation were taxed for that purpose; even
our great Commoner, Henry Clay, failed
20 find way out of it. Every expedienr
failed The blight was upon US. Good
men, North and South, bewailtd the evil
Like Banquo's ghost. it would not down
at any bidding.
alt is said that mans extremity is Gods
1t was a maxim among the
ancients that whom the gods intend to
destroy they first make mad.' You know
that this rebellion was brought about bs
the madness of the slave States. Now
God has taken it up, aud he will ride upon
The whiilwind and direct the storm. Aud
when the storm abates there will not be u
Lave in all this land to rattle chain. Mr.
Lincoln, some years ago spent Sabbath
At Indianapolis, and, though a Methodist.
| found my self in the evening in DR.. Cur
ley's church"
Mr.. Lincoln asked quickly, What, our
DR.. Gurley here??'
"Yes, Dr.. Gurley, in whose church
first saw you. He lectured on some pas
sage in Revelations; the theme was Jesuit
ism in America. In bis remarks he dropped
his passage, and as my wont is, when il
any discussion anything striking occurs. |
stop listening till fix it in my memory.
The language Was this: "Seuse sees in his
tory but confusion; faith beholds God in it,
and the workings of redemption"
How is that said he: and seizng a
pen and scrap of paper lying on the table.
- please repeat it,
! repeated: Sense sees in history but
confusion; faith beholds God in it, and tie
of redemprion'
He wrote the whole passage, aud said t"
me: You say that Dr.. Gurley. our DR.
1urlcy here, uttered this remark ?"
Yes. this same DR.. Gurley, in who's,
'huIch | saw you for the first time
He wrote DR., Gurley's name under the
,entence and mine under his, and laid the
crap in pigeon hole.
said 10 him again: Mr.. Lincoln, God
is moving in this matter;
His purposes are ripening fast,
Unfolding every hour;
The bud NAV have bitter taste,
But sweet will be the flower.
Blind uuhelief is sure TO err,
And scan his work in vain;
Grd is his own interpreter.
Aud he will make it plaiu.'"
"Some years ago England declared war
ngainst China; the cause given was that by
he importation of opium into China SD.
was destroying the people. The average
life of the Chinese was only about twenty
light to thirty years The civilized worlt
ihought it very cruel and wanton war.
and so it was; but i'll the treaty of peace
Ill dIlicle was inserted providing tnat IN;
Chinese ports were to be open to the Chris
ian missionaries and the gospel. Such
hing was unknown before in any political
reaty. Now, mark the result the mis-
'ionaries of the cross have found their way
10 every part of China. Faith beholds God
n this. and the workings of redemption
Under the administration of President
Polk war was declared against Mexico |
We old Wings, Mr. Lincoln, thought it a
wicked and causeess war, and denounced
t. Mr.. Corwin, from his place in the Sen
ate, on question for voting supplies to our
army in Mexico, said he hoped the Mexi- |
cans would welcome our troops with bloody |
lands to hospitabe graves Now, see the
results: new territory is added to us, aud !
new sources of wealth by means of or
coasts and harbors on the Pacific. and new |
'outes to foreign nations" Said further |
n confirmation of the fact that God was |
moving i'll this great struggle: Mr.. Lin |!
coin, an action took place not very far |
h,t Of Il,,1I