St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1885-03-19
Lincoln and CLEVELAND.
With a Fresh Story of the Martyr Presi-
dent

dent.
Rev. Robert West, editor of the Chi
cago Advance, a leading Cengrega-
tional paper, writes from Washington
to late number of his paper, as fol-
lows:
There was one little incident con-
nected with the Inauguration of Presi-
dent Cleveland which meant great
deal to me. After the inaugural adj
dress, while that great multitude rep
resenting all classes in this nation
stood waiting, the speaker turned to
Chief Justice Waite, who was to adj
minister the solemn oath of office. In
stead of the Bible which has been or
dinarily used on such occasions, the
Chief Justice held in his hand little
morocco bound volume, thumb worn
and old. 1t was the Bible which Mr..
Clevelands mother gave him years ago,
when he left home, a poor boy, to make
his way in the world. That mother is
now in heaven and her son with ten
der reverence for her name and re-
mem brance of her godly instruction,
brought it with him, asking that he
might take the oath of office as Presi-
dent of the United States on this treas
ured gift.
If Mr.. Cleveland were man given
to ostentatiOn this action would be
meaningless, but he studiously avoids
display. AS he was not my choice, as
| voted against him, the more readi-
ly record this evidence, which among
others, indicates to my mind that with
increasing responsibility, he is turning
mere and more to Him who is the
source of all strength and light.
Whatever sins or sorrows may have
marked his past career, he has surely
carried himself with dignitied reserve,
and a consciousness of the great re-
spOnsibility which he is to assume,
| that ought to commend him to every
right-minded person as one endeavOr-
ing to act according to the best light
that he has.
In this connection | am reminded of
an incident which | once heard related
10y that famous actor and elocutiOnist,
James +. Murdoch. 1t was concerning
President Lincoln. l will give it as
nearly as | can remember i'll his own
words. In his matchless way he said,
Ladies' and gentlemen Bear with me
a moment while | speak of Mr.. Lin
coins religion. 1t is generally known
that he was not a protesting Christian
when he went to Washington, and in
some ways he gave offense to religious
men. But as the burden and care of
the great Office came upon him, he
turned for strength and support to the
God of the Bible. | had once been
spending three weeks in the White
House with Mr.. Lincoln us his guest.
One night, it was just after the battle
of Bull Run, ! was restless and could
not sleep. | was repeating the part
which | was to take in public per-
| formance. The hour was past mid
night. Indeed, it was coming near to
the dawn, when | heard low tones pro-
ceeding from private room near
where the President slept. The door
was partly open. | instinctively walk
ed in, and there | saw a sight which |
shall never forget. 1t was the Presi-
dent kaeeling beside an open Bible.
The light was turned low in the room.
His back was toward me. For mo-
ment | was silent, as | stood looking
in amazement and wonder. Then he
cried out in tones so pleading and sOr-
rowful, 'Oh, thou God that heard Sol
ONION in the night when he prayed
for wisdom, hear me; cannot lead
affairs of this nation without Thy help.
| am poor, and weak, and sinful. Oh,
| God who didst hear Solomon when
he cried for wisdom, hear me, and save
this nation"
Then Mr.. Murdoch added, "Dear
friends, you who know me know that
l am not a protesting Christian, the
more the pity, but l walked forward
and kneeled down by the side of that
great man and mingled my prayers and
tears with him for this bleeding coun-
try. l think from that time the clouds
which had hung low and threatening
over the affairs of our government be-
gan to roll away, the skies were bright
er, the smile of heaven was upon our
president, and the God of Solomon had
heard his prayer and sent deliver
ance."