The Portland daily press., 1895-11-04
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Rev. Mr.. Rogers Address to the Grand
Army and Sons of Veterans.

Rev. f. G. Rogers delivered an excellent
address on abraham Lincoln" to the
members of Bosworth and Thatcher Posts
of the Grand Army, the Sons OF Veterans,
the two Relief Corps and Ladies AID
American flags were prettily draped over
the pulpit alcove, and bright fowe- lent
their fragrance to the occasion.
The prelimi GARY exercises were the
usual church services, during which Mr..
May berry's cornet added greatly to the
music, which was furnished by the
congregation. Mr.. Rogers then delivered
his lecture The address occupied an
hour and was given without notes. Great
names of history, choice poetical
selections, some thrusts at parties and
follies, and sober words of appeal, ap-
peared in this loving tribute of the
speaker to Abraham Lincoln. He pre-
| ferred to express some thoughts suggested
by Lincoln's name and attempt to find
helpful lessons in his character and
course, rather than to give the familiar
story of his life.
Mr.. Lincoln may be justly termed the
"A
elements of our land ana times. Even
Washington was not SO truly an Ameri-
can, for he owed almost everything to
the old world; of aristocratic English
descent, early taught English ideas, and in
dress, manner ana department was sa
realization of the Europ can ideal of a
gentleman Lincoln owed nothing to
Europe. He was a typical American. In
him were strength and gentleness,
majesty and virtue.
| His life had most humble beginning.
Born in Hardin county, Kentucky, his
earliest years knew only plainness and
poverty. Struggle hardship and pain
came with early manhood. Has not
history demonstrated that as rule the
strongest nature, the most admirable
heroes, the most useful souls, have begun
life amid simplicity and plalnnessY
Frugality and self-denial have proved
| good soil for tall growths-less luxuriant
but of stronger fibre. One of our dangers
may lie here. The simplicity OF early
American homes we have left behind,
and perhaps have left with it, the strict
honesty and scrupulous fidelity in matters
of trust and hatred of debt, which were
characteristic of our New England
ancestors. There is a tendency towards
easy living and looseness in matters OF
trust. We must draw more tightly the
lines of our morality. How lavish we
are with our gift-making in the holidays,
paying for our gifts it may be with
money that ought to go to pay the long
standing account at the store Millions
Of dollars of other peoples money are
spent every Christmas.
Lincoln was trained in the sterner
school of hardship and of many phases OF
practical life Serving in the Black
Hawk war, elected to the Illinois Legis-
Nature, admitted to the bar. elected to
Congress. and to the presidency; his was
a varied experience, a phenomenal
career. He seems to have known some
what of the conditions under which all
| classes live. If one would help others who
suffer, he must himself have suffered. If
one would be thunderbolt he must first
take the tempest in his bosom.
| 1t was a great party that elected him
to the presidency; party OF great
principles. suppose all political parties
have some principles, though what the
principles of the Greenback party were
like the whereabouts of the bones OF
Moses-Hno man knoweth unto this day. "
He was the head of his administration.
Not to Seward or Stanton, but to Lincoln
belonged the credit of the enforcement of
the sound policy which made that adj
ministration SO successful.
/ Lincoln was an all-round man. We
have had more brilliant men, greater in
tellects but all in all, he has had no
snperior. He made but few m stakes and
none of them were serious or ag-
gregious. Even Webster, with his
knowledge of men and things, made a
fatal mistake. 1t has been said of him
nH Ff was superb pleader, but the
fugitive slave law found a hole in
MINISTER'S head" Lincoln was not mere
" good-natured, fatherly soul, all
heart. He was keen as we'll as kind.
and could be inhexibly firm. But his
h cart rather than his head must explain
the fascination which his name has had.
Honest impulse, frankness, Ingenious
ness. heartiness were here No upward
stem separated him from the people. His
loving heart was big enough to hold us
ali. and every man in the north felt that
MI Lincoln was his friend
| High position increases burdens and
obligations. The proud maxim of society,
nobiesse oblige, declares that in proper
tion to ones advantages are his obllga
tions Another charm in Lincoln and
fitting him for the hour and place, was
his marvellous patience Directing
generals in the field, seeking to har-
monte opposing clements, dealing with
the clamor and faultfnding of the north,
who could have held their great surging,
tumultuous host with the patience and
mower he exhibited Can you bear to be
nrodded and beaten, plucked and torn;
Then YOU are qualified for office.
His sympathies and ties of kindred
we're with the south, but his sense Of
iustice was with the north. Lincoln's
we'll known love for the humorous, and
his keen wit, were here alluded to and
several anecdotes that have the Lincoln
flavor were given, also some homely
maxim. which because they are so wise
and ant are current and ever will be-
He was a statesman. His was con-
snicuous ability for the management OF
nublic affairs sagacious, PRESIDENT
iudicious. He could act alone wher
| J1Lor. basitated Like Moses looking or