The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-02
LINOOLN'S FAITH IN PROVIDENCE.

| LlNOOLN'S FAITH In PROVIDENCE.
The raid made by the Confederate
General, j. E. B. Stuart, in June,
1862, around the Union Army COM
manded by General Mcclellan,
caused great anxiety in Washington.
One of its results was the Interrupt
ton of communications between the
capital and the Army of the Potomac.
What this portended no one could
affirm. That it suggested the gray
est possibilities was felt by all.
While this feeling was dominating
all circles several gentleman, myself
among them, called on President
Lincoln in order to be definitely adj
vised about the condition of affairs
as understood by him.
To our question: "Mr. President,
have you any news from the army?'
he sadly replied: Not one word; we
can get no communication with it. |
do not know that we may have an
army; it may have been destroyed or
captured, though | cannot so believe,
for it was splendid army. But the
most can do now is to hope that Sc
rious disaster has not befallen it,"
This led to a somewhat protracted
conversation relative to the general
condition of our affairs. 1t was use
less to talk about the Army of the
Potomac; for we knew nothing con-
corning its condition or position at
that moment. The conversation
therefore, took wide range and
touched upon the subject of slavery,
about which much was said.
The President did not participate
in this conversation. He was an at
tentive listener, but gave no sign of
approval or disapproval of the views
which were expressed. At length
one of the active participants re-
marked:
"Slavery must be stricken down
wherever it exists in this country. 1t
is right that it should be. 1t is.
crime against justice and humanity.
We have tolerated it too long. 1t
brought this war upon us. l believe
that Providence is not unmindful of
the struggle in which this nation is en-
gagsd. If we do not do right | believe
God will let us go our own way to our
ruin. But, if we do right, l believe
he will lead us safely out of this
wilderness, crown our arms with vic
tory, and restore our now discovered
Union"
1 observed President Lincoln close
ly while this earnest opinion and ex-
preston of religious faith was being
uttered. l saw that it affected him
deeply, and anticipated, from the
play of his features and the sparkle
of his eyes, that he would not let
the occasion pass without making
some definite response to it. | was
not mistaken. Mr.. Lincoln had been
sitting in his chair, in a kind of
weary and Respondent attitude while
the conversation progressed. At the
conclusion of the remarks / have
quoted, he at once arose and stood at
his extreme height. Pausing mo-
ment, his right arm outstretched toe
ward the gentleman who had just
ceased speaking, his face aglow like
the face of prophet, Mr.. Lincoln
gave deliberate and emphatic utter
ance to the religious faith which sus-
tanned him in the great trial to which
he and the country were subjected.
He said:
"My faith is greater than yours.
not only believe that Providence is
not unmindful of the struggle in
which this nation is engaged; that if
we do not do right God will let us go
our own way to our ruin; and that if
we do right he will lead us safely out
of this wilderness, crown our arms
with victory, and restore our dissev-
cred union, as you have expressed
your belief; but 1 also believe that
he will compel us to do right in order
that he may do these things, not SO
much because we desire them as that
they accord with his plans of dealing
with this nation, in the midst of
which he means to establish justice.