New-York tribune., 1899-02-13
LINCOLN A CHRISTIAN.
DIR. c. l.. GOODELL TELLS OF HIS
PRAYERFUL LIFE.
A LARGE CONGREGATION LISTENS To An INTER
FSTING SERMON oN THE moral. CHARACTER

A LARGE CONGREGATIoN LISTENS TO AN lNI@N-
rsTING SERMON oN THE MORAL CHARACTER
or THE GREAT LBERAToR
DR.. Charles J.. Goodel preached TO large con,
gregation In the Hanson Place Methodist hplscopa'
Cburch last evening on Was Abraham Lincoln a
Christian Man" DR. Goodell has made a spe'ial
study Of the character OF Lincoln and mas deINeIeu
a great many lectures on him. so that his aduress
was listened 10 with especial Interest tie pesa'i
by speaking IN glowing terms OF lAncoihs ho'a'
character and told number OF incidents III MS
life Illustrative OF his sterling integrity ana motal
backbone ia affirming that Lincoln was a 'hr'S-
tiau he said In part;
II has been said that Abraham Lincoln although
man is to-nieht saving this IN New-York know
that Lincoln was Christian. ana am SUI sur Ia az
those who will carefully study ms ne VIII VIA ~ ,, as
well convinced OF 1t as am lie once salH NM
self just before he took his Oath as Presluel' ol
the United states. that he could not take up me
great burdens about 10 be- thrust upon him II he
aid not frel sure that there N1s a H'shbel sb, P%"s
which would help MIN recall 100 VIA, Mnat - ~
who knew him Intimately said was a custom OF hls
,aEe wIe,e his Old time,Worn Bible I'm his hand and
retire TO a room by himself whenever he Knew lhe
br the hour for victory placing his faith solely in
God once a friend broke into his room Dy mlstdk
the floor with his Bible IN his hands ana dS he
was saying IN an agony OF en'reaHi,, alHi, ~ "ou'
William II. Seward was talking with MIN once Just
before the EmanGipaton ProclamaIIlCn waS God
some time ago and / said to God that II lie would
drive the rebels out OF Maryland would give out
a proclamation OF emancipation. He did n. ana
will DO it,
PRAYED BEFORE GETTYSBURG.
And recall a story OF Gepera Slcklas, who was
not an over-religous man He said that Lincoln
spoke OF a prayer he had made just before the hna
back Of the Confederates IN Pennsylvania. i
urayed long and earnestly" said Lincoln. unaffect-
.llv and reyerenty "and when ! got up knew
that God had given me Gettysburg That was the
man When the battle he opened his Bible
and prayed IN agony 10 God for help.
A SUNDAY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
Now ! want to tell you story which think
has never been published was lecturing on Lin
coin IN New En- gland once. snd. while / could see
that the people were moved. noticed I'm particular
the emotion Of one old man directly in front OF me.
When the lecture he came up and SHOOK
me by the hand. with tears in his eyes. II want
TO thank you for what you said about the Christian
lfv OF Lincoln he said. Abraham Lincoln was
young man. and was pastor OF Htte chuTCh IN
/ Illinois and no man ever had a more faithful one
/ than he was 10 me lie chose TO close the service
every week with a review Of the lesson. and his
review was always spiritual Time end again have
! seen the tears rolling down his cheeks While he
was trying bring his hearers 10 God
Abraham Lincoln never tOined the church. Wlsh
he had But he was true ANA loyal memDef Of
Gods one great Church II to profess some partcu-
lar shbboeth or creed is TO be a Christian. grant
that Lincoln was not Christian. But II 10 love
/ mercy 10 deal Justly and 10 walk humDy with
/ God is 20 be Christian. then say that Abraham
/ Lincoln Christian.