St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-02-15
LlNCOLN'S BIRTHDAY.
[continued from Sd page.]


teresting and practical lessons and sug-
gestions from the life of Abraham Lin
coin, in an address, at Grace Methodist
church, Sunday evening. He said in
part:
"You talk of the history Of country.
What is it AS suggested when we re-
duce it to its last analysis, it is but little
less than the life and doings OF its clti-
zens.
1--WE look in vain for the promise OF
greatness in the early life of those who
become illustrious. Most of our great
men were born in poverty and reared
amid humble surroundings.
"Think of Him who was born in sta
bic, working at the carpenters trade,
living with his parents in the village of
Nazareth, to all intents and purposes in
the ranks OF the common people of his
time until 81 years of age. All at once
dove descended from Heaven and from
that time though suffering death, resur-
recton and ascension he became the Saw
ior of the World.
abraham Lincoln split rails, so have
others. Abraham Lincoln run fiat
boat up and down the Mississippi river,
so have others, and when they pass from
this world their only epitaph will be
They run hatboats. So he labored and
toled like other men until 40 years OF
age, and at that time, had he died, he
A voice came to him one day as quietly
as that which was heard by Moses or
Saul on his way to Damascus. He was
called to a mission, high and noble call
ing to him; the result to the world, his
tory will record.
"What are some of the characteristics
that enter into and form the citizenship
part of Abraham Lincoln. What made
him illustrious 1t surely was not
wealth or power. 1t was not fascination
of manner, it was not his great erudition,
his only school was one of poverty and
adversely. Something else. He has
been called an enigma. 1t is impossible
to fathom his character. | think we can
see in him three elements at least. The
first was his loyal devotion to principle.
Second, his magnificent courage, third,
broad humanity. These three we find in
Abraham Lincoln, prominent traits.
"He hated slavery from the bottom of
his heart. He stated that by law, no
matter whatever men might think or do,
if they had rights under the constitution
and the law they should be protected.
"Going to Washington after his first
election his friends said he must not go
through Baltimore. He was protected,
or he would have been lost. We will
remember later on during his term Of
Office in his anxiety for his countrys
good he would make his wav to the war
department for news when many were
thirsting for his blood. Courage was
here prominent, but this physical courage
is insignificant, there is moral courage.
Upon every occasion he stood like rock.
Coming through poverty and degra-
dation to the highest point in the opinion
of the people, he looked down from that
eminence and said, oh why should the
spirit OF mortal be proud? He saw
something in God and humanity that
was above anything else the world could
give.
Look at that fearful day after the as
sassin had done his work. The country
saved-lree, slavery done, work already
to be crowned, grateful nation, pouring
its tribute upon him. Was he left deserted.
or was he surrounded by many American
people? We never can tell why it was that
Abraham Lincoln was so great. He
was Abraham Lincoln and no one else.
He made OF this country successful
nation"
At the close of this eloquent address
the pastor recited portion of Lowell's
commemoration ode.
At the North Church.
In response to an invitation from the
Young Mems Club, Rev. DR.. A. H. Heath
spoke on Lincoln at the North church
last Sunday night. Among other good
things DR.. Heath said:
Lincoln was the most unique character
in American history. He was the great
est of all presidents save Washington and
did the greatest work. He was the
greatest autocrat on earth in his day
and yet the most perfect servant of public
opinion. He was unique in his prepara-
ton Tor his work.
He illustrated Napoleon's idea of an
open field to merit. This idea is the
ground plan of a republic like ours. The
first 25 years OF his life was spent in the
humblest circumstances we can think Of.
"Lincoln's lie illustrated the fact that
mans success does rot depend on great
opportunities or iavoring circumstances.
He sprang into the arena of public life
and made the opportunities. He had no
favoring circumstances"
DR.. Heath then graphically described
that perilous ride to Washington and
said the only thing in American history
that compared with it was the approach
of the Mayfower to the New England
shores.
"Lincoln's life in Washington was
beset with grave difficulties. There was
no army, no navy, no money, no unity OF
sentiment in the north. His first inaug.
ural address is easily the peer of any
state paper in American history. He
also showed great wisdom in the
selection OF his cabinet"