New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-12
LINCOLN AND RELIGION
DR. SAVAGE SPEAKS OF HIM AS VIEWED
BY THE STANDARDS OF TODAY

AY
me. me NeE' Dr Minot J. Savage preached in the
me NIessiah yesterday Some Les
sons from the Life OF Abraham Lincoln .. He he
gan Dy announcing that he had taken one text
from the Scriptures and two from lincoln Fror,
Lincoln writing he took With malice toward
none with charity FOR all, with frnness in the
I'e a 900 gives US to see the right. let Us strive
on 20 nnish the work we are in from the second
inaugural address, and Die when I may I want
II said Of me by those who know NE hest that
always pIucked thistle and planted a flower
"here thought flower would grow" written in
letter TO his friend Speed
90 not know. where any nobler words can he
Ioullo IN any scripture. written in any nation
any age IN the history OF all the world those
when have given you from Lincoln himself As
/ have said concerning the words no finer can be
lo1I.u IN any scripture, SO say concerning Lincoln
D-.-TaKlhg on one side the central character, the
NSzrg b Inere IS no man mentioned IN the Bible
4ation; who for one moment can be compared with
lincoln either for greatness or for goodness. And
s1Lee S5od Is Ultimately the author OF all Scripture
not find sermon in some OF His higher and finer
because later. creations?
Dr.. Savage spoke of Lincon's youth and educa-
ton, eulogizing the great leaders character and
talents. He continued:
come now to touch on his religious character,
gious characer for fTlends propogs t nS' do this
morning thing do not often do. 1t would help
eyes ana lace facts little now and then. Was
- ~ 3 -l1slols man II we are 20 1uage oH
in the year by The Vatican. judged from the point
OF view Of the great Roman Catholic Church. Lin
coin was not Christian a religious man, and
to-day he is tasting the cup Of torment pressed TO
the lips Of the lost II the teaching Of infaIibe
Church is true, Lincoln has been saved and
never be saved
Judged by the standards Of the Anglican Church
and the Episcopal Church Of this country Lincoln
is lost, and there is hope for him any period
Of the future. Measured by the standard Of the
Presbyterian Confession OF Faith which ministers
tell me every day almost they do believe yet
Is being published as their creed and platform ali
over Europe and America, Lincoln is lost. He
never compiled with one single condition Of the
Presbyterian Church for being saved. Judged by
the standards OF the great Methodist churches of
England and America. Lincoln is lost. Judged by
the standards Of the Congregational churches
affirmed in their great National Council at Ply
mouth Rock q few years ago. Lincoln is lost
l say i VIII do Us good and then think
a little straight and clear. II 70 say this shocks
creeds am simply telling you what they are II
II TO you incredible. too horrible TO be true
10 think that the great. gentle, magnaninous, low
ing tender, helpful man. he VINO next perhaps TO
Jesus himself is entitled 10 De called the Saviour
Il il seems too horrible Cor you TO think Of him
being lost then do not any longer support the
enough say in the street what you think in the
privacy Of your souls.
Dr. Savage said that Lincoln had written things
IN his younger days which would be called
infdel creations and that II they been sup
pressed by mis- political prospects would
have been shattered Incidentally he said: Let
say. in passing, there IS Office in the gift
OF the American people that might not have been
IN the reach OF Colonel Robert q. IngeTSOIl II ne
had been dishonest enough 10 conceal mis- opinions.
He quoted a statement of LfnCOln's. TO the
effect that Lincoln could not bring himself TO give
mental -Asa-ysrfor the
complicated statements OF Christian doctrine which
CharacreriZ their Articles Of Belief and Confess
siOns of Faith He wanted simpler creed, and
DR.. Savage believed that if Lincoln was alive to-
day he would De q Unitarian