The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-12

Abraham Lincoln the Christian" was
the subject Of a sermon preached by the
Rev. John Van Schaick at the II o'clock
service of the Church OF Our Father yes
terday. The service was in commemora-
tion of the ninety-first anniversary OF
Lincoln's birth. The mixed quartette.
under the direction OF Mr.. Ernest C.
Beatty, organist. sang My Faith Looks
Up to Thee" by Laehner. Mr.. Julius
Hulling rendered a baritone solo, 'one
sweetly Solemn Thought" by Boez-
Rev. Van Schaick took for his text
Kings. vii:22. rs there not here prophet
of the Lord?''
He said: I'm announcing my subject
show which side I shall take of a famous
dispute Since the great President died.
atheists inhdels. orthodox, and heterodox
have been debating the question. Was
Abraham Lincoln Christian We start
with no premise we are bound to main
tain | merely state my conclusion in my
subject Following the example Of the
great teacher of Galilee who preached upoi
men and upon things with which they were
familiar, who took as his texts the wild
birds and the lilies of the field. | ask
you 10 turn to this great life today.
ITO answer our question as TO whether
Lincoln was Christian we must ask
another: What is Christian? The
simple and natural definition is. \ fol-
lower Of Jesus Christ. One who believes
so thoroughly in his teachings that he is
willing to make them the rule Of conduct
for his life
Jesus stood for Righteousness of lie.
He imposed no other test OF creed than
love of God and love CT man. To be
Christian, according to his standard, it
was not necessary to believe in doctrine
or a sacrament. trinity or transuoslan-
tiation, but to cherish a forgivins spirit.
clean hands, a pure heart, and right
life Salvation to him was in character.
Judge Abraham Lincoln by the tests i'm
posed b. the founder of Christianity and
not by medieval monk. Judge him by
his clear, patient, forseeing mind: his
great. kindly heart. his courageous, deter
mined will and see whether he was
Christian"
Mr.. Van Schaick then traced Lincoln's
career from his childhood's poverty through
all his struggles and triumphs at the bar
to the Lincoln Douglas debate, to his great
services as President. In youth he was
persistent and determined at the bar he
was simple, keen. and honest; in politics
and in the White House ne was patithl,
tactful, and resourceful.
ION the basis of character" continued
Mr.. Van Schaick. Il would call Lincoln
Christian. He offered the cup of cold water
to hundreds OF dying souls; he turned aside
from his pathway many times and. like the
good Samaritan. bent down and ministered
to the man who fell among thieves. He
bore jibes. sneers. and insults with calm
ness. promoting his insulters to high Offices
when he felt the county needed them II
this great, kindly. loving soul cannot be
called Christian. then so much the worse
for Christianity"
Referring to Lincoln's memorable words
at Gettysburg Mr.. Van Schaick quoted the
following extract: Commenting you to
him who is everywhere for good. let us
look reverentlv to him who is the source of
all cur blessings. With malice toward none.
with charity for all, with frmness in the
right as God gives us 10 see the right,
and concluded: IF Lincoln was deist, he
chung to the deism OF the Lords Prayer and
the sermon on the mount"