The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-17
APPRECIATION OF LINCOLN.


The Rev. H. c, Meserve, of Plymouth
Congregational Church. which holds serv-
ices in the Temple. at Delaware and Tenth
streets, last night used for his subject
abraham Lincoln, an Appreciation" The
speaker said he wished to convey the
thoughts and purposes of the man to the
congregation rather than his public career.
He said: ST wish to speak first of the per-
sonal equation Of Lincoln's career. 1t is no
less than marvellous that a man with the
weight of the nations destiny upon his
shoulders should find time to consider indi-
viduals and their needs. He ever stated
that it was his conviction that might cid
not make right, but that right made might.
In the midst of all his plans for our gov
eminent and his close relation to the armies
in the field he ever found time TO consider
the case of a soldier condemned to death
for sleeping at his post or some other Sc
we're military offense, and to write
a personal letter of coincidence TO
those who had suffered in the
ter he sent to Mrs. Bixby, i'm Boston, who
had given five sons to the country, is now.
/ believe, In one of the English universities
as a model of English composition.
II seemed Indifferent to wrongs done
to himself while keenly sensitive to criti-
cisms as TO his public acts. When Mr.. Sew
ard approached him early in his first term
with a plan of government, he did not re-
sent the insult as a man less great might
have done, by Diminishing the secretary, but
with all patience set 1t aside and substi-
tuted his own plan. and a much better one,
as events later proved. He was a melan-
choly man with all his jokes, and most
serious when seemingly in lightest mood.
His attitude was his safety valve, so to
speak. under which he concealed emotions
and motives not yet ready TO be revealed to
the world. This sincerity. and unsurpassed
In scope. which appeared In his personal
relation with men lay at the very basis of
his public acts. He deliberately spoiled his
chances for the senatorship in spite of the
advice of his friends when he gave to the
world that speech Once a house divided
against itself cannot stand yet the adher-
ence to right bore it's fruit in his nomina-
ton and election to the Presidency two
years later.
Again, in his first inaugural address.
when he closed with that impassioned plea
we are not enemies but friends he voiced
the sentiment Of his soul. Already the
South was in arms. but he appealed once
more to the motive of men and to the his
tory of the country. The years of rebellion
passed on and found him ever devoted to
the interest of that nation which he hoped
10 make one, and at the dedication of a
new national cemetery. on the battlefield of
Gettysburg, on that November day in the
year 1863, following the magnificent grafton
OF Edward Everett, he revealed his heart
In that great American classic, the Gettys-
burg address.
I'm his second inaugural address, when
the great war was fastening to an end. he
uttered those magnanimous words which
were to go so far toward taking away the
bitterness Of defeat from the vanquished
and undue clarifying from the ~victors. with
malice coward none. with charity for ALL
Lincoln was dominated by the principle
of righteousness in all his dealings with his
fellow-men. and that righteousness found
its perfect expression in it's sincere love to
humanity. Jesus bore the weight of the
worlds sins TO establish righteousness for
loves sake; Lincoln bore the weight of the
Nations struggle for loves sake thaI
through this expression Righteousness might
come to a united people,"