The Washington times., 1902-02-10

The faith of Abraham Lincoln" was
the timely topic on which the Rev. John
Van Slhaick preached an eloquent ser
mon at the Church of Oar Father last
night.
It was a mastery analysis of the forces
which directed the rugged Westerner IN
his triumph, first. over the ill-eoncesled
contempt Of his Cabinet officers. and then
over the hostile secession OF eleven great
States, and yet, again, over the hesitancy
which existed in the North against the
emancipation proclamation which struck
the shacAles from the limbs Of the slave.
Compnrad with His PrcdeccSsors.
The discourse abounded in 2 wealth OF
re.erential anecdotes. \ subtle compari-
sen was drawn between Lincoln and his
predecessors in the White House.
Mr. NanSchaick used as his text: Now.
faith is the substance Of things hoped FOR.
the evidence of things not seen" He
brews Kill He said in part:
Two Presidents have, above all others.
served their country. One was Washing
ton. an English gentleman; the other was
Lincoln. e English yeoman.
Differ ing widely in birth and in Breed
ing, they are alike in the love and respect
in which they are held By all the world.
Neither was a prophetic statesman. like
Isaiah or John Quincy Adams. Neither
had a great creative genius. like Alex
arder Hamilton or Salmon P. Chase.
But both the Virginia gentleman and
the Western rail splitter possessed the
foundation virtues of the Teutonic race.
Beth were strong, patient. and cour-
ageous. Both had tact, shrewdness. and
common sense. Both had an abiding faith
in themselves, in their country, and in
their creator.
On the Sunday nearest the anniversary
OF these two great English-American
heroes. we shall DO wisely to consider
their work.
4 5Iun of Mighty Faith
Tonight we speak especially OF Ahra-
ham Lincoln, uncouth, awkward, and
homely, an enigma while he lived, puz-
zle to his friends. but yet man OF mighty
faith, which showed in mighty deeds-a
man who has become one OF the gentIcst
and tenderest memories OF our world.
Abraham Lincoln possessed tremen-
dous faith in himself, in his country, and
in his God. The first statement may be
challenged. We remember that he said
upon one occasion: I am very sure that
if / do not go away from here wiser
man | shall go away a better man from
having learned here in Washington what
a poor sort OF a man l am We remeIn-
Der also the fits OF intense melancholy.
detection. and discOuragement which
sometimes swept over him. These are not
evidences of any lack of self-confdence.
but of that humility which must temper IL
il il is to be saved from rashncss and con-
ceit.
Lincoln believed in himself and his
ability TO DO his work. He came here prac-
tically 4 new man. He was surrounded
by the greatest the wisest, the strongest
men of the nation. He was overwhelmed
with advice. Yet when Seward. with but
a half-conccaled contempt drew up his
plan for the carrying on Of the Govern
ment and intimated that the whole re-
sponsibility had better be entrusted to
him, Lincoln replied in a letter oi refusal
which for moderation and true dignity has
never been surpassed.
1t was so with Chase and Stanton.
Neither could run him. Horace Greeley,
With millions OF Republican voters at his
peck and call. could not sway him. He
istened 10 all advice with patience, but
when his mind was fixed he never
hanged.
Mistakes Made When Oycrruled.
In that memorable conversation at
Iaybreak with Senator Fessenden, Lin
,cln said this: Since l have occupied
his place every appointment have made
N my own judgment has been good one
i do not say the best that could nave
,een made, but good enough to answer
he purpose. All the mistakes have come
when / have been overruled in my judg-
rent by others. Last night | saw my
way clear to appoint you Secretary OF /
he Treasury. end I do not think you
ave any right to tell me you viii not [
ccept.
without being dogmatic or dictatorial. /
or bigOjed. he had the strong, 4
feeling which attends all
reat men-of faith in himseif-and .
housh he was beaten and storm tossed /
lany times. he never lost it,
While there may be countless numbers I
{ Young men and women who are ego
istical. there are thousands Of others
.ho lack proper self-con0dence. There
re boys who want 20 90 to college, girls 4
'ho long TO enter the professions. Let .
hCm remember that their own strong
rms and brave hearts can push back
very door that is closed.
NO obstacle need deter. II you are
lind. remember Prescott; ConSumptiye,
amembcr Wolfe: drunken, remember
ohm g. Cough. racked by pain, remem-
or Francis Parlsman, with nerves torn
nd quivering and body crippled by his
1ng wears in the wilderness, and II we
re bowed with work and responsibility,
amember Abraham Lincoln. the central J
gure Of Z fierce civil war. moving stead
Y forward under burdens thar were
rushing and accomplishing mis- work
Had Faith in His Country.
IN the second place, Abraham Lincoln
ad faith in his country. He trusted the
eopIc \ few times he took great liber-
es with the Constitution and with the
.ws. but they were in times Of great
ncrgcncy. and his acts were justified by
Eigeucies Of war.
Talking vita distinguished scholar
esterday connected with the Congress
onal Library. he said that the greatest
ork which Lincoln had done was In max
lg all see what he saw. that this must
z a Government Of the people. by the
= le and for the people History shows
pat Lincoln disceTned the better mind
rhe people, acted in harmony with il,
sAS TOREA FalnfaHtS and Children 3 3