Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-16
TAXES LINCOLN FOR TOPIC
Regular Services at Broadway n. Z Church
Dispensed with fOr a Night
GYNAN TALKS ON MARTYR PRESIDENT
Capacity Of BdiGce Taxed by Audience
which sen TO BeHr n
Trfbute 20 One of Va
tion's G~reateE

The congregation Of the Broadway Meth
odist church last evening. in Observance Of
the birthday anniversary OF Abraham Lin
coin listened to an interesting address BY
Hon Emmett FINLEY on the martyred preH-
ident Mr.. Tinley's address was in place
OF the regular sermon by the pastor, Rev.
W J. Calfee, and he was greeted by an
audience that taxed the seating capacity
OF the edihoe, many Of those present being
members Of other churches.
Mr.. FINLEY said in part:
Certainly no apology is required for the
BuDEtftut1On Of a memorial 10 Lincoln for
the usual service in a Christian church. In
america : calendar the month OF February
Possesses q very tender sacredness. II gave
10 Us a creator and q savior Of our nation
washington and a L~nculn-thes two
others. As the Christian turns with thought
iul reverence 10 Peter and Paul. so the
American turns TO Washington and LIN
coin with feelings OF patriotic gratitude.
History furnishes no parallel for these two
lives. Unlike in every feature and charac-
IeriHtic, alike only IN personal greatness.
~ashing1on. cultured, refined, educated
gentleman, aristocrnric IN taste and sur
IOundingsi LncOln OF plain. and humble
origin. deprived of the advantages Of edu-
cation and refined social environments
Thes@ two lives constitute America con-
trtbutiUn 10 the lirt Of the worlds i'm
mortals. and every nation bows TO the
completeness OF our triumph. But IL iE OF
[IA1tAA n WRAAA 6ttAka AAh NAhAnf kIth
man was disrinctively American in his
personality. vet his life and Rc-nievemeuts
belong TO mankind: A single nation might
claim the living Lincoln, but his thoughts
and actions proclaimed a broader alleEi-
ance. He hut worked out what was within
him but lived mis- destiny. His was not an
artificial life, influenced by environments
and education, modified by thoughts OF
policy. applause Of admirers or censure Of
critics. God had created Sim for a pur-
pose and in him a genius 10 meet the
might granduer Of that purpose. In his
simple naturRlDts SIS he occupies a sinCularly
unique position IN history. We search in
vain for an associate in the profRne annals
Of the world. Indeed, fame must be said
10 have rwo classes, that attained by in
nate greatness, and that attained by
shrewdness and good fortune. This former
may be possessed On1y by the truly great
question Of luck.
Conscience His Guide.
Lincoln Wal sincerely honest in his every
purpose. He could not countenance deceit
IN any form and with him deceit OF self
was the greatest crime. When his con-
science and judgment formed a conclusion
there was for him no deviation. Whether
the course was polite or popular did not
move him one particle. It was simply a
question OF what was rights The conse-
QuenceS 10 himself and the result were
wholly fmmatsrial- His conscience Hno
judgment were utterly supreme.
de had but one purpose In life and most
tenaciously did he adhere TO his mission
He keenly realized the distress of his coun-
try. and 10 the preservation of the union
he dedicated his every effort. Few men
could have resisted the temptation of fol
lowing the collateral issues of his time.
None other was able to do 20. In that line
the prospects Of success and fame were
most brilliant The tnconEruOusness and
inconsiEtenCv of slavery with our form
Of government led all others believing with
him on general lines 10 conclude that the
principal object TO he accomplished wal
the abolition Of slavery. Not SO with Lin
coin. To his mind this Was purely second
airy. merely an incident II was not that
he IiT mt feel as earnestly the HtgETAgHful
inconsistency of our nation. His big. tender
heart yearned 10 help the unfortunate black
man.
The great crisis presented 70 his superior
ANALYSIS a duty The very LIE
of his nation was threatened and 10 his
great mind II WIS clearly his trst duty 10
save the nation, and then direct his atten-
ton 10 the evil of slavery. His one great
aim was the preservation OF the union