The independent., 1904-02-18
FEBRUARY is, 1904.


I06 hUIIglUH VI llIlCUIn
Cincinnati, O., Feb. IA, 1904-"The
Religion of Lincoln" In discussing
this subject in his pulpit at the Vine
Street Congregational church, the
pastor, Herbert S. Bigelow. said in
part:
what was Iineeln's religion lie
who searches through the numberless
biographies for an answer to this
question will be reminded of Disraeli's
famous or infamous saying: All
sensible men are of one religion. What
is that? Sensible men never tell.
LINCOI.N'S SILENCE.
When we consider with what care
his words have been treasured, it is
significant that so little can be found
TO throw light on Lincoin's religious
opinions. This silence would seem to
prove one of two things Either Lin
coin had no religious opinions, or they
were Of such nature that he deemed
1t best to keep mum.
No doubt It is fortunate for the
world that the one paper in which
Lincoln dealt with this subject was
burned by a prudent friend. 1t APP
pears that he profited by his friends
advice and determined to take no
chance OF destroying his usefulness
in politics by making enemies in re-
ligion. In this respect ne presents a
striking contrast to Jefferson.
Though it is conceivable that IL Lin
coin had had any positive and earnest
convictions on this subject, he would
not have been less outspoken than
Jefferson
INFIDEL AND ATHEIST.
Mrs. Lincoln has said that "his only
philosophy was what is to be will be,
and no prayers of ours can reverse
the Decree" One of his law partners
has said: 'He was an avowed and
open inlidel; and sometimes tordered
an atheism" Without The exceptional
opportunity for knowing the truth
which this witness had, we may safe
ly reject his testimony. Ulless these
names are to be hurled ind'scrimin-
ately at any man who rejects Ortho-
dox standards, Mr. Lincoln vas Ger"
talnly neither infidel nor atheist. No
doubt he held views which would
have been branded AS infidnHty and
atheism by. the pious mob So also
have some of The most deeply rellg-
ious men that ever lived Hes true
to God who's true to man.' Measured
by this standard you cannot make
lincoln out an infidel. A man canEol
prove his fidelity to mln and at the
I fvxG lot fnxY ri nH
NO CHRISTIAN FAITH.
Justice David Davis has said: "ht
had no faith in the Christian sense
of the term-had faith in laws, prin
,lples, causes and effects" Especial
ly did Lincoln believe in the morality
of the universe. '"Those who deny
freedom to others deserve it moi fol
themselves, and under a just Goo
cannot long retain it. That couit
not have come from tie heart of al
atheist. That sentiment might have
come from the heart of man wht
was believed to be an atheist, or WHIT
called himself one. But the belle
that this universe is so constructed
tnai injustice will not work-that be
lief is the very core of any genuine
faith in God.
FLOWERS AND 1HOFNS.
Once after granting pardon whicl
saved the life of soldier Lincoll
turned to friend and said: Say 0
me that | plucked thorn and planted
2 flower, wherever thought fiowc
would grow"
Measured by the standards Of tf'
church he was hereto. Yet hi
glowing faith in humanity and tn
right is like pillar of fire. still lead
ing us, as by the hand of God, out o
the house of bondage.