Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-09
SundayMorning Talk
The Persistent influence Of Abraham
Lincoln.

AS we draw near another Anniversary
of the birth Of Lincoln 1t is good to note
the constantly increasing measure of rev
erence and affection that gathers about
his memory. In one of the best lives
of Lincoln ever written-that by Dr. j. q.
Holland. and given to the public year
after the close of the civil war-this
ter was one which will grow. 1t will
become the basis of an ideal man. 1t
was SO pure and so unselfsh and, SO rich
in it's materials that fine imaginations
will spring from 1t to blossom and bear
fruit through all the centuries" That
now finding fulflllment under our own
ewes. The public welcomes every scrap
Of fresh information about the man that
can he unearthed. No magazine can an
appreciation of Lincoln by some COM
petent student or by discerning contem-
poraries who were honored with his per-
sonal friendship.
A republic cannot be accused of ingrati-
tude a nation cannot be wholly given over
to mammon worship which thus honors
ard prizes one of the noblest men who
ever lived. So long as our day schools
and our Sunday schools observe Lincoln
birthday so long as the anniversary is
marked by clubs and organizations that
bear his name and at whose gatherings
eminent present-day leaders. draw les
sons from his life of valor rectitude and
patriotism, his influences will be perpetu-
ated and extended. And there is likely
to be in coming time even more general
recognition OF Lincoln and his fame be-
come as secure and his position every
whit as exalted as that of Washington
Among the many helpful suggestions
from his career are those which relate
to the tremendous worth Of the simple.
rugged life. In some ways Lincoln will
always be nearer the people than Wash
ington. inaSmucn as Lincoln came from
the middle stratum. The background OF
his early life will forever suggest pow
erty, frontier conditions and limitations
of many kinds. One of the chief i'm
pre-: sions derived from visit to the Lin
coin museum here Is that of the meager-
ness Of the tools at his disposal. His
Bible with his name on the fly leaf in a
spra wiling boys hand, the old stove. the
plain desk and chair-surely these are not
the usual trappings OF royalty. But Lin
coin knew how to turn to the best ad-
vantage all the slender opportunities that
came in his way. Do not our boys and
girls, so many Of whom have super
abundance of appliances and privileges.
need to learn from Lincoln that the stun
that Is In man counts more than good
clothes and plenty of books. and even
the best education this country or Europe
can provide?
We want too, in these modern days
more of Abraham LincOln's rare pa
thence, magnanimity and love that kept
him steady during the darkest days that
made him so considerable Of the south,
that took him to the be dside of sick SOL
dters, in the way so beautifully repre-
sented in that recent little book entitled
THE Perfect Tribute" A massive brain
hc had. but his heart was even larger.
If this nation is ever to work out its
problems. if the different sections are to
b., welded firmly together, II capital and
labor are to walk on together In friendly
alliance. II the allen strains are to be as
simulated to the American ideals, it will
be because not only those who shape
our policies but the people as a whole
ara imbued with the patience and the
charity of Abraham Lincoln.
He got his strength from God and
freely admitted the fact. Listen again
to these immortal words: IF 1t were
not for my firm belief in an overruling
Providence it would be difficult for me,
in the midst of such complications of
affairs, to keep my reason on its seat.
But I am confident that the Almighty
has plans and will work them out.
have always taken counsel with Him
and have never adopted a course of pro-
cedure without being assured as far as
could of His appreciation" We honor
Lincoln most when we seek. as he did.
to conform this nation to the righteous
will of God. THE PARSON.