Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-02-08
Memory Honored in Churches
and Other Assemblies.
SERMON BY DR.. SHANNON
Gods Greatest, Grandest Prophet to
American People
5 SECULAR LEAGUE MEETING
''Friend of Man" Is Title Given
Martyr President by DR..
Charles Wood.

The memory of Abraham Lincoln was
honored in church sermons and in ad-
dresses at other gatherings yesterday
The approaching centennial OF the birth
Of Lincoln was a live topic in meetings
of leagues and associations last night.
AS forerunner of memorial sermon
to be preached later in the week at
Metropolitan NJ. E. Church. Rev. DR.. John
Reid Shannon called Lincoln God s
greatest and grandest prophet to the
American people, and spoke from that
text.
At Pythian Temple last evening the
Washington Secular League held meet
ing, at which stories of Lincoln were
told. Rev. DR.. Charles Wood, at the
Church Of the Covenant, spoke on Lin
coin as the Friend of Man.
DR.. Shannon's Discourse.
DR.. Shannon spoke to an audience aug
mented by many representatives Of G. A.
r. posts in the city, present at the invita-
ton of the church. He said, in part:
.'Lincolns face is a great scroll upon
which we may read the profound tragedy
of the civil strife. Little wonder is 1t
that he cried out from the depths Of his
soul that he would willingly exchange
places with the humblest private on the
battlefield.
Excepting Jesus Christ. Lincoln was
the most magnanimous man who ever
lived. He rose to the greatest heights
known to human history. His Is the
most ma jeStic figure in all the chronicles
of the race.
81 am not bound to win, but am
bound to be true he said. i am not
bound to succeed, but 1 am bound to live
up to the light that is in me-
His is colossal personality. He unltes
in himself such unique forces that he Is
phenomenon. The verdict of history
in that the AngloSaXon race has never
produced a greater man. His name Is
spoken with love wherever human liberty
has a friend wherever human brother
hood has patron
Infexible Determination.
THAT which upheld him under his ire
mendous burdens was his faith in God.
That alone kept him adhering with in
flexible determination to policy of ad-
ministration that he believed to be In
accordance with righteousness. He rests
in the truth of Gods sovereignty in ma
tional affairs as in a sanctuary built upon
eternal rock and lighted by the sun of
the heavens.
NO other ruler in history has ever
manifested such trust in Gods provi-
dence in all great national eXiGencies.
And for us all it is better to have no foot
hold in the world, and to be on the side
of righteousness, rather than the reverse
of this condition. What does it profit a
man to gain the world and lose his own
soul?
'Lincolns browning greatness inheres
in his moral character. There is divine
| eyed to be his duty. As the needle on
all seas. in calm and in storm. is true to
the pole, was he true to himself in all
matters great and small.
mo man so sorely tired and tested, no
man with Astounding love In his hear,
and great principle in his soul. was Sc
compelled to bear the brunt of leadership
while this nation washed out its sins IN
blood
Secular League Meeting.
At the meeting of the Washington Sec
ular League, held in Pythian Temple las,
night, a story of Lincoln was told by
Samuel X. Hall of a regiment of Mis-
souri, volunteers. who served severa
months during the civil war without pay
and without official recognition until Lin
coins influence was brought to bear.
/, Capt. Hall said that through a techni-
cality the names of the 900 men in TIL.
regiment could not be placed on the rec
ords OF the War Department. Capt. Hal
was an adiutant In the regiment an,
came to Washington after the regiment
had served five months in its anomalous
position and saw many men of influence
All of them had much to say on the
score of the regiments splendid example
of heroism. and exhibited much feeling
when they realized that nearly thou
sand strong young men were serving
their country at TIL" risk of their lives
without pay. But they did not succeed
in using their Influence to get the name:
on the pay rolls.
| When, finally Capt. Hall obtained an au
dience with Lincoln. his request was
granted within d few minutes.
| Tributes were paid TO Lincoln at the
same meeting by Maurice Pechin anC
| George Lawrence. Prof. Hyland c. Kirk
president of the Secular League, presided
Lincoln, Friend of Man"
A Lincoln memorial service he!t
| in the Church of the Covenant last night
AS special musical feature Gounod
st. Cecilia" was sung.
Rev Charles Wood, speaking on Lin
coin as the Friend of Man." said il
| part:
I'VE think of Moses as the friend o
| law: Socrates as the friend OF truth: o
| Isaiah as the friend of righteousness: O
| ington as the friend of liberty. but W,
| think of Abraham Lincoln. preserver o
| the Union, as the friend of man.
| His intellectual counterpart was tn,
Greek Socrates, while morally the Ger
man Luther. with his love of merrimen
and laughter. his intense sympathy FOL
all who suffer. and his broad humanit.
and fearlesSness. resembled Lincoln more
than any of his own countrymen.
| Lincoln believed with faith stron:
as that of Moses himself in the obliSa
ton of law and duty and in the entr,
ItrustwOrthineSS of the moral order OF tn,
universe. He knew that he was on God
side and that Gods side must win in tn,
long run. He lived TO See that side every
where triumphant. and by the tragedy .
assassination. in the supreme hour .
victory. he was suddenly and foreve
emba lined.
| Now he belongs to the ages. sal,
Secretary Stanton. Lincoln breathe,
| his last. How high the ages Will place
! him we are Just beginning to see
MAI ANnRIIS SANE