The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-02-08

great character, and great as he was
as leader he was even greater as a
man. He was among profane men
constantly in youth. yet was never
himself profane. He was reared
among drinking men, yet was con-
stantly an advocate of temperance. He
was ever subject to bitter attacks and
harsh judgments, yet he was free from
back biting, malice, hatred, and re-
venge Now. where did he secure the
strength to so endure unsullied In his
upward progress against discourage
ment, obstacles and temptation? The
answer is to be found In his religious
nature.
His spiritual nature was founded up
on his firm belief In God, When no.
table man said to him that he hoped
the Lord was on his side, Lincoln re-
piled. II know the Lord is on the side
of right, but God is my witness that
it is my constant anxiety and prayer
that both this nation and myself should
be on the Lords side" When he was
leaving Springfield to go to live In
Washington. he said to the crowd that
gathered on the cold. damp day to bid
him farewell: II now leave. not know
ing when or whether ever I shall re-
turn, with task before me greater
than that which rested upon Washing
ton Without the assistance of that
Divine Being who ever attended him
I can not succeed With that assist
ance ] cannot fail Trusting Him who
can go with me and remain with you
and be everywhere for good. let us
confidently hope that all will yet be
well. To His care commencing you
as | hope you will In your prayers
commend us, bid you an affectionate
farewell"
To Mr.. Bateman, state Superintend-
ent of Schools. he in 1860 said; Il
am nothing. but truth Is everything
I~know | am right for ] know liberty
is right. for Christ teaches It and
Christ is Cod" And after the mem
orable visit to the battlefield OF Get
tysburg. he wrote. speaking OF the
great number Of dead: when God
took my son in death | was deeply
impressed. but still | did not give my
heart to Christ or really love Him.
but when | stood on that battlefield
gave my heart to Christ"
Lincoln had a great love and rev.
erence for the Bible. He was a con-
stant student of It. To Joshua Speed
he said: II am profitably engaged in
reading the Bible. Take all Of this
book on reason that YOU can and the
balance on faith and you will live and
die better man" Again when the
colored man of Baltimore gave him a
Bible he said: I'm regard to this great
book / have only to say that 1t is the
best gift which God has given to men"
In this regard VIC recall that the Bi-
BILE was one of the four books read by
him In childhood
Lincoln was man of prayer He
remembered the nation the army, and
even the enemy in prayer. Often he
spoke Of the victories of Gettysburg
and VicSsburg as direct answers to
his prayer and when the Emancipation
Proclamation was issued he said: II
had promised God ] would do It." In
this connection 1t is helpful to read
the proclamation issued by him pro-
claiming April Goth, 1863, as fast and
prayer day. in which he speaks touch
ingly OF those too proud and wise 10
pray: and to read his announcement
to the nation OF the victory at Gettys-
burg, in which he especially desires
that He whose will. not ours. should
ever be done. be remembered every
where and reverenced with profound
est gratitude
1t was from such a vital faith that
Lincoln drew his strength TO continu-
ally endure in hope and cheerfulness
Now let the lesson come home to each
of us. If we expect 70 endure tempta-
ton and trial we. too. must draw from
more vital reality than Indifference
and doubt The immediate causes and
great problems so potent In the deyel-
oping of his great character are now
no more, but America today calls for
patriotism as loyal and manhood as
unsullied to solve our presentday
problems as when In his day war
drums were sounding and the battle
flags were unfurled. The church ami
nation calls for men and holds forth
great laurels for those who are worthy
Never was there a greater opportunity
TO an open door to true greatness
through the embodiment OF Christian
character.