El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-02-11

A BRA1AM LINCOLN was always
~ exceedingly reticent IN regard tC
= his religious VIEWS but this re-
serve gives greater force to the strik-
ing proof of the deep faith protested in
his proclamations and public addresses,
and that his life was actuated by the
highest religious principles.
His parents were Free VIII Baptists
in Kentucky. In Indiana they became
members of what was then known as
the Professionalism church, not from
any change of belief, but because it
was the only denomination in the
neghborhood. In Illinois, the Lincolns
united with the church commonly
known as Complexities"
In his early days Abraham had little
opportunity to attend church. The charge
brought against him, that he was an
agnostic, arose from the fact that
when a young man of Salem. in 1884,
he prepared review Of Paine's Age
of Reason" for a literary society in the
neighborhood. He had. to some extent,
endorsed the views of Paine His
friend, Sam Hill. burned the manuscript
and later in life he thanked Hill for
destroying it because it turned his
thoughts in another direction. Lincoln
was very superstitious and to counter
act the morbid influence it exerted
over him he cultieated the ludicrous
side of things. He was interested in
spiritualism, but he often expressed
his disgust of the fakirs. who for a
consideration, claimed the power of
summoning spirits to mortal presence.
His Mothers Simple Funeral.
In 1918, when Abraham was nine
years old, his mother died and was
buried in the cleared space little be-
yond the cabin, without any religious
ceremonies. Months afterward. an it
inerant preacher. at the request of
young Abraham, held a service over
the grave. The prayers that parson
Elkin said above the mound of Nancy
Hanks were the first public prayers TO
which Abraham Lincoln listened.
1t is known that Abraham did not
affiliate with the churches of his COM
munity. With him the stern battle of
life began early. The spectre Of pow
erty was ever at his side and the op-
PoFtunity for the development of his
religious nature was limited and yet
We find, from his letters and numerous
addresses, that from his very earliest
manhood, he expressed his belief in
God.
Attends Church In Springfield.
He attended a Presbyterian church in
Springfield, and was q faithful attend
ant in Washington, at Dr. GurIey's
Presbyterian church
To the negroes of Baltimore, who
presented him with q Bible, he said:
This great book is the best gift God
has given TO man: all the good from
the Savior of the world is communi-
Gated through the book" He was more
familiar with the Bible than most
ministers. as his literary style shows,
and the frequent quotations from it,
with which his writings are inter-
spersed. He once wrote to Joshua
Speed: Il am profitabIy engaged. read
ing the Bible Take all of this book
upon reason, if you can, and the ball
ance upon faith. you will live and die
a better man"
When requested to preside at a
meeting of the Christian commission
In Washington. held February %. 1883. /
he replied: The birthday Of Washing
ton and the Christian Sabbath coincid-
ing this year, and suggesting together
the highest interests of this life, and
CT that TO come, is most appropriate
for the meeting proposed
His stepmother taught him a few
short prayers and pious precepts. He
once said: Il remember her prayers.
and they have followed me; they have
chung to me all my life"
Bishop Simpson often called on
Lincoln. and on parting the president
out prayer" The doors would then be
locked and the two great men, as little
children, would unite their petitions.
Why He Did Not Join a Church.
Now the question arises How did it
come about that man who was so
profound believer in the Christian re-
ligion never joined a church?
lincoln was out of sympathy with
men who swallowed dogmas whole. In
his day. even more than In ours, minis
ters fell out with one another, touch
ng the meaning of the Bible, and then.
as always, weakened its influence and
their own upon the public mind. /
Precious time that Lincoln saw wasted /
and the Intellectual antagonisms be- /
gotten and the useless debates on con- 4
trovertsd points in theology. which /
then, as now. divided the hearts Of i
men caused him TO reject dogmas |
which were considered essential to sal I
ration by the denominations of his day. /
When fellow member of congress.
Ldncolns religious character, /
lsked why he did not join some church, /
re said: Because I find difficulty /
without mental reservation in giving
ny assent to their long and COM
dictated creeds. When any church in /
acribes on its altar, as a qualification
or membership. the Saviors statement
f the substance of the law and the
gospel, Thou shalt love the Lord thy
sod with all thy heart and with all thy
oul and with all thy mind
nd thy neighbor as myself" that
hurch will I join with all my heart
nd soul.
John G. Nicolay. who probably was
letter acquainted with Lincoln and /
nore closely attached to him than any,