The Julesburg grit-advocate., 1912-02-22
LINCOLN'S CENTENARY
The Secret of Lincoln's Greatness
by WILLIAM NJ. DYE

Continued From Last Week.
Paul affirms there are but three
graces which abide: Faith Hope, and
Love, and that Love is the greatest of
these. These three graces Wore found
in Abraham Lincoln in almost incom-
parable measures. Think of his Faith.
If were to select a text for this ad-
dress, would refer you to l. Cor. l3:
Z, where Paul is speaking of Love,
which is inspired by Faith, when he
says, ''Beareth all things, believeth
all things, endureth all things" Then
| would offer you as a proof text
Heb. II: 81, where the author is re-
ferring to Moses, says, For he en-
dured as seeing him who is invisible
Lincoln was as truly pioneer of Faith
as was the Patriarch Abraham. By
Faith Abraham went into an unknown
land to 1.-Two, where he prospered and
grew rich; where he afterwards at
tempted to offer sacrifice of his son
according to Gods command, who see
ing his obedience, substituted another
offering, thereby rescuing his only son
from death, accepting Abraham's will
for the actual deed. But, in the case
of Abraham Lincoln, who was called of
God, to go into a land of his enemies,
not to live long and to grow rich, but
to suffer much and fight hard for the
liberty of our unfortunate brothers
and sisters in black, and to preserve
the Union of our great Republic When
five days after the liberation of 1000,
600 slaves, and the acknowledgment of
of the Union flag, God permits the
hand of villianous assassin, to be laid
not on his son, but on him, who, was
apparently the only sacrifice sufficient
to re unite the hearts and affections of
a great Anglo Saxon nation that had
been arrayed for four long bloody years
neighbor against neighbor, brother
against brother, father against son.
The Nervousness of a crime is estimated
by the injuries that it does; so also, the
value VI SdSIiIlCe 10 DdSeu upoii AHe
wrath it appeases, Or the go"d it ac-
complishes. AS Samson slew more
Phlistines in his death than during
his life: who knows but that the tragic
death of Lincoln, drew the hearts of
this naticn more closely, than his life
could have done although, from hu
man view point it seems that his death
was untimely and that there was much
left for him to do. But God knows
best, and hence, we will not presume
to question His wisdom. This much
we do know, however, that
Lincoln's vision of Gods will concern
ing this great Republic fully verified
his faith believe that he was just as
really born for the liberation of slavery
and the preservation of this Union, as
was Moses for the delivery of the
children of Israel Some mems lives
do not possess or have not cultivated
this Faith faculty. They ask to see the
end from the beginning, or else, they
will not put forth the necessary effort
to bring things to pass. God can not
use, most successfully. such men in the
furtherancc of his wise plans for hu-
manity. Lincoln felt the thrill of the
divine current, and yielded his life to
the service of his God. Men and
women. boys and girls must abandon
! themselves, as did Lincoln. to the ser
vices for which each one is best fitted,
| if they like him, would accomplish the
largest possible results. Convinced
that he was right, h . never seemed to
doubt the results of the final issue, but
pursued his course through conquest to
to victory No man in public life ever
had greater faith in the guidance of
God and the ultimate triumph of right
over wrong than did Abraham Lincoln
What a notable reply was that he made
| to minister. who said to Mr.. Lincoln,
Il hope the Lord is on the side of the
Union. To which Mr.. Lincoln re-
piled Iknow the Lord is alw ays on the
side of right, but God is my witness
that it is my constant anxiety and
prayer that both myself and this ma
ton should be on the Lords side. Per-
haps none of Lincoln's speeches reveal
his sublime trust in God so clearly and
at the same time SO pathetically as does
his farewell address on leaving Spring
field. 1t wasa raw cold rainy dismal day
About 1000 people had gathered at the
depot to see their old friend and neigh
bour depart for Washington, D. c.