Norwich bulletin., 1914-02-16
Religion as the Basis of LincoIn's Character, Subject of Rev. Charles H. Ricketts, Sermon

At the Greeneville Congregational church Sunday morning Rev. c. H. Ricketts preached on Religion as the Basis. of Lincolns Character. He said in part:
 As human greatness is only relative, there is no fixed standard by which we can measure men. The lines along which some are strong others are weak, and their lack of Q standard makes all comparisons more or less inVidious.
 Yet some men in the light of what they were and what they did stand high in popular estimation. No one will question the lofty pedestal on which Washington and Lincoln stand in the judgment of the American peo- pie. and yet they were so outwardly unlike that no comparison between them is satisfactory. The proximity of their birthdays, like the twin pillars of Hercules, brings them together in the popular mind and heart.
 Lincoln was born into unfavorable conditions. But he was above his early surroundings. He made the most of his opportunities, and that is re- ligion. A fundamental act of religion is to grow into the likeness of the Creator, and one way of doing this is to make the most of oneself To do this is clearer evidence of religion than mere subscription to a religious dogma. The attempt to carry out what God has SASd44S WI1IlSQ III OuI lives dl~dyS means something. while mere adher- ence to a church dogma may mean lit tie or nothing.
 This evidence of religion was seen in creating substitute for the usual course of education
 Next to meanneSs, nothing is more displeastng to the Almighty than ig- norance, as seen in the superiority of mental power over every other posses sion save moral worth. When Lincoln realized that no college diploma would ever adorn his room, he determined that its equivalent should adorn his life, and how he succeeded is a matter of history. His struggle for learning shows what may be done when a boy is dead in earnest and believes in him. self.
 Lincoln did not carry his faith on his coatsleeve-never gave his experience in a prayer meeting-peThaps he did not accept a formulated statement of theological belief, but Governor Bald win the other day was clearly right when he said that Lincoln was in er- TOT when he once stated that he was not a Christian. If it is religion to have great purpose in life; If it is religion to put forth every atom of ones strength to realize that purpose: if it is religion to turn ones back on the soft, easy, luxurious and sensual life to discover what Gods will is, then Lincoln was religious to the very core much more so than mere accept ance of a church creed.
 Iincoln's religion was seen in his never failing disposition to treat all men with fairness and justice. Atten- tion|IEas here called to the emphasis he put on the doctrine of political equal ity; the greatest doctrine ever assert ed on American soil His fairness was also seen in his historic debates with Stephen A. Douglass. The spirit of Lincoln aean0ad uyith ho teaching of Christ in the gospel of Luke: For he hath annointed me to preach the gospel to the poor, to heal the brokenh hearted, to preach deliver ance the captiVes and sto set at liberty them that are bruised"