The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-02-11

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| From that time on during the dark
days Of the civil conflict the evidence
of Lineoln's faith and his dependence
on God was continually appearing in
his public and private statements.
His famous words in regard to being
on the Lords side in contrast to those
who are so ready to claim that God is
on their side, were first uttered in con-
versation with minister who said
that he "hoped the Lord was on our
side And Lincoln relpied: 81 am not
at all concerned about that, for
know that the Lord is always on the
side on the right but it is my con-
slant anxiety and prayer that and
this Nation should be on the Lords
side"
There was one dramatic scene dur
ing the darkest days of the Civil War
that is not so well known as some
others. Certainly had not been
familiar with the story. 1t was this:
After the disaster at Bull Run when
the strength and resources of the ma
ton seemed to have been wasted, and
the hopes of the North were at their
lowest ebb, Mr.. Lincoln was well nigh
overwhelmed with the awful respon-
sibility of guiding the nation in its life
struggle. Henry Ward Beecher was
perhaps more prominently associated
with the cause of the North than any
other minister. He had preached and
lectured and fought its battles in pull
pit and press all over the country. He
had even renowned slaves from his
pulpit and he also fought the battles
of the Union in the same way in Great
Britain, until he won over the English
people to the cause Of the North. 1t was
late one night when a stranger called
at the door and wished to see Mr.
Beecher. Mr.. Beecher was working
alone in his study and the stranger re-
fused to send up his name, but re-
manned mufFled in a military cloak
which completely hid his face. Mrs.
Beecher was alarmed for her hus-
bands life had frequently been threat
ened, But Mr.. Beecher insisted that
the stranger be shown up to his
study. And for hours the anxious
wife below could hear their voices and
their footsteps as they paced the floor
back and forth Finally at midnight
the mysterious stranger disappeared, |
his face again muffled in the military
cloak. And it was not till just before
Mr.. Beecher's death, over 20 years
later, that he let it be known that his
mysterious visitor that stormy night I
was Abraham Lincoln, who, breaking !
under the strain Of those days and |
nights Of struggle, had come to him
for the sympathy and help that he
might obtain from one whom he be-
lieved TO be a man of God, engaged in
the same great battle with himself.
That night these two--the great lead
err, and the great prophet wrestled to-
gcther in prayer with the God Of bat
ties, until they received the help they
sought.
Ii was the same Lincoln who before
he issued the Emancipation Proclaim
alton, said to his cabinet: "The time
for the annunciation Of the emancipa-
ton proclamation can be no longer de-
layed. Public sentiment will sustain
it, many Of my warmest friends and
supporters demand il, and / have
promised my God that WI 90 IT."
These words were uttered in SO low
and reyerent tone that Secretary
Chase asked il he correctly understood
the last sentence, and Mr. Lincoln
answered: a made a solemn vow be-
fore God that IL General Lee were
driven back from Pennsylvania |
would crown the result BY the deeIara-
ton Of freedom 70 the slaves"