South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-02-15
SERMON ON LINCOLN
BY DOCTOR EDWARDS
History of Country Contains No
More Conspicuous Example
of PrOvidentiaI Guidance
Than Life of Emancipation.

Rev. DR.. Loren NJ Edwards Sun
de- evening preached a powerful and
r ghly interesting sermon on Abraham
lincoln in the Methodist Memorial
church. He prefaced his remarks by
saying that those who believed i'm
plicitly the inspired scriptures, could
not get away from the fact that the
Almighty God had a part in the af-
fairs or men and nations moreover,
that He has a definite plan for every
life, and II we cooperate we will fill
the exact Mich in this worlds hall of
heroes that God intends for us
The history Of America contained
no more conspicuous example Of the
providential guidance than the life
OF Lincoln. The speaker traced the
early years OF the martyred president,
and graphically portrayed the hard
ships he was called upon to endure in
his youth. There eWere strange COM
binations of contrasts in Lincoln's
character; eloquent. yet simple as a
child In speech; grave and serious, yet
famous for his stories and jests.
1t was not difficult TO see the hand
OF God In the training and heritage
bestowed upon him by the two WO-
men who mothered him. The speak
CT referred TO LincOln's trip 10 New
Orleans. 10 the undying impression
made upon him en- his visit to the
slave market. and wildly portrayed
the after activities OF Lincoln for the
restriction or slavery TO the states
where II already existed, and later to
the signing OF the immortal proclama,
ton OF emancipation.
The speaker dwelt on the religious
side OF LincOln's character at some
length. his life and work while in the
~
career at the hands of a misguided
southern sympathizer. While he. the
speaker, did not believe the assassi-
nation OF Lincoln was providential
he did believe that the Most High God
stayed the assassin's hand until the
var was over.
There had been much discussion and
much criticism that Lincoln was not
a member of any church. However
much we might desire that he had
been a churchman, 1t is Of infinitely
more value that he was a Christian
Perplexed at long and complicated
statements OF doctrines. impatient with
the sectarian controversies and de-
nominational jealOusies of his early
days, he never formally united with
any church. Yet, let us listen while
Lincoln gives 10 own personal reiig-
ious testimony: When 1 left Spring
field 1 asked the people TO pray for
me; / was not a Christian. When 1
buried my son-the severest trial Of
my life-I was not a Christian. But
when l went 10 Gettysburg and saw
the graves of thousands of our sol
diers. 1 then and there consecra1ed
myself 10 Christ. l do love Jesus"
Yes. Lincoln was one OF those good
men whose steps are ordered by the
Lord. He was both good and great.
Rugged and lofty in character. a man
OF visions yet q man of deeds; of stain
less honor and undOubted integrity:
putting his hand in Gods with a child
like faith. with that confidence which
is born OF conviction and with the as
surance Of a seer, anxious 20 know the
right and ready TO do IL, though the
heavens fall; kind in heart, pure in
life. strong in faith. rich in love
Abraham Lincoln IS our greatest
American"