The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1915-02-11
ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
THE CHRISTIAN
CONTINUED from Page u


by the convention" With all these
and other expressions of faith, he was
very slow in affirming that he was
Christian perhaps from his very
consciousness
At the time of his nomination to
the Presidency, in the course of an in
terview with Hon. Newton Bateman,
superintendent Of public instruction in
Illinois, Lincoln drew fourth pocket
New Testament and said Il am not
Christian. God kncws | would be one,
but | have carefully read the Bible,
and do not so understand this Book
referring to the attitude of many
prominent Christian people toward
slavery With trembling voice, and
his cheeks wet with tears, he contin-
ued: 81 know there is a God, and that
He hates injustice ard slavery. ! see
the storm coming, and know that His
hand is in it. If He has place and
work for me-and | think He has
| believe am ready. | am nothing,
but truth is everything. / know ! am
right, because | know that liberty is
right, for Christ teaches it, and Christ
is God have told them that a house
divided against itself cannot stand,
and Christ and reason say the same,
and they will find it so. Douglass
don't care whether slavery is voted up
or down, but God cares, and humanity
cares, and | care; and with Gods help
| shall not fail. may not see the
end, but it will come, and | shall be
indicated; and these men will find
that they have not read their Bibles
Alright"
After further conversation of this
sort, during which Mr. Bateman said
that everything Mr.. Yincon said was
of peculiarly deep, tender, and re-
ligious tone, and after further |
reference TO a belief in Divine Provi- |
dcnce, and the fact Of God in history, |
the conversation turned upon prayer
Lincoln freely stated his belief in the
duty, privilege, and efficacy Of prayer, I
and intimated IN no unmistakable
terms that he had sought in that way |
the Divine guidance and favor. When /
they separated, Mr. Bateman said: u
had not supposed that you were ac-
eustomed 10 think Sc much upon this
class Of subjects Certainly your
friends generally are ignorant Of the
sentiments you have expressed to me"
And LincoIns answer was Il know
they are. But | think more on these
subjects than upon all others; and
have done SO for years; and | am will
ing that you should know IT,
And not long before his Inaugural
ton, in January, 1861, in a converse
ton in his own home in Springfield.
Ill.,, with Judge Gillespie, an old
friend, Lincoln said: II see the duty
deyolving upon me. have read upon
my knees the story Of Gothsemane.
where the Son Of God prayed in vain
that the cup az bitterness might pass
from Him. am in the garden Of
Gethscmane now, and my cup Of bit
tcrness Is full ard Overlooking"
I1ncoln's farewell words TO his
friends and neighbors in Springfield, +
M, Feb. II, 1861 are familiar to
many Standing on the rear platform
Of car, Mr.. Lincoln said To-day I
leave YOU. 20 to assume task more
difficult than that which devolved upon
General Washington. Unless the great
God who assisted him shall be with
and aid me. must fail; but II the
same Omniscien, Mind, and Almighty
Arm that directed and protected him
shall guide and support ME, shall not
fail shall succeed Let us al pray
that the God Of our fathers may not
forsaie us now TO Him commend I
you all. Permit ne 70 ask that with