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


Bible was read morning and evening
and his father always returned thanks
at the table. On one occasion the only
thing for dinner was baked potatoes,
After the father had returned thanks
for "these blessings" ii is said that
young Abe looked up and said: dad
call these mighty poor blessings
But Lincoln had never lived where
there was a church until he went TO
the legislature in Vandalia, H., in
December, 1888. There are many in
cidents told which show Lincoln the
man, while he made no profession of
being, TO have been believer in God,
and at least nominally religious, and
long before the manifestation Of the
stronger faith Of later years. When
he was 2S years old in 1887, after at
tending camp meeting near SPRING
field, ILL.,, with some friends, he listen
cd to Rev. Peter Akens d. d., Of the
M. 4. Church, who spoke of certain
prophecies and predicted the down
fall of castes, the end of tyrannies,
and the crushing out of slavery, Lin
coin was so much interested that on
the way home he said: at was the
most instructive sermon, and he is the
most impressive preacher have ever
heard. 1t is wonderful that God has
given such power to men,. ! firmly
believe his Interpretation of prophecy,
so far as l understand it, and espec-
tally about the breaking down Of civil
and religious tyrannies; and, odd as
it may seem, was deeply impressed
that | should be somehow strangely
mixed up with them" After visit
to some friends-the Speeds--in Ken
lucky, Mr.. Lincoln wrote to Miss
Mary Speed, and spoke of the cheer
fulness of some slaves chained to-
gether in the steamboat, saying: "How
true it is that God tempers the wind
to the shorn lamb or in other words
that he renders the worst of human
conditions tolerable, while he permits
the best to be nothing better than
tolerable." And speaking of an Ok
ford Bible which Mrs. Speed had CIV
en- him, he says: "Tell your mother
that | have not got her present with
me, but | intend to read it regularly
when | return home. doubt not that
it is really, as she says, the best cure
for the blues, could one but take it
according to the truth" 1t is said
that during a few years before 1850
Mr.. Lincoln wrestled with doubt and
uncertainty. Help came to him from
Rev. Jas. Smith d. d., pastor Of the
First Presbyterian Church of Spring
field. DR.. Smith was stalwart
Scotchman with big brain, typical
colonistic theologian. He was the au-
thor of work in two volumes called
"The Christians Defence" 1t was the
outgrowth of debate between the
doctor and well known skeptic of
that time. Rev. DR.. Bishop of Salina,
Kan, in 1877, gave an address in
which with great deal of detail he
showed that it was DIR. Smiths book
which as he claimed was the influence
which resolved Mr. .Lincoln's doubts
and converted him to the Christian
faith. Certain it is that Mr., Lincoln
was greatly attached to his pastor,
DR.. Smith, and afterward, when he
was President, appointed him consul
at Dundee, Scotland. As expressive
of Lincoln's faith these words appear
in letter written to his step-brother,
John ID. Johnson, concerning his father
who was very sick 81 sincerely hope
father may recover his health, but, att
all events, tell him to remember to
call and confide in our great and good
and merciful Maker, who will not
turn away from him in any extremity
He notes the fall Of sparrow, and
numbers the hairs Of our heads, and
He will not forget the dying man who
puts his trust in Him. If it be his lot
to go home, he will soon have a joyous
meeting with many loved ones gone
before, and where the rest Of US
through the help of God, hope ere long
to join them"
In Lincoln's celebrated reply to
Douglass in Chicago, July 10, 1858,
he said: at is said in one of the ad-
of our Lord, BE ye (thcre-
fore) perfect, even as your Father
which is in heaven is perfect? The
Savior, suppose, did not expect that
any human creature could be as per-
feet as the Father in heaven; but He
said, AS your Father in heaven is
perfect, be ye also perfect He set
the standard and he who did most
toward reaching that standard attain
ID the highest degree Of moral perfec-
.ion.7
Omitting much Of interest, we pass
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