Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-11-26
BY DIR. WILLIAM e. BARTON
Author, "The Soul of Abraham Lin
coln," "The Paternity of Abb
raham Lincoln" Etc.

OAK PARK; In.-There lies be-
fore me, as I write, the book that
changed the religious thinking of
Abraham Lincoln.
It is "The Christians Defense"
by James Smith, published in Gin
cinnati in 1S43. I found this book
after a long and systematic search
through second hand shops and the
attics Of libraries, colleges and theo-
logical schools from New England
to Mississippi.
The story connected with this book
had it's start back in 1850, when Ed
win Baker Lincoln, second son of
Abraham and Mary Lincoln, died at
Springfield, Ill.
Lincoln Reads the Book
Funeral services were conducted
by Rev. James Smith, pastor OF the
First Presbyterian church, in the alb
sence of Rev. Charles Dresser, OF
the Episcopal church, of which Mrs.
Lincoln was a member.
Shortly after, Lincoln, visiting in
Lexington, KY, picked up a thick
leather-bound volume called 'The
Christians Defense" He noted that
it was written by the Springfield
minister who had so recently come
into his home.
On his return to Springfield Lin
coin borrowed a copy of the book
from the author, and became deep
ly interested in it.
It was the outgrowth OF rellg-
ions debate between Rev. Smith ana
an infidel named Olmstead, at Co"
l11nabus. Miss Dr. Smith was a
Scotchman who had been deist.
When he was challenged to this de-
bate he took eighteen months to pre-
pare for it.
Arguments Unanswerable
He quoted from Volney's ruins
and Paine's "Age of Reason" and
showed himself thoroughly familiar
with the literature Of the opponents
OF the Christian religion, and then
brought in his refutation.
Lincoln, in his early manhood, had
read Paine and Volney and had
been impressed by their teachings.
He had never heard their arguments
refuted in this manner. He return
ed the book to DR.. Smith with the
statement that he considered MS ar
guments "unansWerable."
1t is remarkable that all knoWl-
edge of this book persisted from
Springfield. The fact that there was
such a book came out in connection
with the Lincoln centennial celepra-
ton in Springfield in 1909.
The pastor Of the First PreSbyte-
rian church, DR.. Logan, mentioned
it in his celebration address,. lie
had learned about the book from
two greatgranddaught OF Dr'
Smith.
I iourneyed to Springfield, met
these ladies and examined the DOCK
7 also read DR.. Smiths and other
statements of the affair.
Lincoln Joins Church
Among these statements is one
written by Ninian w. Edwards, who
said that Lincoln had told him:
have been reading a work OF Dr
Smith on the evidences of Christian
itv. and have heard him preach anc
converse on the subject, and am now
convinced of the truth of the Chrls
tan religion"
After Lincoln read the book Mrs
Lincoln left the Episcopal churcf
and Joined the First Presbyterian
church and Lincoln rented a pew
paying $50 a year for it.
After Lincoln became president ne
learned that DR.. Smith had retired
from the active ministry, and wish
ed to return to his own country
He appointed him United States con
sui to Edinburgh.
1.-THE Christians Defense" is
printed in two parts, one Of BIZ
pages, the other of 1854 pages, and
the tNnn is small.