The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-02-13
Abraham Lincoln Urged
 As Good Example for Boys

Abraham Llncoln's birthday yester- day gave Dr. Macsporran the oc- caslon for a notable sermon before a large congregation on Abraham Lincoln, the American"
 Dr. MacSporran said: Alabama is in the limelight now. The eyes of the world are upon us. Everywhere men are discussing our natural re- sources, our Muscle Shoals. They are doing 1t because no man can think of the potential energy unharnessed there without thrill, And we know that, no matter how politicians may rave and interests scheme, Muscle Shoals will yet become part of the vast muscle of our country
 But there Is another form of wealth and potential power infinitely more precious that Is being wasted needing only to harnessed to trans form and transfigure the whole so- oial landscape. l am talking of the youth of our city and state and na- tion They are full of effervesence and energy-and revolt. They are wasting so much of their powers m dangerous experiments and in seek ing self-expression. They are n no mood for tame preachments. They seek something that they can have faith in and understand But they inherited this condition, over -stim- ulated by artificial civilization. And I do not blame them for the con- fusion of their faith. l believe in them and their capacities. Yet 1t is true that they are selling their birthrIght for mess of pottage. They have lost hold on high vision, on their anchor for troubled seas. Urged as Example
 "I believe there Is one great Amer ican whom. If they would follow and understand, would lead them out of 1 their moraBs. l am using his life as an illustration of certain divine truths.
 Like Abraham of old, Lincoln went out into America in his young man hood by faith alone, not knowing nor dreaming what that journey held for 1 him.
 Who supplied the greatest meas ure of counsel and confidence and wisdom to our allies during those four awful years of the Great~war? Two of our presidents, contrasts in almost every guality-Lincoln and Wilson. Yet both, for all the con trast, are supremely. sublimely all- American. In England during those | years there was Lincoln revival. | They turned 10 him then for faith. i They claimed him as theirs too. In the unforgettable words of the last lines of John Drinkwater's great drama on Lincoln. He belongs 10 | the ages now
 q don't want to talk to you of the | lbackwoo odsman. or the politician. want to give you the spiritual back ground of the man, his capacity for faith, growth, love and sacrificial service. He had that mystical quality of soul that nurtured and deepened his faith after he weathered the crude theology of backwoods preach ing. Later we find Lincoln driven to his knees because there was no- where to go.' We find him declaring that though he belonged to no church he would gladly join. When he found one that would put love above ortho- doxy. Today Lincoln would find his church, many of them. But for all that, Lincoln knew that God led him through the wilderness into the land of promise.
 "IIe had capacity for growth. And how he grewl in body and stature, in knowledge, in refinement and culture and tastes, in sympathy and power"
 Greatness Made
 pr. MacSporran contrasted another great {AIntflcdH, f1enfy AudInS, WlLH Lincoln. ',If ever an American fam l fly could be called Of the aristoc- racy,'" he declared, "it was the Adams family" He spoke of Henry Adams brilliant, futile, 80 years search for an education. and his con fession that he never really got it." And then of Lincoln and his handi- caps through which he believed and grew and worked to a wonderful edu- cation of heart and mind
 Ut Is now the fashion in certain quarters" continued Dr. MacSporran, ''to mock the lowly and sniff at the unwashed. Main Street Alice Ad- ans are so cruel, so lacking in love and in perception of the courage and fineness beneath the crude surfaces of these people. The average Amer ican Is such a great fellow, such a lover and such fighter underneath the dirt and sweat Lincoln found him and loved him."
 Citing the humanness of Lincoln. | !