New Britain herald., 1924-02-09
Abraham Lincoln The Christian
(By Rev. c. H. schenck.)

(By Rev. c. H. Schenck.)
 Our nation is under the
 shadow of the death of a man
 who as her chosen leader stood
 in the center, of the worlds
 greatest tragedy. And at al-
 most the same time our coun-
 try is again turning in reyerent
 memory to a man who still
 stands and always will stand in
 the center of the best that
 men uphold as their ideals.
 It was Woodrow Wilson who
 said but a few years ago about
 Abraham Lincoln: '.incoln
 never found a real intimate. never spoke in complete self revelation. He could not; he
 was a lonely spirit" Did Woodrow Wilson thus uncon- sciously analyze himself?
 A man with great task and great vision is always more or less lonely. But if it is true what has been said--that re- ligions like Mohammedanism. Hinduism and Confucianism never produced really great men and women, it is also true that a mans religion will de- termine how he meets his task. Right there lies a test for all of us, To be lonely does not mean to be alone. There is a fellowship above human ties which one experiences only in the innermost chamber of his own soul. Said the psalTnist: "As the hart panteth after the waterbrooks so panteth my soul after thee, o God: said the rtyr-president: have been driven many times to ask Divine direction by the over whelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go."
 And yet 25 or 30 years ago many were doubtful about the religious position of Lincoln because he never had joined Christian church in the conven- tional way. In the meanwhile however, we again have learned what really constitutes Chris tianity. Lincoln regarded the church very highly. but he could not understand why churches frequently protected wealthy slave holders. It can not be denied that his attitude and his striking statements in the realm of social righteous ness have helped 10 bring forth tho present attitude of the church in issues of social Chrlstianity.
 Lincoln cultivated the spirit unl life. True. he experienced in the earlier years of his career the onslaught Of doubt. But we all would rather have n Thomas than a Judas. His sincere prayer-life, his deyout reading and intimate knowl- edge of the Bible are like secret springs at the roots of mighty tree.
 And by their fruits ye shall know them,' But rarely has the Sermon on the Mount been lived more eXemplarily than by the martyr-president. Forgiv- ing and always ready for recon helpful and symra- thetie. trusting in God, humble and sincere, gentle and at the same time strong, tender and yet firm, he stands there. tested and tried fin character before historians and biographers ever began to chisel out the beauty of the real Lincoln.
 Obvious parailelisms have been drawn between his life and work and his sayings and Inc life. the work and tho words Of Jesus. Such com parisons are futile. Lincoln would have resented hem. But a confession of Christ we have of him as it never came more sincerely and more beautifully from the lips 1r the pen Of any great leader. When I was first inaugurated did not love my Savior; but when God took my son I was greatly impressed. But still I lid not love him. But when | tood on the battlefield Of Gettysburg, I gave my heart to Christ and I can now say I do oFe my Savior"
 Yes. Woodrow Wilson was ight when he said two or three