The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-02-12
LESSONS FROM
ELINC0LN'S
LIFE ARE TOLD
Rev. S. F. Halfyard Pictures
Lincoln as Great and
Many.sided American
WAS A GREAT ORATOR

Lessons From the Life Of Abra-
ham Lincoln" is the subject of ser
mon delivered at the Methodist Epis
copal church Sunday night by Dr.
S. f. Iialfyard, in observance of the
birthday anniversary Of the Great
Emancipation, which is today.
Mr.. Haltyard said in part:
"The farther this man recedes into
history the greater does he seem to
be. In this respect he is like Abra-,
ham Of Old Testament fame who be-
| comes more and more illustrious as
the centuries pass. The farther we
get away from the rugged features
Of the early career of Lincoln the
better we are able to see the beauty
of his character. AS the decades pass
his life takes on larger and trucr
| proportions. He becomes more sub
| lime with the growing years.
! "LincOln has Uecn called many
sided man. Some one has said that
physically he was able to wrestIe
with the best athletes Of his day.
! lie was able to talk like preacher,
spell and cipher like schoolmaster,
| argue like lawyer and write like an
editor. He was an inimitablc story
teller. He was master of wit end
| sarcasm and humor. Some Of his
stories have greatly enriched our
literature. He was a man Of the
world. His knowledge of things and
of human life was very extensive.
He was a man of strong personality
and influenced others without con-
scious effort. He was brilliant
orator. He was a lawyer Of more
than average ability. He was bril-
liant orator. He was a wise
legislator and statesman, true
patriot. Lowell has called him
the first American. In this respect
Of versatility our nation perhaps has
never produced his equal.
A Gifted Orator.
"Mr. Lincoln was a gifted orator.
Judge Simeon w. King of the city of
Chicago tells US that he heard the
famous debate between Lincoln and
Douglas. He says that Lincoln as
speaking. Although his speech was
simple in style yet he spoke with
great flow Of oratory and cloquencc.
He carried the mighty throng with
him in manner never before wit
messed in that city. One English
newspaper. said that it is not too
much to say of Lincoln that he is
among the greatest masters of prose
ever produced by the English race
Four of his productions rank with
the greatest literary productions of
the age and will live for long centur-
les. ! refer to his farewell address
to his neighbors and friends in
Springfield. H., to his letter to Mrs.
Bixby. to his Gettysburg address and
to his second Inaugural address.
These are classics of the very first
order. They are masterpieces in
thought and expression. The Lon
don Spectator declared that the scc-
ond inaugural address, IS the noblcst
political document known to history
Lincoln's thought and words were
golden.
Lincoln was also a man of hon
esty. In this respect his life and
character were above reproach. Lin
coin lived in a day when men resort
ed to fraud and dishonesty. One
writer says that this epoch Of our
national history brought out the
most desperate efforts of political
wire-pullers. They resorted to base
and low methods. But Lincoln stood
solid as a rock upon the foundation
of absolute honesty. He refused to
do or give his assent to thing that
would not bear the light of day. He