THE world-wide interest in President Abraham Lincoln, from the time he left his home in Springfield, Illinois, to take the Presidential Chair at Washington in 1861, and the universal and real sorrow for his untimely death on 15th April 1865, were very remarkable. Even to this present day there exists amongst the different nationalities of the earth a great interest in this wise and benevolent ruler.
President Lincoln had endeared himself to the hearts of millions by his human sympathy, great wisdom, and kindly acts alike toward friend and foe in the most critical and difficult period of the history of the United States, and after his death this was more fully realized and appreciated by all. But there was something more than mere human kindness and wisdom as the spring of all this in Lincoln. It was the grace of God wrought in his soul by the power of the Holy Spirit that produced these beautiful traits of character.
When President Lincoln left Springfield, 11Th February 1861, on his way to Washington to take the Presidency of the United States to which he was elected, he made the following farewell address: ―
“My friends, no one not in my position can appreciate the sadness I feel at this parting. Here I have lived for a quarter of a century, here my children were born, and here one of them lies buried. A duty devolves upon me which is greater perhaps than that which has devolved upon any other man since the days of Washington. He never would have succeeded except for the aid of Divine Providence, upon which he at all times relied. I feel that I cannot succeed without the same Divine aid which sustained him, and on the same Almighty Being I place my reliance for support. Again I bid you all an affectionate farewell.”
These simple words, addressed to his friends and neighbors, plainly show a reliance upon God, and indicate a work of God in his soul at that time.
A friend during an interview with Mr. Lincoln, long after he had been inaugurated President, asked him if he loved Jesus. The President buried his face in his handkerchief and wept and sobbed. He then said amid his tears, “When I left home to take the Chair of the State, I was not then a Christian. When my son died — the severest trial of my life — I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg, and looked upon the graves of our dead who had fallen in the defense of their country, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ. I DO LOVE JESUS.”
Again, on another occasion he said to a servant of the Lord who had suffered much persecution for Christ’s sake, “The spectacle of that crucified One which is before my eyes is more than sublime, it is divine.”
A gentleman, having an appointment to meet President Lincoln at five o’clock in the morning, went a quarter of an hour before the time appointed. While waiting for the appointed time, he heard in the next room a voice as if in grave conversation, and asked an attendant standing by, “Who is talking in the next room?”
“It is the President, sir,” replied the attendant. “Is anybody with him?” the gentleman inquired.
“No; he is reading the Bible.”
“Is that his habit so early in the morning?”
“Yes, sir; he spends every morning from four o’clock to five in reading the Scriptures, and praying.”
It is many years ago since President Lincoln has departed from this life on earth, but “to depart and be with Christ is far better” (Phil. 1:2323For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23)). And he is with his dear Lord and Saviour, whom he loved, and on whom he relied. To be with the Lord is far better, for there is everlasting joy in the presence of the Lord.
Oh! what untold power there is in the words of the Lord Jesus, who declared to all, whether President or citizen, whether great or small, rich or poor, that―
It was the fact of the love of God to him, in giving His Son to die for the remission of his sins, that caused President Lincoln to “love Jesus,” and to confess with his mouth before many the Lord Jesus. “But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart — that is, the word of faith which we preach — that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom. 10:8, 98But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:8‑9)).
Reader, does not that wondrous love and grace of God, as demonstrated to you in the sending of His Son into this world, and in the death of Jesus, the Just for the unjust, produce a response in your heart? We bring before your eyes God’s dear Son, who was crucified, and tell you, He died that believing in Him you might be saved. “The blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)). And whosoever believeth in Him, the crucified Son of God, has eternal life and shall never perish.
Reader, how is it with you? do you believe in the Son of God? There is no other Saviour but the Lord Jesus Christ, and no other way to be saved but by faith in Him.
Oh! what matchless grace, dear reader, to you and to me! The Lord is coming in flaming fire to judge the world, and the only place of safety is to be with Him; for before He comes in judgment He will take all those who love Him out of this present evil world, as we read in Thessalonians 4:16, 17; and then they will come with Him when He appears in glory (Col. 3:44When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)).
Reader, do you love Jesus? Will you be with Him when He comes in flaming fire to judge the world? “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Oh! believe now, for the “coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”
“The cross of Christ! what untold love,
What grace was there expressed:
The only way to heaven above,
To God’s eternal rest.”
W. E. S.