(Abraham) Lincolns' Devotional
I have just received a copy of a little "vest-pocket" book entitled "Lincolns' Devotional," with an introduction by Carl Sandburg. This "Devotional" published in 1852 was "The Believers' Daily Treasure; bearing the sub-title "Texts of Scripture, arranged for every day in the year." Overall the introduction is a little disappointing, as I expected much more detail about Lincoln himself. What is recorded of him amounts to just 10 or 11 small pages, while the information in respect of Lincolns' faith is scant, with few facts supplemented by conjecture.
My personal judgment regarding Lincolns' belief, purely based on this brief outline was of a "good" man in the sense of Romans 5:7, nevertheless without appreciation of the Son, as every one of his recorded utterances where in relation to the Father. I would be apprehensive to form any real opinion as to whether Lincoln was really "born anew," if this was the only "evidence" of his faith available to us.
But a number of years ago I learnt of a letter signed by the President in connection with his desire to be baptised as a public confession of his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The letter was written by him on April 13, 1865, and the baptism was scheduled for the following Lords' Day, April 18.
On April 14, just one day after Lincoln had professed faith in Christ in that written form, he was assassinated. How wondrous is the grace and loving-kindness of our God, preserving Abraham Lincoln from an eternity of loss!
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