OF TEMPERANCE. THE rude backwoodsmen and prairie settlers among whom Mr. Lincoln's boyhood and youth were passed, were generally accustomed to the use of intoxicating liquors. It was a striking exhibition of moral courage and independence of character, therefore, that while yet a boy he took vigorous action against the prevailing evil. He taught himself the art of writing and composition, and one of the first uses he made of it was to prepare an argument for temperance which was printed, with hearty approval, by an Indiana newspaper. During his entire professional career, he maintained an unobtrusive but unyielding opposition to the social use of stimulants, and the silent but powerful influence of his example was continued in the Executive Mansion. If he did not do more or say more in this direction, it may have been because his hands were filled with a work especially belonging to him, and this could safely be left to the hands of . others. TO THE COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY THEM, AT SPRING FIELD ONLY GLAS SES OF WATER WERE OF FERED. "Gentlemen, we must pledge our mutual healths in the most healthy man. beverage which God has given to It is the only beverage which I have ever used, or allowed in my family, and I cannot conscientiously depart from it on the present occasion. It is pure Adam's ale, from the spring." TO THE OFFICERS AND GUESTS ON BOARD OF THE MONITOR, INSPECTING HER AND RECEIVING ACCOUNTS OF THE FIGHT WITH THE MERRIMAC A FEW WEEKS AFTER THE BATTLE. THERE WAS NO LIQUOR OFFERED WITH THE REFRESHMENTS. "Some uncharitable people say that old Bourbon is an indispensable element in the fighting qualities of some of our generals in the field, but, Captain, after the account that we have heard to-day, no one will say that any Dutch courage is needed on board the Monitor." CONVERSATION, HON. LAWRENCE "I do not, in theory, but I do, in fact, belong to the temperance society; in this, to wit, that I do not drink anything, and have rɔt done so for a very many years." OF DIVINE PROVI DENCE. As time went on, in the daily en durance of severe trials and the faithful performance of great duties, there came to Mr. Lincoln a distinctly declared development of religious character. He had been reverent, from the first, and even prayerful, but, as the end drew nearer, through all the terrible days of 1864, and the swift weeks given him in 1865, his public and private utterances of belief and trust in God became more frequent aud more fervent. If in his earlier history, before any of these fiery experiences came, he had been open |