at several widely separated points in the city all gazing toward the heavens, and at length I, too, paused and looked, and to my unspeakable surprise I saw a bright and beautiful star shining with undimmed splendor in close proximity to the unclouded king of day. It was about three o'clock, and the star was at the point which the sun had seemed to occupy about one hour before. I have never heard of any scientific explanation of this strange phenomenon, but I could not refrain from regarding it, as did many others who saw it, as an omen of good. It has been stated that President Lincoln and his attendants saw the star as they were returning from the Capitol to the White House, and that it gave the President great delight, as did the welcome sunburst at the inauguration. If not an omen from above that star was a beautiful and gladsome symbol of the star of hope which on that good day shone with celestial splendor in the hearts of the loyal people of the nation.

Mr. Lincoln's second inaugural address was prepared by him with painstaking care, and has come to be regarded not only as his literary masterpiece, but as a state paper unexcelled in all human history. From that noonday hour of rifting clouds and dazzling sunshine, on through the starlit afternoon that followed, and down to the present time, that address has steadily advanced in public favor, and in critical appreciation. No one ever has suggested for that address the addition or subtraction of a single word. It seems to be a faultless composite with each of its component parts fully disclosed; and no one is able to show that any one part is dominant. Its rhetoric is perfect; its history is full and complete; its statecraft is profound and far-seeing, and in every part it is illuminated by fitly chosen gems of sacred truth. With exalted majesty it proclaims the sovereignty of God and His inexorable law of righteous retribution, and with pathetic penitence bears witness that His judgments "are true and righteous altogether." In the submissive spirit of Gethsemane it holds up the rod of intercession and dazzles hu

manity with its reflection of the celestial glory of the Cross by its "malice toward none" and its "charity for all." If not as pleasing as the Gettysburg address it is far greater and more lastingly impressive and potential. It is more than a masterpiece; it is an unclassed state paper and a literary solitaire. Dr. J. G. Holland declares that the address is "a paper whose Christian sentiments and whose reverent and pious spirit has no parallel among the state papers of the American Presidents."

Hon. Isaac N. Arnold referring to it says: "Since the days of Christ's Sermon on the Mount, where is the speech of emperor, king or ruler which can compare with this? May we not without irreverence say that passages of this address are worthy of that Holy Book which daily he read and from which during his long days of toil he had drawn inspiration and guidance? Where else but from the teachings of the Son of God could he have drawn that Christian charity which pervades the last sentence in which he so unconsciously describes his own moral nature: 'with malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right.' No other state paper in American annals, not even Washington's farewell address, has made so deep an impression upon the people as this. This paper in its solemn. recognition of the justice of Almighty God reminds us of the words of the old Hebrew prophets."

Mr. Arnold also tells us that a distinguished divine, after hearing the address, said: "The President's inaugural is the finest state paper in all history." He also informs us that a distinguished New York statesman hearing this declaration replied: "Yes, and as Washington's name grows brighter with time, so it will be with Lincoln. A century from today that inaugural will be read as one of the most sublime utterances ever spoken by man."

Hon. Charles Sumner, who was always reserved and temperate in his commendation, said: "The inaugural address which signalized" President Lincoln's "entry for a second

time upon his great duties was briefer than any similar address in our history; but it has already gone farther, and will live longer than any other. It was a continuation of the Gettysburg speech, with the same sublimity and gentleness. Its concluding words were like an angelic benediction."

Carl Schurz, in "The Writings of Abraham Lincoln," Vol. I., p. 67, says: "Lincoln's famous 'Gettysburg Speech' has been much and justly admired. But far greater, as well as far more characteristic, was that inaugural in which he poured out the whole devotion and tenderness of his great soul. It had all the solemnity of a father's last admonition and blessing to his children before he lay down to die." It "was like a sacred poem. No American President had ever spoken words like these to the American people. America never had a President who found such words in the depth of his heart."

Former President R. B. Hayes, in September, 1878, said: "No statement of the true objects of the war more complete than this has ever been made. It includes them all-Nationality, Liberty, Equal Rights and Self-government. These are the principles for which the Union soldier fought, and which it was his aim to maintain and to perpetuate."

We have assurance that the address "was read in Europe with the most profound attention." The London Times said: "It is the most sublime state paper of the century."

Concerning it the London Spectator said: "We cannot read it without a renewed conviction that it is the noblest political document known to history, and should have for the nation and the statesmen he left behind him something of a sacred and almost prophetic character. Surely, none was ever written under a stronger sense of the reality of God's government. And certainly none written in a period of passionate conflict ever so completely excluded the partiality of victorious faction, and breathed so pure a strain of mingled justice and mercy."

Mr. Lincoln was always exceedingly reticent respecting

any of his own speeches or literary productions. I cannot call to recollection one instance of his speaking in any degree of commendation concerning any of his speeches or writings save in his brief and modest statement to Thurlow Weed in a letter written eleven days after this address was delivered, in which he expresses his expectation that it will "wear as well as perhaps better than-anything I have produced." All of which tends to show that the man was even greater than his words.

F

II

LINCOLN'S RELIGIOUS FAITH

IRST of all was Abraham Lincoln's marvelous faith in the Bible. Upon that faith as a foundation was built his entire personal superstructure. With that faith as an inspiration all his attitudes and activities were chosen and maintained. "Marvelous" is not too strong a word to use in designating his relation to the sacred Book. The Bible was to him the touchstone by which his judgment on every question was determined. In all his business affairs, in his professional pursuits, in his political affiliations, and in his personal aspirations and endeavors, it was his constant guide. "Owe no man anything but to love one another," was a rule which he sought to obey, not because it was convenient but because it was a Bible admonition. Whatever was condemned by the Bible he stubbornly opposed. Whatever the Bible commended, he heartily approved, steadfastly defended and sought to promote.

Abraham Lincoln first learned to read by slowly tracing the lines of chosen passages of Scripture under his mother's prayerful tuition. That tutelage was painstaking and devout, leaving in his memory sweet and sacred impressions which time could not erase.

"Mrs. Lincoln possessed but one book in the world, the Bible," says Mrs. Trevena Jackson, “and from this book she taught her children daily. Abraham had been to school for two or three months, to such a school as the rude country afforded. Of quick mind and retentive memory, he soon came to know the Bible well-nigh by heart, and to look upon his