that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

"But in a larger sense we cannot dedicate, we cannot consecrate, -we cannot hallow-this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us, the living, rather to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who have fought here have thus far so nobly advanced.

"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us-that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to the cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain,—that this nation under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, —and that the government of the people, by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

FAST DAY PROCLAMATION, MARCH 30, 1863.

"Whereas, It is the duty of nations, as well as of men, to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow, yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth announced in the Holy Scriptures, and proven by all history, that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord.

"And, insomuch as we know that, by his Divine laws, nations, like individuals, are subjected to punishments and chastisements in this world, may we not justly fear that the awful calamity of civil war, which now desolates the land, may be but a punishment inflicted upon us for our presumptuous sins, to the needful end of our National reformation as a whole people?

"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven. We have been preserved, these many years, in peace and prosperity. We have grown in numbers, wealth and power, as no other nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the .gracious hand which preserved us in peace, and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us; and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own."

THE STORY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

FOR A SCHOOL OR CLUB PROGRAMME.

Each numbered paragraph is to be given to a pupil or member to read, or to recite, in a clear, distinct tone. If the school or club is small, each person may take three or four paragraphs, but should not be required to recite them in succession.

1. Abraham Lincoln was born Feb. 12, 1809, in the county of LaRue, in the state of Kentucky.

2. He first attended school at Little Pidgeon Creek in the winter of 1819.

3. Three or four years later he attended Crawford's school in the same locality.

4. In 1826, he received his last schooling under the tuition of Mr. Swaney. To reach this "institution of learning," he walked four miles and a half each way.

5. Later, as a "hired boy," he taught himself as best he could with his rude surroundings, often "ciphering" on a wooden fire shovel or anything else that came in his way.

6. His reading was very limited, being confined to two or three books, but fortunately he had access to the great fountain of Biblical literature.

7. Obtaining access to the "Revised Statutes of Indiana," which could not be loaned from the constable's office, he early laid the foundation for legal study.

8. In 1831, he went to New Orleans on a flat-boat, with a little cargo of pork, hogs and corn. It was here that he first saw some of the abominations of slavery and the slave trade. The workings of the system greatly depressed him, and drew from him the emphatic and almost prophetic exclamation, "If I ever get a chance to hit slavery, I'll hit it hard."

9. It was after his return from this trip that he found an English grammar, and mastered it by the light of pine knots during the long winter evenings.

IO. The Black Hawk war broke out in 1832, and Lincoln enlisted. Although without military experience, his personal popularity made him the captain of his company.

II. After the war was over he became a candidate for the State Legislature, and although he was defeated,the campaign was of great service to him in the way of experience.

12. He began the study of law with borrowed books, and put his own knowledge into practice by drawing up legal papers, and also conducting small cases without remuneration.

13. Many volumes pertaining to the sciences now found their way into his hands, and also some of the standard works of literature.

14. He then sought and obtained the position of deputy surveyor of Sangamon County, and in this work he became an expert. He was often sought for as a referee when trouble arose concerning boundary lines, etc.

15. From 1833 to 1836 he was the postmaster of New Salem, having received the appointment as a Jackson democrat.

16. It was during this time that he again became a candidate for the Legislature. His campaign was personally conducted, and this time he was the victorious candidate.

17. It was at this session of the legislature that he met his great opponent, Stephen A. Douglas. In time, he fully accorded him the title of "The Little Giant."

18. In August of 1835, Lincoln met with a terrible loss, being no

less than the death of Anne Rutledge, the beautiful girl to whom he was betrothed. Nearly thirty years afterward he spoke lovingly of her to an old friend. "The death of this fair girl," said Mr. Herndon, "shattered Lincoln's happiness. He threw off his infinite sorrow only by leaping wildly into the political arena."

19. In 1836, he was again a candidate for the legislature. He was self-nominated, for this was before the days of caucuses and conventions. In the New Salem Journal he announced his platform, which contained a suffrage plank to the effect that all men and women who either bore arms,or paid taxes, should be allowed to vote.

20. Lincoln was elected in triumph. Sangamon County, which had usually gone Democratic, voting the Whig ticket by more than four hundred majority.

21. In 1837, Mr. Lincoln moved to Springfield, where his active life as a lawyer began, the State Capital having been moved about that time from Vandalia.

22.

In November of 1842, he was married to Miss Mary Todd. 23. Mr. Lincoln was first elected to Congress in 1846.

24. One year later he took his seat as a member of the Thirtieth Congress. Other notable members at this time were Ex-President John Quincy Adams, Andrew Johnson, Alex. H. Stephens, besides Robert Toombs, Robert B. Rhett, and others. In the Senate were Daniel Webster, Simon Cameron, Lewis Cass, John C. Calhoun and Jefferson Davis.

25. At the close of his Congressional services in 1849, Mr. Lincoln returned to Springfield and resumed the practice of law, although his fees were considered by his legal brethren "ridiculously small."

26. During the contest in Kansas, in 1855, Lincoln's views on the subject of slavery were fully expressed in a radical letter to Mr. Speed.

27. In 1858, Lincoln held his notable debates with Stephen A. Douglas.

28. In 1860, Abraham Lincoln received the nomination of the Republican party for the presidency, Stephen A. Douglas was the nominee of the Democratic party and these two prominent men were again rivals.

29. Threatening times succeeded his election with the whole country aroused by threats of secession.

30. In March of 1861, he was inaugurated amidst the most ominous conditions that a new president was ever called upon to face.

31. He delivered an inaugural address which for wisdom, and consistency has never been surpassed.

32. Following the fall of Fort Sumter, Mr. Lincoln issued on the 15th of April a call for 75000 volunteers.

33. Four days later he issued a proclamation for the blockade of Southern ports.

34. In 1862, he met with the terrible loss by death of his son Willie. In the midst of this great trial his thoughts reverted to his own mother whom he lost when a child, "I remember her prayers," he said "they have always followed me they have clung to me all my life." 35. During the long war he

was everywhere busy doing everything possible for the comfort of the soldiers, especially the sick and wounded.

36. On Jan. Ist, 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was issued..

40. About the middle of August 1864, an attempt was made upon Lincoln's life one evening as he was riding back from the Soldier's Home. The bullet of the would-be assassin passed through the silk hat which the president wore, but at his request the matter was kept very quiet.

41. Early in December he submitted to Congress his fourth annual message, and this was followed by the passage of the Constitutional Amendment forever prohibiting slavery in the territory of the United States.

42. On March 4th, 1865, Mr. Lincoln was again inaugurated as President of the United States.

43. The great rebellion was brought to a successful close with great rejoicing over General Lee's surrender.

44. On the afternoon before his death he signed a pardon for a soldier who was under a death sentence. This act of mercy was his last official order.

45. On the 14th of April he fell by the hand of an assassin and the nation was in mourning.