1914.

after twelve, there was a break of several minutes, the sudden silence made one put down the letters and listen.

"The President may have been at his writing table, or he may-no man knows or can guess; but at the end of the minutes, long or short, the tramp began again. Two o'clock, and he was walking yet, and when, a little after three, the secretary's task was done and he slipped noiselessly out, he turned at the head of the stairs for a moment. It was sothe last sound he heard as he went down was the footfall in Lincoln's room.

"That was not all, however. The young man had need to return early, and he was there again before eight o'clock. The President's room door was open and he went in. There sat Mr. Lincoln eating breakfast alone. He had not been out of his room; but there was a kind of cheery, hopeful, morning light on his face, instead of the funereal battle-cloud from Chancellorsville. He had watched all night, but a dawn had come, for beside his cup of coffee lay the written draft of his instructions to General Hooker to push forward to fight again. There was a decisive battle won that night in that long vigil with disaster and despair. Only a few weeks later the Army of the Potomac fought it over again as desperately, and they won it, at Gettysburg.

9941

CHRISTIAN THANKFULNESS

Nothing more clearly indicates Mr. Lincoln's close and constant fellowship with God than his oft-repeated expression of personal gratitude for favors which he recognized as coming from the hand of God. In his annual message of December 3rd, 1861, he said: "In the midst of unprecedented political troubles we have cause of great gratitude to God for unusual good health, and most abundant harvests."42

In his annual message of December 8th, 1863, is the fol

41 Abraham Lincoln-Tributes from his Associates, pp. 48-49.

42 Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. VII., p. 28.

lowing: "Another year of health, and of sufficiently abundant harvests, has passed. For these, and especially for the improved condition of our national affairs, our renewed and profoundest gratitude to God is due."43

One year later, in his annual message of December 6th, 1864, he said: "Again the blessings of health and abundant harvests claim our profoundest gratitude to Almighty God.” “

THANKS FOR VICTORIES

All who are familiar with the story of Mr. Lincoln's inner life know that it was his custom when battles were in progress, to retire alone and plead with God for victory. The story of his intercessions with God during the Battle of Gettysburg is fittingly told in this volume by his own declarations and by the achievements of art.* His fervent plea for divine aid during that memorable struggle indicates his attitude and actions upon all similar occasions.

Mrs. Pomeroy, the Christian nurse, tells us that Mr. Lincoln was engaged in prayer for victory while the battle of Port Hudson was in progress, and when news of the victory was received and he was told, "There is nothing like prayer," he promptly responded, "Yes, there is; prayer and praise go together."

So, on July 4th, 1863, in a proclamation to the nation he said: "The President announces to the country that news from the Army of the Potomac, up to 10 P. M. of the 3rd, is such as to cover that army with the highest honor, to promise a great success to the cause of the Union, and to claim the condolence of all for the many gallant fallen; and that for this he especially desires that on this day He whose will, not ours, should ever be done be everywhere remembered and reverenced with profoundest gratitude."*"

43 Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. IX., p. 224.

44 Ibid., Vol. X., p. 283.

* See p. 377.

45 Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. IX., p. 17.

A few days later, to wit, July 15th, 1863, in announcing victories in the field, Mr. Lincoln said: "It has pleased Almighty God to hearken to the supplications and prayers of an afflicted people, and to vouchsafe to the army and navy of the United States victories on land and on sea so signal and so effective as to furnish reasonable grounds for augmented confidence that the union of these states will be maintained, their Constitution preserved, and their peace and prosperity permanently restored. . . . It is meet and right to recognize and confess the presence of the Almighty Father and the power of His hand equally in these triumphs and in these sorrows. Now, therefore, be it known that

I do set apart Thursday, the 6th day of August next to render the homage due to the Divine Majesty for the wonderful things He has done in the nation's behalf."

A few months later, December 7th, 1863, in announcing Union victories in East Tennessee, Mr. Lincoln said: "I recommend that all loyal people do, on receipt of this information, assemble at their places of worship and render special homage and gratitude to Almighty God for this great advancement of the national cause.""

On May 9th, 1864, in a proclamation to the nation, he said: "To the friends of Union and Liberty: Enough is known of army operations within the last five days to claim an especial gratitude to God, while what remains undone demands our most sincere prayers to, and reliance upon, Him without whom all human effort is vain. I recommend that all patriots at their homes, in their places of public worship, and wherever they may be, unite in common Thanksgiving and prayer to Almighty God."48

On the same day, May 9th, 1864, in response to a serenade, Mr. Lincoln used the following expressive language: 46 Complete Works of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. IX., p. 32.

47 Ibid., p. 218.

48 Ibid., Vol. X., p. 94.