Among the papers of Abraham Lincoln that were found after his death, there were several notes to himself, perhaps jotted down to be used in later speeches. No one knew when or why Lincoln wrote this note (pictured above), but it is characteristic of his profound simplicity.
As I would not be a slave, so I would not be a master. This expresses my idea of democracy. Whatever differs from this, to the extent of the difference, is no democracy.
The concept expressed here by Lincoln is the same concept taught by Jesus, who also expressed profound wisdom with simple words.
Matthew 7:12 — (Jesus said), “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Luke 6:31 — (Jesus said), “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
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Abraham Lincoln’s solid conviction was that the Declaration of Independence’s principle of equality was the defining principle of American democracy. In having to make explicit his beliefs concerning the nation’s moral mission, Lincoln also had to make explicit his mature faith in a just and caring God. This was never more evident than in his reaction to the news that most of Springfield’s clergy and prominent church members were going to vote against him in the 1860 presidential election. To this news, Lincoln became deeply sad and replied:
These men well know that I am for freedom in the territories, freedom everywhere, as free as the Constitution and the laws will permit, and that my opponents are for slavery. They know this, and yet with the Bible in their hands, in the light of which human bondage cannot live a moment, they are going to vote against me. I do not understand it at all. I know there is a God, and that He hates injustice and slavery. I see the storm coming and I know that His hand is in it. If He has a place and work for me, and I think He has, I believe I am ready. I am nothing, but truth is everything. I know I am right because I know that liberty is right, for Christ teaches it, and Christ is God.
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Lincoln faced much religiously motivated opposition, to which he gave religiously based replies. After he had pardoned a rebel prisoner of war whose wife had pleaded with him on the grounds that her husband was a religious man, Lincoln said to that wife:
You say your husband is a religious man. Tell him when you meet him, that I say I am not much of a judge of religion, but that, in my opinion, the religion that sets men to rebel and fight against their government, because, as they think, that government does not sufficiently help some men to eat their bread by the sweat of other men’s faces, is not the sort of religion upon which people can get to heaven.
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Lincoln believed his cause was just, and he knew he had to depend on God to help him succeed in his task. In his farewell to his fellow townspeople of Springfield, Illinois, he said this:
I now leave, not knowing when or whether ever I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance, I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me, and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.
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Lincoln expressed his trust in and dependence on God. He also expressed the difficulty in determining God’s purposes in the conflict, and God’s will for what course he should take as president. Many Christians were calling on him to leave the South alone and pursue an immediate end to the war. Others were demanding an immediate emancipation of the slaves. Lincoln wanted to end slavery, he wanted to preserve the union, he was sworn to uphold the Constitution, and he wanted to follow God’s will. It was complicated. To a group of Christians who, early in the war, were demanding immediate emancipation because it was most certainly the will of God, Lincoln wrote:
I am approached with the most opposite opinions and advice, and that by religious men, who are all equally certain that they represent the divine will… I hope it will not be irreverent for me to say that if it is probable that God would reveal his will to others, on a point so connected with my duty, it might be supposed he would reveal it directly to me; for, unless I am more deceived in myself than I often am, it is my earnest desire to know the will of Providence in this matter. And if I can learn what it is, I will do it! These are not, however, the days of miracles, and I suppose it will be granted that I am not to expect a direct revelation. I must study the plain, physical facts of the case, ascertain what is possible, and learn what appears to be wise and right. The subject is difficult, and good men do not agree.
In another one of the notes to himself found in his papers, Lincoln wrote this profound little piece which has become known as his “Meditation on the Divine Will.”
In great contests each party claims to act in accordance with the will of God. Both MAY BE, and one MUST BE wrong. God cannot be for, and against the same thing at the same time. He could have either saved or destroyed the Union without a human contest. Yet the contest began. And having begun He could give the final victory to either side any day. Yet the contest proceeds.
Lincoln further elaborated on this in a letter to his Quaker friend Eliza Gurney.
The purposes of the Almighty are perfect, and must prevail, though we erring mortals may fail to accurately perceive them in advance… We shall yet acknowledge His wisdom and our own error therein. Meanwhile we must work earnestly in the best light He gives us, trusting that so working still conduces to the great ends He ordains. Surely, He intends some great good to follow this mighty convulsion, which no mortal could make, and no mortal could stop.
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Lord Charnwood (1864-1945), an early Lincoln biographer from England, wrote in his conclusion: “This man had stood alone in the dark. He had done justice; he had loved mercy; he walked humbly with his God. “
Micah 6:8 — He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
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