ABRAHAM LINCOLN’S FAITH IN PRAYER.

When President Lincoln left his home in Springfield, Ill., February 11, 1861, on his way to Washington, he made the following farewell address to his friends and neighbors:  “My friends, no one not in my position can appreciate the sadness I feel at this parting.  To this people I owe all I am.  Here I have lived more than a quarter of a century; here my children were born, and here one of them lies buried.  I know not how soon I shall see you again.  A duty devolves upon me which is perhaps greater than that which has devolved upon any other man since the days of Washington.  He would never have succeeded except for the aid of Divine Providence, upon which he at all times relied.  I feel that I cannot succeed without the same Divine aid which sustained him, and on the same Almighty Being I place my reliance for support; and I hope you, my friends, will all pray that I may receive that Divine assistance, without which I cannot succeed, but with which success is certain.  Again, I bid you all an affectionate farewell.”  That simple but earnest request sent an electric thrill through every Christian heart, and without doubt, in response to it, more prayer was offered for him throughout his administration, than for any one who ever before occupied the Presidential chair.

At a Sabbath-school convention in Massachusetts, a speaker stated that a friend of his, during an interview with Mr. Lincoln, asked him if he loved Jesus.  The President buried his face in his handkerchief and wept.  He then said, “When I left home to take this chair of state, I requested my countrymen to pray for me.  I was not then a Christian.  When my son died—­the severest trial of my life—­I was not a Christian.  But when I went to Gettysburg, and looked upon the graves of our dead heroes who had fallen in defense, of their country, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ. I do love Jesus." Rev. Mr. Adams, of Philadelphia, stated in his Thanksgiving sermon that, having an appointment to meet the President at 5 o’clock in the morning, he went a quarter of an hour before the time.  While waiting for the hour, he heard a voice in the next room as if in grave conversation, and asked the servant, “Who is talking in the next room?” “It is the President, sir.”  “Is anybody with him?” “No, sir; he is reading the Bible.”  “Is that his habit so early in the morning?” “Yes, sir.  He spends every morning, from 4 o’clock to 5, in reading the Scriptures and praying.”

It was the Lord who Guided the mind of Mr. Lincoln in his extraordinary act of the Emancipation of the Slaves of America. The Lord had prepared it, and chose him as the means whereby to accomplish it.

Were not his Prayers and efforts specially blessed by the Lord in wisdom, for the guidance of our Nation?

EXTRAORDINARY CARE OF THE LORD IN ANSWER TO PRAYER.