Life Lines
the faith of our fathers
The United States celebrates in February the birthdays of George Washington
and Abraham Lincoln – our two greatest presidents, and men respected
throughout the world as visionary leaders for freedom. They are also revered
as men of faith, who openly acknowledged God and His providence in their
lives and in their approach to government.
Washington stated – as no world leader would dare to say today – that “it
is impossible to govern without the Bible.” He believed that virtue and morality
are kept alive by “that little spark of celestial fire called conscience,” and that
morality – which is essential to democratic government – cannot exist without
religion.
He wrote: “Let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can
be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of
refined education of minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both
forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious
principle.”
In a moment of despair in the depths of the Civil War Lincoln confessed:
“I have been driven to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had
nowhere else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seem insufficient
for the day.”
As he left Springfield, Illinois, to assume the presidency, he acknowledged
that he was facing a task “greater than that which rested on Washington,”
but was confident in his faith: “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.”
(BMH)
presidents’ day
On February 16 Americans observe Presidents’ Day, commemorating the
birthdays of George Washington (February 22) and Abraham Lincoln
(February 12). So this is a good time to recall the qualities these men possessed
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