“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.” Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865).

I have found that the more I learn about Abraham Lincoln, the more I admire him. Without doubt, his legacy has been sanitized and nearly deified with the passing of so many years and the tragic nature of his death. He has been credited with so many quotes, such as the one above, that it is hard to believe that one man could have the time to offer so much insight into the human experience and yet run a nation embroiled in civil war.

Some may wonder why a proud Southerner would be so fond of the leader of the Union. Partly because Lincoln was actually a Southerner by birth himself. He was born and spent the first seven years of his childhood in Kentucky. In fact, there is a story that he almost drowned in Knob Creek, Kentucky, but was saved by his childhood friend, Austin Gollaher. About Mr. Gollaher, Lincoln, while president, said, “I would rather see (him) than any man living.”

Another reason I admire Lincoln so much is that he steadfastly believed in maintaining the Union when it was not particularly popular to do so. The Civil War was not very popular while it was being waged but Lincoln saw past the struggle. He saw the importance of the United States truly being united on the best possible terms when others simply wanted to ignore the issue and hope it went away.

I also admire his humility. He would never be elected president today. He was quite eloquent but undeniably homely. The television age would have killed his national political aspirations. He was quite aware of his homeliness. He is quoted as saying, “If I was two-faced, would I be wearing this one?”

His humility served him well. He was frequently the target of savage political and personal attacks. He seldom, if ever, returned the scorn so frequently shown to him. He was able to nobly endure insults and slander and that is perhaps the primary reason he is so fondly remembered

However, the main reason I admire him is the policy he espoused in his second inaugural address regarding dealing with the South once the Civil War was finally won, which would occur only a few weeks later. It was in that speech he famously said, “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and his orphan - to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”

He desired to extend mercy and reconciliation rather than strict justice to those who had caused him so much difficulty for so many years. Although he was killed before he had the opportunity to implement that policy, his attitude undoubtedly aided the reconciliation of the two warring factions.

While Lincoln may not have been the most religious man, he exemplifies the spirit of Biblical teaching regarding humility, suffering wrongs, and reconciling. When we are wronged, we will usually find that true justice is impossible to obtain. If we seek it to the full measure we can find it, we will normally be unsatisfied. There is usually a much greater reward to be found in extending mercy and forgiveness.

While walking down the street one day aUS senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems
there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts,
you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the man.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity."

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the senator.

"I'm sorry, but we have our rules."

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse
and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians
who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while
getting rich at the expense of the people.

They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar
and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who
has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises...

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

"Now it's time to visit heaven."

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell."

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a
barren land covered with waste and garbage.

He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.
"I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now
there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable.
What happened?"

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning...... Today you voted."

Note from Michael– The devil is always campaigning.

Bulletin 2006

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