ABRAHAM LINCOLN was a man of compassion; he was very gentle, and was noted for his heart of sympathy for the down-trodden and the poor. During the Civil war many poorly trained soldiers, who were court-martialed and condemned to be shot, were pardoned. Finally his people rose up against him, and said that he was too merciful, that if a man was court-martialed he must be shot, and that there would be no reprieves.
A few weeks after this, news came that a young soldier had been sleeping at his post. He was court-martialed, and condemned to be shot. The boy wrote to his mother. “I do not want you to think I do not love my country, but it came about in this way: My comrade was sick, and I went out on picket for him; and the next night he ought to have come, but still being sick I went out for him again, and without intending it I fell asleep. I did not intend to be disloyal.”
It was a very touching letter, and the mother and father said there was no chance; there would be no more reprieves. But there was a little girl in that home and she knew that Abraham Lincoln had a little boy, and how he loved that little boy. She said if Abraham Lincoln knew how my father and mother loved my brother he would never allow him to be shot. So she took the train to go and plead for her brother. When she got to the President’s mansion the difficulty arose how was she to get past the sentinel. So she told him her story, and the tears ran down his cheeks, and he let her pass. But the next trouble was how to get past the secretary and the other officials. However, she succeeded in getting, unobstructed, into his private room and there were the senators and ministers busy with State affairs.
The President saw the child, and called her to him, and said, “My child, what can I do for you?” and she told him her story. The big tears rolled down his cheeks. He was a father, and his heart was full; he could not stand it. He treated the girl with kindness, and then having reprieved the boy, gave him thirty days furlough, and sent him home to see his mother. His heart was full of compassion.
And let me tell you the heart of Jesus is more full of compassion than any man’s. You are condemned to die for your sins. The Bible says so in John 3:1818He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18). But if you go straight to the Lord Jesus, like that little girl went to President Lincoln, and tell Him all, tell Him you’re a sinner but that you believe He died for your sins, then He will say, “Go in peace.” for “him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37).
What a Saviour Jesus is!
O what grace, what love is His!
ML-08/26/1962