Not known to many was President Lincoln’s phenomenal memory, his mobility of expression, his humor, and his great compulsion to tell stories. He enjoyed hearing and telling stories. Once, when a political ally went to the President to get his advice on a policy matter, the President reacted by saying, “That reminds me of a story...” The political ally interrupted:

“With all due respect, I didn’t come here to hear a funny story, Mr. President.” President Lincoln said sadly: “I think if I couldn’t tell stories, I’d die.” Some said that storytelling was Lincoln’s way of releasing his moods.

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The phrase “Honest Abe” has been associated with President Lincoln. Up to this day. Lincoln’s first salaried job was as clerk in a general store of New Salem. At one time, Lincoln realized that one buyer had overpaid by six and a half cents (6½). When the store closed for the day, Lincoln walked four miles to return the money to the short-changed customer.

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Do you know that it was during the term of President Lincoln that the inscription “In God We Trust” was first used on US currency? James Pollock, a lawyer and a friend of Abraham Lincoln who was then appointed by him as Superintendent of the Mint, suggested to the President to put the inscription “In God We Trust” on the nickel. President Lincoln liked the idea and signed the executive order.

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Leaders and politicians like President Abraham Lincoln whose spiritual values are based on the Holy Bible are the need of our times. Here are some of his words of wisdom:

* “Some things that are legally right are not necessarily morally right.”

* “I have often wished that I was a more devout man than I am. Nevertheless, amid the greatest difficulties of my administration, when I could not see any other resort, I would placed my whole reliance in God, knowing that all would go well and that He would decide for the right.”

* “I believe that – intoxicated with unbroken success – we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace – too proud to pray to the God that made us.”

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Incidentally, President Lincoln who had such great faith in our Lord God was the same fellow who had a series of failures (political failures and family failures as well) before he became a US President.

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The late Winston Churchill once said that “Success is never final; failure is never fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” Many of us measure success by the amount of money we accumulate. But this is not necessarily true. Because if money were a basis of judging success or failure, then Jesus Christ was a failure.

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We should not feel discouraged by our failures. Our Lord God is well able to work our failures into His plans. It is a matter of our faith and trust in our Lord God. Let me share with you some Biblical verses on this subject: “He who trusts in the Lord will prosper.” Proverbs 28:25. “Many are the plans in a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Proverbs 19:21.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

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This column continues to give out copies of the Holy Bible for free to those who cannot afford to buy their own copies. If interested, please send your letter-request to Ms. Nelly Favis Villafuerte, 5th Floor, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), Roxas Blvd., Manila. Kindly mention if it is the Tagalog, English, Cebuano, or Ilocano version that is preferred.

Be joyful and forgiving!