From “Lincoln 365,” by Arnold Kunst
February 3
At one Cabinet meeting Lincoln had
all his counselors but one against him. He told them he was ‘reminded of a
revival meeting in Illinois when a fellow with a few drinks too many in him had
walked up the aisle to a front pew. All eyes were on him, but he didn't care;
he joined in the singing, droned amen at the close of prayers, and as the
meeting proceeded dozed off to sleep. Before the meeting ended the pastor asked
the usual question: “Who are on the Lord's side?” and the congregation arose en
masse. When the pastor asked, “Who are on the side of the Devil” the dozing
sleeper came to, heard part of the question, saw the parson standing, and rose
to his feet to say “I don't exactly understand the question but I'll stand by
you, parson, to the last. But it seems to me that we're in a hopeless
minority.”'
'Great tranquility of heart is his
who cares for neither praise nor blame.'
- Thomas á Kempis
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