|
The depth of Abraham Lincoln's religious faith is much debated. He was wary of joining a church and is not seen as an outwardly religious man; yet he is famous to us for phrases and attitudes ringing with biblical cadences: 'Four-score and seven years ago,' 'A house divided against itself cannot stand,' 'Let us judge not, that we be not judged.' Lincoln had internalized the music and the morality of the Bible. He is known to have owned several books concerned with religion, and among them is this pocket-sized collection of Scriptures, originally titled The Believer's Daily Treasure. Possibly a gift from Mary Lincoln in return for a large family Bible Lincoln had given her, the book was originally published in London in 1852; it is unknown whether he carried the book with him, but it is for certain that he inscribed his name in it, a gesture he made sparingly toward his books. The Believer's Daily Treasure contains a piece of Scripture for each day; following each day's Scripture there is a poem mirroring the biblical lesson in verse. Reprinted in its entirety, this book is Lincoln's own devotional.
|
