That Lincoln Story Again
Many stories have been told about Abraham Lincoln. One of the most interesting is that in connection with his supposed baptism into Christ. In the January 21, 1911, issue of the Christian Standard, W. R. Lowe relates a conversation he had with W. H. Marris, who was stationed with his regiment at Arlington Heights, near Washington, while Lincoln was President. During his stay there he conducted a meeting which was frequently attended by Lincoln and members of his cabinet. One night following the service Mr. Lincoln said, "Mr. Morris, do you think it necessary for every person to be baptized ?" Morris is quoted as replying, "It is not a matter of 'think so' with me, it is a matter of revelation." He then proceeded to quote a number of scriptures. Lincoln replied, "I feel exactly as you do about the matter, and intend to do something about it."
The Christian-Evangelist, issue of February 5, 1942, carried an article by Frederick Kershner, in which he related a conversation that took place between G. M. Weimer of Chicago and John O'Kane also of Illinois. According to this article, during a meeting of Weimer and O'kane the discussion of Abraham Lincoln's baptism arose. O'Kane stated, "I know all about the affair. The night before he was to be baptized, Mrs. Lincoln cried all night. She thought he had postponed the matter. But the next morning we took a buggy ride. I baptized him in a creek near Springfield. We changed to dry clothes and went back to town. I put his name on the roll of the church of Christ, and it remained there until he died."
Frederick D. Power, who preached for the Vermont Avenue Church of Christ while James A. Garfield was President of the United States, and which church Garfield attended while in Washington, D. C., is said to have often told the story of Lincoln's baptism, quoting Judge Jeremiah S. Black, attorney general in the cabinet of President James Buchanan, as his authority. Judge Black met at the Vermont Avenue Church while in Buchanan's cabinet, 1857-61. Of this congregation, Power and Garfield, one historian has said, "Power found a little frame chapel, with 150 members poor and little known in the city. It was a hard struggle. In 1880, General Garfield was elected to the Presidency and great interest centered about 'the little Campbellite shanty' and its little flock . . . . In 1881, Mr. Power was made Chaplain of the House of Representatives, to which office he was chosen by acclamation."
Judge Jeremiah S. Black, Power's authority for the Lincoln story, was baptized by Alexander Campbell in 1843. An interesting story is told in connection with Judge Black's meeting with the church in Washington. At the time the congregation met in old Temperance Hall, on "E" Street. Peter, the colored coachman was sensitive for the honor of the Black family, but perhaps more so for his carriage, and one day said to Mrs. Black:
"Mrs. Black, that ain't a very fine church you and the Judge go to."
"No, Peter."
"Do you 'spec to 'tend that church every Sunday, Marm ?"
"Yes, Peter, until we get a better one."
"Well Marm, I want to ax you if you hadn't no objection, to let me drive down to dat fine Presbyterian Church, where de other big men go, and stand there till meetin' is out and then drive back for you and de Judge."
"All right, Peter," said the lady, "if you will be on time." And Peter satisfied his mind that he saved the credit of the family and of his horses and carriage by standing regularly afterward with the fine turnouts of the other cabinet ministers.
While the baptism of Lincoln after the New Testament order may not be fully established, yet it may be said that such is not unreasonable to suppose as such humility is in keeping with the fine character and spirit of the great Emancipator. It might too be added that the church attended by Garfield, Black and others has long since departed from the New Testament pattern.