The Place of the Bible in Abraham Lincoln's Career

395 Pages·2014·2.71 MB·English

The Place of the Bible in Abraham Lincoln’s
Career

Derek W. Talbot

Thesis submitted to the University of Bangor for the
Degree of Doctor of Philosophy
2014
An examination of the place of the Bible in the
political speeches and writings of Abraham
Lincoln

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Abstract

This thesis is an examination of the place of the Bible in Abraham Lincoln’s political
career. Lincoln is one of the most celebrated historical figures of the past 200 years,
and his speeches and writings are a major part of his legacy. Lincoln employed the
text and message of the Bible more than any other American President. This research
examines the entire contents of the Collected Works, in order to better understand his
engagement with the Bible. Lincoln used the Bible with considerable skill, seeking to
apply it to situations of national importance; he was unpredictably selective in his use
of the Bible, but generally he chose material that would add what he considered to be
the highest authority to his delivery.
The issue of Lincoln and the Bible is usually consumed by the endless debate
regarding the nature of his personal beliefs. This research concentrates upon his use of
the Bible; the material he selected and the way that he used it are evaluated in the
light of both earlier and recent scholarship. During the examination of Lincoln’s
unprecedented use of the Bible, understanding is sought of the question of essentiality.
What role did the Bible play in Lincoln’s career? Was it simply literary adornment of
his compositions or something profound? This thesis will offer the suggestion that
Lincoln’s use of the Bible was an essential influence upon his illustrious career and
legacy. This research has discovered new material that calls into question the claims
of William Herndon, which have deflected historians away from the possibility that
Lincoln’s message, his view of the American Civil War and the Republic’s destiny
would have been different without his use of the Bible.

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Acknowledgements

In completion of this thesis I wish to extend my gratitude to the following people.

Dr Keith Warrington. My Doctoral Supervisor who has inspired me and made this an
experience rather than a task.

A number of people have patiently read sections of my work and provided invaluable
feedback. I would like to thank the members of Dr Warrington’s Doctoral studies
group, and my sister-in-law Lynette Taylor. I also wish to extend my gratitude to Dr
Martin Clay who provided valuable guidance during the final stages of my research.

John Harris of T. Cribb and Sons, for his friendship and practical support during this
journey.

Dr James Cornelius, Jennifer Ericson, and Marry Ann Pohl from the Lincoln
Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois. Their expertise, kindness, and generosity
allowed me to look at Lincoln from much closer quarters. This was invaluable to my
research.

This journey has involved considerable sacrifices of time, which would otherwise
have been spent with those I love. I want to express heartfelt gratitude to my family
for their constant support. My wonderful parents David and Joy Talbot, for their love
and prayerful support. My brothers Roger, Nick, and Andrew with their families. I
also want to thank my father-in-law Brin Taylor and my lovely mother-in-law Doreen
Taylor, who sadly passed away during the completion of this thesis.

Most importantly I want to thank my wife Lou. Throughout this experience I simply
could not have managed without her help, support, strength, humour and love, which I
will always need.

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Table of Contents

Chapter One: Introduction ......................................................................................... 1
1.1. Introduction ................................................................................................ 1
1.2. Thesis ......................................................................................................... 1
1.3. Rationale .................................................................................................... 2
1.3.1. Why Lincoln ............................................................................... 2
1.3.2. The timeliness of the research ..................................................... 4
1.3.2.1. Lincoln Anniversaries. ............................................................. 4
1.3.2.2. Subsequent Movies. ................................................................. 5
1.3.2.3. The King James Bible .............................................................. 5
1.3.2.4. Contribution to the subject ....................................................... 6
1.4. Review of literature ..................................................................................... 7
1.4.1. William Barton ............................................................................. 7
1.4.2. William Wolf ............................................................................. 10
1.4.3. Wayne Temple ........................................................................... 12
1.4.4. Allen Guelzo .............................................................................. 15
1.4.5. Richard Carwardine .................................................................. 18
1.4.6. Biographies ................................................................................ 20
1.4.7. Books dedicated to Lincoln’s faith ............................................ 22
1.4.8. In conclusion .............................................................................. 23
1.5. Methodology ............................................................................................ 24
1.5.1. Parameters of the research ........................................................ 24
1.5.2. The Collected Works ................................................................. 25
1.5.3. Lincoln’s Bibles ........................................................................ 26
1.5.3.1. Lincoln’s first Bible ............................................................... 26
1.5.3.2. The Lucy Speed Bible ............................................................ 27
1.5.3.3. The Pocket New Testament ................................................... 27
1.5.3.4. The Book of Psalms ............................................................... 27
1.5.4. The Bible in this thesis .............................................................. 27
1.5.4.1 The Ostervald Bible ................................................................ 27
1.5.5. Speculative hypothesis in the assessment of Lincoln ................ 28
1.6. Lincoln and Biblical Reception Theory .................................................... 29
1.6.1. Direct quotation ......................................................................... 31
1.6.2. Paraphrase .................................................................................. 32
1.6.3. Critical evaluation of Quotations and Paraphrases .................... 33
1.6.4. Allusion ...................................................................................... 34
1.6.5. Echo ........................................................................................... 37
1.6.6. Critical evaluation of allusion and echo ..................................... 38
1.6.7. In conclusion .............................................................................. 40
1.7. Historical narrative and context ................................................................ 40
1.8. Structure of the thesis ................................................................................ 40
1.8.1. Chronology ................................................................................ 40
1.8.2. Evaluation .................................................................................. 41
1.9. In conclusion to chapter one .................................................................... 41

Chapter Two: The Formative Years ....................................................................... 43
2.1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 43

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2.2. Lincoln’s Formative Years ...................................................................... 43
2.3. Lincoln’s Introduction to the Bible .......................................................... 45
2.3.1. Books in general ....................................................................... 46
2.3.2. The Bible ................................................................................... 47
2.3.3. The context for Lincoln’s introduction to the Bible ................. 47
2.3.3.1. The Second Great Awakening ............................................... 47
2.3.3.2. The Little Pigeon Creek Baptist Church ................................ 48
2.3.3.3. The Bible in the Lincoln home ............................................... 49
2.4. The New Salem Years ............................................................................. 52
2.4.1. Lincoln in New Salem: A brief narrative .................................. 52
2.4.2. The Christian context of New Salem ........................................ 53
2.4.3. Lincoln’s period of scepticism .................................................. 54
2.4.4. The early Springfield years ........................................................ 57
2.4.4.1. Writing and public remarks ................................................... 58
2.4.4.1.1. Letters to Miss Owens ........................................................ 58
2.4.4.1.2. The Lyceum Address ........................................................... 59
2.4.4.1.2.1. The objectives of the Address .......................................... 60
2.4.4.1.2.2. The place of the Bible in the Address .............................. 61
2.4.4.1.2.3. Conclusion to the Address ............................................... 64
2.4.4.2. Lincoln’s speech on the Sub-Treasury ................................... 64
2.4.4.3. Letter to Andrew McCormick ................................................ 67
2.5. General Observations on the Period. ....................................................... 68
2.6. Congressman Lincoln .............................................................................. 70
2.6.1. The Bible in the Congressman’s public address ....................... 70
2.7. The wilderness years and the race for the Senate .................................... 76
2.7.1. General observations on the period ........................................... 76
2.8. The Peoria Address .................................................................................. 78
2.8.1. Background and context of the Peoria Address ........................ 78
2.8.1.1. The city of Peoria ................................................................... 78
2.8.1.2. The political context .............................................................. 79
2.8.1.3. Lincoln’s rivalry with Douglas .............................................. 80
2.8.2.1. The percentage of biblical content ......................................... 80
2.8.2.2. The Bible and political logic in the Peoria Address .............. 82
2.8.2.3. Consideration of the Lincoln’s use of the Bible .................... 84
2.8.2.3.1. Sufficient unto the day ........................................................ 84
2.8.2.3.2. God and mammon ............................................................... 86
2.8.2.3.3. The robe is soiled ................................................................ 87
2.8.2.3.4. A blessed people ................................................................. 92
2.8.2.3.5. Lincoln’s correction of Douglas ......................................... 92
2.8.3. Conclusion to the Peoria Address ............................................. 93
2.9. Conclusion to Chapter Two ..................................................................... 94

Chapter Three: The Dividing House ........................................................................ 95
3.1. Introduction .............................................................................................. 95
3.2. Lincoln’s general use of the Bible during this period .............................. 95
3.3. Further use of the Bible during 1858 ....................................................... 97
3.3.1. First Lecture on Discoveries and Inventions ............................ 97
3.3.1.1. The place of the Bible in Lincoln’s First Lecture .................. 97
3.3.2. Second Lecture on Discoveries and Inventions ...................... 101
3.3.2.1. The place of the Bible in Lincoln’s Second Lecture ............. 101

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3.3.3. Analysis of Lincoln’s use of the Bible in both Lectures .......... 103
3.3.3.1. Citation of the Bible’s chapter and verse .............................. 104
3.3.3.2. Lincoln’s practical approach to the Bible ............................. 105
3.3.3.3. Scholastic consideration of Lincoln’s Lectures .................. 107
3.4. The House Divided Speech .................................................................... 112
3.4.1. The political context of the Speech ......................................... 113
3.4.1.1 The Kansas-Nebraska Act ..................................................... 113
3.4.1.2. The Dred Scott decision ....................................................... 113
3.4.1.3. Lincoln’s associates ............................................................. 114
3.4.1.4. The Illinois State Republican Convention .......................... 115
3.4.1.5. Contextual summary ............................................................ 116
3.4.2. The place of the Bible in the Speech ...................................... 116
3.4.2.1. The house divided remark .................................................... 116
3.4.2.2. The contextual implications of the text ................................ 119
3.4.2.3. Live dog, dead lion .............................................................. 122
3.4.3. The aftermath of the Speech ................................................... 126
3.4.4. Conclusion to the Speech ........................................................ 128
3.5. In Conclusion to chapter three ............................................................... 129

Chapter Four: Springfield Lawyer to President-Elect ......................................... 130
4.1. Introduction ............................................................................................ 130
4.2. The campaign for the Senate .................................................................. 130
4.2.1. The Lincoln-Douglas Debates ................................................ 131
4.2.2. The place of the Bible in the Debates ..................................... 133
4.2.2.1. The extent of Lincoln’s use of the Bible .............................. 133
4.2.2.2. The place of the Bible in each debate .................................. 134
4.2.2.2.1. The Ottawa Debate ........................................................... 134
4.2.2.2.2. The Freeport Debate ......................................................... 135
4.2.2.2.3. The Jonesboro Debate ....................................................... 136
4.2.2.2.4. The Charleston Debate ...................................................... 139
4.2.2.2.5. The Galesburg Debate ....................................................... 139
4.2.2.2.6. The Quincy Debate ........................................................... 140
4.2.2.2.7. The Alton Debate .............................................................. 141
4.2.3. Analysis of Douglas’ material ................................................. 142
4.2.4. Final reflection on the debates ................................................ 146
4.2.5. Conclusion to the Senatorial campaign ................................... 148
4.3. Lincoln during 1859-1861, until his departure for Washington ............. 149
4.4. General use of the Bible during this period ........................................... 151
4.4.1. The speech at Lewistown, Illinois .......................................... 151
4.4.2. The speech at Columbus, Ohio ............................................... 153
4.4.3. The speech at the Cooper Institute, New York ...................... 154
4.5. The President-Elect departs for Washington ........................................ 157
4.5.1. Lincoln’s Farewell Address at Springfield ............................. 157
4.5.1.1. A uniquely emotional and impromptu address .................... 159
4.5.1.2. Lincoln’s use of the Bible in the Address ............................ 160
4.5.1.2.1. Jesus, Paul, and Joshua ..................................................... 161
4.5.1.2.1.1. Possible influence of Jesus ............................................. 162
4.5.1.2.1.2. Possible influence of Paul .............................................. 163
4.5.1.2.1.3. Possible influence of Joshua .......................................... 164
4.5.1.2.2. Omnipresence .................................................................... 165

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4.5.1.2.2.1. Reverend Smith’s treatment of omnipresence ............... 166
4.5.1.2.3. The President-Elect’s request for prayer ........................... 168
4.5.1.3. Scholastic consideration ........................................................ 169
4.5.1.4. Conclusion to Lincoln’s Farewell Address .......................... 174
4.6. In Conclusion to Chapter Four ............................................................... 174

Chapter Five: The Commencement of Lincoln’s Tenure .................................... 176
5.1. Introduction ............................................................................................ 176
5.2. Lincoln and Deism ................................................................................. 176
5.2.1. Lincoln and American Deism ................................................. 176
5.2.2. Lincoln and Deistic terminology ............................................ 178
5.2.3. Collis and Ingersoll ................................................................. 180
5.3. Lincoln’s rail journey to Washington .................................................... 183
5.3.1. Lincoln’s journey .................................................................... 183
5.3.2. Public address during the journey ........................................... 184
5.3.2.1. Reply to Oliver P. Morton at Indianapolis ........................... 184
5.3.2.2 Speech at Cincinnati, Ohio ................................................... 185
5.3.2.3. Address to the State Legislature, Columbus, Ohio ............... 186
5.3.2.4. The speech at Steubenville, Ohio .......................................... 187
5.3.2.5. The speech at Buffalo, New York ........................................ 187
5.3.2.6. The Address to the State Legislature at Albany .................... 188
5.3.2.7. Remarks at Newark, New Jersey ......................................... 188
5.3.2.8. The Address to the State Senate at Trenton .......................... 188
5.3.3. Conclusion to Lincoln’s rail journey ...................................... 190
5.4. The President-Elect arrived in Washington .......................................... 190
5.5. Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address ......................................................... 191
5.5.1. The First Inaugural Address: A brief summary ...................... 192
5.5.2. Lincoln’s use of the Bible in the Address ................................ 193
5.5.2.1. If God, “be on our side” ........................................................ 194
5.5.2.2. The sacred oath .................................................................... 195
5.5.2.2.1. Other Presidents and the oath registered in Heaven ......... 197
5.5.2.2.2. No traditional connection to Heaven ................................ 198
5.5.3. A brief comparison with the Confederate President ............... 200
5.5.4. Conclusion to Lincoln’s First Inaugural Address ................... 203
5.6. The Lincoln Presidency during the years 1861-1863 ............................ 203
5.6.1. The Lincoln Presidency in 1861 ............................................. 205
5.6.2. The Lincoln Presidency in 1862 ............................................. 206
5.6.3. The Lincoln Presidency in 1863 ............................................. 207
5.7. Presidential use of the Bible, during the first three years ...................... 209
5.7.1. The infrequency of Presidential speeches ............................... 209
5.7.2. Evidence of general use of the Bible ...................................... 212
5.7.3. Evidence of the Bible in messages of condolence .................. 213
5.7.4. Greetings to foreign heads of state .......................................... 214
5.7.5. Conclusion to general use of the Bible, 1861-1863 ................. 214
5.8. The 1862 Address to Congress .............................................................. 215
5.8.1. The place of the Bible in the Address ...................................... 217
5.8.2. In conclusion to the Address to Congress ............................... 222
5.9. In Conclusion to Chapter Five ............................................................... 222

Chapter Six: The March to Union Victory and a Second Term .......................... 223

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6.1. Introduction ............................................................................................ 223
6.2. The Gettysburg Address ........................................................................ 223
6.2.1. The influence of the Bible …...................................................225
6.2.1.1. Dying to bring life ................................................................. 227
6.2.1.2. Birth and new birth .............................................................. 228
6.2.1.3. New birth ............................................................................. 229
6.2.2. In conclusion to the Gettysburg Address ................................ 231
6.3. The Lincoln Presidency during the years 1864 and 1865 ...................... 231
6.3.1. The Lincoln Presidency during 1864 ...................................... 231
6.3.2. The Lincoln Presidency in 1865 ............................................. 233
6.4. General use of the Bible during 1864 and 1865 .................................... 234
6.5. Lincoln’s treatment of the will of God .................................................. 237
6.5.1. Meditation on the Divine will ................................................. 237
6.5.1.1. The Place of the Bible in the Meditation ............................. 238
6.5.2. The will of God ....................................................................... 242
6.5.2.1. The importance of the Divine will to Lincoln ..................... 242
6.5.2.2. The Bible’s influence on Lincoln’s thinking ....................... 246
6.5.2.3. Light and the Divine will ..................................................... 246
6.5.2.4. God’s will and the War ........................................................ 247
6.5.2.4.1. God’s will in the control of the War ................................. 247
6.5.2.4.2. God’s will and the War’s duration .................................... 250
6.5.2.4.3. God’s will and gratitude ..................................................... 251
6.5.2.4.4. God’s will and human endeavour ..................................... 253
6.5.2.4.5. God’s will and repentance ................................................ 254
6.5.2.5. Scholars’ reactions ............................................................... 257
6.5.3. Conclusion to Lincoln’s treatment of the will of God ............ 260
6.6. Herndon’s treatment of Lincoln’s use of the Bible ................................ 260
6.6.1. Herndon’s dismissal of Lincoln’s use of the Bible ................. 261
6.6.1.1. Herndon’s response to Reed ................................................ 263
6.6.2. Discovery of new Herndon material ....................................... 266
6.6.2.1. Herndon’s notes on the Bible .............................................. 267
6.6.2.2. Herndon’s notes on Lincoln ................................................. 269
6.6.2.3. Conclusion to Herndon’s notes ............................................ 272
6.6.3. Reaction to Herndon’s treatment ............................................. 273
6.6.3.1. The Irwin article ................................................................... 273
6.6.3.2. Further rebuttal of Herndon’s assessment ............................ 274
6.6.4 Conclusion to Herndon’s treatment .......................................... 275
6.7. In conclusion to chapter six ................................................................... 276

Chapter Seven: Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address .......................................... 277
7.1. Introduction ............................................................................................ 277
7.2. The context of the Second Inaugural Address ....................................... 277
7.3. The uniqueness and importance of the Address .................................... 278
7.4. The place of the Bible in the Address .................................................... 280
7.4.1. Both read the same Bible ........................................................ 281
7.4.2. The issue of judgement ........................................................... 284
7.4.2.1. The judgement of men ......................................................... 284
7.4.2.2. God’s judgement .................................................................. 289
7.5. Reported reaction to the Address ........................................................... 299
7.6. A brief survey of historians’ treatment of the Address .......................... 301

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7.6.1. The Address as theology .......................................................... 301
7.6.2. Historians’ treatment of Lincoln’s text .................................. 302
7.7. Conclusion to Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address .............................. 306
7.8. Lincoln and popular expectation ............................................................ 308
7.8.1. Inaugural Addresses which preceded Lincoln ........................ 309
7.8.2. Inaugural Addresses which proceeded Lincoln ...................... 310
7.8.3. The Confederate Inaugural Address ....................................... 311
7.8.4. Everett’s Gettysburg address .................................................. 312
7.8.5. The assessment of Lincoln’s contemporaries ......................... 314
7.9. Conclusion to chapter seven .................................................................. 317

Chapter Eight: Conclusion ...................................................................................... 318
8.1. Introduction ............................................................................................ 318
8.2. The progress of this research ................................................................. 319
8.2.1. The formative years ................................................................ 319
8.2.2. The dividing house .................................................................. 320
8.2.3. Springfield lawyer to President-Elect ..................................... 320
8.2.4. The commencement of Lincoln’s tenure ................................ 321
8.2.5 The march To Union Victory and a second term ..................... 321
8.2.6. Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address ...................................... 322
8.3. Summary of Lincoln’s use of the Bible ................................................. 323
8.3.1. Extensive ................................................................................. 323
8.3.2. Imaginative ............................................................................. 323
8.3.3. Unpredictable .......................................................................... 323
8.3.4. Unprecedented ........................................................................ 323
8.3.5. Courageous ............................................................................. 324
8.4. Contribution to scholarship .................................................................... 324
8.5. In conclusion to chapter eight ................................................................ 326

Bibliography ............................................................................................................. 327

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