Lincoln on War’s Judgment

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Mar 21, 1865

Lincoln on War’s Judgment

The following remarkable and noble sentiment was uttered by President Lincoln in his inaugural address March 4, 1865. It is an unequivocal acknowledgment that the scourge of war is a direct infliction of punishment upon this nation for the unparalleled crime of slavery. Such a declaration from such a source and on such an occasion, will be hailed by many as most appropriate and timely:

"Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondman's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so, still it must be said, that the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether."