Lincoln's Second Inaugural Speech 3/4/1865

Abraham Lincoln quoted Jesus in his second inaugural speech March 4, 1865 (for the speech in it’s entirety click on this link http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/inaug2.htm )

In 1865, America North and South had lost the war in Lincoln’s estimation. The sin of slavery was grievous but war was a sin too.

Both the North and South suffered substantial loss of life. Military deaths were over 623,000. This still outnumbers the military deaths for all other American wars. Both the North and the South had dead men, resulting in innumerable widows and orphans. Entire towns were lost and rebuilding the country was a monumental task.

Lincoln chose to frame the winning of the Civil War as a loss for the whole country and call for a healing as all participants despaired.

"Woe unto the world because of offenses; for it must needs be that offenses come, but woe to that man by whom the offense cometh." Lincoln's quoted language comes from Matthew 18:7 King James Bible.

Wesley's Notes (link to http://wes.biblecommenter.com/ )

18:7 Wo to the world because of offences - That is, unspeakable misery will be in the world through them; for it must needs be that offences come - Such is the nature of things, and such the weakness, folly, and wickedness of mankind, that it cannot be but they will come; but wo to that man - That is, miserable is that man, by whom the offence cometh. Offences are, all things whereby any one is turned out of, or hindered in the way of God.

Lessons for a Shopaholic

The movie Confessions of a Shopoholic was really funny... unless you have a shopping or debt problem. It's a good advertisement for Debtors Anonymous.

My only issue with the movie is the ending. The message was find a man that can afford your shopping problem.

Tyranny

I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.
~Thomas Jefferson to Dr Benjamin Rush 9/23/1800

Jefferson offers this radical statement in support of his new country. Yet to be acknowledged by England with ongoing hostility on both sides of the Atlantic, this new country had had two Presidents. This letter written in September 1800, was not long before he took the office of President.

For a period of time, England neglected the American colony allowing the colonists to form a sense of collective self.

The colonists alleged that King George of England and Parliament abused their power by enacting import taxes and other trade & commodity taxation totaling about 4% of all economic exchange. England believed they were within their rights to tax their colonies.

When England reintroduced authority by way of military force to enforce the laws, they offended the colonists. Colonists hadn’t agreed to taxation or to the treatment to which they were being subjected.

What a radical step from subject to independent people.

February.. only 28 days (usually)

February.. the shortest month of the year, includes some very important dates with in those (usually) 28 days.

February 2nd announces six more weeks of winter, no matter if shadows are out or not, nor if ground hogs see them. (See March for Spring)

http://www.groundhog.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog_Day

February 14th is a day to buy flower, candy, cards & gifts with hearts or angels for your dear friends.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Valentine

http://www.history.com/minisites/valentine/

http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=159


3rd Monday President's Day, combines Lincoln & Washington's Birthday into a confusing celebration that could make both George & Abe sad because we miss their actually birthdays.

http://holidays.kaboose.com/presidents-day/presidents-day.html

http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/

Black History Month... can we start with all the racist implications of having the shortest month of the year dedicated to the most historically oppressed people of modern history?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_History_Month

http://www.history.com/minisites/blackhistory

Other good things about February are daffodils, amethyst and violets, all representing the month.

http://www.daffodilusa.org/daffodils/faq.html

http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/amethyst.html

http://www.violets.com/