I am learning that when one is reading history, one cannot simply take all things at face value. One of the books I read contains what I believe to be a number of factual inaccuracies, as well as many opinions stated as fact without any referencing or proof of why those statements should be considered to be factual.

While my study has been on the Colonial period, and the Founding Fathers, I am fairly well-read (not as well-read as some others in the church) on Abraham Lincoln. I've read at least 6 books on Lincoln (as I just looked at the bookshelf to be sure). In a book I just finished, there is a statement made that says the following: "Shortly before his death an Illinois clergyman asked Lincoln, 'Do you love Jesus?' Mr. Lincoln solemnly replied, 'When I left Springfield I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ. Yes, I do love Jesus.'" This is quoted from a book called Abraham Lincoln, the Christian. That story was used in a sermon some years ago by The Rev. D. James Kennedy.

From my reading about Lincoln, I was not aware of this statement. So I looked at the bibliography included in two of the best books on Lincoln's life: Abraham Lincoln, Redeemer President, by Allen Guelzo, a professor at Gettysburg College, and A. Lincoln, by Ronald C. White, Jr. (whom I heard speak last year at Princeton Seminary). Those books are not included in their bibliographies. I looked at Internet sites, and found some references to this, but they seemed to be of uncertain origin. So I decided to ask an authority, and I sent an e-mail message to Dr. Guelzo at Gettysburg, and I asked him about this statement. I received a message in response, that indicated that my thoughts about it being of uncertain origin were correct, and that there is no hard evidence that any Illinois clergyman ever received that kind of statement from Mr. Lincoln. (I am very appreciative of Dr. Guelzo taking the time to respond to my question.)

Is it possible that Lincoln did, indeed, make that statement? Yes, it is possible. But it seems as though many historians are at best skeptical about that.

I think we need to be careful about how we interpret what we read. It certainly is going to make me more diligent as I think about what I am reading.