Abraham Lincoln
did not quit. He is probably
the greatest example of persistence. If you want to learn
about somebody who refused to quit, look no further. Lincoln endured a steady stream of failure and defeat from
the time he was born until he was elected President
of the United States. He
is a mythical, towering figure of American history, and whatever one
thinks of his accomplishments, he was indeed a fascinating character.
He truly
fulfilled the "anyone can make it in America" philosophy; he was the
man of little means or education, born in a one-room log cabin, honest and
hard-working, who overcame numerous obstacles and failures to become President
of the United States when the nation was confronted with its gravest crisis. Lincoln certainly survived
his fair share of hardship and setbacks, but he was also remarkably successful
in many different endeavors throughout his lifetime.
He was one of the truly great men of all time. He led the United
States during the American Civil War (1861-1865), which was the greatest crisis
in U.S. history. Lincoln helped end slavery in the nation and helped keep the
American Union from splitting apart during the war. Lincoln thus believed that
he proved to the world that democracy can be a lasting form of government.
Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, second inaugural address, and many of his other
speeches and writings are classic statements of democratic beliefs and goals.
In
conducting a bitter war, Lincoln never became bitter himself. He showed a
nobility of character that has worldwide appeal. Lincoln, a Republican, was the
first member of his party to become president. He was assassinated near the end
of the Civil War and was succeeded by Vice President Andrew Johnson. Lincoln was
the first U.S. president to be assassinated.
Born
into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He lost eight
elections, twice failed in business and suffered a nervous breakdown.
He
could have quit many times - but he didn't and because he didn't quit, he became
one of the greatest presidents in the history of our country.
Lincoln
was a champion and he never gave up. Here is a sketch of Lincoln's road to the
White House:
·
1816:
His family was forced out of their home. He had to work to support them.
·
1818:
His mother died.
·
1831:
Failed in business.
·
1832:
Ran for state legislature - lost.
·
1832:
Also lost his job - wanted to go to law school but couldn’t get in.
·
1833:
Borrowed some money from a friend to begin a business and by the end of the year
he was bankrupt. He spent the next 17 years of his life paying off this debt.
·
1834:
Ran for state legislature again - won.
·
1835:
Was engaged to be married, sweetheart died and his heart was broken.
·
1836:
Had a total nervous breakdown and was in bed for six months.
·
1838:
Sought to become speaker of the state legislature - defeated.
·
1840:
Sought to become elector - defeated.
·
1843:
Ran for Congress - lost.
·
1846:
Ran for Congress again - this time he won - went to Washington and did a good
job.
·
1848:
Ran for re-election to Congress - lost.
·
1849
Sought the job of land officer in his home state - rejected.
·
1854:
Ran for Senate of the United States - lost.
·
1856:
Sought the Vice-Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention -
got less than 100 votes.
·
1858:
Ran for U.S. Senate again - again he lost.
.1860: Elected president of the United States.
Lincoln's
life shows us that the greatest glory consists not in never falling, but in rising
every time we fall. It is true that only
those who go too far will
ever know how far they can go; and when we shoot for the moon
we're
bound to land among the stars!
By Tim Pedrosa
It
is the surmounting of difficulties that make heroes. ~Louis Kossuth;
We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces
perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. ~Romans
5:3-4 |
Tim
|