THE BIRTHDAY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

T is indeed necessary that children, in so far as they are capable, should know the theory of our government, and the great events that, like milestones, have marked its course. But, after all, theories and abstract facts never can take such hold upon the minds of children - upon memory and imagination-nor stir them to such a sense of their country's worth-as can the history, the life, of a great man. It will be difficult to make the little folks understand the causes, direct or indirect, which led to the Civil War of '61. Indeed, who of us who are older and trained to teach are competent to tell all the influences that ended in that terrible struggle? But what child can fail to know and feel the real greatness of the personality and life of Abraham Lincoln? He was what we may call a boy's man - having that sense of humor, that spirit of fun which appeals so irresistibly to boys,yes, even to "boys of larger growth." Let much be made, therefore, any celebration of Lincoln's birthday, of those incidents, so strange, so fascinating, which marked his early boyhood in his cabin home — of the trials which beset his youth-time, his wonderful skill in political debate his perilous journey to the city of Washington, there to be inaugurated President of the United States his care for the soldiers in the field and the poor black men in slavery in the South,— and, at length, his martyr death. (Just here might come in a study of "The Negro" in our history.) Fear not to blend with all, the stories which made him as well known as his statesmanship - indeed, which were, many of them, illustrations of the very spirit and philosophy of statesmanship.

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QUOTATIONS.

A man born for his time.- Morrison R. Waite.

Abraham Lincoln was the genius of common sense.- - Charles Dudley Warner.

His constant thought was his country and how to serve it.— Charles Sumner.

A name that shall live through all coming time,
Unbounded by country, by language, or clime.

-C. P. Corliss.

Washington was the father, and Lincoln the savior of his country.- Henry L.

Dawes.

The typical American, pure and simple.- Asa Gray.

The plain, honest, prudent man,- safe in council, wise in action, pure in purpose.- John C. New.

Patriot, who made the pageantries of kings
Like shadows seem, and unsubstantial things.

- R. W. Dale.

Lincoln was the purest, the most generous, the most magnanimous of men.Gen. W. T. Sherman.

His career closed at a moment when its dramatic unity was complete.- Governor Andrew, of Massachusetts.

Abraham Lincoln was worthy to be trusted and to be loved by all his country- Gen. Howard.

men.

He lives in endless fame,
All honor to his patriot name.

-H. C. Ballard.

He stands before us and will so stand in history as the Moses of this Israel of Charles Lowe.

ours.

A man of great ability, pure patriotism, unselfish nature, full of forgiveness for his enemies.- Ulysses Simpson Grant.