"Although the temperance cause has been in progress for nearly twenty years, it is apparent to all that it is just now being crowned with a degree of success hitherto unparalleled. The list of its friends is daily swelled by the additions of fifties, of hundreds, and of thousands. The cause itself seems suddenly transformed from a cold abstract theory, to a living, breathing, active, and powerful chieftain, going forth "conquering and to conquer." The citadels of his great adversary are daily being stormed and dismantled; his temples and his altars, where the rites of his idolatrous worship have long been performed, and where human sacrifices have long been wont to be made, are daily desecrated and deserted. The trump of the conqueror's fame is sounding from hill to hill, from sea to sea, and from land to land, and calling millions to his standard at a blast."
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1. Although the temperance cause has been in progress for nearly twenty years, it is apparent to all that it is just now being crowned with a degree of success hitherto unparalleled. 2. The list of its friends is daily swelled by the additions of fifties, of hundreds, and of thousands. 3. The cause itself seems suddenly transformed from a cold abstract theory to a living, breathing, active and powerful chieftain, going forth conquering and to conquer. 4. The citadels of his great adversary are daily being stormed and dismantled; his temples and his altars, where the rites of his idolatrous worship have long been performed, and where human sacrifices have long been wont to be made, are daily desecrated and deserted. 5. The trump of the conqueror's fame is sounding from hill to hill, from sea to sea, and from land to land, and calling millions to his standard at a blast. |
Let's get crazy with this text. Here's the annotated, enumerated, cross-referenced text of Abraham Lincoln:
ReplyDelete1. Although the temperance(1) cause has been in progress for nearly twenty years(2), it is apparent to all that it is just now being crowned with a degree of success hitherto unparalleled(3).
2. The list of its friends is daily swelled by the additions of fifties, of hundreds, and of thousands.
3. The cause itself seems suddenly transformed from a cold abstract theory(4) to a living, breathing, active and powerful chieftain(5), going forth conquering and to conquer.
4. The citadels of his great adversary are daily being stormed and dismantled; his temples and his altars, where the rites of his idolatrous worship have long been performed, and where human sacrifices have long been wont(6) to be made, are daily desecrated and deserted.
5. The trump(7) of the conqueror's fame is sounding from hill to hill, from sea to sea, and from land to land, and calling millions to his standard at a blast.
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(1) Moderation and self-restraint, as in behavior or expression. Restraint in the use of or abstinence from alcoholic liquors.
(2) 1822-1842
(3) Lincoln endorsed "kind, unassuming persuasion" and criticized earlier, heavy-handed temperance efforts.
(4) Compare to Lincoln 8:13: "Happy day, when all appetites controled, all passions subdued, all matters subjected -- mind, all-conquering mind, shall live and move the monarch of the world. Glorious consummation! Hail fall of Fury! Reign of Reason, all hail!"
(5) The leader or head of a group, especially of a clan or tribe.
(6) or accustomed
(7) See I Cor. 15:52. Perhaps a reference to the trumpets of Revelation 8 and 9.