I READ OF a TV program aired on PBS on the most staid of subjects—a library…

This, however, was the Library of Congress, and the PBS’s former chairman, Sir Hue Weldon, was standing in a forest of card index files. The program had all of makings of a slow-moving, dull documentary until…about halfway through, Dr. Daniel Boorstin, the Librarian of Congress, bought out a little blue box from a small closet that once held the library’s rarities. The label on the box read, “Contents of the President’s Pockets on the Night of April 14, 1865.”

Since that was the fateful night Abraham Lincoln was assassinated, every viewer’s attention was seized. Boorstin then proceeded to remove the items in the small container and display them on camera. There were five things in the box: a handkerchief, embroidered “A. Lincoln”, a country boy’s pen knife, a spectacles case repaired with string, a purse containing a $5 Confederate bill, and some old worn newspaper clippings. “The clippings,” said Boorstin, “were concerned with the great deeds of Abraham Lincoln. And one of them actually reports a speech by John Bright which says that Abraham Lincoln is “one of the greatest men of all times.”

Today, that’s common knowledge. The world now knows that British statesman John Bright was right in his assessment of Lincoln, but in 1865 millions shared quite a contrary opinion. The President’s critics were fierce and many. His was a lonely agony that reflected the suffering and turmoil ripped to shreds by hatred and a cruel, costly war.

Everybody needs encouragement; especially those in positions of leadership. How do you support and uplift the leaders in your congregation?

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14

Mike Benson