“Tell your men they may keep their horses; they’ll need them for plowing,” said the president. Then this: “Tell your men they may keep their rifles; they’ll need them for hunting.” When Lee read those words he wept.

May9

There is a story written about Abraham Lincoln by the poet Carl Sandburg.  I’ve read a number of books about Abraham Lincoln, but the following is new to me.

“An unusual tribute was paid to Abraham Lincoln by Carl Sandburg.  The poet wrote, “Not often in the story of mankind does a man arrive on earth who is both steel and velvet, who is as hard as rock and soft as drifting fog, who holds in his heart and mind the paradox of a terrible storm and peace unspeakable and perfect.”

Lincoln demonstrated then and now how a person can possess both a will of iron and a heart of tenderness.  Nothing deterred this president during the American Civil War from his “noble” cause, and few persons have ever endured more criticism and detractors than Lincoln.  Yet he was no more a man of steel than one of velvet.

When General Robert E. Lee surrendered his army, Lincoln sent an unexpected message to the enemy commander.  “Tell your men they may keep their horses; they’ll need them for plowing,” said the president.  Then this:  “Tell your men they may keep their rifles; they’ll need them for hunting.”  When Lee read those words he wept.

For each of us there is a time for toughness and a time for tenderness.  A time for resolve and a time for compassion.  An iron will is not the same as an iron spirit.”   ~ Goodier

Our Lord had these characteristics as well.  He was a very strong man, but He had tenderness and compassion as well.  The following scriptures illustrate the tender and compassionate side to Jesus.

“And Jesus, when He came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd:  and He began to teach them many things.”     Mark 6:34

“And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick.”   (Matthew 14:14)

“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.”    (Matthew 9:36)

And conversely we see the tougher side of our Lord.  He stood strong and did not mince words when it came to teaching man truth.  He never made excuses for sin.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate:  for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”    (Matthew 7:13-14)

“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow Me.  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful:  for he had great possessions.  Then said Jesus unto His disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.  And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”   (Matthew 19:21-24)

“Our Lord was meek, but he was not weak by anybody’s standards.  Meekness did not keep Him from facing the issues of His day nor in taking an unwavering stand for truth, and it will not do that today.  True meekness will make one the very opposite.  Jesus was the “Lion of Judah” as He opposed the false religions and the traditions of the Jew, but He was also meek toward all men and toward the Father.

At His torturous trial, He bowed in humble submission to the Father.  He did not strike back as they did Him personal injury, for one cannot fight error with staves and clubs and guns; it must be done with truth and in meekness.  As His tormentors injured and attacked His matchless spirit and body, they could not touch His exquisite character, for it was deeply rooted and quiet spirit.”    ~ Jesse Kelley

“The greatness of our God lies in the fact that He is both tough minded and tender hearted.”      ~ Martin Luther King

Eileen Light

 

One thought on ““Tell your men they may keep their horses; they’ll need them for plowing,” said the president. Then this: “Tell your men they may keep their rifles; they’ll need them for hunting.” When Lee read those words he wept.”

  1. There are few men as sincere as Robert E. Lee. It is not just because I am from the South that I appreciate him, but having been a teacher and a student of good literature at the same time, I had the opportunity to read many of Lee’s writings. There seemed to be no malace in him at all–not even when he was fighting to win the victory for States’ rights.

    Understandably we look to learn from those like Lee or Lincoln, who were strong examples to the generations that followed, and in our zeal we might compare him to Christ.

    My prayer is that one day Christ’s qualities might be seen in me.

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