One Of Mr. Lincoln’s Stories

Some gentlemen were in conversation with the President the other day, and the future was spoken of, and some inquiries made as to what would be done with certain troublesome questions that must come up. Mr. Lincoln replied that one time a company of Methodist ministers were together, and were on their way to some public meeting. As they were on the point of departure, some one came on with the alarming intelligence that the bridge over the river they were to pass had been carried away. How the company were to get across the river was the exciting question. All but one engaged in the discussion, and he was the most venerable of them all. At length he was appealed to know what should be done. He replied: “Brethren, I am an old man. God has led me into and through many difficult and trying scenes; but long ago I learned never to trouble myself about crossing a river till I came to it!” This was told in the President’s inimitable manner, and produced a profounder impression than many he tells. – {Boston Jour.

– Published in the Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday April 19, 1862