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			 Zion Lutheran School students in fifth through eighth grade took 
			up the challenge and submitted their compositions. 
			 Four students from the school were selected as winners. Three of 
			the four attended the LCG&HS monthly meeting Monday evening to read 
			their winning essays. 
			   
			
			  
			Olivia Thompson, whose composition was selected from fifth grade 
			submissions, was most taken with Mr. Lincoln’s views on religion and 
			faith. She pointed out that President Lincoln did not think that 
			attending an established church was necessary for a person to 
			profess faith in God, or to be a religious person.  
			 
			Caroline Ahrends, who was not able to attend the meeting, was the 
			seventh grade winner. Her essay was read by LCG&HS Vice-President 
			Roseann Coers. Caroline wrote about Mr. Lincoln’s “House Divided” 
			speech. 
			 
			
			  
			Noah Butler, the seventh grade winner from ZLS, was also taken by 
			President Lincoln’s “House Divided” speech. Noah pointed out that 
			Mr. Lincoln was very concerned a nation that was stridently divided 
			on an issue fundamental to its existence with no hope for 
			conciliation could lead to its downfall.  
			
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			Madeline Steiner submitted the winning composition chosen from among 
			the ZLS eighth-graders. Madeline chose to highlight Mr. Lincoln’s 
			second inaugural address. This speech is considered one of the 
			seminal documents in American history. It highlighted President 
			Lincoln’s views on reconciliation between the two warring factions 
			of the country. Madeline especially noted the phrase “with malice 
			toward none” section. 
			 
			
			  
In other business, Bill Donath noted that the Abraham Lincoln statue is going to 
be mounted on the historic Logan County Courthouse square in Lincoln next week 
with the official dedication on May 16th. Sculpture David Seagraves and Jeff 
Adams, whose foundry cast the statue, will travel from northern Illinois to be 
in attendance.  
 
The LCG&HS meets once a month on the third Monday at their research facility on 
Chicago Street at 6:30 p.m. The range of topics is always fascinating and the 
speakers excellent. The public is invited to attend. A guest speaker is invited 
to give a presentation next month on central Illinois and Lincoln history. 
				 
			[Curt Fox]  |