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]
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