"God be praised for the great gifts he showered upon him; God be praised for the generous use he made of them. In the radiance of God's light and in the sunshine of his love from out the gates of pearl which were swung inward to his entrance by those who waited to welcome him thither, there opened to him that vast and bright eternity, vivid with God's love. We could wish for a moment the veil might be parted and we, too, could have vision that such labor shall be crowned with immortal rest. Hail, brother, and farewell."
In a letter to me, of late date, Major Merwin writes:
"None of us can get too many views of the good and great Lincoln, and the world grows better for all we know, or can learn of him.... I spoke in New Haven last Sunday evening in one of the largest churches in the old college town. The house was packed with Yale students and others. The subject was, 'Lincoln, the Christian Statesman,' emphasizing the religious phase of the man, much to the surprise of many present. This was the real source of his strength. He was larger than any or all so-called 'denominations,' and yet a multitude find both comfort and strength in these various divisions, and Lincoln's heart was glad it was so."
It should have been stated, in connection with Mr. Merwin's temperance record in the army, that General Winfield Scott, after hearing several addresses made by Mr. Merwin from President Lincoln's carriage, to the regiments gathering in Washington, said to the President, "A man of such force and moral power to inspire courage, patriotism, faith, and obedience among the troops is worth more than a half-dozen regiments of raw recruits."
As before stated, Mr. Merwin is now in his eightieth year, and resides at Middlefield, Connecticut. In his last letter to me, dated January 14, 1909, referring to the above paragraph, he says, "I am not now equal to 6,000 men, but am able to tell the story of the plain, great man, whose name is now, and ever will be a glory on the nation's brow."
_Owned jointly by Abraham Lincoln and Henry Brooner in Indiana. Now owned by John E. Burton, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin._]
_Daughter of Josiah Crawford, for whom Lincoln often labored as hired hand in Indiana._]