Handsome Indeed!
Abraham Lincoln was admired by many, but he also had many critics. But even persistent critics in the Government, like Pennsylvania's Thaddeus Stevens,
sometimes praised the President's benevolence.
House Speaker Schuyler Colfax recalled that Stevens "used to tell, with great gusto, this story of his own personal experience. Mr. Stevens had gone with an elderly lady from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (his district), to the White House, to ask the pardon of her son, condemned to die for sleeping on his post. The President suddenly turned upon his cynical Pennsylvania friend, whom he knew had so often assailed him for excessive lenity, and said, 'Now, Thad, what would you do in this case if you happened to be President?'”
“Mr. Stevens knew how many hundreds of his constituents were waiting breathlessly
to hear the result of that elderly woman's pilgrimage to Washington. Of course, Congressmen who desired to be re-elected liked to carry out the desires of their constituents. Stevens did not relish the President's home-thrust, but replied that,
as he knew of the extenuating circumstances, he would certainly pardon him.”
“‘Well, then,’ said Mr. Lincoln, after a moment's writing in silence, ‘here, madam, is your son's pardon.’
“Her gratitude filled her heart to overflowing, and it seemed to her as though her son had been snatched from the gateway of the grave. She could only thank the President with her tears as she passed out, but when she and Mr. Stevens had reached the outer door of the White House she burst out, excitedly, 'I KNEW it was a lie! I KNEW it was a lie!'”
“‘What do you mean?’ asked her astonished companion.
“Why, when I left my country home in old Lancaster yesterday, the neighbors told me that I would find that Mr. Lincoln was an UGLY man, when in fact... he is really the most handsome man I have ever seen in my life!’”
“And certainly, when sympathy and mercy lightened up those rugged features, many a wife and mother pleading for his intervention had reason to think him handsome indeed."*
Interestingly, the Scriptures do not contain an exact description of the physical appearance of Jesus Christ. Perhaps it is a prophecy given some 700 years before His birth that provides the closest thing to a portrait: “For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, And as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; And when we see Him, There is no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isaiah 53:2).
Yet, many would describe Jesus as the most handsome Man that has ever lived. Why?
Because Jesus died so that we might live! (1 Thessalonians 5:10). He paid the price for our sins on the cross so that we may have forgiveness and the hope of eternal life if we accept His offer on His terms.
Jesus will save those who: believe in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). His redeeming blood will continue to cleanse those who continue to walk in the light of
His Word (1 John 1:7).
And certainly, when God’s mercy is understood and accepted, many have reason to think Him handsome indeed!
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