
(Why have a lesson about Abe Lincoln at this time of year? Think about what he accomplished. Note how he did not succeed in every one of his goals.)
Background: Abraham Lincoln was born February 12, 1809 in Kentucky into extreme poverty but eventually became President of America. During the American Civil War Lincoln gave the now famous Gettysburg Address and his decision to appoint General Ulysses S. Grant as Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Armies was probably one of the significant turning points of the war. Although it cost him his life, he was fanatical that slavery should be abolished in his country. Lincoln was assassinated In Washington on 14th April 1865.
When I was in grade school in Billings, Montana as a little boy, I heard an inspiring story about "Honest Abe" ” that to this day I still remember.
The story took place during Abraham Lincoln’s early-teenage years while he was working as a store clerk. It is said that he accidentally overcharged a customer a few extra cents because the scale was not working properly. When he realized the mistake, it was too late, and the customer had already left. He knew the right thing was to return the cents to the customer, so he decided to close the store and go find the customer.
At that time, he couldn’t just jump into a car and drive over there like are able to do today. Instead, it is said that Abraham Lincoln walked several miles to the customer’s house and returned those cents.
Though the story of Abraham Lincoln, the honest shop clerk, is memorable, the less familiar story of Abraham Lincoln, the honest shop owner, is even more impressive. While living in New Salem, Lincoln and a partner bought a general store and attempted to run it as a profitable business. But owing to unwise investments and general mismanagement, the store finally "winked out," to use Lincoln's own phrase.
Not long thereafter his partner died, leaving the unfortunate Lincoln with what he called the "National Debt." But unlike many others who went bankrupt in frontier ventures and skipped town to escape their creditors, Lincoln promised to repay every cent he owed. He fulfilled this promise even though it took him more than fifteen years to retire the debt. When Abraham Lincoln made a commitment, his word was good as gold. No matter what those around him were doing, his life and his words were filled with honesty. (Dare to Be True, pp. 57-58)
Throughout his life, his most striking characteristic was his determination to succeed in the face of continuing failure. He did have successes intermingled with his list of failures, but it is helpful to compile the list of failures.
Consider the following:
Lincoln "Failures" List
- Lost job in 1832
- Defeated for state legislature in 1832.
- Failed in business in 1833.
- Elected to state legislature in 1834.
- Sweetheart died in 1835.
- Had nervous breakdown in 1836.
- Defeated for Speaker in 1838.
- Defeated for nomination for Congress in 1843.
- Elected to Congress in 1846.
- Lost renomination in 1848.
- Rejected for land officer in 1849.
- Defeated for U.S. Senate in 1854.
- Defeated for nomination for Vice President in 1856.
- Again defeated for U.S. Senate in 1858.
- Elected President in 1860.
- A goal properly set is halfway reached -
- Things may come to those who wait, but only left by those who hustle.
- Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing.
- To believe in the things you can see and touch is no belief at all; but to believe in the unseen is a triumph and a blessing.
- Be sure your feet are in the right place. Then stand firm.
- My great concern is not whether you have failed, but whether you are content with your failure.
1. Make a log cabin out of "lincoln logs" and use it on the table as a center piece (best on President's Day in February).
2. Color a picture of Abraham Lincoln
3. Make a list of the accomplishments Abraham Lincoln had in his life
4. Tell the story of the shop clerk in your own words and then share an experience you have had when someone undercharged you at the grocery store. What did you do?
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