What did Lincoln mean by, "...every man will [...] live as [...] a Christian soldier"

[babela]

In this General Order, Lincoln is quoting two separate general orders issues by George Washington during the revolutionary war. On February 26, 1776 Washington forbade games of chance (cards, dice, etc) from being played by the forces on Sundays. "At this time of public distress, men may find enough to do in the service of God and their country without abandoning themselves to vice and immorality." One could argue that Washington and later Lincoln were simply saying "there is work to be done, you don't have time to be sitting around and playing games. Saying that it is the Sabbath day is no excuse to be rolling dice instead of doing your duty."

However, the second General Order quoted must also be taken into consideration...

The second order was given by Washington on July 9, 1776. "The Hon. Continental Congress having been pleased to allow a Chaplain to each Regiment, with the pay of Thirty-three Dollars and one third pr month—The Colonels or commanding officers of each regiment are directed to procure Chaplains accordingly; persons of good Characters and exemplary lives—To see that all inferior officers and soldiers pay them a suitable respect and attend carefully upon religious exercises. The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary but especially so in times of public distress and danger—The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country."

It seems clear to me from this quote that Washington and Lincoln saw a necessity for "blessing and protection of Heaven" upon the country "at all times" and recognized the character traits of the "Christian soldier" as being a good model.

As the leader of a country, isn't a president's duty to do what is good for the people?

[Aeron]

Without a doubt as leader its his duty to do what he feels is best for his people and Land Insurance country at the same time. A christian soldier in this time was looked upon well and seen as the soldiers that everyone wanted along with the protection of heaven.

At least thats my take on it, i may be wong but just trying to help .

[Electron]

Here are my two cents:
It sickens me that this is quickly turning into a Godless society. This nation was built on its faith in God. Now the athiests and other religions who don't believe there is a God (like Michael Newdow and the ACLU) are working hard to remove any traces of it from the general public, on money or otherwise. For example, there are plans to remove the motto, "In God We Trust" from our money.

http://www.petitiononline.com/igwtrfc/petition.html

Congress first authorized a reference to God on a two-cent piece in 1864. The action followed a request by the director of the U.S. Mint, who wrote there should be a "distinct and unequivocal national recognition of the divine sovereignty" on the nation's coins.

[liannagreyson]

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[CLARISSA]

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[revbucky]

Great replies to this post. Babela's comments are very helpful. We must always remember the historical context in which things were said.

[williamsmith]

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[Nomac]

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[ecobeLedFiene]

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[CaptainValor]

. . . himself, then he must have meant (1) to rally troops to an accepted community standard (2) that the great majority of them had accepted. The irony is that the war's tragedy created hundreds of thousands if not millions of free thinkers and agnostics who abandoned the idea of a personal god.

[swiniRetateaf]

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They got their man

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[mycanada]

hi For example, there are plans to remove the motto, "In God We Trust" from our money.

[mycanada]

They got their man I believe they really dont care about what we think, until something bad happens..

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