Themes Prepare for Eternity

DEATH - AGAIN!

"There is a certain fatality about presidential functions when I am present." These are the words of Robert Todd Lincoln, son of Abraham Lincoln.

Why would Robert Todd Lincoln express such a thought? Why was death such a constant factor in his life?

April 15, 1885. President Abraham Lincoln lay on his death bed. He was dying from an assassin's bullet. When Abraham Lincoln died, Robert Todd Lincoln stood by his father's side. Twenty-two year old Robert had difficulty in dealing with the death of his father. This death was so sudden, so unexpected. Death lodged in his soul and turned out to be a dark monster that trailed him for many years.

Sixteen years after his father's death, Robert Todd Lincoln served as Secretary of War under President James A Garfield. On July 2, 1881, he hurried to Washington's Baltimore & Potomac Railroad Station for a meeting with President Garfield. Just as he entered the station, a man in the crowd pulled out a pistol and fired two shots at the President. President Garfield fell to the station platform.

Robert Todd Lincoln's mind reeled with memories of his father's death. Now it had happened again! President Garfield died 80 days later. A subdued Robert Todd Lincoln, now aged 38, attended the President's funeral. The American Flag, draped over the coffin was no solace to Robert. Death's forceful hand intruded into his life again.

Twenty years later Robert Todd Lincoln was president of the Pullman Company. On September 6, 1901, he attended the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo. The day before, President William McKinley delivered one of his most important speeches. But, this day, just as Robert Todd Lincoln stepped into the Exposition Hall, shots rang out and President McKinley fell to the floor. Once again, Robert Todd Lincoln stood in the presence of a smoking gun. Once again, he cringed in the presence of presidential death. Once again, Robert Todd Lincoln, now 58 years old, met death face to face.

After this, Robert Todd Lincoln became a recluse. Death mocked him and he withdrew from all functions and social gatherings. He feared to be in the presence of a President or high official. Always in the forefront of his mind was the hard grasping hand of death. Was it reaching out to him? Was he afraid to die?

Robert Todd Lincoln died in 1926. Ironically, he is buried only yards away from yet another assassinated president - John F. Kennedy. Robert Todd Lincoln is now in eternity - but where?

Death will claim you for eternity - but the same question arises - where?

The Bible says people go to Heaven or Hell. We deserve to suffer in Hell forever for our sins. However, the Lord Jesus paid the price of sin - He died on the cross. "Christ died for our sins" (1 Corinthians 15:3).

Come to the Lord Jesus Christ - the life giver. "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).

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