Abraham Lincoln's Substitute

During the earlier days of the Civil War, it was the desire of all prominent men in Washington D.C. to have a representative in the ranks, and Abraham Lincoln was no exception to the rule.  The Constitution exempted the President from having to take up arms and serve on the field of battle.  Although, Lincoln was the commander-in-chief, there was nothing to prevent him from sending a 'substitute' to fight in his place.  Lincoln resolved to be represented in the ranks, where a combatant in the field of courage, might in person, strike actual blows to the enemy on his behalf.

The man that represented Lincoln in person, was John Summerfield Staples, a young volunteer from Pennsylvania, about 21 years of age.  After being introduced to the President, this loyal young man signified his desire to fill the honorable position as Lincoln's substitute.  The President gladly accepted Staples, as his representative.  In the Civil War, Summerfield proved to be a worthy representative for Lincoln, for he won honor on the battlefield.  He survived the war, and finally died in Strasburg, PA in 1888.  The tombstone there which marks his last resting place on earth bears this inscription:

J. SUMMERFIELD STAPLES,
A Private of
Co. C, 176 Regt. P. V.
Also a member of the
2. Regt. D.C. Vols. as a
SUBSTITUTE FOR
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Died Jan. 11, 1888.
Aged 43 Years, 4 Mos. 25 Days.

Summerfield symbolized the fact that those who died in battle, died so that others could live.

Dear friend, right now, you’re either living under the curse of sin, or you’re living under the blessing of eternal life through Jesus Christ.  You’ve sinned against God, we all have.  God is just and holy, and He must punish all sin, even yours.  Someone must answer for your sin; you must have a Substitute to pay the penalty for your sins, or you must pay the price for your sin in hell-fire forever.  Only a fool would go to hell, when a Perfect Substitute has already took his place.

Carefully hearken, this is what makes the difference:  Have you ever felt the burden of sin?  Have you ever took that burden to the foot of the Cross?  Is the blood of Christ the life-blood of your hope?  Have you experienced the forgiveness of sins from the hand of Jesus Christ?  Have you ever truly looked to the Cross of Christ, do you know and trust that Jesus Christ died for your sins, so that you can be freely forgiven and live forever? Can you put your name on His Cross?  Can you fill in your name on the Cross, signifying that from your heart you have trusted Christ Jesus Himself alone for your soul’s eternal salvation: “______________________’s Substitute.”

If you cannot see your name there; if you’ve never gone to the Cross of Christ by faith with your burden of sin, then you are still under the curse and penalty of your sin right now.  Here's God's message of mercy:  Christ Jesus was God manifest in the flesh.  He came into world to seek and to save sinners, especially you.  Jesus loved you, and gave Himself for you.  Jesus bore your sins in His body, and then He took the punishment and wrath that your sins deserved.  Jesus shed God’s blood for your sins, and then He rose again from the dead the third day.  God is willing to save you; He doesn't want you to die and perish in your sins.  If you will just humble yourself now, and by faith go to the Cross with all your sin, and look and trust only in God's blood, then eternal and abundant life, the free and full forgiveness of sins, and a future in God's paradise will be given you freely.

Your good works will never help save you at all; be wise, reject and renounce all of them.  Bring none of your vain works to the Cross, only your sins.  Christ's blood can never be supplemented by your self-efforts.  Only Precious Faith in the Precious Blood of the Precious Christ will save your soul from sin and damnation.  You cannot save yourself, never trust yourself at all:  Christ is the Savior, His main business is to save lost and ruined sinners by His free grace.  Christ died for ungodly sinners only.  Pay close attention now:  Make up your mind that if there is salvation to be had in this life, you will have it now by childlike faith in the Incarnate God's Atoning Blood.

Be wise at once, for tomorrow may be too late.  It is very foolish to procrastinate, for you may not be living tomorrow.  Take Christ today, be wise, cry out for God to help you; Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for immediate salvation.  The wisest thing you will ever do in this life is to trust your soul with Christ at once, Simply trust HIM now.  Seek Him without further delay, for there's room at the Cross for you.  Come now with your burden of sin and stand at the foot of the Cross, cry out to God from the heart for mercy through Christ’s atoning blood alone, and then write your name on your Substitute’s Cross.  "_____________________'s Substitute.  Let this be your motto from now on:  I'm a poor sinner and nothing at all, but Jesus Christ is my All in All.

Christ Jesus is God!  The Lord Jesus Christ is the Sinner's Great Substitute!  Jesus Christ the Lord is Life Eternal!  Christ is All!