A Rekindling of Love
On the evening of April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary, were enjoying the British comedy Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theatre. They were sitting in an upper right-hand box. Mary wore a black and white striped silk dress, with black lace veiling on her hair. A young couple, Major Henry Rathbone and Miss Clara Harris, shared the box with the Lincolns. As the play progressed, Mary sat very close to her husband, her hand in his. She whispered to him, “What will Miss Harris think of my hanging on to you so?”The President replied, “She won’t think anything about it.”
Those are the last recorded words of Abraham Lincoln. Estimates vary, but it was approximately 10:15 P.M. On stage actor Harry Hawk was saying, “Don’t know the manners of good society, eh? Well, I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, old gal—you sockdologizing old mantrap!” John Wilkes Booth opened the door behind where the President was sitting and shot him in the head at near point blank range. Mary, still holding Mr. Lincoln’s hand, clutched her husband. His head inclined toward his chest …
There seemed to be a special rekindling of love and tenderness between the President and his wife that historic night. Previously, they had problems in their marriage, probably over the stress they were enduring related to the War. The Lincolns were trying to hold hands. Yet, in just a few moments, Lincoln slipped from the bonds of this life to the arms of his Savior. Even though Mary would face the trial of her life, she could remember those last sweet moments when their love had been rekindled.
Husbands love your wives just as Christ loved the Church.
Ephesians 5:25