New exhibit in Gettysburg gives insight into Abraham Lincoln"s faith

(Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) - 3/23/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE …

 

CONTACT:

John Wega

Executive Director

U.S. Christian Commission Museum

(717) 339-0339

[email protected]

 

 

The United States Christian Commission Museum in Gettysburg tells the story of faith and courage during the Civil War. Now, the museum has a new story to tell, the faith of President Abraham Lincoln.

 

During his seven years of research related to the aspect of faith and religion during the Civil War era, museum founder and Executive Director John Wega came across stories and accounts related to Abraham Lincoln and the United States Christian Commission.

 

During the Civil War, the U.S. Christian Commission was dedicated to serving the spiritual and temporal needs of the soldiers. They distributed millions of Bibles, hymn books, gospel tracts, built hundreds of chapels, gave away millions of pages of stationary and invented the “identifier” which was the inception of the modern day dog tag for soldiers.

 

Lincoln “commissioned” the U.S. Christian Commission in December 1861 and gave it his blessing for what they aspired to do.

 

This new exhibit regarding Lincoln provides insight into Lincoln’s heart and faith. He suffered much during the war, losing his own son and watching thousands of American sons die during the war. Lincoln didn’t live long enough to tell his own story of faith and how he endured so much in those years as president.

 

The U.S. Christian Commission Museum is the first museum in the country that tells the story of faith and courage during the Civil War. This year marks its forth season. For more information, visit www.USCCgettysburg.org or call (717) 339-0339.