No one can serve two masters. – Matthew 6:24
Political disputes have been in existence far longer than the United States has. The presidential election of 1876 was highly contested, requiring months of negotiations between political parties before an agreement determined the outcome. Rutherford B. Hayes, an attorney who had been in the Union Army during the Civil War, had previously served in the House of Representatives as well as three terms as Ohio’s governor. While Samuel Tilden won more of the popular vote, there were allegations of voter fraud and disenfranchisement of minority voters, primarily in the South. The informal Compromise of 1877 between the parties ended the constitutional crisis and allowed President Hayes, who was born on this day in 1822, to be inaugurated. As you see and hear the political conflicts in current society, remember there in nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9)!
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
- For public officials at all levels of government who seek to reform the election process and to protect election integrity.
- For legislators at the federal and state levels as they pass laws to safeguard elections.
