No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. – Mark 2:21
President Abraham Lincoln introduced his plan for reuniting the United States through the Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction on this day in 1863. This proclamation emerged as the Civil War progressed, preparing for postwar reconstruction. The plan would grant full pardons and property restoration to all but the highest Confederate officials and military leaders, allow the formation of new state governments once 10 percent of eligible voters pledged allegiance to the United States, and encourage southern states to address the issue of the formerly enslaved without compromising their freedom. President Lincoln’s plan offered terms that were generally acceptable to most Southerners, despite some resistance to emancipation. After President Lincoln was assassinated in April 1865, there were many disputes over post-war reconstruction policies between President Andrew Johnson and Congress.
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
- For the president and Congressional leaders as they address the issues that face the United States today.
- For justices and judges in the federal judiciary to seek God’s direction as they hear and rule on the cases before the courts.
