Today is a Civil War anniversary here in St. Louis. Only a few weeks after the attack on Fort Sumter, the whole country was tense. Missouri’s new governor, Claiborne Jackson, had campaigned as pro-Union but as soon as he got into office he turned colors and began working for secession. Wanting to protect the important St. Louis arsenal, President Abraham Lincoln put impetuous Captain Nathaniel Lyon in charge. When Lyon heard that there was a camp of Confederates on the outskirts of St. Louis, he surrounded them, a riot broke out, and 28 people were killed…on this date 150 years ago.
Where there are sinners there is strife. Please, don’t put on airs that you wouldn’t join in civil strife. Factions arise and fight one another the world over. In the name of our cause, whatever that might be, we can be seduced into strife and commit sins against one another. President Lincoln at Gettysburg questioned whether or not a country committed to government from, by and of the people could endure. Where you and I live, Jesus teaches each of us to love God and serve our neighbor. Do it today. Lord, help me to do my little part to love You and serve my neighbor for the common good. From civil strife, good Lord, deliver us.
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