A young travelling preacher, and the preachers of that period in those regions were really all travelling if they were preachers, for they had no abiding place, was so much beloved by a man who had acquired a large amount of land, that the man made the young preacher the present of a deed to half a section of land. The young man, being destitute, was much rejoiced to receive the gift of three hundred and twenty acres of good prairie soil. He went away with a grateful heart toward his generous benefactor. Three months later he returned, and, as he greeted the generous friend at the door, he handed back the deed, saying, "Here, sir, I want you to take back your title-deed." "What's the matter," asked the surprised friend. "Anything wrong with it?" "No," replied the young man, as if somewhat ashamed to give his reason. "Isn't the land good enough?" "Good as any in the state." "Are you afraid it is a sickly place?" "Healthy as anywhere." "Do you think I am sorry I gave it to you?" "I haven't the slightest reason to doubt your whole-hearted generosity." "Then why in the thunder don't you keep it?" inquired the dumbfounded benefactor. "Well, sir, if I must tell you," said the young preacher, "you know I am very fond of singing, and there's one hymn in my book, which has been one of my greatest comforts in life, and it is not so any more. I have lost the joy of singing it, and it has killed so much other joy that I can no longer endure the privation. I will sing you one verse." Then he sang: "No foot of land do I possess, No cottage in the wilderness; A poor wayfaring man. I lodge awhile in tents below, And gladly wander to and fro, Till I my Canaan gain; There is my house and portion fair, My treasure and my heart are there, And my abiding home." "Please take your title-deed," he exclaimed. "I want to have the joy I used to have in singing that song. I'd rather sing it with a clear conscience than to own America." It was among such people sacrificing themselves for humanity that Lincoln found his great inspiration from the sordid and mean that are ever to be found muckraking at the bottom. The family may be in a good home, safe for its children, but the good home must be in a good community or they are not safe. In fact, we cannot be sure of a good home unless its good community is in a good world. Good people in a good community are of priceless help to a good mother bringing up a good boy, with the biggest meaning of life in the word good. V. EXPERIENCES IN THE INDIAN WAR Great events probably have less effect in shaping one's life than the little incidents that compose them. It seems so with Lincoln.