--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When I left Springfield [to become…" description: "\"When I left Springfield [to become President] I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/776/abraham-lincoln-88_buried_when-i-left-springfield-to-become-presid_3233801.jpg" --- # When I left Springfield \[to become President\] I asked the… ![“When I left Springfield [to become President] I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/776/abraham-lincoln-88_buried_when-i-left-springfield-to-become-presid_3233801.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/776/abraham-lincoln-88_buried_when-i-left-springfield-to-become-presid_3233801.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/776/abraham-lincoln-88_buried_when-i-left-springfield-to-become-presid_3233801.jpg) > “When I left Springfield \[to become President\] I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. But when I went to Gettysburg and saw the graves of thousands of our soldiers, I then and there consecrated myself to Christ.” [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Lincoln describes his conversion to Christianity after witnessing massive loss, linking personal faith to collective sacrifice. **In simple terms:** Seeing loss led to faith. Key Takeaway Reflect on sacrifice’s impact on belief. Themes faith sacrifice leadership war spiritual awakening Mood somber reflective Type historical philosophical When to use this quote - military service - public speaking - personal crisis - historical reflection Key Concepts conversion collective memory moral responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How does collective tragedy shape personal belief? - What role does faith play in leadership? A Different Perspective Personal faith journeys are complex; conversion may be temporary or situational. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christ/) [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Gettysburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gettysburg/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pray for me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pray-for-me/) [Praying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praying/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Soldier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soldier/) [Son](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/son/) [Trials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trials/) ## Related quotes > [One might pray and not be a Christian, but one cannot be a Christian and not pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/one-might-pray-and-not-be-a-christian-but-one-cannot-be-a-christian/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [I went to Gettysburg College, where the famous Civil War battle was fought. I majored in English. I would've liked to major in writing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-spinelli/i-went-to-gettysburg-college-where-the-famous-civil-war-battle-was/) [Jerry Spinelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-spinelli/) > [When the President was asked about global warming at a public appearance yesterday, he responded by talking about America's addiction to oil. You make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwen-ifill/when-the-president-was-asked-about-global-warming-at-a-public/) [Gwen Ifill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwen-ifill/) > [When I was elected President nobody asked me to negotiate between Israel and Egypt. It was not even a question raised in my campaign.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/when-i-was-elected-president-nobody-asked-me-to-negotiate-between/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [One time, on Marine One, the president asked me my opinion. I had a flashback to being at the kitchen table with my dad.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-perino/one-time-on-marine-one-the-president-asked-me-my-opinion-i-had-a/) [Dana Perino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-perino/) > [In one of his last appearances, Mitterrand, the agnostic president, was asked what the real God might say to him if he went to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-mitterrand/in-one-of-his-last-appearances-mitterrand-the-agnostic-president-was/) [Francois Mitterrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-mitterrand/) > [“Obama!” the President said, shaking my hand. “Come here and meet Laura. Laura, you remember Obama. We saw him on TV during election night.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/obama-the-president-said-shaking-my-hand-come-here-and-meet-laura/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [If the President asked you to help, I don't think anybody could refuse, unless one felt that one couldn't be effective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/if-the-president-asked-you-to-help-i-don-t-think-anybody-could-refuse/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [“mobilization of manpower, he promptly asked Congress for the measure not only on the ground of mobilization but also to assure the fighting men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-macgregor-burns/mobilization-of-manpower-he-promptly-asked-congress-for-the-measure/) [James MacGregor Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-macgregor-burns/) > [And that's why the president has asked the entire government to step up, on his part. I mean, there's - there are things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-obama/and-that-s-why-the-president-has-asked-the-entire-government-to-step/) [Michelle Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-obama/) > [If we have a president who asked for a mandate on combating gun violence, as Hillary Clinton is requesting, that's going to be really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-murphy/if-we-have-a-president-who-asked-for-a-mandate-on-combating-gun/) [Chris Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-murphy/) > [It was clear that VA was in need of reform, and when the president asked for help, I could not say no. First, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-shulkin/it-was-clear-that-va-was-in-need-of-reform-and-when-the-president/) [David Shulkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-shulkin/) > [“If I asked people how many people there are in the world, I’ll bet more than half would reply, “More than half.” True, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/if-i-asked-people-how-many-people-there-are-in-the-world-i-ll-bet/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [“Making friends?” Tripp asked. “I’m a people person,” Adam said. “You know he’s the VP of the board, right?” “I must remember to genuflect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-coben/making-friends-tripp-asked-i-m-a-people-person-adam-said-you-know-he/) [Harlan Coben](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-coben/) > [“How was your day?” he asked. I faltered, unaccustomed to the question. The look on my face must have been strange because he laughed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kaylynne-spauls/how-was-your-day-he-asked-i-faltered-unaccustomed-to-the-question-the/) [Kaylynne Spauls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kaylynne-spauls/) ## More by Abraham Lincoln > [Elections belong to the people. It's their decision. If they decide to turn their back on the fire and burn their behinds, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/elections-belong-to-the-people-it-s-their-decision-if-they-decide-to/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [All that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to my angel Mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/all-that-i-am-or-ever-hope-to-be-i-owe-to-my-angel-mother/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [While the people retain their virtue and vigilance, no administration, by any extreme of wickedness or folly, can very seriously injure the government in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/while-the-people-retain-their-virtue-and-vigilance-no-administration/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Let us at all times remember that all American citizens are brothers of a common country, and should dwell together in bonds of fraternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/let-us-at-all-times-remember-that-all-american-citizens-are-brothers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [If you wish to be a lawyer, attach no consequence to the place you are in, or the person you are with; but get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/if-you-wish-to-be-a-lawyer-attach-no-consequence-to-the-place-you-are/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [As we keep or break the Sabbath Day we nobly save or meanly lose the last best hope by which man rises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/as-we-keep-or-break-the-sabbath-day-we-nobly-save-or-meanly-lose-the/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [Tell the truth and you won't have so much to remember](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/tell-the-truth-and-you-won-t-have-so-much-to-remember/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [With high hope for the future, no prediction is ventured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/with-high-hope-for-the-future-no-prediction-is-ventured/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We know, Southern men declare that their slaves are better off than hired laborers amongst us. How little they know, whereof they speak! There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/we-know-southern-men-declare-that-their-slaves-are-better-off-than/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I am glad to see that a system of labor prevails under which laborers can strike when they want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-am-glad-to-see-that-a-system-of-labor-prevails-under-which-laborers/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [I don't like that man. I must get to know him better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-don-t-like-that-man-i-must-get-to-know-him-better/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [In this sad world of ours, sorrow comes to all; and to the young, it comes with bitterest agony because it takes them unawares.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/in-this-sad-world-of-ours-sorrow-comes-to-all-and-to-the-young-it/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than I am. None who would do more to preserve it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/the-man-does-not-live-who-is-more-devoted-to-peace-than-i-am-none-who/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) [Explore all 1,437 Abraham Lincoln quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) ## More Buried quotes > [Palindrome as well. My sister's name is Hannah. 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Death, about which so much mystery is made,is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-maxwell/there-is-nothing-so-difficult-to-arrive-at-as-the-nature-and/) [William Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-maxwell/) > [“The bits which did mean anything were often so wonderfully buried that no one could ever spot them slipping past in the avalanche of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/the-bits-which-did-mean-anything-were-often-so-wonderfully-buried/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [I think it's important not to grow up too fast. I'm 26 now, and I still can't wait for Christmas Day. 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Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [I've just got this huge chip on my shoulder because I've been out for three years and people think I'm dead and buried.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-hargreaves/i-ve-just-got-this-huge-chip-on-my-shoulder-because-i-ve-been-out-for/) [Owen Hargreaves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-hargreaves/) > [As I write, Johnny Rotten's first moments in "Anarchy in the U.K." - a rolling earthquake of a laugh, a buried shout, then hoary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greil-marcus/as-i-write-johnny-rotten-s-first-moments-in-anarchy-in-the-u-k-a/) [Greil Marcus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greil-marcus/) Browse all 1,295 Buried quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When I left Springfield [to become President] I asked the people to pray for me. I was not a Christian. When I buried my son, the severest trial of my life, I was not a Christian. 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