![]() ![]() John Steinbeck uses her Book of Revelation-derived phrase The Grapes of Wrath as the title of his great novel about the suffering of Dust Bowl refugees fleeing to California. In any case, both remain prominent in American historical memory. He was well versed in Scripture and references it liberally in his writings and speeches nevertheless, he may also have had Howe’s Hymn in mind when he wrote his Address. ![]() Lincoln is known to have heard the Battle Hymn and reported to have wept when he did. Howe wrote her Hymn in 1861, Lincoln’s Second Inaugural was delivered in 1865. In it, Lincoln addresses the terrible costs of the war in lives and property, surmising that God’s justice may demand that ‘all the wealth piled by the bondman’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk., and …every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword’ in recompense for the terrible sin of slavery. ![]() Filled with Biblical imagery, it reminds me of the Old Testament-inspired Second Inaugural Address of Abraham Lincoln. She’s best known as the author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, the stirring Civil War anthem still sung at military events and in churches today I remember singing it at Mass growing up. Julia Ward Howe, poet, and activist, was born on May 27, 1819, and lived a long life ever dedicated to social reform. ![]()
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