Dear Editor,

PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN was born on 2-12-1809. As we approach the 201st anniversary of his birth, we need to look at all of the things that he taught us. We know about his presidency and the Civil War victory, but there is so much more.

Lincoln grew up in a very strict, religious family. He was the "son of an unloved father." Young Abe was not a religious person, but he memorized a tremendous amount of Scripture as a young boy. He believed that there was an outside source which caused the mind to do things over which the mind had no control. Young Abe called this the DOCTRINE of NECESSITY."

In 1846, Abraham Lincoln was elected to the United States Congress. During the campaign, his opponent, Peter Cartwright, attacked Lincoln's faith or lack of it. Lincoln responded by writing a letter to the voters stating that although he belonged to no church, he never questioned the truth of the Scriptures.

Lincoln served as the 16th President from 1861-1865. In 1862, Lincoln's young son, Willie died. President Lincoln rented a pew at the New York Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. He started visiting with the pastor, Phineas Gurley, about the assurance that Willie was in Heaven. President Lincoln understood the plan of salvation.

From that moment, President Lincoln started peppering his speeches with direct references to God. He said, "We believe who made the world still governs it."

Lincoln told his good friend, Joshua Speed, "We must take all of the Bible upon reason that we can and the balance on faith, and we will live and die a happier and better man."

On 3-4-1865, President Abraham Lincoln gave his Second Inaugural Address. It was 703 words in length and the third shortest Inaugural Address. Forty-four of the words were direct quotes from the King James Bible. It was known as "AMERICA'S SERMON." Most of the address was based on MATTHEW 7:1 "Judge not that ye may not be judged."

About the Civil War, President Lincoln said, "Both sides read the same Bible and pray to God. The war happened because of men seeking to enlist God in their cause instead of seeking to enlist in God's cause."

Yes, much can be learned from PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Serving God With You,

Tom Bowden

San Saba, Texas

Dear Editor,

Since 1936 the San Saba Garden Club members have been dedicated to helping keep our Texas Hill Country town more beautiful by educating themselves in best gardening practices to improve the look and ultimately the quality of life in and around our small town. We have also restored our historic clubhouse, raised funds to purchase a Blue Star Memorial for Highway 190 to honor our veterans, and have even scattered thousands of wildflower seeds along the highways leading into San Saba, all in an effort to beautify the area.

When we learned that Oncor was proposing to cut a 50-mile long clear-cut path populated with 10-story steel towers emitting electromagnetic fields through our county, crossing our rivers and pristine countryside, we knew we had to speak out against it. At our meeting on February 2, 2010, our 45-member Club voted to oppose Oncor's plans.

We are proud of our unspoiled rural countryside. Because we are remote and sparsely populated, our county can still offer a tranquil oasis from the sprawling urban frenzy looming beyond our horizons. We feel blessed with our magnificent trees, rivers, lakes, valleys and hills. Our county's countryside is precious to us. Therefore, we hope our natural treasures will be spared from the blades of Oncor's clear-cutting bulldozers that would destroy irreplaceable ancient trees and fragile habitat of our wildlife--some of which are threatened or endangered species. We hope everyone will recognize that San Saba's rivers and streams are very special places that deserve to be spared from this proposed environmental catastrophe.

We feel strongly that Oncor's preferred route through San Saba County should not be approved. We do agree with the analytical work done by the PUC staff in recommending route 140, a more northerly route that keeps the transmission lines away from the Colorado and San Saba Rivers.

For those wishing to contact the PUC, letters should be addressed to Central Records, Public Utilities Commission, 1701 N. Congress Avenue, P.O. Box 13326, Austin, Texas 78711-3326

Sincerely,

Anna Wilson, President

San Saba Garden Club