February 12 marks the birth date of two influential people in world history. On February 12, 1809, Abraham Lincoln was born in Hardin County, Kentucky. Across the Atlantic Ocean, on that very same day, in that very same year, Charles Darwin was born in Shrewsbury, England. Both these men made their marks on World History, but they are remembered for vastly different reasons.
- Lincoln fought for the equality of all men, while Darwin taught the “survival of the fittest.
- Lincoln recognized that every human had intrinsic value given to them by God, while Darwin denied the very existence of God.
- Lincoln’s life’s work resulted in emancipation for mankind, while Darwin’s life’s work has resulted in slavery to sin.
- Lincoln taught that a man’s life was part of God’s providential plan and purpose, while Darwin taught that man has no purpose or design.
The list of contrasts between Lincoln and Darwin could, no doubt, be rather lengthy, but suffice it to say that they both left their marks on this world in quite different ways.
Question: While you may never make the historical mark either of these men made, what kind of mark or legacy will you leave in your small corner of the world? Give it some thought.