Lincoln speech on the Bible?

[RJNorton]

This does not answer whether or not Lincoln gave a Bible lecture in 1852, but I thought I'd include an interview Herndon had with James Matheny (best man at Lincoln's wedding). The date of the interview is March 6, 1870. Matheny mentions Rev. Smith and implies that Lincoln "used him." Of course what we see here is simply Matheny's opinion, and of course, I am sure Herndon was in agreement. But could it be conceivable that Lincoln gave a Bible lecture in an effort to give off a "changed man" appearance for political gain?

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"James H. Matheny tells me that from about 1854 to 1860 Lincoln played a sharp game here on the religious world, that Lincoln knew that he was to be a great man, was a rising man, was looking to the Presidency, etc., and well knowing that the old infidel, if not atheistic, charge would be made and proved against him, and to avoid the disgrace, odium, and unpopularity of it, trampled on the Christian toes, saying: "Come and convert me." The elders, lower and higher members of the churches, including ministers, etc., flocked around him and that he appeared openly to the world as a seeker; that it was noised about that Lincoln was a seeker after salvation, etc., in the Lord; that letters were written more or less all over the land that Lincoln was soon to be a changed man, etc., and thus it was he used the Reverend James Smith of Scotland, old man Bergen, and others. I have often thought that there was something in this, but can't affirm it to be so. This is Matheny's honest opinion, and no man is superior to Matheny's judgments, etc., of human nature, actions, and motives, etc. He knew Lincoln as well as I did, I think."