Was Lincoln Baptized In Secret ?

[Anita]

Following Steve's link to James O. Halls review I would recommend reading "That Mariah Vance Book* Has No Place in My Library
AND SHOULDN'T BE IN YOURS" An essay by Charles A. Chapin

"Illinois State Historical Society materials coming to my hands when I joined the Advisory Board included a list of books for sale to members. I was astounded to see the Mariah Vance book listed for sale, and said the Society ought not to stock it, advertise it, or sell it. I had thought the credibility of this book had been laid to rest with Professor James O. Hall's review of it in the Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association, (Winter issue, 1998). The wounded editors, Lloyd Ostendorf and Walter Olesky had replied, in separate statements, in the Louisiana Lincolnator, (Winter issue, 1998).

Professor Hall directed his criticism to historical and technical inaccuracies, a number of highly improbable events recounted, and the number of hands through which the text had passed before publication, leaving the reader to doubt that the account was really just what Vance told. I have another perspective on this, but before we get to that, let me show you the time-lines involved: ..."
Read the essay here: https://www.lib.niu.edu/2002/ih020516.html