When the Gettysburg Cemetery was being dedicated, those doing the planning wanted to have a speaker whom everyone would know. They wanted a speaker who would draw a crowd. They chose none other than Edward Everett, who was extremely well-known and respected. If they had a man like Edward Everett, they knew for sure that the event would be a great success. The planning committee would not have to worry about the event and they were certain that the ceremony would be a sterling success. However, when they extended the official invitation they ran into a problem. Edward Everett would not be able to speak on that particular date. So the decision was made to change the date of the ceremony to accommodate the great speaker Edward Everett. When the decision was made, Edward Everett was able to accept the invitation. They also extended another invitation. They invited the President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, to speak as well.

On November 19, 1864, Edward Everett spoke for nearly two hours. The crowd that was gathered was thrilled that such a famous orator would be their keynote speaker. When Everett concluded his speech, Abraham Lincoln took the stage and spoke for only a couple of minutes. His address contained only 267 words structured in only ten sentences. These words have remained in the conscience of Americans ever since: "That government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth." And perhaps because he was a great orator, it was Edward Everett who took Lincoln's hand and said, "My speech will soon be forgotten; yours never will be. How gladly would I exchange my hundred pages for your twenty lines." Today we still remember Lincoln's words and no one can even tell you who Edward Everett is or what he did that great day at Gettysburg. Perhaps this helps us to understand the circumstances surrounding John the Baptist. Perhaps we can better comprehend these words from Luke's gospel when he writes: "As the people were in expectation, and all men questioned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he were the Christ, John answered them all, 'I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie; he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.' "