I remember learning from one of our members here years ago that Lincoln tried to join the Masons before he died, but I did not know until hearing this video that he had already been trying to do so in his Illinois days.
As a matter of fact, over ten years ago when I was visiting family in Illinois, I saw the place in Ottawa where the first Lincoln Douglas debate was held. There is a Masonic lodge across the street from the park where it is at. I did a little research, and it was there at the time of the debate. Saint Columba Catholic Church a little up the street was around by then I just learned too.