The late Bishop G. Bromley Oxnam tells of giving the annual Memorial Day address at the National Monument at Gettysburg. Like most other speakers, he felt the need to conclude his speech by reciting Lincoln's famous address.

After he finished he felt all had gone well. That is, until an old, old man made his way forward and remarked: "Son, you made an awful mess of Lincoln's speech." Oxnam asked: "What do you mean? I didn't miss a word of it. Here, look at my notes." The old man replied: "Oh, I don't need your  notes. I know it by heart. You see, I heard it the first time 'round." By now Bishop Oxnam realized that this man had been present when Lincoln originally delivered his words. He was curious about how his recitation had differed from that of the president. The old-timer explained it this way: "Abe put his hands out over the people like a benediction, and said, 'That the government of the people, by the people, and for the people, should not perish from the earth.' You got the words right, son, but you missed the message. You emphasized government; Lincoln talked about people."