What is the central idea in the following excerpt from “White House Funeral Sermon for Abraham Lincoln” by Dr. Phineas D. Gurley? He is dead; but the memory of his virtues, of his wise and patriotic counsels and labors, of his calm and steady faith in God lives, is precious, and will be a power for good in the country quite down to the end of time. He is dead; but the cause he so ardently loved, so ably, patiently, faithfully represented and defended—not for himself only, not for us only, but for all people in all their coming generations, till time shall be no more—that cause survives his fall, and will survive it. Lincoln faithfully and patiently worked on a cause. The cause that Lincoln fought for will survive. People will continue to remember Lincoln for generations. Lincoln will be remembered for his wisdom and patriotism.