The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-05-14

~ a.. q nrsseDt. ssrsonsl intessss in CHS -
lie replied = taught The principles Of Chnssani
~ in my childhood and trust they have = I'll t''n<s
I.d come influence over But oi late feel more
on the subject OF religion. know the Bible rsve
Iation from God Its doctrines consistent ~ pre-
cep,s pure, and is plan Of salvation seems admirably
NOD what Christian shouId be, yet do not nssd any
one 10 teach me, for know my duty. But wncn
would do good, evil 10 present with me-.
AT subsequent interview he observed. feel more
and more the Importance o. psr.ona, S",ie. Of
child Of God and have concluded TO unite win the
church 80 soon my health will permit me 70 60 out
In these private conversations he was Tree anu une
barrassed His views ofuuth we've clear and sssngo',
icaI He recognised distinctly the Father, Son anu
Holy Spirit God; Christ an atoning sacrifice icr
the depravy OF man, and the agency OF the sPn'
in regeneration.
Soon after this he candidate for the Pres'den
cy and being much from home, saw him less Ire
auentiy. But when opportunity presented, inquir-
ed if his interest the things Of religion had abated
he answered " not in the least. II Is the one thing
neediul need its consultations and support now more
than ever | intended 10 have united with the church
before this and should have done last Sabbath but
reflection felt that if were TO do 50, in my pecu
liar circumstances il would be construed into pot
cal design. But certainly shall do SO as soon a. CIR
cumstances will permit.
HIS VIEWS OF THE MINISTERIAL OFFICE.
Gen. HARRIsoNswas no sectarian. His educational
predictions in favor Of the Episcopal Church.
yet he .cheerfuily and deyouty worshipped with all
who pTofessed the religion Of Jesus. Ministers Of all
denominations were made welcome nj his house, and
without distinction led in the de,o,ons Of the family
and social circle. Such his views, feelings and
profession Did his general department correspond
with these He regarded the Ministers of Christ
ambassadors Of God. He listened to the iterac man
in his homely garb with the respectful attention.
that he did TO the polished and erudite. The
preacher who was honest pious and understood the
~...FT N,.ts .s..G.I
He was a constant attendant public worship
Always devout in his Manners earnest in attention.
and sympathetic in feeling. On retiring from public
service Of the Sabbath, where he present, al
ways felt, that there at least present. who
heard and felt, and would complain Of close point
ed and plain exhibitions Of the word Of God, he would
| sometimes say la preaching shoot low, and take
good aim. If you wound me it is my fault You
Ministers should fear none but God deliver his mes
sages clearly and forcbly, and then who
| Is offended Never preach for the wise and learned.
Make yourself understood even by the children
Theoretical indels out Of the Church do but little
jury to the cause OF piety but practical indes in the
Church do the mischief"
GEN. HARRIsoS's REGARD FOR THE SABBATH.
Gen. Harrison maintained a high regard for the
Christian Sabbath. The following illustrates the
| feeling A neighbor entered on Lords day morning.
| and said, with some embarrassment: General 1
thought you would be absent tomorrow and called
to see If might have your oxen few hours :" He
|
business to-day" Eyes said the man, but /
thought you would be gone in the morning. Can't
have them sr7" He answered." Have not
told you before that you must not ask transact
business on the Lords day z" But, General l did
not to offend you" " Mo- but you always do
offend me when you ask me to attend to worldly mat
| tiers the Sabbath"
/ called on him one Monday morning: he said
was deprived the pleasure of attending meeting last
evening, for after my return from service in the
morning l was surprised and grieved at a call from
about thirty persons from Cincinnati on an excursion
for pleasure. could not leave them without rude
ness, but what gricved most, | recognised among
the number some Of my personal friends, and those
that had hitherto considered gentlemen.
GEN. HARRIsoNs LIBERALlrY.
He felt for the advancement Of reQion-he contri-
buted cheerfuliy to every benevolent object saying
THE gospel Is the hope OF the word"-he spoke with
the most lively feeling of the progress of the gospel
among the heahen but was not unmindul of the des-
titutc at home When first took charge of the Pres
byterian church at Ceves, he said TO me privately
"The prcudices of the people must be lived down,
and they must be reformed by pastoral labor and vel
you will be but poorly sustained hcre-lhe congrera-
tons all poor and what is worse they do not know
the value of the gospel nave but little money to
give, but you shall have share There is q good
house." pointing TO house near by occupy it with
your family, and they shall lack Of the comforts
| of life while live.
The kind offer could not consistently be accepted
though often repeated and the writer continued
side twelve miles distant yet pastor he never
forgotten by the General and his family and has had
abundant reason to feel that the ministers of Jesus
however pool had friend that sticketh closer
than brother" And when the dead, small and great
stand before God, will not the judge say to him.
Come for much did these things the least Of
my brethren, we did it unto me-" Will there be no
witnesses. of Jesus there who will bear testimony
saying, "Yea Lord, he did it unto me- for | was hun
cry and he gave meat thirsty and he gave drink
naked, and he clothed me, sick, and he visited me, in
| prison. and he came unto me-"
i His charities and words were not extorted by i'm
portunity, the pressure Of obligation or appeals
conscience, was it for the purpose Of display for
his charities were in secret; did he give 1.-THE of
his abundance, and when that 1.-THE was exhausted,
| send the poor empty away He practsed setdeniai
for the gospels sake for, while he contributed to
tain the gospel at home and abroad the entire furn
ture of his hospitable mansion less in value
than single article that sometimes adorns the parors
of cergymen. And while he clothed the naked, his
simple, wardrobe attire, cost less than single gar
ment worn by many dgnitary of the church. But
he understood
THE GREAT DOCTRINES OF RELIGION PRACTICALLY.
Il Where did he learn il not in the school Of Christ
He erred at times, and doubtless erred often. But
when convinced, did not the heavng bosom, the
full eye, and honest confession show the sincerity Of
his sorrow Did he not always ask forgiveness ot his
fellow men II is believed that this his practice
IN all cases No matter how poor despsed, or degra-
ded the man whom he had offended, he confessed and
asked forgiveness, and made restitution ~ like your
views of repentance" said he "Genune sorrow hum
bile confession, and forsaking Of SIM are the only
things that can bring peace to the sinner make him
better man. He understood forgiveness also, and
practsed IT. No matter how great the provocation he
had received, if the offender relentcd and acknow-
lodged bis fault, the startling tear tremulous voice.
and cordial embrace, showed that he restored to
favor and to friendship "How beautifully is the Cos
pei adapted to the wants of the world he would say
God must love the pcnient more than the sinless,
and the forgiven pcnitent must love God more than
those who sinncd.
Such were the views feelings, and conduct Of Pre-