The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-06-27
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BoRN NOVEMBER, 1895.
DIED JUNE l5,. l849.

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| The body lies in State to-day. The noble draw
ing rooms are shrouded in black, and every window
IN mourning with black scarfs of Grape. The tall
white columns Of the majestic portico facing the
south completely shrouded in black, giving a
solemnly majestic and funeral aspect to the Presi-
dental mansion.
The funeral took place at -four O'Clock this after
noon, masonic ceremonies being first performed in
| the drawing-room over the body. saw the body
before it was encofined The features are in noble
composure. Death has impressed upon them the
seal of majesty In his life, his features wore
that impress of command and intellectual strength
that seemed now chiselled upon their marble out
line. He was habed in plain suit of black, and
a copy Of the Constitution of the United States was
placed at his feet Before being taken to the ceme-
terry, the body Theoretically soldered within a
copper coffin.
From the house the funeral cortege, which was
very large all places of business being closed by
order of our good Wing mayor proceeded TO the
Methodist Episcopal Church, where, after services
performed by the Rev. Mr.. M'Ferren, it was con-
veyed to the cemetery, followed by vast con-
course of citizens. The body was deposited in the
Grundy vault, temporarily; but it will soon be re-
moved to a vault on the lawn Of the ex-Presidental
mansion, where willow now stands, and il
will be erected stately marble cenotaph; thus the
body of the President from Tennessee will lie en-
| tombed IN the heart of Its capital. Mr.. Polk, by
will, the evening before his DEATH gave the lawn
| the State in perpetuity, for this purpose.
| Mr.. Polk sent for the Rev. DIR. Edgar, of the
Presbyterian Church, seven days before his death,
desiring to be baptized by him. He said to him
impressivey:
"Sir, if had suspected, twenty years ago, that
should come to my death-bed unprepared, it would
have made me wretched man I; yet ] am about TO
die and have not made preparation. | have not
even been baptized. Tell me, sir, can there be any
ground for a man thus situated to HOPPER
The Rev. Doctor made known to him the assur-
ances and promises OF the gospel that mercifully
run parallel with mans life.
Mr.. Polk then remarked, that he had been pre-
vented from baptism in infancy by some accidental
occurrence, that he had been several times strong
y inclined to be baptized during his administration,
but that the cares and perplexties Of public life
hardly gave him time for the solemn preparation
requisite, and so procrastination had ripened into
lnactlon, when II almost too late TO act.
In his conversation with the Rev. clergyman, Mr..
Polk evinced great knowledge Of the Scriptures,
which, he said, he bad read great deal, and deep
ly reverenced Divine truth in a word, he was
theoretically Christian.
The conversation fatigung Mr.. Polk too much
for him to be baptized, il postponed, TO take
place the next evening; but, in the interval the Ex-
President recollected that when he was governor
and lived here, he used to hold many arguments
with the Rev. Mr.. McFerren, the talented and
popular Methodist minister Of the place, his warm
personal and political friend, and that he had pro-
missed him that when he did embrace Christianity.
that he the Rev. Mr.. McFerren, should baptze
HIM. He, therefore, sent for the Rev. DR.. Edgar,
made known his obligation, and expressed his in
tenton to be baptized by his friend the Methodist
minister.
The same day, the venerable Mrs. Polk, mother
Of the Ex-President, a very pious Presbyterian
lady arrived from her residence, forty miles distant
accompanied by her own pastor, hoping that her
distinguished son would consent to be baptized by
him.
." Mother" said the dying Ex-President, taking
her afiectionately by the hand, 81 have never in
my life disobeyed you, but you must yield to your
son now, and crafty my wishes. ! must be bap-
tized by the Rev. Mr. McFerren."
His mother, wise as she is pious, did not hesitate
to give her consent and in tho presence Of the Rev
DR. Edgar, and the Rev Mr.. Mack, Of Columbia,
the Ex-President received the rite Of baptism at
the hands of the Rev MIR. McFerren.
Mr.. Polk has died worth about one hundred
thousand dollars the bulk Of which is settled upon
his amable lady, who, 1t is to be hoped, will long
make this city her abode-an ornament to its So
ciety, for " all lips do praise her."