The North-Carolina standard., 1849-08-15
LAST, DAYS OF MR.. poLK.

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and the Rev. j. T. Edgar in relation to the condition
Oh mrs Folks mind feligioasly shortly before his
oeatn and contradictory of many of the statements
IN regard thereto. put forth by the Correspondent of
the New York Herald, whose letter we inserted some
weeks since. Mr.. McFerrin. (whose statement is
endorsed by DR.. Edgar after quoting from the Her
AIDS Correspondent, says - z5ls,s 'i9 .saa l.ia
"The above We copy from the g New Y ork Week
~ Herald, OF June the 30th.s It is an extract of
letter written from Nashville, June the 16th signed
" NoELs and has been copied into several eastern
papers,. w no the writer rs we know not--nor do we
now notice the details here narrated for the purpose
OF controVerng, either with the editor of the Herald,
his correspondent copyists, but Objects simply
70 correct several glaring errors-gEaring 70 those
familiar with the facts here attempted to be given.
Ano we do thls because the narration, here given
does the parties very great injustice. The reputation
of Mr. Polk injured The facts as here represented
would indicate his want of Rnness and sincerity in
MS religious sentiments sacrifice of his honest
convictions and better feelings to gratify the whims
of his personal and political friend - in the fulfil
ment OF promise in the solemn hour of death, that
ne Is represented as having made at the time and
der circumstances that would seem light and trivial
compared with the gravity of the subject. seF
Injustice is done to the venerable, wise and pious
mother " of President Polk. She is held up in the
light of who anxious control the religious
feelings and action of her son, and though he had
Discrimination and decision sufficient to Judge and
act for himself 1t does the amabIe and worthy Mr..
Mack, her pastor, Injustice inasnuch it presents
him In the light of one envous of distinction that
he would travel forty miles to discharge the functions
OF his ministry, by baptizng the distinguished son
of the 6 wise and pious mother;' and modification
that he was thwarted in the end. Mr.. Mack only
came as the friend of Mrs. Polk, and without the
slightest expectation of officiating in any of the ordi-
nanceS of the gospel does injustice to DR.. Edgar,
inasmuch represents him being forced to yield
point in the discharge of his solemn duties as
minister of Christ, merely to have redeemed vain
and idle pledge. made without the solemnity becoming
matter of so much importance, and quietly sitting
by Witnessing the solemn ordinance of God admins
tered by another simply because he the personal
and POLITICAL FRIEND of Mr.. Polk, and g had often
argued yiththe ex-Presdent.r Itdoes the officiating
minister gross injusce,in that his political sentiments
unnecessarily brought into the matter, and mas
much as it represents him as one who would strive
to make capital out of his political sentiments,
to advance the interest of his own denomination-an
lnslncere sycOphant, who would fatter and fawn to
gain favor for himself or his church, even atthe
Pense OF the dignity of his Office and due selfyesPect
1t does the of Christianity Injustice it would
exhi bit the ministers of the gospel ambitions of
gaining distinguished adherens to their particular
sects, and competitors for the honor of bringing
into their churches of distinction, without
due regard to the feelings wishes of those concern
ed. Last of all, it is affecting the feelings of the
family and friends of Mr.. Polk who, in the hour of
deep, heartfelt sorrow, knew differences but had
the sympathies of all classes Of their ello-ciZens,
without respect to political parties deHomnational
distinctions --af ..-.--s s1i s.s -.:ss.zl .r-
Now, we do not pretend to say that the author of
the letter intended to give these coorngs to the pic
ture ngeniony painted, yet nevertheless these are
the lights the shades in which it will be viewed.
Having said thus much, will proceed to state few
facts as briefly as practicable. fl ~ '-..-..t-
First, then, Mr.. Polk did send for DR.. Edgar nine
days before his death at the time he sent for
the undersigned and the Rev. Dr. Green, Of the Meth
odist Church. DIR. g. absent from the city and
did not receive the message. Dr., Edgar and . Mr..
fha A. polt and in
company visited the sick of the President, ne
ing the first interview either Of them had with him
during his illness,) when they had full. free and
very interesting conversation with Mr.. Polk.
I'd. II is not correct that Mr.. Polk desired DR.. Ed
gar baptze him, did he mako aay Suggestions
Of the kind the Doctor-nor is it correct that his
baptism postponed "tll the next evening because
of his fatigue" -,..s Zee. .--..-,. 8,
3d. 1t Is true that when .sMr McFerrn'' took leave
of Mr. Polk he was requested by Mr.. Polk to :. re-
turn in the course of an hour or two. He did re-
turn that afternoon when Mr. Polk, in the presence
of his excellent and pious wife, stated to him that he
had fully made up his mind years since as to what
church he preferred-that though he did not regard
it essential what branch of the Christian church
should attach himself, yet he had deliberately,
and from solemn conviction, determined to unite with
the Methodist Church, and desired to receive the
sacraments of baptism and the Lords Supper, and
wished the undersigned administer these ordInan-
;and in this he said, there was perfect harmony
between himself and his pous wife, though she be-
4th It is incorrectly stated, that Mr.. Polk promis
ed "hs friend years ago, when he was governor, that
" hen he did embrace christianity, he Mr.. Ferrln
should baptize him. No such conversation ever
occurred between Mr.. Polk and g his friend -; nor
did ''his friend" know till the interview his first
visit during his last sickness that Mr. Polk had not
been baptized on-the contrary knowing ''hIs wise
and pious mother to be Presbyterian he suppos-
ed he had been baptised in infancy. This he, how
ever, learned that day. for the Estme. had failed of
by some accidental circumstances.
5th. 1t is not correct that he asked his mothers
consent to be baptized by Mr.. McFerrin; but his
mother knowing his preferences for the Mehodists,
and upon her arrival learning that he had already
spoken the Methodist minister the subject, and
that ire was receive the ordinance at his hands,
she voluntarily introduced the subject herself, gave
her hearty approval and, like truly catholic Chris
tan rejoced in his adoption into the family of Christ
the liberal sentiment that though Chris
tians are called by different names, they all one
in Christ Jesus. -s5 .a-- ...ss ~ -..u !
9th. 1t is true that the undersigned did baptize
Mr. Polk in the presence of the Rev. DIR. Edgar and
the Rev. Mr.. Mack, who both present by the i
request of Mr.. Polk and the family, and that he did
likewise administer 10 him the Lords Supper, DT.
Edgar and Mr.: Mack both partaking OF the emblems,
with several other pious friends; and take pleasure
IA saying that both of the reverend gentemen dis
PLAYED on the occasion truly genuine Christian sPr
T. and reioced that their friend had been made par
aker by faith of the benefits of the great atonement
IF our Lord Jesus Christ. The scene was solemn +
md deeply interesting. 90
l will conclude these remarks by statiRg.J that in
everything the utmost harmony and good feeling pre-
Tailed, without, so far know single jar or dis
,ordant sentiment. Mr.. Polk himself professed to |
nave obtained pardon for all his sins, and the pur-
alton of his heart through the blood of Lord Je
;us Christ and from the time that he realized this
hessin0 and attached himself to the church and