Washington telegraph., 1856-05-14
lfroa the Nashrle Christian .4drocat,
Ten. Jackson's Last Visit to Nashville

IN llfe, made a profession of relipion and
joined the Presbyterians. 1t is said bv
those who had an opportunity of obseryino o
his daily walk. afterwards, until death sum.
moned away the old soldier to that land
where wars never come, he was consistent
meek. and devotedly pious. His house be.
came house-a home-for the ministers of
OF Jesus, In which the voice of devotion
and the morning hymns were not unfre.
quently heard
Though the ex-President was a Presby.
terrain, he exercised true Christian charity
towards all other orthodox denominations. -
de often went to hear Methodist and Bap-
tist preachers, and ever made them welcome
at the Hermitage.
In 1874, his health became very feeble:
and 1t was evident to all observers that his
pilgrimage was well nigh ended. Very
seldom. now, was his venerable form seen
beyond the precincts of his own yard or
garden. Ministers of different persuas;ons
visited him daily; and he was pleased to
converse with them on religious topics. in
almost every instance inviting them to pray
with his family before leaving. Gradually
his tall and manly form bent beneath the
weight of many years, and he was approach
ing that home appointed for all living
1t was in November of that year the
Methodist Annual Conference held its ses-
sion in the city of Nashville, only a few
miles from the Hermitage A few DAYS
previous to the commencement of the ses-
sion, he expressed an inclination to visit the
city, and to spend two or three days in hear
ing those distinguished and eloquent divines
! who generally occupy the pulpit on great
occasions. His physician, with some reluc-
tance, gave consent, provided the weather
should be propitious.
When Friday morning dawned, the wea-
ther was very fine. The sky was as bright
and mild as if no murky cloud hai ever OBJ
scured its heavenly blue. The sun sowed
the earth with orient pearl and bathcd the
steeples and towering cedars and adjacent
heights in flood of molten silver. About
10 O'Clock, the well-known carriage Of the
ex-Presldent was seen to draw up near to
McKendree Chapel; and the old man, with
bent form and snowy locks. attended by his
faithful servant, entered the church The
General passed the night in the city, and
attended the church again on Saturday.
1t was now generally known that he was
in the city; and the expression that most
probably this was his last visit to Nashville
escaped the lips of not few. Soon after
the opening of Conference. on Saturday
morning, one of the preachers offered the
following resolution, which was unanimous
ly adopted:
ReSoIUeI, In respect to our distinguish
ed fellow citizen, ex-President jackson, now
in this city, and the high offices he has filed,
and the many services he has rendered our
country, that this Conference request the
presiding bishop to appoint a committee of
three to wait upon him. and invite him to
visit the Conference room at such time as
may best suit his convenience, and receive
personal introduction to all of the minis
tcrs.
The committee was appointed and the
General fixed the time for nine O'Clock on
Monday morning. The Conference room
being too small to accommodate the hun
6.eds who wished to witness the introduc-
ton, one of the churches was substituted,
and an hour before the time, filed to over
flowing Front seats were reserved for the
members of the Conference, which was
called to order by the Bishop, seated in
large chair in the altar, just before the pull
pit. After prayers, the committee RETIRED
and minute afterwards entered conduct
ing the man whom all delighted to honor.
They led him to the Bishops chair, which
was made vacant for him, the Bishop mean
while occupying another place within the
altar
The secretary was directed to call the
names of the members of the Conference,
which he did in alphabetical order, each
coming forward and receiving from the
Bishop personal introduction to the ex-
President, aud Immediately retiring to give
place to the next This ceremony had near
'ly been completed, when the secretary read
the name of Rev. James T: an el-
derly gentleman. with weather beaten
face. clad in a suit of jeans, arose and came
forward. Few seemed to know him. he
had always been on circuits on the frontier;
and though always at Conference. he never
troubled it with long speeches, but kept his
seat. and said ittle-,hat little, however,
was always to the purpose. Mr.. t
came forward, and was introduced to Gen.
jackson. He turned his face towards the
General, who said. at seems to me that we
have met before" The preacher, appar-
emily embarrassed, said: Il was with you
through the Greek campaign-one of your
body-guard at the battle of the Horse Shoe
and fought under your command at New
Orleans The General arose slowly from
his seat, and throwing his long, withered,
bony arms around the preacher s neck, ex-
claimed:-"We'll soon meet where there's
no war-where the smoke of the battle new
er rolls up its sulphurous incense
Never before or since, have seen 60
many tears shed, as then flowed from the
eyes of that vast assembly. Every eye was
moist with weeping.
Eleven years have passed away since
that day. The old hero has been more
than ten in his silent and narrow home
] The voice that cheered the dropping fight,
and Numbered in the rear of routed armies,
is silent forever The old preacher, too.
has fought bis last battle. laid MS armor by,
and gone home to his eternal rest"