The Kansas herald of freedom., 1858-09-11
DisceIi eIiaQeoQs.
Thomas Jefferson.


Mr. jefferson was public professor of
his belief in the Christian religion. In
all his most important early State papers,
such as a Summary View of the Rights of
British America, his portion of the Decla-
ration made by Congress on the Cause
Of taking up Arms, the Declaration of
Independence, the draft of Constitution
for Virginia, etc., there are more or less
pointed recognitions of God and Provi-
dsnce. In his two Inaugural Addresses
as President of the United States, and in
many of his annual messages, he makes
the same recognitions-clothes them on
several occasions in the most explicit Ian
guage-substantially ayows the God of
revelation-declares his belief in the
efficacy of prayer, and the duty of as
criptions of praise to the Author of all
mercies-and speaks of the Christian re-
ligion as professed in his country as 9
benign religion, evincing the favor Of
Heaven.
Had his wishes been consulted, the
symbol borne on our national seal would
have contained our public profession Of
Christianity as a nation.
There is nothing in his writings or in
the history of his life to show that his
public declarations were insincere, OF
thrown out. for mere effect. On the con.
trary, his most confidential writings sus-
tain his public professions, and advance
beyond them into the avowal of belize
in future state of rewards and punish
ments.
lie contributed freely to the erection Of
Christian churches, gave money to Bible
societies and other religious objects, anG
was liberal and regular contributor t.
the support of the clergy. Letters of hii
are extant which show him urging, with
respectful delicacy, the acceptance o.
extra and unsolicited contributions, OF
the pastor of his parish, on occasions oi
extra expense to the latter, such as tht
building of house, the meeting of al
ecclesiastical convention at Charlottesville
etc. In these letters he assumes that ht
is only performing duty, and pleasant!
compares it to the discharge of specia
service, by a feudal inferior to his lieg
lord, on those extraordinary occasion
when it was required by the feudal law
He attended church with as mucl
regularity as most of the members of tn
congregation-some times going alone o.
horseback, when his family remained a
home. He generally attended the Epis
cOpal Church, and when he did so, alway
carried his prayer-book, and joined in tn
responses and prayers of the congregation
He was baptized into the Episcopa
Church in his infancy; he was married b
one of its clergymen; his wife lived an
died member of it; his children wer
baptized into it, and when married wer
married according to its rites; its buris
service were read over those of them VIII
preceded him to the grave, over his wife
and finally over himself.
Noperson ever heard him utter wor
OF profanity, and those who met hir
most familiarly through periods of az
quaintanee extending from two or thre
to twenty or thirty years, declare this
they never heard word of impiety, c
any scott at religion, from his lips
Among his numerous familiar aequair
tances, we have not found one whose te.
amony is different-or who entertaine
any doubts of the strict justice, sincerit,
uuthfulness, and exemp'ariness of b
personal character.-RdnddlpS Life.