The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1858-10-13
MR oLAY,s RELIGIous VIEWS.

n writer III WHOSE sisLlututc We lcCVShlLc
the initials Of the Rev. j. ]. Bullock. ID. D.,
of Walnut Hill, Kentucky, communicates to
the Louisville Herald d very interesting
sketch Of an interview with Henry Clay, to-
wards the close Of that great mans life. i
presents his religious views more clearly
than any other statement which has been
given. After speaking Of the personal friend
ship existing between himself and Mr.. Clay,
DR.. Bullock says;
Upon meeting him, on one occasion, he
said to me, " Sir, wish to come and spend
day with you in the country. There are
some things about which wish to converse
with you" Shortly after he came early in
the morning and spent the entire day. IL
was not long before he left his home for the
last time for Washington. 1 can never for
get that day. Mr.. Clay was very feeble.
aud evidently believed that his busy and
eventfu life was drawing rapidly to close.
| had seen him in the vig0r Of his manhood,
and he certainly was the most imposing and
commanding man ever saw. Now, he was
gentle and tender as a woman ; his mind was
clear and strong; his views and feelings
about religion had evidently undergone
great change. They we're evangelical and
catholic, and his feelings were those Of a
large hearted and humble Christian. He
spoke freely upon the whole subject. He
expressed great doubt about his living to
take his seat in the Senate, but hoped that
God would spare his life until he could once
more speak to his countrymen. was ex-
ceedingly struck with the purity and depth
of his love of country and the Union. He
|. seem to have merged his character as the
greatest of party leaders into that of . Sc
cond father Of his country.
! Just before he left, the ladies Of my fami-
", labout sixty Of them TO whom he had
been introduced in the morning, at his own
. request came to receive his farewell. He
> arose, and with great feeling addressed them
for about twenty minutes. twas one OF the
J most sensible. appropriate and pious adj
. dresses ever heard. He alluded to his age
D and inIirmities, and its being, in all prOba-
: bility, the last time he would ever meet them
' on earth, and he wished TO leave with them
/; his testimony Of the value and importance
r of the Christian religion. He expressed his
deep interest in the education of the rising
/ generation of females, of the refining AMI
i eleyating influences Of education with rell.
gion to fit them for the positions they would
. be called upon TO take in the world. lie al
: so alluded to his past life, aud in the mos
feeling and impressive manner recommend
ed.to them the daily study Of the Bible as wei
as attention to the textbooks Of the school.
He said am an old man. have beef
. very wicked man. have seen a grea
n deal Of the world, and | tell you nothing j.
IS so important to you as to be the true follow
K ers of Christ" Il was to me a beautiful
e and sublime spectacle to see the first citi
! zen Of the Republic. upon whose accent en-,
:, whose name and fame we're world wide
q standing in the midst of that lovely, youth
e lal band, counseling and blessing them il
: patriarchcal styIe. Although | had heard
: Mr.. Clay in some Of bis greatest efforts a
: the bar and before the people, on no occasion
: did ever feel that he was more truly grea
: than when commencing the religion Of
I crucifed Saviour to those young and admir-
e ing hearts. Another thing that deeply I'M
: pressed me with the conviction that he wa
: true Christian was the subdued and kindl,
z feeling that he manifested to every human
I being. In the course Of long summer
= day things both past and present were free
! " touched upon, and in no instance did
: discover even the shadow Of bitterness Of
unkindness toward those who had opposed
him in his most cherished plans. lie seem
!, ED TO have arisen above al the raneor d
party feeling, which is almost inevitable with
: the purest and greatest statesmen while en-
gagged in the daily conflicts Of party con.
tests. When he left he promised 10 return
and spend another quiet day before he wen
to Washington, expressing the great plea
/ sure the visit had afforded him. Circum
!; stances prevented nv visiting him in hi
own home. and at the time appointed for hi
: second visit, instead Of the pleasure Of see
: ing him, ! received kind and affecticnat,
4 letter, assigning sickness AZ the cause Of hi,
failure, which preserve al grateful me
2 mento Of his personal friendship. Ills grea
L efforts in the Senate the ensuing winter fo
the preservation Of the Union, and his calm
{ and peaceful death in the Spring. are par
Of the public history Of the country.
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