The Shasta courier., 1859-10-22
General Jac ksOn.

1t is not generally known that General Jack
son was intended for the ministry. We find the
following interesting facts in the correspondence
of the Presbyterian Sentinel:
While he was very young, Jackson's father
died, leaving his mother but little means to edu-
cate and fit for the duties of life himself and
two brothers. Andrew was intended for the
ministry of the Presbyterian Church. For the
accomplishment of this purpose he was sent to a
tourishing academy at the Waxhaw meeting
house, in South Carolina where he was put to
the study of the dead languages. The provi-
dence of God, however, had mission for Jack
son to fulfil, and hence the prosecution of the
mothers purpose was interrupted, and the whole
course of the youth changed. In his after-life
of trial, vicissitudes and danger jackson often
appeared irreligious, and sometimes even pro-
fame; yet how plainly do we see the type of
character traceable directly othe early training
of Il Scotch-Irish Presbyterian mother, and
which precisely fitted him for his work. And
certainly no man, not even excepting John New
ton himself, has ever more strikingly exemplified
the words of Solomon, Train up chill in the
way he should go, and when he is old he will
not depart from it.
In old age General jackson become a devoted
member of the Presbyterian Church. Says his
late biographer: He was a sincere and devoted
communicant of the Presbyterian Church, and
he erected house of worship in the immediate
vicinity of the Hermitage for the convenience
of his family and servants The same biogra-
pher also states that during his late illness he
was constantly cheered by the visits of his old
and attached personal friends; and the conso-
lations of religion, to which he loved to resort,
were never-failing solace to his heart. On one
occasion he remarked to clergyman who called
upon him, that he was in the hands of merci-
full God. 1 have full confidence said he, in
his goodness and mercy. My lamp of life is
nearly run out, and the last glimmering is come.
am ready to depart when called. The Bible is
true. The principles and statutes of that holy
book have been the rule of my life, and have
tried to conform to its spirit near as possible.
Upon that sacred volume rest my hope dieter
nal salvation, through the mercy and blood of
our blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ such
were the dying words of General Jackson. And
where, ask, in all his eventful and brilliant
life, has he uttered or written words so instruc-
tive and so valuable2 They are weghty words
of profound wisdom, worthy the last utterances
of the great man. They ought to be framed and
hung up in every dwelling as household words
He continued, when dying to utter words
full of affection and Christian resignation Ills
mind says his late biographer, retained its
vigor to the last and his dying moments, even
more than his earlier years, exhibited its high
est intellectual light
1t was remarked by Dr. Eseman, his at
tending physician, that his confidence and faith
in the great truths of religion seemed to be more
firm and unwayering than any man he had ever
seen die. He expressed a desire that Dr. Ed
gar, of the First Presbyterian Church, Nashville,
should preach his funeral sermon, and that no
pompous parade should be made over his
grave"