Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-03-22
Death Bed Of Pro,Iaent JacksSn.
sr REV. IOHs Q. Apsprr:


oae Sunday morning In the year 1927, as
General jackson and his wife were walking to-
ward the little Hermitage church, she entreated
him TO take decided stand as Christian, and
to unite With the Church. He replied:
"My dear, If were to do that now, It would
be said, all over the country, ths. had done It
for the sake Of political effect. NY enemies
would all say 30, can not do It lotp; but |
promise you that when once more am clear Of
politlcs ] will join the church |" q
: On the 2Sd of Dec, 1925, Mrs. Jackson died.
IL was O terrible blow to her husband who had
loved her for her Angular fervor aad constancy.
de never quite recovered from the shock. His
spirit became very much subdued, and he gave
up entirely the use of pfofane language, 10
which be had been awiully addicted in bis
younger days.
Mr.. Nicholas P. Trist, of Virginia. was private
Secretary Of President jackson. On one occa,
sion, 1t seemed necessary for him to enter the
Presidents apartment after he bad retired for
the night. He found the President in his night
dress, sitting az a table, with his wife's minia.
ture propped up against something before him,
and between him and the miniature lay HE wife's
well.Worn prayer book, from which, according to
bis invariable custom, he was reading prayer
before he slept,
About this time there was a season of spe.
cial interest In Washington. The pastor of the
church which the President attended, and fran
whom the writer has the anecdote, called at the
White House, and entered into conversation
With the President upon the subject Of personal
religion. He replied: - ~..',s ..l
mo man respects religion more than do, or
feels more deeply It's Importance. promised
my wife that would attend to the salvation Of
my soul as soon as the election was over, hul
now the cares which engroSs me are go over.
whelming, and my cabinet in such divided
state that have not moments time 70 thipl
OF anything but the urgenoies Of the paesipl
hour. Bat am resolved. as soon as lesvl
the chair, and retire to the socluslor
OF the HermitageI 20 take mp, Ia earnest, the
subject of religion" r,-- 5.i- Ia
IL was the old exeuseI 90 thy way for this
timej when have a convenient aeAson. The
hour Of retiSspent came, and still the General
did not keep Dis promise, To one who address,
ed him on the subject, he wrote, In August, 1899
~ would long since have made this solemn ded,
ication to Almighty God,. but knowing the
wretchedness Of this world, and how prone many
are to evil, that the scoffer of religion would
have cried out, hypocrisy be has Joined the
church for political effect" thought it best "a
postpone this public act, until my retirement to
the shade of private life, when no false imputa-
tions could be made that might be injurious to
religion" - f5I}V
! About year from this time, in 1889, there
was protracted meeting at the Hermitage,--
Gen. Jackson attended all the services with deep
solemnity. lie was deeply impressed by the last
sermon, and urged the preacher, Rev. DR.. Edgar,
Of Nashville, to 60 home with him. An en-.
.gRgement prevented this. Gen. jackson, sin
convicted man with his eyes open to his true
condition, passed this evening, aud most of the
night, in reading the Bible, and in meditation
and prayer. The anguish aud tears Of that
night, eternity alone CAP reveal. With the
light Of the morning peace dawned upon his soul,
Il was communion Sabbath at lhe little Hermi-
tsge church. That very day, the General
made public profession OF faith In Christ -
The church was crowded to Its utmost capacity.
the very windows being darkened with eager
facei. As, 10 great inArmity, he leaned upon
bis atsf, giving his assent 70 the creed and
covenant Of the church, tears triokled freely
down his farfowed cheeks, and all were over
come With emotion. ..-.-,.-.
From this time until bic death he spent mos.
of his time reading the Bible. SCOTS farnIlS
Bible be read through twice, and daily conduct.
cd family prayers, summoning all the household
servants. On the sth of June, le45, the sum.
mons came for the weary pilgrim. then 10 year.
Of age, TO appear before bis final Judge. As be
lay upon his dying bed-after severe spasrn be
swoonedawa and ell for 9 few moments though
him dead. Bat herevived, and taIsIpg his eyes
said: "a yes 7oN 80
"My dear children, do not grleve for me. Il
is true am going to leave yOn. am well
aware Of my situation. have suffered much
naHtlxT Vaftss hs1f a.,F Fantv. k.k -.