The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1862-04-05
Gen. JacksOn's Religious History.

Many well informed persons have
doubted the genuiness Of Gen. JackSOn's
piety. His temper was violent, and his
antipathies bitter, and they have hastily
concluded that his profession of religious
character vas merely formal. But those
most intimate with him. while regrettiug
the imperfect mastery of himself, attained
even in later life, speak very deciSively Of
the change in his character subsequent to
his wifs's death. Mr.. Parton, in his very
elaborate work, gives the following sketch,
which will interest our readers:
The promise which he made to his wife,
in the grove that shades the Hermitage
church, he remembered, bnt did not strict
ly keep. In August, 1888, he wrote to
one who had addressed him on the SUBJ
ject:
"I would long since have made this
solemn public dedication to Almighty
God, but knowing the wretchedness Of
this world, and how prone many are to
evil, that the Scoifer of religion would
have cried out, hypocrisy he has Joined
the church for political effect, | thought
it best to postpone this public act until
my retirement to the shades of private
life, when no false imputation could be
made that might be injurious to religion" "
lie passed two or three years, however,
ain the shades of private life" before he
performed the act referred to in this let
ter.
From Rev. DR.. Edgar, pastor of an in
fluential Presbyterian church in Nash
vile, received the information which is
now impaired to the reader. It was
sermon of Dr. Edgar's that produced in
Ger. Jackson the state Of mind that led
to his connecting himself with the church.
and it was Dr. Edgar who administered
to him his first communion. He is, there
fore, the source of trustworthy informa-
iinn Oh this iMteYestiDg subject.
1t was about the year 1889 that Dr.
Edgar was first invited to the Hermitage
Tor the purpose Of administering religious
advice to its inmates. Mrs. Jackson, the
amiable and estimable wife Of the Gen.
erals adopted son, was sick in body and
troubled in mind. Gen. jackson invited
his reverend friend to call and see her, and
endeavor to clear her mind of the cloud OF
peplexity and apprehension which hung
oRit In the course Of her conversation
with the Doctor, she chanced to say, in
the Generals hearing, that she felt her
self to be "great sinner"
"Yon a snnerg" nterposed the Cen
eral, "why, you are all purity and good
ness! Join DR.. Edgar'S church by all
means"
This remark was considered by the
clergyman n proof that, at the time, Gen.
jackson was "blind" as to the nature 0E
true religion. Soon after this interview
Mrs. Jackson's anxiety was relieved. and
she waited to join the church only for II
suitable opportunity. Ere long "pro-
tractcd meeting" was held in the little
church on Hermitage farm. DR.. Edgar
conducted the exercises, and the family at
the Hermitage were constant in their at
tendance. The last day of the meeting
arrived, which was also the last day of
the week. Gen. Jackson sat in his accus-
toned seat, and DIR: Edgar preached. The
subject of the sermon was the interposi-
tion of Providence in the affnirs Of men,
a subject congenial with the habitual tone
of Gen. Jackson's mind The preacher
spoke in detail Of the perils which bcset
the life of man. and how often he is pre-
served from sickness and sudden DEATH
Seeing General jackson listening with
rapt attention to his discourse, the elo-
quent preacher sketched the career Of a
man, who, in addition to the ordinary
dangers of human life, had encountered
those Of the wilderness Of war, and of
keen political confliGt; who had escaped
the tomahawk of the savage, the attack
of his country's enemies, the privations
and fatigues of border warfare and the
aim of the assassin. How is it," ex-
claimed the preacher, THAT a man en-
dowed with reason and gifted with intel
ligence, can pass through such scenes as
these unharmed, and not see the hand Of
God in his deliverance?" While enlarg.
ing on this theme, DR.. Edgar saw that
his words were sinking deep into the
Generals heart, he spoke with unusual
animation and impressivenesS
The service ended. Gen. Jackson got
into his carriage and was riding home
ward. He was overtaken by DIR. Edgar
on horseback. He hailed the Doctor, and
said he wished to speak with him. Both
having aligbtsd, the General led the cler-
gyman little into the grove.
doctor" said the General, Il want
you to come home with me tonight.
IL cannot, tonight" was the reply /;