Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-05-03
DEPARTURES.
BY REV. JOHN C. ABBOTT.

One Sunday morning, in the year 1927, as
General jackson and his wife were waking
toward the little Hermitage church, she en-
treated him TO take decided stand as Chris
tian, and to unite with the church. He re-
Piled:
'My dear, if / were to do that, it would be
said, all over the country, that | had done 1t
for the sake of political effect. My enemies
would all say so. L cannot do it nOU; but L
promise you that when once more | am clear
of politics, will join the church"
On the 23d of Dec, 1928, Mrs. jackson
died. 1t was a terrible blow 10 her husband,
who had loved her with singular fervor and
constancy. He never quite recovered from
the shock. His spirit became very much sub
dued, and he gave up entirely the use of pro-
fame language, TO which he had been awfully
addicted in his younger days.
Mr.. Nicholas Z. Tnst, of Virginia, was pri-
vate Secretary of General jackson. On one
occasion it seemed necessary for him TO enter
the Presidents apartment after he had retired
for the night. He found the President in his
night dress, sitting at table, with his wife's
miniature propped up against something be-
fore him, and between him and the miniature
lay his wife's well-worn prayer-book, from
which, according to his 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
from whom the writer has the anecdote, called
at the White House, and entered into conver-
sation with the President upon the subject OF
personal religion. He replied:
mo man respects religion more than do
4 l.. n
ised nv wife that | would attend to the saliva.
ton of my soul as soon as the election wa:
over, but now the cares which engroSs me are
30 overwhelming, and my cabinet in such 9
divided state, that have not a moments time
to think of anything but the urgencies of the
passing hour But am resolved as soon a:
l leave the Presidential chair, and retire tC
the seclusion of the Hermitage, to take up, ii
earnest, the subject OF religion"
Ii was the old excuse 90 thy way for thi:
/ time: when | have a convenient season. The
hour of retirement came, and still the Genera
did not keep his promise. To one who adj
dressed him on the subject, he wrote in Au
gust, 1898: Il would long since have made
this solemn dedication to Almighty God, bu
/ knowing the wretcbedneSS of this world, anc
/ how prone many are to evil, that the scohel
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 shade of private
/ life, when no false imputationS could be made
! that might be injurious TO religion"
About year from this time, in 1889, ther,
was protracted meeting at the Hermitage
+ Gen. jackson attended all the services Will
deep solemnity. He was deeply impressed by
the last sermon, and urged the preacher. Rev
/ DR.. Edgar. of Nashville, to 90 home with him
! An engagement prevented this. Gen. Jack
son, a sin convicted man, with his ewes opeI
to his true condition. passed this evening anc
most of that night in reading the Bible, anC
in meditation and prayer. The anguish an,
tears OF that night eternity alone can reveal
With the light of the morning, peace dawne,
upon his soul. 1t was communion Sabbath a
the little Hermitage church. That very da,
the General made public profession of faitl
IN Christ The church was crowded 10 It's III
most capacity. the very windows being dark
ened with eager faces. A., in great infirmty
he leaned upon his staff, giving his assent t
the creed and covenant of the church. tear
trickled freely down his furrowed cheeks, an,
all were overcome with emotion.
From this time until his death. he spen
most of his time reading the Bible. Scott
family Bible he read through twice. and dali
conducted family prayers, summoning all III
household servants On the sthot June. 81,
the summons came for the weary pilgrim, the
IS years of age, to appear before his fns
Judge. As he lay upon his dying bed after
severe spasm, he swooned away and all for
few moments thought him dead But he r,
} vived. and raising his ewes said;
My dear children, do not grieve for m,
; Ii is true am going to leave YOU. am we
aware of my situation. have suffered niue
bodily PAIN but my ufferings are as nothin
compared with that which our blessed Savic
endured upon the accursed cross, that "