Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1862-04-03
Death He'd OF Gen. jackson.
BY Us. c. ABoTr.


mediately with the church. lie replied :
"NIy dear il were to do that now IL
would be said all over the country tnat 1
had done it for the sake Of political effect
NV enemies would say so, cannot do II
now but promise You that when once
more | am entirely clear OF politics VIII
Join the church. ,ooe
On the 23rd day Of December 1870
Mrs. Jackson dol. 1t was terrio'e
blow TO her husband who had ioVed her
with singular fervor and consiancy'-I
lie enover quito recovered from the shock.
His spirit became very much subdued,
and he gave up entirely the use OF proianc
language to which he had been awiully
aldited in his younger days.
Mr.. Nicholas Il. Trist of Virginia was
Private Secretary of President jackson.
On one occasion it seemed necessary for
him to enter the Presidents apartment at
ter he had retired for the night. lie
found the President in his night dress
sitting at a table with his wiIe's miniature
propped up against some books before
him, and between him and the miniature
lay his wi'e's well worn prayer book,
from which according to his in nvaible
custom he was readinga prayer before he
slept.
About this time there was season Of
special reli gious interest in Washington.
The pastor OF the church which the Pres
ilcnt attended, and from whom the wri-
ter has the anccdote, called at the White
House and entered into conversation
with the President upon the subject Of
religion He replied.
"No man respects religion moro than
I 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, bat now the cares that
engross me are so overwhelming, and my
Cabinet in such divided state. that |
have not a moment's time to think 0!
anything but the urgcncies of the passing
hour. But | am resolved as soon as !
leave the Presidential chair and return to
the seclusion of the Hermitage to take up
in earnest the subject of religion.
1t was the old excuse so thy way, and
when ] have convenient sc ason. The
hour Of retirement came and still the
General did not keep his promise. To
one who addressed him upon.the sub Ject,
he wrote in August in the 1888;
| would long since have made this sol
emn dedication to the Almighty God, but
knowing the wretchedness Of this world
and how prone many are to evil, that the
scofier Of religion would have cried ont
Ilypocri,y he has joined the church for
political effect thought it best TO post.
pono this public act until my retirement
to the shades of private life, when no
false impu,otions could be made that
might be injurious to religion
About year from this time in 1889
there was protracted meeting at the
hermitage. General Jackson attended
all the services with deep 8 lemnity.-
lie was deeply impressed by the last ser
mon, and urged the preacher to go home
with him. An engagement prevented
this. General jackson, a sin convicted
man with his eyes open to his true condl-
ton. passed the evening and most OF the
night in reading the Bible and in medita-
tion and prayer The anguish and tears
Of that night eternity alone can reveal
With the morning peace dawncd. 1t
was communion sabbath at the hermitage
church. That very day the General made
an open profession Of his faith in Christ
The church was crowded to its utmost
capacity. the very windows being darken
ed with eager faces. AS in great inIirm
ity he leaned upon his stafIgiving his as
sent to the creed and covenant of the
church, tears trickled down his iurrowd
checks and all were overcome with emo.
tion.
From this time until his death he spent
most Of his timo in reading the biblo,--
Seott's Family Bible he read through
twice aud daily conducted family prayers,
summonng all the household servants.-
On tho Sth Of June, lS45, the summons
came for the weary pilgrim, then rs years
OF age to appear before his final Judge.
As he lay on his bed after severe spasm
he swooucl away, ami all, for few mo-
ments thought him dead. But he revived
and raising his eyes. ho said to them
My dear children do not gricvc for me.
1t is truo | am going to leave you.
am we'll aware of my situation. | have
suffered much bodily pain but my suffer
ings have been rs nothing compared with
that which our blessed Savior endured
upon the accursod cross that we mi ght be
saved who put our trust in him.
He then took an a1ectionato leave OF
each one of his family, taking them by
the hand and addressing to each few
words Of council "lle then" write,
Mr. Fishhclman, who was present deliver
cd ono of the most impressive lectures
upon the subject of religion that hav
ever heard. lie spoke for nearly half al
hour and apparently with the power o
inspiration, ior ho spoke with calmncss
with strength and even with animation
In conclusion he said My dear children
hopo to meet you in heaven,
All present were in tears, 'Oh do no
cay, be good children and we will al
meet in heaven These were his la,
words lie ceased to breathe and die
without II struggle or pang. Mage
LOWS removed the pillows drew dow I'll
body upon the bed and closed The eyes.
Upon looking again upon the face he 90
served that the expression of pain whic
it had worn 30 long had passed away -
Death had restored it to uaturalncss au
serenity The aged warrior slept,