The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-12-29
Religious Associations Of the Presidents


1t is somewhat a singular fact that as far as it
lis known no President OF the United States since
the days Of " Washington has been Il communi-
can't in church. John Adams was the repre-
sentative of the liberal community Of his day.
Jefferson was styled Il free thinker. An attempt
Was made when jefferson was young man to
make the Episcopal Church the established re-
lgon of Virginia. John Leland, travelling
Baptist minister, preached sermon in the pres
cnce Of Jefferson on whnt he called the "inces-
tuous connection Of Church and State" This
sermon converted jefferson to that doctrine.
Ills persistent opposition to State religion
caused him to be stigmatizcd as an infidel. Mrs
Madison commitment at the Episcopal
Church. Her husband Was not. Monroe was
member Of an Episcopal parish, but not a COM
municant. John Quincy Adams, though menl-
Der Of a Unitarian parish in Massachusetts, held
pew i'll the Second Presbyterian church in
v ashin9tcn, of which he was a trustee, and
there he worshppcd until his death. In vo-
lent snow storm | saw him wading to church
one Sunday, with the snow up to his loins, and
he was one OF the seven persons who composed
the congregation that morning. He never CON-
muncd III the church. General jackson was a
regular attendant Sunday mornings. He
worshipped i'll the Second Presbyterian Church
lie then left for the I! Street Church and took
his Cabinet with him. He always came early
and entered his pew, which Was on the right
side Of the church he entered. Earnest and
devOut attention he gave to the sermon 1t Was
his custom, at the Gle sc of the sermon, to rise in
the pew make very courteous bow to the minis
ter and then walk out, the audience awaiting in
their pcws till he had reached the vestlbule. Van
BUrlns hone Church at Undertook WAS Re-
formed Dutch. At Washington, when he went
to Church he attended St. Johns Episcopal in
the Morning. Mrs Polk was a devout and
earnest hrlstian woman, belonging to the Pres
byterian Church. Mr. Polk accompanied his
family every morning to the j. Street Church.
Mrs. Polk usually attended the Second Presby-
terrain Church in the afternoon, where she held
pew. The President seldom accompanied her
at the Episcopal service. General Taylor was
not Il professor OF religion. When he attended
church he sat III the Presidents pew at St Johns
PRESIDENT Pierce was a member CT CGnurcca-
tional Society III Concord, \. H., but not Of the
Church. lie WAS very regular in his attendance
at the Presbyterian Church in WASHINGTON on
the morning OF each Sabbath Buchanan attend
cd the small l'resby terian Church OH L street,
near the White House. This was his religious
home during his long Senatorial life He was
not L ncnber Of the Church. He came to wor-
ship usually Oh foot and unattended His pew
was On the side, about two thirds of the way
from the door. He usually walked up the aisle
with cat-llke step. went to the extreine end of
the pew, cured himself up i'll Tie corner, and sell
dom moved TIL the service closed He rarely
spoke to any one and FASTENED from the church
to the White House. Mrs. Lincoln Was Il con-
munlcant at the New York avenue Presbyterian
Church. Mr. Liucon Was art Bnt hs wos =
regular attendant at worship. johnson seems to
have no religious nome, but rather inclined to
the Lutherans General Grant is not profes-
sor OF religion. lie is trustee of the National
Methodist Church at Washington and is a fire.
quent attendant on the preaching ot' that church
Cor. B..<tCu JDisrn"I