Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-02-14


never surpassed. He never recovered
from the blow. He became more gen.
tie, more subdued in language and ac-
tons, and appeared, in most respects,
quite a changed man. 1t is said that
every night after her death, until his
own dying hour, he read rayer-book,
with her miniature likeness before him.
With characteristic frankness he ever
ayowed his deep conviction of the ne
cessity of vital godliuess, and his hope
and intention Of becoming Christian
before he should die.
The administration Of Andrew Jack
son was one of the most memorable and
, tempestuous in the history Of our coun-
try. No President has had more bitter
enemies or warmer friends. AT the close
of two terms of office he retired, in
1887. to his humble rural retreat, called
the Hermitage, in Tennessee. lie was
seventy years of age. a year atterthis,
not having vet found the convenient
season." he wrote to friend who had
addressed him earnestly upon the sub
| leCI VI iCitSiVh
81 would long since have made tho
solemn public declaration TO Almighty
God, but knowing the wretchedness OF
this world, and how prone many are to
evil, that the scofier at 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 u
private life, when 10 false impu,aIion
could be made that might lie Injurious
to religion"
Still it was the old excuse. The
"conveuient season" had not yet come.
Soon after this there was what they
called "Protracied meeting, or rellg-
ious service held for several days III
succession, in the little rural church IN
the vicinity OF the Hermitage. Prcsi-
dent Jackson attended all the services,
and the audience generally was imprcs.
sed with his thoughtful. solemn aspect.
The last sermon of the series was
preached by DR.. Edgar, upon the "ln-
ierposition of Providence in the affairs
of men.
The life of President Jackson had
SEEN one of the widest adventure aud
full Of peril He was deeply impressed
by the sermon. With peculiar ex-
preston of solemnity and OF soliciinde
he entered his carriage and was riding
homeward when he overlook DIR. Ed
gar. who was on horseback. President
Jackson urged the preacher to go home
with him 10 the Hermitage, evidently
desiring to converse with him upon
tha, theme which was now engrosslng
all the energies Of his soul. But DR..
Edgar had an engagement which no
could not forego.
The President, thus apparently lett
alone with his God, went home deep
ly.conyicteL sinner. Entering bis
chamber he passed most Of the night
walking the floor in anguish Of spirit
and in prayer. The scene OF that night,
its penitence, its supplicatlous, its cries
for mercy, are known only to God and
to those angels wIo rejoice over The
repentance OF a sinner. But ut the
close of those hours of anguish, peace
came 10 his soul and he had resolved
what TO do.
The next day was the Sabbath. The
sacrament of tho Lords Supper was 10
be administered in the little church ut
the Hermitage. With characteristic
decision Of action the President announ-
ccd to his family his full conviction that
he had repented OF his sins, cast himself
upon the Saviour, aud had been accept.
cd of him.
lie Immediately sent for the elders of
the church, informed them of :he new
life upon which he believed he had en-
tered. of his hope that he had Income
true disciple OF Jesus, aud expressed his
desire upon that very day, TO make
public profession Of his faith in Christ,
and 10 receive the memorials Of his
body broken for US and Of his blood
shed for our sins
1t was a solemn scene which was that
morning Witnessed in that humble
church surrounded by tho forests OF
Tennessee. The war.worn veteran, his
brow bronzed and furrowcd with The
cares of one of the most tempesiuous OF
lives, and his hair frosted by the lapse
of three.scorc years and ten, knelt, with
the humility Of little child, before tho
communion table, in acceptance of par
don through an atoDing Saviour, and
was baptized in the name Of the Father,
and Of the Son, and Holy Ghost.
Ills subsequent life was that Of tbe
Christian. Family prayer was immcdi
ately established in his dwelling, which
President Jackson himself conducted,
however numerous might DO bis guests.
The household servants were all called
in to partske in the dcvofions. Twice
before he died he read the whole Bible
through, with SCOTS Commentaries and
Practical Observations AT ono Of the
meetings of the church he Was nomina-
ted as ruling elder. With humility,
which no one who knew the man could
for ons moment supposed to be feigned
he said /:
"No. I am too young in the Church
for such an Office. Ny countrymep'
have given me high honors; bat ]
should esteem the Office Of ruling elder
in the Church Of Christ far higher
honor han any ] have rce vsd'
HAVE YOU A COUGH. Cold,
Pain in the Chest, or Bronchitis ! ia
fact, have you the premonitory symp-
toms of the .srusafiate archer. c0nsunip-