The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1875-04-08
Religion of Our Presidents,


The question has been raised whether
any one of our presidents was q COM
municant IN Christian church. There
is a tradition that Washington asked
permission of Presbyterian minister
An New Jersey to unite in the cOmmun-
ion. But it is only tradition. Wash
Ington was vestryman in the Episco-
pal Church. But that Office required
no more piety than 1t would take TO be
mate OF a ship. There is no account Of
his cOmmuning in Boston, New York,
or Philadelphia, or elsewhere during
the Revolutionary struggle. Adams
was 8 member of the parish in Brain
tree. He was High Arian. His at
tendance at worship was not very con-
slant. Jefferson was an avowed skep-
tic, and q devout admirer of DR.. Priest
ly. Madison and Monroe were mOder-
ate churchmen. John Quincy Adams
was a professed Unitarian. He attend
ed the services in the representatives
hail during the session of congress. In
the afternoon be worshipped in the
Second Congregational Church, where
he had q pew. When congress was not
in session, Mr.. Adams usually attended
in the morning the Unitarian Church.
jackson was a reveIential hearer. He
attended church a half day. His pew
IN the Four-and-a- half Street Church
was on the left hand side of the preach
er. He paid close attention TO the SER
mon, and made profound bow TO the
pulpit as he retired. He Joined the
Presbyterian Church after he left Office.
Van Buren, trained in the Reformed
Dutch School, attended the Episcopal
Church when he attended any. His
-,
political friends. Harrison cared very
little for religious matters, Tyler was
loose in regard to Sunday and Worship.
Polk, though not a professed Christian,
was a regular attendant at public wor-
ship. He was always in his place. He
rode TO church on Sunday morning, and
occupied the pew next to the one jack
son sat in. Col. Benton occupied the
jackson pew, aud would not give it up.
In the afternoon Mr.. and Mrs. Polk
walked to the Second Presbyterian
Church, which was near the White
House. Gen. Taylor seldom went to
church. Fillmore, more than any other
of the presidents, was an open and de-
cided Unitarian. He gave his influence
and support to that sect. Pierce was al
ways at church on Sunday mornings.
He attended the Presbyterian Church.
Buchanan was an Old School Presbyte-
rian. The church was near his resi-
dence. The building was small, and
the congregation both small and poor.
He was not very revereniial worshiper.
He walked to church went up the
aisle at a shufiing gait; dodged into
his pew; and seated in the corner
set med wrapped in his own thoughts
paying no attention apparently to the
service. An observer could not tell
whether he was asleep or awake. He
hurried away as If afraid to be ad-
dressed. Lincoln attended service once
a day. He always seemed to be in
agony while In church. His legs were
long, the pew narrow, and he often re.
lieved himself by putting his feet out
side of the door, stretching them clear
across the aisle. His pastor, DIR, Cur.
ley, had the " gift of continuance,
and the president writhed and squirm.
ed, end gave unmistakable evidence ol
the torture he endured. Gen. Grant is
a trustee iu a Methodist Church but
that Office does not imply q profession
of personal consecration.-E1a
and Chronicle,