Marshall County Republican., 1875-03-25
RELIGION OF OUR PRESIDENTS

nal.
RELIGION OF OUR PRESIDENTS
from the Examiner and Chroniclel
The question has been rails ed whether
any one of our Presidents was commu-
meant in Christian church. There is
tradition that Washington asked permis-
sion of Presbyterian minister in New
Jersey to unite in the communion. But
it is only tradition. Washington was a
vestryman in the Episcopal Church. But
that Office required no more piety than it
would take to be mate of ship. There
is no account of his communing in Bos-
ton, or New York, or Philadelphia, or
elsewhere during the Revolutionary
struggle. Adams was a member of the
parish in Braintree He was High Arian.
His attendance at worship was not very
constant. Jefferson was an avowed skep-
tic, and devout admirer of DR.. Priestiy.
Madison and Monroe were moderate
professed Unitarian. He attended the
services in the Representatives Hall dur
ing the session of Congress. In the after
noon he worshiped in the Second Con
gregational Church, where he had pew.
When Congress was not in session, Mr..
Adams usually attended in the morning
the Unitarian Church. Jackson was a
reverential hearer. He attended church
half day. His pew in the Four-and-a-Half
Street Church was on the left hand side
of the preacher. He paid close attention
to the sermon, and made profound bow
to the pulpit as he retired. He joined
the Presbyterian Church after he left
office. Van Buren,, trained in the Re
formed Dutch School, attended the Epis-
copal Church when he attended any.
His Sunday afternoons were devoted to
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 regular attendant at public worship.
He was always in his place. He rode to
church ON Sunday morning, and occu
pied the pew next to the one Jackson sat
in. Col. Benton occupied the jackson
pew, and would not give it up. In the
afternoon Mr.. and Mrs. Polk walked t.
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 al
open and decided Unitarian. He gav'
his influence and support to that sect
Pierce was always at church on Sunda.
mornings. He attended the Presbyterian
Church. Buchanan was an Old Schoo
Presbyterian. The church was near hi
residence. The building was small, ant
the congregation both small and poor
He was not a very reverential worshiper
He walked to church went up the aisl
at shuffling gait; lodged into his pew
;, and seated in the corner seemed wrappe
in his own thoughts, paying no attentio
apparently to the service. An observe
could not tell whether he was asleep c
awake. He hurried away as if afraid
be addressed. Lincoln attended servic
once day. He always seemed to be
' agony while in church. His legs WEI
4 long, the pew narrow, and he often n
. lieved himself by putting his feet outsid
of the door, stretching them clear acro'
r the aisle. His pastor, DR.. Gwiey, had I'll
+ "gift of continuance" and The Presidel
r writhed and squirmed, aid gave unmi
> taxable evidence of the torture he e.
q dured. Gen. Grant is a trustee in
;. Methodist Church but that office do
:. not imply profession of personal co
e secration.