The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-03-26
Religion of Our Presidents.
(From the Examiner and Chronicle.


The question has been raised whether
any one of our Presidents was commu-
meant i'll a Christian church. There is IL
tradition that Washington asked permits
sion of n Presbyterian minister in New
Jersey to unite in the communion. But
it is only tradition. Washington was
vestryman i'll 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 n 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 DIR. Priestly.
Madison and Monroe were moderate
churchmen. John Quincy Adams was q
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 nearer He attended church
half day. His pew in the Four-and-aH 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 prOfessed Christian,
was n regular attendant at public worship.
He was always i'll 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 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 decided Unitarian. He gave
his influence and support to that sect.
Pierce was always at church on Sunday
mornings. He attended the Presbyterian
| OllluCu. N1iS All NlOl DCllOOl
Presbyterian. The church was near his
residence. The building was small, and
the congregation both small and poor.
He was not n very reverential wOrshiper.
He walked to church went up the aisle
at shutting gait lodged into his pew (;
and seated in the corner seemed wrapped
i'll 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 addressed. Lincoln attended service
once 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 outside
of the door, stretching them clear across
the aisle. His pastor, DIR. Gurley, had the
"gift of continuance, and the President
writhed and squirmed, and gave unmis-
taxable evidence of the torture he en-
dured. Gen. Grant is a trustee in a
Methodist Church but that office does
not imply profession of personal con-
secration.