The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1882-08-23
AN EFFECTIVE SERMON.
How James X. Polk Became a
Member of the Church.
Nashville Banner

Nashville Banner
The Rev. V. C. Randolph, pastor
of the Spruce-street Northern Meth
odist church of this city, contributes
the following incident to the press
In the year 1888 young Metho-
dist itinerant preached at camp
meeting near Columbia, in Tennes-
see, from the text, ''blessed be the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ b" In the congregation was a
young man, his senior by twelve
years, who was rapidly coming into
public notice, having already been
elected to the State Legislature and
the National Congress.
AS time rolled on, the one became
noted preacher, and an able con-
nectional officer, known and honored
throughout the bounds of his de-
nomination the other advanced in
political career till his name was
familiar not only in the remotest
corners of this land, but he was re-
spected everywheae in the civilized
world.
Sixteen years had elapsed since
the camp-meeting, when Elijah, the
body servant of the statesman, was
sent to request the preacher to call
on his master, who was at home
quite ill., "Doctor," said Elijah, "do
you know why my master thinks so
much of yol?" The minister re-
piled: ave have been good friends
for number of years we are both
Democrats but do not know any
special reason why he should be at
tached to me-" ''It is" said Elijah,
"because of the sermon at that camp
meeting" When the doctor arrived
he found the pastor of his friends
wife, who was and is now, member
of the Presbyterian church, and
going together into the room of the
sick, they learned that they had been
called for religious conversation.
During the visit the dying man ex-
pressed the following sentiment: II
believe in Jesus Christ l trust in
him alone for salvation. [ wish to
acknowledge him as my Savior. /
am a Methodist, but from the pres
sure of the public duties | have
to join the church. l do
not wish to die out of the church.
I would prefer acknowledging Christ
in the public congregation in view
of what he has done for me that is
little enough for me to do for him.
1t may seem a little cowardly for me
to unite with the church in private.
| 81 ould p efer doir g it publicly, but
l may not recover" He was assured
that his desire for membership in
Ghe church and its ordinances should
be gratifed.
A few days later the symptoms
became moro alarming, and but
slight hopes of recovery were en-
tertaired. The Methodist preacher
was again summoned. Among the
persons present were the pastors of
the mans mother and wife, both
Presbyteriars, his mother and
brother, and a colored nurse, still
living. In the presence of these
friends that eminent man acknowl-
edged his dependence on Christ alone
for salvation, was baptized by the
whom he heard with de-
light and profit in 1888, joined the
church of his choice, and partook Of
the holy communion.
Not many days after the same
minister was called on to perform
the last sad rites The body was
laid to rest in the beautiful lawn of
his spacious mansion, near the capi-
tol of adopted State. Over the tomb
has been erected a stone canopy,
under which is a block of gray mar
BILE. The following is part of the
epitaph:
GAMES KNOX POLK,
10th President of the q. 8.
Born Nov. 2, 1875; died June Is, 1849.