The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-04-04
PRESIDENTS AS CHURCH
GOERS.

that even II the motive OF many attend
ing church may not be religious one,
it were better to go with an unworthy
motive than not to go at all, still the
fact remains that idle curiosity attracts
large proportion of those who make
up the fashionable congregations of
most of the churches of large cities.
We are led to make this comment by
the newspaper reports of the large con-
gregations which for several successive
Sundays have crowded a Presbyterian
church IN Washington, simply because
it was supposed that the President
would attend public worship there. The
spectacle is not in any sense an edify
ing one, when the ambitious devotees
Of fashion convert the temple dedicated
to the worship of the Almighty into
place of personal display of wealth and
fine attire, and even as distinguished a
worshiper as the President of the United
States becomes an object of true chris
tan sympathy when exposed to such
vulgar displays of rudeness and irrever-
ance. But deprecate such vulgar curl
osity as we may, these obtrusive sight
seers finally succeeded in ogling the
President almost out of countenance,
although with hope of escaping the
curious crowd of well-dressed men and
women, he had purposely absented
himself from church for several Sab
baths. But having run this inevitable
ordeal of Sunday inspection under the
eyes of the gaping crowd, the Presi-
dent, like his predecessors in that hon
orable office, has taken his place as
good Presbyterian should in the church
of his selection.
None of the Presidents since Mr..
Lincoln have attended the Presbyterian
church, and it may be fairly inferred
that such an acquisition as a Presiden-
tial worshiper is appreciated at its full
value by the deacons and elders of the
congregation thus honored. Mr.. Cleve-
lands selection as place of christian
worship naturally suggests, as matter
of public information for our readers,
the church preferences of former Pres
idents. Washington was an Episcopal
han, and a regular attendant at church
service, frequently visiting churches of
other denominations, both in New York
and Philadelphia, these cities having
been the seats of government during
his two Presidential terms.
John Adams was a Congregationalist.
Jefferson who, although charged by
the Federalists as being an atheist, at
tended the Episcopalian church during
both his terms.
Madison and Monroe also attended
the Protestant Episcopal church in
Washington.
John Quincy Adams was Unitarian,
and attended a church of that denom-
nation erected in Washington year
previous to his Inauguration.
Andrew Jackson was member Of
the Presbyterian church, although at
times using language not current among
its communicates, and was the pioneer
of Presbyterian Presidents at Washing
ton.
Martin Van Buren, attended at his
home in New York state the Dutch
Reform church, but there being no con-
gregation of that denomination at
Washington, worshiped with the Epis-
copalians-
Harrison was a Presbyterian, and
John Tyler an Episcopalian. Polk like
wise was Presbyterian. Gen. Taylor
had no church preference, but attended
at St. John Protestant Episcopal church.
Fillmore was a Unitarian, regular at
tendant at public service
Franklin Pierce was first Congre-
gationalst then frequent attendant at
the Methodist Episcopal church, and
afterwards, during his Presidency, a
regular attendant at the First Presby-
terian church at Washington. Of all
the Presidents he was the most frequent
attendant on public service, frequently
attending three services during Sum
day. He died member of the Prot
estant Episcopal church at Concord,
New Hampshire.
Mr.. Buchanan was Presbyterian.
Mr.. Lincoln, although not a regular
attendant upon public church service,
Wdo d IlCSDflSilill III lCCliIlS
Johnson had no denominational pref
erences and attended no one church
with any regularity.
General Grant attended the Metro
politan Methodist Episcopal church,
while President Hayes was member
of the same denomination.
Garfield was member of denom
nation known as the Disciples, who
had a small chapel in Washington
during his presidency, where he habit
ually worshiped.
Arthur is an Episcopalian and was
frequent attendant at public service,
while Cleveland restores the Presbyter-
ian succession, having begun attend
ance at the New York avenue church
in Washington, of which DIR. Bartlett,
an old friend of his family, is pastor.
Thus It will be seen that the Presby-
terlsns have outnumbered other de-
nominations in presidential worshipers