The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-03-25
CLEVELAND AND RELIGION.
Grhtiied by the Prayers OF the Pious, But
Hating Everything Like Hypocrisy.

Grhtited by the Prayers OF the Pious, But
Hating Everything Like Hypocrisy.
Wdshmgton Letter to P&t$GuIy Lcadcr.)
"a very largo per cent. of the peo-
pie throughout tho country seem to be
bent ON cvangelizing President Clcve-
land" observed one OF the Chief En-
ccutiyc's most intimate friends to-day.
"Mr. Cleveland was telling me the
other day that he sometimes thought
there WAS Al impression in the minds
of too many good folks that he pre-
sent ad Il rare opportunity for the mis-
sionaricS. | asked him why he thought
SO and he ~laughingly replied: son,
if the advice given INK was coEccil-
tratcd on Africa, it would civilizc and
Christianizc that whole wild and
wicked aud dark country | had to
laugh, for there was 50 much serious
ness and yet dry bumor in it all.
Cleveland realizes, us he is reminded
SO often and so tnrciCly, that in a GER
tain way he sets an example to the
world, but it worries him u little, |
can sec, to be tod by hundreds of peo-
pie, sometimes in II week, that he
ought to lei his light so shine, etc. FIc
believes that these people must Il ink
he is very wicked, or else that he is
the guardian of fifty million Of people.
Speaking of this point he said to me:
"A President or King OF other high and
national officer should recognize the
supreme power in every act committed.
"A nan or woman should never get so
exalted as to fail to do this. Now, few
public men have as little opportunity
to disseminate personal views as |
have. II | were ever so anxious to
make people believe was the crnbodi-
mcnt Of goodness it would be uphill
work to create that impression, for II
President cannot cry his wares from
the hUuSctoDs. III this advice about
being a Christian and all thai, coming
IN every form and irom every dircc-
ton, is for my w guidance, very
well. If it is to change the general
course OF my public career, it is i'll
given. One thing | am bound shall
never be madc-tllc charge that | was
Il %hypocrite. | like Christians; they
arc the salt OF the earth. y. hypocrite,
to my mind, is the bascst OF sinners. >"
"'The President must DC Il little an
moved by these opportunities, is he
not?' | asked. "Not in the least. On
the contrary, he is gratilied for the
interest shown in him, if it is respect
fully shown. lie doesn't seem to com
prchcnd the fact that all Presidents
have had to withstand this ordeal.
The letters he receives arc not the only
evidence given him of Il desire that he
shall be II moral man. You would be
surprised how many Christian people
breathe M audible prayer for him,
however, when they grasp his hand,
and it all has Il very ~pcrccptiblc effect
upon Mr.. Cleveland, for he said he
didn't fhtnl. NJ ,,,n,, 49,, ....l
sense and a heart could fail to be
affected by the prayers of an earnest
people, when he or she knew they
were so constantly delivered. 1T is
something like love in its physical
effect said Mr.. Cleveland one day.
Now, if one is very earnestly and
sincerely loved that affection is sure, if
kept up and demonstrated, to have its
way, unless the sutton is absolutely
offensive. The mere fact that so much
confidence and affection is pcrsistcntly
bestowed will touch n heart of stone.
SO the intense interest shown by so
many in Il mans spiritual welfare must
eventually touch him, if he thinks.
And the man OF woman who ANN
be reached by the prayers of a nation
is a strange being indeed" Gin his
private life do you think the President
observes any standard Of Christian
ity?" Eyes, he does. In all my inter
course with him / do not remember to
have heard him say anything i'm
proper. He sometimes becomes very
much perpleXcd, but he doesn't swear
about it. Mr. Cleveland believes that
honor between nan and man is the
foundation of Christianity that unless
one tells the truth and pays his dues
he a lay no claim to morality"