The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-10-11
IN AMERICAN CITIZEN.
PASTOR HAINEs, OF GENERAL HAIR
RISON's CHURCH, DESCRIBES ONE.

Immediately after Gen. Benj1min Har-
rison was nominated at Chicago, the ed
itor of that able but fair-minded journal,
the Independent, asked the Rev. NJ. L.
Haines, pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church of indianapolis, where the Re-
publican standard bearer has regularly
attended for many years, what have
be- N General Harrison's relations to the
church of which he is a member. and
how he is regarded by those who have
been intimately associated with him in
religious and social relations. To this,
General HarriSon's pastor made reply.
When Mr.. Harrison came to Indian
apolis as young lawyer at the age of
twenty-five he was already protesting
Presbyterian Church of Oxford, Ohio,
during his student life in Miami Uni
versity. Mrs. Harrison and he brought
their church letters with them and iden-
titled themselves Immediately with the
Firat Presbyterian Church of this city.
During the thirtyfour years since that
time they have been among its most
consisten', efficient and honorCd mem
bers,
The Rev. Drs II. Nrxrn of Will
mingtpn, r. ID Harper of Philadelphia,
j. p. Kumler of Pttsburg, and Myron
Reed OF Denver, each of whom has been
in succession the pastor of the First
Church, could, | doubt not, give inter
esIing "reminiscences of the help they
received from this elder and his wife.
Mr.. Harrison when but twenty-four
years of age, was elected to the Office of
deacon, and four wears later, IN Janua
ry, 1861, under DIR. Nixon. psst0ratp,
was made an elder, the ordination ser
vice as the church record reads being
"perftrmed by the laying on of the
hands of the session."
INTERESTING YOUNG MEN.
For some time before the war Mr..
Harrison was the superintendent Of the
Sunday-school, and after his return
from the army was for number of
years, the teacher of the Congregational
Bible-class for men. So successful was
he in this work that he drew to the class
large number of young men active in
business and professional life. | meet
among the officers and members of the
churches of different denominations in
the city not few who speak with en-
thusiasm of the instruction and inspira-
tion to a true life they received while
members of that class. One of its form
er members said to me yesterday: Gen
eral Harrison always had clear con-
ceDtion of the truth in his head, and he
had that truth also on his heart"
Amidst the press of professional en-
| gagements he somehow so managed as
to be rarely absent, and during one of
the political campaigns, when he was
speaking six days in the week. insisted
that his appointments should be so ar
ranged that he could get back to In
dianapolis Saturday evening, and thus
be enabled to meet his class on Sunday
morning. The faithfulnes to dutv thus
exhibited, has ever been marked char
acteristic of the man.
A REGULAR ATTENDANT.
This faithfulness shows itself, also, in
his regularity of his attendance upon
the Sunday and mid-week services of
his church, and in the loyal and thorough
way he meets the responsibilities that
rest upon him as an officer. He takes
hold Of his duties with both hands earn
eStly. "Our responsibility to Cod is a
phrase | have heard him use a number
Of times in his prayers, and in such a
tone as to make it clear that it is one of
the great truths that shape his thinking
and conduct.
IsIt IN his office on Monday last with
a few gentlemen while the bulletins
were being brought IN one after anoth-
er, announcing the ballots five minutes
after they were cast in the Chicago
Convention. The calmSst person in that
little group was the one most interested
in the result. When, at the beginning
of the seventh ballot, the word came
California solid for Harrison" friend
sitting next to the General turned to
him and said excitedly:
General that settles it, you are going
to receive the nomination; how do you
feel?"
"Well," )" he answered in his quiet and
deliberate way, IF it does settle il. |
feel more concerned than did the 9th
er day when thought | was beaten"
Those who hear General Harrison,
when called upon to lead in prayer in
the Thursday evening sevice in his
church, cannot but notice the simplicity
and chasteness of expression the humil-
ity of spirit and the deep sense of rever-
ence that characterize his utterances.
venture to allude to this because the
real disposition of mans heart often
comes to Its clearest betrayal in his
prayers.
HE LAYS NO PIPES.
There is about General Harrison an
utter absence of pretense or affecta-
ton. He di,cards any attempt to make
a show of himself, and would be the
last person to speak or act for mere
effect Open and straightforward in
both language and actions, he lacks
that quality of politician which makes
one expert at pulling wires and "lay-
ing pipes"
Against the urgency of certain friends
he steadfastly persisted in his refusal to
take any steps which would place him
in the position of a seeker after the
nomination to the office of President
and received that nomination-as |
know from unquestioned authority
absolutely unpledged, The only prom
ise he made was that if elected he would
conduct the administration on Republi-
can principles.
He impresses one as being a man of
balanced mind and clear convictions
who would give any truth brought be
fore him fair chance, but who would
allow nothing to swerve him from the
path of duty. With him a promise is
sacred with him "yes" means yes and
mo" means no. He is not man desir-
Gus of debating to others nor will he al
low himself to be dictated to.
Decided in bis convictions, broad in
his views, inspired by high moral pur-
pose, ruled by conscience both strong
and informed, he has led a life in this
city conspicuous for its probity and its
stainless integrity.
A HIGH SENSE OF HONOR.
One who was his law partner for sew
eral years said of him: He had ms
high sense Of honor as any one ever
knew, and the keenest sense of justice,
| think, ever saw in any one. This
was especially striking in him. 1t came,
l think, from the fact that he was some
thing more than man who sought to
do justly. He was spiritually minded
man."
A certain reserve characterizas his
manner united with a natural dignity of
bearing which gives some the impress
sion that he is cold and unsympatheiic.
But those who are brought into more
intimate relations with him find him to
be the very opposite.
In conversation he listens intently.
shows keen sense Of humor, and tells
witty, clean, pat story in a manner
that brings down the house. Gener-
ous in his benevoleuces, he has always
taken a hearty interest irf the various
charitable organizations Of the city. and
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