The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-07-20
GEN. HARRISON AT HOME.
What the Pastor of the First Pres
byterlan Church of indianapolis
Says of Him.

lRev. NJ. L. Haines in New York independently
To the Editor Of THE INDEPENDENT:
Your request of information concerning
General Harrison is before me. / suppose
your desire is to learn especially what he has
been in his relations to the church Of which
he is member, and how he is regarded hele
by those who have been intimately associ-
ated with him in religious and social rela-
tions.
When he came to Indianapolis as a young
lawyer at the age of twenty two he was al
ready a protesting Christian. He had unit
ed with the Presbyterian church Of Oxford
Ohio, during his student life at Miami Uni
versity. Mrs. Harrison and he brought
their church letters with them and identified
themselves Immediately with the First Pres
byterian Church Of this city. During the
thirty-four years since that time they have
been among its most consistent, efficient and
honored members.
The Rev. Drs. j. III. Nixon, of Whining
ton. r. d. Harper, of Philadelphia, }. p.
Kumler, of Pittsburg, and Myron Reed, Of
Denver, each Of then, has been in succession
the pastor of the First church, could, 1 doubt
not, give interesting "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 the
deacon, and four years later, in January
1861, under DIR. Nixon's pastorate, was made
an elder, the ordination service as the church
records reads being performed by the lay
ing on Of the hands Of the session."
For some time before the war Mr.. Harris
on was superintendent of the Sunday school.
and after his return from the army was for
number of years, up to his election as
United States Senator, the teacher OF the
congregational Bible-cass for men. So sue
cessful was he in this work that he drew to
the class large number OF young men ac-
tive 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 enthusiasm of
the instruction and the inspiration to true
life they received while members OF that
class. One of its former members said to me
yesterday !" l"Gengral Harrison always had a
clear conception of the truth in his head and
he had that truth also on his heart"
Amidst the press OF professional engage
ments he somehow so managed as to be rare
ly absent, and during one of the political
campaigns, when he was speaking six days
in the week, insisted that his appointments
should be so arranged that he could get back
to Indianapolis Saturday evening, and thus
be enabled 10 meet his class Sunday morn
ing. The faithfulness to duty thus exhibited
has ever been a marked characteristic of the
man.
This faithfulness shows ITSELF also. in the
regularity Of his attendance upon the Sunday
and mid-week services at his church, and in
the loyal and thorough way he meet the re-
sponsibilties that rest upon him as an officer.
He takes hold OF his duties with both hands
earnestly. "Our responsibility to God" is a
phrase Ihave heard him use a number Of
times in his prayers, and in such a tone as 10
make it clear that it Is one of the great
truths that shape his thinking and conduct.
sat in his office on Monday last with a
few gentlemen while the bulletins were be-
ing brought In one after another ANNOUNCE
ing the ballots fye minutes after they were
cast In the chicago Convention. The calm
est person In thar 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
70 MIN and said excitedly: General, that
sett'es y, you are going TO receive the nomi-
natieu; now do you feel?" He answered in
MS quiet, deliberate way: "Well. IL it does
settle !, feel more concerned than / did
the other day when thought was beaten"
Ihose who hear General Harrison, when
called ul on to lead in prayer In the Thurs.
Jay evening service In his church, cannot but
notlce the simplicity and chasteness ex-