Wichita eagle., 1888-08-12
HARRISON'S CHARACTER.
Strong Testimony Concerning 1t from Hi.
Pastor, Rev. N. L. Haines.

/ Strong Testimony Concerning 1t from Hi:
Pastor, Rev. N. L. Haines.
/ Your request for information concerning
General Harrison is before me. writes Rev
Mr. Haines to the New York Independent.
suppose your desire is to learn especially
what he has been in his relations TO thc
! church Of which he is member, and how
he is regarded here by those who have beer
| associated with hin II religious and social
/ relations.
When he caue TO Indianapolis as a young
| lawyer at the age Of twenty-five he was
/ already a protesting Christian He had
united with the Presbyterian church Of OK
/ ford, o., during his student life in Miami
/ University. Mrs. Harrison and he brought
/ their letters with them and identified them
/ selves Immediately with the First Presbv-
/ terian Church Of this city. During the thir-
+ ty-tour years since that tine they have been
/ among its most consistent, efficient and hon.
t ored members.
! Rev. Drs. J. II. Nixon. Of Wilmington: r.
D. Harper, Of Philadelphia; j. P Kumler,
OF Pittsburgh, and Myron Reed, Of Denver,
each OF whom has been in succession the
pastor OF the First Church, could, l 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 dea-
con, and four years later, in January, 1861,
under Or. Nixon's pastorate, was made an
elder, the ordination service, as the church
record reads, beng performed by the lay
ing on Of the hands OF the session"
For some time before the war Mr.. Harri-
son was superintendent Of the Sunday
school, ard after his return from the army
was for a number Of years. Up to his cleo
ton as United States Senator, the teacher
Of the Congregational Bible class for men.
So successful was he in this work that
he drew 10 the class a large number of
young men active IN business and profess
slonal life. l meet among the officers and
members Of the churches of different de-
nominations in the city not few who speak
with enthusiasm Of the instruction and IL
SEPARATION 20 true life they received while
members of that class. One Of its former
members said to ne yesterday: general
Harrison always had clear conception Of
the truth IN his head, and he had that truth
also IN his heart"
Amidst the press Of professional engage
ments he somehow so managed as to be
rarely absent, and during one Of his polit-
ical campaigns, when he was speaking six
days IN the week, insisted that his appoint
ments should be So arranged that he could
get back to Indianapolis Saturday evening,
and thus be enabled TO meet his class Sun
day morning. The faithfulness to duty
thus exhibited has ever been d marked
characteristic Of the man.
This faithfulness shows itself also in the
regularity of his attendance upon the
IN r1ltr :
church and in the loyal and thorough way
he meets the resp possibilities that rest upon
him as an officer He takes hold of his
duties with both hands earnestly. Our re-
spOnsibihty TO God" is d phrase | have
heard him use a number Of times in his
prayers, and in such tone as TO make it
clear that 1t is one Of the great truths that
shape his thinking and conduct.
Those who hear General Harrison. when
called upon to lead in prayer in the Thurs
day evening service il his church, can not
but notice the simplicity and chasteness Of
expression, the humility of spirit, and the
deep sense Of reverence that characterize
his Utterance. l venture to allude to this
because the real disposition Of nan S heart
often comes to Its clearest betrayal in his
prayers.
LIZ - iOOlI bCLCId l hGLLlSDu al utter
absence Of pretenSe or affection He dis
cards any attempt to make show of him
self, and would be the last person to speak
or act for mere effect. Open and straight
forward IN both language and actions, he
lacks that quality of a politician which
makes one expert at . pulling wires" and
- laying pipes" Generous IN his benevo-
lences, he has always taken a hearty inter-
est in the various charitable organizations
of the city, and his popularity among the
Roman Catholics, Hebrews and Protestants
alike attests to the breadth aud genuineness
Of his sympathies.
In religious and charitable activities he
has had an earnest helper in Mrs. Har-
rison. For number Of years she was the
teacher Of the infant class in the Sunday
school. She takes a leading part in the
and social work OF the ladies Of
he church, and is prominent in the man
lgement OF the Indianapolis Orphan Asy-
um and other public benevolences.
Those who would like to read what l see
he hldepc sdcTgt calls - a speech Of remark /.
lble power" Will find IN General Har-
'lsol'S - DanvILe Address, printed in the /
Journal of November =, 1857, (
rs views Of the evils Of the liquor traffic, .
luu LIS 44I44LS utAQlCIdIOQS OF any aILi-
.nce between the Republican party and the
liquor League. General Harrison is en-
an antisaloon Republican In
egard to the form IN which the issue has
olned here in Indiana, his tru.pet has
,iTen no uncertain sound He has de-
Jared strongly fer local option and IN
reased restriction, to the extent to which
,ublc sentiment can secure and maintain
hem
VIII not presume 10 draw aside the vail
hat co1cealS tie home Life Of General Har-
lSon and his family; yet feel free to say
hat II IS d Christian American home Of the
oblest type, where the affection that binds
IS members is purified and strengthened
y faith il God. and where, from the FAM
y altar, that was erected moro than q
bird Of century ago, there goes I'D each
ay the utterance of thanksgiving and
onfession and prayer to ihe Heavenly
ather.
Another Sota be Recruit.
The most popular Denoc rat in the city Of
'ufalo- Grover CleVeland's former home,
Is come cut fer Harrison and protection.
Ion. Jonathan Scovile, ex-Mayor and ex-
Congressman. has publicly declared that he