Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1888-07-30
A Glimpse of Gen. Harrison.
To the Editor of the Independent,

our ItquSbl iOi tulbiAibNloh tbli-
cerning Gen. Harrison is before me.
/ suppose your desire is 90 learn
what he has been in his relations 10
the church Of which he is member,
and how he is regarded here by those
who have been intimately associated
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 already a processing
Christian. He had united with the
Presbyterian church Of Oxford, O.. ,
during his student life at Miami Uni
versity. Mrs. Harrison and he
brought their church letters with
them and identified themselves imme-
diately with the First Presbyterian
Church of this city. During the thir-
ty-four years since that time they
have been among its most consistent,
efficient and honored members.
The Rev. Drs. j. III. Nixon, OF
Wilmington r. ID. Harper, Of Phil
adelphia j. p. Kumler, Of Pittsburg
and Myron Reed of Denver, each Of
whom has been i'm succession pastor
of the First Church, could, | doubt
not, give interesting "reminiscences Of
the help they received from this elder
and his wife. Mr.. Harrison, when
but "a years of age, was elected to
the office of deacon, and four years
later, in January, 1861, under DR..
Nixon's pastorate, was made an ell
der, the ordination service as the
church record reads being "perform-
ed by the laying on of the hands Of
the session"
For some time before the war Mr..
Harrison was superintendent of the
Sunday-school, and after his return
from the army was for a number Of
years, up to his election as United
States Senator, the teacher of the
Congregational Bible class for men.
So successful was he in his work that
he drew TO the class a 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 a 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,
"Gen. Harrison always had a clear
conception of the truth in his head
and he had that truth also in his
heart"
Amid the press of professional en-
he somehow SO managed
as to be rarely absent, aud during
one of the political campaigns, when
he was speaking six days in the week,
insisted that his appointment should
be so arranged that he could get back
to indianapolis Saturday evening and
thus be enabled TO meet his class
morning. 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 ser
vices of his church, and In the loyal
and thorough way he meets the re-
possibilities that rest upon him as
an officer. He takes hold OF his du-
ties with both hands earnestly. sour
responsibility to God" is a phrase
nave heard him use n number Of times
in his prayers, and in such tone as
20 make it clear that il is one of the
great truths that shape his thinking
and conduct.
/ sat in the Office on Monday last
With a few gentlemen, while the bull
etins were being brought in one after
mother, announcing the ballots five
minutes after they were cast In the
Chicago convention. The calmest
person in that little group was the
me most interested in the result. /
Nhen,a the beginning of the seventh |
,allot, the word came "California /
old for Harrison," a friend sitting |
lext TO the General turned TO him /
md said excitedly: General, that
ettles it; you are going TO receive
he nomination how do you feel"
lie answered in his quiet, deliberate
vay: "Well il it does settle IL,
eel more concerned than / did the
ther day when thought / was beat
n"
LhO1N WnO /
7hen called upon to lead in prayer In
he Thursday evening service in his
hurch, cannot but notice the sim
licity and chasteness Of expression,
he humility Of spirit and the deep
ense of reverence that characterize
is utterances. ! venture Go allude
D this because the real disposition
{ mans heart often comes 20 It's
learest betrayal in his prayers.
There is about Gen. Harrison an
tier absence of pretence OF affeeta-
on. He discards any attempts TO
lake show of himself, and would
e the last person TO speak or act for
Iere effect. Open and straIghtfor-
ard in both language and actions, he
.cks that quality of a politician
hich makes one expert at pulling .
Tres" and "laying pipes"
Against the urgency Of certain
lends he steadfastly persisted In his
fusal to take any steps which would