The Opelousas courier., 1893-05-27
Presidential Piety.s
Cnnrier.J journal.

Courier-Journal.
George Washington was a member
of the Episcopal church and q great
believer in prayer, as is evidenced by
numerous messages. One was: "Ihe
blessing and projection of Heaven are
at all times necessary, but especially
SO in time of public danger and dis
tress." He also said "ThOugh | am
a member of the Church of England,
l have no exclusive partialities."
John Adams was a CongregatiOnalist
and came Of a long line of Puritan
ancestors, but was very liberal in his
views as to religion. He was baptized
October 26, 1875, in the first church of
Quincy, called 1.-THE Church of States
men,"
Thomas Jefferson's ideas on religion
are difficult to classify. He was an
admirer of the great Tom Paine, the
agnostic, and was denounced from
New England pulpits as n Goddess
man." but a letter to Mrs. John Adams
shows that he believed in a future life,
where eve will meet our friends" and
his life was a strictly moral one. He
belonged 10 no cnuTCI.
John Quincy Adams was a Con
gregationalist, like his father, and
wrote a hymn.
Madison and Monroe were both
Episcopalians in good standing.
Andrew Jackson was VIGOROUSLY
irreligious in his early manhood and
mature life. AS a youth at Salisbury,
N. c., he is described as "the most
roaring, rollickiDg, game-cocking,
horse.racing, card playing, mischiey-
GUS fellow that ever lived in the
town. After his retirement from the
presidency he became converted and
joined the Presbyterian church, his
dying words being: my dear chill.
dren, and friends and servants, | hope
and trust to meet you all in heaven,
both white and black
Martin Van Buren, never made any
religious profession, but was a man
of irreproachable morality, and accord
ing to the orthodox ones, is now
burning.
William Henry Harrison was au
~Episcopalian of strong convictions,
which prevented him from fighting
duels.
John Tyler was also an Episcopa,
liam.
James K. Polk made no profession
until he was on his death-bed, when
methodist clergyman sprinkled him.
Zachary Taylor didn't give the
question any thought, but meekly paid
his wife's contributions to the Episco-
pal church. oTaylor was very i~lliterate,
know little about theology and cared
Willard Fill, ore was "a very quiet
but pious man. who affiliated with the
Baptists.
Franklin Pierce was an Episcopal
communicate.
James B~uchaian was always pious,
but didn't join the church gptil after
his retirement from the presidency,
when he became a Presbyterian.
Abraham Lincoln, according to Col.
Bob Ingersoll, was a disciple of
Voltaire, but he expressed christian
convictions and vas inclined to spirit
ualism. Both his parents were
Baptists.
Andrew Johnson was not a member
of any church, but a tacit believer in
christianity. He was unusually handy
with his "cuss Words" and inclined to
Methodism.
Ulysses S. Grant was q Methodist,
and extolled for his piety by his
biographers, though he was never
known to do anything beyond letting
fall a few pious remarks.
Rutherford B. Hayes was o Meth
odist.
James A. Garfield was a member
the church of Christ, or Campbell
lite Church, and once tried his hand
at preaching.
Chester A. Arthur was an Episco-
who played a good game of
Benjamin Harrison is a Presbyterian,
and attends church quite regularly.
Grover Cleveland gets his supply
Of Christian fortitude to deal with the
pie hunters from the Calvinistic fount
also.