New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-28
MR.. BLAINE'S RELIGIOUS FAITH
HE DIED As IrE HAD LIVED. A PRESBYTERIAN

CAErINN CIDBOSs'S VISIT lat MONTH.
Washington. Jan. - 'Specal.-Mr. Blaine died as
Il" hal Ivrd firm IN his convictions of the truth OF
me Christian religion taught In the PRESBYTERIAN
Faith. ii" was for many years a member of tho Con-
er'satoh1 thir"h Of which the Rev. DR. Rankin. now
president Of Howard University was minister. 1t
was while entering this church SUNDAY morning
early Ia June 1876. that he suffered his first attack
which Frustrated him In front OF the building and
Kept him weak for many days thereafter subsequently,
when a new Presbyterian congregation was formed
on Conncccuiave. near the residence Mr. Blaine
built for himself In l5s0. he became pew holder in
the Church Of the Covenant. Of which the Rev Dr.
lIamn Is pastor. lie Is re ONLY minister who has
approached the bedside OF Mr.. Blaine during his last
illness In his capacity spiritual CONSIDER so that
all the stories circulated Of any change In the re-
igo'S convictions OF Mr.. Blaine absolutely without
foundation.
1t is true that Cardinal Gibbons visited the Blaine
mansion twice in December last but no one more ex
pictly says than the Cardinal himself that he does
not know why he sent t1r and no explanation has
ever been made TO him Tint left other impression
upon his mind than That the purpose OF the sum
mons entirely of a business nature. Ills state
ment. made TO friend here In Washington at the
time that Mr. Blaine had sent for him, but
when he called he was unable 10 converse with him.
nor did Mrs. Blaine know the purpose OF the sum
mons. The story. as related by the Cardinal at the
time, and which then for obvious reasons, would
have been improper 10 make public but which there
Is no longer any good ground for concealng, IS sub
Stantlally as follows:
"On saturday December TO- while arranging for
visit to another part OF my diocese. received telc
gram from Mr.. Blaine requesting TO
Washington. The tenor Of It did not Impress me
being urgent. | Immediately answered that would
be in Washington Monday, and would that I've salts
factory. reply came promptly that Mr.. Blaine
Wished 10 see me that day. Without assuming what
the nature OF the business that made II impcra-
tive for TO 20 al once, hastily made preparations
and In Washington at Mr.. Blane's residence by
o'clock Mrs. Blaine condnc ted 10 the bedside OF
her sick husband who did not appear to have strength
enough 10 speak, and who, Il seemed 10 me- failed
even TO recognize my presence. Ater several mile
"iforts 10 make him understand that | had come In
response to his message. 1t apparent that further
elfort would only worry and exhaust him and With
Drew"
AZ Mrs. Blalne's request, Cardinal Gibbons re
malncd and hnchcd with the family and after that
December IL. the Cardinal, again being In Washing
ton. called at Mr.. BaInc's residence but did not
the sick man al ALL Naturally the Cardinal
wondered what service he could have bren 90 Mr..
Blaine or to the family: but BIS impress
sion. II Is understood Is st that Mr.. Blaine wished
Ia talk 10 him on business only, which had nothing
10 do with matters Of faith.
The visit of Father Thomas sherman was solely as
prrrncr at Mr.. Blanc's bedside was similar To that
II Cardinal Gibbons. Mr. Blaine. however, was abb"
10 recognize him and greeted him much as lie
had been able Ia greet any member OF the family
In Cardinal GIbborIss cas-" however, there was no
apparent recognition by Mr.. Blaine. The fact IS d."
>roprd by the Cardinals statement that Mr.. Blaine
United 10 know fully week before the alarming
change OF December Is