Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-10-10

Andrew JacksOn's Religion.

There was sacramental meetinf
in progress at the Hermitage Church
a brick edifice on the pnblic road il
view of and about half mile distan
from the Hermitage, which wa,
erected chiefly, if not exclusively
by means furnished by General An
drew Jackson many years before h,
made a profession of religion, in or
der to crafty the desire of his wife
a devoutly pious woman, to epio,
the exercises of the sanctuary.
The hermitage is about twelv,
miles from Nashville. DR.. J. II
Edgar conducted services Saturday
the day before the administration OF
the Lords Supper. The Genera
occupied a very conspicuous seat
one very near the pulpit. The church
was crowded by neighbors an6
friends who had known him longes
and most intimately. The intensit,
Of interest shown by the general a.
the services progressed was noticed
by all present, and by none more
than doctor Edgar. At the conclu
sion DIR. Edgar hastily mounted his
horse to return home. The genera
followed rapidly in his carriage
AS he drew near he put his head out
of the carriage window and signallet
the doctor to stop. Tne general said
DIR. Edgar you must go home with
me and take dinner The doctor
replied that he could not, as he wa,
under promise to return to Nashville
that evening. With more earnest
ness jackson repeated the invitation
stating that there were very specia
reasons for giving it. The docto,
said he had promised to return tha
evening to the bedside of a lady
member Of his church who was very
Ill. Evidently disappointed tb.
general gave his assent, on condition
that the doctor would break fast witt
him the next morning, as he particu
larly desired conference with him
before the hour for services at the
church.
DIR. Edgar reached the Hermitage
shortly before breakfast. He wa.
received by Mrs. Jackson, wife ot
Andrew Jackson, Jr., who told him
that the general had passed a very
restless night, and that she did no
think he had undressed or even lair
upon the bed. In the chamber ad
Joining she had heard him walk
Ing the floor and signing all through
the night. On entering the cham
Der of the general, DIR. Edgar wa.
Informed by him that he had urged
his invitation the day before becans,
he had seriously thought of connect
Ing himself with the church, bu
had heretofore been prevented from
doing. so by the recurring excitement
OF political campaigns. Now tha
MS political career had ended, hi,
mind, more than ever, was occupied
with the contemplation of the enc
OF his earthly existence, which, In
the course of nature, must be near
He had asked for the conferences ir
order that he might act adyjsedl,
IN applying for membership in thu
church. He therefore earnestly re
quested DR.. Edgar to subject him t.
the examination that might be- re-
CURED by the church, aud that IL b,
made exhaustive. He regarded 4
as matter of profound Importance
ana wanted TO know distinctly tn,
ground on which he stood. He hat
never been false to his fellow-men
and would not be to his Heavenly
Father.
DIR. Edgar proceeded to examin,
the general touching all the cardinal
doctrines of revealed religion, suct
as the plenary inspiration, the di
vine authority of the Holy Scrip
lures, the depravity of our human
natnre, the atonement by the Savior
the operation Of the Holy Spirit
and the new birth effected thereby
After a thorough examination or
these points, which was most salts
factory, DIR. Edgar said: Genera
there is one other point upon which
feel 1t to be my duty to interrogatt
You, but feel some embarrassment
In doing so.' The general replied
tnat In matter of such vast impo
tance he wished q full knowledge o.
every step and to be probed to tn,
core. Thus assured, Doctor Edga
said: General, you have had
very stormy public life, durinJ
which you have been fiercely assailet
Dy enemies personal and political
and doubtless you have thought YER,
unjustly assailed. Can you, do yol
feel that you have freely forgiven
your enemies" The general wa
silent moment, and said that h
freely forgave his enemies, persona
and political, but the enemies of nj