The Kosciusko star. (Kosciusko, Miss.) 18??-1898, 1895-09-13
ANDREW JACKsoN's RELIGION.
The story of the Clergyman Who Admit
ted the General to the Church.
Glohe- Democrat.

Globe Democrat.
Jackson, Miss, August 10, 1895.
You published in a recent issue
of your paper an account of the
celebrated duel between General
Andrew Jackson and Charles Dick
inson, which was fought on Friday
May so, 1906. Though credited
TO another, the account, in all par
ticulars, agrees with that given
by ames Parton in his life of
Jackson.
propose to present the charac,
ter of General Jackson in another
and very different aspect, and one
which should command a higher
admiration than all the laurels,
civil and military, that ever adorn-
ed his brew. refer to acksons
religious life and experience.
The account | shall give of this
is subject to the same remark
made above, that it confirms the
accuracy of Parton version. Both
he and ! drew our information
from the same source-Jackson's
spiritual adviser, his intimate
friend, sharing his confidence in
the later years Of his life as largely
as any man in the world,
Il was under his ministry that
jackson was received into the
church, and he delivered the funer-
al discourse over his remains.
That man was the honored and
beloved Rev. J. T. Edgar, pastor
for nearly thirty years of the First
Presbyterian clutch of Nashville,
Tenn. He was my father-in-law.
On the occasion of the visit made
by my family to Nashville, as his
guests, he related to me the cir
cumstances connected with the
generals profession of religion and
his uniting with the church, The
impression made upon my memory
is so distinct that | believe | can
repeat the conversation almost lit
orally.
There was sacramento meet
ing In progress at the Hermitage
church, little brick edifce on the
public road in view Of, and about
half mile distant from the Her
mitage, which was erected chiefly,
if not exclusively, by means fur
nished by the general many years
before he made a profession of re-
ligion, in order to crafty the de.
sire Of his wife, devotedly pious
woman, to enjoy the exercises OF
the sanctuary.
The hermitage is about twelve
miles from Nashville. DR.. Edgar
conducted services on Saturday
the day before the administration
of the Lords Supper The gen
eral occupied a very conspicuou:
seat, one very near the pulpit
The church was crowded by neigh
bors and friends who had know
him longest and most intimately
The intensity of interest shown b.
the general as the services pro
crossed was noticed by all present
and by none more than DR.. Edgar
At the conclusion DR.. Edgar hasti
" mounted his. horse to return
home. The general followed rap
idly ia'his carriage As he drey
near he put his head out Of IT,
carriage window and signaled tn,
Doctor ITO stop The genera
said: 'e"Dr. Edgar. you must g
home with me and take dinner
The doctor replied that he coul
not, as he was under promise t
return to Nashville that evening
VITA more earnestneSS JacKSo
repeated the invitation, Stain
that there we've very special rea
sons for giving it. The doctc
said he had promised to retur
that evening to the bedside of
lady member of his. church VIII
was very i'll: Evidently disal
pointed, the general gave his a!
sent on condition that the DoctC
would breakfast with him the ne>
morning, as heparticularly desire
a conference with him before tn
hour for services at the church.
Or Edgar reached the Hermi
age shortly before breakfast. H
was received by Mrs. Jackson, Wi
Of Andrew Jackson, r., who tol
Il / ]