The daily morning journal and courier., 1895-09-05
Andrew Jac,sson,s Rellelon.

view of and about half a mile distant from the Hermitage, which was erected chiefly. If not exclusively, by means furnished by General Andrew Jackson many years before he made a profess sion of religion, in order to gratify the desire of his wife, devotedly pious woman, to enjoy the exercises of the sanctuary.
 The Hermitage is about twelve miles from Nashville. Dr. J, T. Edgar con ducted services on Saturday, the day before the administration of. the Lords Supper. The general occupied a very conspicuous seat. one very near the pulpit. The church was crowded by neighbors and friends who had known him longest and most intimately. The intensity of interest shown by the gen eral as the services progressed was noticed by all present, and by none more than Dr. Edgar. At the conciu- sion Dr. Edgar hastily mounted his horse to return home. The general fol-
 
 drew near he put his head out of the carriage window and signalled the doc tor to stop. The general said: "Dr Edgar, you must go home with me and take dinner" The doctor replied that he could not, as he was under promise to return to Nashville that evening" With more earnestness Jackson repeat ed the invitation, stating that there were very special reasons for giving it.. The doctor said he had promised to re- turn that evening to the bedside of a lady member of his church who was very i'll. Evidently disappointed, the general gave his assent, on condition that the doctor would breakfast with him the next morning, as he particu- larly desired a conference with him be- fore the hour for services at the church.
 Dr. Edgar reached the Hermitage shortly before breakfast. He was re- ceived by Mrs. Jackson, wife of An- drew Jackson, Jr., who told him that the general had passed very restless night, and that she did not think ke had undressed or even lain upon .he bed. In the chamber adjoining she 3 had heard him walking the floor and signing all through the night. On en- tering the chamber of the general Dr. Edgar was informed by him that he had urged his invitation the day be- fore because he had seriously thought of connecting himself with the church, but had heretofore been prevented from doing so by the recurring excite ment of political campaigns. Now tEat his political career had ended, his mind, more than ever, was occupied with the contemplation of the end of his earthly existence, which, in the course of nature, must be near. He had asked for the conference in order that he might act advisedly in apply ing for membership in the church. He therefore earnestly requested Dr. Ed gar to subject him to the examination that might be required by the church, and that it be made exhaustive. He regarded it as matter of profound im- portance, and wanted to knew distinct ly the ground on which he stood. He had never been false to his fellow-nlen, and would not be to his heavenly Fath- CT.
 pr, Edgar proceeded to examine the general touching all the cardinal doc trines of revealed religion, such as the plenary inspiration, the divine author ity of the Holy Scriptures, the deprav- ity of our human nature, the atone rnent by the Saviour, the operation of the Holy Spirit, and the new birth ef- fected thereby. After a thorough ex- inf vxrnio 0 :. most satisfactory, Dr. Edgar said: General, there is one other point upon which I feel it to be my duty to interro- gate you, but feel some embarrass- ment in doing so." The general replied that in a matter Of such vast innpor- tance he wished a full knowledge of every step and to be probed to the core. Thus assured, Dr. Edgar said: Gen eral, you have had a very stormy pub lie life, during which you have been fiercely assailed by enemies personal and political, and doubtless yoa have thought very unjustly assailed Can you, do you feel that you have freely forgiven your enemies?" The general was silent a moment, and said that he freely forgave his enemies, personal and political, but the enemies of his poor dead wife, who had been slan- dered in her grave, he did not feel. ir justice to her memory, that he could forgive. pr. Edgar said the injunction laid upon us by the blessed Saviour to forgive our enemies, to pray for them Is positive, and admitted of llv excep- tion. To this the genera made no re- ply for considerable interval, during which he seemed in great mental dis tress Then, Dr, Edgar related, the whole expression of the countenanc4 changed; sweet, heavenly smile il. lumined his face, and the general said "Yes, do forgive, and ask Gods for. giveness of every one toward whom ever felt hostility" He accordingly presented himself for membership ir the church that day, and for the first time sat at the sacramental table. |. Dr. Edgar stated to me that he was { never more thoroughly convinced ot the genuine piety of any one he had ever received into the church.
 was reared under the shadow of the Hermitage. My father and it's sage E were contemporaries in war and roli 5 tics. I was taught from childhood tC revere Jackson's name and fame as next to that of the Father of his Coun \ try. I have seen many men esteemed g ,rrao+ ir oil profoceionS and walks c+