The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1900-01-30
What Was Jefersom's Religi0nY
WAS JEFFERSON A MONSTER?
He Attended Church Regularly, Gave Literally and Never
Uttered a Profane Word.
BY n. B. N. D.

7 preside III thar Institution and send our
impS with neither heads nor horns: tt
SANDER a dead man is an inspiration d.
rect from the personality OF the lower
regions. l quote from Raudalls lie ~
Thomas jefferson:
Mr.. jefferson was q pubic professor
of his bchef in the Christian religion.
An all his most important early Stat"
papers. such as his Summary View Of
the Rights OF British America. in his
portion of the Declaration made by Cen
| greSs on the Causes of taking up Arms.
the Declaration OF Independence. the
| draft OF a Constitution for Virginia. ctc..
there are more or less pointed ccoCn
tons OF God and Providence. In his
two inaugural Addresses is PrcSideuc
Of the United States, and IL many al his
annual messages he makes the same.
| OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES them on several oC-
casions in the most explicit languag-
declare his belief in the efficacy or
prayer, and the duty Of Inscriptions OF
praise to the Author Of all mcrcics, and
speaks of the Christian religion rs pro-
fessed in his country As 4 benign re-
ligion, evineing the favor Of Heaven
Had his wishes been consulted, the
symbol borne on our national seal would
have contained our pubic profession Of
Christianity rs a nation.
There is nothing III his writing or in
the history of his life TO show that his
public declarations We're inSincert. or
thrown OUT for mere effect. On the con
trary. his most confidential writings
sustain his public professions. and ad-
vance beyond them into the avowal OF
q belief in a future state OF rewards ana
punishmcnts.
He contributed freely 10 the erection
Of Christian churches. gave money 10
Bible societies and other religious OBJ
jects and was a liberal and regular con
tributor to the support Of the clergy. Let
tiers of his are eXtant which show him
urging. with respectful delicacN. the ac-
ccptance of extra and unsolicited contri-
buttons. on the pastor Of bis parish. on
occasions OF extra expense 10 the latter.
such as the building of q house. tho
meeting of an ecclesiastical convention
at Charlottesville, etc. In these letters
be assumcs that he is only performing
a duty, and pleasantly compares 10 the
discharge Of q special service. by Il teudal
inferior to his lege lord, IN those extra
ordinary occasions when it was required
by the feudal law.
HE attended church with as much
regularity as most OF the members of
the congregations sometimes going alone
on horseback. when his family remained
at home. He generally attended the
Episcopal church, and when he did 50,
always carried his prayer-book and join
ed in the responScs and prayers of tho
con gregation. He was baptized into the
Episcopal church in his infancy; he was
married by one Of its clergymcn; his
wife lived and died q membe of it; hiA
children were baptized into it, and when
r,n n-,.l 49, --,J H. - 80.
rites; its burial services We're read over
those who preceded him to the grave,
over his wife and finally over himself.
NO person ever heard him utter y
word Of profanity, and those who met
him most Familiarity through periods of
acquaintance extending two or three I"
twenty or thirty years. declare that they
never heard q word Of impiety or any
scott at religion, from his lips. Among
his numerous and familiar acquaintance
we have not found one whose testimony
is different. or who entertained any
doubts OF the strict justice, sincerity,
truthfulneSs and exemplariness Of his
personal character
And this is the man tina Or. KI-o
calls an atheist and Il monster.
Will DR.. kilso tell the public whether
he ever read Rousseau. Noltaire, Tynd1I,
Darwin. Huxley or Spencer? Does hc
know hat Noltaire built q church with
his own money, on his own land for Tn"
exclusive benefit of the poor around
him? n DIR. Kilgo would buy one II
Ingersou's old looking glasses and stand
up before it on Sunday morning. | be
lieve he would see the spirit of Robert
g.. Or, perchancc, he might view In
the spirit world a certain Holy Willie
OF Scotch repute, and mayhap learn his
prayer.
II bless and praise thy matches might.
When thousands thou hast left in night,
That | am here afore thy sight
For gifts and grace,
a burnin' and a shining light
To a this place"
''The mother loves her prattling child.
But as he grows older he. leaves her
side, goes through temptations. falls a
victim to the sins of the world. becomes
an outcast and her heart is chilled to-
ward him. THE MOTHERS LOVE
IS ALL GONE"
There is not a mother in all this world
(save possibly the wretched woman who
brought this Mana Sahib into existenceI
but what clings closer. the viIer and more
worthless her son. Her heart viii al
ways go out to the prodigal. She may
fear and respect her manly son. but
way down, deep in the bottom Of her
soul, IS a warm nest, and lowering wings
for the unlocked cub. This, possibly. IS
a type Of the great enigma Of Christian
cclecticism.
\ man who will SANDER the dead ana
belle the mothers Of the rising genera
ton is a fostering sore on the body poll
tic. and should be cast out Of the syna-
gogue. y. Z. HERRING.
ACCORDING TO RUDYARD.