The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-10-01
THEIR RELIGI0 Us VIEWS.
Our Presidents and the Church to
Which they Belonged.

George Washington was a member
Of the Episcopal Church, and was a
great believer in prayer, is as evil
denced by numerous messages. One
was: 1.-The blessing and protection
Of Heaven are at all times necessary.
but especially so in time of public
danger and Distress" He also said:
Though I am a member Of the
Church Of England, I have no exclu-
sive partialities."
John Adams was a Congregational
ist, and came of long line Of Puritan
ancestors, but was liberal in his views
as to religion.
Thomas Jefferson's ideas on religion
are difficult to classify. He was an
admirer of the great Tom Paine. the
agnostic, and was denounced from
New England pulpits as a Goddess
man." but a letter to Mrs. John
Adams shows that he believed in fu-
ture life, where I'VE will meet our
friends" and his life was strictly
moral one. He belonged to no church.
John Quincy Adams was a Congre-
gationalist. like bis father, and wrote
hymn.
Madison and Monroe were both
Episcopalians in good standing.
Andrew Jackson was notoriously
irreligious in his early manhood and
mature life. AS youthat Salisbury.
n. c., he is described as "the most
roaring, rollicking, horse-racing, card
playing, mischievous fellow that ever
lived in the town." After his retire
ment from the Presidency he became
converted and joined the Presbyterian
Church, his dying words being: My
dear children and friends and ser-
wants, I hope and trust to meet you
all in Heaven, both white and black. "
Martin Van Buren never made re-
ligious profession, but was man OF
irreproachable morality.
William Henry Harrison was an
Episcopalian Of strong convictions,
which prevented him from fighting
duels.
John Tyler was also an Episcopa-
lian.
James K. Polk made no profession
until he was on his death bed, when a
Methodist clergyman baptized him.
Zachary Taylor apparently gave the
matter Of religion no thought, but his
wife was an Episcopalian and he con-
tributed to the support Of that
church.
Millard Fillmore was very quiet
and pious man, who affiliated with the
Baptists.
Franklin Pierce was an Episcopal
communicate.
James Buchanan was always pious,
but didn't join the church until after
his retirement from the Presidency,
when he became Presbyterian.
Abraham Lincoln was profoundly
reverential, and, though uncommitted
to any creed, he was essentially de-
vout believer Both his parents were
BaptiStS.
Andrew johnson was not a member
of any church, but tacit believer in
Christianity. He inclined to Method
ism.
Ulysses S. Grant was Methodist,
and extolled for his piety by his biog-
rapherS, though he was never demon
Strative.
Rutherford B. Hayes was a Method
iSt. He was active iu church work,
and was for many years a steward in
his church.
James a. Garfield was a member OF
the Christian church, and was quite
active in all good works.
Chester y. Arthur was an Episco-
palian.
Benjamin Harrison was Presbyte-
rian and active in church affairs.
Grover Cleveland is Presbyterian.
William Mckinley was Methodist.
He was q steward in his church when
he died. 1t is very doubtful if a more
consecrated Christian ever occupied
the presidential chair than William
Mckinley.
Theo. Roosevelt is a member of the
Dutch Reformed church.