The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1908-12-24

These Have Been Almost as Va
ried as Their Politics and Per-
sonalities Garfield the Only
Preacher -President-Th List
From Washington to Taft.
Literary Digest.
Some one has been stirred by
the recent controversy over Mr..
Taft's religious belief to tabulate
the Presidents according to their
religious or church affiliations. |
The St. Louis Christion Advocate
prints the list, and from it may
be seen, as that journal observes, |
that the creeds of the Presidents
''have been almost as varied as
their politics and personalities"
We read:
washington was an Episcopal
lian, and one Of his biographers
says he was a communicate, while
another declares that although
he was a regular attendant on
the services of that church, he
was no more than an adherent
and sympathizer. John Adams
was a Unitarian, having been
brough up in that faith and ad-
herring to it all his life. Tomas
jefferson was repeatedly charged
with being a free-thinker, some
even said an atheist of the
French school, but after his death
his friends and family asserted
that he was a believer in God and
divine revelation, the immortali-
ty of the soul, and a future life,
their statements being sustained
by certain letters and documents
found among his papers. Madi-
son and Monroe were both men,
bers of the Episcopal Church, re-
naming in that connection all
their lives. John Quincy Adams
was a Unitarian and for most of
his life was connected with the
same congregation which bore
on its rolls the name of his faith
er. For the greater part of his
life, General Jackson had no re.
ligious affiliation whatever, but
in the evening of his days, ano
mainly through the influence Of
Mrs. Jackson, he attended the
Presbyterian Church, and after
her death became in fact as vel
as form a member. On his estate
he built a Presbyterian church
and spent much money in contrib
uting to its support.
Martin Van Buren was not {
member of any church, but was
a regular attendant on the ser
vices of the Dutch Reformed
Church near his home in Kinder
hook, N. Y. William Henry Har
rison was a communicate an(
for a time a vestryman in tn,
Episcopal Church. For a Ions
\ time after his death his pew il
y Christ church, Cleveland, Ohio
bore the silver plate indicating
its ownership. In his inaugura
address, he made what he Gale,
a confession of faith,' testifyin!
. to his religious belief. Tyler
like Harrison, was an Episcopa
lian, and personally a very de
s, vout man. Polk was not a mem
y = Der Of any religious denomina
tion, though in Difference t
Mrs. Polk, he generally attend
ed the services of the Presby
terian Church. During his las
!. illness he was baptized by
Methodist clergyman, a frien
= and neighbor, and formally re
ceived as member Of the Meth
odist Church. President Taylo
was regular attendant on tn
services of the Episcopal Church
and although the testimony
somewhat conflicting, it seem
probable that he was a member
Millard Fillmore was a Unitarian
, born and raised in a family be
longing to that denomination
President Pierce was a Trinitari
an Congregationalist, and his re
ligion is described as more O
the head than of the heart.
> Buchanan was a very acceptabl
member of the Presbyteria
Church.
President Lincoln, althoug
described by his biographers a
IS man of deep religious convic
90 tions, was not a member of an
m denomination, although he ofte
~ attended the Presbyteria
:! Church. Andrew Johnson was NJ
IL a church member, although dul
- ing his residence in Tennesse
'F he generally attended the Meth
dist Church. General Grant neVt
DO connected himself with ar
n church; though when he atten'
n ed services at all, it was gene
" ally those of the Methodists.
Il is said that shortly before h
! "a death he became a membe
~ Hayes was for many years
IN. member of the Methodist Churc
Garfield was the only Preside
who ever oficiated as a preach
and pastor. After leaving t
y pulpit for the platform he I
mained member Of the D
ciples of Christ. President A
" thur was prominently connect
~ with one Of the leading Episcol
churches of New York Gil
President Cleveland was a re
ular attendant and, in his la
years, it is said, a member,
the Presbyterian Church. Pre-
dent Harrison was a Presbyteri
Z 63 and for many years an elder O
= q nh11rch IN IndinnannliS pr