The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1909-05-15

THE CREEDS :
OF THE
PRESIDENTS ;

JUST now 10 ue VI puUIll lAtCioo'' VA
this point a writer in the Christian
Advocate (St. Louis) says: Wash
ington was an Episcopalian, and one
Of his biographers says he was a com
municant, 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 q
Unitarian, having been brought up in
that faith and adhering to 1t all MS
life. Thomas Jefferson was repeated
ly charged with being a frcethlnker,
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 immortality of the
soul and future life, their state
ments being sustained by certain let
tiers and documents found among his
papers. Madison and Monroe were
both members of the Episcopal
church. remaining in that connection
all their lives. John Quincy Adams
was Unitarian and for most OF his
life was connected with the same
congregation which bore on its rolls
the name of his father. For the
greater part OF his life, General JACK
son had no religious at!iilation what
ever, but in the evening and his
days and mainly through the lnflu-
ence of Mrs. Jackson, he attended the
Presbyterian church, and after her
death became in fact as we'll as form
a member. On his estate he built a
Presbyterian church and spent much
money in contributing to its support.
According to this same writer:
Der of any church, but was regular
attendant on the services Of the Dutch
Reformed church near his home in
Undertook, ~. Y. William Henry
Harrison was communicate and for
a time a vestryman in the Episcopal
church. For a long time after his
death his pew in Christ church.
Cleveland, Ohio, bore the silver plate
indicating it's ownership. In his IN
augural address, he made what he
called a confession of faith" testify
ing to his religious belief Tyler,
like Harrison, was an Episcopallan,
and personally a very devout man.
Polk was not member Of any re-
ligious denomination, though in de-
ference to Mrs. Polk. he generally
0f no
terrain Church. During his last Ill
ness he was baptized by Methodist
clergyman, friend and neighbor.
and formally received as member
OF the Methodist church. President
Taylor was a regular attendant on
the services Of the Episcopal church,
and although the testimony is some
what conflicting, it seems probable
that he was a member. Millard Fill
more was a Unitarian, born and
raised in a family belonging to that
denomination. President Pierce was
a Trinitarian Congregationalist, and
his religion is described as more OF
the head than of the heart Buchan-
an was a very acceptable member OF
the Presbyterian church. President
Lincoln, although described by his
biographers as man of deep religious
convictions, was not member OF any
denomination, although he often at
tended the Presbyterian church. An
drew Johnson was not church mem
Der although during his residence IN
Tennessee he generally attended the
Methodist church. General Grant
never connected himself with any
church; though when ne attended SER
vices at all, it was generally those
of the Methodists. 1t is said that
shortly before his dea-h he became
member. Hayes was fer many years
a member of the Methodist church.
Garfield was the only president VINO
ever officiated rs a preacher anf
pastor. After leaving the pulpit for
the platform he remained member
of the Disciples of Christ. President
Arthur was prominently connected
with one OF the leading Episcopal
churches of New York city. presi'
dent Cleveland was regular atten'
dant and, in his later years. 1t Is
said, a member, of the Presbyterian
church. President Harrison was
Presbyterian and for many years an
elder of a church in Indianapolis.
President Mckinley was Methodist.
President Roosevelt is member 81
the Dutch Reformed Church. TAFT
is a Unitarian"