Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-03-05
RELIGIOUS TENETs HELD
BY PRESIDENTS OF U. S.
All Have Been Devout Believers,
but Some Not Church
Members.
EXCERPTS FROM SPEECHES
Nearly All OF Thorn Have Made Ref
erence I'm Inaugural Addresses to
Trust in Supreme Being-Several
Of Them Active In Church Work.

WASHINGTON. March 4.-lnaugura-
ton year always prompts n question IS
10 the religious beliefs or tho men who
have been Presidents OF the United
States.
George Washington was an active
member OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church. His first inaugural address
gives his belief:
omit in this first official act my fervent
suDplications to that Almighty Being
who rules over the universe, who pre-
sides over tho counsels of nations. and
whose providential aids can supply
every human defect"
John Adams was a Unitarian who be-
licved In the guiding providence OF
God. Ho SO states: And may that
Being who is supreme over all. the
Patron or Order. the Fountain OF Jus
tice and tho Protector In all ages of
the world of virtuous liberty, continue
His blessings upon this nation and Its
government. and give 1t all possible
SUCCESS and duration consistent with
the ends OF His providence"
Thomas Jefferson was claimed by
scmo as an agnostic. Let him speak
for himself. Closing ono of his mes
sages no said: And may that Divine
Power which rules the destinies OF tho
universe lead our counsels to what is
best and give them favorable issue
for your peace and prosperity"
James Madison's tenets were more
uncertain. lie made mention In one of
his messages ITO the guidance of that
Almighty Being whose power regulates
tho destiny Of nations"
James Monroe's closing words in his
first inaugural address hrc conclusive
as to his belief: Il enter on the trust
TO which ] have been called By the
suffraSes of my follow citizens with
my fcrvent prayers to the Almighty
God that He will be graciously pleased
to continue to us that protection which
lie has already so conspicuously dis
played In our favor"
John Quincy Adams was a Unitarian.
end his inaugural address was full OF
Christian sentiment in these words:
And may IIe who searches tho hearts
OF the children of men prosper your
cxertionB 10 secure the blessings of
peace and promote the highcot welfare
OF our country"
ANDREW JACKSON POSITIVE
IN HIS RELIGIOUS VIEWS
Andrew Jackson was a character
that never could he mistaken: positive
In everything he did. He was just az
much 40 In religion rs he was in poll
tics. lie was out and out a Presby-
terian. In his inaugural address he
said: II now commend you. fellow ci,i-
zcns. TO the guidance of Almighty God.
with full reliance on His Inerciful
free institutions
Martin Van Buren, worshIped with
the Dutch Reformed Church. Ills ex-
pressed belief is clear: beyond that.
] only look 20 the gracious protection
OF that Divine Being. whose strength
cnins support / humbly solicit, and
whom fervently pray TO look down
upon US ALL May II be among the dis
pensations Of His providences TO bless
our beloved country with honors and
with length of days: may her ways be
ways OF pleasantncss and all her paths
be peace"
william Henry Harrison was an
Episcopalian. There WAS no uncertain
sound In his theology: And to that
good Being who has placed us By the
gifts OF civil and religious freedom.
who watched over and prospcred the
labors OF our fathers. and has hitherto
preserved to US institutions far exceed
ing in excellence those OF any other
people, let us unite In fervcntiy COM
mending every interest OF our beloved
country In all after time"
John Tyler attended the Protestant
Episcopal Church. At one time he said:
"ConhdIng In the protecting care Of an
cver-watchfuI and everything Provi-
dence. II shall be my first and highest
duty to preserve un!mpaired tho free
institutions under which we live and
transmit them 10 those who shall sue
ceed me in their fun force and vigor."
IL.
ness, but n short time before his
death, he received the rite of baptism
at the hands of a Meth odist clergyman.
who was an old neighbor and friend.
IN his inaugural address he said:
Again humbly suppiIcating that ri
Vine Being who has watched over and
protected our beloved country from It's
infancy to the present hour. 10 con-
tinue His gracious bencdictions upon
us that We may continue TO be a pros
porous and happy people"
ZACHARY Taylor NOT
CHURCH COMMUNICATE
Zachary Taylor was not a commune
cant in any Christian church. and II
is not known that he ever expressed
any preference for any particular de-
nomina tion. Closing his inaugural hs
said: "In conclusion ] congratulate You.
my fellow citizens. upon the high state
OF prosperity to which the goodness OF
Divine Providence has conducted our
common country. Let us invoke q con-
tnuance OF the same protecting care"
Willard Filmore's biographer said of
him: "EIe was sound. practical Chris
tian without knowing It." In closing
his first message to Congress nc used
tho following beautiful sentence: II
rely upon Him. who holds In His hands
the destines of nations, to endoW me
with the requisite strength for the
task. and TO avert from our country
the evils apprehended from tho heavy
calamity which has befallcn us"
Franklin Pierce attended tho Con-
Ersgational Church, but was not a COM
municant In closing his inaugural
address, he said: STANDING as do al
most within view of the green slopes
OF Monticello ard. as 1T were. within
reach OF tho tomb of Washington. we
all cherish memories OF the past. tho
gathering round me. liko so many eio-
uuent voices of exhortatlon from
heaven, l can express no better hope
for my country than that tho kind
Providence which smiled upon our
fathers may enable their children to
preserve the blessings which they have
Inherited"
James Buchanan was Enthusiastically
a believer. rs shown by tho open
ing sentence of his inaugural, in which
lie said: "In entcring upon this great
Office ] most humbly invoke the God
OF my fathers for wisdom and firmncss