Evening star., 1917-03-04

Of Christian sentiment in these words:
And may He who searches the hearts
of the children of men prosper your
exertions to secure the blessings OF
peace and promote the highest welfare
of our country"
ANDREW JACKSON was a character
that never could be mistaken: positive
In everything he did. He was just as
much SO in religion as he was in poll
tics. He was out and out a Presbyte-
rian. In his inaugural address he said:
Il now commend you, fellow citizens. to
the guidance of Almighty God. with a
full reliance on His merciful providence
for the maintenance of our free lnstl-
tutions"
MARTIN VAN buren, worshiped
with the Dutch Reformed Church. His
expressed belief Is clear: Beyond that.
only look to the gracious protection
of that Divine Being, whose strengthen
ing support humbly solicit. and whom
all. May it be among the dispensa-
tions Of His Providences to bless our
beloved country with honors and with
length Of days; may her ways be ways
OF pleasantness and all her paths be
peace"
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON was
an Episcopaiian. There was no uncer-
tain 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 prospered the
labors Of our fathers, and has hitherto
Ing in excellence those of any other
people. let us unite in fervently COM
mending every interest Of our beloved
country in all after time
John Tyler attended the Protestant
Episcopal Church. At one time he said:
"Confiding in the protecting care Of an
ever -watchsul and over ruling Providence
1t shall be my first and highest duty to
preserve unimpaired the free institutions
under which we live and transmit them
to those who shall succeed me in their
full force and vigor."
James X. Polk-During his last sick
ness. but a short time before his
death, he received the rite Of baptism at
the hands Of a Methodist clergyman, who
was an old neighbor and friend. In his
inaugural address he said: Again hum
bly, supplicating that Divine Being who
has watched over and protected our be-
loved country from its infancy to the
present hour. to continue His gracious
benedictions upon us that we may con-
tinue to be prosperous and happy
people"
Zachary Taylor was not a COM
municant In any Christian church, and il
Is not known that he ever expressed any
preference for any particular denomina-
ton. Closing his inaugural he said: 'In
conclusion 1 congratulate you, my fellow
citizens, upon the high state of prosper
ity to which the goodness Of Divine Pro-
violence has conducted our common coun-
try. Let US invoke continuance Of the
same protecting care.''
Millard> Fillmore's biographer said
of him: He was a sound. practical
Christian without knowing It," In clos
ing his first message to Congress he used
the following beautiful sentence: II rely
upon Him. who holds in His hands the
destinies of nations. to endow me with
the requisite strength for the task. an6
to avert from our country the evils ap-
pretended from the heavy calamity which
| has befallen u.s."
| Franklin Pierce attended the Con.
gregational Church. but was not a com.
municant. In closing his inaugural ad.
dress he said: Standing as I do alrnos
within view Of the green slopes Of Mon.
ticello. and, as it were. within reach o.
the tomb of Washington. we all cherish
memories of the past. the gathering round
me, like SO many eloquent voices Of ex-
hortation from Heaven, can express NJ
better hope for my country than that the
kind Providence which smiled upon oul
| fathers may enable their children to pre-.
serve the blessings which they have in.
herited."
James Buchanan was unmistakab1y
believer. as shown by the open.
ing sentence Of his inaugural, in which
he said: "In entering upon this great
office I most humbly invoke the Goo
Of my fathers for wisdom and firmnes.
to execute these high and responsible
duties"
Abraham Lincoln was an attend.
ant at one of the Presbyterian churches
but not communicate. His faith he
has outlined thus: THE Almighty has
his own purposes. Woe unto the world
because of offenses! For it must needs
be that offenses come; but woe to that
man by whom the offense cometh.'"
Andrew Johnson. But little has been
said concerning his religious beliefs
When he took the oath OF office
as President he said: my life as a
public servant has been laborious
one. duties have been mine, conse.
quences have been Gods"
Ulysses S. Grant was Metho-
dist He closed his first inaugural with