Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-03-01
FOR HARDING'S Oath
Book to 'be Used on Occasion Now
Being Printed.

Being Printed,
/ t:Ii': ::--s = - = = -: -, if:: u:
A. BAPTIST BIBLE WILL BE USED
Volume Will Afterward, Be Presented
Mrs. Harding as isouvenir-Noted
Verses kisse1 by Former Presidents
Are Recalled. "
President Harding, the first
Baptist among Americas presidents,
will have a Baptist Bible upon which to
take the oath as president, March 4.
The Bible, decided upon at a recent
Southern Baptist convention in Nash
vile, is now being printed in the Bap-
tlst publication house in Nashville, and
will be suitably inscribed. After the
inaugural ceremonies it will be sent to
Mrs. Harding as memento Of the oc-
casion. -.
Each new president has a new Bible
bought for the Inauguration by the
clerk Of the supreme court, unless it
happens that he has a Bible which is
preferred. The clerk of the supreme
court carries the book and holds it!for
the president. carefully noting the page
and verse which the lips Of the new
chief executive touch as he completes
the oath Of allegiance, itself very sim
pie and solemn ritual: 49,
kl,k <,yS
fully execute the Office Of the president
of the United States and will ito the
best Of my ability, preserve, protect and
States.
Lodge Bible for Washington.
The custom has prevailed since the
establishment of the supreme court and
has been followed with but three ex-
ceptions throughout the long line Of in
augural ceremonies which have taken
place in the capitol.
General Washington's oath was de-
layed because of>the lack Of a Bible.
Just as he entered the Federal building
in New York, Chancellor Livingston
discovered that there was no Bible In
the building. Master Of st. Johns
Lodge No. of Freemasons, he remem-
bered that there was a Bible in the
lodge room and sent a messenger for it.
1t has since been guarded as one Of the
priceless relics of the lodge.
When President Cleveland was ap-
preached with regard to the details OF
his Inauguration, he expressed desire
to use the worn little red Bible that had
been his mothers boyhood gift and
which bore on the fly leaf. S. G.. Cleve-
land from z his &affectionate mother.
1882. Mrs. Cleveland hunted up the
little volume for the second term and
when it was turned over to her it bore
two inscriptions, the first being signed
by Chief Justice Waite and the second
by Chief Justice Fuller certifying that
March 4, 1885, and again March 4, 1893.
Grover Cleveland had been sworn in as
president.
President Mckinley was the recipient
Of a huge Bible of the family" type,
given him by Bishop Arnett Of the Will
berforce college, negro institution OF
Ohio, on behalf of the African Meth
odist Episcopal church. The Bible was
bound in morocco with satin Innings and
with white satin panels. richly orna-
mented and bearing gold plate en-
graved:
William Mckinley, President Of the
United States of America, lnaugurated
March 4, 1897"
This volume was so ponderous and
heavy that James H. Mckenney, the
veteran clerk of the court was COM
pletely tagged carrying It..
Noted Verses Kissed by Presidents.
Colonel Roosevelt likewise had b.
BILE with personal associations, for Mrs
Roosevelt provided the one which had
been used when he was sworn in as
governor of New York.
During his service Of almost fifty
years as clerk Of the supreme court,
Mr.. McKenny took especial interest not
only in obtaining the Bibles. beginning
with Garfield, but he also carefully
marked the verses of scripture touched
by the lips Of the new presidents anu
day or so afterward either he or his
wife tool. the book to the White House
and put it into the hands OF the frst
lady Of the land.
According to his record. Grant In Sc
lecting a page at random, touched
Isaiah, I'd chapter, verses 2 and 3;
HAYES, Pslam lis, verses II. II and l3;
Garfield, Proverbs, q, /: Arthur, Pslam
81, verses j, 2 and 8; Cleveland. Psalm
l12, verses to 10: Harrison. Pslam
121. verses ! to 6; Mckinley (first) II
Chronicles, chapter l. verse /; second
term, Proverbs 16. verses 20 and Il;
Roosevelt, the only one to open the
book to the New Testament, chose
James, verses % and 25; Taft, / Kings
chapter 3, verses Q, 10 and IL; Presl-
dent Wilson, the first time. selected
Pslam 10, verses 43 to 4S. and the Sec
ond time, the 46th Psalm was noted, put
not the verse.
Mr.. MsKenny held the Bible for nine
| presidents. He died in 1913, and was