Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-03-05

later called the New York Avenue, Presby-
terrain Church.
Andrew Jackson was dedicated to the Pres
byterian ministry in babyhood in accordance
with the wish Of his mother, but it was not
until the evening Of his life that he joined the
church However, he had been a consistent
worshipper all through the period of his po-
litical career. He attended service regularly,
at ST. Johns; the First Presbyterian Church,
John Marshall place; the Second Presbyterian
Church. New York avenue, and elsewhere,
while in Washington, and made it q matter
of routine to read three chapters of the Bible
daily.
At his home in Tennessee he built, in 1923,
the Hermitage Church in tribute to his wife,
Rachel Donelson Robards, a devout adherent
OF the Presbyterian faith, and it was there, In
1843, at his own altar, that he became q pro-
Tossing Christian. His trust in Providence was
perhaps nowhere more beautifully expressed
than in the epitaph he wrote for his cher
ished helpmate, who died before his inaugura-
ton. The practical value of the Scriptures he
attested in the statement THE Bible Is the
rock on which our Republic rests"
Martin Van Buren, grew up in the faith Of
his mother. member of the Dutch Reformed
Church. He was baptized by pastor Of that
denomination, but in later life he united with
Presbyterian congregational Hudson, N Y.
according to evidence recently found. Not one
to make display of his religion he proved the
depth Of his conviction in the last words he
ever spoke: There is but one reliance, and
that is upon Christ, the free mediator Of
us all"
While President, he attended St. Johns
James Buckingham, member of Parliament
unused to democracy, seeing him there, was
surprised at the lack of formality with which
he came and went president Van Buren,"
I,o v,ko dol
by single servant, took his place in pew
in which others were sitting besides himself.
and retired in the same manner as he came,
without being noticed in any other degree than
any other member of the congregation, and
walked home alone, until joined by one or two
personal friends, like any other private gentle
man."
Mrs. Van Buren, was Hannah Hoes She died
before her husband became President and
their daughter -in-law, Mrs. Abraham Van Bu-
rem, nee Angelica Singleton, was mistress Of
the White House from 1887 to 1841.
William Henry Harrison was the son Of IRE
ngiously trained" parents, but they died when
he was young and he was left to find his own
way through the shadows Of the world. His
path led into the pioneer West, far from the
normal institutions of civilization, and into
the Indian wars and the second struggle with
England. He came to the Presidency, 1841, as
a result of the battle of Tippecanoe fought 80
years earlier, and with no more political ex-
perience than brief service in the House Of
Representatives and temporary appointment
as Minister to Colombia. Inaugurated in
March, he died in April. 1T is said that after
becoming President, the next day he walked
alone out into the City of Washington, and
purchased a Bible and hymn book. The
daily reading of them proved source of in
spiration to him. He avowed his intention to
unite with the church on the ensuing Easter
Sunday, but death took him before that hope
full day arrived" Harrison always spoke of
himself as an Episcopalian, that having been
the communion of his parents. He attended
services at st. Johns during his brief tenure
of the White House. and on at least one occa-
SIGN present at the New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church.
His wife, Anna Symnes Harrison, was brought
up as Methodist by a grandmother, "a
cody woman, whose soul had been deeply
stirred by the preaching of Whitefield, whom
she greatly reverenced and admired" The
teaching received at his knee remained with
Mrs. Harrison to comfort and sustain her in
many trials. She was i'll at the time Of her
husbands Inauguration and never resided in
the Executive Mansion, but she survived until
1864, dearly beloved by her children and grand
children, a woman and mother of the old
school.