PRESIDENTIAL RELIGIONS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7702, 11 May 1903, Page 2

PRESIDENTIAL RELIGIONS.

A LIST OP CREEDS.

Apropos of President Roosevelt's speech ah a, mass meeting of Wesleyans recently in Carnegie Hall, New York, the New York "World" compiled the following, showing the particular species of religion professed by all the Presidents of the United States from the first to Mr Roosevelt himself: —

Washington was a member of the Episcopal Church.

John Adams was a Congregationalist, and regularly attended the First Church of Quincy, Mass., called the Church of Statesmen, because so many Adams's naye attended it.

Jefferson attended the Episcopal Church and subscribed to it, bub never openly professed any religion. He is generally classified as a Unitarian, as his writings strongly indicate sympathy with that faith. Madison and Monroe were both members of tha Episcopal Church of. Virginia. John Quincy Adams was a Unitarian. Andrew Jackson was converted late in life to the Presbyterian faith. Van Buren bore an irreproachable character, bufc none of his biographer's make any mention of his religious faith. '- •'ii;.-, • William' Henry Harrison was ah Episcopalian, and had strong religious feelings. He refused to fight a _uel on the ground that there were 'liigher obligations than human opinions can impose.' John Tyler was an Episcopalian. James K. Polk professed no religion until he was dying, when he was baptised by. a Methodist clergyman. Zachary Taylor, old * Rough and Ready,' was not a member of any church. His last words were : 'I am not afraid to die. I am, ready. I have endeavoured to do my duty.' < , Millard Fillmore was a Baptist by affiliation, but not by actual profession. Franklin Pierce was an Episcopalian. James Buchanan joined the Presbyterian Church, but not till after he retired from the Presidency. •

Abraham Lincoln was not a member of any church. His parents were Baptists. He himself professed his 'belief in Divine Providence and the power of prayer am many of his public addresses. Andrew Johnson belonged to no church, but had Methodist leanings. ' Ulysses i S. Grant was a Methodist. So was Rutherford B. Haves.

James A. Garfield was a member of" the Campbellite Church, and frequently preached in its pulpits. Chesty Alan Arthur was an Episcopalian.

, • B-en j ami-i Harrison was a Presbyterian, as is G rover Cleveland.

William M'Kinley was a Methodist. Theodore Roosevelt i.s a member of the Dutch Reformed Church.