BUCHANAN, James]. WILSON, Joseph M. The Presbyterian Historical Almanac and Annual Remembrance of the Church for 1860 . Philadelphia: Joseph M. Wilson 1860. 8 o, paper covered boards, 27 engravings of clergymen and churches, Small Library of Congress duplicate stamp on verso of title. In a quarter morocco slipcase. INSCRIBED BY BUCHANAN, AS PRESIDENT DURING THE FATEFUL YEAR OF 1860: "Feb: 8 1860. Presented to me by the Author." While the Union was hurtling towards its greatest crisis, Buchanan was undergoing a wrenching spiritual transformation. A lifelong Christian, he had never formally joined the Presbyterian or any other church. "I am often haunted," he told his brother as early as 1832, "by the spirit of skepticism and doubt" (DeGregorio, Complete Book of Presidents , 213). These persisted until August 1860, when he secretly met with the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in New York City, William M. Paxton. The President poured out all his doubts, which Paxton evidently resolved. Buchanan now wished to openly embrace his faith, but did not do so while still in office, to spare himself the ridicule of press and opponents. Once he left the White House, however, he became a member of the Presbyterian Church of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
BUCHANAN, James]. WILSON, Joseph M. The Presbyterian Historical Almanac and Annual Remembrance of the Church for 1860 . Philadelphia: Joseph M. Wilson 1860. 8 o, paper covered boards, 27 engravings of clergymen and churches, Small Library of Congress duplicate stamp on verso of title. In a quarter morocco slipcase. INSCRIBED BY BUCHANAN, AS PRESIDENT DURING THE FATEFUL YEAR OF 1860: "Feb: 8 1860. Presented to me by the Author." While the Union was hurtling towards its greatest crisis, Buchanan was undergoing a wrenching spiritual transformation. A lifelong Christian, he had never formally joined the Presbyterian or any other church. "I am often haunted," he told his brother as early as 1832, "by the spirit of skepticism and doubt" (DeGregorio, Complete Book of Presidents , 213). These persisted until August 1860, when he secretly met with the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in New York City, William M. Paxton. The President poured out all his doubts, which Paxton evidently resolved. Buchanan now wished to openly embrace his faith, but did not do so while still in office, to spare himself the ridicule of press and opponents. Once he left the White House, however, he became a member of the Presbyterian Church of Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
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