It was just
after the completion of this church that General Jackson made his famous
reply to a young man who objected to the doctrine of future punishment.
"I thank God," said this youth, "I have too much good sense to believe
there is such a place as hell."
"Well, sir," said General Jackson, "_I_ thank God there _is_ such a
place."
"Why, general," asked the young man, "what do you want with such a place
of torment as hell?"
To which the general replied, as quick as lightning: "To put such
rascals as you are in, that oppose and vilify the Christian religion."'
The young man said no more, and soon after found it convenient to take
his leave.
Mrs. Jackson did not live to see her husband President of the United
States, though she lived long enough to know that he was elected to that
office. When the news was brought to her of her husband's election, in
December, 1828, she quietly said: "Well, for Mr. Jackson's sake" (she
always called him Mr. Jackson) "I am glad; for my own part, I never
wished it."
The people of Nashville, proud of the success of their favorite,
resolved to celebrate the event by a great banquet on the 22d of
December, the anniversary of the day on which the general had first
defeated the British below New Orleans; and some of the ladies of
Nashville were secretly preparing a magnificent wardrobe for the future
mistress of the White House. Six days before the day appointed for the
celebration, Mrs.
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