A Christian In The White House

A Christian In The White House

He honored his God and his country.

ON JANUARY 29, 1843, America’s future president William McKinley Jr. was born. Growing up in a devout Methodist family in Ohio, he trusted in Jesus at age ten when he went forward at a revival meeting. Six years later he became a full-fledged member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the denomination in which he was active his entire life. His mother had hoped in vain that he would become a minister, but God had other designs for his life.

When McKinley was eighteen, the Civil War began. He joined the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and by the end of the war had worked his way up to major. In contemplating the possibility that he could be killed in battle, he wrote in his diary: “Fall in a good cause and hope to fall in the arms of my blessed Redeemer. This record I want left behind, that I not only fell as a soldier for my Country, but also as a Soldier of Jesus. [McKinley’s friends and relatives could be comforted with solace] that if we never meet again on earth, we will meet around God’s throne in Heaven. Let my fate be what it may, I want to be ready and prepared.”

After the war McKinley became a successful lawyer in Canton, where he married Ida Saxton, a temperance worker and Sunday school teacher. Unfortunately, the couple was stricken with great hardship. After the deaths of their two young children, Ida succumbed to a nervous disorder that left her a semi-invalid. McKinley cared for her the rest of his life, remaining a faithful and devoted husband.

Over the years McKinley held various offices within local and state government and in the House of Representatives, becoming a Republican Party leader. In 1896 he successfully ran for president and was inaugurated as the twenty-fifth president of the United States. During his inaugural address, he kissed his Bible that was opened to Solomon’s prayer, “Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?” (2 Chronicles 1:10, KJV). He declared that he would be “relying upon the support of my countrymen and invoking the guidance of Almighty God. Our faith teaches that there is no safer reliance than upon the God of our fathers, who has so singularly favored the American people in every national trial, and who will not forsake us so long as we obey His commandments and walk humbly in His footsteps.”

McKinley’s faith was frequently reflected in his policies. When America seized control of the Philippine Islands from Spain in 1898 and it was unclear what to do next, McKinley prayed for divine guidance. He eventually felt guided to annex the islands to the United States, making sure to educate and evangelize the Filipinos who were “our fellowmen for whom Christ also died.”

On September 6, 1901, McKinley was shot by an assassin, whom he then publicly forgave. McKinley held on to life with courage and dignity for a week, but his condition worsened steadily as infection spread. His doctors were keeping him alive with oxygen and heart stimulants, but finally he said, “It is useless, gentlemen. I think we ought to have prayer.” He said good-bye to his wife and friends and then said weakly, “It is God’s way. His will, not ours, be done.” He then murmured his last words, lines from his favorite hymn, “Nearer My God to Thee.”

Reflection

William McKinley took seriously the Christian’s responsibility to serve God as citizen as well as family and church member. In what ways can you serve God as a citizen?

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant.”

Matthew 20:25-26