Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 April 1885 — Blaine’s Protestantism. [ARTICLE]

Blaine’s Protestantism.

It may not be amiss to state here the religious history of the yonth of the Hon. James G. Blame, as it was repeatedly given to us by his mother and his sister. Hit mother, Mrs. Blaine, has been always a dei voted Catholic, as were all the members at the Gillespie family. But she married a Protestant, and for many years after ths marriage her husband remained a Protestant He even held the maxim that while his wife might teach the daughters as she wished, the sons for his sake should be left untrammeled to chose their own faith. The eldest, James G.,was at an early age sent to a Protestant college, where he spent several years, and where his religious opinions were formed. Mrs. Blaine never ceased to regret the course her son was being made to take, but her protests were unavailing, as her husband persisted in his own determination. Young James had been baptized in his infancy, but he never made his first communion, or received any other sacrament, and, in view of his college influences,,he cannot be said to have ever been willfully recreant to the faith of his baptism. His brothers never left home to receive their education, and they were always, as they pre to day. Catholics. The father at a later day became a convert, and lived afterward an exemplary Catholic. We recall these facts simply that we may give a correct and authentic statement in the case, as it has been so often presented in different and untruthful colorings. James G. Blaine was always a most faithful son and brother; his mother and sister were devotedly attached to him, and were constantly receiving from him marks of truest affection. They never blamed him for not being a Catholic, as they understood too well the circumstances amid which he had been placed, and which were such as to preclude him from all Catholic influences.— St. Paul Advocate (Biahop Organ).