George Washington: “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge God”
Bill Federer
Comment by Julio Severo: My feeling by reading this article about George Washington was sheer
joy! The nations need men like him. His America was much better and different
than modern America.
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| George Washington |
Washington
was unanimously chosen as the Army’s commander-in-chief, unanimously chosen as
president of the Constitutional Convention and unanimously chosen as the first
U.S. president.
As
general, Washington acknowledged God after victories throughout the Revolution
and as president thanked God for the Constitution, Oct. 3, 1789: “Whereas it is
the duty of all nations to acknowledge the Providence of Almighty God … I do
recommend … rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks, for … the
favorable interpositions of His Providence … we experienced in the course and
conclusion of the late war … for the peaceable and rational manner in which we
have been enabled to establish constitutions of government.”
Washington
was Anglican, and after the Revolution, Episcopalian. George Washington’s
great-great-grandfather, Rev. Lawrence Washington, was an Anglican minister in
Essex, England, who lost his position when the Puritans won the Civil War.
George
Washington’s great-grandfather, John Washington, immigrated to Virginia and
became a planter, politician and militia leader.
A
local Anglican church was renamed “Washington” in honor of John Washington.
When
he died, John Washington left to the church a tablet with the Ten Commandments,
on which he inscribed: “Being heartily sorry from the bottome of my hart for my
sins past, most humbly desiring forgiveness of the same from the Almighty God
(my Saviour) and Redeemer, in whom and by the merits of Jesus Christ, I trust
and believe assuredly to be saved, and to have full remission and forgiveness
of all my sins.”
George
Washington’s grandfather, Lawrence, was Anglican, as was his father, Augustine,
who served as a vestryman at the Anglican Truro Parish.
George
Washington became vestryman in Truro Parish and was godfather in baptism to a
niece and several nephews.
As
general, George Washington had the Declaration of Independence read to his
troops, then ordered chaplains placed in each regiment, stating July 9, 1776:
“The General hopes and trusts, that every officer and man, will endeavour so to
live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier, defending the dearest Rights and
Liberties of his country.”
General
Washington wrote at Valley Forge, May 2, 1778: “To the distinguished character
of Patriot, it should be our highest Glory to laud the more distinguished
Character of Christian.”
To
the Delaware Indian Chiefs who brought three youths to be trained in American
schools, General Washington stated, May 12, 1779: “You do well to wish to learn
our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ.”
On
Oct. 2, 1775, General George Washington issued the order: “Any … soldier who
shall hereafter be detected playing at toss-up, pitch, and hustle, or any other
games of chance … shall without delay be confined and punished. … The General
does not mean by the above to discourage sports of exercise or recreation, he
only means to discountenance and punish gaming.”
On
Feb. 26, 1776, General Washington issued the orders: “All … soldiers are
positively forbid playing at cards and other games of chance. At this time of
public distress men may find enough to do in the service of their God and their
country, without abandoning themselves to vice and immorality.”
On
July 4, 1775, General Washington ordered: “The General … requires … observance
of those articles of war … which forbid profane cursing, swearing and
drunkenness; And … requires … punctual attendance of Divine Services.”
As
recorded in “The Writings of George Washington” (March 10, 1778, 11:83-84, U.S.
Government Printing Office, 1934), George Washington ordered: “At a General
Court Marshall … Lieutt. Enslin of Colo. Malcom’s Regiment tried for attempting
to commit sodomy, with John Monhort a soldier … and do sentence him to be
dismiss’d the service with Infamy. His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief
approves the sentence and with Abhorrence and Detestation of such Infamous
Crimes orders Liett. Enslin to be drummed out of Camp tomorrow morning by all
the Drummers and Fifers in the Army never to return.”
In
his Farewell Address, 1796, Washington stated: “Disorders and miseries, which
result, gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the
absolute power of an Individual … (who) turns this disposition to the purposes
of his own elevation, on the ruins of Public Liberty. … The spirit of
encroachment tends to consolidate the powers of all the departments in one, and
thus to create, whatever the form of government, a real despotism. … Let there
be no change by usurpation; for though this, in one instance, may be the
instrument of good, it is the customary weapon by which free governments are
destroyed.”
Washington
added in his Farewell Address, 1796: “Of all the dispositions and habits which
lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.
In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labor to
subvert these great Pillars of human happiness.”
Recommended Reading:
Washington said, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and Morality are indispensable supports.” About 20 years ago, I read “God and Country” by Mr. Federer, and the obvious impression is that the term “religion” as used by Washington and other original U.S. patriots meant “Christianity.” So I think that these remarks should be updated into modern English, because the vague term “religion” today is used to mean ANY religion, including Islam. I would not want to see Muslims saying that “Religion and Morality are indispensable supports” also includes Islam. An update is urgently necessary. Christianity best fits what Washington meant.
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