George Washington(1732-1799), the lst President of the United States, was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He was also a surveyor, a planter, and a soldier, as well as a statesman. In addition to being politically involved as the chairman of the Constitutional Convention, George Washington was also an active Episcopalian. Considered the most popular man in the Colonies, George Washington was described by Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee in his now famous tribute, as "First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of his countrymen."
On July 9,1776, the Continental Congress authorized the Continental Army to provide chaplains for their troops. General George Washington then issued the order and appointed chaplains to every regiment. On that same day, he issued the general order to his troops, stating:
"The General hopes and trusts that every officer and man, will endeavor so to live, and act, as becomes a Christian Soldier defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country."
On July 20, 1776, General Washington issued the order:
"The General orders this day to be religiously observed by the forces under his Command, exactly in manner directed by the Continental Congress. It is therefore strictly enjoined on all officers and soldiers to attend Divine service. And it is expected that all those who go to worship do take their arms, ammunition and accouterments, and are prepared for immediate action, if called upon.”
General George Washington admonished his troops:
"The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged and destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them.
"The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission, we have, therefore to resolve to conquer or die."
In the freezing winter of 1177, General George Washington was burdened with the lack of supplies for his troops camped at Valley Forge, as well as the overwhelming superiority of the British forces. Soldiers died at the rate of twelve per day, with many not even having blankets or shoes. The Commander-in-Chief himself, records the desperate state:
"No history now extant can furnish an instance of an army's suffering such uncommon hardships as ours has done and bearing them with the same patience and fortitude. To see men without clothes to cover their nakedness, without blankets to lie on, without shoes(for the want of which their marches might be traced by the blood from their feet) ... and submitting without a murmur, is a proof of patience and obedience which in my opinion can scarce be paralled."
A Committee from Congress reported "feet and legs froze till they became black, and it was often necessary to amputate them." Sights of bloody, footprints in the snow and lack of food and shelter caused the Commander-in-Chief to seek divine assistance. The famous account of his resolution was given by Isaac Potts, who was General Washington's temporary landlord at Valley Forge:
"In 1777 while the American army lay at Valley Forge, a good old Quaker by the name of Potts had occasion to pass through a thick woods near headquarters. As he traversed the dark brown forest, he heard, at a distance before him, a voice which as he advanced became more fervid and interested.
"Approaching with slowness and circumspection, whom should he behold in a dark bower, apparently formed for the purpose, but the Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the United Colonies on his knees in the act of devotion to the Ruler of the Universe.
"At the moment when Friend Potts, concealed by the trees, Came up, Washington was interceding for his beloved country, with tones of gratitude that labored for adequate expression he adored that exuberant goodness which, from the depth of obscurity, had exalted him to the head of a great nation, and that nation fighting at fearful odds for all the world holds dear...
"Soon as the General had finished his devotions and had retired, Friend Potts returned to his house, and threw himself into a Chair by the side of his wife. "Heigh! Isaac!" said she with tenderness, "thee seems agitated; what's the matter?"
""Indeed, my dear" quoth he, "if I appear agitated 'tis no more than what I am. I have seen this day what I shall never forget. Till now I have thought that a Christian and a soldier were characters incompatible; but if George Washington be not a man of God, I am mistaken, and still more shall I be disappointed if God does not through him perform some great thing for this Country.”
Henry Muhlenberg, pastor of the Lutheran church near Valley Forge and one of the founders of the Lutheran Church in America, noted concerning General Washington:
"I heard a fine example today, namely, that His Excellency General Washington rode around among his army yesterday and admonished each and every one to fear God, to put away the wickedness that has set in and become so general, and to practice the Christian virtues. From all appearance, this gentleman does not belong to the so-called world of society, for he respects God's word, believes in the atonement through Christ, and bears himself in humility and gentleness. Therefore, the Lord God has also singularly, yea, marvelously, preserved him from harm in the midst of countless perils, ambuscades, fatigues, etc., and has hitherto graciously held him in His hand as a chosen vessel."
On may 1, 1777 news finally came that France was joining the War on the side of America. In his announcement to his troops, General Washington proclaimed:
"It having pleased the Almighty Ruler of the universe to defend the cause of the United American States, and finally to raise up a powerful friend among the princes of the earth, to establish our liberty and independence upon a lasting foundation, it becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the divine goodness, and celebrating the important event, which we owe to His divine interposition.”
General George Washington prayed:
"And now, Almighty Father, if it is Thy holy will that we shall obtain a place and name among the nations of the earth, grant that we may be enabled to show our gratitude for Thy goodness by our endeavors to fear and obey Thee. Bless us with Thy wisdom in our consels, success in battle, and let all our victories be tempered with humanity. Endow, also, our enemies with enlightened minds, that they become sensible of their injustice, and willing to restore our liberty and peace. Grant the petition of Thy servant, for the sake of Him whom Thou hast called Thy beloved Son; nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done."
On May 2, 1778, General George Washington issued these orders to his troops at Valley Forge:
"While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion.
"To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest Glory to laud the more distinguished Character of Christian.
"The sign instances of Providential goodness which we have experienced and which have now almost crowned our labors with complete Success demand from us in a peculiar manner the warmest returns of gratitude and piety to the Supreme Author of all good."
On August 20, 1778, General George Washington wrote to his friend, Brigadier-General Thomas Nelson in Virginia:
"The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this (the course of the war) that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more wicked that has not gratitude to acknowledge his obligations; but it will be time enough for me to turn Preacher when my present appointment ceases."
On May 12, 1779, General George Washington was visited at his military encampment by some chiefs of the Delaware Indian tribe. They had brought three youths to be trained in the American schools. Washington assured them, commenting:
"Congress will look upon them as their own Children ... You do well to wish to learn our arts and ways of life, and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you ate. Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention."
On November 15, 1781, General George Washington wrote to the President of the Continental Congress, Thomas Mckean:
"I take a particular pleasure in acknowledging that the interposing Hand of Heaven, in the various instances of our extensive Preparation for this Operation [Yorktown], has been most conspicuous and remarkable."
On June 8, 1783, at the conclusion of the Revolutionary war, General George Washington sent a farewell circular letter from his headquarters in Newburgh, New York, to all thirteen Governors of the newly freed states. He stated:
"I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you, and the State over which you preside, in his holy protection ... that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves to with that charity, humiliation, and pacific temper of mind, which were the characters of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.”
Washington's Prayer for the United States of America' appears on a plaque in St. Paul's Chapel in New York City as well as at Pohick Church, Fairfax County, Virginia, where Washington was a vestryman from 1762 to 1784:
"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in thy Holy protection; and Thou wilt incline the hearts of the Citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to Government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and their fellow Citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who have served in the Field.
"And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation.
"Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."
On June 30, 1788, after the ratification of the Constitution, George Washington had sent a letter to General Benjamin Lincoln, his deputy in the War, who had accepted British General Cornwallis, sword at the surrender at Yorktown:
"No Country upon Earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings-Much to be regretted indeed would it be, were we to neglect the means and depart from the road which Providence has pointed us to, so plainly; I cannot believe it will ever come to pass. The Great Governor of the Universe has led us too long and too far ... to forsake us in the midst of it ... We may, now and then, get bewildered; but I hope and trust that there is good sense and virtue enough left to recover the right path."
George Washington took the oath of office, April 30, 1789, on the balcony of Federal Hall, in New York City, with his hand upon an open Bible. Then, embarrassed at the thunderous ovation which followed, the pealing church bells and the roaring of artillery, he went inside to deliver his inaugural address to Congress.
In his Inaugural Speech to Both Houses of Congress, April 30, 1789, George Washington proclaimed:
"Such being the impression under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be peculiarly improper to omit, in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations and whose providential aids can supply every human defect,
"that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a Government instituted by themselves for these essential purposes; and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success, the functions allotted to his charge.
"In tendering this homage to the Great Author of every public and private good, I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own; nor those of my fellow-citizens at large, less than either.
"No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States.
"Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency;
"and in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their United government, the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities, from which the event has resulted can not be compared with the means by which most governments have been established, without some return of pious gratitude, along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage.
"These reflections, arising out of the present crisis, have force themselves too strongly on my mind to be suppressed. You will join with me I trust in thinking, that there are none under the influence of which the proceedings of a new and free Government can more auspiciously commence.
"We ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules Of order and right which Heaven itself has ordained; and since the preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered as deeply, perhaps finally, staked of the experiment ...
"I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting once more to the Benign Parent of the Human Race, in humble supplication that, since He has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquillity, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness, So His divine blessings may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend."
In addressing the General Committee representing the United Baptist Churches of Virginia on May 10, 1789, Washington stated:
"If I could have entertained the slightest apprehension that the Constitution framed by the Convention, where I had the honor to preside, might possibly endanger the religious rights of any ecclesiastical Society, certainly I would never have placed my signature to it;
"I beg you will be persuaded that no one would be more zealous than myself to establish effectual barriers against ... every species of religious persecution."
In October of 1789, President Washington addressed the Quakers at their yearly meeting for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the western part of Virginia and Maryland, stating:
"The liberty enjoyed by the People of these States of worshipping Almighty God agreeable to their consciences is not only among the choicest of their blessings, but also of their rights.
"While men perform their social duties faithfully, they do all that society or the state can with propriety demand or expect; and remain responsible only to their Maker for the religion, or modes of faith, which they may prefer or profess."
George Washington issued a 'National Day of Thanksgiving Proclamation' on October 3, 1789:
"Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor...
"Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the twenty-sixth day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these United States ... that we then may all unite unto him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war;
"for the great degree of tranquillity, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted; for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed...
"And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations, and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions, to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually, to render our national government a blessing to all the People, by constantly being a government of wise, just and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed, to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shown kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord, to promote the knowledge and practice of the true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and Us, and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.
"Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3rd of October, A.D. 1789.--Go Washington."
On October 9, 1789, President George Washington wrote to the Synod of the Dutch Reformed Churches in North America:
"While just government protects all in their religious rights, true religion affords to government its surest support."
President George Washington, in a letter dated March 11, 1792, wrote:
"I am sure that never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a Divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our Revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God who is alone able to protect them."
On January 1, 1795, President George Washington issued another 'National Thanksgiving Proclamation':
"It is an especial manner our duty as a people, with devout reverence and affectionate gratitude, to acknowledge our many and great obligations to Almighty God, and to implore Him to continue and confirm the blessings we experienced.
"Deeply penetrated with this sentiment, I, George Washington, President of the United States, do recommend to all religious societies and denominations, and to all persons whomsoever within the United States, to set apart and observe Thursday, the 19th day of February next, as a day of public thanksgiving and prayer,
"and on that day to meet together and render sincere and hearty thanks to the great Ruler of nations for the manifold and signal mercies which distinguished our lot as a nation;
"particularly for the possession of constitutions of government which unite and, by their union, establish liberty with order; for the preservation of our peace, foreign and domestic; for the reasonable control which has been given to a spirit of disorder in the suppression of the late insurrection, and generally for the prosperous condition of our affairs, public and private,
"and at the same time humbly and fervently beseech the kind Author of these blessings graciously to prolong them to us;
"to imprint on our hearts a deep and solemn sense of our obligations to Him for them; to teach us rightly to estimate their immense value;
"to preserve us from the arrogance of prosperity, and from hazarding the advantages we enjoy by delusive pursuits.
"to dispose us to merit the continuance of His favors by not abusing them, by our gratitude for them, and by a corresponding conduct as citizens and as men to render this country more and more a safe and propitious asylum for the unfortunate of other countries; to extend among us true and useful knowledge;
"to diffuse and establish habits of sobriety, order, and morality and piety, and finally to impart all the blessings we posses or ask for ourselves to the whole family of mankind.
"In testimony whereof, I have caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed to these presents, and signed the same with my hand. Done at the city of Philadelphia the first day of January, 1795.
(signed) George Washington."
George Washington articled his understanding of what will keep America great:
"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible."
" It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe, without the agency of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to govern the universe without the aid of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to reason without arriving at a Supreme Being.
"Religion is as necessary to reason, as reason is to religion. The one cannot exist without the other. A reasoning being would lose his reason, in attempting to account for the great phenomena of nature, had he not a Supreme Being to refer to."
"That great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be."
President George Washington, in his Farewell Speech on September 19, 1796, stated in part:
"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports."
"Let it simply be asked where is the security for prosperity, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in the Courts of Justice?
"And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion.
"Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle.
"Tis substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government.
"The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of Free Government. Who that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?"
On the rear wall of Washington's tomb is engraved the verses from the Book of John, chapter 11:
"I am the Resurrection and the Life; sayeth the Lord. He that believeth in Me, though he were dead yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die."
The Holy Bible was found to have directly contributed to 34 percent of all quotes by the Founding Fathers. This was discovered after reviewing 15,000 items from the Founding Fathers, (including newspaper articles, pamphlets, books, monographs, etc.). The other main sources that the Founders quoted include: Montesquie, Blackstone, Locke, Pufendorf, etc., who themselves took 60 percent of their quotes directly from the Bible. Direct and indirect quotes combined reveal that 94 percent of all of the quotes of the Founding Fathers are derived from the Bible.
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