George Washington: Founding Father, man of faith
February 22, 2005
As a nation, we will be celebrating President’s Day on Monday, February 21st. This is to honor two of America’s greatest Presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. I would like to share some facts of history that our secular historians are trying to bury. I don’t recall exactly how many years, but for over 150 years, this story about George Washington was required reading in our public schools. Today, you can barely find it. Please pass it along to everyone you know.
What kind of men led our country to independence? What formed their values, convictions and character? Deists? Atheists? Christians? Here is a brief sketch of one of America’s greatest heroes and our first President of the United States of America.
The Warrior
Washington distinguished himself in combat during the French and Indian Wars. One of the campaigns in which he served included the Battle of the Monongahela, July 9, 1755. In this action, the British forces were decimated, and his commanding officer, General Edward Braddock, was killed. Fifteen years after this battle, Washington and his life-long friend, Dr. Craik, were exploring wilderness territory in the Western Reserve. Near the junction of the Kanawha and Ohio Rivers, a band of Indians came to them with an interpreter. The leader of the band was an old and venerable chief, who wished to have words with Washington. A council fire was kindled, and this is what the chief said:
“I am a chief and ruler over my tribes. My influence extends to the waters of the great lakes, and to the far blue mountains. I have traveled a long and weary path, that I might see the young warrior of the great battle. It was on the day when the white man’s blood mixed with the streams of our forest, that I first beheld this chief. I called to my young men and said, “Mark yon tall and daring warrior? He is not of the red-coat tribe – he hath an Indian’s wisdom, and his warriors fight as we do – himself alone is exposed. Quick, let your aim be certain, and he dies.” Our rifles were leveled, rifles which, but for him, knew not how to miss … ’Twas all in vain; a power mightier far than we shielded him from harm. He cannot die in battle. I am old, and soon shall be gathered to the great council fire of my fathers in the land of shades, but ere I go, there is something that bids me speak in the voice of prophecy: Listen! The Great Spirit protects that man, and guides his destinies – he will become the chief of nations, and a people yet unborn will hail him as founder of a mighty empire.”
Confirmation of this episode can be found in Bancroft’s definitive nineteenth-century history of the United States. And at that same battle, according to other sources, as well as Washington’s journal, the twenty-three-year-old colonel had two horses shot out from under him and four musket balls pass through his coat. There was nothing wrong with the Indians’ marksmanship!
“Death,” wrote Washington to his brother, Jack, “was leveling my companions on every side of me, but by the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected.”
The Man of Faith
In a little 24 page book titled Daily Sacrifice, written by Washington’s own hand, he wrote these entries:
“Let my heart, therefore, gracious God, be so affected with the glory and majesty of (Thine Honor) that I may not do mine own works, but wait on Thee, and discharge those weighty duties which Thou requirest of me …
“Thou gavest Thy Son to die for me; and hast given me assurance of salvation, upon my repentance and sincerely endeavoring to conform my life to His holy precepts and example.”