d. November 1789, Sunday 22d. Went to St. Pauls Chappel in the forenoon— heard a charity sermon for the benefit of the Orphans School of this City.63
e. January 8, 1797, Clear & Cold—wind at No. Wt. Went to a charity sermon in Christ Church. Alarmed by a cry of fire while there.64
20. Sermons or theological works that Washington purchased.
a. Reverend James Beattie: Evidences of the Christian religion briefly and plainly stated. 2 vols., London, 1786.65
b. Reverend Hugh Blair: Sermons. To which is prefixed that admired tract, On the internal evidence of the Christian religion. 2 vols. Baltimore, reprinted for the Reverend M. L. Weems. 1792-1793. (Published by and purchased from Reverend Mason Weems).66
c. Reverend Gilbert Burnet, Bishop of Sarum: An Exposition of the Thirty Nine Articles of the Church of England. Written by Gilbert Bishop of Sarum. The sixth Edition corrected. London: printed for J. Knapton, C. Hitch, 1759.67
Modern scholars that ignore the sources that George Washington himself drew from have presented a truncated picture of the man. They have remade him into their own secular image, while ignoring his Christian context.
APPENDIX SIX
Abiel Leonard’s Prayer
1
We pointed out earlier in the book that the vast majority of the colonists during the American Revolution claimed to be Christian. The statistics are staggering. At the time the American Revolution began in 1775, 99.8% of the citizens claimed to be Christians. Not 90%, not 98%, not even 99%, but 99.8%. Furthermore, 98.4% were Protestant Christians, 1.4% were Roman Catholics.2
The following is a prayer designed and printed to enable the soldiers to pray in a uniform manner. It was in Washington’s bound collection of pamphlets and sermons. It is important for our study because Abiel Leonard was highly praised by Washington as one of the most exemplary chaplains in his army.
His General Conduct has been exemplary and praiseworthy: In discharging the duties of his Office, active and industrious; he has discovered himself warm and steady friend to his Country, and taken great pains to animate the Soldiery and Impress them with a knowledge of the important rights we are contending for. Upon the late desertion of the Troops, he gave a Sensible and judicious discourse, holding forth the Necessity of courage and bravery and at the same time of Obedience and Subordination to those in Command.3
Leonard’s prayer is deeply patriotic and overtly Christian. It is certain, based upon this evidence, that Washington himself read and prayed this prayer.
A prayer, composed for the benefit of the soldiery, in the American Army, to assist them in their private devotions; and recommended to their particular use:
By Abiel Leonard, A.M., Chaplain to General Putnam’s Regiment in said Army
A Prayer. Most great and glorious God, thy name alone is Jehovah! Thou existest independent of all beings, and art possessed of eternal and absolute perfection! I adore thee as the supreme Governor and Judge among the nations of the earth; who hast in thy wise and good providence divided them, and settled the bounds of their habitations! Thou hast placed the inhabitants of Great-Britain, and of America; not only under the common laws of justice and equity; but also under the most endearing bonds and obligations of brotherly love and kindness towards each other. Those sacred bonds have been violated; and that mutual confidence, harmony and affection, that once subsisted to mutual advantage, in a great measure lost. The enemies of America have sent over a great multitude to cast thy people in this land which thou hast given them to inherit; and to deprive them of their liberties and properties: whereby, O Lord, they have been reduced to the dreadful alternative of submitting to arbitrary laws and despotic government; or of taking up arms in defense of those rights and privileges, which thou, in thy goodness, hast conferred upon them as men and as Christians.
I would adore and bless thy name, that thou hast given thy people a just sense of the value of their important privileges, civil and sacred; and that, that love of liberty and willingness to encounter every temporary difficulty and danger to enjoy it, which glowed in the breasts of their ancestors, and brought them over to settle this land, is enkindled in their breasts; and that they are united in their counsels, and in their measures for their protection, defense and security. O my God, wilt thou be graciously pleased to strengthen and establish the union of their colonies; and favour the Congress with thy blessing and presence! Prosper the means of defense—be the God of the American army, — bless all in general, and in particular command, and grant unto thy servant the commander in chief, wisdom and fortitude suited to his important military station, and crown him with prosperity, success and honor.
O my God, in obedience to the call of thy providence, I have engaged myself, and plighted my faith, to jeopardy my life in the high places of the field in the defense of my dear country and the liberties of acknowledging thy people to be my people, their interest my interest, and their God to be my God. Thou knowest, O Lord, that it is not from a spirit of licentiousness,—lust of independence or delight in the effusion of human blood: but from a sense of that duty; owe to my country and posterity I have voluntarily engaged in this service.—And I desire now to make a solemn dedication of myself to thee in it through Jesus Christ presenting myself to thy Divine Majesty to be disposed of by thee to thy glory and the good of America. O do thou, I most fervently entreat, wash away mine iniquities, blot them out of thy remembrance, purify and cleanse my soul in the blood of the great Captain of my salvation—accept of—own and bless me!
Teach, I pray thee, my hands to war, and my fingers to fight in the defense of America, and the rights and liberties of it! Impress upon my mind a true sense of my duty, and the obligation I am under to my country! And enable me to pay a due and ready respect and obedience to all my officers. Grant unto me courage, zeal and resolution in the day of battle, that I may play the man for my people, and the cities of my God; choosing rather to lay down my life, than either through cowardice or desertion betray the glorious cause I am engaged in. And, O Lord, if it seem good in thy sight, shield and protect me; cover my head in the day of battle; and suffer not the arrows of death that may fly around me, to wound or destroy me: but may I live to do further service to my country—to the church and the people of God, and interest of Jesus Christ, and see peace and tranquility restored to this land.
Give me grace, that I may spend my time in my proper employment as a soldier, furnishing myself with such military skill as may quality me to stand in a day of war, and to speak with the enemy in the gate; wisely filling up my spare hours in acts of religion. May I detest and abhor all sinful oaths, execrations and blasphemies; never using thy name, but on solemn occasions, and then with the most profound reverence! May I never so far lose my liberty, as to become a servant of meats and drinks; but teach me to use thy good creatures soberly and temperately: not enslaving myself to, not losing my reason by indulging a brutal appetite! Enable me to flee all those vices of gaming, rioting, chambering and wantonness which have a destructive and fatal tendency; but as a stranger and pilgrim may I abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul! Enable me to put off all anger, wrath, malice and strife; and live in love with and in the exercise of kindness to my fellow soldiers! Bring content with my wages, may I never do violence to any man, nor seize upon his property through covetousness or greediness of spoil! And may I prove myself a faithful follower of Jesus Christ, whom all the armies of heaven follow; fight the good fight of faith; and have my present conflicts against the world, the flesh and the devil crowned with victory and triumph!
Now, O my God, a mind deeply affected with a sense of thy wisdom, power, goodness and faithfulness, I desire to commit all my concerns to thee,—to depend upon thy help and protection, in all the difficulties and dangers; and upon thy care and provision, in all the wants and necessities that can befall me!
And my family and kindred, whom I have left behind, I recommend to thy care; to receive the blessings of God, the comforts and supports of thy providence and the sanctification of thy Spirit.
And, O Thou, who didst preserve the children of Israel from the hand of Pharaoh and his host,—didst protect and deliver them from all dangers,—didst redeem them out of all their troubles,—and broughtest them out of the land of bondage into the state of liberty,—deliver, I pray thee, thy distressed, afflicted and oppressed people in this land out of all their troubles! Preserve them in truth and peace. In unity and safety, in all storms, and against all temptations and enemies! And by means of the present conflict may the liberties of America be established upon a firmer foundation than ever; and she become the excellency of the whole earth, and the joy of many generations!
And grant, O Lord, that the inhabitants of Great-Britain may arise and vindicate their liberties; and a glorious reunion take place between them and thy people in this land, founded upon the principles of liberty and righteousness; that the Britons and the Americans may rejoice in the King as the minister of God to both for good.
Hear me, O my God, and accept of those my petitions through Jesus Christ, to whom with thee, O Father, and the Holy Spirit, one God, be glory, honor and praise, forever and ever. AMEN
APPENDIX SEVEN
Sermon by the Reverend Bryan Lord Fairfax
This “lost sermon” was recently rediscovered, thanks to the help of the Virginia Historical Society, and is published here with their kind permission. We include it because it shows the biblical nature of the Gospel preaching of the Reverend Bryan Lord Fairfax. The Fairfax family had the deepest influence of all families, other than Washington’s own, on his life and values. Bryan Fairfax not only served as the pastor at Washington’s church in Alexandria, but he was a life-long friend, neighbor, confidant, and fellow fox-hunter. The evidence shows that Washington sought Reverend Fairfax’s pastoral ministry at times of spiritual need, as when Washington asked Reverend Fairfax to officiate at his nephew’s funeral.
The sermon reflects the Gospel preaching that George Washington would have experienced from his personal and pastoral friend. This sermon focuses on the New Testament doctrine of eternal life by faith in Christ’s redeeming work on the cross that results in the obedience of good works. It reflects a modified Calvinist theology of the atonement of Christ.
Sermon by the Reverend Bryan Lord FairfaxMinister of Christ Church,Alexandria, Virginia “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.” St. John 6: 47.
Our blessed Lord, who knew all things, in uttering these words seems to have guarded against their perversion. He knew that their meaning would be perverted, and that they would be strained to bear another, from what they plainly have. Therefore he not only says, He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life, but he introduces it by saying, Verily, verily he that believeth on Me hath everlasting life; as if it were to give a greater sanction to the words.
Notwithstanding this, these words and others of the like import, have been often construed to mean something more than the express. For it is very common with interpreters, when they cannot reconcile one part of Scripture with their ideas, or with another, to strain the meaning of one of them, so as to coincide with the other.
It is for this reason, we may suppose, that though it is declared, that a believer in Christ hath everlasting life, yet because good works are elsewhere mentioned as necessary to salvation, it is concluded that believing, means believing and obeying. As this opinion may be an hinderance to salvation, it may be useful to take notice of it.
I shall therefore in the first place show how this opinion may become an hinderance in the way of salvation.
The great point of the Gospel is to trust in the mercy of God, or to have a faith in the meritorious sacrifice of Christ. If, in consequence of this, I repeat to a man the plain words of Christ, that he that believeth on him hath everlasting life, it is well; but if I also add, you must obey him before you can expect life, I then put a clog on him—a hinderance to his faith. For as long as obedience is such an indefinite thing, he can never tell whether his obedience is perfect enough to entitle him so to trust. Many a one is perhaps kept from trusting through a diffidence in his own goodness. The presumptuous, and they who have the best opinion of themselves, will be most apt to do it upon such a ground; whereas the better any man grows, the clearer will he see his imperfections.
The true ground, therefore, is the promises and declaration of God. A right understanding of the Gospel is the best foundation. The Apostle tells the Colossians of the hope that is laid up for them in Heaven, whereof, says he, ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel. It was from the Gospel they derived their hope—not from their obedience, which, being imperfect, can never give a solid hope in the sight of God.
It is remarkable that wherever faith is mentioned as having annexed to it everlasting life, obedience is never joined to it, because that would destroy what the other was intended to produce.
Many things are best illustrated by examples. Suppose a man is shut up in a close room and ready to faint—one calls to him from without, and tells him to open the door and he will revive. Another tells him he must do many other things also, that it is in vain to open the door unless he can and will do so and so. The poor man is discouraged and dies. Now faith is the door of the heart, when a man opens it life enters, and he is then alert and active and ready to do what is required. So Christ says, “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him and sup with him, and he with me.” This is the great point, to hear the voice of Christ in the Gospel, and to open the heart and receive him, which is life eternal. For to believe in him is to believe his words; and when you believe them, you receive them, his words of eternal life.
What has obedience or good works to do here? Christ tells us to open our hearts and receive him; and if we do we immediately have life. Spiritual death is the fear of [sic] of God. Believe that he is reconciled, or believe that Christ will save you from wrath, and you revive. If you wait for a more complete obedience before you believe this, you will always be subject to doubts and fears, and perhaps never this way attain to a true and lasting peace. We must keep in mind that the words of Christ as spirit and life; this he said upon the subject of believing in him, when he said he would give his flesh for the life of the world. This is the way we are to obtain life. Whatever inducement God may have to give us life, that is another matter. If our repentance should dispose him to give us life, yet still it is through the name of Jesus Christ, through faith in his blood. And although faith is the gift of God, and it is he which enables us to believe, yet whatever hinders our faith should be removed.
