And now we devoutly offer our humble tribute of praise and thanksgiving to the all-gracious Father of lights who has inspired our public Councils with a wisdom and firmness, which have effected that desirable purpose, in so great a measure by the National-Constitution, and who has fixed the eyes of all America on you as the worthiest of its Citizens to be entrusted with the execution of it.
Whatever any may have supposed wanting in the original plan, we are happy to find so wisely providing in it amendments; and it is with peculiar satisfaction we behold how easily the entire confidence of the People, in the Man who sits at the helm of Government, has eradicated every remaining objection to its form.
Among these we never considered the want of a religious test, that grand engine of persecution in every tyrant’s hand: but we should not have been alone in rejoicing to have seen some Explicit acknowledgement of the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom he hath sent inserted some where in the Magna Charta of our country.
We are happy to find, however, that this defect has been amply remedied, in the face of all the world, by the piety and devotion, in which your first public act of office was performed—by the religious observance of the Sabbath, and of the public worship of God, of which you have set so eminent an example—and by the warm strains of Christian and devout affections, which run through your late proclamation, for a general thanksgiving.
The catholic spirit breathed in all your public acts supports us in the pleasing assurance that no religious establishments—no exclusive privileges tending to elevate one denomination of Christians to the depression of the rest shall ever be ratified by the signature of the President during your administration
On the contrary we bless God that your whole deportment bids all denominations confidently to expect to find in you the watchful guardian of their equal liberties—the steady patron of genuine Christianity—and the bright Exemplar of those peculiar virtues, in which its distinguishing doctrines have their proper effect.
Under the nurturing hand of a Ruler of such virtues, and one so deservedly revered by all ranks, we joyfully indulge the hope that virtue and religion will revive and flourish—that infidelity and the vices ever attendant in its train, will be banished [from] every polite circle; and that rational piety will soon become fashionable there; and from thence be diffused among all other ranks in the community.
Captivated with the delightful prospect of a national reformation rising out of the influence of your authority and example; we find the fullest encouragement to cherish the hope of it, from the signal deeds of pious and patriotic heroism, which marked the steps of the Father of his country, from the memorable hour of his appearance in Congress, to declare the disinterested views with which he accepted the command of her armies, to that hour, not less memorable, when, having gloriously acquitted himself in that important trust, and completely accomplished the design of it, he appeared in the same great Assembly again; and resigned his commission into the hands that gave it.
But glorious as your course has been as a Soldier in arms, defending your country, and the rights of mankind; we exult in the presage that it will be far outshone by the superior luster of a more glorious career now before you, as the Chief Magistrate of your nation—protecting, by just and merciful laws—and by a wise, firm, and temperate execution of them, enhancing the value of those inestimable rights and privileges, which you have so worthily asserted to it by your sword.
Permit us then, great Sir, to assure you that whilst it ever shall be our care, in our several places to inculcate those principles, drawn from the pure fountains of light and truth, in the sacred scriptures, which can best recommend your virtues to their imitation, and which, if generally obeyed, would contribute essentially to render your people happy, and your government prosperous; Our unceasing prayers to the great Sovereign of all nations, shall be that your important life, and all your singular talents may be the special care of an indulgent Providence for many years to come; that your administration may be continued to your country, under the peculiar smiles of Heaven, long be continued to your country, under the peculiar smiles of Heaven, long enough to advance the interests of learning to the zenith—to carry the arts and sciences to their destined perfection—to chase ignorance, bigotry, and immorality off the stage—to restore true virtue, and the religion of Jesus to their deserved throne in our land: and to found the liberties of America, both religious and civil, on a basis which no era of futurity shall ever see removed: and, finally, that, when you have thus done—free grace may confer on you, as the reward of all your great labours, the unfading laurels of an everlasting crown. Joseph Prince, moderator on behalf of the First Presbytery
24 Westminster Confession of Faith, chapter I, paragraph 7, “All things in Scripture are not alike plain in themselves, nor alike clear unto all; yet those things which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed, for salvation, are so clearly propounded and opened in some place of Scripture or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them.” In Schaff, Creeds of Christendom, vol. III, p. 604.
25 WGW, vol. 30, 10-23-1789, note.
26 Reverend Dr. John Witherspoon was a Presbyterian Minister from New Jersey, President of the College of New Jersey in Princeton, and a member of Congress. He was the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. In 1782, he composed one of the Continental Congress’ national calls for a day of thanksgiving: “. . . to testify their gratitude to God for his goodness, by a cheerful obedience to his laws, and by promoting, each in his station, and by his influence, the practice of true and undefiled religion, which is the great foundation of public prosperity and national happiness.” Note that in his mind as an orthodox minister in the Presbyterian tradition, “true and undefiled religion” was a synonym for Christianity. Witherspoon did not directly mention the name of Jesus Christ in his proclamation, but this obviously had no anti-Christian or deistic intent. See Journals of the Continental Congress, on the date specified.
27 PGW, 2:424. As Washington said at the conclusion of his letter to the Virginia Baptists, “In the meantime be assured, Gentlemen, that I entertain a proper sense of your fervent supplications to God for my temporal and eternal happiness.”
28 We will consider Washington’s belief in heaven and eternal life in a latter chapter. For now, notice that he understands happiness as both temporal and future in the hereafter. The import of the “completion” of happiness is eternity. WGW, vol. 25, 11-16-1782. To the Reformed Protestant Dutch Church in Kingston. “In return for your kind concern for my temporal and eternal happiness, permit me to assure you that my wishes are reciprocal....” Ibid., vol. 6, 11-4-1798.to Reverend William Lynn, who had been Chaplain to Congress under Washington’s Presidency and was a Reformed minister from New York City. “Revd. Sir: I received with thankfulness your favour of the 30th. Ulto., enclosing the discourse delivered by you on the day recommended by the President of the United States to be observed as a general Fast. I have read them both with pleasure; and feel grateful for the favourable sentiments you have been pleased to express in my behalf; but more especially for those good wishes which you offer for my temporal and eternal happiness; which I reciprocate with great cordiality....”
29 Ibid., vol. 30, 4-30-1789. “....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....”
30 Ibid., vol. 30, 4-30-1789, “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, cannot 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 forced 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.”
31 Ibid., vol. 30, 4-30-1789, “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.”
32 Ibid., vol. 30, 4-30-1789, “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 on the experiment.”
33 James Thomas Flexner, The Indispensable Man, p. 216.
34 Lillback, Proclaim Liberty, p. 84-86; Sanford H. Cobb, The Rise of Religious Liberty in America (New York: Macmillan Co., 1902), p. 419.
35 This was, of course, in New York City. The U.S. Capitol wasn’t moved to Washington, D.C., until several years later. After the World Trade Center was destroyed on September 11, 2001, by Muslim extremists, Mayor Guiliani marveled to the world how St. Paul’s Cathedral, within the shadow of these towering giants, miraculously survived their destruction.
36 Soldier and Servant Series: Mrs. Alexander Hamilton Witness that George Washington Was A Communicant of the Church (Hartford: Church Missions Publishing Company, 1932).
37 PGW, 6:279-282.
38 Ibid., 5:299-301.
39 Ibid., 3:496-499.
40 Ibid., 2:179-181; PGW, 8:181-82.
41 Ibid., 3:92-93.
42 Ibid., 4:263-265.
43 Ibid., 2:420-422; PGW, 4:274-277.
44 Ibid., 4:198-199; PGW, 8:177-178.
45 Ibid., 3:466-467; PGW, 8:226-227.
46 Ibid., 2:411-412.
47 Ibid., 2:423-425.
48 Ibid., 4:265-269; PGW, 5:296-299.
49 Ibid., 6:287-288; PGW, 4:182-183.
50 Ibid., 6:223-225.
51 Ibid., 5:448-450; PGW, 6:284-286; PGW, 7:61-64.
52 Ibid., 12:40-41.
