49   WGW, vol. 6, December 20, 1776.

50   Ibid., vol. 5 June 13, 1776.

51   1660 Book of Common Prayer.

52   Boller, George Washington & Religion, p. 181.

53   Rhodehamel, George Washington: Writings, p. 351.

54   WGW, vol. 35, June 4, 1797.

55   See the chapter “George Washington and Communion.”

56   Johnson, George Washington The Christian, p. 59.

57   Rhodehamel, George Washington: Writings, p. 733.

58   WGW, vol. 29, February 11, 1788.

59   “But providence, for purposes beyond the reach of mortal scan, has suffered the restless and malignant passions of man, the ambitious and sordid views of those who direct them, to keep the affairs of this world in a continual state of disquietude; and will, it is to be feared, place the prospects of peace too far off, and the promised millenium at an awful distance from our day.”

60   “If this maxim [meddling as little as possible in their affairs where our own are not involved] was generally adopted Wars would cease, and our swords would soon be converted into reap-hooks, and our harvests be more abundant, peaceful, and happy. ‘Tis wonderful it should be otherwise and the earth should be moistened with human gore, instead of the refreshing streams, wch. the shedders of it might become, instruments to lead over its plains, to delight and render profitable our labours. But alas! the millenium will not I fear appear in our days.”

61   Rhodehamel, George Washington: Writings, p. 693.

62   See the appendix of Washington’s Biblical allusions.

63   WGW, vol. 3, 6-20-1773. To Burwell Bassett.

CHAPTER 31

1     WGW, vol. 17, 11-27-1779. General Orders.

2     Joseph J. Ellis, His Excellency: George Washington (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2004), 7. In general, he talks about “Parson Weems’ fabrications.” Ellis, His Excellency, p. 11.

3     We have provided the Daily Sacrifice prayers in full as an appendix.

4     Washington wrote to John Sullivan, December 15, 1779, “A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words are the true criterion of the attachment of his friends....” He noted to Captain John Posey, September 24, 1767: “...it is Works and not Words that People will judge from, and where one Man deceives another from time to time his word being disregarded all confidence is lost.” He penned to Henry Lee a similar observation (February 13, 1789): “For I hold it necessary that one should not only be conscious of the purest intentions; but that one should also have it in his power to demonstrate the disinterestedness of his words and actions at all times, and upon all occasions.” He noted to William Heath (May 20, 1797): “there will always be found a wide difference between the words and actions of any of them [the European powers].” And one final example should cement the point that deeds were more important to Washington than mere words. He noted to John Trumbull (June 25, 1799): “the words and actions of the governing powers of that Nation [France] can not be reconciled.”

5     George Washington, 1763, George Washington letter to Robert Stewart, April 27, 1763, John Rhodehamel, ed., George Washington: Writings (New York: The Library of America, 1997), 108.

6     George Washington, speech to the Delaware Indian Chiefs, May 12, 1779, John Rhodehamel, ed., George Washington: Writings (New York: The Library of America, 1997), 351.

7     WGW, vol. 29, 5-2-1788.

8     Slaughter, The History of Truro Parish, p. 34.

9     Schaff’s Creeds of Christendom, vol. III, p. 494.

10   Book of Common Prayer (Oxford: Thomas Baskett, 1751).

11   Online Book of Common Prayer 1662.

12   See Chapter 14, note 5.

13   John Rhodehamel, ed., George Washington: Writings (New York: The Library of America, 1997), 279.

14   WGW, vol. 33, 12-23-1793.

15   Ibid., vol. 3, 9-14-1775.

16   Fitzpatrick, The Writings of George Washington, vol. V, pp. 244-245.

17   WGW, vol. 14, 4-12-1779.

18   Benson J. Lossing, The Pictorial Field-Book of the Revolution (1886), vol. II, p. 140.

19   WGW, vol. 12, 9-6-1778.

20   Rhodehamel, George Washington: Writings, p. 526.

21   WGW, vol. 30, 10-23-1789.

22   Ibid., vol. 34, 12-24-1795. To Dr. James Anderson.

23   Ibid., vol. 34, 12-24-1795. To Dr. James Anderson.

24   Ibid., vol. 17, 11-27-1779. General Orders. “Whereas it becomes us humbly to approach the throne of Almighty God, with gratitude and praise for the wonders which his goodness has wrought in conducting our fore-fathers to this western world; for his protection to them and to their posterity amid difficulties and dangers; for raising us, their children, from deep distress to be numbered among the nations of the earth; and for arming the hands of just and mighty princes in our deliverance; and especially for that he hath been pleased to grant us the enjoyment of health, and so to order the revolving seasons, that the earth hath produced her increase in abundance, blessing the labors of the husbandmen, and spreading plenty through the land; that he hath prospered our arms and those of our ally; been a shield to our troops in the hour of danger, pointed their swords to victory and led them in triumph over the bulwarks of the foe; that he hath gone with those who went out into the wilderness against the savage tribes; that he hath stayed the hand of the spoiler, and turned back his meditated destruction; that he hath prospered our commerce, and given success to those who sought the enemy on the face of the deep; and above all, that he hath diffused the glorious light of the gospel, whereby, through the merits of our gracious Redeemer, we may become the heirs of his eternal glory: therefore,

RESOLVED, That it be recommended to the several states, to appoint Thursday, the 9th of December next, to be a day of public and solemn thanksgiving to Almighty God for his mercies, and of prayer for the continuance of his favor and protection to these United States; to beseech him that he would be graciously pleased to influence our public councils, and bless them with wisdom from on high, with unanimity, firmness, and success; that he would go forth with our hosts and crown our arms with victory; that he would grant to his church the plentiful effusions of divine grace, and pour out his holy spirit on all ministers of the gospel; that he would bless and prosper the means of education, and spread the light of Christian knowledge through the remotest corners of the earth; that he would smile upon the labours of his people and cause the earth to bring forth her fruits in abundance; that we may with gratitude and gladness enjoy them; that he would take into his holy protection our illustrious ally, give him victory over his enemies, and render him signally great, as the father of his people and the protector of the rights of mankind; that he would graciously be pleased to turn the hearts of our enemies, and to dispense the blessings of peace to contending nations; that he would in mercy look down upon us, pardon our sins and receive us into his favor, and finally, that he would establish the independence of these United States upon the basis of religion and virtue, and support and protect them in the enjoyment of peace, liberty and safety.”

Ibid., vol. 28, 6-30-1785. To the Countess of Huntingdon. “My Lady: In the last letter which I had the honor to write to you, I informed your Ladyship of the communication I had made to the President of Congress of your wishes to obtain Lands in the Western Territory for a number of Emigrants as a means of civilizing the Savages, and propagating the Gospel among them.”

Ibid., vol. 29, 5-2-1788. To Reverend John Ettwein. “Reverend Sir: I have received your obliging letter of the 28th of March, enclosing a copy of some remarks on the Customs, Languages &c. of the Indians, and a printed pamphlet containing the stated rules of a Society for propagating the Gospel among the Heathen for which tokens of polite attention and kind remembrance I must beg you to accept my best thanks.”

So far as I am capable of judging, the principles upon which the society is founded and the rules laid down for its government, appear to be well calculated to promote so laudable and arduous an undertaking, and you will permit me to add that if an event so long and so earnestly desired as that of converting the Indians to Christianity and consequently to civilization, can be effected, the Society of Bethlehem bids fair to bear a very considerable part in it.”

Ibid., vol. 30, 7-6-1789. To the Society of United Brethren for Propagating the Gospel. WGW, note, “On July 10 an address from the directors of the Society of United Brethren for Propagating the Gospel Among the Heathen was sent to the President from Bethlehem, Pa.

...One paragraph of the reply stated: “In proportion as the general Government of the United States shall acquire strength by duration, it is probable they may have it in their power to extend a salutary influence to the Aborigines in the extremities of their Territory. In the meantime, it will be a desirable thing for the protection of the Union to co-operate, as far as circumstances may conveniently admit, with the disinterested endeavours of your Society to civilize and Christianize the Savages of the Wilderness.”

Ibid., vol. 30, 10-23-1789. To the First Presbytery of the Eastward. “I am persuaded, you will permit me to observe that the path of true piety is so plain as to require but little political direction. To this consideration we ought to ascribe the absence of any regulation, respecting religion, from the Magna- Charta of our country. To the guidance of the ministers of the gospel this important object is, perhaps, more properly committed. It will be your care to instruct the ignorant, and to reclaim the devious, and, in the progress of morality and science, to which our government will give every furtherance, we may confidently expect the advancement of true religion, and the completion of our happiness.”

Ibid., vol. 37, 8-28-1762. To Burwell Bassett. “Dear Sir: I was favoured with your Epistle wrote on a certain 25th of July when you ought to have been at Church, praying as becomes every good Christian Man who has as much to answer for as you have; strange it is that you will be so blind to truth that the enlightning sounds of the Gospel cannot reach your Ear, nor no Examples awaken you to a sense of Goodness; could you but behold with what religious zeal I hye me to Church on every Lords day, it would do your heart good, and fill it I hope with equal fervency.”

25   Ibid., vol. 26, 6-8-1783. Circular to the States.

26   Ibid., vol. 5, 5-12-1779. Speech to the Delaware Chiefs.