“A man of spirit” or “men of spirit and influence” not only have the “proper spirit,” rather than a “discordant spirit,” “mercenary spirit,” “rebellious spirit,” or “refractory spirit,” but they “raise the spirit” and “keep up the spirit” of others. As a general, George Washington wished that there would be “the like spirit in others” as can be seen in his terse prayer: “Would to God a like spirit . . . .”
Given the power of the human spirit for good or ill, General Washington concerned himself frequently with the “martial spirit” or “military spirit.” If “impetuous spirits” became “the spirit which blazed out,” the result might be the “spirit of desertion,” “the spirit of mutiny,” or the “spirit of disaffection.” If “officers of spirit” did not lead, the army would experience a “depression of spirit” or have “damps on their spirits,” “drooping spirits,” a “want of spirit,” or serve “with little spirit.” The result was an “insipid and spiritless” army, “as full of spirit as an egg shell is of meat.” To win the arduous military conflict, the army needed an “heroic spirit,” a “noble spirit,” “spirit and rapidity,” “good spirits,” to act with “great spirit,” “diligence and spirit,” relying on the “innate spirit of freedom.” Indeed, “the requisite spirit for the exigencies of war,” included “that spirit which is always derived from a corps being full,” as well as a “martial spirit and thirst of glory,” “a patriotic spirit,” and “the generous spirit of chivalry.”3
Washington perceived the pervasive role of the human spirit not only in his military life. but also in the realm of civil society, government, and the home. Thus, he wrote “I fear the spirit . . .” and observed the “spirit of the times,” “the spirit pervades,” “the spirit prevailing,” and the “effects of the spirit begin to be visible.” Civilian life included not only the “commercial spirit,” “spirit and industry,” but the evils of “the spirit of “land jobbing,” “thieving,” “meanness,” as well as “mean spiritedness,” an “irritable spirit,” “factious spirit,” “animal spirits,” “domineering spirit.” In the context of government we find such phrases as “Public spirit,” “spirit of our Constitution,” “spirit of justice,” “spirit of republicanism,” “spirit of justice and patriotism,” “laws, the spirit and tendency.” As a married man, he was concerned to “keep up the spirits of my wife.”4
When Washington noted his own “vexation of spirit,”5 he also employed a biblical phrase. Other examples of biblical allusions to man’s spiritual experience include: “spirit and letter,”6 “letter and spirit,”7 “spirit rather than the letter,”8 “prophetic(k) spirit,”9 “spirit of prophecy,”10 “spirit almost prophetick,”11 “spirit of divination,”12 “licenscious spirit,”13 “licentious spirit,”14 “spirit of licentiousness,”15 “May a spirit of wisdom and rectitude,”16 “spirit of perfect good will and conciliation,”17 “actuated by one spirit,”18 “spirit which is at work,”19 “spirit which was at work.”20
The religious nature of man’s spiritual life is also noted by Washington. Positively, he mentions a “spirit of the religions,”21 “spiritual concerns,”22 “spiritual felicity,”23 “temporal and spiritual felicity,”24 “genuine spirit,”25 “warm-spirited,”26 “spiritual good.”27 The negative realities of the spirit are also noted by Washington by the terms: “evil spirits,”28 “daemon of party spirit,”29 “spirit of persecution,”30 and “spiritual tyranny.”31
Washington also refers to Christianity’s idea of the spiritual life when he uses such terms as “Holy Spirit,”32 “true Christian spirit,”33 “pure spirit of Christianity,” and34 “Christian-like spirit.”35 In a letter to a family member, he explicitly and consciously employs a “Quaker” phrase when he asks about “all the workings of the Spirit within.”36 As he contemplates death, he affirms that he is traveling “for the land of spirits”37 or the “world of spirits.”38 When addressing Native Americans, Washington speaks of the “Great Spirit.”39
Washington’s extensive interest in the human spirit and its impact on human behavior is further corroborated by a prayer he wrote, dated January 27, 1776, and sent to his fellow commanding officer Gen. Philip Schuyler. He prays, “That the supreme Dispenser of every Good may bestow Health, Strength and Spirit to you and your Army, is the fervent wish of Dear Sir, your most affectionate and obedient servant, George Washington.”40 The word “Spirit” since it is capitalized could refer to the divine Spirit, which would make his prayer, already significant enough, a very religiously significant matter indeed. But even if “Spirit” here refers to the human spirit, the point is still religiously significant, since Washington is offering a prayer asking God, the “supreme Dispenser of every Good” to give the positive energy of a good human spirit to an entire army, and thereby recognizing that the best of the human spirit is a gift “Dispensed” by divine grace.
WASHINGTON AND THE DIVINE SPIRIT
As we continue our assessment of Washington’s spirituality, we should here note that Washington not only referred to God (about one hundred forty six times)41 and Providence (some two hundred seventy times),42 but he often spoke of God by many honorific titles, such as “the invisible hand” (approximately ninety different instances)43 and frequently referred to Heaven as well (around one hundred thirty three times).44 Moreover, he insisted that God should be worshiped,45 acknowledged,46 adored47 and praised.48 But was this personal for him?
First, it is important to note that Washington’s writings depict a rich prayer life that includes a substantial vocabulary of prayer. His ledgers show that he bought prayer books for his children, his wife, and himself.49 His diary shows that he participated in a day of prayer and fasting.50 When he refers to “my prayers”51 in his letters, they are described with such words as “devout,”52 “sincere,”53 “earnest,”54 “ardent,”55 “unfeigned,”56 and “fervent.”57 Such descriptions reflect a personal spirituality that simply could not be counterfeited for show by a man who prized truth and honor the way that Washington did.
He uses many synonyms for prayer that include such terms as “supplications,”58 “vows,”59 “wishes,”60 “pious entreaties,”61 “beseech,”62 “intercession,”63 “divine benediction,”64 “implore,”65 “oath,”66 “pious exultation,”67 “blessing,”68 “devotion,”69 and “praise.”70 He refers to prayer by such words over one hundred times in his writings.
It is valuable to see the examples of how he personalizes prayer, to address the common retort that these prayers are foisted upon him by speech writers and surrogate composers of letters who had an eye for popular appeal. It is true that we find prayer language that reflects his public role: “prayer time,”71 “thanksgiving and prayer,”72 “fasting, humiliation and prayer,”73 “prayer to be observed,”74 “prayers to Almighty God,”75 “pray the Great Spirit,”76 and the generic “pray heaven.”77
But we also find personalized phrases such as “I pray God,”78 “with my prayers for your health,” “I pray as a member of it,” “a safe return, I pray,” “I must pray Heaven,” “I pray heaven,” “I pray to heaven,” “I pray that heaven,” “I devoutly pray,” “I pray devoutly,” “I most devoutly pray,” “pray devoutly,” “most fervent prayer of my soul,” “I unite my prayers most fervently,” “I ardently pray,” “my ardent prayer ascends,” “more ardently prays,” “my most ardent prayers,” “most ardently pray,” “my earnest prayer,” “I earnestly pray,” “is my sincere prayer,” “very great sincerity,” “we pray God to keep,” “his prayer to the God of Armies,” “reciprocate prayers,” “your prayer for me is reciprocated,” “offering our prayers and supplications,” “all good men pray,” “praying as becomes every good Christian,” “the prayer of your ever faithful,” “we pray,” “they pray,” “your prayers,” “our prayers,” “our fervent prayers,” “the prayer of every good citizen.”
Perhaps all of this will allow us to believe Washington, when he writes to a Polish friend on June 18, 1798, “I do not forget to pray,”79 and when he reflects in his May 28, 1784, letter to the state of South Carolina, the classic biblical prayer text of 1 Thessalonians 5:17, declaring, “my prayers for the welfare of your State, shall never cease.”80
It is also fascinating to consider to whom Washington was writing when he mentioned these personal prayers. We might call them Washington’s prayer list. They included the army,81 patriots,82 the governors of each state in the new union,83 Marquis de Lafayette,84 John Hancock,85 Benjamin Franklin,86 Gov. Navarro,87 the citizens of Baltimore,88 his hometown of Fredericksburg,89 the State of South Carolina,90 the Reformed Dutch Church in Albany,91 the Dutch Reformed churches,92 the Fairfax family,93 the nation of Ireland,94 the King of France,95 the Queen of Portugal,96 preachers such as Reverend William Gordon,97 his good friend from Boston, his own wife Martha,98 and even Thomas Jefferson99—not an orthodox believer in Jesus by virtually anybody’s reckoning.
While we will not list them here, intending to do so in a subsequent chapter, we discover that Washington’s letters contain scores of prayers in various lengths, from a short sentence to even a lengthy paragraph.100
Washington also clearly spoke of himself as a man of faith. Referring to himself he wrote, “altho’ no sceptic on ordinary occasions,”101 therefore making it clear he was not an unbeliever or Deist. Frequently, we find the phrases “I believe,” “I hope,” “I trust” with the Providence of God in view. Some of these strong statements of faith are:
I go fully trusting in that providence, which has been more bountiful to me than I deserve….102
I have always believed, and trusted, that that Providence which has carried us through a long and painful War with one of the most powerful Nations in Europe, will not suffer the discontented among ourselves, to produce more than a temporary interruption to the permanent Peace and happiness of this rising Empire.103
It is to be hoped, that if our cause is just, as I do most religiously believe it to be, the same Providence which has in many Instances appear’d for us, will still go on to afford its aid.104
I have often thought how much happier I should have been, if, instead of accepting of a command under such circumstances, I had taken my musket on my shoulder and entered the ranks, or, if I could have justified the measure to posterity and my own conscience, had retired to the back country, and lived in a wigwam. If I shall be able to rise superior to these and many other difficulties, which might be enumerated, I shall most religiously believe, that the finger of Providence is in it, to blind the eyes of our enemies.105
But I have the same reliance on Providence which you express, and trust that matters will end well, however unfavourable they may appear at present….106
Without expressing any opinion with respect to the Embassy which Sailed from this Country; I will hope for the best: Being among those who believes that Providence after its numberless favours toward us, will still continue an outstretched arm to help, and deliver us from the evils with which we have been, and continue to be, assailed.107
But that superintending Providence, which needs not the aid of numbers, will lead us I hope to a more fortunate Event.108
“We must, however, place a confidence in that Providence who rules great events, trusting that out of confusion he will produce order, and, notwithstanding the dark clouds, which may threaten at present, that right will ultimately be established.”109
The fortunate discovery, of the Intentions of Ministry, in Lord George Germain’s Letter to Govr. Eden is to be Rank’d among many other signal Interpositions of Providence, and must serve to inspire every reflecting Mind with Confidence. No Man has a more perfect Reliance on the alwise, and powerful dispensations of the Supreme Being than I have nor thinks his aid more necessary.110
Providence has heretofore taken us up when all other means and hope seemed to be departing from us, in this I will confide.111
Tis from dispositions like these that we may hope to avoid an interruption of the numerous blessings which demand our gratitude to Heaven….112
Satisfied therefore, that you have sincerely wished and endeavoured to avert war, and exhausted to the last drop, the cup of reconciliation, we can with pure hearts appeal to Heaven for the justice of our cause, and may confidently trust the final result to that kind Providence who has heretofore, and so often, signally favoured the People of these United States.113
What may have been the ministerial Views, which have precipitated the present Crisis, Lexington, Concord, and Charles Town can best declare. May that God, to whom you then appealed, judge between America, and you. Under his Providence, those who influence the Councils of America, and all the other Inhabitants of the united Colonies at the Hazard of their Lives are determined to hand down to Posterity those just and invaluable Privileges, which they received from their Ancestors.114
As the Cause of our common Country, calls us both to an active and dangerous Duty, I trust that Divine Providence, which wisely orders the Affairs of Men, will enable us to discharge it with Fidelity and Success.115
But I trust in that Providence, which has saved us in six troubles yea in seven, to rescue us again from any imminent, though unseen, dangers. Nothing, however, on our part ought to be left undone.116
Along with Washington’s deep faith in divine Providence, we also find clear statements of a personal commitment to God. On September 22, 1788, to Henry Lee, Washington says, “While doing what my conscience informed me was right, as it respected my God, my Country and myself, I could despise all the party clamor and unjust censure. . . .”117
Such a commitment to God is discernable in the young Washington who wrote in 1756, “It gave me infinite concern to hear by several letters, that the Assembly are incensed against the Virginia Regiment; and think they have cause to accuse the officers of all inordinate vices; but more especially of drunkenness and profanity! How far any one individual may have subjected himself to such reflections, I will not pretend to determine, but this I am certain of; and can with the highest safety call my conscience, my God! and (what I suppose will still be a more demonstrable proof, at least in the eye of the World) the Orders and Instructions which I have given, to evince the purity of my own intentions and to shew on the one hand, that my incessant endeavours have been directed to discountenance Gaming, drinking, swearing, and other vices, with which all camps too much abound: while on the other, I have used every expedient to inspire a laudable emulation in the officers, and an unerring exercise of Duty in the Soldiers.”118
Thus, in Washington’s writings we find personal affirmations of faith in God such as “I hope in God”119 and “I trust in God.”120 These statements of a personal relationship with God and trust in God are also coupled by Washington’s commitment to fulfilling his duties to God and to his neighbor as taught by scripture. Consider his comments in a letter to his close life-long friend and pastor, Lord Bryan Fairfax, written near the end of his life on January 20, 1799, in which his life walk is paralleled to a surveyor’s “straight line” in seeking to fulfill his duties to God and man:
Lady Huntington as you may have been told was a correspondent of mine, and did me the honor to claim me as a relation; but in what degree, or by what connexion it came to pass, she did not inform me, nor did I ever trouble her Ladyship with an enquiry. The favourable sentiments which others, you say, have been pleased to express respecting me, cannot but be pleasing to a mind who always walked on a straight line, and endeavoured as far as human frailties, and perhaps strong passions, would enable him, to discharge the relative duties to his Maker and fellow-men, without seeking any indirect or left handed attempts to acquire popularity.121
On December 12, 1796, to his adopted grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, Washington writes, “…know how anxious all your friends are to see you enter upon the grand theatre of life, with the advantages of a finished education, a highly cultivated mind, and a proper sense of your duties to God and man….”122
Washington is conscious that humans live their lives in the presence of God. Thus we encounter phrases such as “justified in the sight of God,”123 “May that God to whom you appealed judge between America and you,”124 “we might have appealed to God and man for justice,”125 “answerable to God,”126 “accountable to God alone.”127 Living in God’s presence touches the human heart: “God who knows all hearts,”128 “God alone is the judge of the hearts of men,”129 and God “inclines the hearts”130 of men.
WASHINGTON ON HIS OWN PIETY: PROPAGANDA OR PRIORITY?
In 1936, Franklin Steiner, wrote: “Washington may be closer to a ‘warm deist.’ Washington was undoubtedly a moral and perhaps religious man—in his own way. But revising history to pull so many of our founding fathers into the Christian tent is merely propaganda.” 131
