"VALEDICTORY MESSAGE TO THE GOVERNORS OF THE STATES"
"From his
Headquarters at Newburgh, New York, Sunday, June 8, 1783, General Washington
issued a circular letter on disbanding the army, which was addressed to the
governors of all the States. The
following extracts show his deep religious sentiments:
When we consider the magnitude of the prize
we contended for, the doubtful nature of the contest, and the favorable manner
in which it has terminated, we shall find the greatest possible reason for
gratitude and rejoicing. This is a theme that will afford infinite delight to
every benevolent and liberal mind, whether the event in contemplation be
considered as the source of present enjoyment or the parent of future
happiness; and we shall have equal occasion to felicitate ourselves on the lot
which Providence has assigned us, whether we view it in a natural, a political,
or moral point of light. . . .
They [the citizens of America] are from
this period to be considered as the actors on a most conspicuous theatre, which
seems to be peculiarly designated by Providence for the display of human
greatness and felicity. Here they are not only surrounded with everything,
which can contribute to the completion of private and domestic enjoyment, but
Heaven has crowned all its other blessings, by giving a fairer opportunity for
political happiness, than any other nation has ever been favored with. . . .
The free cultivation of letters, the unbounded extension of commerce, the
progressive refinement of manners, the growing liberality of sentiment and,
above all, the pure and benign light of Revelation, have had a meliorating
influence on mankind and increased the blessings of society.
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
It
remains, then, to be my final and only request, that your Excellency will
communicate these sentiments to your Legislature at their next meeting, and
that they may be considered as the legacy of one who has ardently wished, on
all occasions, to be useful to his country, and who, even in the shade of
retirement, will not fail to implore the Divine benediction upon it. I now make
it my earnest prayer, that God would have you and the State over which you
preside, in his Holy protection; that He would incline the hearts of the
citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; to
entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow
citizens of the United States at large, and particularly for their brethren who
have served in the field; and finally, that He would most graciously be pleased
to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with
that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which are the
characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without an
humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a
happy nation." 1
"TAKES NO CREDIT TO HIMSELF"
"In an address
to mayor, recorder, aldermen and Common Council of the city of Philadelphia, at
a great civic banquet, April 20, 1789, in reply to a congratulatory address on
his election to be President, he says:
When I contemplate the interposition of
Providence, as it was manifested in guiding us through the Revolution, in
preparing us for the reception of a general government, and in conciliating the
good will of the people of America towards one another after its adoption, I
feel myself oppressed and almost overwhelmed with a sense of the divine
munificence. I feel that nothing is due to my personal agency in all these
complicated and wonderful events, except what can simply be attributed to the
exertions of an honest zeal for the good of my country.
If I have distressing apprehensions,
that I shall not be able to justify the too exalted expectations of my
countrymen, I am supported under the pressure of such uneasy reflections by a
confidence that the most gracious Being, who has hitherto watched over the
interests and averted the perils of the United States, will never suffer so
fair an inheritance to become a prey to anarchy, despotism, or any other species
of oppression." 2
Too bad our current crop of political leaders can’t exhibit
that same humility.
Christ, not man, is King!
Dale
1)
William J. Johnson, George Washington, The
Christian (New York, NY: The Abingdon Press, 1919), p. 139-141.
2)
Ibid.,
158.
No comments:
Post a Comment