Posted on 02/11/2019 2:55:52 PM PST by jazusamo
A letter on God and the Constitution written by George Washington is up for sale after spending decades in a private collection.
The letter to Richard Peters, speaker of the Pennsylvania Constitution, is signed Sept. 7, 1788, and praises God for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
Written a week after Washington told Alexander Hamilton that he would likely accept calls to assume the presidency, the letter came at a time when the Constitution was under attack. Some states wanted to hold a second Convention that may have undermined the Constitution.
“It would seem from the public Gazettes that the Minority in your State are preparing for another attack of the – now – adopted Government; how formidable it may be; I know not,” Washington wrote. “But that Providence which has hitherto smiled on the honest endeavors of the well meaning part of the People of this Country will not, I trust, withdraw its support from them at this crisis.”
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
“Most deists at that time considered themselves Christians.”
I wouldn’t agree with that. Deists who knew that they were about rejected the divinity of Christ.
There weren’t many deists in the United States and those who were are considered “soft deists” compared to what was going on in Europe. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and Thomas Paine are probably the best known.
There were also few prominent atheists. Ethan Allen is one who comes to mind.
You two would fail catechism. Unitarians denied the Trinity then just as they do now.
From the eulogy to George Washington by Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, father of Robert E Lee.
I would love to see Trump buy it.
Didn’t even think of it, that would be great.
meh...
Even Unitarians championed Christian principles for the new nation. God can judge personal salvation.
Deism is very broad - covers a wide range of views.
So would Newton but I’m not saying what I think I’m just the messenger.
So put your gun away!
“So would Newton “
...proving that I shoulda said “the three of you...”
Messengers make good targets
That’s the guy.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/2452/henry-lee
https://jgburdette.wordpress.com/2012/09/06/the-disgraced-hero-light-horse-harry-henry-lee/
“the ramblings of a deranged, slave-owning, racist cracker” made it possible for black men and women to become millionaires more than any place in this world
From the soul of the least expendable of the great experiment. When God was sacred and killing babies at the altar of convenience wasn’t. But we have cell phones and comfort deceptive, draped in priorities clouded. And the curse to be paid in the bed we made.
Yes, he was an active church member and a devout Christian. Historical documents on this are clear.
And donate it to Mount Vernon.
And this sends my blood pressure into the stratosphere.
The idiots now in charge of that church have removed the plaques honoring members Geo Washington and Robert E Lee
Let’s wrap this Freepathon up, Folks!
I read somewhere that George Washington never mentions Jesus' name in his writings (at least those which are preserved).
No, none we atheists/
Of a sample size of 204 Founding Fathers, 54.7% were Episcopalian, 18.6% was Presbyterian, 16.8% were Congregationalist, and the rest composing some other form denomination of Christianity.
Four of the founders were full-time preachers, many of them were the sons of clergymen. Most of the founders were ACTIVE members of their churches at a higher rate than the average individual. (SOURCE: Religion of the Founding Fathers of America)
On the other hand (the Right):
George Washington (1732—1799. First President. Presided over the convention that drafted the Constitution) — It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being. It is impossible to govern the universe without the aid of a Supreme Being. (James K. Paulding, A Life of Washington [New York: Harper & Brothers, 1835], Vol. II, p. 209)
• 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 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 were 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. (The Last Official Address of His Excellency George Washington to the Legislature of the United States (Hartford: Hudson and Goodwin, 1783), p. 12; see also The New Annual Register or General Repository of History, Politics, and Literature, for the Year 1783 [London: G. Robinson, 1784], p. 150; http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=8755#)
• While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian. (The Writings of Washington, John C. Fitzpatrick, editor (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1932), Vol. XI, pp. 342-343, General Orders of May 2, 1778; http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=8755#FN123)
• ...there is no truth more thoroughly established, than that there exists in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness...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 as finally, staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people…. (John Witherspoon, The Works of John Witherspoon [Edinburgh: J. Ogle, 1815], Vol. VII, p. 139, from his “Lectures on Moral Philosophy,” Lecture 16 on Oaths and Vows.
• ...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. (This nations first Inaugural Speech, April 30, 1789. The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States, Joseph Gales, editor [Washington: Gales & Seaton, 1834], Vol. I, p. 27. See also George Washington, Messages and Papers of the Presidents, James D. Richardson, editor [Washington, D.C.: 1899], Vol. 1, pp. 44-45, April 30, 1789; http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=19942#R21)
Washington's Thanksgiving Proclamation, New York, 3 October 1789 — By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation:
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.
Now therefore I do recommend and assign Thursday the 26th day of November next to be devoted by the People of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being, who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be-- That we may then all unite in rendering unto him our sincere and humble thanks--for his kind care and protection of the People of this Country previous to their becoming a Nation--for the signal and manifold mercies, and the favorable interpositions of his Providence which we experienced in the course and conclusion of the late war--for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty, which we have since enjoyed--for the peaceable and rational manner, in which we have been enabled to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness. (http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/GW/gw004.html)
Washington's Farewell Address, 1797 — Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. . . . And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. (Farewell Address, 1797; http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp)
• I am sure there never was a people, who had more reason to acknowledge a divine interposition in their affairs, than those of the United States; and I should be pained to believe that they have forgotten that agency, which was so often manifested during our Revolution, or that they failed to consider the omnipotence of that God who is alone able to protect them. (From a letter to John Armstrong; http://memory.loc.gov/mss/mgw/mgw2/018/1110109.jpg).
Rules for the Regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies of North-America, 1775 — ART. 2. The Commanders of the ships of the Thirteen United Colonies are to take care that divine service be performed twice a day on board, and a sermon preached on Sundays, unless bad weather or other extraordinary accidents prevent it.
ART. 3. If any shall be heard to swear, curse or blaspheme the name of God, the Captain is strictly enjoined to punish them for every offence, by causing them to wear a wooden collar or some other shameful badge of distinction, for so long a time as he shall judge proper...
ART. 42. All witnesses, before they may be permitted to give evidence, shall take the following oath, viz. "You swear, the evidence you shall give in the cause now in hearing, shall be the whole truth and nothing but the truth; so help you God." (Rules for the Regulation of the Navy of the United Colonies of North-America... (Philadelphia: William and Thomas Bradford, 1775; reprinted Washington, D.C.: Naval Historical Foundation, 1944; http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq59-5.htm)
Congress, Sept. 11, 1777 — ....the use of the Bible is so universal, and its importance so great, that your committee refer the above to the consideration of Congress, and if Congress shall not think it expedient to order the importation of types and paper, your committee recommend that Congress will order the Committee of Commerce to import 20,000 Bibles from Holland, Scotland, or elsewhere, into the different ports of the states in the Union.” “Whereupon, the Congress was moved, to order the Committee of Commerce to import twenty thousand copies of the Bible.” (Worthington C. Ford, ed., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789, vol. 8, (Washington D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1907), 733-734) Note: This plan was passed by a close vote, and was partly in order to prevent price gouging due to the oppression of the British, and was never implemented as recommended due to that problem. Yet rather than a strict separation that forbade such help, as imagined by strict separationists, the government then did consider the Bible so important that it was agreeable to obtaining Bibles for the public.
Congressional Thanksgiving Day Proclamation, November 1, 1777 — Forasmuch as it is the indispensable duty of all men to adore the superintending providence of Almighty God; to acknowledge with gratitude their obligation to him for benefits received, and to implore such farther blessings as they stand in need of;... It is therefore recommended to the legislative or executive powers of these United States, to set apart Thursday, the 18th day of December next, for solemn thanksgiving and praise; that with one heart and one voice the good people may express the grateful feelings of their hearts, and consecrate themselves to the service of their divine benefactor; and that together with their sincere acknowledgments and offerings, they may join the penitent confession of their manifold sins, whereby they had forfeited every favor, and their humble and earnest supplication that it may please God, through the merits of Jesus Christ, mercifully to forgive and blot them out of remembrance;...may render them fit instruments, under the providence of Almighty God...to take schools and seminaries of education, so necessary for cultivating the principles of true liberty, virtue and piety, under his nurturing hand, and to prosper the means of religion for the promotion and enlargement of that kingdom which consisteth in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. (http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=3847)
Congressional Fast Day Proclamation, March 20, 1779 — WHEREAS, in just Punishment of our manifold Transgressions, it hath pleased the Supreme Disposer of all Events to visit these United States with a calamitous War, through which his Divine Providence hath hitherto in a wonderful Manner conducted us, so that we might acknowledge that the Race is not to the Swift, nor the Battle to the Strong: AND WHEREAS, notwithstanding the Chastisements received and Benefits bestowed, too few have been sufficiently awakened to a Sense of their Guilt, or warmed with Gratitude, or taught to amend their Lives and turn from their Sins, that so he might turn his Wrath: AND WHEREAS, from a Consciousness of what we have merited at his Hands, and an Apprehension that the Malevolence of our disappointed Enemies, like the Incredulity of Pharaoh, may be used as the Scourge of Omnipotence to vindicate his slighted Majesty, there is Reason to fear that he may permit much of our Land to become the Prey of the Spoiler, our Borders to be ravaged, and our Habitations destroyed:
RESOLVED,
THAT it be recommended to the several States to appoint the First Thursday in May next to be a Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer to Almighty God, that he will be pleased to avert those impending Calamities which we have but too well deserved: That he will grant us his Grace to repent of our Sins, and amend our Lives according to his Holy Word: That he will continue that wonderful Protection which hath led us through the Paths of Danger and Distress:...
That he will diffuse Useful Knowledge, extend the Influence of True Religion, and give us that Peace of Mind which the World cannot give.. (http://www.beliefnet.com/resourcelib/docs/35/Congressional_Prayer_Proclamation_1779_1.html)
Note: In contrast to the above proclamation and those of others in recommending national day of fasting and prayer, Jefferson, a non-Christian and strict separatist (but not as much as many today) dissented, but only as regards the federal level, stating, “I am aware that the practice of my predecessors may be quoted. But I have ever believed that the example of state executives led to the assumption of that authority by the general government, without due examination, which would have discovered that what might be a right in a state government, was a violation of that right when assumed by another. Be this as it may, every one must act according to the dictates of his own reason, & mine tells me that civil powers alone have been given to the President of the US. and no authority to direct the religious exercises of his constituents. (Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Miller, January 23, 1808; http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mtj:@field%28DOCID+@lit%28tj110010%29%29)
Congressional Thanksgiving Proclamation, 1782 — It being the indispensable duty of all nations, not only to offer up their supplications to Almighty God, the giver of all good, for His gracious assistance in a time of distress, but also in a solemn and public manner, to give Him praise for His goodness in general, and especially for great and signal interpositions of His Providence in their behalf; therefore, the Unites States in Congress assembled, taking into their consideration the many instances of Divine goodness to these States in the course of the important conflict, in which they have been so long engaged, - the present happy and promising state of public affairs, and the events of the war in the course of the year now drawing to a close;..Do hereby recommend it to the inhabitants of these States in general, to observe and request the several states to interpose their authority, in appointing and commanding the observation of THURSDAY the TWENTY-EIGHTH DAY OF NOVEMBER next as a day of SOLEMN THANKSGIVING to GOD for all His mercies; and they do further recommend to all ranks 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.
• Done in Congress at Philadelphia, the eleventh day of October, in the year of our LORD, one thousand seven hundred and eighty-two, and of our Sovereignty and Independence, the seventh. (http://www.wallbuilders.com/libissuesarticles.asp?id=17944)
More by the grace of God: http://peacebyjesus.witnesstoday.org/Quotes_compare.html
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