[Ironword]

While there are plenty of references to angels and whirlwinds in the Bible, we could not find the exact phrase. Bartlett's quotations includes this reference from Joseph Addison in 1704, "And, please the Almighty's orders to perform, rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm."

Ha, Bartlett's, I should'a known!!! Many thanks.

I suppose this is the original from which Page drew; obviously, "please" refers to one "pleased" to perform the Almighty's orders, that is here an angel. Though where Addison drew inspiration for an angel that "rides in the whirlwind and directs the storm" is still a good question.

The phrase is eloquent, but as noted in the material you posted, it seemed incongruous in the Inaugural. It eloquently implies judgment or chastisement.

[Pinetop]

Ironwood, we came to the same conclusion. We agree. Addison's the man.