FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS: The faith of Washington and Lincoln

As President’s Day approaches it’s an appropriate time to look at the faith of the two presidents we typically honor at this time.

Among American presidents, the religious convictions and practices of Washington and Lincoln have been closely scrutinized, with hundreds of books and articles written about each man and their religious beliefs and habits. Probably no president has been so distorted by folklore as Washington.

A 230-year-old letter turned up recently, written by Washington. He speaks of “Providence” guiding the republic’s affairs, and the letter has rekindled interest in how George Washington saw religion. The letter came on market last Monday and was sold this last week for $140,000 to an unnamed collector.

In the letter, Washington is opposed to a second Constitutional Convention. He writes: “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.”

The Constitution has survived since that time. Meanwhile, France has had more than 17.

Washington was a member of the Anglican Church and was a very private person regarding his beliefs and conversation regarding religion. He did keep a journal and in his “Sunday Evening” entry he wrote the following:

“Let me live according to those holy rules which Thou has this day prescribed in Thy holy word … Direct me to the true object, Jesus Christ the way, the truth and the life. Bless, O Lord, all the people of this land.”

He later wrote, “Thou gavest Thy Son to die for me, and Thou hast given me assurance of salvation …”

Lincoln’s relationship with God is a subject highly debated by historians and students of history. You can read historians who say he was an unbeliever, or at least a skeptic of Christianity. A few say he was atheist and yet others say he was a “deeply religious” person who daily sought God’s guidance.

Lincoln is the only president who was never baptized or joined a church, so that adds to the discussion. Lincoln made the statement in 1846 “That I am not a member of any Christian church is true; but I have never denied the truth of the Scriptures; and I have never spoken with intentional disrespect of religion in general, or of any denomination of Christians in particular … I do not think I could myself be brought to support a man for office whom I knew to be an open enemy of, or scoffer at, religion.”

There is no doubt that a remarkable change took place in Lincoln’s life after 1862. He lost his son, Willy, that year, the war was not going well and there was much pressure with the mounting casualties. In 1863 Lincoln stated, “Amid the greatest difficulties of my administration, when I could not see any other resort, I would place my whole reliance in God, knowing that all would go well, and that He would decide for the right.”

There are good reasons why we honor both Washington and Lincoln each year: both faced a crisis that threatened the survival of our nation. Leading a country in times like that would probably drive any leader to their knees.

As you study these men, read their own words, not just some other historian’s opinion. Of course, when we are ready to judge others we probably should spend more time in front of the mirror! There was a challenge once given that if you were charged with being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?

You can also have an interesting discussion about who was our greatest president. Washington and Lincoln are almost always in the list of the top five on everyone’s choices. A major influence for Washington was the “great awakening” in the early 18th century, and then the second great awakening in the early 19th century certainly affected Lincoln.

My own choice for greatest is Washington. He was the indispensable leader through the revolutionary war and early years of government. Now I might start another series of arguments! In any case, it’s a good time to remind ourselves of the sacrifices of those who went before and the importance of prayer for our leaders. As the Bible commands us:

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:1-2, KJV).

•••

Bob Shillingstad is a regular Press contributor. Email: bjshill@mac.com