FAITHFUL OBSERVATIONS
When you looked at the headline, did you wonder why we’re talking about George Washington and his birthday? That was Monday — Presidents Day!
Actually, today is George Washington’s birthday, Feb. 22. After Washington died in 1799, his birthday became a perennial day of remembrance every year since. He was venerated as the most important figure in American history, “the Father of our Country.” His likeness was in nearly every classroom in America.
In 1870 his birthday would become a federal holiday. It joined Christmas, New Year’s Day, Fourth of July and Thanksgiving as one of five official holidays.
In the late 1960s, Congress proposed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to shift celebration of several federal holidays from specific dates to a series of predetermined Mondays. By the mid 1980s, this holiday just became known as Presidents Day. Now we lump all of the other 44 presidents into one day, take a holiday and have all kinds of Presidents Day sales.
Sadly, we now miss the recognition that Washington deserves as the indispensable president.
Benjamin Rush, a congressman who served with Washington, wrote in 1775: “General Washington … seems to be one of those illustrious heroes whom Providence raises up once in three or four hundred years to save a nation from ruin … There is not a king in Europe that would not look like a valet de chamber by his side.”
Thomas Jefferson wrote in 1782, long before the Constitutional Convention and Washington’s presidency: “Washington’s memory will be adored while liberty shall have votaries, whose name shall triumph over time and will in future ages assume its just station among the most celebrated worthies of the world.”
It is not surprising that so many would remark that it was providence, or God, that gave us this man to lead during our founding. Most historians will agree that without Washington, it is doubtful we’d have a country and win the revolution.
He stepped up in 1775 at the First Continental Congress to take command of the army, which wasn’t really an army but a ragtag group of militias going against the greatest power in the world. He was an imposing figure at 6-feet, 3-inches and striking in his countenance, yet he had a combination of humility and command that inspired confidence. This was a time in America when it was deeply divided. About one-third were patriots and supported the revolution; another third were Torys and were loyal to the king. The remaining third of the population of about 3 million had no loyalty either way.
The one event in the middle 1700s that brought some unity to the colonies was the Great Awakening. The leaders of this revival were preachers like George Whitfield, John and Charles Wesley and others. By 1765 it was estimated that almost 80% of Americans had heard Whitfield preach the gospel, and the message of our rights coming from God, liberty and freedom were spread throughout. If we had not had this revival there very well would not have been a successful revolution.
We look at the amazing individuals who led the founding of our country, Jefferson, Hamilton, Madison, Adams, Franklin and others, who managed to work together to bring about this miraculous beginning and are amazed. Could we have done without any one of these? Maybe. But there is one without a doubt that we had to have as a leader and that was George Washington.
Some might pooh pooh this idea of a miracle, but Michael Medved in his book “The American Miracle” says this: “But doesn’t the simultaneous presence of leadership of this quality, arising at the same moment of history, in the same remote corner of the globe, constitute a miracle in its own terms? Moreover, every one of the Founding Fathers, including those of decidedly unconventional religious faith, believed profoundly that divine providence directed their revolution. If we accord the founders so much insight and wisdom when we explain the nation’s rise with reference to their abilities, then why should we reject their unanimous conclusion that a higher power steered their affairs?”
Washington’s leadership in nearly eight years of fighting was almost unbelievable. Keeping troops with him at Valley Forge and other hardships would have brought lesser men to their knees. He was with the troops; he only made a brief visit to Mount Vernon a few times when they were passing nearby.
Washington was not only a dedicated leader, he was also fearless, often at the front of the attack or the last to retreat. Even with horses shot out from under him, he was never wounded. The miracles he experienced with his armies are well documented. He turned the world upside down with the defeat of the British.
When the Continental Congress gathered in 1787 to write a constitution for a new government, they knew they needed a strong leader to oversee this and to keep secrecy of the proposals so as to not excite panic or confusion. There was only one person who could do that: George Washington.
Out of the convention there arose two political parties, the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, and this would be the basis of our political battles in years to come. The one area of common agreement was that there was only one person who could set the stage for a solid beginning as the first president. By a unanimous vote it was George Washington.
Here is one of my favorite quotes from Washington about providence: “The man must be bad indeed who can look upon the events of the American Revolution without the warmest gratitude towards the great Author of the Universe whose divine interposition was so frequently manifested in our behalf.”
Washington was not perfect but he was a man who sought God’s will and there were many examples of that. He was so popular, however, he could have been president for life or even king. Wisely and with humility, he stepped down after two terms and went back to Mount Vernon.
He has been vilified in recent years as a slave owner. He grew up in an environment that was not like ours but he became convinced of the evils of slavery. In his will he freed all of his slaves and gave them land so they could be financially independent.
All of this begs the questions: Does Divine Providence still direct the path of our nation and its leaders? Does God raise up leadership in a nation at the right time of need? Are we praying for our country and our leadership?
It is interesting to quote Michael Medved about Providence because he is an Orthodox Jew. The Old Testament is filled with God’s interventions … and judgments!
I would invite all of you to dig deeper into the life of Washington. Maybe we should go back to the time when we celebrate his birthday only.
•••
Bob Shillingstad’s columns appear Saturdays in The Press. Email Bob: bjshill@mac.com
