0
0
Welcome to Part 2! I want to now take a look at the First President of our nation, George Washington. I want to look at both his first inaugural address in 1789 and his farewell address in 1796, as there are quite telling details inside these addresses to the nation. I will tackle his inaugural address here in Part 2. While I go over these, I just ask that you analyze in an objective and honest way…why would the First President of a new nation speak in terms like these if we were a nation that was founded as a nation with freedom “From” religion?
George Washington’s inaugural address is not very long. Yet, 3 quotes from his address clearly puts a spotlight on the United States foundation and gratitude to the God of the Universe: “Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to the public summons, repaired to the present station, 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 who providential aids can supply every human defect, that is benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States a government instituted by themselves for the essential purposes, and may enable every instrument employed in its administration to execute with success the functions allotted to his charge. I assure myself that it expresses your sentiments not less than my own, nor those of my fellow-citizens at large less than either. No People can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men, more than the people of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency. “
Translation to the above quote: Fervent Supplications, according to my 1892 Noah Webster’s Dictionary, means “warm humble petition”. Washington is humbly petitioning the God of the universe, whom he acknowledges is in control of everything, and specifically the United States. And he says no people can be more bound to acknowledge and adore God more than the people of the United States of America. Wow, can this be more telling?
And here is the detail to not lose sight of: He does this as HIS FIRST OFFICIAL ACT and says it would be peculiarly (meaning particularly) improper to omit! Washington is spotlighting, in a very big and first and foremost way, how important it is to submit to the living God of the Universe as a Nation!
But Washington is not done! That is just the first quote… let’s keep going!
In talking about the prosperity and happiness of the nation he states the following: …” since 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 intrusted to the hands of the American people.
Translation of the above quote: The word propitious means “highly favorable to success.” Washington is now doubling down here and saying that the country cannot expect to flourish and be successful if it tosses aside God and his guidance. And then he says the American people have been given this experiment to determine success or failure based on this!
Now think about this for a minute and ponder where we are currently as a nation… we are about to celebrate 250 years, and yet, our country has increasingly moved away from our submission to God as Washington clearly tells the nation how important it is to cling to Him! And our country is more unstable now than it ever has been! Does it take rocket science to determine this correlation? I would hope not.
So, do you think Washington is done here in his inaugural address? Nope! Instead, he ends his inaugural address by TRIPLING DOWN on the importance of God to the nation:
“Having thus imparted to you my sentiments as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together, I shall take my present leave; but not without resorting ONCE MORE TO THE BENIGN PARENT OF THE HUMAN RACE IN HUMBLE SUPPLICATION that, since he has been pleased to favor the American people with opportunities for deliberating in perfect tranquility, and dispositions for deciding with unparalleled unanimity on a form of government for the security of their union and the advancement of their happiness, so his divine blessing may be equally conspicuous in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures, on which the SUCCESS of this government MUST depend.”
I think by now no translation should be needed as Washington hammered home time and time again our dependence on God and how our success will rise and fall on our submission to Him.
Up next…Washington’s Farewell address in 1796 after having served his time as our First President and the Father of Our Nation to see if Washington changes his tune on the importance of Almighty God in the affairs of our United States? (Spoiler Alert: He doesn’t!). We’ll even throw in a look at the 2nd President of the United States, John Adams, and see what he has to say. And then we’ll go from there.
And to those who think George Washington isn’t the be-all end-all in determining our Christian heritage, I agree with you. If I hung my hat on just him, I would be no different than the “no God in our U.S. Constitution” crowd. I, too, would be claiming I am not wading in a pool of water just because my head is dry. Instead, go back and read Part 1 of this series and stay tuned for more to come. Or better yet, if you really want the truth for yourself, go research for yourself with a goal and an eye for wanting the Truth, wherever Truth leads you. For the Truth, I am not afraid of, but only hopeful that you’ll find it.
Every state in the Union of the United States has a preamble, doesn’t it? Hmm…I wonder what those say?
Stay tuned…and always…
Have Character!
J. Noah Russell
