United States Founding Fathers

George Washington

Quotes from Peers and Contemporaries

  1. Without making ostentatious professions of religion, he was a sincere believer in the Christian faith, and a truly devout man. - John Marshall, Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court

  2. The virutes of our departed friend were crowned by piety. He is known to have been habitually devout. To Christian institutions he gave the countenance of his example; and no one could express, more fully, his sense of the Providence of God, and the dependence of man. - Rev. J.T. Kirkland, December 29, 1799

  3. His hopes for his country, were always founded on the righteousness of the cause, and the blessing of Heaven. His was the belief of Reason and Revelation; and that belief was illustrated and exemplified in all his actions. - James K Paulding

  4. I take the liberty to introduce your august and immortal name in a short sentence, which will be found in the book I send you. I have a large acquaintance among the most valuable and exalted classes of men; but you are the only human being for whom I ever felt an awful reverence. I sincerely pray God, to grant a long and serene evening to a life so gloriously devoted to the universal happiness of the world. - T. Erskine, afterward Lord Erskine, London, 1795

  5. Neither in the parade of military life, nor in the cares of civil administration; neither in a state of depression, nor amidst the intoxicating sweets of power and adulation; did he forget to pay homage to the "MOST HIGH, who doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth." - William Linn, D.D., February 22, 1800

  6. Above all, he was influenced by the more permanent and operative principle of religion; by the firm and active persuasion of a All-seeing, All-powerful Deity; by the high consciousness of future accountability, and the assured hope and prospect of immortality." - John Davis, 1800, American Academy of Arts and Sciences

  7. I am not surprised at what George has done, for he was always a good boy - Mary Washington, the mother of George Washington

  8. He was a firm believer in the Christian religion; and at his first entrance on his civil administration, he made it known, and adhered to his purpose, that no secular business could be transacted with him, on the day set apart by Christians for the worship of the Deity. - J.M. Sewall, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 1799

  9. The general was a Christian - Judge Boudinot

  10. He had all the genuine mildness of Christianity, with all its force. He was neither ostentatious nor ashamed of his Christian profession. - J. Smith, Exeter, New Hampshire, February 22, 1800

  11. He was a professor of Christianity. - Rev. Devereux Jarratt, Dinwiddie County, Virginia, 1800

  12. A Christian, in faith and practice. - Jared Sparks

  13. He was a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church. - Rev. Devereux Jarratt, 1800

  14. He was a friend of morality and religion. - David Ramsay, M.D.

  15. He encouraged and strengthened the hand of the clergy. - David Ramsay, M.D.

  16. I have often been told by Colonel Ben Temple, (of King William county, Virginia,) who was one of his aids in the French and Indian war, that he has frequently known Washington, on the Sabath, read the Scriptures, and pray with his regiment, in the absence of the Chaplain. ... that, on sudden and unexpected visits into his marquee, he has more than once found him on his knees at his devotions. - Rev. M.L. Weems, 1808

  17. It was Washington's custom, to have prayers in the camp, while (1754) at Fort Necessity. . - Jared Sparks

  18. He with constancy attended public worship. During the war he not unfrequently rode ten or twelve miles from camp, to attend public worship. - Aaron Bancroft, D.D.

  19. I never knew so constant an attendant on Church, as Washington. And his behavior in the House of God was, ever, so deeply reverential, that it produced the happiest effect on my congregation. - Rev. Lee Massey, Rector of Pohick Church, of which Washington was an active Vestryman

  20. The Commander-In-Chief of the American armies was observed, [at Valley Forge,] constantly to retire, for the purpose of secret devotion. The Father of his country went alone, and sought strength and guidance from the God of armies and of light. The independence of our country was laid, not only in valor, and patriotism, and wisdom, but in prayer. - Albert Barnes, D.D.

  21. On Sundays, unless the weather was uncommonly severe, the President and Mrs. Washington attended divine service at Christ Church, [Philadelphia] and in the evenings, the President read to Mrs. Washington, in her chamber, a sermon, or some portion from the sacred writings. No visitors, with the exception of Mr. Speaker Trumbull, were admitted on Sundays. - George W. P. Custis, grandson of Mrs. Washingtion.

  22. I accidentally witnessed Washington's private devotions in his library, both morning and evening. On those occasions, I saw him in a kneeling posture, with a Bible open before him. I believe such to have been his daily practice. - Robert Lewis, nephew, and private secretary of Washington.

  23. General Braddock was buried in his cloak, the same night, on the road, to elude the search of the Indians. Washington, on the testimony of an old soldier, read the funeral service over his remains, by the light of a torch. - E.C. McGuire D.D.

  24. The character of Washington is worthy of the best days of antiquity. ... It seems as if we had recovered a lost life of some of those illustrious men, whose portraits Plutarch has so well delineated. - M. Fontanes 1800

Party of 1776 - "No King but King Jesus" - www.partyof1776.net