George Washington
February 22, 2011 (Tuesday)
Dale Pogue reminded us in his blog yesterday that today is George Washington’s birthday. Dale has done a lot of study on George Washington so I would not be surprised if he writes about Washington today. You may be sure, if he chooses to do that, it will be a blog well worth the reading. I would just like to make a few casual observations about this special birthday.
George Washington was born 279 years ago today in Virginia. In 1775, he was made Commander in Chief of the Continental army (only 14,000 men at that time) and in 1781, after six long, hard years of battle, forced the British to surrender. Eight years later, he became our first president.
He was a man of strong convictions, had a noble air about him, and is remembered as a dignified gentleman who lived on the high ground of ethical principles. After serving two terms as president, he retired to Virginia and died in 1799.
The winter of 1777-1778 was unbearably cold, and the army was suffering in many ways, but Washington inspired the men with his faith. He was quartered at the house of Isaac Potts, who later told of how he was on his way to the creek one morning when he heard the voice of prayer. He discovered the General, on his knees on the snow-covered ground, his cheeks wet with tears. When Potts told his wife about it, he said, “If there is anyone to whom the Lord will listen, it is George Washington, and under such a Commander our Independence is certain.”
On April 30, 1789, George Washington, standing on the balcony of Federal Hall on Wall Street in New York, took his oath of office as the first President of the United States. Let us all breathe a prayer of thanks to God for bringing such a man to us. He is indeed the “Father of our Country.”
