The time was June 1783, the unbelievable had taken place. Perhaps the greatest military upset of all time – a fledgling coalition of thirteen American colonies had banded together to defeat the most powerful army and navy, at that time, in the world. The man, who was the unquestioned leader of that victory was General George Washington. As the Revolution was winding down Washington was about to take his leave of public duty and go back to his home in Mt. Vernon, Virginia. On June the 14th, he sent a circular to all the states to be read giving his advice on what he believed the American people needed to do if they were going to establish a nation that would last in the future. At the time, George Washington believed this would be his farewell address. He believed this would be his last significant official communication with the state governments and the people of America. I would encourage you to Google his 1783 circular to the states and read it, because it doesn’t take long and it gives advice that is still relevant to where we are today. The interesting thing is how he closes. He closes it with a prayer. What do you think he prays for this new nation? “I now make it my earnest prayer that God…would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do Justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that Charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind, which were the Characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed Religion and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy Nation.” Any Jewish Rabbi and any Christian pastor at the time would have immediately recognized that General Washington had just quoted one of the most powerful verses in all of the Old Testament, if not the entire Bible. He quoted Micah 6:8 which reads like this: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” General Washington was very plainly and pointedly saying to the nation then as he was saying to the nation now that if you want to be a happy nation, then be a good nation. In fact, what he really said was “You do good by being good” and the ultimate example of goodness is what he called “the Divine Author of our blessed Religion” who was Jesus Christ.--Merrit
Posted on: Thu, 04 Jul 2013 15:28:06 +0000
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