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A little food for thought and perspective as we ‘fight’ for more freedom in the winter of 2013. With deep gratitude for all those who have come before us to offer their lives and fortunes that we may enjoy many blessings and liberties now.
“In 1777 while the American army lay at Valley Forge, a good old Quaker by the name of Isaac Potts had occasion to pass through a thick woods near its headquarters. As he traversed the dark forest he heard at a distance before him a voice that became more fervid and interested … whom should he behold but the Commander-in-Chief of the army of the colonies on his knees in the act of devotion to the Ruler of the Universe. At that moment Washington was interceding for his beloved country. With tones of gratitude that labored for adequate expression he adored that high goodness which, from the depth of obscurity, had exalted him to the head of a great nation, and that nation fighting at fearful odds for all the world holds dear …” Quoted by Ruth Anna Potts
“No history now extant can furnish an instant of an army’s suffering such uncommon hardships as ours has done and bearing them with the same patience and fortitude. To see men without enough clothes to cover their nakedness, without blankets to lie on, without adequate shoes for the want of which their marches might be traced by the blood from their feet … and submitting without a murmur, is a proof of patience and obedience which in my opinion can scarce be paralleled.” Quoted by George Washington
Speech by George Washington on July 2, 1776, two days before the signing of the Declaration of Independence:
“The time is now near at hand which must probably determine whether Americans are to be freemen or slaves; whether they are to have any property they can call their own; whether their houses and farms are to be pillaged an destroyed, and themselves consigned to a state of wretchedness from which no human efforts will deliver them. The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage of this army. Our cruel and unrelenting enemy leaves us only the choice of brave resistance, or the most abject submission. We have, therefore to resolve to conquer or die.”
After the battle of Monongahela, Pennsylvania of July 9, 1754, during which all the officers except George Washington were shot down, and General Braddock was killed, George Washington stated: “But for the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot from under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me.”
An old Indian chief, speaking of the same battle, stated to George Washington in 1770: “… Our rifles were leveled, rifles which, but for you, knew not how to miss - ’twas all in vain, a power mightier far than we, shielded you … Listen! The Great Spirit protects that man, Washington, and guides his destinies - he will become the chief of nations, and a people yet unborn will hail him as the founder of a mighty empire. I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who can never die in battle. Washington was never born to be killed by a bullet! I had seventeen fair fires at him with my rifle, and after all could not bring him to the ground!”
Lutheran Pastor Henry Muhlenberg noted of General Washington: “… this gentleman does not belong to the so-called world of society, for he respects God’s word, believes in the atonement through Christ, and bears himself in humility and gentleness … the Lord God … preserved him from harm in the midst of countless perils, ambushes, fatigues, etc., and hath hitherto graciously held him in His hand as a chosen vessel.”
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