Presidents Day
By Allen Marsh, Nampa, Boise
February 19th
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| Presidents' Day is celebrated to
honor the accomplishments and prestige of all the former
American Presidents and also the birthdays of George
Washington and Abraham Lincoln. |
Presidents' Day is a good time not only to honor
our founding president for whom the day is officially named, but
also to give correct information about that day and the man.
George Washington was a planter, a surveyor, a soldier (Commander-in-Chief
during the Revolutionary War), chairman of the Constitutional
Convention, and an active Episcopalian. He was described as
“First in war, first in peace, first in the hearts of
his countrymen.”
So highly esteemed was George Washington for his Christian character
and patriotic heroism that his birthday (February 22) was established
as a national holiday in 1796, the last full year of his presidency.
(Lincoln’s birthday was added in some states in 1865.)
In 1968, Congress passed the Monday Holidays Act, moving the
official observance of Washington's birthday to the third Monday
in February. Although Congress rejected the effort to change
the name to Presidents' Day, President Nixon proclaimed the
holiday as Presidents' Day in 1971. This gained a strong hold
on the public consciousness.
Washington, as virtually all our founders, was Christian. Anti-Christians
lie, intentionally or because they have swallowed lies from
others, in saying they were not. There are many proofs of Washington’s
Christianity including a famous painting showing Washington
kneeling in prayer at Valley Forge. The artist, Quaker and pacifist
Isaac Potts, painted himself observing Washington.
Here are a few quotes from Washington in honor of his birthday:
“By the all-powerful dispensations of Providence, I have
been protected beyond all human probability or expectation.”
(a letter to his brother after the battle of Monongahela during
the French & Indian War)
“Went to church and fasted all day.” (entry in diary,
June 1, 1774, as the Colonies were seeking God’s will
about breaking ties with England)
“The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all
this (the course of the war) that he must be worse than an infidel
that lacks faith, and more wicked that has not gratitude to
acknowledge his obligations.”
“The providential train of circumstances which led to
it affords the most convincing proof that the Liberties of America
are the object of divine Protection.” (Circular to troops
after the discovery of Benedict Arnold’s planned treason)
“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without
God and the Bible.”
“Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political
prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports.”
“In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism
who should labor to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness,
these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens.”
America’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations,
available in the public library, devotes some 30 pages to quotes
by Washington and about his Christianity.
Today we need men of Christian integrity like Washington in
government leadership.
Article at: tvcnews.org
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