Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-15
WASHINGTON AT CHURCH.

My next view of him was nearer and more
distinct one-it was as worshipper. My pa
rents, who were Episcopaians, had front
pew in the gallery of Christ's Church, in Phil
ade!phla; and from that favorable post of OBJ
servation, l noticed in the middle aisle. pew
lined with crimson velvet, fringed with gold,
into which saw highly dignifed gentleman
enter, accompanied by two others, younger than
himself, and most respectful in their deport-
ment towards him, who, as have since learn
ed, members of his military family. l
but young boy, and the impression, as |
well remember, on my youthful mind was, that
had never seen so grand gentleman before.
Everybody else seemed TO be Of the same mind
! for do not consider it a SANDER on the very
respectable congregation worshipping in that
church, TO say that far more looks were fixed
upon that pew than upon the pulpit (uness il
happened 10 be occupied by that most excellent
and venerable of prelates, Bishop Whie) The
department of Washington was reverent and
attentive; his eyes, when not on the PRAYER
book, were on the officiating clergyman, and no
witless and irreverent worshipper, could plead
Washington's example. l have since been in
Alexandra, Virginia, which was his parish
church-have handled the prayer-book he used,
and seen his well known autograph in the front
of his bible; and here the same impression ex-
listed as to his regularly and exemplary atten-
dance and demeanor He could not always be
present in the Church at Philadelphia in the
afternoon, being pressed by the exigency of
public affairs, which, in the mind of Washing
ton, were ever held 10 be matters of necessity.
! Hence he gave orders that in case certain im-
portant dispatches were received during his at
tendance in church, they should be brought to
him there; and | have seen them delivered in
to his hands. He opened them Immediately,
and deliberately and alientvely read them
through; and then laying them on his seat by
his side, he resumed his prayer-book, and appa-
rently gave his mind TO the soemnities of the
| place and the hour.
HIS ADDRESS TO CONGRESS WHEN ELECTED FOR
THE LAST TIME.
But | once had an opportunity far more ia
vorabe, of beholding the greatest Of men, un-
der circumstances the best possible, for exhib-
ting him 10 the fullest advantage. 1t was
privilege which could happen but once to any
man; and | esteem the hour when enjoyed it,
as one of the brightest moments was ever
permitted to know. Its remembrance yet glows
wildly on my mind years have not dimmed it
the whole scene is yet before me and need
not say with what force repeated public occa-
sions of like kind have since recalled it to re-
membrance. Yes, it was my favored lot to see
and hear President Washington address the
Congress of the u States, when elected for the
last tme-of men now living, how few can
say the same!
was but a school boy at the time, and had
followed group of people, who from all quar-
tiers, were making their way TO the Hall on
Chesnut street, at the corner of Fifth, where
the two Houses of Congress then held their
sittings, and where they were that day 10 be
addressed by the President, on the opening of
his second term of Office Boys can often man
age to work their way through crowd better
than men can; at all events it so happened
that succeeded in reaching the steps Of the
Hall, from which elevation, looking in every
direction, could see nothing but human heads;
vast iuctuaiing sea, swaying to and fro, and
filling every accessible place which commanded
even distant view of the boiding. They had
congregated not with the hope of getting into
the Hall, for that was physically impossible,
but that they might see Washington. Many
an anxious look was cast in the direction from
which he was expected To come, till at length,
true to the appointed hour, (he was the most
punctual of men] an agitation was observable
on the outskirts Of the crowd, which gradually
opened and gave space for the approach of an
elegant white coach, drawn BY six superb white