Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-13
Franklin and Washington.


gard to the grave of Franklin in old Christ
Church yard, has led to the publication of some
interesting "reminiscences touching his connec-
ton with Christ Church, and ofGen. Washing
toms early religious education and last sick
ness.
The records of Christ Church show that
Franklin was pew holder from the time Of his
marriage in 1870 to his decease in 1870, Pc
riod of sixty years. His children were baptised
init. In I75l he subscribed towards building a
steeple and purchasing q chime of bells, and in
1853 he was appointed one of the managers Of
lottery to raise fl 200 for Finishing the stee-
pie and paying for the bells.
The following letter of Franklin to his daugh-
ter was addressed to her on the eve of his sail
ing to England, and affords useful hints to the
young of this day and generation:
REEDY ISLAND. at night, sth Nov, 1854.
Ny DEAR SALLY -
+*E+ Go constantly to church, whoever
breaches. The acts of devotion in the Common
Prayer Book is your principal business there,
and if properly attended to, will do more to-
wards amending the heart than sermons gener-
ally do. For they were composed by men of
much greater piety and WISDOM than our COM
mon composers can pretend to be; and, there
fore, wish you would never miss the PRAYER
days; vet do not mean that you should dis
pise sermons, even of the preachers you dislike,
for the discourse is often much better than the
man, as sweet and clear water comes through
very dirty earth l am the more particular on
this head, as you seemed to express little be-
fore came away some inclination to leave our
church, which would not have you do.
We expect to be at sea to morrow, if this
wind holds, after which shall have no oppor-
tunity of writing to you, till arrive Gift please
God do arrive) in England. pray that his
blessing may attend you, which is worth more
thaa thousand of mine, though they are never
wanting Give my love to your brother and
sister, as 1 cannot write to them, and remem-
Der me affectionatey to the young ladies your
friends, and to our good neighbors. 1 am, my
dear child, your affectionate father,
B. FRANKLIN.
While on this subject, may mention that
another name, greater even than Franklin's is
connected with our venerable Christ Church
Washington and his wife were constant wor-
shippers there for six years, during his Presi-
dency, from 1880 to February, 1897. The pew
built up and appropriated by the Vestry for the
President oft United States, was a few pews
back from the chancel, on the north side of the
middle aisle. 1t was square, and occupied the
space of two of the present Pews.
GENERAL WASHINGTON AND THE PRAYER
Book.-On the 5th of April, 1892, an old fash
ioned christening took place atthe house of Mr.
Augustine Washington, Westmoreland county,
Virginia. The English clergy was there, with
his gown and bands, and large Prayer Book
Mr.. Beverly Whiting and Captain Christopher
Brooke, standing as gOdfathers, and Mrs Mil
dred Gregory, godmotier. So the record runs
in the old family Bible belonging to the WASH
ingtons.
But who was now to be received as SOL
der of the cross, in this holy ordinance of the
Church "Name this ch1ld,' said the clergy
man, turning to Mr.. Washington,- ,-"George,"
was the brief reply. That name is now embla-
zoned on the highest pages of history.
The parents of Washington were strict e pis-
copalians, and the little boy was most carefully
trained in the Catechism, according to the sys-
TEN which Bishop Meade has so graphically
described, in his account of the old Churches of
Virginia. He was to be seen on each occasion
of public worship, in the parish church, known
to this day as "Pope's Greek Church," bearing
When Washington became man, his public
services as a soldier and a statesman were new
er allowed to make him neglectfuI of his reli-
gious duties. The habit of prayer once formed
in infancy, was continued until the close of life.
He used his influence on every suitable occa-
sion, to secure the appointment of chaplains
for the army-and, at the burial of soldiers,
when no clergyman was present, he read in
his own majestic way, the beautiful funeral ser
vice from the Prayer Book. He also, now and
then, conducted service on Sundays.
Many interesting accounts have been given of
his devout behavior, while worshipping in St. |
Paul's Church, New York, Christ Church, Phil |
and various churches in Virginia, but |
we have no space to give them.
Among the papers of Washington, which have |
oeen preserved are lists ofaIticles which he sent
for to England In these we often notice items |
which show the affection which he felt for his |
,tep-chiIdren, John and Patsey Custis. Thus, |
when Master Custis had reached his eighth |
year, General Washington orders for him neat |
Bible and Prayer Book, 'to be bound in Tur-
ley, with John Parke Custis wrote in gilt letters
IN the inside of the cover"
The same precious books were provided for |
Martha Parke Gusts, in her sixth year. Among
he volumes which General Washington Inherit
d from his father, was one entitled, 'Short Dis
courses upon the whole Common Prayer" which
,ears plain marks of having been used by the
ION, as well as by the father before him. ltwas
probably from this very book that he used to
cad aloud, on such occasions, as the one refer
ed to by the late George W. Parke Custis-
'On Sundays, unless the weather was uncom-
monty severe, the President and Mrs Washing
on attended Divine service at Christ Church,
and in the evening, he read some
portion from the Sacred Word"
Washington's religious training had all been
irected by the Prayer Book;-in the pure and
ioly faith which it had taught him, he always
ived;-and cheered by the. glorious hope of the
Gospel, he was ready to die.
His last sickness was a short and painful one;
nd during his closing hours he was heard TO
ay: 81 should have been glad, had it pleased
iod, to die little easier, but doubt not it is
or nv good" He closed his eyes with his own
ands, folded his arms deeently on his breast,
nd with the childike petition, Father of mer-
les, take me to thyself," he fell asleep. That
7as December 18th, 1893. On the ed of May,
SO2, Mrs Washington followed him to better
7orld. She received the sacrament for the last
me, from the Rev. Thomas Davis, Rector of
'hrist Church, Alexandris-and then, having I
estowed her farewell benedictions upon her
Keeping relations, her soul took its departure c
,om the earth.
Human Chatiels For Rent.
Through the kindness of friend we lay be. g