The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1861-05-15
For the Grand Haven News.
Washington's Prayer.
LAMONT, May Is, 1861


Messrs. BARNS In looking over one
of the popular religious prints of the day,
yesterday, my attention was directed par
ticularly to the following prayer, said to
have been uttered by Washington, some
time during the summer Of 1870, while
engaged in exploring the position of the
British forces on the banks Of the Hud-
son. 1t is related Of him, that venturing
too far from his own camp, and being
overtaken by sudden storm and over
come by fatigue, he was compelled to ac-
cept the hospitality of pious American
peasant for the night. The peasant, not
knowing the name and character Of his
illustrious guest, listened at his door after
the great man had retired TO rest in or
der to catch some sound or word that
might enable him, if possible, to form a
moro definite opinion as to whom his
stranger guest might be, when the follow
ing words fell upon his ear in low but
earnest and reverentia tone:
"And now, Almighty Father, if it is
thy holy will that we shall obtain a name
and place among the pations of the earth,
grant that we may be enabled to show
our gratitude for thy goodness by our en-
dcavors to fear and obey thee. Bless Us
with wisdom in our councils, success in
battle, and let all our victories be temper
cd with humanity. Endow, also, our en-
emies with enlightened minds, that they
may become sensible of their injustice,
and willing TO restore our liberty and
peace. Grant the petition of thy servant
for the sake of him whom thou has call
ed thy beloved son; nevertheless, not my
will but thine be DONE"
Such was the prayer of Washington,
and such TO day is the prayer in substance
of thousands Of patriotic hearts in our
beloved land, who fail not at the morning
and evening sacrifices, to bear aloft TO
Heaven on the wings Of prayer, our
Country's cause, invoking tho aid of the
Supreme Ruler of the Universe upon the
efforts now being made to quell the spirit
of rebellion; to give us the victory over
those who seek to subvert our free and
most benefcent educational, moral and re-
ligious institutions, and so direct the coun-
ellis of our rulers, that an honorable peace
may be speedily established, and that our
enemies, now treacherously waging war
upon us, may again return to their allegi
ance and become once moro the prosper
Gus and happy citizens of a Government,
established by the prayers of Washing
ton, and his thousand pious and patriotic
compeers.
/, feel, sirs, for one, as though our cause
is such an one, that we can consistently
and hopefully ask the blessing of the In
finite upon our efforts, and that by so do
ing we shall not be left to fight our bat
ties alone, but that just God will es-
pouse our cause, and so direct our efforts
that we shall succeed, and conquer peace
upon such terms as to leave no hope TO
traitors Of the final success of any efforts
that they may hereafter seek TO make to
subvert Government established four
score years ago, under the immediate SUI
pervision and direction, it would seem, Of
God himself, and which to the present
time he has signally blest and prospered.
Ii may be, and it is too much for us TO
hope that slavery, in the present struggle,
may receive its death blow, and no long
or be adark, cancerous spot upon the 9th
orwise bright page of our nations history.
For this, in addition 10 the continuance
and perpetuity Of our present civil and re-
hgious institutions, myriads Of patriots
will zealously labor and pray-and will
their hopes be frustrated!
AGRIcoLA.