The New York herald., 1869-02-22
TABERNACLE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.

Discourse ON the Life nnd Character Of George
Washington by the Rev. j. T.. Thompson.
the Rev. J. p. Thompson, pastor Of the Taber-
ikcie (Congregati0na church. corner OF Sixth ave.
nue. and Thlrtyfourth street, delivered a sermon
last night IN which he adapted the life and charac
ter OF George Washington to the words found In the
fourteenth verse Of the second chapter OF First
John:-'T have written unto you fathers, because
ye have known Him that Is from the beginning.
have written unto you, young men, because ye are
strong, and the word OF God abdeth In you and ye
have overcome the wicked one.n
The reverend gentleman commenced by saying
that mankind universally admired a strong charac-
ter even II In that character there should be lack
OF the kindlier virtues. In ancient times man be-
came famous as he became conqucror. Peter the
Great commanded large page in history principally
on account OF his brute force. AT one time when on
visit to Frederick the Great, in order to show his
power and the manner In which ne treated his
offending subjects at home, he ordered one OF his
attendants to be hanged, and the order was
carried into effect But AZ the world ripens under
Christianity and civilization brute force ceases W
admiration; for It Is not compatible with the
gentler phases Of life. John was gentle and was
known Us the apostle OF love, but he was
strong and earnest In declaring against evil
and bold in the defence OF the Master. Tho oak Is
strong In Its native majesty, yet II has leaf Of
quslte beauty, and IL throws out Its arms with ex
shelter In Its branches. william the Silent IL now
more admired than Peter the Great. America has
s sa e s eo wn ao.
the occasion TO pass without doing him homage,
and irving also paid him the highest compliment
when he said that the root of Washn9on's strength
lay in his moral character. Washington knew
no divided fidelity. His highest duty was TO
his Cod his country and himself. The
that o. Washington as an illustration. Judgment
regulates US and Is an acquired habit. Mere crea-
upon. Erratic or eccentric men are never placed In
positions OF trust or responsibility He reviewed
Washngton's character and disposition In relation
10 the effect and bearing they had upon his pub
lie life. IL was his Judgment that Inspired conf
dence and that led TO his promotion. Truth
is another handspring and guarantee 10 confidence
and success. The Jews endeayofed to condemn
Daniel, hut were compelled To admit thar he q
man OF truth. Almost the first knowledge We have
Of washington is 70 connection WIN n The popular
truth that barrel OF nour coming from
weud @ pass IN @ the Indies as all ali right With.
out inspection, 80 great was the confidence placed In
hun. There was nothing OF the whiskey ring IN
George Washington. In the settlement with Eng
land some one had suggested that certain remit
ances be withheld that were due that country; but
washington said, NO; while, while demanding demanding justice @
terninedly opposed repudiatIon IN ans form.
His next characteristic was honesty. A hypocrite
con never he a strong man. mans beat rcputl-
ton is an inestimabe character. lie who dare not
face his own conscience will sneak ffom his post.
Washington was Incapable OF acting the part OF n
Cromwell or a Napoleon. In him we zee, not tho
treacherous rapids Of Niagara, but the deep
now Of the river AZ IL pursucs Its silent but
irresistible course. His confidential secretary
said that he had never seen anything IN washington
that would lessen his veneraton for him, and some
times he thought he was more than man. A high
purpose IN life and resoIute VIII IN performing IL
were further characteristics In the life or Washing
ton. This does not mean obstnacy. The
will In the executive function Of the mind
and works with force. Luther was summoned
to attend the Diet at worms and although repeatedly
warned along the route that his books had been
burned and that his condemnation was foregone
conclusion he possessed the will and determination
to proceed and confront those who constituted
themselves his judges. At this present age
In the city OF Worms In erected the finest group OF
other martyrs TO the Christian sath had place.
when the enemies OF Washington attempted 70 have
him displaced and brought Into disgrace he said
that be had been faithful In the discharge OF hts
duty and would rely upon the justice Of his
country.
Modesty II essential to real strength. Not the
Uriah Heep style OF modesty. Men are not called
upon to uuderrate themselves. The modest man
does not think too highly OF himself and II not intru.
sive. washington never put himself forward
for once, and even when no accepted the
office or Commander-in-Chef OF the American
forces he did 80 as O. matter OF duy:
While modest In himself he always expected
and exacted that degree OF resped. rue him ~ tne
representative OF great nation. whcn the british
general sent him an ofiical communication under =
nag OF truce, directed TO sGeOrge Washington hsq
by the hands OF subordinate of1cer, be declined 70
receive II and sent The officer Dack into line Britsh