Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-05-13
Washington,s Religion.

WaShIngt0n'S Religion.
OF all the celebrations of George Wash.
ington's inauguration none seemed so touch
ing and impressive TO me as that in Christ
Church in Alexandria, of which he was so
long a member and vestryman. Christ
Church is less changed since Washington Is
day than almost any other building with
which he was familiar. A vandal Of rec
tor did "moderniZe" the chancel somewhat
several years ago, but Notwithstanding this
the church looks very much as it did when
Washington last Worshiped in 1t. His pew
is unchanged, like Robert E. Lees, which is
lust across the aisle; and sitting in it you
nave very little difficulty, looking up at the
Lords Prayer and the Commandments on
the chancel wall, in imagining yourself back
in the last century.
The venerable Rev DR.. Philip Slaughter,
we'll on to 80 years of age, in the address
which he delivered in Christ Church on
Tuesday, brought it all most vividy before
the mind. After he had read the Scrip
ture from the great Bible presented to Gen
eral Washington by the Bishop OF Sodor and
Man. he proceeded to say: II have reached
that age when my powers do not enable me
to command attention, perhaps not to de-
deserve it, butI beg your attention for the
sake of my theme"
The British drum beat, following the sun
and keeping company with the hours, fur
nished 8. simiIe of this centennial; but the
surroundings limited his address to the spe-
cisl relations of Washington to the city and
the citizens of alexandria and to Christ
Church. He pictured Washington's rela
tions to the town as soldier, defending it.; as
churchman. worshiping in its temple as
Mason, leading the Alexandria Washington
Lodge in 1898, when. as President of the
United States ard Worshipful Master of
Masonery, with his apron and Masonic in-
sigma, he laid the corner stone of the Capt.
tol as promoter of education, founding its
public school.
DR.. Slaughter said that he had been allow
ed access to book of Washington's private
memoranda, which had never been intended
to see the light, showing the many contribu-
tions he had made to public and private
charities, Coming to the vexed question,
he said that Washington was church com
municaut; that he first received the holy
communion, with his wife, at Pohick Church,
near Mount Vernon, which he attended al
ternately with Christ Church, and that
during the war he had participated in the
Lords Supper atthe Presbyterian Church
near Morristown, n. j. He described
Washington's grand voice as joining
in the responses and anthems in
Christ Church, and bis kindly Christian
courtesy to all his fellow. members. ALEX.
andrans," he said, "buried Washington;
the Alexandria Episcopal ministers, Mr.. Da
Wis and Mr.. Addison and the Alexandria
Presbyterian minister officiated at his grave,
and Alexandria. Washington Lodge of Ma.
sons paid him the last honors of Masonry,
while tears fell and the sobs Of the servants
made an undertone more touching than the
roll ofmuffled drum"
1t is strange that at this late day there
should be any doubt as to whether General
Washington was church communicate.
Everybody knows, of course, that he was q
Christian and constant attendant upon
church services as we'll as a vestrymsn, not
only in Christ Church but in Pohick Church.
But such men as Bishop White, of Pennsyl
vania, in whose churches Christ and st.
Peter's) Washington worshiped when in
Philadelphia and whose intimate friend be
was, and Rev. DR.. Abercrombie, have de-.
MED most soemnly and positively that he
was communicant. Nevertheless the pre-
ponderance of evidence seems to be in favor
of DR.. Slaughter's statement. The incident
at Morristown to which he referred is thus
related by Rev. Theodore L. Cuyler, of New
York:
when In Morrstown Washington was a
FREQUENT guest at the house of my great.
great-grandfather, Rev. DR.. Timothy Johnes,
for fifty years pastor of the First Presbyte-
rian Church. When the sacrament of the
Lords Supper was about to be administered
in the Presbyterian Church Gen. Washing.
ton said to Dr. Johnes. L understand that
the Lords Supper is to be celebrated by
your church next Sunday. Would it accord
with your rules to admit communicates of
another denomination DR.. Johnes re-
piled: Most certainly, General; it is the
Lords table, and we give the Lords invita-
tion to all his followers of whatever name
Then said Washington, that is as it
ought to be. I thought would ascertain it
from yourself as propose to join with you
on that occasion. Though member of the
Church of England have no exclusive par
tialities.'
Accordingly the General took his place
among the members of the Presbyterian
Church on the following Sabbath and par.
ticipated In the sacred ordinance. l have
heard this incident alluded to frequently by
nv relatives in Morristown. Good old DR..
Asa Hilyer, of Orange, n. j., often related
the story just as he had it from the lips OF
DR.. Johnes. My venerable kinswoman, the
late Mrs. VIM. Johnes, whom I remember
very we'll, as knew her in my boyhood,
used to say that her husband was present at
the communion service and saw Gep. Wash
ington partake of the sacrament
This of Itself seems conclusive to my mind
regarding Washington's religious belief and
bis church connection.-Afacfarland in Phil.
Record.
MOTIONS PINEAPPLE CHEESE, small and