Middletown transcript., 1896-05-02
wAsHlNeroNs SPIRITUAL SIDE.
He Was Baptized, but There Is No Evi
dence That He Ever Took Communion.

He Was Baptized, but There Is No Evi-
denoe That He Ever Took Communion.
General A. w. Greedy, U. s. A.,
contributes most interesting chap
ter on 1.-THE Personal Side of WASH
ington" in The Ladies Home Jour-
nal. In considering Washington 8
religious life Cor belief the biogra.
pher makes the preface: "This ef-
fort to depict Washington as very
devout from his childhood, as a
strict Sabbatarian and as in init
mate spiritual communication with
the church is practically contradict
ed by his own letters" -
Continuing, General Greely says:
"What Washington really believed
as to the fundamental truths of
Christianity or as to nonessentials
on which so many sectarian issues
have been raised cannot be definite
ly stated. He inherited the Episco-
pal form of faith by baptism and
throughout his life took an active
part as vestryman of that church.
But even if he was ever confirmed
in its faith there is no reliable evil
dence that he ever took communion
with it or with any other church.
In short, it seems that the very hon.
esty and integrity of the man caused
him to refrain from the more spir-
itual forms of activity in the church.
Possibly his mind, as have the
minds of many men of high moral
character, followed the irrational
bent of inseparably ting prin-
ciples and professions and so looked
askant at ereeds and dogmas where
the lives of their foremost advocates
gave the lie to the profession of the
lips.
''It is notable, however, that as
time went on the occasional indiffer-
enoe of his youthful days gave place
to a respectful, even if not devout,
attitude with reference to religious
matters. In feeling of spiritual in
difference to the church, it is not sur
prising that, neglecting spiritual |
reasons, he wrote, as a Virginia colo
mel, The want of a chaplain does re-
fleet dishonor upon the regiment, as
all other officers are allowed And |
when he was urged to have public |
prayers in camp, SO as to excite the
curiosity and foster the conversion
of the Indians, he ignored the REQ
ommendation.
AS to the Sabbath, he oonformed
to the local Virginia habits. After
service the day was largely given to
riding, visiting, dining and to those
innocent amusements and gather
ings that many then believed to be
safeguards of oommuni-
ty. From his childhood he travelled
on Sunday whenever occasion re-
quired. He considered it proper for
his negroes to fish, and on that day
made at least one contract. During
his official busy life Sunday was
largely given to his home corre-
spondence, being, as he says, the
most convenient day in which to
spare time from his public burdens
to look after his impaired fortune
and estates -.
"The dominating trait of Wash
ington 8 life was spirit of equity,
which is the nearest approach to
perfect justice. Nowhere, as far as I
know, did Washington quote the
golden rule. But if an attentive
study of this mans correspondence
,eveals any single rule of conduct as
permeating his business and social
lffairs it is represented by the
passage. 'As ye would
hat men should do to you, do ye
llso to them likewise. ,"