The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-20
THE VOICE OF THE PULPIT
GEORGE WASHINGTON AND HIS MANY
ADMIRABLE QUALITIES.
BY Rev. Edward A. Horton, Executive
of the Benevolent fraternity of
Churches of Boston, Mass.

This text has been made to serve many
| purposes. 1t has, however, very fit place
at the threshold of this sermon. We are to
| consider the example and influence of
! Washington in the light of religion and
morals. We present him to the world as
| product Of the American experiment in
| gov srnment. AS the anniversary of his
birthday annually recurs, no wiser use of
! the opportunity can be made than to pre-
| sent this great character afresh to the con-
! sideration of young and old.
| 1t is idle to claim that he was really the
| fruit of English life and tendencies. He
| had the exceptional privilege of represent
ing the old and the new. by their fruits
we shall know them;'' thus do we speak and
ask the nations at the close of this nine
teenth century to test us greatly by him
and by what we have tried to do in the
direction he pointed
Washington has passed through two
phases and is now in third While he
lived he was not without enemies, criticism
assailed him and misunderstanding reviled
him. In the bitter conflicts of political par
ties he was not left untouched. After that
came the idealizing treatment by which
Washington was made something almost
fiawless; he was removed from the ordinary
human being, and nothing was accepted
concerning his spirit and traits that tended
to bring him nearer to humankind If, in
the first phase, he was partly robbed of his
power Of leadership, certainly in the second
position he was even more an alien from
the practical motives of men.
But another change has come involving
a wiser Interpretation of Washingtons char
acter The man begins to appear. and biog-
raphers are not afraid to mention incidents
and traits which are certainly human. BY
this course the fullest force of Washing
tons ability to inspire and uplift becomes
apparent. Human sympathy attaches itself
to him with warmer loyalty, youth is en-
couraged to study and emulate while he
moves more vitality among the statesmen
and counselors of the Republic.
Invisible, yet potent, ne stands to-day be-
hind senators and representatives. His
words are quoted amid the turbulence of
political campaigns. Looking up into his
face, hearing again his fraternal counsels,
sectional feeling subsidies, petty passion
abates, the timd doubt vanishes, the sell
hsh purpose recedes. He, Washington,
seems to speak to the heated, scrambling
throng, bidding every one OF US be thought
full, patient, considerable He belongs to all
parts of the country, and in him are we all
united He turns his look of solicitude
equally on all and points with impressive
ness to the common source of our national
life.
BY their fruits We shall know them, is
what we say of a free government for the
people. A country that can offer such a
wise, symmetrical, conservative character
as Washington may we'll pass by the ordi.
nary sneers and doubts of the supporters
of monarchical institutions. Washington
was not far removed from English tradi-
lions and ideas. but the current of his
character moved in the new channels. He
assimilated good material from any source,
but the product was American. Let US ex-
anime little the sources of his power.
AS a man, pure and simple Washing
ton was all-sided. L do not mean that
he was all things to all men in a tame,
compromising spirit. 1 mean that he was
open on all sides to the light and pre-
scented avenues of approach from many
sources. He understood human nature and
invited its confidence by that fact He was
at home with contrasted types of society.
AS a patriot he combined enthusiasm with
sagacity. The fire of enthusiasm in him
showed a steady fame. He was not impa-
tient against old things, neither was he
headstrong concerning new ideas. The roots
of his intelligent patriotism went deep
down into historical soil, and the branches
Of his ardent progressive spirit reared their
promises to the sky. In the echoes of his
battles he heard the salute of reverence
for the past, and the challenge also to its
rar1 owness and ignorance.
If we think of him as a statesman. there
appears at once a wonderful administrative
capacity. 1t shines in the details of his
plans as well as crowning with light the
fulfllment of great ideas. To handle men
sldlfully is a rare gift. The combination of
dignity with intimacy that prevailed in
Washington's attitude gave him a leadership
quality There are many takers in this
world, and not few are they who offer solu-
tions for civic troubles. The true statesman
believes less in talk than in right judgment
and decisive suggestions. 1t was so with
Washington.
Then, as a soldier, he meets the best test
Never rash, yet always brave. Never
handling his forces for military effect, and
never sacrificing his meT heedlessly. He
was considerable. and yet energetic. No
boasts crossed his lips with regard to hero
ism. but his record shows nothing but I'M
renting va1or.
Our great leader shared with Franklin
large assets of that valuable resource-com-
mon sense. The windows of his mind looked
out on high levels, yet not too high for
sound judgment. His contact with ideas
was not so visionary as to take away the
sure footing along practical pathways.
But allied with this cool calmness of mind
was deep emotional life, that in his early
years found frequent outbursts Washing
ton was not without strong temper and
impetuous energy. No man rise to
such position as his without forceful
and ofttimes passionate nature. Yet this
element, which might have become vol
canic, to the destruction of confidence and
leadership, was held in control. How much
effort this cost no one can tell, but we know
the results, and find in the knowledge a
fresh proof Of the appropriateness of his
example to life at large.
We find, also, that in Christian aspects
Washington was happy combination He
united morality and piety; there was in him
the strong ethical sense, yet he responded
to those appeals which are more spiritual.
He recoenized the Christian sources Of in
spiration and guidance and he also be-
lieved in a faithful discipleship. Religion
was greater to him than morality and in
14,5a5 rel;uioy, xvifh0llt mora x-ae