New-York tribune., 1902-05-26
WASHINGTON A CHRISTIAN.
A REJoINDER TO COLONEL HOPKINS
FROM THE RECTOR OF THE
CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY. Y
WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: My attention has just been called to a
communication in your issue Of May 10 from
the pen of Archibald Hopkins. challenging the
accuracy OF statements made by myself in
recent sermon concerning the religious character
of General Washington.
The periodic eruption of Mr.. Hopkinss al
truistic zeal for the enlightenment of those OF
his fellow countrymen who are still enveloped
in the darkness of the Christian faith excites
surprise. and usually calls for no comment;
but the communication referred TO not only
denies that Washington was a Communicant OF
the Episcopal Church. but undertakes 10 prove
that he not Christian. but Deist in his
belief. Incidentally this assertion asperses the
honesty and integrity of the character OF the
man whose fame is dearest 70 the hearts Of the
citizens Of this republic. and for that reason
shall notice his communication.
Whether Washington communicate or
not has been. every is aware much dis
cussed The evidence In favor of that fact as
stated by Bishop Meade. the Rev. Dr. Slaughter
and others appears TO me satisfactory. Mr..
Hopkins states that there is record of his
confirmation. Certainly not, since there was 70
Bishop in this country. and consequently no ad-
mnstration of confirmation until after the
Revolution. Bishop White was consecrated in
should not have presented himself for confirma-
tion when far advanced in life. 1t is safe TO
say there hundreds Of unconhrmed COM
municants in the Church In the Colonial period
Let IL be remembered. in the first place. that
II was the custom OF the Colonial Church only
TO administer communion at Christmas Easter
and Whitsuntide, and that II was not uncom-
mon practice for communicates to receive only
once year. This must be borne in mind in
he Of
White and Dr. AberCrombie as 20 WashingtOn's
habit in Philadelphia while President. The tes-
timOny OF Miss Nellie Custis that her grand
mother. Mrs. Washington, told her often thai
General Washington always communed with her
before the Revolution is not be lightly set
aside, That Washington received the COM
munon in the Presbyterian church in Morris.
town during the Revolution seems TO me to be
established upon entirely satisfactory evidence
l stated in my sermon that letters are in exist
ence from two distinguished Revolutionary off,
GERS which testified To the writer having seen
him at the table of the Lord both in Philadel-
phia and New-York." Mr.. Hopkins. with his
accustomed urbanity. states that neither the
whereabouts of the letters the names OF the
wrters-both presumably easily ascertainable
If they exist-were given" In fact. the name
of one of them. Major POpham. was given by
me. with quotation from his letter
make no comment upon the polite insinua-
tion that made this assertion without author
ity, but proceed now TO give the following dec
laration Of General Porterfeld to General sam
uel Lewis. both Of whom were known 10 be
men Of spotless truth. General washington
was pious man. a member OF the Episcopal
Church 1 saw him myself on his knees receive
the Lords Supper at Philadelphia"
Major POpham Revolutionary officer with
Washington. and his high character is attested
by Bishop Meade and DIR. Berrien OF Trinity
Church. New-YCrk. In letter to Mrs John A.
Washington. OF Mount Vernon. he affrms that
ne attended the same church On New-Yorb)
as Washington during his Presidency
Il sat in Judge MorrIss pew. and am as
confident as memory now laboring under the
pressure of eighty-seven years will serve that
the President often communed and have had
the privilege OF kneeling with him. My elder
daughter distinctly remembers hearing her
grandmother Mrs. Morris, mention the fact
with pleasure"
Dr Berrien states that Major POphamS mind
and memory at the time that he wrote these
words were not impaired
In addition to this. DIR. Chapman depOses that
a lady whose word could not be questioned as
sured him soon after the Revolution that she
saw him partake of the symbols Of the body Of
Christ in Trinity Church. New-YOrk
Lossing. the historian. says He was
Der in full communion of the Protestant Epis-
copal Church"
washington Irving says: General Washing
'oh ana his wife were both cOmmunicants.'
AS 10 the religious habits and character OF
washington to which I alluded in my sermon.
reiy' among others. upon the following iIlustri-
GUS historians; George Bancroft who says that
washington was from his heart truly and
ue@ply religious: Jared Sparks who says. He
was Christian In faith and practice. and he was
haoitualy devout His reverence for religion
was seen in his example. in his public COM
municatiors and in his private life" and Wash
lnston Irving, who says: Washington attended
church every Sunday when the weather and
roads permitted. His demeanor was reveren-
tal and devout"
Add TO this the testimony OF George Wash
inston Parke Custis. Washington's ward. and a
member OF his family who said in his printed
"reminiscences: Washington was a strict and
deeorous observer of the Sabbath. He always
attended divine service in the morning Spd
read sermon or some portion of the Bible to
Mrs Washington in the afternoon. On sunday
there were no visitors to the Presidents house
except the relations and Mr. Speaker Trumou1
IN the evening, SO that II the bell rang the por'