New-York tribune., 1902-05-26
WASHINGTON A COMMUNIC4NT.
DR.. CONES ACCOUNT OF THE GENERALS
TAKING COMMUNION AT MORRIsTOwN.

DIR. CONES ACCOUNT OF THE GENERALS
, TAKING COMMUNION AT MORRIsTowN.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: In the article printed In to-day's Issue Of
The Tribrne. entitled ''Washington's Religious Be
lief" the author has quoted less convincing evi-
dence against Bishop Satterlee's claim that Wash
! ington a cOmmunicant of the Episcopal
Church than he might have given the other
side of the question had he carried his investiga-
ton further
The tradition the author says that Wash
ington "communed at a Presbyterian church at
Morrstown' is not a matter Of tradition only,
but OF pure and authentic history-in fact a part
of the history of the First Presbyterian Church
OF Morristown-as It the first pastor of that
church, the Rev. DR.. Timothy Johnes (my great
great-grandfather), who administered the rite to
Washington. The Rev. DR. Coke. father of the
late Bishop Coke. had the credit of first giving
10 the public the circumstances of this event
which he received from DR.. Hillyer who had it
directly from DR. Johnes. To this has always
been matter of family history. but. TO be strictly
accurate quote DR.. Coxes account. given in
The Record" published history of DR.. Johnes's
pastorate:
While the American army. under the command
OF Washington. lay encamped in the enyirons of
the communion then observed semi-annually only,
was to be administered in the Presbyterian church
week the general after his accustomed Inspection
OF the camp, visited the house of the Rev DR.
JohneS then pastor of that church. and, after
the usual prelimmaries, thus accosted him: Doc
tor, understand that the Lords Supper is to be
celebrated with you next Sunday. would learn
II II accords with the canons of your Church 10
The reont eGran os is
not the Presbyterian table, General. but the Lords
all His followers. of whatever name The gen
to be- but as l was si not 0 ouite smTe Of the fact
thought | would ascertain II from yourself, as |
propose to join with you on that occasion. Though
a member or the Church OF England. ! have
exclusive partialities."
and the general was found seated with the com
municants the next Sabbath
On account Of the sickness and suffering which
prevailed In the army, the Presbyterian and Baptist
churches were used hospitals. which rendered
necessary the holding OF religious services else
where. DR.. Johnes held his services in the orchard
in the rear Of his house where a natural
basin, several feet deep. and well sheltered from
the wind offered convenient place. 1t here
that the communion service which General Wash
inGtOn attended held. In commemoration OF
this event the spot has been marked by sundIal
placed there by the Daughters Of the American
Revolution.
This is said he the only time Washington
was known to partake Of the Lords Supper after
the commencement of his public career, but what
more natural than that such man. under such
trying circumstances. should seek consolation In
the sweet solace Of religious rites?
As further evidence that the whose quail
ties were SO nicely harmonized into the great and
perfect whole not void OF religious belief DR..
David Ramsay whose biography of The Father
Of His Country written GNO when his
deeds were fresh. and the purity OF his motives
and the value of his publick services were justly
appreciated" says of Washington:
There are few men Of any kind and still fewer
OF those the world calls great, who have some
of their virtues eclipscd by corresponding vices.
But this not the with General Washing
ton; He had religion without austerity, dignity
without pride. modesty without difidenCc. courage
without rashness, pOliteness without affectation.
afability without familiarity. His private char
acter. as well his publick one. will bear the
strictest scrutiny. He punctua in all his
engagements; upright and honest in his dealings:
temperate in his enjoyments; liberal and hos
ptable TO an eminent degree lover OF order;
systematical and methodical in all his arrange
ments. He was the friend Of morality and re-
hgion; steadily attended publick worship en-
couraged and strengthened the nds of the cler-
gy. In an his puhlick acts he made the most
respectful mention Of Providence: and. in a WORD
carried the spirit of pety with him. both in his
private life and publick administration.
- CHARLOTTE MORRELL BRACKETT
NewYork, May 19. 1902