Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1905-02-22
GEORGE WASHINGTON.

History. at times, presents men and
unfolds scenes that stand forth as mar
wells amidst their surroundings. They
cannot be understood, nor accounted
for, except on the ground that they
are special instruments IN the hands OF
Providence, special acts Of God, des-
tined and designed to further His pur-
poses. such man was George Wash
ington. Such Is the chapter Of history
Of which he IL the central figure NO
one can contemplate the work he per-
formed. without acknowledging In Il
the hand OF Deity.
We marvel at the wisdom and genius
he displayed In the disposition Of his
scanty, lll-equpped and poorly trained
forces; his perseverance in the face Of
despair: his complete success against
hardy veterans Of great military
power; but, all becomes clear when It
IS understood, that Washington and his
heroes In rags were but the instruments
Of an almighty Power, to accomplish
His eternal purposes. 1t matters not
what kind Of a weapon the hand OF
Samson Yields, as long as the super
human strength is communicated TO 1t,
through the mighty arm. And thus It
comes to pass that apparently frail
Instruments are sometimes chosen for a
great work OF the Almighty.
And no greater work was allotted to
any OF Gods children In this age than
to George Washington His mission
was to liberate the American colon
lists from the old World traditions and
superstItlons, and despotlsms and to lay
the foundations Of the greatest and
mightiest nation that ever held sway
upon the earth His mission was to
build city of refuge to all the noble
children Of the eternal Father, who, in
bondage, were not free to follow the
dictates Of their consoiences, and to
make this nation light-bearer TO all
the world.
Through the work Of Washington and
his associates. and Successors, a place
was pltlAlti III NHiNH lllv uIolbHo VI
the Almighty concerning the establish
ment of His Church IN this DISPENSE
tion, could be accomplished, And it
was done IN the fulness OF time. There
was no other country on earth where
this could have taken place, except here
For nowhere else was there full re-
igious liberty nor was there any
where else the material needed for the
noble ednce TO be erected, And ali this
was done, not for the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
OF one nation, but for the enlighten-
ment, liberation and salvation Of the
entire human family.
No true American can remember the
men and events to the memory OF which
this day Is dedicated, without n sense
OF the Importance and responsibility at
taching TO his position as an American
citizen Az such he ia really a unit Of
chosen nation, as much rs was the
Hebrew IN the Mosaic state.
The Lord has always had n people
selected to lead the progression onward,
ana to lift high the banner OF light
and truth II Is this advanced posi-
ton the American nation now has, But
that means responsibility II means
that each citizen must remain faithful
to the pattern OF the fathers, Thous-
ands Of influences are at work, TO mar
that pattern, to lead the leaders astray
from the paths OF liberty and rectitude.
It has been a constant struggle so far
to keep the nation whore Providence
intended 1t to 90, and there have been
| failures, as well as success.
Let us all pray ana nope for a per-
feet comprehension Of the great work
OF the fathers, and for falthfuIness IN
the mission that has been given to us,
to carry their work on IN the spirit by
which they were led and animated.