Norwich bulletin., 1914-02-21
SUNDAY MORNING TALK
A RULER OF HIS SPIRIT.

George Washington was commander in-chief of the Continental army, but commander of himself first of all. He had made a personal conquest before receiving a military commission against a foreign foe. The Father of His Country illustrated as few Amerl- cans have done the truth of the prov erb, He that is slow to anger is bet ter than the mighty; and he that ruIeth his spirit than he he that taketh a city"
 Popular thought has regarded Wash fhgton as an impassive sort of being, as paSsionless as the steel engraVlnBs or the bronze statues through which his lineaments are bequeathed to pos terity. Yet he was not by nature se- rene His emotions were really those of Titan but held in leash by a will that was even stronger.
 How many of Us in this better or dered ago realize the discouraging conditions that obtained in that loUse- ly organized confederation Of colonies of which Washington took the military leadership in ITS. The sectional spirit far outweighsd the national. Jealously and faction were rife among a people whose common danger had yet brought them into only a semb- lance of unity. Washington had to forge an undisciplined company of "embattled farmers" into an effective army, organize cOmmissariat, devise a plan of campaign; and to do it all in the face of criticism, suspicion and abuse that seem today almost lncred- ible.
 Nowhere does the strength of his character seem more remarkable than in his self-control. At all times he ruled his spirit. even under circum- stances of extraordinary provocation. When blind and stupid Congress pre- ferred a miscreant like Charles Lee ta himself for chief, he held his tongue and bided his time. Doing his duty he simply let events show our short sighted statesmen the. magnitude of their mistake.
 Is there a nobler figure in history than that of Washington during the terrible winter at Valley Forge? A series of disasters had eliminated in this pitiful bivouac of an army in rags, with no pay and with Ecent rations. In tho darkest hour of our fortunes distress and dIsarection pervaded the army and the nation. Upon the blame 1 less head of Washington the heaviest reproaches and complaints descended. i But he bore them in silence,
 ! It was observed that the commander ] retired each day to grove in the | vicinity of the camp. When curiosity ! prompted a friend to follow him the 1 FatheF of His Country was observed i OR his knees supPlieatiRg the God of | | 6n which AEneFieaRs may well gaze
 with solemn awe to the end of time. We need mere Of the patriotism { that can suFViNe waves of popular passion, prejudice or fear. There is much undisciplinsd thought and un- tempered uttoFance among us. We | are prone to extremes Of pessiHaiSfH in 1 the facs of some of the undeubted
 evils that confront society, Men, ! obsesEsd with some particular fear,
 will talk as though the republic could
 hardly survive the present gsResatien l WasAiRgtaH lived thFsRgh some DOT te7atsus PeFiis in his time but he never
 exaggerated them. They did net lead hiEs to disRaiF of Ged ReF of the final
 triumph of EighteeusRess. ReheldiRg
 his pleading troops at Valley Forge or
 FeeeiviRg the sword of GerRwaliis al ! Yorktown he ruled his spirit. The
 ealHaaess and Eiger of his faith we his esHhtEyReH, should emulate,
 THE PARSON.