Norwich bulletin., 1915-02-24
ABOVE ALL ELSE
 WASHINGTON WAS RELIGIOUS
Rev. Dr.. SIocun Makes This Point in
 Shop Talk at Cutlery.

Rev. Joel B. Slocum D. D., pastor of the Central Baptist church. was the speaker at the shop talk held at the Cutlery plant at noon on Tuesday, un- der the auspices of the Y. M. c. A, and his subject was George Washington. Dr. Slocum said it is well that we have just celebrated the birthday of our foremost American. If it had not been for him it is doubtful if there would be today the republic of the United States. Only through his mas terly ability was our stable govern ment constructed out of what must have seemed at the time impossible conditions. There has been a good deal of discussion as to whether Wash ington was a. genius. Certainly his capacity for doing good things amount ed to genius. He was remarkable in the combination of his characteristics.
 He was well nigh perfect physically. Six feet two inches tall and weighing two hundred pounds; an all around athlete. He was keenly alert. mentally. His was not the wisdom of schools nor the vast intellectuality of Alex ander Hamilton, nor the marvellous oratory of Samuel Adams. But he was greater than either of these men in the combination of his virtues. He
 was systematic and painstaking in everything he did He was persistent and aggressive in all his undertakings. He was a past master in the posses sion and use of common sense.
 Washington proved himself to be first class patriot. He was absolutely lncorruptlble and never for sale. He was wealthy and refused to receive a penny for his services in the long cam palgn. He kept an accurate account of his actual expenses and received reimbursement only for his outlay Besides, he put large part of his pri- Vate fortune into the war fund. Many another man, since his day, in public Ina t.al- fr,,-f ,D-,F .F I,5 country. Not many have put their fortunes into the treasury of their country for which they profess them selves so willing to die.
 Washington was prominently sol dler. The brilliant success of his cam paignS was due very largely to his un- usual ability as an organizer and tac- tician. He inspired the confidence of his troops. He was quick to compre bend situations, eternally Vigilant and fairly miraculous in his ability to eX- tricate himself from the traps of the enemy. Throughout all these quail ties. ran a bravery that never finched when the proper time came to fight. But to me his most interesting and per hapS his most characteristic en- doWment was his willingness to abdi- cate power. When the campaings were over, in modesty he went back to his estates at Mt Vernon.
 But he was allowed to remain there
 
 called him to the presidency. And his work as statesman was no less re- l markable than his accomplishments as q soldier
 Above everything else, the character of Washington was religious. He rec ognized and depended upon God. Some people think they are great enough to get along without God. Not so with l the 'Father of His Country" He ob- l served the Lords Day. He was regu- I lar i'll his attendance upon the ser 1 vices of the church. During the war. l he sometimes travelled ten miles in order to attend some service. He was
 a, devout EpiscopaIan, but tolerant of
 other forms. He had. however, no | Liberation for infidelity. Robert l Lewis, his nephew and private secre- ] tary, tells of witnessing his devotions 1 in the library, morning and evening" i Many a. time he had seen his uncle proStrate with the Bible before him. In l that awful winter at Valley Forge, in ] the stiffness of the night, time after ] time he cried unto God for help. On ] the morning of his departure for l White Plains, just before the battle of l Chatterton Hill, General Washington | in the presence of members of his 1 family and others, read Joshua the 1 22d chapter. The 22nd verse repre- 1 sents the tribes, gathering for battle 1 saying, in their prayer of dedication: | If it be in rebellion, or if in trespass 1 against Jehovah, save thou not us this | day" Such was the spirit of Wash
 ington.
 It is well that we of this generation 1 shoul emulate his virtues and take
 example from his religious devotion.