The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-07-10
Washington Letter
Settles Dispute

New York, July Ga controversy
as to the religious convictions of
George Washington-or lack of them
has lately been waged in various
parts Of the country. 1t is not a new
discussion. A letter written by Wash
ington, however, has lately been dis
covered which is timely on the 146th
anniversary of the nations birth and
gives unmistakable evidence that.
whatever his UNCONVENTIONAL affilia
tions, the Father of His Country had
firm faith in the Christian doctrine.
In 1889, Washington having Just
been elected president, the general
convention Of the Episcopal church,
then in session, adopted resolutions
warded to Washington at Inderend-
warded to Washington at IinGepend-
ence hall, Philadelphia, from Old
Christ church, where the church con-
vention was sitting. Washington re-
piled under date of August 10, 1888
in communication in which the re-
ligious note is clear. This letter, which
has just been found in the records of
the Episcopal church, is as follows:
ITO the Bishops, Clergy and Laity of
the Protestant Episcopal Church in
the States of New York, New Jer-
sey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Mary
land, Virginia and South Carolina,
In General Convention Assembled:
"Gentlemen: I sincerely thank you
Tor your affectionate congratulations
on my election to the chief magistracy
of the United States.
"After having received from nv
fellow citizens in general the most lib
eral treatment-after having found
them disposed to contemplate in the
most fiattering point of view the per
formance of my military services and
the manner of my retirement at the
close of the war-I feel that I have a
right to console myself, in my present
arduous undertaking, with the hope
that they will still be inclined to put
the most favorable construction on
the motives which may influence me
in the future public transactions.
"The satisfaction arising from the
indulgent opinion entertained by tha
American people Of MY. conduct, will,
l trust, be some security for prevent
ing me from doing anything which
might justly incur the forfeiture of
that opinion. And the consideration
that human happiness and moral dutv
are inseparably connected will always
continue to prompt me to promote the
progress of the former by inculcating
the purities.
On this occasion it would ill be-
come me to conceal the joy I have felt
in perceiving the fraternal affection
which appears to increase every day
among the friends of genuine relibion.
1t affords edifying prospects, indeed,
to see Christians of different denomi-
nations dwell together in more char
ity and conduct themselves, in re-
spect to each other with a more Chris
tianlike spirit than. ever they have
done in any former age or in any ma
ton.
~ receive, with the greatest salts
faction, your congratulations on the
establishment Of the new constitution
Of government; because I believe it's
mild, yet efficient, operations will tend
to remove every remaining apprehen-
sion Of those with whose opinions II
may not entirely coincide, as we'll as
to confirm the hopes of its numerous
friends; andUbecause the moderation,
patriotism and wisdom of the present
federal legislature seem to promise
the restoration of order and our an
.cient' 'virtues-Athe extension of genu-
inc religion-and the consequent ad-
vancement of our respectability
abroad and of our substantial happi-
ness at home.
II request, most reverend and re-
spectacle gentlemen, that you will ac-
cept my cordial hanks for your de-
vout applications to the Supreme
Ruler of the universe in behalf of me.
May you, and the people whom you
represent, be happy subjects of divine
benediction both here and hereafter.
Signed) &c. Washington"