The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-07-04
PATRIOTIC SHRINE
AT VALLEY FORGE
Is a Memorial to Heroes of
the Revolution.
Worthily Commentaries Serv-
ices of Those Who Fought
for Freedom.

There are many interesting features
Of the memorial chapel at Valley
Forge. To the right of the Washington
memorial door stands the Washington
Sullivan font, each face Of the octa-
gonal bowl bearing the crusaders
cross, symbolizing the Christians war
fare against the world, the flesh and
the devil. On the wall back of the
font appears this quaint inscription:
George Washington was made a
Member of Christ, the Child Of God,
and an Inheritor of the Kingdom Of
Heaven, in the Sacrament of Holy
Baptism Ministered according to the
Use of the Church of England, where
Of this Font is a Memorial, and this
the Record: George Washington. Son
Of Augustine & Mary, his Wife, was
Born We 18th Day Of February, 1882,
about 10 in the Morning & was Bap-
tized on the Sd Of April following, Mr..
Beverly Whiting & Capt Christopher
Brooks Godfathers and Mrs. Mildred
Gregory Godmother."
The pews Of the Patriots, unique In
America for their conception and de-
sign, are twenty-five in number, and
each a worthy memorial. On the base
Of each is carved either the family
arms, the insignia of patriotic So
ciety or the Colonial seal or state
arms. The Presidents pew bears the
arms of the United States and the seal
of the President. 1t is given in mem
ory of Washington and Monroe, who
were at Valley Forge and later be-
came Presidents, and commentaries
the address of Roosevelt, the first
President to visit this sacred ground.
Commemorative Pews.
In front of the pews of the Patriots
are deliberately carved screens; that
In front of the Presidents pew was
given in honor Of Washington and his
major generals at Valley Forge; that
In front of the Shipper pew was given
In honor of Washington and his brig
adler generals at Valley Forge. AS
Washington spoke so frequently Of the
Providence of God as directing the
destiny of the American patriots, this
is symboli2ed by angels at prayer
carved in oak and kneeling on the but
tresses; below in the panels are thir-
teen flags of the Revolution carved and
colOred.
The Door of the Allies, opening into
the Porch of the Allies on the right, is
In honor of the foreign soldiers who
aided the American patriots in their
struggle for independence. The In
auguration Door, opening into the
Cloister of the Colonies on the left, is
in memory of Washington's Inaugural
ton as first President of the United
States.
At the entrance to the choir is the
Washington-Wood pulpit, lectern and
perclose, carved with grace and dig
nifty in Indiana limestone. On the
steps is the inscription: SIN Common
Grafton of George Washington, War
den of Truro Parish, Virginia, and Lay
Reader in the French and Indian War;"
Monument to British Soldier.
The lectern is the only monument
at Valley Forge to British colder.
It commentaries Washington's serv-
Ice as General Braddock's aide de
camp in his Inflated expedition against
the French, and especially his last
tribute to his dead chief, as recorded
In these words: "George Washington
read the Prayer Book Office for the
Burial of the Dead at the Interment of
Major General Edward Braddock, July
IA. 1856" The Washington arms are