The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-02-26

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is also recalled that the red-coats were
prevented from crossing the water by
sudden and violent storm which
lasted so long that by the time it was
over Howe felt that the works had
become too strong for him, gave over
the attempt and evacuated the town.
Here is Washington's comment to
his brother John on the occurrence:
'That this remarkable interposition of
Providence is for some wise purpose,
l have not a doubt" And this was
rather an extraordinary thing to say,
for with the preparations made, all
contingencies provided for, and with
sufficiency of ammunition, none of
which things were present at the af-
fair of Bunker Hill, it is quite reas-
enable to assume that Howe's at
tempt would have resulted in the COM
plete humiliation of the British
army.
The setting up of the actual ma
chinery of religion in the Continental
Army is important as part of Wash
ington's religious record. The Con-
gress authorized the employment of
chaplains, after Washington had urg-
ed it, and the general orders of July
9, 1776, when the army was in New
York City, directed: "That Colonies or
commanding officers of each regiment
are directed to procure for Chaplains
accordingly, persons of good character
and exemplary lives. To see that all
inferior officers and soldiers pay them
a suitable respect and attend carefully
upon religious exercises. The bless
ing and protection of Heaven are at
all times necessary, but especially so
in times of public distress and dan
ger. The General hopes and trusts
that every officer and man will en-
deavor so to live and act as becomes
Christian soldier defending the dear
est rights and liberties of his coun-
try"
In January, 1777, the Continental
Army for the first time since the siege
of Boston, established a permanent
encampment base. This was at Nor
ristown, New Jersey, and among the
early things attended to was the prac-
tice of regular Sunday worship for the
troops. On April ~, a Saturday, it
was ordered that GAIL troops in Nor
ristown, except the guards, are to at
tend divine worship tomorrow at the
second Bell; the Officers commanding
the Corps, are to take special care
to have their men clean and decent,
and that they are to march in proper
order to the place of worship" Next
week it was ordered: Cali the troops
in town (not on duty) to attend di-
vine service tomorrow agreeable to
the orders of the 18th instant" The
convenience Of church building was
an element in Morristown and the
army paid due observance to Sunday.
1t may be noted, however, that only
the troops in the town itself were or
dered to church, for no building would
have been large enough to hold the
army encamped in the vicinity.
When the encampment was shifted
to Middlebrook the well-known order
against profanity was issued on May
81. Washington characterized it as
the foolish and scandalous practice
of profane swearing" and added: GAS
means to abolish this and every
other species of immortality, Briga-
diers are enjoined to take effectual
care, to have divine service duly per-
formed in their respective brigades."
At Middlebrook, also, on June %, the
orders were as follows: Cali Chap
lains are to perform divine service to-
morrow and on every succeeding Sum-
day, with their respective brigades
and regiments, where the situation
will possibly admit Of it. And the
Commanding officers of corps are to
see that they attend themselves with
officers of all ranks setting the exam
Pile. The Commander-in-chief ex-
poets an exact compliance with this
order, and that it be observed in the
future as an invariable rule of prac-
tice. And every neglect will be con-
sidered not only as a breach of or
ders, but disregard to decency, vir-
tue and religion"
On the day after the surrender Of
CORVALLIS, October 20, 1871, Wash
ington's greatest military triumph of
the war, he issued this order: "Di-
vine service is to be performed to-
morrow in the several brigades and
divisions. The Commander-in-chief
earnestly recommends that the troops
not on duty should universally attend
with that seriousness of department
and gratitude of heart which the rec
ognition of such reiterated and as
tonishing interpretations of Provi-
dence demands of u.s."
Here are Washington's words on the
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