Evening star., 1932-02-21
BY LANES WALDO FAWCETT.

VEN Z cursory examination Of the
career Of George Washington furnishes
L convincing evidence that religion Was
an active force in his life from nrse
to last He did not wear his religious
convictions on his sleeve, he was not
a RELIGIOUS propagandist, and he was not
proselyter but hts faith was Is deep as It was
fisntf3ed reticent and serene, and the occA-
sions were many when he felt moved to mani
fest, in formal and informal ways. the beliel
in Divine Providence which was as natural
and vital to him IS the air he breathed
Any discussion Of washington as church.
man rn,,st take into consideration series OF
relixious events in his life, series OF formal
actons taken by him as . leader IN the min-
tary and political existence Of the nascent re-
public Q series Of private utterances OF wnlen
he was the author, and the moral and ethical
character and manners OF the man himself
Washington's parents were members OF the
Church Of England, with . long tradition OF
intimate connection with the institutional ex-
ueessons of that branch Of the universal Chris
tion brotherhood. The Washington clan hao
furnished ministers to the church IN It's
British home; the Balls had for their lamiiy
motto the injunction, And look to Heaven.
and it was said that the Father Of His Country
was a lneal descendant of the celebrated John
Ball. the So-called Mad Preacher OF Kent,
who is one of the unforgettable figures IN the
age-long struggle for human freedom It was
but natural when this background Is remem-
bered, that George Washington should receive
his name according to the hturglcal 1ormuia
of his parents faith.
Born ON February 70, 1882, the babe who
was to become "tie central man" Of the
eighteenth century was received Into member
ship in the church Of his ancestors on April
IA following. His godfathers were Bromley
Whiting and Capt. Christopher Brooks and his
9cdnother his aunt, Mrs. Mildred washington
Gregory. An old family Bible, Of quarto SIZE
now delapidated by much handling and great
age, records these facts.
Fifteen years after his own baptism, WASH
ington, mere lad as he was, stood sponsor for
an unknown child and on three or four occa-
sions thereafter, until he was 2S, he served In
the same capacity IN similar ceremonies
Due to unsettled conditions In the American
branch of the English Church, washington
never was confirmed but the instruction which
normally he would have received before con-
ffrmation he seems to have acquired IN other
vays. Il is known that following the death
Of his father he made his home with his half
brother AuRustine and attended divine service
regularly at the old Pope Greek Church near
Wakefield.
Pernaps the loss of his parent had a sober
ing effect upon his temperament. In any case.
he was possessed Of an inclination toward
religion which was somewhat unusual In
han-grown boy.
FAMILY prayers were rule In the homes OF
both Washington's father and brother, and
Washington himself, while yet lad was called
upon with certain frequency to lead In these
devotions The reading Of books OF a religious
character was another family ct2stom.
washingtons mother unquestfonably had
considerable influence upon hcv Sln's expanc-
>SAl an q ESp~NfAla Y1s