Year: 1869

Life and Character or George Washington-


Sermon by Rev. DR.. Holme.


Before o large congregation assembled last even
Ing at the Trinity Baptist church, corner OF Fifty
second street and Third avenue Rev. Dr. J. Stanford
Holme, the pastor. delivered discourse ON the
'Life and Character Of George Washington" Trite
as is the theme but specially selected for the occa
sion 1t being the eve of the anniversary OF the BIRTH
day Of Washington, the discourse was unusually In
teresting and listened to with earnest attention.


AS the basis OF his discourse the reverend speaker
selected the following text:- Psalms cxti g ''The
righteous will be held an everlasting remem-
brance." Death was no bar to the influence OF the
righteous man. Sacred history presented pur rev
instances, and secular history certainly none, OF
which this might be more Justly said than OF
George Washington. HIS character had been
better appreciated in the last few years OF
darkness through which our country has passed.
1t was fortunate that the anniversary Of the birth
OF TINS great and good man ieii now ana snen s
gested the spirit OF his life as worthy Of contempa
tion in q patriotic vicw II was no easy task 70
cannot appreciate superiority. His character could
never be fully comprehended and deltneated until
his peer was found. the only way TO estimate ms
character was comparatively. He was not brilliant
man-no meteor shooting athwart the horizon. He
was never found deficient in action. He was





sent as q ruler and deliverer He governed men
either In the army o. in civil life. Other men than
Lord Erskine felt an innate reverence for him. His
control over others was only surpassed by his
control over himself He was afraid, however,
that his character was not yet fully estimated
Sy ane at the
Capitol appreciate the ranscendant power OF moral
grandeur embodied in that masterpiece OF art.
powerful effect on her than looking on
the terrible cataract OF Niagara. There was much
grandeur In every portion Of y. the patriotism q
they could all sit at his feet and learn the lesson of
his life With him sacrifice was too great for his
country. No temptation could lure HIM from the
path OF conscientious duty He could bide his time.
While vied at home for his delay he waited quietly
the the development q his plans. The % speaker s de-
their unagglng confidence in their great leader and
patriotism. taking pattern and life and activity rom
lish statesman, spoke justly OF Washington giving
him credit for the greatest virtues, . quiet conf
dence, calm assurance, moral heroism as rare as
II Is estimable. Now, what made Washington greats
He was unquestionaby man Of great Talents, but
1t was not these that made HIM great. Many men Of
great abilities live ana die in obscurity. He
Of truth as exemplined iu the story OF
the hatchet. He was promising young man. But
showed themselves. He had weaknesses; was
high spirlted was impatient Of restraint He found
no music In the whistling OF the death dealing
bullet as might Napoleon or Marshal Ney. The Revo-
luton brought him ont Like the gnarled oak, he
stood up the monarch OF the mighty forest 10 In
nuence OF Washingt0n's mother the speaker traced
the greatness OF his subject dwelling on this portion
OF his discourse at considerable length. There was
IN her the same inherent majesty as was seen In
seated religious principles. Up to the day OF WASH
ingtOn's death he held her In highest veneraton.
She lived to see him in the zenith OF his glory and
was still his mother and counsellor. Passing from
this topic he proceeded to the religious character of
Washington. Though not. IS the world might call 1t,
pre-enlnenty p0us man, he ALWAYS associated re-
ltgi0n with morality, as was shown In hts Farewell
Address. He was truly evangelical Religion was
with him fixed principle success In battle, IN
his view, depended not upon generalshp or vaor or
good luck, but upon the Will and dispensati0n
Of an everything Providence. While never falling
to put forth his best efforts to accomplish
certain results, he always attributed the results
to God. He was Q man OF prayer. THIS was
the great reveatcr Of his religious life. Amid
the most distractlng duties ol the camp and the
referred to Rossiter's painting OF him while engaged
In prayer before the battle OF Valley Forge In con-
clusion were traced the lessons to be learned from
the life and example OF Washington.