One of my favorite places to visit is Mount Vernon, home of George and Martha Washington. I’ve been there several times. The beautiful grounds, the history … it’s quite an experience.
A highlight was taking my son during the bicentennial of Washington’s passing (the story goes that the nation’s first president was marking trees to be cut on the banks of the Potomac, and he later became ill and died in December 1799, remaining forever a man of the 18th century).
I will always remember, however, a disconcerting aspect of visiting the place. It seems to me that the National Park Service — whether at Mount Vernon or at the Grand Canyon — has an agenda to promote an anti-Bible agenda.
A visitor to the Canyon, of course, is treated to a steady diet of evolutionary philosophy. But at Mount Vernon, I was struck by the lack of information about Washington’s faith. Even the bookstore, with its dozens of volumes about the great man, doesn’t stock many titles that deal with George Washington, the Christian.
All this makes “The Life of Washington” an especially important book. Newly published by Attic Books, this rich historical treasure was originally published in 1842 by the American Sunday School Union (now known as the American Missionary Fellowship) and authored by Anna Reed – a niece of a signer of the Declaration of Independence. This is an amazing book!
If liberal historical revisionism is considerably more than an annoyance to you, projects like “The Life of Washington” take on vital importance. It doesn’t hurt that this little volume, produced by Attic Books’ crack team of editorial, design and marketing professionals, has a vintage feel. From the rough-cut edges to the scan of the original pages, “The Life of Washington” is a look back in time (and, hey, at $16.99, it’s a value-packed prize).
Of course the primary value of this book is that it was originally produced much nearer to the time George Washington lived, so the history recorded here is accurate. When it was released in 1842, it proved to be one of the most widely read biographies of Washington.
We know we are reading a 19th century book when we find in the opening of Chapter 1, “To give us the delightful assurance, that we are always under the watchful care of our almighty and kind Creator, He has told us that He notices the movements of every little sparrow; and as we are ‘of more value than many sparrows,’ He will surely ever care for us.”
Try finding such a line in one of our modern textbooks. Lefty historical revisionists would have none of that.
We learn of the young George, who, though not known later as an intellectual (a famous aspect of Thomas Jefferson’s life), was still quite a student in mathematics and science.
And we know of Washington’s legendary regard for truth. In a story related in “The Life of Washington,” we see a glimpse into this. It seems he endeavored to tame a wild colt that belonged to his mother. Hopping on the startled creature, Washington raced through fields until the horse apparently collapsed from a broken blood vessel.
At breakfast, when Mrs. Washington asked about the colt, young George replied, “Your sorrel colt is dead, mother.”
Her face flushed, she settled back and remarked that she was grateful that her son told the truth.
In a variety of stories such as this one, we see the overall character of the man who would come to such iconic status as the “father of his country.”
At 15 (and fatherless) the ambitious young fellow joined the English navy as a midshipman and was greatly excited to be off on his adventure. He had a troubling of his conscience, however, and abruptly stepped back into his role as protector and provider for his mother. This simple act goes a long way in explaining Washington’s compassion for people, and, we can say without too much of a stretch, that nearer the end of his life, he genuinely felt he could serve the people of the fledgling republic by agreeing to a second term as president.
Reed’s attention for historical detail was great, and this trait greatly enhances the book. Noting the suffering winter of Valley Forge during the Revolution, she noted that in 1827, thousands gathered to remember the event with a festival. Valley Forge, we are told, was located “on the west side of the Schuylkill, about 24 miles distant from Philadelphia.” The festival apparently became an annual event.
When he received the official surrender of the British General Cornwallis to end the war, Washington would have none of certain conditions set down by the defeated foe; he informed the British what he would accept, thus revealing himself to be both brilliant military tactician and seasoned negotiator and diplomat.
The real value of “The Life of Washington” comes in its glimpses into his faith. An utterly fascinating account of his death is found in the book, and it is noted that Mrs. Washington, as her beloved husband passed, rested her head on the Bible. The General slipped into the next life and into legend.
As our nation attempts to gather itself in uncertain times, amid uncertain leadership, we would do well to remember the great George Washington. “The Life of Washington” is the one book you’ll need, if you want to understand the man.
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WND Staff