FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS: George Washington on Our National Character

“I now make it my earnest prayer that God would have you, and the state over which you preside, in his holy protection, that He would incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government, to entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another, for their fellow citizens of the United States at large.

“And particularly for their brethren who have served in the field, and finally, that he would most graciously be pleased to dispose us all, to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper and mind, which were the characteristics of the Divine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things, we can never hope to be a happy nation.” —  George Washington, Circular to the States. June 8, 1783.

Would that all Americans, left, right and center, would always exhibit these characteristics with each other, especially in our various roles as officials, staffers and citizens.

Quotes reprinted in HillFaith’s The Faith of Great Americans” are compiled from Benjamin F. Morris’ classic work, “The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States.” Morris, an historian and pastor, published the first edition more than a century ago.

Quotations are also compiled by Mark Strand, author of the Daily Inspirations email he shares on request here.  Mark was for 16 years President of the Congressional Institute, and he is a former fellow of the Harvard Institute of Politics. He was also a 24-year veteran congressional staffer, including four years as Chief of Staff to Sen. James Talent (R-Missouri).