FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS: George Washington on the ‘Invisible Hand’ of God
(QUICK READ) — George Washington, the “Father of his country,” left no doubt whatsoever about where his faith was placed before, during and after the American Revolution and his elevation to serve as the first President of the United States.
This fact of history is well-illustrated by the following quote from Washington’s First Inaugural Address as well as many others linked below today’s quote:
No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts in the affairs of men more than the people of the United States. Every step, by which they have been advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency. – George Washington, Ist Inaugural Address. Cited by James Hutson.
Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States of America.
Many of the quotes reprinted in HillFaith’s “The Faith of The Founders” weekly series of posts 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 from Mark Strand, author of the Daily Inspirations email he shares on request here and that HillFaith highly recommends to all congressional aides, be they working on Capitol Hill or in a state or district office back home.
Mark Strand 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).
And quotations featured in FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS are compiled from James H. Hutson’s “The Founders on Religion: A Book of Quotations.” Hutson’s work is of particular interest as he is the former Chief of the Manuscript Division at the Library of Congress. He is also the author of “Religion and the Founding of the American Republic.”
PREVIOUS GEORGE WASHINGTON QUOTES ON FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS:
George Washington on Patriotic Christians
George Washington on God’s Chosen People
The Private Prayer of George Washington