FAITH OF THE FOUNDERS: Look What George Washington Knew About Us Today
George Washington – First in War, First in Peace, First in the Hearts of his Countrymen (Library of Congress)
“It is indeed a pleasure, from walks of private life to view in retrospect, all the meanderings of our past labors, the difficulties through which we have waded, and the fortunate Haven to which the Ship has been brought!
“It is possible after this that it should founder? Will not the All Wise, and all powerful director of human events, preserve us? I think He will, He may however (for wise purposes not discoverable by finite minds) suffer our indiscretions and folly to place our national character low in the political scale; and this, unless more wisdom and less prejudice take the lead in our governments, will most assuredly be the case.”(Emphasis added) – George Washington, private letter to Israel Putnam, October 19, 1777.
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 is the former President of the Congressional Institute, former Director of the Harvard Institute of Politics and a 24-year veteran congressional staffer, including four years as Chief of Staff to Sen. James Talent (R-Missouri).