George Washington presided over the Constitutional Convention, during which time the Constitution was approved and adopted at the State house in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. Only he, a moral, honorable and dignified man -- through personal example, committed leadership and force of character -- could hold the strong-willed, opinion-differing men together at the glorious Constitutional Convention. The destiny of a great nation lay upon the shoulders of this heroic leader. Soon after he wrote de Lafayette that "It (the Constitution) appears to me, then, little short of a miracle." Inducted by Life Magazine in 1998 into its Hall of Heroes, these words most appropriately written by historian Garry Wills: "Washington is the greatest President, greatest leader, greatest politician. He steered a course through revolution and nation-building with immense tact and wisdom. Nobody else could have done it." He was equal to the task. This man was the personification of the uppermost inherent worth of Western man. He was a man of understanding, judgment, and devotion to and faith in God. He was a solider of physical strength, uprightness, and moral fiber beyond reproach. He was a Christian patriot with a sense of destiny and great courage. He was willing to fight and die for a just cause, his cause. George Washington is an American hero whose eminence is not fully covered by the record of his life. The man was substantially greater than anything he did. He was a military genius, a mastermind. He wrenched freedom, independence and liberty from oppression; He was an outstanding statesman. He helped evolve a secure government from political turmoil; He was a patriot. He refused a crown. Wisdom and understanding, persistence, forbearance, bravery, dedication to the worthy cause animated his every act. Thanklessness, unfairness and disloyalty never disillusioned him, but served to reinforce and make his character stronger. He grew in dignity and in capability to the need of his mounting responsibility and authority. He never became pompous or disdainful. Personal aspirations and selfish opportunity never tempted him from the slender corridor of honor. Washington dutifully recorded the words of advice his mother Mary gave him when he was leaving home to begin what would turn out to be a lifelong service to his country. She instructed her son with these words: "Remember that God is our only one trust. To Him, I commend you ... My son, neglect not the duty of secret prayer." And did George Washington heed his mother's admonition? Of course he did. Throughout his life, whether while a young man, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, or President of the United States, George Washington showed, by example, how meaningful were his mother's teachings. When Washington took his oath of office as President of the United States, he subsequently bent forward and kissed the Bible on which he had just taken his oath. The Bible was opened to the Book of Genesis. He then led the Senate and the House of Representatives to the church for a two hour worship service. Washington, "without making ostentatious professions of religion, was a sincere believer in the Christian faith, and a truly devout man," according to John Marshall, first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. Marshall had fought with General Washington at Valley Forge. After Washington died on December 4, 1799, Reverend J. T. Kirkland said: "The virtues of our departed friend were crowned by piety. He is known to have been habitually devout. To Christian institutions he gave the countenance of his, example; and no one could express, more fully, his sense of the Providence of God, and the dependence of man."
About the Author: Meet the Author Robert W. Pelton has been writing for more than 30 years on a great variety of historical and other subjects. He has published hundreds of feature articles and more than 60 books. He has written an unparalleled BAKING RECIPES OF THE WIVES & MOTHERS OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS and COOKING RECIPES FROM THE WIVES & MOTHERS OF OUR FOUNDING FATHERS, both of which include biographical outlines of each Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, which clearly show the Christian beliefs of these great Americans. More recently, he has written these titles: GEORGE WASHINGTON'S PROPHETIC DREAM AT VALLEY FORGE; GEORGE WASHINGTON'S PRAYERS; GEORGE WASHINGTON - CHOSEN BY GOD; GEORGE WASHINGTON -- MAN OF DESTINY; MEN OF DESTINY - THE SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION AND THE CONSTITUTION; AMERICA A CHRISTIAN NATION? FACT? OR FICTION? YOU DECIDE! Mr. Pelton's ancestors include Barnabus Horton of Leichestershire, England, who sailed to America on the Swallow some time between 1633 and 1638 with his wife Mary and their two sons, Joseph and Benjamin. And also to my Great Great-grandmother Huldah Radike Horton, one of the finest and most famous horsewomen of her day. She rode with Lafayette in a parade in his honor in Newburg, New York, in 1824. The French General and friend of the young Republic was making his second and final visit. And to my other ancestors: George Rogers, who sailed to America on the Mayflower and was one of the 41 signers of the Mayflower Compact; John Smith, one of the founders of Jamestown; Peleg Pelton (8-9-1759 to 11-27-1829), an 18-year old idealist who played the fife while leading the Continental Army at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777 and at Yorktown when the British surrendered in 1781; Captain Bezaleel Tyler, one of the brave forgotten men who fought with the hastily assembled Colonial militia at Minisink Ford, New York, on July 22, 1779; Captain Peter Hager, who while in the Continental Army under George Washington, commanded the Old Stone Fort in Schoharie County, New York, in October, of 1780. Robert lectures widely and has appeared on many television and radio talk shows. He currently speaks on historical American baking and cooking and on the dreams, beliefs and aspirations of our Founding Fathers. For power point presentations and other speaking engagements, contact Mr. Pelton at 865-776-6644; 910-339-5354 or by e-mail at: christianamerica2@yahoo.com