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The father of our country, George Washington,
was a man of prayer. Many of us have read of how he went to the thicket many times to pray during the winter his army was
at Valley Forge. However, little publicity has been give to the vision and prophecy he received at that time.
The account of this vision was given in 1859 by an old soldier. He gave it
to a writer, Wesley Bradshaw, who published it. In the vision God revealed to George Washington that three great perils would
come upon the republic. He was given to know that America was going through the first peril at that time. The old soldier
who told the story of the vision said the nation would soon see the account verified by the second peril descending upon the
land.
We give the account here as printed in the U.S. war veterans paper The National
Tribune, in December 1880. The National Tribune became, "The Stars and Stripes", and this article was later reprinted in that
publication.
I do not know whether
it is owing to the anxiety of my mind, or what, but this afternoon, as I was sitting at this table engaging in preparing a
dispatch, something in the apartment seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing opposite to me a singularly beautiful
being. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed that it was some moments before I found language
to inquire the cause of the visit. A second, a third, and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer
from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of the eyes.
By this time I felt strange sensations spreading through me. I would have risen
but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible. I tried once more to speak, but my tongue became
useless, as if paralyzed. A new influence, mysterious, potent, irresistible, took possession of me. All I could do was to
gaze steadily, vacantly at my unknown visitor.
Gradually the surrounding atmosphere seemed to fill with sensations, and grew luminous. Everything about me seemed to
rarefy, the mysterious visitor also becoming more airy and yet more distinct to my sight than before. I began to feel as one
dying, or rather to experience the sensations I sometimes imagine accompanying death. I did not think, I did not reason, I
did not move. All were alike impossible. I was only conscious of gazing fixedly, vacantly on my companion.
Presently I heard a voice say,
"Son of the Republic, look and learn,"
while at the same time my visitor extended an arm eastward. I now beheld a heavy
white vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold. This gradually dissipated, and I looked upon the strange scene. Before
me lay, out in one vast plain all the countries of the world -- Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. I saw rolling and tossing
between Europe and America lay billows of the Atlantic, and between Asia and America lay the Pacific.
"Son of the Republic", said
the same mysterious voice as before,
"Look and learn."
At that moment I beheld a dark shadowy being, like an angel, standing, or rather floating in mid-air, between Europe
and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand, he sprinkled some upon America with his right hand,
while with his left he cast some over Europe. Immediately a cloud arose from these countries and joined in mid-ocean. For
awhile it remained stationary, and then it moved slowly westward, until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashed
of lightning gleamed through at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American People.
A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it out as before.
The dark cloud drew back to the ocean, in whose heaving billows it sank from view.
A third time I heard the mysterious voice saying,
"Son of the Republic, look and learn."
I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and town and cities spring up one
right after another until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted with them. Again, I heard the mysterious
voice say,
"Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh, look and learn."
And this time a dark shadowy angel turned his face southward. From Africa I saw an ill omened spectra approach our land.
It flitted slowly and heavily over every town and city of the latter. The inhabitants presently set themselves in battle array
against each other. As I continued look I saw a bright angel on whose brow was traced the word 'Union.' He was bearing the
American flag. He placed the flag between the divided nation and said,
"Remember, ye are brethren. "
Instantly the inhabitants, casting down their weapons became friends once more,
and united around the National Standard.
Again I heard a mysterious voice saying,
"Son of the Republic, look and learn."
At this the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth, and blew three distinct
blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene. From each of these continents arose thick
black clouds that were soon joined into one. And throughout this mass there gleamed a dark red light by which I saw hordes
of armed men. These men, moving with the cloud marched by land and sailed by sea to America, which country was enveloped in
the volume of the cloud. And I dimly saw these vast armies devastate the whole country and burn the villages, towns and cities,
which I had seen spring up.
As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of swords, and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal
combat, I again heard the mysterious voice saying,
"Son of the Republic, look and learn."
When the voice had ceased, the dark shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more
to his mouth, and blew a long and fearful blast. Instantly a light, as of a thousand suns shone down from above me,
and pierced and broke into fragments of the dark cloud, which enveloped America. At the same moment the angel upon whose head
still shown the word 'Union,' and who bore our national flag in one hand and a sword in the other, descended from the heavens
attended by legions of white spirits. These immediately joined the inhabitants of America, who I perceived were well-nigh
over come, but who immediately taking courage again, closed up their broken ranks, and renewed battle.
Again amid the fearful voice of the conflict I heard the mysterious
voice say,
"Son of the Republic, look and learn."
As the voice ceased, the shadowy angel for the last time dipped the water from
the ocean and sprinkled it upon America. Instantly the dark clouds rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving
the inhabitants of the land victorious.
Then once more I beheld the villages, towns and cities springing up where I had seem them before, while the bright angel,
planting the azure standard cried with a loud voice:
"While the stars remain, and the heavens send down dew upon
the earth, so long shall the Union last."
And taking from his brow the crown, which blazoned the word 'Union,' he placed
it down upon the standard while the people, kneeling down said, 'Amen.'
The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve, and I at last saw nothing but the
rising, curling vapor, I at first beheld. This also disappeared, and I found myself once more gazing upon the mysterious visitor
who, in the same voice I heard before said,
"Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted:
Three great perils will come upon the Republic. The most fearful for her is the third. But the whole world united shall not
prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and Union."
With these words the vision vanished, and I started from my seat and felt that I had
seen a vision wherein had been showed me the birth, progress, and destiny of the United States."
A prayer journal of George Washington (age 20)
From Washington's Prayers, by W. Herbert Burk, 1907. Reprinted with
permission in George Washington, the Christian, by William J. Johnson, The Abingdon Press, New York & Cincinnati,
1919, pp. 24-35.
(1) Sunday Morning
Almighty God, and most merciful father, who didst command the children of Israel
to offer a daily sacrifice to thee, that thereby they might glorify and praise thee for thy protection both night and day,
receive, O Lord, my morning sacrifice which I now offer up to thee; I yield thee humble and hearty thanks that thou has preserved
me from the danger of the night past, and brought me to the light of the day, and the comforts thereof, a day which is consecrated
ot thine own service and for thine own honor. Let my heart, therefore, Gracious God, be so affected with the glory and majesty
of it, that I may not do mine own works, but wait on thee, and discharge those weighty duties thou requirest of me, and since
thou art a God of pure eyes, and wilt be sanctified in all who draww near unto thee, who doest not regard the sacrifice of
fools, nor hear sinners who tread in thy courts, pardon, I beseech thee, my sins, remove them from thy presence, as far as
the east is from the west, and accept of me for the merits of thy son Jesus Christ, that when I come into thy temple, and
compass thine altar, my prayers may come before thee as incense; and as thou wouldst hear me calling upon thee in my prayers,
so give me grace to hear thee calling on me in thy word, that it may be wisdom, righteousness, reconciliation and peace to
the saving of the soul in the day of the Lord Jesus. Grant that I may hear it with reverence, receive it with meekness, mingle
it with faith, and that it may accomplish in me, Gracious God, the good work for which thou has sent it. Bless my family,
kindred, friends and country, be our God & guide this day and for ever for his sake, who ay down in the Grave and arose
again for us, Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
(2) Sunday Evening
O most Glorious God, in Jesus Christ my merciful and loving father, I acknowledge
and confess my guilt, in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on thee for pardon and
forgiveness of sins, but so coldly and carelessly, that my prayers are become my sin and stand in need of pardon. I have heard
thy holy word, but with such deadness of spirit that I have been an unprofitable and forgetful hearer, so that, O Lord, tho'
I have done thy work, yet it hath been so negligently that I may rather expect a curse than a blessing from thee. But, O God,
who art rich in mercy and plenteous in redemption, mark not, I beseech thee, what I have done amiss; remember that i am but
dust, and remit my transgressions, negligences & ignorances, and cover them all with the absolute obedience of thy dear
Son, that those sacrifices which I have offered may be accepted by thee, in and for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ offered
upon the cross for me; for his sake, ease me of the burden of my sins, and give me grace that by the call of the Gospel I
may rise from the slumber of sin into the newness of life. Let me live according to those holy rules which thou hast this
day prescribed in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in thy holy word; make me to know what is acceptable in
thy sight, and therein to delight, open the eyes of my understanding, and help me thoroughly to examine myself concerning
my knowledge, faith and repentance, increase my faith, and direct me to the true object Jesus Christ the way, the truth and
the life, bless O Lord, all the people of this land, from the highest to the lowest, particularly those whom thou has appointed
to rule over us in church & state. continue thy goodness to me this night. These weak petitions I humbly implore thee
to hear accept and ans. for the sake of thy Dear Son Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
(3) Monday Morning
O eternal and everlasting God, I presume to present myself this morning before
thy Divine majesty, beseeching thee to accept of my humble and hearty thanks, that it hath pleased thy great goodness to keep
and preserve me the night past from all the dangers poor mortals are subject to, and has given me sweet and pleasant sleep,
whereby I find my body refreshed and comforted for performing the duties of this day, in which I beseech thee to defend me
from all perils of body and soul. Direct my thoughts, words and work, wash away my sins in the immaculate blood of the lamb,
and purge my heart by thy holy spirit, from the dross of my natural corruption, that I may with more freedom of mind and liberty
of will serve thee, the ever lasting God, in righteousness and holiness this day, and all the days of my life. Increase my
faith in the sweet promises of the gospel; give me repentance from dead works; pardon my wanderings, & direct my thoughts
unto thyself, the God of my salvation; teach me how to live in thy fear, labor in thy service, and ever to run in the ways
of thy commandments; make me always watchful over my heart, that neither the terrors of conscience, the loathing of holy duties,
the love of sin, nor an unwillingness to depart this life, may cast me into a spiritual slumber, but daily frame me more 7
more into the likeness of thy son Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time
attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life bless my family, friends & kindred unite us all in praising &
glorifying thee in all our works begun, continued, and ended, when we shall come to make our last account before thee blessed
saviour, who hath taught us thus to pray, our Father, & c.
(4) Monday Evening
Most Gracious Lord God, from whom proceedeth every good and perfect gift, I offer
to thy divine majesty my unfeigned praise & thanksgiving for all thy mercies towards me. Thou mad'st me at first and hst
ever since sustained the work of thy own hand; thou gav'st thy Son to die for me; and hast given me assurance of salvation,
upon my repentance and sincerely endeavoring to conform my life to his holy precepts and example. Thou art pleased to lengthen
out to me the time of repentance and to move me to it by thy spirit and by the word, by thy mercies, and by thy judgments;
out of a deepness of thy mercies, and by my own unworthiness, I do appear before thee at this time; I have sinned and done
very wickedly, be merciful to me, O God, and pardon me for Jesus Christ sake; instruct me in the particulars of my duty, and
suffer me not to be tempted above what thou givest me strength to bear. Take care, I pray thee of my affairs and more and
more direct me in thy truth, defend me from my enemies, especially my spiritual ones. Suffer me not to be drawn from thee,
by the blandishments of the world, carnal desires, the cunning of the devil, or deceitfulness of sin. work in me thy good
will and pleasure, and discharge my mind from all things that are displeasing to thee, of all ill will and discontent, wrath
and bitterness, pride & vain conceit of myself, and render me charitable, pure, holy, patient and heavenly minded. be
with me at the hour of death; dispose me for it, and deliver me from the slavish fear of it, and make me willing and fit to
die whenever thou shalt call me hence. Bless our rulers in church and state. bless O Lord the whole race of mankind, and let
the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and thy son Jesus Christ. Pity the sick, the poor, the weak, the needy, the
widows and fatherless, and all that morn or are borken in heart, and be merciful to them according to their several necessities.
bless my friends and grant me grace to forgive my enemies as heartily as I desire forgiveness of Thee my hevenly Father. I
beseech thee to defend me this night from all evil, and do more for me than I ccan think or ask, for Jesus Christ sake, in
whose most holy name & words, I continue to pray, Our Father, & c.
(5) Tuesday Morning
O Lord our God, most mighty and merciful father, I thine unworthy creature and
servant, do once more approach thy presence. Though not worthy to appear before thee, because of my natural corruptions, and
the many sins and transgressions which I have committed against thy divine majesty; yet I beseech thee, for the sake of him
in whom thou art well pleased, the Lord Jesus Christ, to admit me to render thee deserved thanks and praises for thy manifold
mercies extended toward me, for the quiet rest & repose of the past night, for food, rainment, health, peace, liberty,
and the hopes of a better life through the merits of thy dear son's bitter passion. and O kind father continue thy mercy and
favor to me this day, and ever hereafter; propse all my lawful undertakings; et me have all my directions from thy holy spirit;
and success from thy bountiful hand. Let the bright beams of thy light so shine into my heart, and enlighten my mind in understanding
thy blessed word, that I may be enabled to perform thy will in all things, and effectually resist all temptations of the world,
the flesh and the devil. preserve and defend our rulers in church & state. bless the people of this land, be a father
to the fatherless, a comforter to the comfortless, a deliverer to the captives, and a physician to the sick. let thy blessings
guide this day and forever through J. C. in whose blessed form of prayer I conclude my weak petitions--Our Father, & c.
(6) Tuesday Evening
Most gracious God and heavenly father, we cannot cease, but must cry unto thee
for mercy, because my sins cry against me for justice. How shall I address myself unto thee, I must with the publican stand
and admire at thy great goodness, tender mercy, and long suffering towards me, in that thou hast kept me the past day from
being consumed and brought to nought. O Lord, what is man, or the son of man, that thou regardest him; the more days pass
over my head, the more sins and iniquities I heap up against thee. If I should cast up the account of my good deeds done this
day, how few and small would they be; but if I should reckon my miscarriages, surely they would be many and great. O, blessed
father, let thy son's blood wash me from all impurities, and cleanse me from the stains of sin that are upon me. Give me grace
to lay hold upon his merits; that they may be my reconciliation and atonement unto thee,--That I may know my sins are forgiven
by his death & passion. embrace me in the arms of thy mercy; vouchsafe to receive me unto the bosom of thy love, shadow
me with thy wings, that I may safely rest under thy suspicion this night; and so into thy hands I commend myself, both soul
and body, in the name of thy son, J. C., beseeching Thee, when this life shall end, I may take my everlasating rest with thee
in thy heavenly kingdom. bless all in authority over us, be merciful to all those afflicted with thy cross or calamity, bless
all my friends, forgive my enemies and accept my thanksgiving this evening for all the mercies and favors afforded me; hear
and graciously answer these my requests, and whaatever else thou see'st needful grant us, for the sake of Jesus Christ in
whose blessed name and words I continue to pray, Our Father, & c.
(7) A Prayer for Wednesday Morning
Almighty and eternal Lord God, the great creator of heaven & earth, and the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; look down from heaven, in pity and compassion upon me thy servant, who humbly prostrate
myself before thee, sensible of thy mercy and my own misery; there is an infinite distance between thy glorious majesty and
me, thy poor creature, the work of thy hand, between thy infinite power, and my weakness, thy wisdom, and my folly, thy eternal
Being, and my mortal frame, but, O Lord, I have set myself at a greater distance from thee by my sin and wickedness, and humbly
acknowledge the corruption of my nature and the many rebellions of my life. I have sinned against heaven and before thee,
in thought, word & deed; I have contemned thy majesty and holy laws. I have likewise sinned by omitting what I ought to
done, and committing what i ought not. I have rebelled against light, despised thy mercies and judgments, and broken my vows
and promises; I have neglected teh means of Grace, and opportunities of becoming better; my iniquities are multiplies, and
my sins are very great. I confess them, O Lord, with shame and sorrow, detestation and loathing, and desire to be vile in
my own eyes, as I have rendered myself vile in thine. I humbly bessech thee to be merciful to me in the free pardon of my
sins, for the sake of thy dear Son, my only saviour, J. C., who came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance;
be pleased to renew my nature and write thy laws upon my heart, and help me to live, righteously, soberly, and godly in this
evil worlds; make me humble, meek, patient and contented, and work in me the grace of thy holy spirit. prepare me for death
and judgment, and let the thoughts thereof awaken me to a greater care and study to approve myself unto thee in well doing.
bless our rulers in church & state. Help all in affliction or adversity--give them patience and a sanctified use of their
affliction, and in thy good time deliverance from them; forgive my enemies, take me unto thy protection this day, keep me
in perfect peace, which I ask in the name & for the sake of Jesus. Amen.
(8) Wednesday Evening
Holy and eternal Lord God who art the King of heaven, and the watchman of Israel,
that never slumberest or sleepest, what shall we render unto thee for all thy benefits; because thou hast inclined thine ears
unto me, therefore will I call on thee as long as I live, from the rising of the sun to the going down of the same let thy
name be praised. among the infinite riches of thy mercy towards me, I desire to render thanks & praise for thy merciful
preservation of me this day, as well as all the days of my life; and for the many other blessings & mercies spiritual
& temporal which thou hast bestowed on me, contrary to my deserving. All these thy mercies call on me to be thankful and
my infirmities & wants call for a continuance of thy tender mercies; cleanse my soul, O Lord, I beseech thee, from whatever
is offensive to thee, and hurtful to me, and give me what is convenient for me. watch over me this night, and give me comfortable
and sweet sleep to fit me for the service of the day following. Let my soul watch for the coming of the Lord Jesus; let my
bed put me in mind of my grave, and my rising from there of my last resurrection; O heavenly Father, so frame this heart of
mine, that I may ever delight to live according to thy will and command, in holiness and righteousness before thee all the
days of my life. Let me remember, O Lord, the time will come when the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise and stand
before the judgment seat, and give an account of whatever they have done in the body, and let me so prepare my soul, that
I may do it with joy and not with grief. bless the rulers and people of this and forget not those who are under any affliction
or oppression. Let thy favor be extended to all my relations friends and all others who I ought to remember in my prayer and
hear me I beseech thee for the sake of my dear redeemer in whose most holy words, I farther pray, Our Father, & c.
(9) Thursday Morning
Most gracious Lord God, whose dwelling is in the highest heavens, and yet beholdest
the lowly and humble upon the earth, I blush and am ashamed to lift up my eyes to thy dwelling place, because I have sinned
against thee; look down, I beseech thee upon me thy unworthy servant who prostrate myself at the footstool of thy mercy, confessing
my own guiltiness, and begging pardon for my sins; what couldst thou have done Lord more for me, or what could I have done
more against thee? Thou didst send me thy Son to take nature upon
"The manuscript ended at this place, the close of a page. Whether the other pages were lost
or the prayers were never completed, has not been determined."
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