Browsed by
Category: Washington views on religion

Washington’s Farewell Address 1796

Washington’s Farewell Address 1796

Comments 0 Comment

George Washington January 1, 1796 In this famous address, he criticizes the spirit of faction that erupted among his colleagues. In terms of religion, the key paragraph is two thirds of the way down, starting, “Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports.” He declared that it would be literally unpatriotic to attack religion and suggested that the rule of law would disintegrate without religion because the legal system relies on…

Read More Read More

George Washington’s Letter To The Hebrew Congregations of Philadelphia, Newport, Charleston, and Richmond, January 1, 1790

George Washington’s Letter To The Hebrew Congregations of Philadelphia, Newport, Charleston, and Richmond, January 1, 1790

Comments 0 Comment

George Washington January 1, 1790 The liberal sentiment towards each other which marks every political and religious denomination of men in this country stands unrivalled in the history of nations. The affection of such a people is a treasure beyond the reach of calculation; and the repeated proofs which my fellow citizens have given of their attachment to me, and approbation of my doings form the purest source of my temporal felicity. The affectionate expressions of your address again excite…

Read More Read More

Letter from George Washington to the Roman Catholics in the United States, March 15, 1790

Letter from George Washington to the Roman Catholics in the United States, March 15, 1790

Comments 0 Comment

George Washington March 15, 1790 One of Washington’s greatest contributions to religious freedom was his insistence, as Commander of the Continental Army, that Catholics be treated as equal American citizens. While I now receive with much satisfaction your congratulations on my being called, by an unanimous vote, to the first station in my country; I cannot but duly notice your politeness in offering an apology for the unavoidable delay. As that delay has given you an opportunity of realizing, instead…

Read More Read More

Letter from George Washington to the Hebrew Congregations of the City of Savannah, Georgia

Letter from George Washington to the Hebrew Congregations of the City of Savannah, Georgia

Comments 0 Comment

George Washington thank you with great sincerity for your congratulations on my appointment to the office which I have the honor to hold by the unanimous choice of my fellow-citizens, and especially the expressions you are pleased to use in testifying the confidence that is reposed in me by your congregations. As the delay which has naturally intervened between my election and your address has afforded me an opportunity for appreciating the merits of the Federal Government and for communicating…

Read More Read More

Letter from George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, August, 18 1790

Letter from George Washington to the Hebrew Congregation in Newport, Rhode Island, August, 18 1790

Comments 0 Comment

George Washington August, 18 1790 For most of the Colonial era, “tolerance” meant tolerance for different denominations of Christians, and sometimes Catholics. In this famous letter, Washington declared that American tolerance included Jews, too. While I received with much satisfaction your address replete with expressions of esteem, I rejoice in the opportunity of assuring you that I shall always retain grateful remembrance of the cordial welcome I experienced on my visit to Newport from all classes of citizens. The reflection…

Read More Read More

Letter from George Washington to the Grand Master of Free Masons of Massachusetts, December 27, 1792

Letter from George Washington to the Grand Master of Free Masons of Massachusetts, December 27, 1792

Comments 0 Comment

George Washington December 27, 1792 To the Grand Master of the Free & Accepted Masons, for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Flattering as it may be to the human mind, & truly honorable as it is to receive from our fellow citizens testimonies of approbation for exertions to promote the public welfare; it is not less pleasing to know that the milder virtues of the heart are highly respected by a society whose liberal principles must be founded in the immediate…

Read More Read More

Letter from George Washington to the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches

Letter from George Washington to the General Assembly of Presbyterian Churches

Comments 1 comment

George Washington January 1, 1789 While I reiterate the professions of my dependence upon Heaven as the source of all public and private blessings; I will observe that the general prevalence of piety, philanthropy, honesty, industry, and economy seems, in the ordinary course of human affairs, particularly necessary for advancing and conforming the happiness of our country. While all men within our territories are protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of their consciences; it is rationally to…

Read More Read More

Letter from George Washington to the Continental Congress, July 8, 1777

Letter from George Washington to the Continental Congress, July 8, 1777

Comments 0 Comment

George Washington July 8, 1777 Washington opposed a proposal from the Continental Congress to appoint chaplains on a brigade level, instead of based on smaller regimental groups, a system that would have made it less likely that the chaplain would represent the denominations of the soldiers to which he was ministering. Such an approach, he explained, “would compel men to a mode of Worship which they do not profess.” Instead, having chaplains matched to local sensibilities was “founded on a…

Read More Read More

Letter from George Washington to the Ancient York Masons of Pennsylania, 1792

Letter from George Washington to the Ancient York Masons of Pennsylania, 1792

Comments 0 Comment

George Washington January 3, 1792 Presented 3 January 1792 To the Ancient York Masons of the Jurisdiction of Pennsylvania. Gentlemen & Brothers, I receive your kind congratulations with the purest sensations of fraternal affection; and from a heart deeply impressed with your generous wishes for my present and future happiness, I beg you to accept my thanks. — At the same time, I request you will be assured of my best wishes and earnest prayers for your happiness while you…

Read More Read More

Letter from George Washington to John Rogers, June 11, 1783

Letter from George Washington to John Rogers, June 11, 1783

Comments 0 Comment

George Washington June 11, 1783 Washington supports the distribution of Bibles to the troops. Head Quarters, June 11, 1783. Dear Sir: I accept, with much pleasure your kind Congratulations on the happy Event of Peace, with the Establishment of our Liberties and Independence. Glorious indeed has been our Contest: glorious, if we consider the Prize for which we have contended, and glorious in its Issue; but in the midst of our Joys, I hope we shall not forget that, to…

Read More Read More