The 286th birthday of George Washington comprises a fitting time to be reminded of the remarkable character of America’s first president.
Our good friend Elizabeth Youmans recently pointed us to an article at Breaking Christian News by Eddie Hyatt, “PRESIDENT’S DAY: THIS NATIVE AMERICAN PROPHECY IS STUNNINGLY ACCURATE IN DESCRIBING HOW GOD’S HAND RESTED ON GEORGE WASHINGTON.”
Hyatt writes about a little-known dimension of Washington’s life, that is, how he related to Native American tribes; in a word, with the same courtesy he showed to everyone. And yet without any diluting of his commitment to Jesus Christ.
Here’s an excerpt from Hyatt’s article.
Washington was devout in his Christian faith and respectful toward the Native people and culture, but he never allowed the two to be in conflict. He was always clear in his belief in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world, and that only Christianity offered the moral and intellectual underpinnings for a successful nation.
He clearly expressed this in a 1779 meeting with chiefs from the Delaware tribe who had expressed a desire for their children to be trained in American schools. Washington responded cordially and assured the chiefs the new nation would look upon their children as their own. He then commended the chiefs for their decision and said, “You do well to wish to learn our arts and our ways of life and above all, the religion of Jesus Christ. These will make you a greater and happier people than you are. Congress will do everything they can to assist you in this wise intention.”
For Washington, sharing the Gospel with those of other religions was like sharing bread with a starving man. It was the just and righteous thing to do. This is also why he had no qualms praying in public, “Bless, O Lord, the whole race of mankind and let the world be filled with the knowledge of Thee and Thy Son, Jesus Christ.”
Go here to read the full account.
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