America's Providential History Podcast explores faith of many American presidents

>> Stephen McDowell: Welcome to America's Providential History Podcast, where we talk about the real story of America and explore the hand of God in our history. Now, here's your host, Steven McDowell. Hello. I'm glad you're joining us for this edition of America's Providential History Podcast. Today, I want to begin a series where we will be exploring the faith of many of the presidents of the United States. The White house in Washington, D.C. is the home of our presidents, our chief executives. In fact, it's been the home of every president except George Washington. John Adams, our second president, was the first to move into the White House, under Washington's presidency. He oversaw the laying out of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C. and beginning construction of the Capitol building and what became known as the White House or the chief executive's home. Now, John Adams, toward the end of his presidency, visited, the chief executive mansion, which would become his home, just for a brief while at the end of his term. And he was writing to his wife, Abigail Adams, giving her some insight. And here, this is going to be, your home for a little while, as I finish up my term as president. And in a letter to Abigail, he included a prayer, for the White House. Now, that prayer, a part of that prayer is cut into the marble facing of the State dining Room fireplace. It reads, I pray heaven to bestow the best of blessings on this house and on all that shall hereafter inhabit it. May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof. And so that prayer, I'm sure many people over the years have seen it, read it, and have prayed it. And for the most part, I believe this prayer has been answered in our history. As he prayed, he asked for God's blessing on this house, on the White House, and on everyone, all those presidents who have lived there, since, the beginning of our nation. And then he asked, may none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof? Most of our presidents have been honest and wise men. Unfortunately, there have been many that have been neither honest nor wise. but regardless of the worldview and the character and thinking and faith, living or not living, of all of these men who served as our president, every one of them all, all of them, from George Washington to Donald Trump, have attended church, have associated with the Christian religion. They've taken the oath of office with their hand on the Bible and referred to God in their inaugural addresses and other speeches as well. Most of them have declared national days of prayer and fasting also. And so while they have all professed. In some way or embraced in some way the Christian faith. They certainly haven't all, lived up to the principles of the Christian faith. They certainly haven't reflected in their actions the Christian faith. Jesus said, you'll know them by their fruit. but nonetheless, as we've explored in past podcasts, the foundation of Christianity was so influential, so strong, it's animus incorporated all things that everyone, would have professed faith in the Christian religion and still do today. By far, Christianity is the largest, faith profession of all the American people and all of our leaders as well. So we're not going to look at all the presidents and their faith, at least in this series and the next number of podcasts, but I do want to highlight, some of them, beginning with our first president, George Washington. Now, since George Washington was our first president, he set a standard for what presidents ought to be like that operate in our American Christian constitutional federal republic. Since he has been called the indispensable man, by far the most influential individual in the birth, growth and development of the United States, then I want to take a little bit deeper, look into him. In fact, last year I did a series of two podcasts, on George Washington as a man of providence and told some stories and presented some words of him that demonstrate the providence of God and in his life and how he proclaimed the providence of God. But in these next few podcasts, I want to look a little bit more in his life and particularly highlight his Christian character, his Christian faith, things that he said, actions, people that knew him, what they said about him, so that we can get an understanding and a feel. was this man a believer? Did he believe in the Christian religion, as well? So I want to begin just by looking at some overview of Washington's life in general, of how he was prepared and used by God.

Every American today would do well to make George Washington their role model

Now, George Washington rightly deserves the title the father of this country. Every American today, youth and adult as well, would do well to make Washington their role model. And we should all know about him, be closely acquainted with him. Unfortunately, most Americans don't know him today because he's not presented in any depth at all in our schools, our government schools, and often a lot of what is said about him is denigrating and putting him down. Following the death of George Washington in 1799, Henry Lee told Congress that Washington was first in peace, first in war, and first in the hearts of his countrymen. You know, nobody has been as well loved and admired in the history of America as George Washington. He's Been the hero and role model of many people in many countries, not only since his death, but even while he was living. In fact, the people so admired Washington during his life that John Adams expressed the fear that the people were making a God out of him. Now, one man in particular had Washington as his hero. This man grew up on the frontier, western part of what was then the, United States, and only had a few books. He had the Bible, as every household did. Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Aesop's Fables, and Parson Wein's Life of Washington. Now, these few books this man had in his, growing up on the wilderness, he devoured, read them and meditated and considered them. These helped implant a desire within him to be like Washington. So Washington made a lasting impression on him for all his life. And the man who emulated Washington became our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. For generations, the example of Washington was put before young Americans to inspire them to greatness of moral character, forthright honesty, quiet modesty, thoughtful consideration for others, thoroughness, kindness and generosity. You know, many historians and leaders throughout the world have acknowledged that, as one said, Washington was without an equal, was unquestionably the greatest man that the world has produced in the last 1,000 years. And as I said, he's been called the indispensable man. The world's apostle of liberty is the title Thomas Paine gave him. And without Washington, we would not have the America that we do today. Abraham Lincoln wrote of him, Washington is the mightiest name on earth. Long since mightiest in the cause of civil liberty, still mightiest in moral reformation. On that name no eulogy is expected. It cannot be. To add brightness to the sun or glory to the name of Washington is alike impossible. Let none attempt it. In solemn awe we pronounce the name, and in its naked splendor leave it shining on. so those words from our 16th president indicate the impact that Washington had on the nation, had on him, had on our country for generations and generations. Unfortunately, M. Washington has been, lost to, I would say, to most of Americans today, just to superficial knowledge at best, most people have of this indispensable man. Now, Washington was an example of Christian character, A, character that we, should hold up to emulate. Now, character has been defined as a convictional belief that results in consistent behavior which is readily seen in Washington's life. Now, Washington, as most know, was the commanding general during the American Revolution, where without him, we would have not gained victory. But during one very difficult winter, the winner of Valley Forge provides a great example of the character of George Washington. now the winter of 1777 and 1778 was one of the most important in our nation's history because that winter was in many ways the turning point of the American Revolution. During that winter, the American army faced as great an ordeal as any army in history. Now, before the American army moved into Valley Forge in December 1777, that's where it was going to, he was. Washington was going to have the. His winter quarters there because the British were nearby and Phil Philadelphia, he wanted to keep an eye on them. But before they moved in to Valley Forge, it consisted of undisciplined men who had obtained few victories in their war with Britain that they'd been fighting for a couple of years. But the next spring they marched out as a well disciplined band, committed more than ever to their general and to the cause of liberty. They were now prepared to see victory through their efforts. But what was the ordeal the army faced? How, did such a change occur during that stay at Valley Forge? What was the cause behind this change? Well, as the American army under the command of Washington, moved toward their wintering spot at Valley Forge, army troops had no clothes to cover their nakedness. They didn't have blankets to lie on or tents to sleep under. Washington stated, for the want of shoes. Their marches through frost and snow might be traced by the blood from their feet. And they were almost as often without provisions as with them. Well, their situation even worsened after their arrival at Valley Forge on December 19th. Lack of food and provisions for his men was central to Washington's appeal to Congress. In a letter to Congress dated December 23, 1777, Washington wrote, Men are confined to hospitals or in farmers houses for want of shoes. We have this day no less than 2,899 men in camp unfit for duty because they are barefoot and otherwise naked. In fact, about one third of all his troops were unfit for service. And this number increased as the winter progressed. Baron von Steuben wrote there the unfortunate. Excuse me, Lafayette wrote. Now, Lafayette was a Frenchman who came offered his service to George, Washington during the war. And he wrote this. The unfortunate soldiers were in want of everything. They had neither coats, hats, shirts nor shoes. Baron von Steuben, who was a Prussian professional soldier who all came during the time of Valley Forge and offered his service to, Washington providentially, by the way, he said the men were literally naked, some of them in the fullest extent of the word, and hunger was even a greater danger. Lafayette wrote the army frequently remained whole days without provision. One soldier's meal on a Thanksgiving day declared by Congress was half a gill of rice and a tablespoonful of vinegar. In mid February, there was more than a week when the men received no provisions at all. So here's the condition of the army that, they were naked, they didn't have food to eat. They were exposed to the cold. there you could see, where they were marching by the blood coming from their feet that was left in the snow. A doctor who, was there gave this description. There comes a soldier. His bare feet are seen through his worn out shoes, his legs nearly naked from the tattered remains of an only pair of stockings. His breeches are not sufficient to cover his nakedness, his shirt hanging in strings, his hair disheveled, his face meager. His whole appearance pictures a person forsaken and discouraged. He comes and cries with an air of wretchedness and despair. I am sick. My feet lame. My legs are sore, My body covered with this tormenting itch. Well, due to this lack of food and clothing, hundreds of troops fell sick. Many men's feet and legs froze till they became black, and it was often necessary to amputate them. During most of January and February, there were constantly more than 4,000 soldiers who were incapacitated as a result of exposure, disease and undernourishment. That was, you know, about a third of his whole army were incapacitated. And in the midst of all of this, this great struggle, they persevered. Beyond this. The patient attitude with which they endured this misery was no less than supernatural. Washington wrote April 21, 1778, to a congressional delegate. For without arrogance or, the smallest deviation from the truth, it may be said that no history now extant can furnish an instance of instance of an army suffering such uncommon hardships as ours has done and bearing them with the same patience and fortitude. Their submitting without a murmur is a proof of patience and obedience, which, in my opinion, can scarce be paralleled.

George Washington's Christian character helped sustain the army during valley Forge, historians say

Well, we must ask, what could possibly have held this army together through this difficult ordeal? Baron von Steuben said no European army could have held together in such circumstances. But so then, how can. Could an inexperienced American army stick together? Was it due to their good discipline? Well, von Steuben states, with regard to military discipline, no such thing existed. Could it have been the financial reward they would receive? Well, not hardly. For their meager pay was already four to five months past due, and complete payment would never come to most of them. So what was it then? That could hold this army together in such difficulty? Well, most historians agree that the reason for their perseverance in valley forge can be attributed to their love of liberty and to their general, George Washington, and his amazing quality of leadership. historian George Bancroft, the prominent historian of the 19th century, states, that love of country and attachment to their general Sustained them under their unparalleled hardships. With any other leader, the army would have dissolved and vanished. And so Washington's character and encouragement inspired the army to follow his example. From the beginning, he tirelessly traveled throughout the camp, his very presence bringing strength to the men. Washington's heart was for his men as well as for his country. As Washington observed his naked and distressed soldiers, he said, I feel superabundantly for them, and from my soul I pity those miseries which it is neither in my power to relieve or prevent. See, Washington knew that the cause for which they fought was well worth any price, even the suffering at valley Forge, because they purchased liberty not only for them, but for generations to come, including us today. While at valley Forge, blood was not shed in battle, yet the American army shed much blood. One historian, Henry Brown, writes, the blood that stained this ground did not rush forth in the joyous frenzy of the fight. It fell drop by drop from the heart of a suffering people. They who once encamped here in the snow Fought not for conquest, not for power, not for glory, not for their country only, not for themselves alone. They served here for posterity. They suffered here for the human race. They bore here the cross of all the peoples. They died here that freedom might be the heritage of all. It was Washington's character that helped sustain the army, but what sustained Washington? And by the way, as historian Brown points out, this is why we need to know the true history of our nation. This is why we need to learn what price was paid to purchase the liberty that we take for granted so many Americans, today. This is one of many examples, you know, just these soldiers at valley Forge, the suffering they. They went through, through. And they were suffering again, mostly for posterity. Of course, many of them never benefited from it. They died from hardships during the war. But, so many millions more have benefited from the struggle, the sacrifice these men did. And so it was Washington's character, his Christian character, that helped sustain the army. But what sustained Washington? Well, this question could easily be answered by Washington's troops or officers, for they knew his trust was completely in God. The army had frequently seen Washington order his men to attend church and to observe days of prayer and Fasting and days of thanksgiving proclaimed by the Continental Congress and proclaimed by Washington as well. his orders. Washington was also very instrumental in securing chaplains for the army. Reverend Henry Muhlenberg, he's the gentleman who really helped to bring and introduce the Lutheran faith to the colonies. Reverend Henry Muhlenberg, who was living at the time and knew him in fact visited Washington. He relates how General Washington rode around among his army and admonished each and every one to fear God, to put away the wickedness that had set in and become so general and to practice the Christian virtues again. He was a firsthand witness who went to the camp at Valley Forge, witnessed what Washington did and spoke of his encouraging his troops to practice the Christian virtues as instrumental in their survival. It was said of Washington in a sketch that was written by an American gentleman in London, published in papers in 1779, that he regularly attends divine service in his tent every morning and evening and seems very fervent in his prayers. General Knox was one of many who gave testimony of Washington frequently visiting secluded groves to lay the cause of his bleeding country at the throne of grace. Now a number of people have recorded the story of how a Tory Quaker Tories were those Americans who sided with the British in the cause. Or how a Tory Quaker by the name of Isaac Potts came upon Washington while he was on his knees in prayer in the woods. Benson J. Losing relates that Potts later made the following remarks to his wife. Losing was a 19th century historian, wrote many different books, about early American history. So he, he relates how Potts made the following remarks to his wife and, and this is after you know, Potts was, had a farm near Valley Forge. And as he was riding back home he heard this noise in the woods and he quietly walked up and he looked and testified that he saw General Washington on his knees in prayer there praying. And there's a number of people have depicted this event in paintings and drawings over the years. On the COVID of our book America's Providential History, we have a painting of the prayer of Washington at Valley Forge. It was painted by Arnold Freeberg, who is an immigrant to America from Scandinavia and in the 1970s painted that picture as a gift to the United States to reveal or display or present how much the nation has meant to him and thought it very appropriate that Washington and Prairie Valley Forge encapsulates the founding of this nation, and there's many others who had before that time made similar images. And there's Stained glass windows. In fact one is in the prayer room of the United States Capitol. Shows Washington on his knees in prayer. There are statues depicting this incident as well. But again, low singing relates that, pots later remained made these remarks to his wife. If there is anyone on this earth whom the Lord will listen to, it is George Washington. And I feel a presentiment that under such a commander there can be no doubt of our eventually, establishing our independence and that God in his providence has willed it so. On May 6, 1982, President Reagan remarked on this event in his National Day of Prayer proclamation stating the most sublime picture in American history is of George Washington on his knees in the snow at Valley Forge. That image personifies a, people who know that it is not enough to depend on our own courage and goodness. We must also seek help from God our Father and preserver. And I believe this painting, this image of Washington depicts that very well. And how some historians we would say, well, we don't know that this really ever happened. It's maybe more of an anecdotal story. But we do know many people saw Washington in prayer and his tents tent privately. And during this time and during the war he issued public proclamations for prayer and everything else. But a number of people relate this story of Potts. But even if it not be true that it happened in the way that losing and others have depicted it, nonetheless the heart of Washington is revealed in this incident. So in this most difficult of times, George Washington constantly relied upon God and trusted in him for success. God was faithful to answer his prayers. And through Washington he eventually established our independence and secured the beginning of the most free and prosperous nation that the world has ever seen. Well, how did God answer Washington's prayer? He certainly prayed and people saw him pray. And of course it wasn't just Washington in prayer that the whole country was in prayer. States were praying. The Continental Congress proclaimed at least 15 days of prayer and fasting or prayer and thanksgiving. During the American Revolution, individual states issued proclamations. Of course, many churches and Christian families and people throughout the colony states were praying as well. So many people were praying, including our general George Washington. And God did answer prayers in many ways. One miracle occurred that winter which helped eliminate their near starving situation. More recent historian Bruce Lancaster relates the event as One foggy morning, the soldiers noticed the Schuylkill River. That's where Valley Forge was. They were camped right near the Schuylkill River. And so he, he writes one foggy morning, the soldiers noticed the Schuylkill river seemed to be boiling. The disturbance was caused by thousands and thousands of shad which were making their way upstream in an unusually early migration. With pitchforks and shovels, the men plunged into the water, throwing the fish onto the banks. Lee's dragoons rode their horses into the stream to keep the shad from swimming out of reach. Suddenly and wonderfully, there was plenty of food for the army.

God's providence provided food and supplies for American troops during 1778

What a miraculous answer to prayer. Have you ever been fishing with pitchforks and shovels? Well, these men did. And, providentially, just at the time that was necessary to feed the troops, God's providence. And by the way, just interesting, just a week or two before that, a wagon load of salt was sent to the troops. Now, Washington, throughout the war, was, really dependent upon others to provide food and other things. The continental Congress had no power to raise money, so they couldn't really support him in the field. So he was dependent on different states and governors and the local people, individuals that he would appeal to. You know, we need supplies, we need food, blankets. We need all kinds of things. Things. And, and so, someone had sent a wagon load of salt, but at the time they had nothing. They. Salt was used to preserve, meats, but they had nothing to preserve. But here it was not long after that thousands and thousands of fish God brought to them that they, they harvested with pitchforks and shovels. And that salt provided a way for them to preserve that fish which they ate for quite some time. God's providence can also be seen when baron von Steuben, who was a veteran Prussian soldier, came to Valley Forge on February 23rd and offered his services to the American army. And no one could have been more valuable at the time because he train the men to move together as a well disciplined army. See, they were just a bunch of farmers that enlisted. Yes, I'll go fight for the cause of liberty. They weren't professional soldiers. They didn't have professional training. And it was, seen at times in some of the conflicts that they had been in prior to this. And so Baron von Steuben, provided rigorous drilling and training of the troops that gave them confidence in themselves as soldiers, even as Washington had given them confidence as men. Not only had godly character and strength been forged and tempered within the army, but military skill had also finally been imparted, to them. So that's why when they marched out, they were a band of brothers, if you will, who had more skill and knowledge and tempered character than before. Another providential event occurred that winter when France became an Allie to America. We've discussed this in previous podcasts of the surrender. Burgoyne at Saratoga was an incident, that helped the French see, hey, we might, the Americans might win this cause, and we're going to come to their aid so that we can get back at our, enemy Britain, through this. And so they, the France, in hearing this and considering would they help them, decided, yes, we will become an ally with them. And so they then made that decision and of course sent word via ship that they had entered into, that assistance to become an ally. So this meant much needed French money and troops, especially a navy, because Americans had no navy. They began to pour into the new nation. And these were vital in assuring that we won the American Revolution. Well, the Continental Congress acknowledged this as the hand of God as they declared a national day of Thanksgiving on May 7. In Washington's orders issued at Valley Forge on May 5, 1778, he proclaimed it, having pleased the almighty ruler of the universe propitiously to defend the cause of the United American States, and finally, by raising up a powerful friend among the princes of the earth to establish our liberty and independence upon a lasting foundation, it becomes us to set apart a day for gratefully acknowledging the divine goodness and celebrating the event which we owe to his benign interposition. And so again we get insight into Washington's character and Washington's faith, prayer and appealing to God, through all of these things on a personal level and really a national level. And in such proclamation. So the troops survival, the molding of a disciplined army, Washington's amazing leadership, and all the miraculous occurrences during the winter at Valley Forge can only be attributed to Almighty God. George Washington said, following all of this, looking back over the first three years of the war, the hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in all this that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith and more than wicked, that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligation. And so through this incident at Valley Valley Forge, this is just one, series of events, one occurrence that reveals much about the Christian character of George Washington. The Christian faith of George Washington. Now we're going to examine more since Washington's such an important character. In the next podcast, we're going to look at, at some more incidences of his Christian character being displayed and things that occurred in his lifetime, but also want to kind of go back and look at, the how Washington was prepared as a young man, his education, what kind of education produced this man of such great faith and character. And then I want to look much more in depth just at the faith of George Washington derived from m. His words, his actions, from those who knew him, his intimate friends and family, what they said about him. We'll look at that in more detail, as well. So thanks for joining us.

This podcast is one of many exploring the faith of many American presidents

in this podcast, this one of many as we're going to begin to explore the faith of many of our presidents. Now, if you want to read more about, Washington, I would point you to a book that I wrote a number of years ago called Apostle of Liberty, the World Changing Leadership of George Washington. You can read about it and order a copy from our website, providencefoundation.com and it's also available at, Amazon. But, that will give you, you know, in, in that book, I highlight the providence of God in the words and life of George, Washington. It's a great introduction, to this man, the Apostle of Liberty. So I point you to that and of course, our book, America's Providential History, that I've mentioned before as many wonderful stories about the founders of America. And I point out some other resources for you as we began to look at the faith of other presidents. So hope you can join us next week as we continue the story of the indispensable man, George Washington. Well, God bless you. See you next week. It.

The Faith of the Presidents: George Washington (Part 1)