What Did You Say?

 At age 15, George Washington copied, in his own handwriting, 110 Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation. Among them were:

• 108) When you speak of God, or His attributes, let it be seriously and with reverence. Honor and obey your natural parents although they may be poor.
• 109) Let your recreations be manful not sinful.
• 110) Labour to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.

When George Washington was leaving home to begin what would become a lifelong service for his country, he recorded the parting words of his mother, Mrs. Mary Washington:

Remember that God is our only sure trust. To Him, I commend you…My son, neglect not the duty of secret prayer.

 The account of George Washington at the Battle of the Monongahela was included in student textbooks in America until 1934. During the French & Indian War, George Washington fought alongside of the British General Edward Braddock. On July 9, 1755, the British were on the way to Fort Duquesne, when the French surprised them in an ambush attack.

The British, who were not accustomed to fighting unless in an open field, were being annihilated. Washington rode back and forth across the battle delivering General Braddock’s orders. As the battle raged, every other officer on horseback, except Washington, was shot down. Even General Braddock was killed at which point the troops fled in confusion. After the battle, on July 18, 1755, Washington wrote to his brother, John, A. Washington:

 “But by the all-powerful dispensations of Provence, I have been protected beyond all human probability or expectation; for I had four bullets through my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet escaped unhurt, although death was leveling my companions on every side of me.”

 (The next article jumps ahead 15 years, but is germane to the above article. I might add that at the time of the above battle, the Indians joined the French in fighting the English, while Washington joined the English.…..Benny)

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 August 12, 2012

 Fifteen years later, Washington and Dr. Craik, a close friend of his from his youth, were traveling through the same woods, near the Ohio river and Great Kanawha river. They were met by an old Indian chief, who addressed Washington through an interpreter:

“I am a chief and ruler over my tribes. My influence extends to the waters of the great lakes and to the far blue mountains.I have traveled a long and weary path that I might see the young warrior of the great battle. It was on the day when the white man’s blood mixed with the streams of our forests that I first beheld this chief {Washington}’

“I called to my young men and said, mark yon tall and daring warrior? He is not of the red-coat tribe.—he hath an Indian’s wisdom, and his warriors fight as we do—himself alone exposed. ‘Quick, let your aim be certain, and he dies. Our rifles were leveled, rifles which, but for you, knew not how to miss—‘twas all in vain, a power mightier far than we, shielded you.”

“Seeing you were under the special guardianship of the Great Spirit, we immediately ceased to fire at you. I am old and soon shall be gathered to the great council fire of my fathers in the land of shades, but ere I go there is something bids me speak in the voice of prophecy.’

“Listen! The Great Spirit protects that man {pointing to Washington}, and guides his destinies—he will become the chief of nations, and a people yet unborn will hail him as the founder of a mighty empire. I am come to pay homage to the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who can never die in battle.”

The famous Indian warrior, who was in that battle, said,: “Washington was never born to be killed by a bullet! I had seventeen fair fires at him with my rifle, and after all could not bring him to the ground.”