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Lost Episode for February 20

On February 20, 1784, George Washington wrote his trusted friend, Major General Henry Knox, from Mount Vernon: “I feel now, however, as I conceive a wearied traveler must do who, after treading many a painful step with a heavy burden on his shoulders, is eased of the latter, having reached the haven to which all the former were directed; and from his housetop is looking back, and tracing with an eager eye the meanders by which he escaped the quicksands and mires which lay in his way; into which none but the all-powerful Guide and Dispenser of human events could have prevented his falling [Jude 1:24].”* Though he faced a hail of bullets on numerous occasions, Washington was never wounded and believed that God providentially protected him so that he could return home to enjoy his beloved Mount Vernon. Washington’s acknowledgement is another lost episode in American history. *Source Citation: Jared Sparks, ed., The Writings of George Washington: Being His Correspondence, Addresses, Messages, and Other Papers, Official and Private, Selected and Published from the Original Manuscripts, with a Life of the Author, 12 vols. (Boston: American Stationer’s Company, 1837), 9:22. Bracketed item added.

Lost Episode for February 19

On February 19, 1795, Bishop James Madison, President of William and Mary, responded to President George Washington’s call for a National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer by preaching a sermon entitled “Manifestation of the Beneficence of Divine Providence towards America,” which was later published. In this message, Madison declared: “Suppose, my brethren, when our forefathers here first rested the soles of their feet…the guardian Angel of America, free, independent, and holding an eminent rank among the nations of the earth; had shewn them her sons and daughters, numerous as the stars of heaven, assembled in the houses of their God, and with one voice, offering up their grateful incense of adoration, praise and thanksgiving, ‘for the great things he hath done for them’[Psalm 126:2]…” Bishop Madison’s message on the National Day of Thanksgiving and Prayer is another lost episode in American history. *Source Citation: Bishop James Madison, Manifestation of the Beneficence of Divine Providence towards America – a Discourse, Delivered on Thursday the 19th of February, 1795, Being the Day Recommended by the President of the United States, for General Thanksgiving and Prayer, (Richmond: Thomas Nicolson, 1795), as found in Ellis Sandoz, ed., Political Sermons of the American Founding Era: 1730-1805, 2 vols., (Indianapolis, IN: Liberty Fund, 1998), 2:1313. Bracketed item added.

Lost Episode for February 18

While speaking at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference on February 18, 1983, President Ronald Reagan declared: “Our Founding Fathers prohibited a Federal establishment of religion, but there is no evidence that they intended to set up a wall of separation between the state and religious belief itself. The evidence of this is all around us. In the Declaration of Independence, alone, there are no fewer than four mentions of a Supreme Being. “In God We Trust” is engraved on our coinage. The Supreme Court opens its proceedings with a religious invocation. And the Congress opens each day with prayer from its chaplains. The schoolchildren of the United States are entitled to the same privileges as Supreme Court Justices and Congressmen. Join with me in persuading the Congress to accede to the overwhelming desire of American people for a constitutional amendment permitting prayer in our schools.”* President Reagan’s argument for a restoration of prayer in public schools is a lost episode in American history. *Source Citation: David R. Shepherd, ed., Ronald Reagan: In God I Trust (Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1984), 133. Watch the entire speech here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=megjv7GATEM.

Lost Episode for February 17

On Sunday, February 17, 1828, President John Quincy Adams wrote in his diary about the sermon he heard during church services held in the U.S. Capitol: “Heard at the Capitol Mr. Gallaudet from Romans xv.21: ‘But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see; and they that have not heard shall understand.’ It is a part of the chapter in which St. Paul declares himself peculiarly the apostle of the Gentiles; and Mr. Gallaudet, in the application of his discourse, considered the deaf and dumb as Gentiles in our own age and country. The sermon, written in unambitious style, was fervent in manner and cogent in reasoning… The hall [House of Representatives] was well filled, but not crowded, and the sermon was listened to with deep attention.”* President Adams’ recollection of church services in the Capitol is another lost episode in American history. *Source Citation: Charles Francis Adams, ed., Memoirs of John Quincy Adams: Comprising Portions of His Diary from 1795-1848, 12 vols., (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott, 1875), 7:437-438. Bracketed items added.

Lost Episode for February 16

On February 16, 1858, James A. Garfield, President of Hiram College (and later the twentieth President of the United States), reported on the revival he had been conducting and offered an apology for missing a meeting as a result of the revival’s success: Dear Bro. Wallace, We have just closed our meeting with happy results. There were 34 addition[s]. 31 by immersion. I was sorry I could not be in Newburgh last Sunday, but it seemed to be my duty to stay here. Bro Dave Shu[?] tells me that the Brethren want me to hold a meeting in vacation. I have spoken 19 discourses in our meeting here – and this with all our work in the school has worn me down very much. I would not think of holding a meeting alone. And don’t know as I ought to help hold one. I will be in your place sometime next week and talk with you in reference to the matter of your letter. Which would have been answered sooner but for the meeting. I shall hope to visit Bedford also. Love to your family & believe me your Brother, J. A. Garfield. Among his many life experiences, James A. Garfield had a dramatic conversion to Christ after nearly drowning in the Ohio canal, was licensed to preach by the Christian Church, and received seminary training. Yet the future President’s successful revival preaching is most certainly another lost episode in American history. *Source Citation: Private Letter in Wallbuilders’ Collection. It [...]