Give'em Watts, Boys!
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What they needed was a mature, sober head and a steady hand to assume the leadership of the military. A man who had a set of strong religious beliefs. "GEORGE WASHINGTON". Proof of his religious beliefs can be found in an old book written by William Johnson titled "George Washington the Christian". Following are some daily devotions and prayers he wrote when he was twenty. The first entry was subtitled Sunday Morning, and contained these words: "Let my heart, therefore, gracious God, be so affected with glory and majesty of (Thine honor) that I may not do mine own works, but wait on thee, and discharge those weighty duties which Thou requirest of me.... And in the next entry, Sunday Evening, are these words: "O mighty glorious God . . . I acknowledge and confess my faults; in the weak and imperfect performance of the duties of this day. I have called on Thee for pardon and forgiveness of sins, but so coldly and carelessly that my prayers are become my sin and stand in need of pardon. I have heard Thy holy word, but with such deadness of spirit that I have been an unprofitable and forgetful hearer . . . But, O God, who art rich in mercy and plenteous in redemption, mark not, I beseech Thee, what I have done amiss; remember that I am but dust, and remit my transgressions, negligence and ignorance, and cover them all with the absolute obedience of Thy dear Son, that those sacrifices (of sin, praise and thanksgiving) which I have offered may be accepted by Thee, in and for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ offered upon the Cross for me." In Monday Morning’s entry, young Washington had written: Direct my thoughts, words and work, wash away my sins in the immaculate Blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit . . . daily frame me more and more into the likeness of Thy Son Jesus Christ. And in Monday Evening’s:
Thou gavest Thy Son to die for me; and hast given me assurance of salvation, upon my repentance and sincerely endeavoring to conform my life to His holy precepts and example.
This was God’s man, chosen for the hour of America’s greatest crisis. So Washington took command of the Army. Thus the change in the attitude of the Continental Army, that summer of 1775, was rapid and dramatic. The day after Washington formally took command, the following general order was issued : "The General most earnestly requires and expects a due observance of those articles of war established for the government of the army, which forbid profane cursing, swearing and drunkenness. And in like manner, he requires and expects of all officers and soldiers not engaged in actual duty, a punctual attendance of Divine services, to implore the blessing of Heaven upon the means used for our safety and defense. William Emerson, pastor of the church on Harvard Square, in whose house Washington first stayed, wrote a friend: " There is a great overturning in the camp, as to order and regularity. New lords, new laws. The Generals Washington and [his adjutant, Charles] Lee are upon the lines every day. New orders from His Excellency are read to the respective regiments every morning after prayers." One of those new orders read: The General orders this day [July 20, the first national fast day] to be religiously observed by the forces under his Command, exactly in manner directed by the Continental Congress. It is therefore strictly enjoined on all officers and soldiers to attend Divine service. And it is expected that all those who go to worship do take their arms, ammunition and accoutrements, and are prepared for immediate action, if called upon. They were to be like Gideon’s men, drinking of the water watchfully, or like the Pilgrims, marching to their Sunday service with blunderbusses shouldered. Discipline, and more discipline - that was the rule that summer. Men learned how to march and drill, but more importantly, they learned how to obey. And an astonishing transformation took place: the Continental Army began to become an army in fact, as well as in name. And all, save a few passed - over senior officers whose egos could never forgive him or who lusted after his position, gave credit to Washington. He, in turn, was quick to give it to God, Whom he knew was responsible. Others knew it, too. Throughout America, certain committed ministers were reminding their congregations that it was only through God’s continuing mercy that America had fared as well as she had, and that repentance, not strength of arms, would decide the outcome.
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About the Book
Revolutionary history telling the part that strong religious belief played in the war's outcome. The book tells about General George Washington's deep faith, then tells the whole story of the Revolution, in a manner that everyone can understand. "This book would not have happened without God leading me throughout."
About the Author
David L. Taylor was born June 7, 1941, at Rahway General Hospital, Rahway, New Jersey. David was baptized on December 14, 1941, by Rev. Franklin L. Artley at Elmora Presbyterian Church, Elizabeth, New Jersey. He started kindergarten at Elmora School #12 in September 1946. All of his growing up was spent living at 850 Floral Avenue. Dave started the seventh grade at Alexander Hamilton Junior High School in September 1953. In early September 1956, Dave began attending Thomas Jefferson High School. He graduated from high school in June 1959. In September 1959, Dave started college at SUNY Morrisville, New York. After two years, he switched his credits to Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. The summer of 1961, he started work as a copyboy for the Elizabeth Daily Journal and attended Rutgers University at night. Working for the Journal continued until October 1963, when Dave joined the United States Navy, under the SNJC Program. This program guaranteed him a school of his choice and the rank of E-3 after boot camp. He left for boot camp at the Great Lakes Recruit Training Center. After graduation from boot camp, January 1964, Dave was assigned to Photo A School at the Naval Air Technical Training Unit, Pensacola Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida. Three months later, he had passed training and was assigned to VFP-63, Miramar Naval Air Station, Miramar, California. In late 1966, Dave extended his tour of duty by 11 months and was assigned to overseas shore duty at Naval Station, Bermuda. It was at this time that Dave went on a blind date with his future wife-to-be. This happened over the New Year’s Holiday weekend 1966-1967. A few dates later, Dave asked Catharine Elizabeth Featherstone to marry him. They were married on June 3, 1967, at Naval Station Chapel by the Chaplain Lt. CDR Van Tassel. In September 1968, Second Class Photographer David L. Taylor was honorably discharged from the United States Navy. They moved to Florida to be near the rest of his family and settled in Tampa. On November 26, 1969, Robert Cameron Taylor was born. They lived in Tampa until May 1989, when they moved to Treasure Island. After moving to Treasure Island, Dave started family genealogy research. This led him to discover that he was directly related to a Revolutionary War Veteran. He joined the Sons of the Revolution on August 16, 1993 and the Society of the Descendants of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge on January 19, 1995. He has become President of the Brig. General John Glover Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution in the State of Florida and is currently Chaplain for the Sons of the Revolution in the State of Florida. On August 21, 1999, Dave gave a talk on the Battle of Long Island to the local chapter of the Sons of the Revolution. This led to the writing of a five-lesson class on Religion in the Revolution. He taught this class twice at Pasadena Presbyterian Church. The popularity of his talk on the Battle of Long Island, led to it being published in the spring 2000 issue of Flintlock & Powderhorn. The magazine of the Sons of the Revolution General Society located at Fraunces Tavern, New York City. This has led to the publication of this book and Dave has a second book coming in the near future titled The Making of an American. It is about the American Revolution through the eyes of a teenager.