Abstract: The untimely death of George Washington
sent shock waves to the newly formed republic of the United States of America.
How did the people of this nation cope, and how could they survive without
their savior? A sermon in a tiny Protestant church in New England was given to
ease the minds of the church-goers. The sermon message was of hope that the new
nation with God on its side can survive. The material was taken from a pamphlet
titled “Mr. Alden’s Sermon on the Death of Gen Washington” from Sabin-American.
A sermon
was held on a cold, wintry Sunday morning, January 5, 1800, by Mr. Alden, the pastor
of the South Church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Mr. Alden stood before his
partitioners, dressed in all-black except for two elongated white collars sticking
out. As he began his sermon, the partitioners knew that something was wrong.
“O! Daniel, a man greatly beloved!” Mr. Alden yelled.[1]
“It devolves
upon us, in common with millions in America, and millions beyond the broad Atlantic,
to mourn that our beloved Washington, the friend of man, and the
favorite of heaven, is now no more!”[2] The crowd was in shock. How
could this be? Who would steer this newly formed republic in its correct path?
As the sermon
continued, Mr. Alden spoke of Washington as a savior. He wanted the
partitioners to live like Washington, to be with Providence, to combine for the
happiness and glory of our Israel, and to have the characters of Moses and
Joshua.[3] The revered saw the virtues
that Washington possessed. The new nation with a new constitution, Mr. Alden wanted
his partitioners to recount Washington's personal, domestic, martial,
patriotic, and Christian virtues and accomplishments.[4] In time, men, scholars,
engravers, painters, and poets will praise Washington, as Mr. Alden explained.
As Mr.
Alden told his partitioners, Washington gave the nation the rich blessing of
liberty and independence in a land flowing with milk and honey. It was Washington
who fought the evils of tyranny. Acting upon the nation's call, Washington took
up the mantle to become the first office in the union. Mr. Alden knew the country
was approaching a difficult time when politicians began to contrive for their benefits.
Again, Mr. Alden compared Washington to Daniel when Daniel was at the court of
Babylon. The revered believed that the nation would face uncertainty because of
the death of Washington.
But at last, the good reverend did
have some words of encouragement. Although Washington has left the mortal world,
Christendom received a savior to look upon America. Washington will be forever
in the minds of good Christians. To weep
for a man so greatly and justly beloved as Washington is Godlike, but gratitude
should mingle with our tears that our country was blessed for such a length of time
with such a favorite of Heaven.[5] As the sermon was closing,
the partitioners knew times of trouble were ahead. However, Mr. Alden gave them
the courage that Christ and His angels blessed Washington to look upon the
great country he created. And for that, the people of that nation shall forever
praise Washington as a true savior.
Source:
Alden, Timothy. A
sermon, delivered at the South church in Portsmouth, on the V January, M,DCCC :
occasioned by the sudden and universally lamented death of George Washington
... Printed at the United States' oracle-office, by Charles Peirce, January, 1800.
Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926,
link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0101104313/SABN?u=
vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&pg=1. Accessed 10 Sept. 2023
[1] Alden, Timothy. A sermon, delivered at the
South church in Portsmouth, on the V January, M,DCCC : occasioned by the sudden
and universally lamented death of George Washington ... Portsmouth,
(New-Hampshire): Printed at the United States' oracle-office, by Charles
Peirce, January, 1800. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas, 1500-1926
(accessed September 10, 2023). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0101104313/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=4dc24be2&pg=1, p 4.
[2] Ibid.
[3]
Ibid, p 5.
[4]
Ibid.
[5] Alden, Timothy. A sermon,
delivered at the South church in Portsmouth, on the V January, M,DCCC :
occasioned by the sudden and universally lamented death of George Washington
... Portsmouth, (New-Hampshire): Printed at the United States' oracle-office, by
Charles Peirce, January, 1800. Sabin Americana: History of the Americas,
1500-1926 (accessed September 10, 2023). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CY0101104313/SABN?u=vic_liberty&sid=bookmark-SABN&xid=4dc24be2&pg=1,
pp 23-24.
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