George Washington's Inauguration &
America's Israelite Destiny
by Dr. Richard Griffith
A team of researchers from Arizona State University and the University of
Pittsburgh recently conducted an amazing piece of historical detective work by
recreating the appearance of George Washington. "Research for the
project involved collecting 200-year-old artifacts of Washington's, including
his dentures and his original breeches, waistcoat and stockings" according to
Skyler Tulchin. Busts of Washington and other artifacts were also laser scanned
and the data entered "into a computer to create molds of wax for Washington's
head and dimensions for Washington's body." 1
Life-sized models of Washington at various stages of his life were created and
are now on display at Washington's Mount Vernon estate.2 The Washington that
emerges from the mist of time is physically powerful, handsome and charismatic.
These models reflect the consensus of Washington's time that he was a
captivating and powerful leader of men (see model of Washington as the
Commanding General of the Continental army, displayed below).3
Another life-sized 3-D model depicts Washington standing in front of a Bible at
his first inaugural (see below). This incredibly life-like depiction should
reinvigorate interest not only in Washington's heroic life, but also in the
pivotal and prophetic events that occurred at that first inauguration, which
should send chills of excitement and awe down the spines of all those who take
the promises of the Bible seriously.
The date is February 4, 1789. Washington has just been elected the first
president of the United States by sixty-nine votes cast by electors assembled in
New York City, the location of the temporary capital. In April he leaves his
Mount Vernon estate for the inaugural ceremony to be held in New York City,
after receiving word the count has been validated and he is indeed the first
president of the new republic. Along the route he is greeted with much fanfare.
Historian James A. Crutchfield recounts a moment at Trenton, New Jersey, the
scene of one of Washington's greatest victories: "the daughter of famed artist
Charles Wilson Peale bestowed a crown of laurel leaves upon his head as he
passed beneath a triumphal arch, while thirteen young women, decked out in
flowing white gowns, serenaded him with the song 'Welcome, Mighty Chief, Once
More.'"4
On April 23, 1789, Washington arrives in New York City and for the next six days
is feted throughout the city with "awe-inspiring military escorts, fifteen-gun
naval salutes, nightly banquets, adoring crowds, and even a spectacular
fireworks display" according to Eliza Morton. At noon on April 30, 1789,
Washington steps out onto the second floor balcony of the Federal Building.
Paul Gutjahr notes, "Physically and symbolically at the center of this momentous
event stood 'a large and elegant bible' that 'lay on a table, with a rich covering
of red velvet; and upon this, on a crimson velvet cushion'. The centrality of
the bible is all the more striking when one realizes that the Constitution does
not require a bible for administering the oath of office."5 The Bible is a 1767
King James Version quickly provided for the ceremony by Jacob Morton from a
local Masonic lodge after it dawned on the organizers that despite their
extensive preparations they were without a Bible.6
Eliza Morton recounts what happened next: "Chancellor Livingston read the form
of oath prescribed by the constitution; Washington repeated it, resting his hand
upon the Bible. Mr Otis, the secretary of the Senate, then took the Bible to
raise it to the lips of Washington who stooped to kiss the book." Jacob Morton
then stepped forward to mark the pages Washington had kissed. Although many
historians often relate such details of the kissing of the Bible and the marking
of the pages, they seem to miss their significance. Paul Gutjahr argues this
event is best understood in the light of the history of oath taking and the use
of random passages from sacred books as signs from the gods. It was the
practice of the Greeks, for example, to randomly open the Iliad and to view the
passage on the page as a message from the gods. This practice was continued in
the English speaking world with the Bible. Thus, the pages that Washington
kissed in light of this tradition should be seen as not mere happenstance, but
invested with great meaning-- a prophetic sign possibly from the God of the
Bible.
The pages of the Bible that Washington kissed were Genesis 49 and 50. Genesis 49
recounts incredible prophecies regarding the destiny of the Twelve Tribes of
Israel in the last days that Jacob made to his sons as they gathered around him
while he was dying. Chapter 50 recounts Joseph's mourning for his father, the
family's stay in Egypt and at the end of the chapter the dying Joseph's promise
to his brothers that God will lead them, Israel, to inherit a new land. 7
2 For a description of various educational displays at the Mount Vernon estate
featuring these life size models please see the following website:
http://www.mountvernon.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/print/sss/95/
3 PBS has a fine program and a website "Rediscovering Washington" with
descriptions of how Washington's contemporaries viewed him. Please see the
website www.pbs.org/georgewashington
and the section
"The Physical Characteristics of Washington."
6 For more on the fascinating history of this bible please see
http://www.stjohns1.org/bible.htm. Please also see "George Washington Bible
Rescued After World Trade Center Tragedy."
http://www.scottishrite.org/council/journal/nov01/nybible.html
7 Gutjahr (1999), pages 39-40. New historical research suggests Washington had
an intimate relationship and deep respect for the God of the Bible (see
"Divining Inside Washington's God" from http://www.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/qa200602200722.asp).
Particularly noteworthy is Michael and Jana Novak's response to the question
"Who is Washington's God?" Their answer: "The Great God Jehovah who led the
people of Israel long ago, the same benevolent Providence that led the way
through many dark times to the independence of the United States. That is the
God Washington described in his letter to the Synagogue in Savannah, after the
war."
References
Crutchfield, J. A. (2005). George Washington: First in War First in Peace. New
York: A Tom Doherty Associates Book.
George Washington's Inaugural Bible http://www.stjohns1.org/bible.htm
Gutjahr, P. C. (1999). An American Bible: A History of the Good Book in the
United States, 1777-1880. Stanford: Stanford University Press.
National Review (February 20, 2006). Divining W Inside Washington's God.
Retrieved March 11, 2008, from http://www.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/qa200602200722.asp
Quincy, E. S. M. (1861). Memoir of the life of Eliza S. M. Quincy. In An
American Bible: A History of the Good Book in the United States, 1777-1880.
Stanford: Stanford University Press.
Brit-Am is the "still small voice" that contains the truth.
[1-Kings 19:12] AND AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE A FIRE; BUT THE LORD WAS NOT IN THE
FIRE: AND AFTER THE FIRE A STILL SMALL VOICE.
