In his eulogy for George Washington, Henry Lee said he was, “First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.” We could also say that Washington demonstrated Christian character both in war and in peace.
One of his orders while serving as the general in the Revolutionary War was to establish chaplains. He wrote that: “All chaplains are to perform divine service tomorrow, and on every succeeding Sunday . . . The commander in chief expects an exact compliance with this order . . . and every neglect will be consider not only a breach of orders, but a disregard to decency, virtue and religion.”
Washington grew even more explicit as the war dragged on: “While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of a Christian.”
