The volume was found in the library at Mount Vernon, after Washington's death, and it appears to have been used by him through life." There are many pencil marks in it noting choice

passages.

"From that volume the mother of Washington undoubtedly drew, as from a living well of sweet water, many of the maxims which she instilled into the mind of her first-born."

"Let those who wish to know the moral foundation of his character consult its pages."

WASHINGTON'S RULES

In 1745, thirteen years old, Washington copied many things in a little book of thirty folio pages. One part was headed, "Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation." There were one hundred and ten of these maxims. "Scarcely one rule is there that does not involve self-restraint, modesty, habitual consideration of others, and, to a large extent, living for others." The last three rules are as follows:

108th. When you speak of God or his Attributes, let it be Seriously & [with words of] Reverence, Honor & Obey your Natural Parents altho they be poor

109th. Let your Recreations be Manful not Sinful 110th. Labor to keep alive in your Breast that little Spark of Celestial fire called Conscience.1o

POEM ON "CHRISTMAS DAY"

When Washington was thirteen years of age he copied some verses on "Christmas Day," beginning,

"Assist me, Muse divine, to sing the Morn, On Which the Saviour of Mankind was born."11 Some think that he composed poems himself, but it is more likely that he copied them from an unknown source. It shows what manner of Christian training he had received at home. He had absorbed "the spirit of the Day and the facts of the faith, as well as the rule and model of Christian life."

GODFATHER

In 1747, at the age of fifteen years, young Washington was godfather to a child in baptism. In 1748, at sixteen, he was godfather to his niece, Frances Lewis. In 1751, at nineteen, to his nephew, Fielding Lewis, his sister's first child, and his mother was godmother. In 1760, at twenty-eight, he again became sponsor for another nephew, Charles Lewis. 12

GOES TO MOUNT VERNON

In the summer of 1746, he finds his way to the home of his brother Lawrence, at Mount Vernon. From then until March, 1748, "George, it is believed, resided at Mount Vernon, and with his mother at her abode opposite to Fredericks

burg. In that town he went to school, and as Mrs. Washington was connected with the church there, her son no doubt shared, under her own eye, the benefits of divine worship, and such religious instruction as mothers in that day were eminently accustomed to give their children. It was the habit to teach the young the first principles of religion according to the formularies of the church, to inculcate the fear of God, and strict observance of the moral virtues, such as truth, justice, charity, humility, modesty, temperance, chastity, and industry."13

TRIP TO THE WEST INDIES

In 1751 Lawrence Washington, on the advice of his physicians, decided to pass a winter in the West Indies, taking with him his favorite brother George as a companion. George kept a journal of this trip. They arrived on Saturday, November 3. The second Sunday we find this entry in his diary, which shows his habit of church attendance:

"Sunday, 11th-Dressed in order for Church but got to town too late. Dined at Major Clarke's with ye SeG. Went to Evening Service and return'd to our lodgings."

Before the next Sunday he was stricken with smallpox. A few days after his recovery he sailed for home.

CHAPTER II

WASHINGTON'S PRAYERS

ON April 21, 22, 23, 1891, there was sold at auction in Philadelphia a remarkable collection of Washington relics owned by Lawrence Washington, Bushrod C. Washington, Thomas B. Washington, and J. R. C. Lewis. Among them was found a little manuscript book entitled Daily Sacrifice.

"This gem is all in the handwriting of George Washington, when about twenty years old, and is, without exception, the most hallowed of all his writings. It is neatly written on twentyfour pages of a little book about the size of the ordinary pocket memorandum.”15

"The occasional interlineations and emendations indicate that it was prepared for his own

Whether Washington composed the prayers himself or copied them from some source as yet unknown has not been determined; but they are a revelation of that striking character which has been the wonder of the world. Professor S. F. Upham, professor of practical theology in Drew Theological Seminary, wrote: "The 'Daily Prayers' of George Washington abound in

earnest thought, expressed in simple, beautiful, fervent and evangelical language. They reveal to us the real life of the great patriot, and attest his piety. None can read those petitions, which bore his desires to God, and often brought answers of peace, without having a grander conception of Washington's character."

"The prayers are characterized by a deep consciousness of sin and by a need of forgiveness, and by a recognition of dependence upon the merits and mercies of our Lord. They contain fervent applications for family, friends, and rulers in church and state." The prayers are as follows (by special permission of Rev. Dr. W. Herbert Burk):

(1) SUNDAY MORNING

Almighty God, and most merciful father, who didst command the children of Israel to offer a daily sacrifice to thee, that thereby they might glorify and praise thee for thy protection both night and day; receive, O Lord, my morning sacrifice which I now offer up to thee; I yield thee humble and hearty thanks that thou has preserved me from the dangers of the night past, and brought me to the light of this day, and the comforts thereof, a day which is consecrated to thine own service and for thine own honor. Let my heart, therefore, Gracious God, be so affected with the glory and majesty of it, that I may not do mine own works, but wait on thee, and discharge those weighty duties thou requirest of me;