The American Covenant XXXVIII

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!

We left this series just over six months ago, and I thought we were done with it, but I found something deserving of addition to this series and thought I'd add Chapter 38.

Anyway, Good, Good Morning to ya!

Coffee's on!  I'm enjoying some of that fresh dark-roasted Kona that Tony brought me last Friday.  Drop in, and I'll pour you a cup.  And, if you don't want to drop in, be that way!  See if I care.  Hehehehehe.....  That's just more Kona for me.  Anyway, pour yourself whatever brew you've got steeping in your French Press and let's get started with today's discussion.

After doing the series this past week on my father, I've had numerous requests to pick it up and fill in a lot of gaps, and share some of the experiences related to the establishing of each of the various churches throughout Alaska.  Haven't decided just where to start with it, but perhaps later this week or next week, we'll do that.

When we first began this series on the American Covenant in the Spring of 2006, we talked about the fact that the overwhelming majority of America's founding fathers had a strong faith in Jesus Christ, made no bones about their faith, and incorporated basic Christian fundamentals into the makeup of our U.S. Constitution.  As you read the biographies, the personal notes and the correspondence of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, George Mason, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin -- and all those signers of the Declaration of Independence who put their lives on the line to declare this nation a separate and free nation -- you realize that each of them had a vision of the future.

In many cases that vision was divinely inspired by God; and in every case, the vision carried foresight well into the future.  They each had a personal perspective and expectation that America would be unique in the world, that it would be a nation whose God would be the Lord.  As Benjamin Franklin stated before the Continental Congress during the Constitution Convention on June 28, 1787, "I have lived, Sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this Truth, that God governs in the Affairs of Men. And if a Sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid?"

It was ten years before -- 1777 -- during the long winter at Valley Forge that George Washington had an experience that would forever alter him as a person.  You may remember that 1777 was one of the worst years of fighting in the War of Independence.  Americans were dying by the thousands in their battle to make this country a free nation.  George Washington was heading up the Revolutionary Armies, and they were literally stuck at Valley Forge fighting frostbite, hunger, starvation and extreme discouragement.  Some of the troops did not even have shoes or boots to wear in the snow.

Many soldiers were sick and dying from disease and exposure.  Morale was at an all-time low and there was great agitation in the Colonies against continued effort to secure our freedom from England.  Nevertheless, General Washington was determined to see the struggle through.

Washington had written the Continental Congress for more support, for supplies for the soldiers, for more guns, for monies to pay the fighting men.  Help was slow in coming.  Winter at Valley Forge was cruel and excruciating for an army ill-equipped to deal with the cold and snow -- and scarcely enough food.

It was during this period that George Washington had an unusual and profound experience.  The account is repeated here as first printed in the U.S. war veterans paper, The National Tribune, in 1859, and reprinted in December 1880 (Vol. 4, No. 12, December 1880).  The National Tribune became, "The Stars and Stripes", where this article was later reprinted in that publication in 1931 and again on December 21, 1950.

This vision can be found archived in the papers of George Washington in the Library of Congress.

This first portion is shared by Wesley Bradshaw to whom this vision was shared by one of George Washington's adjutants.

"That last time I ever saw Anthony Sherman was on the Fourth of July 1859, in Independence Square.  He was then ninety-nine years old, and becoming very feeble.  But though so old, his dimming eyes rekindled as he gazed upon Independence Hall, which he came to visit once more."

Following is what Anthony Sherman related.  "I want to tell you an incident of Washington's life -- one which no one alive knows of except myself; and if you live, you will before long, see it verified," he said.

"From the opening of the Revolution we experienced all phases of fortune, now good and now ill, one time victorious and another conquered.  The darkest period we had, I think, was when Washington after several reverses, retreated to Valley Forge, where he resolved to pass the winter of 1777.  Ah!  I have often seen the tears coursing down our dear commander's careworn cheeks, as he would be conversing with a confidential officer about the condition of his poor soldiers.  You have doubtless heard the story of Washington's going to the thicket to pray.  Well, it was not only true, but he used often to pray in secret for aid and comfort from God, the interposition of whose Divine Providence bought us safely through the darkest days of tribulation.

"One day, I remember it well, the chilly winds whistled through the leafless trees, though the sky was cloudless and the sun shone brightly he remained in his quarters nearly all the afternoon alone.  When he came out I noticed that his face was a shade paler than usual, and there seemed to be something on his mind of more than ordinary importance.  Returning just after dusk, he dispached an orderly to the quarters of the officer I mention who was presently in attendance.  After a preliminary conversation of about half an hour, Washington, gazing upon his companion with that strange look of dignity which he alone could command, he said to the latter:

"I do not know whether it is owing to the anxiety of my mind, or what, but this afternoon, as I was sitting at this table engaged in preparing a dispach, something seemed to disturb me.  Looking up, I beheld standing opposite me a beautiful female.  So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed that it was some moments before I found language to inquire the case of her presence.  A second, a third, and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer from my mysterious visitor except a slight raising of her eyes.

"By this time I felt strange sensations spreading through me, and I would have risen but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible.  I assayed once more to address her, but my tongue had become useless.  Even thought itself had become paralyzed.  A new influence, mysterious, potent, irresistible, took possession of me.  All I could do was to gaze steadily, vacantly, at my unknown visitant.

"Gradually the surrounding atmosphere seemed as though becoming filled with sensations, and grew luminous.  Everything about me seemed to rarify, the mysterious visitor herself began to feel as one dying, or rather to experience the sensation which I have sometimes imagined accompany dissolution.  I did not think, I did not reason, I did not move; all were alike impossible.  I was only conscious of gazing fixedly, vacantly at my companion.

"Presently I heard a voice saying, "Son of the Republic, look and learn," while at the same time my visitor extended her arm eastwardly.  I now beheld a heavy vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold.  This gradually dissipated, and I looked upon a strange scene.  Before me lay spread out in one vast plain all the countries of the world -- Europe, Asia, Africa and America.  I saw rolling and tossing between Europe and America the billows of the Atlantic, and between Asia and America lay the Pacific.  "Son of the Republic," said the same mysterious voice as before, like an Angel standing, or rather floating in mid-air, between Europe and America dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of his left hand he cast some on Europe.

"Immediately a cloud raised from these countries, and joined in mid-ocean.  For awhile it remained stationary, and then moved slowly westward, until it enveloped America in its murky folds.  Sharp flashes of lightning gleamed through it at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people.  A second time the Angel dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it out as before.  The dark cloud was then drawn back to the ocean, in whose billows it sank from view.

"A third time I heard the mysterious voice saying, "Son of the Republic, look and learn," and I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing up one after another until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted with them.  Again I heard the mysterious voice say, "Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh; look and learn."

"And this dark shadowy angel turned his face southward, and from Africa I saw an ill-omened spectre approach our land.  It flitted slowly over every town and city of the latter.  The inhabitants presently set themselves in battle against each other.  As I continued looking, I saw a bright angel, on whose brow rested a crown of light, on which was traced the word 'Union' bearing the American flag which he placed between the divided nation, and said, "Remember ye are brethren."  Instantly the inhabitants, casting down their weapons became friends once more, and united around the National Standard.

"And again I heard the mysterious voice saying, "Son of the Republic, look and learn."  At this the dark shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his lips and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it on Europe, Asia and Africa.  Then my eyes beheld a fearful scene: from each of these countries arose thick black clouds that were soon joined into one.  And throughout this mass there gleamed a dark red light by which I was seeing hordes of armed men, who, moving with the cloud marched by land and sailed by sea to America which country was enveloped in the volume of cloud.

"And I dimly saw these vast armies devastate the whole country and burn villages, towns and cities that I beheld springing up.  As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, slashing of swords, and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat, I again heard the mysterious voice saying, "Son of the Republic, look and learn."  When the voice had ceased, the dark angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth and blew a long and fearful blast.

"Instantly a light as of a thousand suns shown down from above me and pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud which enveloped America.  At the same moment the angel whose head still shown the word 'Union' and who bore our National flag in one hand and a sword in the other, descended from the heavens attended by legions of white spirits.  These immediately joined the inhabitants of America, who I perceived were well-nigh overcome, but who immediately taking courage again, closed up their broken ranks and renewed the battle.  

"Again, amid the fearful noise of the conflict, I heard the mysterious voice saying, "Son of the Republic, look and learn."  As the voice ceased the shadowy angel for the last time dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled it upon America.  Instantly the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious.

"Then once more I beheld the villages, towns and cities springing up where I had seen them before, while the bright angel, planting [an] azure standard he had brought in the midst of them, cried with a loud voice: "While the stars remain, and the heavens send down dew upon the earth so long shall the Union last."

"And, taking from his brow the crown on which blazoned the word 'Union', he placed it upon the standard while the people kneeling down said, "Amen."

"The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve, and I at last saw nothing but the rising, curling vapor I at first beheld.  This also disappeared.  I found myself once more gaping upon the mysterious visitor who, in the same voice I had heard before, said, "Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted.  Three great perils will come upon the Republic.  The most fearful is the third (Washington's comment on his word "third" is: "The help against the third peril comes in the shape of Divine Assistance.") passing which the whole world united shall not prevail against her.  Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and Union."

"With these words the vision vanished, and I started from my seat and felt what I had seen a vision wherein had been shown me the birth of progress, and destiny of the United States."

"Such, my friends," concluded the venerable narrator [Anthony Sherman], "were the words I heard from Washington's own lips, and America will do well to profit by them."

I've personally been aware of George Washington's vision for many years, and I chanced to discover an 1880 copy of it in my Aunt's old Bible a few days ago.  Various accounts of George Washington's vision and prophecy all agree in content.  There have been only minor variations in some details as the story was repeated over the years by those to whom it was related by General Washington.

Washington told of the event shortly after it took place. It was repeated to his close confidantes and fellow patriots during the 22 years he lived after its occurrence.  And it has been carried in print from time to time over the past 200 years.  However, since spiritual experiences tend to be ignored by secular historians, it has remained at times an obscurity.

Many modern historians regard this vision as a hoax because he did not personally write of it in his own memoirs.  Yet, the accounts of this vision circulated for many years between 1777 and 1859 when it was first put in print.

Despite the fact that we have written evidence of this vision dating back 150 years, modern secular historians have sought to debunk it and dismiss it entirely.  Their efforts, of course, are predicated in a serious effort during the past 40 years or so to "de-Christianize" (if I can put it that way) our forefathers and remove all mention of their faith in God as intrinsic to America's foundations.

Whether one regards this account coming from George Washington as genuine or not, it is prophetically accurate.  Whether one considers the "first peril" as the Civil War or not, you have an account of three trumpet blasts following, and a final, long trumpet blast.  My personal sense is that Washington saw the Civil War, the World Wars, and the War on Terror.  Others may disagree with that view, and that's OK, but what comes through loud and clear is the fact that America receives the intervention of the Lord in the final conflict and stands intact as one nation, united under God.

George Washington has been referred to as the "Father of our Nation," and with good reason.  Despite one defeat after another during the Revolutionary War -- sometimes called the War of Independence -- he persevered; and in the end saw the Lord give him the final victory that gained England's surrender and our independence as a free people.

America's founding fathers had a vision of what this nation could become, but as we see, Washington was unique in that the Angel of the Lord gave him extraordinary insight, as well as a promise that this nation would survive all onslaughts against it.

America was founded completely unlike any other nation on the face of the earth.  This nation was assembled as a covenant-nation, a nation organized, established with a constitution and a republican form of government based on the model established by God with Moses.

We began today's Coffee Break with a small portion of what Benjamin Franklin had to say during the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

Here's a bit more.  "We have gone back to ancient history for models of Government, and examined the different forms of those Republics which having been formed with the seeds of their own dissolution now no longer exist.  And we have viewed Modern States all round Europe, but find none of their Constitutions suitable to our circumstances.

In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings? In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection.�?Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered.  All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor.  To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity.  And have we now forgotten that powerful friend?

"I have lived, Sir, a long time; and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this Truth, that God governs in the Affairs of Men. And if a Sparrow cannot fall to the Ground without his Notice, is it probable that an Empire can rise without his Aid?"

We have been assured, Sir, in the Sacred Writings, that "except the Lord build the House, they labor in vain that build it."  I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without His concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better, than the Builders of Babel:  We shall be divided by our partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages.  And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing governments by human wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.

I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service."

There you go.  As just noted, America was founded completely unlike any other nation on the face of the earth.  Our founding fathers studied the nations of this earth -- nations in ancient history, and nations in existence in that era -- and their formulation, their constitutions, their forms of government.  What they came up with was totally unlike any nation in history, save for ancient Israel during the time of Moses.

Israel was a nation in covenant with the Lord God.  But it was a nation called to a covenant by the Lord Himself.  Our founding fathers saw that unless we as a people covenanted as a whole nation with the Lord on a voluntary basis, we could enjoy the blessing of God as described in Deuteronomy 28:1-14.  And, as Benjamin Franklin so correctly saw and noted in his address that day, the last half of Deuteronomy 28 would become America's epitaph without "the Lord's....concurring aid."

George Washington's vision was the promise of the Lord that America, though it would suffer wars, internal strife and division, would rise above it all victorious by the hand of God.

We ARE One Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!

Grace has not been given to us so that we can make it the accomplice of evil.  Grace has been given to us for our deliverance from evil.

Blessings on you.

Regner A. Capener
CAPENER MINISTRIES
RIVER WORSHIP CENTER
700 South 6th Street
Sunnyside, Washington 98944
(509) 837-4657

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