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of peculiar offices that were necessary to the nation's security, and, anointed with Thy blessing, they went forth for the accomplishment of glorious purposes. Thy gracious presence was with the first council of the Federal States when they announced their Declaration of Independence, and when, in preparing the Constitution for the government, they presented the young American republic to the view of mankind. That young republic stood up mighty in Thy strength. It was like the stripling David with his shepherd's bag and sling, and stone that he had taken from the brook. And the enemy that opposed was the Goliath of power, inured to war, and bearing the sword, the shield, and the spear. In the result the word of the Highest was fulfilled. The race was not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. The giant fell before the stripling's arm, and the nations were made to know that there was a God in Israel.
As swept the tempest on its raven wing, at Thy command appeared the greatest and most successful of human warriors. Called by his country to occupy the post of danger, foremost and uppermost stood the fearless, the intrepid, the matchless Washington—without his purple mightier than Cæsar; without his sceptre greater than Alexander. It was in Thy name, O thou Ruler of all things, that the first American General took his place at the head of his undisciplined troops. In the name of God he fought his country's battles, and in the name of God he conquered. In preparation for the great work he had in hand, he invoked protection from on High, and clothed with the panoply of Heaven, he was invincible. It was not for the purple of power, not for the glittering diadem, that the sword of Washington was unsheathed. He drew the steel for Liberty—for the protection of human right from the tyranny of human power. He fought that millions might be free.
As directed by Thee, O Lord of Hosts, Columbus made the discovery of the New World, so under the sanction of Thy Divine will and aid our illustrious chief procured its freedom. We view him as the instrument of Thy power in the accomplishment of Thy glorious designs ; and in the honors that we would heap upon his memory, we would but honor Thee the more. Most devoutly do we thank Thee for the gift of the great, the good, the glorious Washington; and when in our pride we would tell of his renown, it is our pleasure in the deed to speak Thy praise.
In the peace of death the patriot sleeps, but deeply in the hearts of his countrymen his name and character and deeds are enshrined. With the occupation of the warrior he mingled the character of the Christian;
