GEORGE
WASHINGTON'S
REMARKABLE
VISION
NOTE: The following was originally
published by Wesley Bradshaw in the
National Review, Vol. 4, No. 12, December
1880.
The last time I ever saw Anthony
Sherman was on July 4, 1859, in
Independence Square. He was
then 99 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.
"Let us go into the hall," he said.
"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."
"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
spend the winter of 1777. Ah! I
have often seen our dear
commander's care-worn 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 brought us
safely through the darkest days of
tribulation.
"One day, I remember 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 dispatched 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 said to the latter:
"I do not know whether it is
owing to anxiety of my mind, or
what, but this afternoon, as I was
sitting at this table engaged in
preparing a dispatch, something
seemed to disturb me. Looking
up, I beheld standing opposite
me a singularly 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 cause 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.
"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
white 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,
'look and learn.' At that moment I
beheld a dark, shadowy being,
like an angel, standing, or rather
floating, in the hollow air,
between Europe and America.
Dipping water out of the ocean in
the hollow of each hand, he
sprinkled some upon America with
his right hand while with his left
hand he cast some on Europe.
Immediately a cloud raised from
these countries and joined in
mid-ocean. For a while 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 heaving
billows it sank from view. A third
time I heard the mysterious voice
saying, 'Son of the Republic, look
and learn.' 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.'
"At this the 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
array 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
from them 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 mouth and blew three
distinct blasts; and taking water
from the ocean, he sprinkled it
upon 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 saw 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 the villages,
towns and cities that I beheld
springing up.
"As my ears listened to the
thundering of the cannon,
clashing 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 shadowy angel placed his
trumpet once more to his mouth,
and blew a long and fearful blast.
"Instantly a light as of a
thousand suns shone down from
above me, and pierced and broke
into fragments the dark cloud
which enveloped America. At the
same moment the angel upon
whose head still shone 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, plating the 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 was 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
disappearing, I found myself once
more gazing 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.'
"(The 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 that I had seen a
vision wherein had been shown
me the birth, progress, and
destiny of the UNITED STATES."
"Such, my friends," concluded the
venerable narrator, "were the
words I heard from Washington's
own lips, and America will do well
to profit by them.
GEORGE WASHINGTON'S REMARKABLE VISION
NOTE: The following was originally published by Wesley Bradshaw in the National Review, Vol. 4, No. 12, December 1880.
The last time I ever saw Anthony Sherman was on July 4, 1859, in Independence Square. He was then 99 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.
"Let us go into the hall," he said. "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."
"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 spend the winter of 1777. Ah! I have often seen our dear commander's care-worn 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 brought us safely through the darkest days of tribulation.
"One day, I remember 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 dispatched 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 said to the latter:
"I do not know whether it is owing to anxiety of my mind, or what, but this afternoon, as I was sitting at this table engaged in preparing a dispatch, something seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing opposite me a singularly 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 cause 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.
"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 white 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, 'look and learn.' At that moment I beheld a dark, shadowy being, like an angel, standing, or rather floating, in the hollow air, between Europe and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand, he sprinkled some upon America with his right hand while with his left hand he cast some on Europe. Immediately a cloud raised from these countries and joined in mid-ocean. For a while 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 heaving billows it sank from view. A third time I heard the mysterious voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn.' 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.'
"At this the 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 array 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 from them 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 mouth and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it upon 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 saw 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 the villages, towns and cities that I beheld springing up.
"As my ears listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing 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 shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth, and blew a long and fearful blast.
"Instantly a light as of a thousand suns shone down from above me, and pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud which enveloped America. At the same moment the angel upon whose head still shone 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, plating the 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 was 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 disappearing, I found myself once more gazing 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.'
"(The 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 that I had seen a vision wherein had been shown me the birth, progress, and destiny of the UNITED STATES."
"Such, my friends," concluded the venerable narrator, "were the words I heard from Washington's own lips, and America will do well to profit by them.
Thanks for the formatting. Excellent post.
[
Refresh
|
Top
|
Last
|
Latest Posts
|
Latest Articles
|
Post
|
Abuse
|
Help!
]
FreeRepublic , LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794 Forum Version 2.0a Copyright © 1999 Free Republic, LLC |