The Consecration Of Washington

: ON AND NEAR THE DELAWARE
: Myths And Legends Of Our Own Land

In 1773 some of the Pietist monks were still living in their rude

monastery whose ruins are visible on the banks of the Wissahickon. Chief

among these mystics was an old man who might have enjoyed the wealth and

distinction warranted by a title had he chosen to remain in Germany, but

he had forsworn vanities, and had come to the new world to pray, to rear

his children, and to live a simple life. Some said he was an alchemist,

and many believed him to be a prophet. The infrequent wanderer beside the

romantic river had seen lights burning in the window of his cell and had

heard the solemn sound of song and prayer. On a winter night, when snow

lay untrodden about the building and a sharp air stirred in the trees

with a sound like harps, the old man sat in a large room of the place,

with his son and daughter, waiting. For a prophecy had run that on that

night, at the third hour of morning, the Deliverer would present himself.

In a dream was heard a voice, saying, I will send a deliverer to the new

world who shall save my people from bondage, as my Son saved them from

spiritual death. The night wore on in prayer and meditation, and the

hours tolled heavily across the frozen wilderness, but, at the stroke of

three, steps were heard in the snow and the door swung open. The man who

entered was of great stature, with a calm, strong face, a powerful frame,

and a manner of dignity and grace.



Friends, I have lost my way, said he. Can you direct me?



The old man started up in a kind of rapture. You have not lost your

way, he cried, but found it. You are called to a great mission. Kneel

at this altar and receive it.



The stranger looked at the man in surprise and a doubt passed over his

face. Nay, I am not mad, urged the recluse, with a slight smile.

Listen: to-night, disturbed for the future of your country, and unable

to sleep, you mounted horse and rode into the night air to think on the

question that cannot be kept out of your mind, Is it lawful for the

subject to draw sword against his king? The horse wandered, you knew and

cared not whither, until he brought you here.



How do you know this? asked the stranger, in amazement.



Be not surprised, but kneel while I anoint thee deliverer of this land.



Moved and impressed, the man bowed his knee before one of his fellows for

the first time in his life. The monk touched his finger with oil, and

laying it on the brow of the stranger said, Do you promise, when the

hour shall strike, to take the sword in defence of your country? Do you

promise, when you shall see your soldiers suffer for bread and fire, and

when the people you have led to victory shall bow before you, to remember

that you are but the minister of God in the work of a nation's freedom?



With a new light burning in his eyes, the stranger bent his head.



Then, in His name, I consecrate thee deliverer of this oppressed people.

When the time comes, go forth to victory, for, as you are faithful, be

sure that God will grant it. Wear no crown, but the blessings and honor

of a free people, save this. As he finished, his daughter, a girl of

seventeen, came forward and put a wreath of laurel on the brow of the

kneeling man. Rise, continued the prophet, and take my hand, which I

have never before offered to any man, and accept my promise to be

faithful to you and to this country, even if it cost my life.



As he arose, the son of the priest stepped to him and girt a sword upon

his hip, and the old man held up his hands in solemn benediction. The

stranger laid his hand on the book that stood open on the altar and

kissed the hilt of his sword. I will keep the faith, said he. At dawn

he went his way again, and no one knew his name, but when the fires of

battle lighted the western world America looked to him for its

deliverance from tyranny. Years later it was this spot that he revisited,

alone, to pray, and here Sir William Howe offered to him, in the name of

his king, the title of regent of America. He took the parchment and

ground it into a rag in the earth at his feet. For this was Washington.



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