Weekly Story: Washington’s Farewell to his Mother
Weekly Story
George Washington’s adopted son recalls President-elect Washington’s visit with his mother.
“But go, George, fulfil the high destinies which Heaven appears to have intended you; go, my son, and may that Heaven’s and your mother’s blessing be with you always.”
Washington’s Farewell toHis Mother.
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IMMEDIATELY after the organization of the present government [spring of 1789], the Chief Magistrate repaired to Fredericksburg, to pay his humble duty to his mother, preparatory to his departure for New York. An affecting scene ensued. The son feelingly remarked the ravages which a torturing disease had made upon the aged frame of the mother, and addressed her thus:
“The people, madam, have been pleased, with the most flattering unanimity, to elect me to the chief magistracy of these United States, but before I can assume the functions of my office, I have come to bid you an affectionate farewell. So soon as the weight of public business, which must necessarily attend the outset of a new government, can be disposed of, I shall hasten to Virginia, and—”
Here the matron interrupted with—“and you will see me no more; my great age, and the disease which is fast approaching my vitals, warn me that I shall not be long in this world; I trust in God that I may be somewhat prepared for a better. But go, George, fulfil the high destinies which Heaven appears to have intended you; go, my son, and may that Heaven’s and your mother’s blessing be with you always.”
The president was deeply affected. His head rested upon the shoulder of his parent, whose aged arm feebly, yet fondly encircled his neck. That brow on which fame had wreathed the purest laurel virtue ever gave to created man, relaxed from its lofty bearing. That look which could have awed a Roman senate in its Fabrician day, was bent in filial tenderness upon the time-worn features of the venerable matron.
The great man wept. A thousand recollections crowded upon his mind, as memory retracing scenes long passed, carried him back to the maternal mansion and the days of juvenility, where he beheld that mother, whose care, education, and discipline, caused him to reach the topmost height of laudable ambition—yet, how were his glories forgotten, while he gazed upon her whom, wasted by time and malady, he should part with to meet no more.
Her predictions were but too true. The disease which so long had preyed upon her frame, completed its triumph, and she expired at the age of eighty-five, rejoicing in the consciousness of a life well spent, and confiding in the belief of a blessed immortality to the humble believer.
—George W. P. Custis, “The Mother of Washington,” Ladies’ Magazine
(September 1831).
THE MYSTERY OF DIVINITY
HEBREW HONEYCOMB
William Andrew Dillard
THE MYSTERY OF DIVINITY
In the words of Paul to Timothy: “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” I Timothy 3:16. God is presented to us as a trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
Yet, in Christ Jesus, the Son, dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily! Since a Bible mystery is that which is unknown by the uninitiated, but known by the initiated, there are some things about God that are revealed to us. Think with me!
People are generally known as persons. It is normal to think of persons as material beings such as “he had no money on his person.” But the identity of person goes far beyond that thinking.
Consider that man is made in the image of God. If one understands man, he will have a better idea about God, and vice versa. The trinity of man is in the similitude of the Holy Trinity: Father corresponds to intellect; Son corresponds to physical body; Holy Spirit corresponds to the spirit of man. Moreover, these three are one, and yet three persons. It is concluded that the idea of “person” must be expanded upon in general thinking. A quick look at common dictionaries will reveal that “person, personality, and persona” are intricately related. The earthly idea springs from an actor’s mask by which a different persona is portrayed. These terms then are understood to denote the nature, and unique nuance of life force; the unique expression of human life in its total, individual presentation.
While the triune similarities of God and man are common to the race, there are vast and distinct dissimilarities as well. God is not intricately tied to one expression as is man. His thought and ways are higher to those of mankind as the heavens are high above the earth. But the three distinct personalities of God do not live in three distinct bodies. The Holy Trinity references more specifically three Holy Personalities in total unity dwelling in their fullness in Christ Jesus, the bodily form of God. The three may be manifest separately, but simultaneously, as in Jesus’ baptism, yet continuously dwell in the bodily form of the Son! Jesus said, “I and my Father are One!” John 10:30. Again, to Philip He said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” John 14:9. The writer of Hebrews puts it this way: God Who at sundry times, and in divers manners hath spoken unto the father by prophets hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son. . . who is the expressed (pushed-out) image of His person.” Hebrews 1:1-3. Thus in understanding spiritual things by the indwelling Spirit of God, one may know much about God, and be blessed and comfortable in the knowledge of the mystery of Divinity.
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