A Vision Given To Our First President, George Washington
It was originally published by Wesley Bradshaw who copied it from a reprint in the National Tribune, Vol. 4, No. 12, December 1880.
The last time I saw Anthony Sherman was on the Fourth of July 1859 in Independence Square. He was then ninety-nine years old. His dimming eyes rekindled as he gazed upon Independence Hall, which he came to visit once more. "I want to tell you an incident in Washington's life - one which no one alive knows of except myself; and, if you live you will before long see it verified.
"George Washington was a man of prayer," he said. "From the opening of the revolution we experienced all phases of fortune, good and ill. The darkest period we ever had I think was when Washington, after several reverses, retreated to Valley Forge where he resolved to pass the winter of 1777.
"Oh! 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 conditions of his soldiers. You have doubtless heard the story of Washington's going to the thicket to pray. Well, he also used to pray to God in secret for aid and comfort.
"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 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 about dusk, he dispatched an orderly to the quarters of the officer I mentioned 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:
The Vision And Prophecy Of George Washington
"I don't know whether it is owing to the anxiety of my mind or what, but this afternoon, preparing a dispatch, something seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing opposite me a singularly beautiful being. So astonished was I, for I had given strict orders not to be disturbed. It was some moments before I found language to inquire the cause of the visit. A second, a third and even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer from the mysterious visitor, except a slight raising of the eyes.
"By this time I felt strange sensations spreading through me and I would have risen, but the riveting gaze of the being before me rendered volition impossible. I assayed once more to speak, but my tongue had become useless, as though it had become paralyzed. A new influence, mysterious, potent and irresistible took possession of me. All I could do was to gaze steadily, vacantly at my unknown visitor. Gradually the surrounding atmosphere seemed as though becoming filled with sensations and grew luminous. Everything about me seemed so rarefied.
Statement And Expansion Of United States
"Presently, I heard a voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn!' - while at the same time my visitor extended an arm eastwardly. I now beheld a heavy vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold. This gradually dissipated and I looked out upon a strange scene. Before me lay, spread out in one vast plane, 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 Ocean. 'Son of the Republic,' said the mysterious voice as before, 'look and learn!' At that moment I beheld a dark shadowy being, as an angel standing or rather floating in mid-air between Europe and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of his 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 smothered groans and cries of the American people.
"A third time I heard the familiar voice saying, 'Son of the Republic, look and learn!' And I cast my eyes upon America and beheld villages, 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 saying, 'Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh, look and learn!'
The Civil War Anticipated
"And at this time the dark shadowy angel turned his face southward, and from Africa I saw an illuminated specter 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 very 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 you are brethren!' Instantly the inhabitants, casting down their weapons, became friends once more and united around the national standard.
America To Be Invaded By Foreign Foes
"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 water on Europe, Asia and Africa. Then my eyes saw a fearful scene. From each of these countries arose thick, 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 the sea to America, which was enveloped in the volume of the cloud. And I dimly saw these vast armies devastate the whole country and burn villages, towns and cities that I beheld springing up.
Our Country Emerges The Victor
"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 upon 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, whom 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.
A Period Of Reconstruction
"Then once more I beheld the villages, towns and cities springing up where I'd seen them before, while the bright angel planting the Azure Standard which he had brought in the midst of them cried with a loud voice saying, 'While the stars and stripes remain and the heavens send 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 a standard while the people kneeling down said, 'AMEN!'
Divine Intervention
"The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve and I at last saw nothing but the rising, curling vapor I had first beheld. This also disappeared and 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 [This word shows we will receive divine help against the third peril] passing which the whole world united, shall not prevail against her.'
"'Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God and his land and his Union!' With these words, the vision vanished. I started from my seat and felt I had seen a vision of the future, wherein had been shown me the birth, progress and the destiny of the United States of America."
End Of Vision
"Such, my friends," said the venerable narrator, "were the words I heard from Washington's own lips and America will do well to profit by them."