A sermon, preached at Cambridge, on the Lord's-Day, December 29, 1799, occasioned by the death of George Washington, commander in chief of the American armies, and late president of the United States of America. / By Abiel Holmes, A.M. Pastor of the First Church in Cambridge.

ISAIAH iii. 1, 2, 3. BEHOLD! the LORD, the LORD of hoſts, doth take away the mighty man, and the man of war—the prudent, and the ancient—the honourable man, and the counſellor.

UNHAPPY the nation, deſtined to experience ſo great a calamity! Unhappy our nation; for ſuch, alas, is its own deſtiny! The characters, drawn by the prophet, if diſtributed among many members of a community, conſtitute its glory and defence: but if, what rarely occurs, they are concentrated in ONE MAN, who can eſtimate his importance? By his might, by his military ſkill and bravery, by his prudence, by his age and experience, by the weight of his character, and by his counſels; his influence toward the ſecurity and happineſs of a nation is incalculable. To be deprived, then, of ſuch a man—how great the judgment! how affecting the calamity!

No event, leſs melancholy than this, could have cauſed the ſolemn ſtillneſs, and the ſorrowful aſpect, of this aſſembly. Yes: This day is this ſcripture fulfilled in your ears:—for, behold! in the removal of WASHINGTON, the LORD, the LORD of hoſts, doth take away the mighty man, and the man of war—the prudent, and the ancient—the honourable man, and the counſellor.

Will it be ſuperfluous, on this affecting occaſion, to exhibit the union of all theſe characters in the great and beloved Man, whoſe loſs we are now called to deplore? New information, indeed, cannot be given you concerning him; for not a few of you have perſonally witneſſed his talents and his virtues; and thoſe, whoſe years admit not this teſtimony, have been taught from the cradle to liſp his name, and to revere his character. Nor can the panegyric of the Preacher add aught to his tranſcendent fame. A ſummary review of his character, however, and of the ſervices which he has rendered to his country, is what Gratitude demands; and it may be happily conducive to our moral and religious improvement.

WASHINGTON was the mighty man. Lofty in ſtature, robuſt and vigorous in conſtitution, he was formed for active enterpriſes, and heroic achievements. At the preſent day, indeed, corporeal ſtrength and agility are far leſs material to the warrior, than they were in ancient times, when the battle was fought in perſonal combats, and when the chief weapons in uſe were the javelin and the ſpear. They have always, however, their importance; nor, without them, could the American Hero have been uniformly energetic for action, or have ſuſtained the complicated cares, and oppreſſive fatigues, of the camp.

He, too, was the man of war. Endowed, by na •• re, with ſingular capacities for the formation of a military character, he became, by the aids of art and experience, a warrior of the firſt diſtinction. At the early age of twenty two years, he ſo highly ſignalized himſelf,At Fort du Queſne, in 1754; and at Braddock's defeat, 1755. at a very critical juncture, for his military ſkill and bravery, as to excite great expectations of his future eminence; and it was, even then, predicted,By the Rev. Mr. Davies, then in Virginia, afterwards Preſident of Princeton College. that he was raiſed up to be the Saviour of his country. At length, the important criſis arrived, when the prediction received its accompliſhment. When, in the conteſt with the Parent State, it became neceſſary to reſiſt unto blood; an army of citizen ſoldiers ſpontaneouſly ſprung into exiſtence, and ruſhed into the field, in defence of their invaded liberties. Collected, however, from the various colonies; diverſe in their habits and manners; unaccuſtomed to diſcipline; unſkilled in war; and unſupplied with arms and ammunition; they compoſed a body, which ſeemed to promiſe nothing more propitious than early diſquietude, obſtinate inſubordination, frequent deſertion, and ſpeedy diſſolution. At this intereſting and hazardous moment, the eyes of the people were directed to GEORGE WASHINGTON, at Mount Vernon, in the diſtant colony of Virginia. No ſooner did he receive a commiſſion from the American Congreſs, to take the command of the army, my than he exchanged his tranquil home for the confuſed noiſe of the warrior, and for the perils and hardſhips of the camp. Though he accepted his commiſſion with unaffected diffidence, he commenced its execution with the ſteady zeal of enlightened patriotiſm. Believing the American cauſe to be juſt, he relied on the concurrent ſupport of his fellow-citizens, and committed himſelf to the auſpicious guidance and benediction of ALMIGHTY GOD. From 〈◊〉 very temple, we can behold the ſpot of the firſt ••• mpment, to which he repaired to execute "the 〈◊〉 beheſt" with which he was entruſted.He was unanimouſly elected commander in chief of the American forces, by Congreſs, June 16, 1775; and arrived at Cambridge, and took command of the army July 2, following. And how did he execute it? With what diligence and ſucceſs did he organize the heterogeneous troops? How ſoon did he acquire the unlimited confidence of the army; and, by a faſcinating influence, eſtabliſh ſubordination; inſpire a ſpirit of patriotiſm; and ſo firmly attach the ſoldiers to their General, and to the cauſe of their country, as to render them determined to conquer, or to die?

To trace the ſeries of events, during a war of ſeven years, and to point out the influence of this great Commander, in giving, under Providence, a propitious courſe to thoſe events, and in bringing the war to a happy concluſion, would ſwell a Diſcourſe into a Volume. Let the Hiſtorian record thoſe events, and point out that influence. Let the Poet make them the theme of his heroic verſe. Let the marble monument preſerve them in legible characters, for the peruſal of diſtant poſterity. We need only ſay, That the events of this revolutionary war aſtoniſhed Europe, aſtoniſhed the world: That, under the auſpices of WASHINGTON, the ableſt generals of Britain were baffled, and her veteran troops repelled: That, in addition to repeated victories, two of her armies, with her moſt experienced commanders at their head, were made priſoners of war: That her Parliament was conſtrained to acknowledge the Independence of America: and, That, by the Treaty of Peace, which terminated the conteſt, the liberties of our Nation were placed on the moſt reſpectable and permanent baſis.

In WASHINGTON, then, we behold the man of war: not an Alexander,

The Britiſh Poets have delighted in celebrating the praiſes of WASHINGTON. The following compliment to him is as juſt, as it is elegant: —"not ſuch As riſe in cauſeleſs war, troubling the world By their mad quarrel, and in fields of blood Hail'd victors, thence renown'd, and call'd on earth Kings, heroes, demi-gods, but in high Heaven Thieves, ruffians, murderers; theſe find no repoſe: Thee rather, patriot Conqueror! to thee Belongs ſuch reſt; who in the Weſtern world, Thine own deliver'd country, for thyſelf Haſt planted an immortal grove, and there Upon the glorious mount of Liberty Repoſing, ſit'ſt beneath the palmy ſhade." Leweſdon Hill: A Poem by the Rev. Mr. Crowe, Public Orator of the Univerſity of Oxford, publiſhed in 1788.

graſping at empire by the conqueſt of foreign nations; but a Camillus, flying to defend the Capitol, and to ſave his own nation from ſervitude: not a Ceſar, plotting to eſtablish his own power on the ruins of the Republic; but a Cato, ready to devote his fortune and his life to the ſalvation of his country: not a Sylla, terminating his military career by the uſurpation of the civil authority; but a Cincinnatus, voluntarily relinquiſhing the ſword for the plough, and retiring from the camp to the farm: not, in fine, a mere warrior, but a Man, blending the feelings of the citizen with thoſe of the ſoldier, and tempering the ambition of the conqueror with the humility of the Chriſtian.

Uniting quick perception with deep diſcernment, he formed and executed his own ſchemes with profound judgment; while, with wonderful facility, he penetrated and defeated thoſe of his enemy. Fertile in reſources, he was never at a loſs for an expedient, in caſes the moſt critical, in junctures the moſt hazardous. He was deliberate, without perplexity; calm, without apathy; animated, without enthuſiaſm; deciſive, without pertinacity; and bold, without temerity. Dignified in his perſon, he commanded reſpect; amiable in his manners, he conciliated affection; ſucceſsful in his enterpriſes, he inſpired confidence. In camp, he maintained economy, without parſimony; order, without reſtraint; and diſcipline, without ſeverity. In action, he was ardent, yet collected; intrepid, yet cautious; confident, yet unpreſuming.—By ſo rare an aſſemblage of talents and virtues, he was admirably formed for the command of armies; and the ſeries of his ſucceſſes, during a long and unequal conteſt, with the final triumph of the American arms, demonſtrates, that, as the man of war, he is entitled to primary diſtinction in the annals of military fame.

He, alſo, combined in his character, the prudent, and the ancient. All his meaſures were the reſult of ſerious thought, and deep reflection. Every avenue to danger ſeemed diſcloſed to his piercing eye; and no one of thoſe avenues was left unguarded.See Waſhington's Letters. Vigilantly attentive to ſeize an advantage, or to ward off an evil, he ſeaſonably ſecured every attainable benefit, and cautiouſly guarded againſt the ſurpriſe of his enemy. Though never reluctant, when juſtified by the occaſion, to jeopard his own life and the lives of his brave ſoldiers, on the high places of the field; yet, as became a prudent general, he ſtudiouſly ſhunned unneceſſary danger, and was more anxious for the ſafety of his country, than ambitious for the honour of a victory. Like the Roman Fabius, he choſe rather to exhauſt the enemy, by ſtudied delays, than to put the liberties of a whole nation to the hazard of a ſingle battle. In the peculiar ſituation of our infant country, the Wiſdom of WASHINGTON was better than weapons of war.

When called to a political ſtation, he diſcovered the ſame prudence in the cabinet, for which he had ſignalized himſelf in the field. Juſtly appreciating thoſe invaluable bleſſings, which had been earned with blood, he watched over them with paternal vigilance, and adopted the wiſeſt methods to inſure their perpetuity. What ruler could have more prudently exerted his authority to prevent the evils of foreign influence, and of domeſtic faction; and to maintain inviolably the Peace and Independence of America?

Both in the civil and military departments, he derived great advantages from age and experience; for he was the ancient. Employed for nearly fifty yearsTo the years of public ſervice, mentioned in his Valedictory Addreſs, it is incumbent on us to annex that portion of time, which, in the very evening of his days, he magnanimouſly held pledged to the call of his country. Having been appointed, by the PRESIDENT, "Lieutenant General and Commander in Chief of all the armies raiſed or to be raiſed for the ſervice of the United States;" he accepted the appointment July 13, 1798, and retained his commiſſion till his death. in public offices; poſſeſſing, at the ſame time, a capacious mind; and habituated to an attentive obſervation of men and things, of cauſes and effects; great were his improvements in uſeful knowledge, and eminent his qualifications for guiding the affairs of our infant Republic with diſcretion.

He was, alſo, the honourable man. If the union of diſtinguiſhed perſonal virtues with great military and political talents, and a long ſeries of patriotic ſervices, entitle a man to honour; let honour be affixed to the name of WASHINGTON. Habituated to the government of his appetites, he was exemplary for his temperance; and equally habituated to the government of his paſſions, he ſet a noble example of equanimity. Accuſtomed to order and method, he did every thing by rule, without the pedantry of exactneſs; and, by his nice arrangements and preciſion, he found time for the accompliſhment of every intereſting purpoſe, however complex in its nature, however laborious in its execution. He united benevolence with juſtice, and piety with morality.—Unlike the impious philoſophiſts of the preſent day, he aimed not to ſeparate the duties which man owes to GOD, from thoſe which he owes to Society. He was not too wiſe, to be above the inſtructions of divine wiſdom; nor too unconſcious of guilt, to deſpiſe the redemption of the croſs. He received the Holy Scriptures as the oracles of God; and treated with reverence the inſtitutions of JESUS CHRIST.

But who will attempt a complete delineation of his many virtues? Like ſtars, compoſing a fair conſtellation, they reflected a mild and ſteady radiance, on which the eye delighted to dwell, and from which its ſteadfaſt gaze could not, without regret, be averted.

Whatever were his virtues, whatever were his talents, they were conſecrated to God, and to his country. His patriotiſm was too diſintereſted, to admit impeachment, or ſuſpicion.It is well known, that he refuſed to receive any pecuniary compenſation for his public ſervices. In relinquiſhing his calm and favourite abode, for the tempeſtuous ſea of public life, he uniformly ſacrificed his perſonal eaſe and intereſt, comfort and tranquillity. What more was needful to give him the faireſt claim to the title of the honourable man?—Nor were his fellow-citizens inſenſible to his claims on their gratitude and praiſe. He was THE MAN whom they delighted to honour.—Greater proofs, than thoſe which they gave, of their juſt eſtimation of his merits and ſervices, could not have been exhibited. The deep and affecting intereſt, taken by all claſſes of citizens in the melancholy tidings of his death, does infinitely more honour to his name than the ſtoried urn, or the monumental marble.—"Illuſtrious Man! deriving honour leſs from the ſplendor of his ſituation, than from the dignity of his mind; before whom all borrowed greatneſs ſinks into inſignificance." So ſaid an illuſtrious Member of the Britiſh Houſe of Commons,Charles J. Fox. when ſpeaking of our great and beloved WASHINGTON. Yes: His praiſes have reſounded through the empire of Britain; they have been echoed through the world.

It need only be added, that he was the counſellor. In critical emergencies, he was often called to aſſiſt his fellow-countrymen with his counſels, as well as by his arms. What reliance was placed on his judgment appears from the uniform deference paid to it, both in the cabinet and in the field. During the revolutionary war, how greatly were the meaſures of the American Congreſs influenced by his ſeaſonable advices! When that war was cloſed, and it became expedient to deviſe a new and improved form of government for the United States; we behold him placed in the preſidential Chair of the National Convention,In 1787. and eſſentially aiding, by his advice and influence, the formation of that admirable Conſtitution, which is the grand palladium of our liberty.

Here, again, his counſels and authority were deemed eſſential to the union, to the intereſts and happineſs, of America. By the unanimous ſuffrages of the people, he was invited to take a part in the adminiſtration of that government, which he had aſſiſted to form; and ſolicited to accept the Preſidency of the United States. With his uſual diffidence he accepted the important truſt. Twice four years did he continue to act in the Preſidential office.He was elected Preſident in 1789; re-elected in 1793; and left the Preſidency in 1797. How much, in that intereſting period, he contributed, by his judicious and enlightened Adminiſtration, to the peace, to the proſperity, to the glory, of our Nation, the public Records will ſhew, and a grateful People will carefully tranſmit to generations yet unborn.

While his fellow-citizens could perceive no diminution of his corporeal or mental energies, the "increaſing weight of years admoniſhing him to retire," and his love of rural and domeſtic retirement, heightened by the contraſted cares of public life, alluring him back to the ſhades of Mount Vernon; he declined to be conſidered as a candidate for the future ſuffrages of his countrymen. But he reſigns not his charge, before he has given the American People his laſt and beſt advice. Here the Counſellor appears in his greateſt glory. The Addreſs, which he delivered on this occaſion, contains the reſult of much obſervation, and deep experience; and admirably points out the true intereſts of United America. It is the Addreſs of a father to his children, while deeply impreſſed with an apprehenſion of their dangers; and tenderly ſolicitous to guide them to ſecurity and happineſs.

America was loud in the applauſes of his Adminiſtration. His own remarks, on a retroſpective view of it, are worthy of a mind ſuperior to the inflations of vanity; and they furniſh a model of humility and philanthropy, which it would be the glory of kings to reſemble: "Though in reviewing the incidents of my adminiſtration I am unconſcious of intentional error; I am, nevertheleſs, too ſenſible of my defects, not to think it probable, that I have committed many errors. Whatever they may be, I fervently beſeech the Almighty to avert or mitigate the evils to which they may tend. I ſhall alſo carry with me the hope that my country will never ceaſe to view them with indulgence; and that, after forty-five years of my life dedicated to its ſervice, with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be conſigned to oblivion, as myſelf muſt ſoon be to the manſions of reſt."

Words, alas, too prophetic! To thoſe manſions, revered and beloved Man! art thou already conſigned: For, behold! the Lord, the Lord of hoſts, doth take away the mighty man, and the man of war—the prudent, and the ancient—the honourable man, and the counſellor▪ WASHINGTON is no more!On Friday night, December 13, he was ſeized with an inflammatory ſore throat, [Cynache Trachealis] which terminated his life at half after eleven on Saturday night, after an illneſs of about twenty-four hours. He retained, to the laſt, a full poſſeſſion of his reaſon, and expreſſed an entire reſignation to the event, which, from the very commencement of the diſorder, he fully expected. "He cloſed his mouth and eyes with his own hands, and expired without a ſigh or a groan." "During the ſhort period of his illneſs, he economized his time in the arrangement of ſuch few concerns, as required his attention, with the utmoſt ſerenity; and anticipated his approaching diſſolution with every demonſtration of that equanimity, for which his whole life was uniformly and ſingularly conſpicuous."—He was born in Weſt-moreland county, in Virginia, February 22, 1732, and died December 14, 1799, AEtat. LXVIII. We are reminded, by the prophet, of the divine AGENT, by whom his removal is effected. It is JEHOVAH. The great, the mighty GOD, the Lord of hoſts is his name. He doth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can ſtay his hand, or ſay unto him, What doſt thou. He changeth the countenance of the MAN GREATLY BELOVED, and ſendeth him away. Strength and agility, military ſkill and fortitude, prudence and penetration, avail him nothing. There is no wiſdom, nor underſtanding, nor counſel, againſt the LORD. To his control the moſt potent and formidable commanders of armies are equally ſubjected with the common ſoldiery under their command. His orders are abſolute, and muſt be inſtantly and univerſally obeyed: for there is no diſcharge in that war.—What man is he that liveth—whatever are his talents and his virtues, however he is endeared to Society, and however ever important his life and ſervices to the world—what man is he that liveth, and ſhall not ſee death? ſhall he deliver his ſoul from the hand of the grave? No: let no man expect it; for WASHINGTON is dead.

WASHINGTON is dead! Here, then, let us unite in paying that tribute to his memory, which his eminent talents, virtues, and ſervices, demand. Know ye not that there is a prince and a great man ſallen, this day, in Iſrael? Yes: Theſe ſable hangings, that awful ſilence, thoſe tributary tears, teſtify that ye know too well the ſad event, which has overwhelmed our nation with unutterable ſorrows. Well may ye, who have witneſſed the military ſkill, the patriotiſm, and the many virtues, of WASHINGTON, during his reſidence in this very place, unite, this day, to lament his fall. Well may ye, who once worſhipped with him in this houſe of prayer, pour forth your tears at the recollection of that exemplary piety, which ſhone conſpicuouſly amidſt the confuſions of war, and the vices of the camp. Well may this Temple, which has often witneſſed the ſincerity and the ſolemnity of his devotions, appear clothed in ſackcloth. What object around us can forbear to aſſume a ſober ſadneſs, and to participate in the univerſal gloom? Ye circumjacent hills, that witneſſed the mighty operations of this great Commander, whoſe ſummits ſtill ſhew the veſtiges of war, and whoſe ſoil has been wet with the blood of our citizens! let there be no dew, neither let there be rain upon you.

Where, now, are thoſe veteran Generals, who, on yonder heights, accompanied the man of war, and aided him in the glorious conteſt? Come, mingle your tears with our's. Alas! Ye yourſelves have departed. The Lord of hoſts hath taken you away; and we have already wept over you. But do none of theſe mighty men, theſe hoary chiefs ſurvive? Yes: LINCOLN, with a little band, remains. Brave and patriotic man! come, grey with years and with the toils of war, covered as thou art with wounds, and lead the funereal proceſſion to the tomb of WASHINGTON. Ye war-worn Soldiers, who once fought under his banners! come, join the ſolemn train, and pay the laſt military honours to the memory of your much loved General. Ye venerable Sages! who co-operated in council, with his exertions in the field, for the eſtabliſhment of our Independence, come—Alas! ye too are gone. Illuſtrious ADAMS! thou liveſt—liveſt to weep over the remains of thy beloved Co-patriot, who was very pleaſant unto thee. Come, then, venerable Sire, and bring with thee the few remaining Fathers of our country, to pay this laſt ſad tribute.—Ye Daughters of America! come, weep over WASHINGTON, who clothed you in ſcarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.—How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war periſhed!

But let not the deluge of our grief obliterate our gratitude to GOD, for raiſing up ſuch a Man to be the Saviour of his country. The LORD of hoſts, who hath now taken him away, originally formed him for the high purpoſe of our national ſalvation. He endowed him with thoſe great talents, which qualified him to command in our armies, and to preſide in our councils, with ſuch wiſdom and ſkill, and with ſuch admirable ſucceſs. The inſpiration of the Almighty gave him underſtanding. The LORD of hoſts himſelf taught his hands to war, and his fingers to fight. If it had not been the LORD who was on our ſide, vain had been his wiſdom, and impotent his ſtrength, The LORD of hoſts was with him; therefore he was valiant in fight, prudent in council, and ſucceſsful in the defence of our liberties. With our tears, therefore, let us intermingle our grateful acknowledgments to Almighty GOD, for ſo rich and invaluable a bleſſing. Let us praiſe his holy name, for protracting the life of this great and good Man, till our national Liberty was completely vindicated, and our Peace and Independence effectually eſtabliſhed. Now, Lord, letteſt thou thy ſervant depart in peace; for his eyes have ſeen the ſalvation of his country.

Humble, however, it becomes us to be, under the chaſtiſement of Heaven. The ſtay and the ſtaff, the pride and the glory, of our Nation are removed.—My father! my father! the chariot of Iſrael, and the horſemen thereof! In the death of One, whoſe life was ſo intereſting to America, and to the world, and whoſe fame reſounded through both hemiſpheres, we ſee the inſignificancy of human power, and the vanity of earthly greatneſs. The Lord of hoſts hath purpoſed it to ſtain the pride of all glory. Let us hear the rod, and Him who hath appointed it. How ſtrikingly are we here admoniſhed to put not our truſt in princes, nor in the ſon of man, in whom is no help! for his breath goeth forth, he returneth to the earth; in that very day his thoughts periſh. Such is the monitory uſe, which the prophet himſelf makes of the melancholy truth, this day illuſtrated: Ceaſe ye from man, whoſe breath is in his noſtrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of? For, behold! the Lord, the Lord of hoſts doth take away the mighty man, and the man of war—the prudent, and the ancient—the honourable man, and the counſellor.

Transferring, then, our confidence from mortal man to the living GOD, who is the ſame yeſterday, today, and forever, let us ſeek from Him that aid, which He only can furniſh; and that ſolace, which He only can beſtow. GOD is our refuge and ſtrength, a very preſent help in trouble. Guided by his counſel, and protected by his power, we ſhall ſtill dwell in perfect ſafety. With Him is wiſdom and ſtrength, He hath counſel and underſtanding. He can always furniſh the inſtruments, and proſper the means, of our national defence and happineſs. Sanctify, therefore, the LORD of hoſts himſelf, and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.—Truſt in Him, at all times, ye people, pour out your hearts before Him.

But, with your pious confidence in GOD, neglect not the means of ſecurity and proſperity. Only fear the Lord, and ſerve him in truth with all your heart: for conſider how great things he hath done for you. Practiſe righteouſneſs, which exalteth a nation. Follow the counſels, and obey the laws, of the excellent rulers, who proceed from ourſelves, and who are the conſtituted miniſters of God to us for good. Under a mild and equitable adminiſtration of government, lead quiet and peaceable lives, in all godlineſs and honeſty.—But why does the Preacher offer his humble advice? The prudent Man, the ancient, and the counſellor, hath pointed us the way to national happineſs. Would we, at once, enſure our higheſt proſperity, and pay the moſt honourable tribute to the memory of our revered and beloved WASHINGTON; let us follow his parting advice. He deſigned, that, after his deceaſe, we might be able to have it always in remembrance. His VALEDICTORY ADDRESS, then, let every one ſtudy; its principles let every one adopt; its counſels let every one regard; and we ſhall yet be a happy people, ſaved of the Lord, and made high among the nations in praiſe, and in name, and in honour.—Hear this, ye old men! and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land! Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.

AMEN.