skepticism to faith—the faith and hope that sustained a bedraggled
army through many more years of war in the final victory that gave
this country its independence.

Nothing George Washington ever wrote or said has been more often
quoted that the prayer with which he ended his inaugural address
in 1789. This brief invocation of God's mercies upon the new nation
and its people somehow contains the very essence of Washington's
patriotism, his belief in democracy, his dedication to the great ideal
of Christianity—love of fellowman. May I conclude by reciting this
prayer:

"Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt
keep the United States in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt
incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination
and obedience to government; to entertain a brotherly affec-
tion and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the
United States at large. "

Let us repeat that prayer, here today and wherever we may be in
years to come, when we pause to pay our respects to this greatest
of all Americans.

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