I give but one more scene to complete the model of American character.
It is Washington in death. And it is in that hour of trial that his
character as a Christian is clearly to be seen. As a soldier, and as a
statesman, he was a man of prayer, and his end is that of the Christian
hero. He suffers calmly and patiently his last severe affliction. And
when he is tortured with pain, and struggling in his last agonies in
the grasp of the grim monster, he turns to his physician, and says,
with perfect composure, and with the calmness of Christian resignation
over his countenance: “I die hard, _but I am not afraid to die_!” Like
a soldier, like a Christian hero, he resigns his soul into the hands of
Him who gave it.
Such is Washington the boy, the man. Such his character as developed
in his deeds. In him is seen the man of social virtues, the patriot,
and the Christian. And in these departments of human character he shone
throughout his life. And may I not hold up such a character as a model
before the youth of America; surely such a character is the high aim of
an American boy’s ambition! And to win and wear it would be to secure
a prize of most exalted eminence. But let it not be forgotten that the
palm must be worn by him who wins it.