The Faith of Our Founding Fathers
Faith Bible Chapel
“The Faith of Our Founding Fathers Series”
“George Washington”
Cast: Narrator/Story Teller – Ben Franklin
Red Hawk – Indian Chief at the battle of Duquesne
Indian Warrior
George Washington (When he was a surveyor)
Dr. Craik (A lifetime friend of George Washington)
Red Hawk strolls onto the stage in a proud and stoic manner. He stops center stage and
sternly looks at the audience. He scans the audience, and then proceeds to the opposite side
of the stage, turns towards the audience, Sits down by a campfire, crosses his arms and
assumes a pose of dignity and authority as he stares into the fire. Another Indian brave
escorts George Washington and Dr. Craik towards the fire and gestures for them to sit with
the chief at the council fire.
An older Ben Franklin comes strolling onto the stage diligently reading a book and carrying
his cane. He stops center stage and turns toward the audience completely engulfed in his
reading. Eventually, he looks over the top of his reading glasses and notices the audience. He
displays a bit of embarrassment within his English gentleman’s demeanor.
Ben:
Well, good morning. I was so absorbed with my reading that I didn’t notice all
of you sitting out there. I must apologize for neglecting my obligation as host to all of my
wonderful invited guests! (Holds up his book to show the audience) I must say however, that
this book is quite intriguing and I can personally attest to the accuracy of its contents! (Puts
his hand up to hear as if he is trying to hear somebody saying something from the audience)
What’s that? I didn’t quite hear! Oh, yes, it’s a collection of stories about our honored guest
this morning, George Washington. My favorite part, however, are the stories that talk of the
revolutionary war and how General Washington lead us to victory. It was a war that bought
our freedom from the tyranny of English rule! For six years we diligently fought to peel back
the oppression of England from controlling our small country. It was an oppression that cast a
shadow of tyranny and persecution over this great country and over those who longed to live
and worship freely in a way that each of us deemed appropriate. Do you have any idea the
sacrifice that was made to win our freedom? It is a freedom that came at a very high cost,
and I must say through the divine intervention of God Almighty! But the miracle of
independence occurred in part due to the faith and devotion of those who led our country in
this great revolt! If you would indulge me for just a moment, I would like to share just a
snippet of history about one of the greatest military and spiritual leaders of our new nation.
I’m sure you’ve heard stories about this man named George Washington, the man who was
deemed the father of our country, but I’m quite positive that you have never heard about the
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depth and resilience of his faith in God almighty and his dependence upon the Lord Jesus
Christ. It is unfortunate that most story tellers fail to mention the importance of his faith and
the role it played in not only the development of our country, but the divine appointment of
this great man of God! I’m sure that you’ve heard how he was an honest man, and all of you
have probably heard the tale of how he chopped down the cherry tree and then took
responsibility for his actions as he uttered those now infamous words, “I cannot tell a lie!”
And I am also quite confident that you have heard stories of how he crossed the Delaware
River and survived the brutal winter at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary war. But have
you ever heard about the faith that he proclaimed and practiced? It was a faith that allowed
him to find victory in every situation that he encountered? I’m sure you have not! But do not
be dismayed, for I am here to tell you about the faith of this great man, and how his faith laid
the groundwork for this great country! George Washington was a man of great courage, as
well as a man of great character and morality, and it was these personal traits that allowed
him to fulfill his divine appointment as the father of this great country! It is true that all of
those brave souls who fought to secure this country’s independence believed that this was a
country blessed and protected by the hand of God Almighty! In fact through many battles
George Washington came to be known as the “Bulletproof George Washington,” as God
provided divine protection for this remarkable man of faith. But excuse me, I will share more
about that later. As leaders in this country we all knew in our hearts that this great land was
truly a land flowing with milk and honey and we sought the promise to make it one that
allowed every individual the right to freely worship God in any way that he so chose for
himself and his family. Freedom is the ultimate gift of God’s grace and all of us were on a
mission to secure it for not only us and our families, but for generations to come. But listen to
me ramble on about freedom. You must forgive me, I invited all of you here to honor a great
man of God, and share with you some bits of information that you probably have never
heard! Well, let me see, where should I start? Ah yes, I know! It all started on the river banks
of the Monongahela River, during the French and Indian war. You see at that time in history,
we fought with the British in an effort to prevent the French from taking over our country.
The French recruited Indians from the Mohawk nation to fight with them against the British
and American troops. George Washington was a colonel under the leadership of the British
General Braddock. General Braddock was an accomplished military hero in England. Colonel
Washington was part of the Virginia provincials marching with General Braddock’s army of
1300 men, and on the edge of that river bank on July 9 th, 1755 General Braddock and his men
marched right into the middle of an ambush! The French and Indian warriors hid in the trees
and wreaked havoc on General Braddock’s command who fought frantically from out in the
open. For over two hours the musket balls rained down on the British troops and the Virginia
provincials creating a horrific scene of dead and wounded soldiers and horses. But the story
goes, that during the battle Colonel Washington was riding back and forth on horseback,
shouting orders to the men and directing their actions. Twice he had horses shot out from
underneath him, and at the end of the battle he had no less than four bullet holes in his
jacket. But not one bullet found its mark against Colonel Washington. When the battle was
over, the number of casualties emphasized the one sidedness of the battle. Seven hundred
and fourteen of the British soldiers had been killed or wounded; of eighty-six officers, twenty
six were killed and thirty-seven more were wounded. George Washington was the only
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officer on horseback not killed that day! While the losses of the French and Indians amounted
to only three officers and thirty men killed with just as many wounded. It was more of a
blood bath than a battle, but the one good thing that came out of that battle, was the
inspiration of the divine appointment of Colonel Washington. Even the Indians realized that
he was protected by the Great Spirit. Well, how do I know that you ask? Fifteen years later
when George Washington and his friend Dr. Craik were in the wilderness surveying the
territory. They were invited in to the camp of Red Hawk, a great chief who fought in the
battle that same day. (The lights fade out on Ben Franklin and light up the group sitting by the
council fire.)
Red Hawk:
(Lifts his head and speaks to George Washington.) I am a chief and ruler over
my tribe. My influence extends to the waters of the great lakes and to the far Blue
Mountains. Many moons ago, I fought in the battle of Duquesne with the French against
George Washington and the British. It was on the day when the white man’s blood mixed
with the streams of our forest that I first beheld this great chief named Washington. (Pointing
at George) I called to my young men and said, mark yon tall and daring warrior. He is not of
the red-coat tribe – he hath an Indian’s wisdom, and his warriors fight as we do – himself
alone is exposed. Quick, let your aim be certain, and he dies. Our rifles were leveled, rifles
which, but for you, knew not how to miss – twas all in vain: a power mightier far than we
shielded you. Seeing you were under the special protection of the Great Spirit, we
immediately ceased to fire. It has been many moons since that battle, and I have longed to
meet and speak with you. I wanted to share with you how our bullets were not made to kill
you, even though our aim had never missed its mark before! I myself had eleven shots at you!
It was as if you yourself were bullet proof.(Pausing and leaning closer to George) I am old and
soon shall be gathered to the great council fire of my fathers in the land of the shades; but
ere I go, there is something bids me speak in the voice of prophecy. Listen! The Great Spirit
protects you, the man Washington, and guides your destinies – you will become the chief of
nations, and a people yet unborn will hail you as the founder of a mighty empire.i (The lights
fade off of the council fire and come back up on Ben Franklin. During this time, everyone
leaves George Washington and he assumes a position of kneeling in prayer.)
Ben Franklin: (Turns towards the audience and speaks) As you can see, George Washington
faced many dangers through the years of battle in not only the French and Indian Wars of the
1750’s but also the Revolutionary War of Independence fought in the 1770’s. I will have to
tell you about those stories another time. But it is important that you know It was by God’s
divine providence that America became an independent nation, and it was through God’s
divine appointment that George Washington became the father of this country. Just as Moses
lead the Israelites into the promised land-- so did George Washington serve as God’s
instrument in leading this country towards independence and religious freedom. It was his
faith in God and his belief in the Lord Jesus Christ that enabled General Washington to find
victory over the tyranny of English rule. Nothing that the general ever said or wrote better
summarizes his faith, than the prayer that he uttered at his headquarters on the Hudson
River in June of 1779……………………………… (Lights fade off of Ben Franklin and a spotlight
shines on George Washington stage right, kneeling in prayer)
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George Washington: And now, Almighty Father, if it is Thy holy will that we shall obtain a
place and name among the nations of the earth, grant that we may be enabled to show our
gratitude for Thy goodness by our endeavors to fear and obey Thee. Bless us with Thy
wisdom in our counsels, success in battle, and let all our victories be tempered with
humanity. Endow, also, our enemies with enlightened minds, that they become sensible of
their injustice, and willing to restore our liberty and peace. Grant the petition of Thy servant,
for the sake of Him whom Thou has called Thy beloved Son; nevertheless, not my will, but
Thine be done.ii (Spotlight fades out on George and shines back on Ben Franklin.)
Ben Franklin: (Standing alone) You see, George Washington was not only a courageous
warrior and wise leader, but he was a man of great faith. He was a man who lived his life
pursuing his faith, while demonstrating his submission and dependence on the power of the
living God. He realized that this was a nation, ordained and blessed by God. He understood
the duty to which he was called and the responsibility contained within his appointment to
lead. But more importantly, he understood the necessity to live according to God’s will! This
country was founded on that premise! Within that necessity he wrote, “No Country upon
Earth ever had it more in its power to attain these blessings…… Much to be regretted indeed
would it be, were we to neglect the means and depart from the road which Providence has
pointed us to, so plainly; I cannot believe it will ever come to pass. The Great Governor of the
Universe has led us too long and too far… to forsake us in the midst of it… We may, now and
then get bewildered; but I hope and trust that there is good sense and virtue enough left to
recover the right path.”iii May America always heed these words as they maintain the virtue
and good sense necessary to follow the right path -- the path that was obtained through the
divine providence of God. Now, if you will excuse me, I must finish reading this book. It truly
is most intriguing. (Ben starts to read the book as he strolls off of the stage.)
i
Barton, David, “The Bulletproof George Washington,” Texas, Wallbuilder Press , 1990, pp.56-57.
ii
Federer, William J., “America’s God and Country Encyclopedia of Quotations,” St. Louis, Amerisearch, 2000, p.
644.
iii
Ibid., p. 648.
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