Page:George Washington National Monument.djvu/44

 and, although his form has been laid in the dust, we hope and believe that his spirit has returned to the God that gave it, and is happy in the place of the departed. In memorial of his character, his virtues, and his fame, we come this day to rear a costly cenotaph—a monument that shall proclaim his praise to ages yet to come, to millions yet to be. We plant in earth the shaft that points to heaven. We rear the pile that silently, yet eloquently, tells the story of his valor to the world below, while it lifts its lofty head on high as if it would direct mankind to the haven of bliss—the future home of the faithful and the good. Here, in the capital of his country, that bears his name, would we build the monument of stone in honor of the illustrious dead, and do thou, O Lord, look down from heaven and bless the deed. May this memorial of marble, in this metropolis of freedom, be an instrument of Thine in the performance of Thy wonderful works among the sons of men. It tells of Christian virtue and of patriotic devotion. May it encourage American youth in the cultivation and practice of these holy principles. It tells of pure and honorable motive, and high and chivalrous character. May it inspire the American citizen with holy ardor to emulate the same! It tells of an ennobling sense of duty and zeal for its discharge, of lofty aims and purposes, and the meed of renown to be gained in their pursuit. May its influence be effective in the extension of like sentiment, and in the elevation of men in character and practice! May it animate the hearts of freemen to imitate the example of Washington the good, that each in his respective sphere may be like Washington the great.

And now, O Lord of all power and majesty, we humbly beseech thee to let the wing of Thy protection be ever outspread over the land of Washington! May his people be Thy people! May his God be their God! Never from beneath the strong arm of Thy providence may they be removed; but, like their honored chief, may they acknowledge Thee in peace and in war, and ever serve thee with a willing, faithful, acceptable service! Hear our prayer, we beseech Thee, that the glory of this nation may never be obscured in the gloom of guilt; that its beauty, may never be so marred by the foul impress of sin that the light of its religious character shall be dimmed. Open the eyes of the people, and let them see that it is their true interest to study Thy laws, to seek Thy favor, and to worship Thee with a faithful worship. Teach them, and deeply impress upon them the important political truth that opinions and personal feelings, private advantages, and sectional interests are all as nothing when compared with the great interest that every American has in the union of the different States of