A history of the life and death, virtues and exploits, of General George Washington. Faithfully taken from authentic documents, and, now, in a second edition improved, respectfully offered to the perusal of his countrymen; as also, all others who wish to see human nature in its most finished form. : Price, 25 cents. : [Four lines of verse] / By the Rev. M.L. Weems, of Lodge No. 50--Dumfries.

Title: A history of the life and death, virtues and exploits, of General George Washington. Faithfully taken from authentic documents, and, now, in a second edition improved, respectfully offered to the perusal of his countrymen; as also, all others who wish to see human nature in its most finished form. : Price, 25 cents. : [Four lines of verse] / By the Rev. M.L. Weems, of Lodge No. 50--Dumfries.

Author: Weems, M. L. (Mason Locke), 1759-1825.

Collection: Evans Early American Imprint Collection

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from pride, fraud, lust, hate, revenge, &c. and wrought up at length to such bloody battles, and inhuman massacres, with such death-screams, and dying groans, as to give horror-struck huma|nity, a perfect picture of the habitations of the damned? But no sooner has just and effective government raised aloft her aw|ful form; than all these ell-begotten monsters disappear. The sons of violence are bound in chains, or cut off by the sword of justice; the cries of the weak and oppressed, distress our ears no more; sweet peace smiles over all; and secure now, of enjoying her own delicious fruits, Industry springs up, with eye sparkling with honest ambition; millions fall to work; the rich store-hou|ses of nature are broken up; earth, water, air, and fire, lend their mighty aids; and arts, sciences, manufactures, and commerce, pour a flowing tide of blessings round the world.These are thy peaceful precious fruits, O blessed Govern|ment! Thus it is that thou enablest man, created in his Maker's image, and touched with Heaven's own fire, to imitate his God; and, like him, to call beauty out of deformity, and order out of Chaos!Washington's life exhibits immortal monuments of his sense of the blessings of government, and the great duty of cheerful sub|mission to it. Frequent were the opportunities which he had to wear the brightest gold and purple that sceptre-seeking ambition could covet: But he despised them all. Charmed with that hea|ven which results from good government, and a prompt obedience to it, he readily returned the glittering sword of the victorious Generalissimo,—stepped down from the exalted chair of supreme magistracy—mixed as a commoner among the citizens—obeyed those whom he had been accustomed to command—honored the president—revered the laws—paid his taxes, and, in every re|spect, behaved as became the man, who was fully possessed of this great idea, that, in exact proportion to our union, will be our strength, our peace and prosperity at home, and our respectability and success abroad.Let us my fellow-citizens, as we revere the memory of GEORGE WASHINGTON—As we honour the mighty God of order, whom WASHINGTON honored—As we would live the life and die the death of that righteous man O let us imitate this greatest because best example in his most exemplary life.If ever there was a people under the canopy of Heaven, who had reason to be cheerfully obedient to their government, we are that people. The form of our government, is of all others, the most conducive to our best interests; and therefore the most perfect, Widely different from the liberty and safety of our re|publican 0