The place was Valley Forge in the winter of 1777, shortly after the signing
of the "Declaration of Independence" the American forces (greatly
outnumbered) were fighting a against the British (the most powerful nation
in the world). Some believe that only 3% of the American people took part
in the struggle for independence, and many aided the British cause by
giving them housing etc. Prevalent in the hearts and minds of the American
people, was apathy, self-interests, uncertainty, and fear. It is well known
that George Washington was a man of prayer and great courage as he would
ride and lead his own troops into battle.
THE WORDS OF GEORGE WASHINGTON (THE FATHER OF AMERICA)
"This afternoon, as I was sitting at this table engaged in preparing a
dispatch, something seemed to disturb me. Looking up, I beheld standing
opposite me a singularly beautiful female. So astonished was I, for I had
given strict orders not to be disturbed, that it was some moments before I
found language to inquire the cause of her presence. A second, a third and
even a fourth time did I repeat my question, but received no answer from my
mysterious visitor except a slight raising of her eyes.
"By this time I felt strange sensations spreading through me. I would have
risen but the riveted gaze of the being before me rendered volition
impossible. I assayed once more to address her, but my tongue had become
useless, as though it had become paralyzed.
"A new influence, mysterious, potent, irresistible, took possession of me.
All I could do was to gaze steadily, vacantly at my unknown visitor,
Gradually the surrounding atmosphere seemed as if it had become filled with
sensations, and luminous. Everything about me seemed to rarify, the
mysterious visitor herself becoming more airy and yet more distinct to my
sight than before. I now began to feel as one dying, or rather to
experience the sensations which I have sometimes imagined accompany
dissolution. I did not think, I did not reason, I did not move; all were
alike impossible. I was only conscious of gazing fixedly,
vacantly at my companion.
"Presently I heard a voice saying, `Son of the Republic, look and learn,'
while at the same time my visitor extended her arm eastwardly. I now beheld
a heavy white vapor at some distance rising fold upon fold. This gradually
dissipated, and I looked upon a strange scene. Before me lay spread out in
one vast plain all the countries of the world; Europe, Asia, Africa and
America. I saw rolling and tossing between Europe and America the billows
of the Atlantic, and between Asia and America
lay the Pacific.
" `Son of the Republic' said the same mysterious voice as before, `look and
learn,' At that moment I beheld a dark, shadowy being, like an angel,
standing, or rather floating in mid-air, between Europe and America.
Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand, he sprinkled
some upon America with his right hand, while with his left hand he cast
some on Europe. Immediately a cloud raised from these countries, and joined
in mid-ocean. For a while it remained stationary, and then moved slowly
westward, until it enveloped America in its murky folds. Sharp flashes of
lightning gleamed through it at intervals, and I heard the smothered groans
and cries of the American people.
"A second time the angel dipped water from the ocean, and sprinkled it out
as before. The dark cloud was then drawn back to the ocean, in whose
heaving billows it sank from view. A third time I heard the mysterious
voice saying, `Son of the Republic, look and learn,' I cast my eyes upon
America and beheld villages and towns and cities springing up one after
another until the whole land from the Atlantic to the Pacific was dotted
with them.
Again, I heard the mysterious voice say, `Son of the Republic, the end of
the century cometh, look and learn.' At this the dark shadowy angel turned
his face southward, and from Africa I saw an ill-omened spectre approach
our land. It flitted slowly over every town and city of the latter. The
inhabitants presently set themselves in battle array against each other. As
I continued looking I a saw bright angel, on whose brow rested a crown of
light, on which was traced the word `Union,' bearing
the American flag which he placed between the divided nation, and said,
`Remember ye are brethren.' Instantly, the inhabitants, casting from them
their weapons became friends once more, and united around the National
Standard.
"And again I heard the mysterious voice saying, `Son of the Republic, look
and learn.' At this the dark, shadowy angel placed a trumpet to his mouth,
and blew three distinct blasts; and taking water from the ocean, he
sprinkled it upon Europe, Asia and Africa. Then my eyes beheld a fearful
scene: from each of these countries arose thick, black clouds that were
soon joined into one. Throughout this mass there gleamed a dark red light
by which I saw hordes of armed men, who, moving with the cloud, marched by
land and sailed by sea to America. Our country was enveloped in this volume
of cloud, and I saw these vast armies devastate the whole country and burn
the villages, towns and cities that I beheld springing up. As my ears
listened to the thundering of the cannon, clashing of swords, and the
shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat, I heard again the mysterious
voice saying, `Son of the Republic, look and learn.' When the voice had
ceased, the dark shadowy angel placed his trumpet once more to his mouth,
and blew a long and fearful blast.
"Instantly a light as of a thousand suns shone down from above me, and
pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud which enveloped America. At
the same moment the angel upon whose head still shone the word Union, and
who bore our national flag in one hand and a sword in the other, descended
from the heavens attended by legions of white spirits. These immediately
joined the inhabitants of America, who I perceived were well nigh overcome,
but who immediately taking courage again, closed up their broken ranks and
renewed the battle.
"Again, amid the fearful noise of the conflict, I heard the mysterious
voice saying, `Son of the Republic, look and learn.' As the voice ceased,
the shadowy angel for the last time dipped water from the ocean and
sprinkled it upon America. Instantly the dark cloud rolled back, together
with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land
victorious!
"Then once more I beheld the villages, towns and cities springing up where
I had seen them before, while the bright angel, planting the azure standard
he had brought in the midst of them, cried with o loud voice" `While the
stars remain, and the heavens send down dew upon the earth, so long shall
the Union last.' And taking from his brow the crown on which blazoned the
word `UNION,' he placed it upon the Standard while the people, kneeling
down, said, `Amen.'
"The scene instantly began to fade and dissolve, and I at last saw nothing
but the rising, curling vapor I at first beheld. This also disappearing, I
found myself once more gazing upon the mysterious visitor, who, in the same
voice I had heard before, said, `Son of the Republic, what you have seen is
thus interpreted: three great perils will come upon the Republic. The most
fearful is the third, but in this greatest conflict the whole world united
shall not prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to
live for his God, his land and the Union. With these words the vision
vanished, and I started from my seat and felt that I had
seen a vision wherein had been shown to me the birth, progress and destiny
of the United States."
