George Washington Inaugural Bible

The George Washington Inaugural Bible is the book that was sworn upon by George Washington when he took office as the very first President of the United States. The Bible itself has subsequently been used in the inauguration ceremonies of several other U.S. presidents.

George Washington Inaugural Bible

St. John's Lodge No. 1, A.Y.M., F & A.M. is the owner of what is now known as the George Washington Inaugural Bible. On April 30th, 1789 it was upon this Bible that George Washington took his oath of office as the first President of the United States.

Since that time, the Bible has been used for the inaugurations of Warren G. Harding, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jimmy Carter, and George H.W. Bush (whose 1989 inauguration was in the bicentennial year of George Washington's). The Bible was also intended to be used at George W. Bush's inauguration, but the inclement weather prevented it. However, the Bible was present in the Capitol Building in the care of three members of St. John's Lodge, in case the weather improved.

In addition to its inaugural duties, the Bible has been utilized in the funeral processions of Presidents George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, and Zachary Taylor. The Bible has also been utilized at the cornerstone laying of the U.S. Capitol, the dedication of the Washington Monument, the centennials of the cornerstone laying of the White House, U.S. Capitol, and the Statue of Liberty, the 1964 World's Fair as well as the launching of the aircraft carrier "George Washington".

Other presidents who have made use of the Bible include Andrew Jackson and Gerald Ford.

Dedication page

So that the relevance of this book was not lost to history, a dedication page was inserted that reads:

"On this sacred volume, on the 30th day of April, 1789 in the City of New York, was administered to George Washington, the first president of the United States of America, the oath to support the Constitution of the United States.

This important ceremony was performed by the Most Worshipful Master of Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York, the Honorable Robert R. Livingston, Chancellor of the State."

"Fame stretched her wings and with her trumpet blew. Great Washington is near. What praise is due? What title shall we have? She paused-and said "Not one - his name alone strikes every title dead."

George Washington's inauguration

The inaugural ceremony took place in the open gallery of the old City Hall (afterwards called Federal Hall) on Wall Street, New York City, in the presence of a vast multitude. Washington was dressed in a suit of dark brown cloth and white silk stockings, all of American manufacture. His hair was powdered and dressed in the fashion of the day, clubbed and ribboned.

The oath of Office was administered by Robert R. Livingston. The open Bible on which the President laid his hand was held on a rich crimson velvet cushion by Mr. Otis, Secretary of State. With them were John Adams, who had been chosen Vice President; George Clinton, first Governor of New York; Philip Schuyler, John Jay, Maj. Gen. Henry Knox, Jacob Morton (Master of St. John's Lodge who had retrieved the Lodge Bible when they discovered none had been provided), and other distinguished guests.

The most common account of the event is that, after taking his Oath, he kissed the Bible reverently, closed his eyes and in an attitude of devotion said: "So help me God!" The Chancellor exclaimed, "It is done!" and turning to the people he shouted, "Long live George Washington, the first President of the United States." A shout that was echoed and re-echoed by the multitude present.

However, there is currently debate as to whether or not he added the phrase "So help me God" to his oath. The only contemporaneous account of Washington's oath is from French consul Comte de Moustier who reported the constitutional oath with no mention of "So help me God". [dispatch of June 5, 1789] The earliest known source indicating Washington did add "So help me God" is attributed to Washington Irving, aged six at the time of the inauguration, and first appears 60 years after the event. [cite book |last=Griswold |first=Rufus W |title=The Republican court, or, American society in the days of Washington | origyear=1855 |url=http://books.google.com/books?id=xhsLT1NgTbwC |publisher=D. Appleton and Company |location= New York |pages=141-142]

At the conclusion, Washington and the others went in procession to St. Paul's Chapel, and there they invoked the blessing of God upon the new government.

ources

* [http://www.fcassociates.com/id27.htm Museum consultant's web page on the bible]
* [http://www.stjohns1.org/bible.htm St. john's web page]

References