"The identical Congress that directed and oversaw the inaugural activities [of George Washington] also penned the First Amendment," writes David Barton, President of Wallbuilders. "Having therefore produced both the Constitution and all of its clauses on religion, they clearly knew what types of religious activities were and were not constitutional. Clearly, then, the religious activities that occurred at the first inauguration may well be said to have the approval and imprimatur of the greatest collection of constitutional experts America has ever known. Therefore, a review of the religious activities acceptable in that first inauguration will provide guidance for citizens in general and critics in particular."1
The first presidential inauguration occurred in New York City which served as the nation's first capitol. The entire day's activities were planned and arranged for by the newly formed Congress. The day began with an appeal for New Yorkers to pray. The papers in the Capital City reported on that scheduled activity:
"[O]n the morning of the day on which our illustrious President will be invested with his office, the bells will ring at nine o'clock, when the people may go up to the house of God and in a solemn manner commit the new government, with its important train of consequences, to the holy protection and blessing of the Most high. An early hour . . . is designed wholly for prayer."
When it came time for Washington to be inaugurated, Barton reports, "he placed his left hand upon the open Bible (the Book of Genesis), raised his right, and then took the oath of office prescribed by the Constitution. Washington then bent over and kissed the Bible, reverently closed his eyes, and said, 'So help me God!'"
Washington then joined both the Senate and the House inside of the building to give his inaugural address. Afterwards, President Washington and members of Congress marched in a procession to St. Paul's Church (which still remains near the site of Ground Zero). Documents reveal that Senate and House, "Resolved, That after the oath shall have been administered to the President, he - attended by the Vice-President and members of the Senate and House of Representatives - proceed to St. Paul's Chapel to hear Divine service."
The service at St. Paul's was conducted by The Right Reverend Samuel Provoost who had been chosen chaplain of the Senate the week preceding the inauguration and served as Bishop for the Episcopal Church in New York. The service was performed according to The Book of Common Prayer, and included a number of prayers taken from Psalms 144-150 as well as numerous Scripture readings.
Take a moment and call upon Jesus right now! Also, don't forget to pray at 12:23 today!
1. Quoted from article by David Barton on Wallbuilders.com, 01/2009.
