Originally published by Wesley Bradshaw in the National Tribune, Vol. 4, No. 12, December 12, 1880.
The last time I ever saw Anthony Sherman was on July 4, 1859, in Independence Square. He was then 99 years old, and becoming very feeble. But though so old, his dimming eyes rekindled as he gazed upon Independence Hall, which he came to visit once more.
“Let us go into the hall,” he said. “I want to tell you an incident of Washington’s life – one which no one alive knows of except myself, and if you live, you will before long, see it verified.”[1]
George WashingtonÂ’s darkest period was at Valley Forge during the Revolutionary War in the winter of 1777. Often, he retreated to the thicket to pray in secret for aid for his poor soldiers and comfort from God.
One afternoon, Washington remained in his quarters alone all afternoon. He finally emerged, looking somewhat pale. Later, he related to Anthony Sherman what had transpired in his lodgings.
Uninvited Guest
While sitting at his table, preparing a dispatch, George Washington looked up to see a singularly beautiful female. He was astonished because he had given orders not to be disturbed. Four times, he inquired of her presence and received no answer. Presently he heard a voice, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.”
He then beheld a white vapor which gradually disappeared. Before him lay the world. Between Europe and America was a rolling and tossing Atlantic and between America and Asia was a billowing Pacific.
First Peril – Revolutionary War
“Son of the Republic,” said the same mysterious voice, “Look and learn.” Then he noticed a dark, shadowy being like an angel, floating between Europe and America. Dipping water out of the ocean in the hollow of each hand, the angel sprinkled some upon America with his right hand and some on Europe with his left. Immediately, a cloud rose from the two continents and joined in mid-ocean, remaining stationary at first, and then slowly moving westward, until it enveloped America in its murky folds. At intervals, there were flashes of lightning and Washington heard the smothered groans and cries of the American people.
The angel once again dipped water from the ocean, sprinkling it as before. A dark cloud was drawn back to the ocean and sank from view.
A third time Washington heard the mysterious voice saying, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.” Then he looked down to see villages and towns and cities springing up across the entire continent of North America.
Second Great Peril – The Civil War
Again, he heard the mysterious voice say, “Son of the Republic, the end of the century cometh, look and learn.”
This time a dark angel turned his face southward. From Africa, Washington saw an ill-omened spectre approaching our land, flitting over every town and city. The inhabitants began to war against each other. Then a bright angel with a crown of light had the word “Union” traced across it. The angel held an American flag, which he placed between the divided nation, and said, “Remember ye are brethren.” Instantly, the people cast their weapons aside and became friends again.
Third Peril – End-Time War
Again, Washington heard the mysterious voice say, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.” This time, a dark angel placed a trumpet to his mouth and blew three blasts. Taking water from the ocean, he sprinkled it on Europe, Asia, and Africa. Then a fearful scene occurred. Thick, black clouds arose from these three countries and joined into one. A dark red light moved throughout the mass, revealing a horde of armed men who marched and sailed to America, enveloped in a thick cloud. The vast armies devastated America, burning villages, towns and cities. Washington heard cannons thunder, swords clash and the shouts and cries of millions in mortal combat.
Heaven Invades Earth
Again, Washington heard the mysterious voice say, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.” The dark shadowy angel blew a long and fearful blast on his trumpet. Instantly, a light like a thousand suns radiated from above and pierced and broke into fragments the dark cloud covering America. The angel whose head still shone the word “Union” came down from heaven with an American flag in one hand and a sword in another. It was accompanied by legions of white spirits, who joined the inhabitants of America, weary from the battle, but took courage once again.
Again came the mysterious voice saying, “Son of the Republic, look and learn.” For the last time, the shadowy dark angel dipped water from the ocean and sprinkled America. “Instantly, the dark cloud rolled back, together with the armies it had brought, leaving the inhabitants of the land victorious.”
Once more, villages, towns and cities sprung up across North America, while the bright angel, placing the flag into the midst, cried out, “While the stars remain, and the heavens send down dew upon the earth, so long shall the Union last.” Taking from his brown the crown which said “Union,” he placed it on the flag, while the people knelt down, saying “Amen.”
Interpretation
As this scene faded, the mysterious visitor said, “Son of the Republic, what you have seen is thus interpreted. Three great perils will co me upon the Republic. The most fearful is the third.” At this, Washington told Anthony Sherman, “The help against the third peril comes in the shape of Divine assistance, passing which, the whole world united shall not prevail against her. Let every child of the Republic learn to live for his God, his land and 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 me the birth, progress, and destiny of the United States.”
“Such, my friends,” concluded Anthony Sherman, “were the words I heard from Washington’s own lips, and America will do well to profit by them.”
Source google/http://www.liberty1.org/gwvision.htm
