George Washington Bethune (1805–62) was an American preacher-pastor and hymn writer in the Dutch Reformed Church.
Born in New York City, Bethune graduated from Dickinson College in Pennsylvania in 1822 and studied theology at Princeton. He was ordained a Presbyterian minister in 1925 but changed his religious associations to the Reformed Dutch Church.
In 1827, Bethune was assigned Pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church, Rhinebeck, New York. He later served as a Reformed Dutch minister in Utica, Philadelphia, and Brooklyn Heights. He was a forthright Democrat in politics—he was opposed to slavery but was indifferent to abolitionism.
Bethune was profoundly versed in English literature, and achieved distinction for publishing five of the American editions of Izaak Walton’s The Compleat Angler. He also wrote many hymns, some of which are still used today.
Bethune’s published works include The Fruits of the Spirit (1839,) Sermons (1847,) Lays of Love and Faith (1847,) and Orations and Discourses (1850.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by George Washington Bethune
Every condition of life has its perils and its advantages; and the office of religion is, not to change that in which Providence has placed us, but to strengthen and sanctify our hearts that we may resist the temptations, and improve the opportunities of blessings presented to us.
—George Washington Bethune
Topics: Religion
Wondering Whom to Read Next?
Frederick Buechner American Presbyterian Clergyman
Henry van Dyke Jr. American Author, Educator, Clergyman
Malcolm S. Forbes American Publisher
Lee Iacocca American Businessperson
Woodrow Wilson American Head of State
Thornton Wilder American Novelist, Dramatist
John Foster Dulles American Lawyer
Ralph Nader American Activist
Adlai Stevenson American Diplomat
Lowell Thomas American Writer