**See "Facts About George Washington's Inauguration" over at The
American Revolution & Founding Era blog. After taking the oath,
Washington delivered a speech, a custom each President has since
followed -- a speech that we know as the Inaugural Address. A
portion of Washington's First Inaugural could accurately be
described as a "sermon." That portion of the speech follows:
"Such being the impressions under which I have, in obedience to
the public summons, repaired to the present station, it would be
peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my
fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the
universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose
providential aids can supply every human defect, that His
benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the
people of the United States a Government instituted by
themselves for these essential purposes, and may enable every
instrument employed in its administration to execute with
success the functions allotted to his