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George MacPherson Docherty

The name, George MacPherson Docherty, probably does not register with most people. He was a Presbyterian minister, that preached at the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. This building just so happens to be a few blocks from the White House. On February 7, 1954 Docherty preached a lesson that Dwight Eisenhower was present to hear. This was “ Lincoln Sunday” and he decided to use the Gettysburg Address to make a point. In the Gettysburg Address, Abraham Lincoln, spoke of this nation being one nation “under God.”

Attempts had been made earlier to have the phrase “one nation under God” added to the Pledge of Allegiance of the United States . All earlier attempts had failed. Docherty told the audience that morning of a conversation he had earlier with his children. He pointed out that there was no mention of God in the Pledge and it could be used by almost any nation. He felt the pledge should reflect the qualities and principles that helped to make this nation great and referred to by Lincoln .

Dwight Eisenhower expressed his appreciation of the sermon. On February 8^th, the very next day a bill was introduced adding the words “one nation under God” to the Pledge. It was signed into Law on June 14, 1958 , Flag Day.

I have recounted all of this because George MacPherson Docherty died on November 27, 2008 . Here’s a few thoughts pertaining to the man and his influence.

While not endorsing the Presbyterian religion, I do admire the man for using his unique position for good. He knew that Dwight Eisenhower was going to be in the audience that day. Much like Nehemiah using his position as the king’s cupbearer to rebuild Jerusalem , this man used his sermon to get his message to the President of the United States . We need to see our opportunities to do good and not remain silent. We can mention Queen Esther and how she used her position to petition the King in order to  save her people from wicked Haman. Or Joseph, he was sold into slavery and served in Potiphar’s household. Falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife of making advances toward her, Joseph wound up in prison. While there he used his position and interpreted the dream of Pharaoh’s butler and baker. Later on Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream concerning the drought that was in the future. Eventually he served Pharaoh and helped to save that nation from famine and his own family. God uses ordinary people to do His will and do extraordinary things.

Docherty knew his history and was able to make a compelling argument without being political. In other words, he chose his words wisely. The Bible speaks of our speech being as grace seasoned with salt, Colossians 4.6. We can see this quality in other Bible characters. Earlier I mentioned Queen Esther and her saving the Jews from extermination. If one goes back and reads chapters 5 and 7, they will see Esther wisely guiding the king toward the right action. She did not rebuke him for enacting the law to start with, but reasoned with him. We need to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves in teaching the word of God, Matthew 10.16.

Docherty did not become a national hero or superstar. He simply sent the rest of his life in the Presbyterian Church. I wish I could say he obeyed the Gospel of Christ, but I can not truthfully say so. He died in the Presbyterian Church. It is one thing to recognize the power and existence of God, it is another to obey Him. Jesus said, "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46-47) While George MacPherson Docherty did good in his life, he did not do the most good. 

There is also a lesson in how far our nation has fallen in the last 50 plus years. In 2005 Michael Newdown sued to have the phrase “under God” taken out of the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Newdown is an atheist that did not want his daughter to recite those words. Michael Newdown and his wife are divorced. His daughter is not an atheist and has no objections to the phrase in question. Yet the 9^th Federal Circuit Court ruled in his favor, but was later overturned. I do not believe today’s congress would have the belief and conviction to have the phrase “under God” put in the Pledge as the 1954 Congress did. Thankfully people in 1954 were godly enough to at least recognize Him for our blessings and success.  – Dennis Tucker