new america
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Timothy Dwight, a graduate of Yale College and a prominent Congregational minister in Connecticut, published his poem, The Conquest of Canaan, in 1785. In this poem he describes the magnificent America and its great wonders. Dwight uses a religious tone to express what he feels about the new inhabited land. He presents America as a gift from God and envisions it to be like heaven. While doing this he uses many descriptive words which illuminate the magnificence of the country.
Dwight begins his poem by dedicating it to George Washington. It is very evident to the reader how much Washington is respected by Dwight. Dwight labels Washington as "The Saviour of his Country, The Supporter of Freedom, And the Benefactor of Mankind" (Creating an American Culture, 88). This is almost as though he is holding Washington in as high esteem as he holds Christ because Jesus was the savior of the world and the benefactor of all mankind. This is quite unusual because the Bible specifically states that there should be no idol worshipping, George Washington may not necessarily be Dwight's "idol," but even to compare him to Christ is an insult...