The New York Herald Newspaper, June 2, 1875, Page 5

Page views left: 0

You have reached the hourly page view limit. Unlock higher limit to our entire archive!

Subscribers enjoy higher page view limit, downloads, and exclusive features.

Text content (automatically generated)

AN ANCIENT RELIC. Interesting Mementoes of the “Father of His Country.” REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENTS. We publish herewith the fac-simile ofa letter irom bne o! whom tt bas been written, ‘Masons ox ult that the name of Washington stood enrolled on the list of brethren, and they will cherish the membrance of his virtues and his services nen legacy for their emulous example.” In January, 1782, certain members of the fra- ternity in New York forwarded to tnetr illustrious fellow workman a number of Masonic ornaments, withan address expressive of their admiration for ‘his ‘character as aman and ® Mason, It drought forth the above reply. Iu will be observed that the letter as ithas come down to us is written all over with the marks of old age. The original, though carefully transmitted from generation to generation, Is fim, discolored and bears the peculiar brownish hint that one may see in anelent books, It 's likewise creased and worn, and here and where is broken, yet, as 18 illustrated in our cat, jender nands have reverently sought to check tho ravages of time and prevent farther decay. We refer to the bits of paper which before the ma- jority of our readers were born were used to unite the diesevered seams. It will be noticed that In the left band lower corner of the first pageis a peculiar knob-like figure. This represents a fold of Washington’s hair, Few of the writings of the Father of his Country tontain more in asmail space that ts characteris- bic Of him as a patriot and a Mason than does this letter, He says:—“Ifmy endeavors to avert the evil with which this country was threatened by a feliberate pian of tyranny should be crowned with the success that 1s wished, the praise is due to the Grand Arcbitect of the Universe, who did aot soe fit tosufer His superstractures and jus- tice to be subjected to the ambition of the princes wf this world, or to the rod of oppression in the \ands of any person upon the earth.” In 1796, fourteen years alter the above words vere written, and when hts second term was lrawing to # close, a committee was appointed to *“lorm un address to be presented cn the ensuing Feast of St. Jonn, December 27, to the Great Master Workman, our Illustrious Brother Wasn- ington, on the occasion of his intended retirement from public labors,” The address was presented, and elicited the following reply :— “BELLOW OLTIZENS AND BROTHERS OF THE GRAND LopGe oF PENNSYLYANIA:—I have recelved your address with ali the /eelings of brotherly affection, mingled with those sentiments for the society which it was calculated to excite, “To have been in any degree an instrument in the bands of Providence to promote or@er and poion, and erect upon a solid foundation the trie principles of government, is only to have shared with many others in a labor the result of which, jet us hope, will prove through all ages.a sanc- tuary for brothers and a lodge for tne virtues, “Permit me to reciprocate your prayers for my temporal happiness, and to supplicate thay we may ail meet hereafter tn that eternal temple whose oullder is the Great Architect of the Uni- verse.” On the 14th of December, 1799, the “wreat Mas- ter Workman” dicd, and in one of the funeral orations incident to the sad occasion we find the following eloquent tribute to ana description of bis Masonic character:—- “Animated with a generous ph'lantbropy our deceased brotber varly sought admission into our ancient and honorable fraternity, at once to enadle him to cherish with ad tage its heaven-born princyples and ealarge the sphere of their opera- tions. “He cultivated our art with scdulons attention, and never lost an opportunity of advancing tne interests or promoting ihe honor ef the craft. While Commander-in-Cnief of the American Revolutionary arm7 he countenanced the es tablishment, and enconraged the tabors of a travelling lo¢ge among the military, He wisely considered it a school of urban- ity, well calculated to disseminate those mild virtues of the aeart so ornamental to the human charecter, and so pecullariy useful to cor- rect the lerocity of soldiers aud alleviate the miseries of war. The cares of his high omice pre- einded bis engaging in the duties of the chatr, yet he indulged frequent opportunities of risit- ing the lodge, ana thought it co deroga- Bion from ms. dignity there to stand on a ievel with the oretheen, True to our principles on ail Decesivns, an incident once occurred which en- abied him to display their influence to his foes, A bedy of American troops in rome successtul en- tounter with the enemy pussessed themselves, among other booty, of the jewels and surniture of & British travelling iodge of Masons. (Tnis prop- erty was immediately directed by the Com:nander- in-Ciei to be returned under a fag of trace to its former proprictors, accompanied by a messige purporting that the Americans did not make war upon institutions of beuevolence. “Of bis attachment to our Order it 1s not neces- faty that we should dilate. It is a partof the written mstory which links bis name with unay- ing immortality. His letters and responses on frequent occasions breatne throughout the spirit of broteerly love, aud evince a natural aptitude lor the tenets of our royal art which bas rarely deon equalied and never surpassed. Nothing can more highly conduce to the honor aoa prosperity of Masonry than a successful imitation and emu- Jation of bis brignt example.” AN INCIDENT OF THE REVOLUTION- ARY WAR. Montgomery Lodge No. 68, of this city, has in | Its possession several memorials of the Kevoiation- ary war of a very interesting character, Watie yhe army was encamped in New Jersey a party ot American troops was sent out on a foraging expe- Aition, and on thetr way fell in with a pamber of British soldiers, who had been placed on guard | ver some baggage whicn had been removed toa | flistant piace. A skirmish ensaed, and they were | taken prisoners nnd, with their baggaze, carriea | to the American army. On an examination of the baggage a Templar’s sash and a Master's apron were found, whicn excited sone surprise among the soldiers, and were immediately carried to the tent of the Commander-in-Chief, As soon as bis eyes fell upon them he gave immediate instrue- taon that the baggage should be caretuily pro- tected irom injury; that inquiries snould be made alter the owner of these articles, and, if found, that he be requested to repair immediately to nis tenr. The latter soon made his appearance. Kind woras and friendly greetings attended his recep- tion, He was treated with the utmost care while » prisoner, and was soon after sent home to England = on parole, attended by all the comforts and conventences which it was Possivie to bestow upon him in those times of trouble. This person was Sergeant Kelly, of the Tinitish army, who, atter nis arrival home, lived to & quod old age, and preserved thatsash and apron With the greatest care, On his dying bed, sur. founded by his kindred, and among the number Was an old and tried iriend, a brother of the mys- tie tie, he ordered the sasn and apron to be pro- duced, and calling mis old irend and brother to his side exacted a promise irom him to sorward, after his death, the same to Mont gomery Lode, in the city of New York, with an accompanying loter, stating it to be a aemento to the fraternity oF the kindness and sraternal re- para of George Washington toward an humble | Trother ana @ stranger, and as @ testimonial that the memory,of the just is blessed and snaii live ani flows like the green bay tree, These relies Were presenied to Montgomery Jodge in 183%, Where they How remaig and are preserved with the greatest care, NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 1875—QUADRUPLE SHEET. "THE = rf NS ) \ , 44 itary Ny ttii QW nN N \ pn cegqnneeaet meer net ee emt aD ASHINGTON’S WAR LODGE AT MOR- | RISTOWN, N. J. | The great Order which claims an existence | Away down the centuries further back than even | the batiding of King Solomon's Temple, and | which to-day will fornish striking and | imposing proof of its great power and growth mm this country, has a record over in New Jersey enriched with precious recollections of the “Father of bis Country,” the ilinstrious Franco- | American compatrtot of Waskineton, General tne Marquis de Lafayette, as weil as great human- | Izing and professional infuences.. As in New | York and the other States, so in New Jersey, tne tiny Masonic acorn planted centuries ago ; has grown into & great, powerful oak, Whose branches overspread the entire State from the Hudaon to the Delaware and from the bills of Sussex to the white shore Iringe of Cape May. | The order in New Jersey includes now, as it has ever done, a large share of the most distinguisned and most highly respected citizens, On its rolis are to be found, besides the names of Washington and Lafayette, those of governors, senators, con- gressmen, clergymen, editors, judges and the Most noted of lawyers, leading manalacturers i mechanics, Among Masons the bretnren of New Jersey are | NOTED FOR THEIR PROFICIENCY and great exactness im ‘working the degrees” and for thetr comparative freedom from members Who are “not in good standing.” | THE OLDET LODGE | in the State is St. Jopa’s, No. 1, of Newark, a lodge whicn, for sums years past, has been strongly tinged with old fogyism, but which, | Devertheless, has a record more brightly illu. | minated than any other Jersey lodge. St. Ja! GREAT FAC-SIMILE OF A MASTER eo NM TNE THE MEDALLION. In the antique frame which encloses the letter of Washington, above printed, is a medallion portrait of the ‘Great Master Workman.” We have not attempted to re- produce the picture, for it is ancient aud faded, but upon the back of it is an in- scription, of which the following is a face simile. It will, doubtless, be treasured by all who revere the mementoes of the past. The GOD Like WASHINGTON did of ae I zit he within vs thy beat Les Coney, Py « . . The fay 4 YAY own fee, Wes ulbinercace 4 Tole ah Cine loom carnat Regret Mas may Ce Jocseyis Hp duecen) > A hav Wad, ng Brevritions The Av ws6 My, Gpth ict st Ais Ina cil , Kat “fe, thn, 7 Oh, Wed Ene(pn by nk lees fang cn ona Slim or me dale Newburgh, Zoe $3 8 4S Oven, hair Jrush isto, WORKMAN.” GEORGE WASHINGTON. wm rae i (ibaa Le ® is not the first established lodge, though it ts thir- teen or fourteen years older than the Republic; but itis the oldést now in existence in the State. | There was 4 St, Jonn’s before it, but that aied ton aud Lafayette, which hereafter will be de- scribed, this venerable lodge 1s not only a subject of great interest to the entire Masonic fraternity, but poss: sses A NATIONAL INTEREST. tavern jo Newark, calied the ‘Rising sun, ite Master; Lewis Ogden, Senior Warden; James Nutmann, Junior Warden; Gavriel ogden, Treas- urer; Moses Ogden, Secretary. Among its charter members was the Rev. Mr. Brown, rector of Trin- ity church, Newark. He was greatly reverea by the brethren, for the records show that on St. John’s Day, in 1762, he was presented with a rich eutt of sacerdotal robes, costing £19 108. for which presentation . the lodge received “his and his con- lution a few members of St. Jonn’s Lodge took sides with King George; buat, to thetr honor be it said, the great majority cast their lot with their country and jurnished both officers ana pri- vates jor the American Army under Washing- ton, Few raeetings were hela during those times that truly tried men’s souls; but the lodge poi with pardonabdie and even laudable pride to the yact that its records were written, Mot on the old English stamped paper, which George Gueipt’s, admintstratioa vainly tried fo foree on the amert- can people, but on sheets which to this gay bear the proud federal eagle of the new-born Republic, WASHINGTON, LAFAYBTTE AND ST. JOmN’S. | The imitation of Lafayette into the Masonic | ington being present. St. Joan out, and im ite stead eprang up the present St. | Jonn's. From {ts relations with George Wasbing- | its first meeting took place on May 13, 1761, ata } first oMecers were William Tuckey, Worshipful | gregation’s thanks.” luring the war of the Revo- | Order took place im this couatry won he was Just emerging into manhood, He was within four | Months of peing twenty-one when Fredericksburg | Lodge, tn Virginia, entered him an an “apprentice | Mason” under a special dispensation of the Grand Lodge of Virginia. it was not untii 1780 that he “raised to the sublime degree of a Master and giv authority to bear the badge “more aucient than the Gulden Fleece and more honoravie than the Star and Gar- ter or any other emblematic honot of prince or potentate.” This nt took place at Morristown, N. J., in a lodge organ- ized under a travelling warran!, General Wash- avy reasonable claim to the jouer of making Lafayette a Mason, forasmuch as her jewels were used on the occa. sion, as is sec forth in an emanation of a St.Jonn’s member as follows :—- ser tes marmrierrrns 3 When Washington with mvstic rites By Morris’ camp fire's lurid lights, 3 The sacred altar puce and bright of Masonry erected ; i St, John’s her jewels gladly sent To grace that sriy lodge intent, With joy we hatied the great event of Latayette H elected. PO OOLL LORIE LE RE LENOLEEELEDEDOL ELE LEO DDLODO MDE D The jewels referred to are entered upon St, Jobn’s records as tollows:—“Twenty-four aprons, two ebony truncheons, four large candlesticks, three large candie moulds, one silk pedestal cloth, bound with silver lace; a damask cushion, a silver key, a bine ribbon, striped with black, and a silver level, square and compass, with blue ribbon.” Of these articles the only one now in possession of the lodge is one of the truncheons, Some years ago the lodge room of St. John’s was broken into by thieves and all the jewels were carried off, including those used by General Washington in the ceremony of making Lafayette a Master Mason—all but tle trunchéon referred to, The thieves, doubtless, Sold the silver jeweis for ola silver, ignorant of their nundrea-fold prectousness to Freemasons, When Lafayette revisited this country after the wat for independence he attended a communt- cation of St. Jonn’s Lodge, on when occasion the ‘jewels used at Morristown tm 178 were again used. The chair Latayette sat in aa Master of St. John’s for the time being ts still pre served by the loige and held in great reverence, But the brightest page in St. John’s mstory ts te be herewith rewritten, This lodge lays lawfal claim to having been the first organization of any Qeorerere re, | kind in this country to CELEBRATE WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY. The occasion of its doing so was on February 22, 1792, seven years prior to the death of their most il!ustrious brother, the Father of his Country and the hero of the Revolution. Washington died December 19, 1799, and Sf, Jonn’s Lodge postponed its customary festivities on St. Jonn's Day and, instead, turned the occasion into one of deep mourning for the loss sustained by it im common with the wnole country. The following 22d of Febrae ary, 1800, the lodge celebrated, for the second time, the birthday of Washington. The celebdra- tion was one of great solemnity. Among those taking leading parts in It were the Right Rev- Bishop Ogden, of the Episcopal church; Rev. Dr. MeWhorter, the distinguished Irish-American Presbyterian of Newark—one of whose streets is named afier him—Jadge Boudinot, Dr. Burnes and a host of distinguished brethren, The oration was delivered by Willlam Halsey, an eloquent Jersey lawyer of that day. Ever since the 22d of february has been annually commemorated by the lodge. The lodge has ever hela high repute in and out ot Masonic circles, and has on its roll of member+ ship the names of some of the very best citizens of Newark tor the last 114 years and even more, It went on for many years prospering ani to prosper.’ In the year 1825, however, so great an outcry had been raised against Masonry that St Jonn’s officers deemed it imprudent to celebrate St. Jonn’s Day with the customary proe@ision, &6 General Lafayette’s visit the same year had the effect of quieting the popular outbreak and St John’s increased its membership. Soon after however, the Morgan excitement and the fury agamst the Masons broke out with increased force. The Order was denounced in press and pulpit. Members were assaulted in the streeta and lodge reoms attacked with stones and othes missiles, Many lodges were closed. Between the years 1828 and 1833 St. John’s Lodge had not more than & dozen meetings. Not a single application for membership was made during the interval. On January 4, 1834 the lodge formaliy decided to hold no more meetings untli the storm should blow over: and it wi jot until December 25, 1838, that the loage reorganized and resumed its ‘‘regular communt cations.” On the occasion of the reorganization Grand Master John 8. Darcy presided and a com | munication was read from the Grand Lodge of the State permitting St. John’s to resume ita labors, Since then the aifairs of the lodge have prospered so that it is now the mother lo1ge of quite a fan» ily of lodges in Newark and other parts of the | State. There is but one more !mportant fact it | st. John’s history to relate. Out of compiimer to Grand Master Breasiey. member of Congress in | 1787, 1t waived its title to No. 1 in favor of Breasiey | Lodge. In 1342, however, St. Jonn’s resumed ite original title of No. 1. It fs thus shown, ia the foregoing matter of jonic record, that Jersey | Masons have a full titie to a front rank among, the bretaren and also in the Centennial lustre of | the Republic, MASONRY IN THE OLD WORLD. In England Freemasonry has, from early times, | occupied @ prominent position, a direct line at Grand Masters being traced back to A. D. 597, at | which time Austin the mont, was Grand Master, | and from that time many eminent men have occu | pied the Oriental chair; The oMce-bearers for | 1814-5 are:—Grand Master, His Royal Highness tne | Prince of Wates, K. G.; Depaty Grand Master, the | Right Hon. the Eerl of Carnarvon; the Right Hon. Lord Henry Thynne, M. P., Senior Grand Warden, Under the registry of England there are 1,845 lodges and 91,750 members, which member: ; Ship includes lodges in Australia, New Zealand, | India, China, New South Wales, Spain, Sout® | Atrica, Barmah, Jamaica, Barbadoes, Demarara, | Brazil and other countries. H SCOTLAND AND IRELAND. The Gragé Loage of Scotland has for its Grand | Master Sir M. L, Shaw-Stewart, Bart.; Deputy | Grand Master, the Right Hon. the Earl of Roslyn, 419 | lodges and 21,000 mompbers. Ine Grand Master of IJreiand is His Grace the Duke of Leinster; Deputy | Grand Master, Robert Wriltam Svuekieton; Senior | Grana Warden, Lord Viscount Powerscourt, K. P.; 372 lodges and 15,400 members, GERMANY, ITALY, SPAIN AND PORTUGAL. ‘The Grand Lodge o! Prussta has for officers Ht | Royal Majesty King William 1., Protector; the crown Prince Frederick Wiliam, Deputy Pro tector; 3209 lodges and 35,193 members, Italy hag 65 joages, 151 chapters 1 12,053 members, Spata has 108 lodges and 4,200 members, Portugal's chiet officers are Comte de Faroty, peer of the kingdom, Sovereign Grand Commander; Consetl- léer José de Stiva Mende Leai Honor, Minister oF State, Deputy Grand Commander; 57 lodges aad 2,800 megabers. MASONRY IN OTHER COCNTRIRS. France has 266 lodges, 10,500 members; Belgium, 74 lodges, 2,18 members; Switzeriand, 28 lodges, | | 1,800 members; Notway and Sweden, 25 lodges, 10,800 memuers; Hangary, 33 lodges; ‘Turkey, 14 lodges; Luxemourg, 2 loiges; Denwark, 9 todges; Greece, § lodges; The Netherlands, Turkey in Ata, 10 loages ina, ? lodges; india, lodges; Hurman, §odges; Egypt, 13 loages: Sta ; Japan, 6 lodges; Jerusalem, 1 es; Liberm (Arica), 2 vers; Arabia, 20,000 members; New South Wales, 31 lodges; New Zealand, 50 lodges; [ndia, vs lodges; South Australia, Tasmania ana Victoria, 95 lodges. SUMMARY, Following are sta‘emenis of the number of lotges and membsrsnip i Norv and south America and adjacent islands, carefully compiled from the most reliable sources of information United States, 5,069 louges, $24,649 members; Nova Scotia, 63 lodgea, 3,118 members; Hritian Co- Jumbta, 10 lodges, 510 members; Canada (Untarto), 823 louges, 14,530 members; Quevec, 37 lodges, 1,781 memvers; New Brunswick, a9 lodges, 2,034 6 lodges) Members; Mexico, 13 lodges, 626 memoers; Hay tt, | 18 lodges; Cuba, 7 lodge vosta Kica, 2 lodges, Nicaragua, 3 lodges: Venez 56 I Kew Grenada, 224 longer ; eaay, 17 lodyes; Uraguay, lodges; nh salvador, loage; Panam *s; Argentine Coufed- U4 lodges; Sandwich ‘ord’s Isiand, 6

Other pages from this issue: