MASONIC INFLUENCES IN EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY

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MASONIC INFLUENCES IN EARLY AMERICAN HISTORY

– Lafayette, French liaison to the Colonies, without whose aid the war could not have been won, was a Freemason.

– The majority of the commanders of the Continental Army were Freemasons and members of “Army Lodges.”

– Most of Washington’s Generals were Freemasons.

– The Boston Tea Party was planned at the Green Dragon Tavern, also known as the Freemasons’ Arms, and “the Headquarters of the Revolution.”

– George Washington was sworn in as the first President of the United States by Robert Livingston, Grand Master of New York’s Masonic lodge. The Bible on which he took his oath was from his own Masonic lodge.

– The Cornerstone of the capitol building was laid by the Grand Lodge of Maryland.

The Magnificent George Washington Masonic National Memorial Part 1 of 2

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The Magnificent George Washington Masonic National Memorial Part 1 of 2

by Midnight Freemason Contributor 
WB Gregory J Knott

On a recent trip to Washington, DC I stopped by the George Washington Masonic National Memorial.  This grand edifice was established in 1910 with the formation of the George Washington Masonic Memorial Association by Freemasons across the United States.

It took several years of fundraising for the construction to begin in 1922 and another ten years for completion with the building dedication on May 12, 1932.  An estimated 20,000 Freemasons and others attended this impressive ceremony.  A cornerstone dedication was held with President Calvin Coolidge and former President and Freemason William H. Taft present.
The memorial is located on Shooter’s Hill in Alexandria, Virginia.  This site is also the place where the 44th New York Volunteer Infantry set up camp during the winter of 1864; this unit’s mission was to guard U.S. military trains.
The memorial building itself is of classical architecture of both Greek and Roman influence.  The design is influenced by the lighthouse of Alexandria, Egypt, one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World.   It is an imposing structure that you can see from miles around.
You can walk up the memorial via winding sidewalk up the front of the hill.  On the way you come across a large concrete planter box with a sign for the memorial.   A bronze bust of Washington’s head is on the marker with a quote that says:
“Let prejudices and local interests yield to reason.  Let us look to our national character and to things beyond the present period.”  – George Washington
Further up the hill you come across an enormous square and compass that is built into the landscaping.  You can easily see this from the air when you are coming into Reagan National Airport on a landing, an excellent way to let the world know this fraternity is still there.
As you come to the top of the hill, the memorial stands boldly in front of you with a set of stairs leading to the front door.  A portico with six columns rests at the top of the staircase and shields the front entrance from the elements.
Inside the portico are 2 marble tablets with inscriptions of two letters that Washington wrote about Freemasonry, one to the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts in April, 1797 and the other to King David’s lodge of Newport, Rhode Island on August 22, 1790.  In both letters Washington talks about his admiration for the craft.
Entering into the building, you come into Memorial Hall where I was awe struck by the statue of Washington at the end of the room.  It is large with Washington dressed in his Masonic regalia presiding over a lodge as Master.    The statue was donated by the Order of DeMolay and installed in 1950.
On the walls are two large murals depicting a St. John’s Day Observance at Christ Church in Philadelphia on December 28, 1778 and on the south wall a representation of Washington in full Masonic regalia laying the cornerstone for the United States Capitol.
~GJK
 
 
 
 
 
 

WB Gregory J. Knott is the Past Master of St. Joseph Lodge No. 970 in St. Joseph (IL) and a plural member of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL), and Homer Lodge No. 199 (IL). He’s a member of both the Scottish Rite, and the York Rite, and is the Charter Secretary of the Illini High Twelve Club in Champaign-Urbana. He’s also a member of the Ansar Shrine (IL) and the Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees. Greg is very involved in Boy Scouts–an Eagle Scout himself; he serves the Grand Lodge of Illinois A. F. & A. M. as their representative to the National Association of Masonic Scouters.

Famous Freemasons Lord Stanley

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Frederick Arthur Stanley, 16th Earl of Derby, KG, GCB, GCVO, PC (15 January 1841 – 14 June 1908), known as Frederick Stanley until 1886 and as The Lord Stanley of Preston between 1886 and 1893, was Colonial Secretary from 1885 to 1886 and Governor General of Canada from 1888 to 1893. An avid sportsman, he is most famous for presenting the Stanley Cup, which became the most famous award for professional ice hockey. Stanley was a Freemason.

UP IN THE WORLD

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UP IN THE WORLD

The lodge with the highest meeting place on the globe is Roof of the World Lodge No. 1094, of Oroya, Peru. The elevation of the lodge room in the Andes Mountains is 14,167 above see level. The closet competitor in the United States is Corinthian Lodge No. 35 at Leadsville, Colorado elevation about 10,200 feet.

The character of a Freemason.

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The character of a Freemason.

The real Freemason is distinguished from the rest of Mankind by the uniform unrestrained rectitude of his conduct. Other men are honest in fear of punishment which the law might inflect; they are religious in expectation of being rewarded, or in dread of the devil, in the next world. A Freemason would be just if there were no laws, human or divine except those written in his heart by the finger of his Creator. In every climate, under every system of religion, he is the same. He kneels before the Universal Throne of God in gratitude for the blessings he has received and humble solicitation for his future protection. He venerates the good men of all religions. He disturbs not the religion of others. He restrains his passions, because they cannot be indulged without injuring his neighbor or himself. He gives no offense, because he does not choose to be offended. He contracts no debts which he is certain he cannot discharge, because he is honest upon principle.”

MOON LODGES

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A century ago thee were more than 3,000 Masonic lodges which can be described as “Moon Lodges”; in 1954 there were fewer than 500. These lodges meet on the day of the full moon for practical reasons; the brethren had light to travel by at night. There may have been some symbolic meaning also. The advent of electricity, street lights, and the automobile made the reason for meeting on such nights antiquated through unique. Many Grand Lodges now require lodges to meet on fixed days of the week.

THE FUTURE OF FREEMASONRY’ REPORT IS PUBLISHED

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“The Future of Freemasonry” report is the first ever independent study conducted by a non-Masonic body, and was commissioned as part of the build-up to the United Grand Lodge of England’s tercentenary in 2017.

Produced by the highly respected Social Issues Research Centre (SIRC), an independent, non-profit organisation based in Oxford, which conducts research on social and lifestyle issues, socio-cultural trends and provides insight into human behaviour and social relations, the report suggests that, contrary to some misleading commentary, Freemasonry actually demonstrates genuine openness and transparency and it concludes that it is arguably more relevant today than ever before.

In particular, the report highlights that Freemasonry acts as a ‘constant’, providing members with a unique combination of friendship, belonging and structure, with many Masons saying they have made valuable lifelong friendships.

The report also highlights the importance that Freemasonry places on charitable giving, the part that many Freemasons play in their local communities and the central role of the family. As well as instilling in its members a moral and ethical approach to life – including thoughtfulness for others, kindness in the community, honesty in business, courtesy in society and fairness in all things – Freemasons are the largest charitable givers after the National Lottery, and also make major contributions to international disaster relief funds.

The role of ritual is shown to be an important part of Freemasonry for many members, with the report concluding that it provides both structure and familiarity, in just the same way as the normal rituals of daily life do for many people.

Nigel Brown, who has been the Grand Secretary of the United Grand Lodge of England since 2007 and is leading the plans for the tercentenary celebrations, says:

“This is just one step in our ongoing efforts to demonstrate our openness and transparency, and to inform people about the role we play in society.

“The tercentenary is a significant milestone for Freemasonry and while we’re keen to celebrate our first three hundred years, it’s also crucial that we look forward to ensure that we remain relevant and continue to grow our membership over the next three hundred.”

Peter Marsh, co-director of SIRC, said: “The “Future of Freemasonry” provides an insightful commentary, not just on the organisation, but also on modern society. Despite the many changes taking place – or perhaps because of them – our desire to be part of something and to help other people is undimmed. It’s here that Freemasonry has an important part to play.”

Nigel Brown concluded: “This report will form an important part of our discussions as to how best to ensure that Freemasonry continues to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of its members and also of wider society, while at the same time retaining the distinctive character and intrinsic values that have attracted members for centuries and continue to appeal to people today.”

FAMOUS INDIAN MASON Ely S. Parker

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FAMOUS INDIAN MASON

Ely S. Parker, a full-blooded Indian chief, was the grandson of Red Jacket, a close friend of George Washington. He was a Union Brigadier General in the Civil War, and served as General Grant’s secretary. He was raised in Batavia Lodge No. 88, Batavia, New York, and later affiliated with Valley Lodge No. 109. He demitted and became a founder and first Worshipful Master of Akron Lodge No. 527 of New York. Ely Parker Lodge No. 1002 of Buffalo, New York. is named after him.

What Masonic Penalities Are Enforced?

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The only penalties known to Freemasonry are reprimand: definite suspension from membership; indefinite suspension from membership; and expulsion from the Fraternity. To these must be added that intangible penalty which comes to any one who loses all or part of his reputation. Other penalties suggested in the ritual are wholly symbolic are not now and never have been enforced. They were legal punishments in the middle ages, designed with special reference to the religious beliefs of the time that an incomplete body could not “rise from the dead”; that a body buried in unconsecrated ground (as between high and low water mark) could not ascend into heaven. Some Grand Lodges offer an interpretation of the ritualistic penalties, in order to be sure the initiate understands the symbolic character of these otherwise difficult phrases.