Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-06-20
(From the Martinsburg Gazctte.o
MASONIC VISIT TO WASHINGTON CAVE

The Masonic Fraternity Assembled NJ
Charlestown, Jefferson odnly, Va, on Thurs
day, the 10th ul;:, for the purpose of making
visit TO Cave about two miles South of
that place, which ''au,hentc tradi,ionn desin-
mates as the place where the lllustrious WASH
lngton ST years ago opened the first Masonic
Lodge held West of the Blue Ridge Mountains
IN Virginia. We had the pleasure of being
present, and participating in the celebration Of
inns interesting incident in the life and history
oil Washington.
The ceremonies of the day were of an i'm
posing and attractive character. and we're raj.
culated to interest and engage both the minds
aud affections of men. The Masonic Frater-
MY, clad In the badges OF their time honored
OrdeB turned ont in considerable numbers.
and moved IN Procession under the charge
oil Dr.John 5. Harrison, Of Marlinsburg, Chief
marshall, and his Assistants, to the Presbyie-
ran Church, where the exercises were opened
oy the Kew. Mr. Button. by reading an appro-
pirate portion OF scripture and offering up to
the Throne OF Divine Grace feeling and So
Tenn prayer After the prayer, Charles james
faulkner, ESQ, of Nlartnsburg, arose and de-
iivered an Address which occupied about one
hour and twenty minutes in its delivery MIR.
Faulkner opened his Address with an eulogium
upon the lille, character, greatness, and ,lislin-
golshed services of the iilustrious Washing
toh-an incident in whose life thew had this
day assembled TO commemorate. He seemed
10 dwell with pride and pleasure upon the
character OF Washington, which he adorned
and illustrated with force of reason, a beauty
oil language, and a fervor of patriotic elouuence
which excited the profound attention., and
awakened The iive1iest syinpathies Of his large.
respectable, and intelligent audience. Mr..
Faulkner adverted to the fact that Gen'I.
Washington had some Sc years ago presided
over Lodge oil Masons in the Cave 10 which
the fraternity had this day made a Visible
uweit upon it as a fact founded tn "au,henIc
trad!llon," which often Carries with il all the
force OF recorded TRUTH and which doubtless
would have been recorded but for the then
condition OF the country and the fact too thai
the lille and character which has since burst
upon The world in so much splentor. was not
then developed, and the .9incidenl'' connected
with an institution which seldom oblrndes
itseli on the gaze of the world Mr.. Faulk-
ner directed the attention OF his audience 10
washington at this period Of his life. acting
then as Surveyor in locating the lands in
that neighborhood then released from all diff
hcuilv by the decision between the State of
Virginia and Lord Fairfax. This seemed 10
U.s. as we listened TO the orator, as the com
mencement of Washington's greahess-the
dawn OF the day was as beautiful as the me-
ridlan was afterwards splendid. The orator
tooK occasion also to open UP to The view of
Ills hearers most interesting and graphic his
tory OF this beautiful valley, po-raying its III
'ant struggles; illustrating its early enterprises,
ana paying the enco.nnms OF his praise upon
us rapid ARRANGEMENTS to maturity. Those
VINO now reside in tina, "Elysium of the Agr-
cuiiuralls,," Jefferson County, and heard Mr..
ra"ikner's address, will never forget the hap
Ply manner in which he lifted lie veil which
nnng over the past, nor the feeling Of aston
iShhent which crossed their minds, that the
eye Oh early adventure should ever have pass
ed over their rich soil as a s'barren waste" and
ioiiowed The sun in his course TO the Noun
'aihs OF Western Virginia as holding out the
prospect OF more cougenial and prosperous
homes.
The orator then passed to the subject Of
masonry, and delivered an ardent defence Of
me institution, It's true ends and aims, and ex-
horted The members TO walk uprigblly IN the
Iight which lis unobtrsive and peaceful or
dinances lnculcale and shed upon the mind and
neart lie pointed out and enforced with
great earneslness the duties of Masons to their
goo, Their Country, To society, and to one
ano'her. lie exhortcd them, as one of their
nls' uuiies, TO educate heir children, and we
can truly say that we have never heard an
appeal which went more deeply TO orr hearts.