Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-03-24
From the Charleston Mercury.
GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT FREEMlSONS OF TILE
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

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From the Charleston Mercury.
GRAND LODGE OF ANCIENT FREEMlSONS OF Tile
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
CHARLEsroy, S. c., 10th March, A.. L., 1858.
TO The WorshiBuL Muster, Wudens md Breih-
rem Of The Submdinate Lodges of Ancient
Freemasons Of South CaroLina:
BRETHREN: At Quarterly Communication
OF the Most WorSllipiul Grand Lodge of An
cient Freemasons of South Carolina, holden on
the ID inst, the NJ. w. Grand Master, Brother
Henry Buist, having called the attention of the
Grand Lodge to the subject Of the purchase OF
Mount Vernon by tue Craft in the Union, on
motion of the Grand Secretary, seconded by
Bro. Y. D. Y. Jamison, W.. Master OF Orange
burg Lodge No. %, the following resolutions
were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, the people Of the United States
being actuated by i laudablc desire that the
tomb Of the venerated Washington shall no lon
ger be continued in the possession of an individ
ua but be forever held as public domain, the
common property of the whole nation, are now
making every effort to purchase Mount Vernon
by small subscriptions from all those who are
disposed to favor the enterprise.
Iherfolr, Resolred, That Tue Most Wor:hipfKl
Grand Lodge Of Ancient Frecmasons Of South
Carolina, anxious to demonstrate to the world
its profound admiration Of the character Of
Washington, and its grateful appreciation of the
Invaluable benefits that have been conferred on
Masonry in this country by the example and
influence uf their illustrious brother, who on all
appropriate occasions was wont to exhibit his
devotion to the interests and his admiration of
the principles Of the order, will take an active
part in the accomplishment of the noble object
of securing the purchase Of his home.
ReSolred, That the Grand Lodge will appro-
pirate the sum Of one hundred dollars, and that
the subordinate Lodges in this jurisdiction are
earnestly urged to cooperate in this prasewor-
thy design and that for that purpose the Wor-
shipf1l Master Of every Lodge is requested to
invite at the regular communication in April q
subscription of ono dollar FROM each Of the
members.
ReSDlrel, That the Masters arc requested to
remit forthwith the amounts so collected, to the
Most WorstipIul Grand Master, to be by him
conveyed to the proper depository of the gene
raj fund for the purchase OF Mount Vernon.
Resoired, That Committee of Five Master
Masons be appointed by the Grand Master to
carry these resolutions into effect, and to address
the Subordinate Lodges on the subject.
ReSolred, That the Worshpful Grand Sccre-
tary be instructed to communicate copy Of
these resolutions, and the address of the Com
mittee, to the Southern Matron, and to all the
Grand Lodges of the United States.
In compliance with the third of these rcsolu-
tions the undersigned, as the Committed ap-
pointed for that purpose, now have the pleasure
of fraternally addressing you OH this important
and interesting subject, and Of cordially yinstins
your cooperation in the glorious task ol con-
vertiug the homestead of ourillustrious brother
into apaDiic dc ndain. ;ss
Of-the large sum tlfat has been dGnanded:by
its present proprietor as an indemn;G.ation for
lis REIMBURSEMENT of his ownership, pat y.
already been secured through the active YER
tons of female patriotism. The women of the
country have nobly entered on the work, and
are now laburing at the task Of securing the
hlllowed shrine, with all that indomitabc ener-
~ and perseverance which, i'll the prosecution
OF every generous decd, is the characteristic
Of their seX Assistance has already been
granted to them in various d rectionS, and the
progress made in collecting the purchase money
has not been ,liscouraging. Bat all has not been
obtained. Mount Vernon is not yet the proper
ty of the nation; and our wives, CIR mothers
and our sisters, under the guidance "l one who
is herself Aason'i daughter, have invoked the
Masonic fraternity to lend their powerful aid,
and have called On lis to show, by deeds, the
living testimony or our heartfelt pride that
Washington WAS orr brother. Shall the appeal
of the women uf America br rnhcard or llIl
hccJed by the Craft? We trust not. We
know that it will not. \ single dollar given by
Il .,f
liIiated Ala>ons of the Culted States, would,
with what has already been collected, bc more
than sufficient to accomplish all that is wanted.
1t would, inlcet, be Il gl"riu'l| Renaissance
for the Order, in future tiilcS, were It's children
Of the present day to lcqncatll to lose who
shall come after them, this testimony Of thci'
love for their great and good brother, that by
their willing and tiaternal aid, his home and his
tomb had been given to the Republic, ani
shrine erected where the people might assemble
on each recurring anniversary OF his birth, to
revere his memory and to ponder on his TirtueS.
There are many reasons why Monat Vernon
should become the property Of the nation, most
of which will at once suggest themselves to tile
heart of every true patriot. Eut there Is no
reason why an American clti2ea should take
part in the grateful work Of purchasing it,
which will not apply with far more lorce to the
American Mason. lie w.ls the Father Of his
Countrywide leader Of its armies III war--its
counsellor in peace--tiIc worthicSt jewels III ITS
glittcrns crown OF worthics--ani these are ior
every American to boast as lis. But to the
Mason he was more. lie was or BROTHER
bound to lis and we to him, by 10 common tie
-kneeling at the same altar and illumined by
the same mystic light. Let US come, then, to
the task with willing hearts and liberal hands,
and aid in making Mount Vernon another Mecca
for our common land, where Washington's MEN,
ory shall be the kaaba stone of our reneratlon.
ALBERT G. MACkEY.
Y.D. Y. JANIISON.
I. w. CARWlLE.
JNO. A. BOWIE.
III ERrlNONn IANNE Aft