The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-06-02
AN ANCIENT RELIC.
Interesting Mementoes Of the
Father Of His Country"
REVOLUTIONARY INCIDENTS.

publish herewith the fac-simile OF letter from
one OF whom IL has been written ''Masons OK ult
that the name OF Washington stood enrolled on
The list OF brethrsn, ana they viii cherish the re-
membrance OF his virtues and his services o. .
rich legacy for their emuious example"
In January 1882, certain members OF the FRA
sernity In New York forwarded 10 their illustrious
fellow workman a number or Masonic ornaments,
with an address expressive OF their admiration
for his character as man ana o Mason. It
brought forth the above reply.
IL win be observed that the letter as it has
come down TO us is written all over with the
marks or old age. The original though carefully
transmitted from generation TO generation, is
aim dscoored and bears the peculiar brownish
mt that one may see in ancient books. 1t
likewise creased and worn, and here and
here is broken, yet, as is illustrated IN our cut
lender hands have reverently sought to check tho
ravages OF time and prevent further decay. We
refer TO the bits OF paper which before the ma
lority OF our readers were born used TO unite
the discovered seams. 1t will BIO noticed that In
ne left hand lower corner OF the first page Is a
peculiar knoblke figure. This represents q lold
" Wasnington's hair.
Few OF the writings OF the Father or his Country
sontain more In q small space that is characters
BIC OF him a. patriot and q Mason than does this
letter. lie says ar my endeavors TO avert the
ovll with which this country was threatened by 3
deliberate plan OF tyranny should be crowned
with the success that wished, the praise is due
In he Crau af fha WIN
81 TO suffer HIS superstructures ana JUS
tice 10 he subjected the ambition OF the princes
VI this world, or 10 the rod OF oppression In the
lands OF any person upon the EARTH"
In 1896, fourteen years alter the above words
vere written, and when hts second term was
Irawing 70 a close, a committee was appointed 10
Storm an address to be presented On the ensuing
Feast OF st. John, December p, to the Great
Master Workman. our illustrious Brother Wash
lncton, on the occasion OF his intended retirement
from public laoors" The address was presented,
and elicited the following reply:-
yellow CITIZENS AND BROTHERS OF THE GRAND
LODGE OF PENNsvLvANIA:-I have received your
address with al the feelings OF Drothery affection
mingled with those sentiments for the society
which 1t was calculated TO excite.
ITO have been Ia any degree an instrument In
the hands OF Providence TO promote oraer and
nulon, and erect upon solid foundation the trde
principles OF government, Is only 10 have shared
with many others In labor the result Of which,
let us nope, viii prove through all ages sane
tuary for brothers and a lodge for the virtues.
Permit me to recprocate your prayers for my
temporal happiness, and 10 suppcate tnas we
may all meet hereafter 10 that eternal temple
whose builder Is the Great Architect OF the UNI
verse"
ON the 14th OF December, 1899, the ''Great Mas
ter Workman died, ana In one OF the funeral
orations incfdent to the sad occasion we ind the
following eloquent tribute 10 ana description OF
bis Masonic cnaracter:--
animated with o generous Philanthropy our
deceased brother Early sought admission into our
ancient and honorable fraternity at once 10 enable
him to cherish with advantage Its heaven-born
principles and enlarge TIE sphere OF their opera
tions.
ale cultivated our art with scduloUs attention,
and never lost an opportunity OF advancing the
interests or promoting he nonor Of the craft.
While Commanderin-Cnief OF the American
Revolutionary army ne co1ntenanced the es-
Enlistment and encouraged the labors OF
travelling lodge among the military He
wisely considered 10 school OF urban
l'y. well calculated TO disseminate those
mild vlriues Of the aeart 50 ornamental 10 the
human character, aud so peculiarly useful to cor
rect the erocity Of soldiers and alleviate the
mserics or war. The cares or mis- high ONCE pre-.
eluded his engaging In the duties OF the CHAIR yet
he INDUCED frequent opportunities OF visit
Ing the lodge, ana thought IL 70 deroga.
tion iron ms dignity there to stand on level
with the orethren True TO our principles on all
occasions, an incident once occurred which en-
Rbied him TO display their influence TO his foes.
body Of American troops IN rome successful en-
counter with the enemy possessed themselves.
among other booty, OF the jewels and furniture or
q British travelling lodge OF aasons. Tais prop
cry was i'm nedlately directed by the Commander
iH-cnlel to be returned under nag OF truce Its
former uroprietors, accompanied by message
purportIng that the Americans did not make war
upon institutions OF bcaevolence.
"Of hrs attachment 10 our order II u not ncces-
sary that VIC should dilate. 10 n part or the
written history which Inks bis name with INDY
Ing immortality. His letters and responses on
frequent occasions breathe throughout the spirit
or bTotncrlY love, aud evince natural aptitude
Tor the tenets OF our royal art which has rarely
been equalied and never surpassed. Nothing can
more highly conduce to the honor ana prosperity
OF Masonry than a successful imitation and emu
laton OF MS bright example,