The Portland daily press., 1885-02-17
a Bible as a Relic.
The Sacred Volume On which George
Washington Was Sworn Into ONCE.

A very interesting relic of George Washing
toms residence in New York city, and his en-
try upon his official duties as President of th
United States, is to be displayed at the dedica-
tion of the Washington monument. 1t is the
Bible on which he took the oath of office on
March 4, 1889, and which has been carefully
preserved in New York up to the present time.
This sacred volume will be taken to the
national capital in the custody Of those who
have SO long treasured 1t as a valuable relic.
George Washington was inaugurated Presi-
dent in front Of Federal Hall, which at that
time stood at the corner of Wall and Nassau
streets, on plot of ground given by Abraham
De Peystsr. The site Of this hall is now COW
cred by the United States Sub-Treasury build
ing, in front of which the merchants of New
York connected with the Chamber Of Com
mercs caussd, few years ago, to be erected
colossal statue Of the first President, in front
OF which has been placed the stone slab on
which Washington stood at the time he took
the oath Of Office. All who have occasion to
visit this part of Wall street cannot fail to OBJ
serve the statue, or the slab so intimately con-
nected with such an important epoch In the
country's history.
The,oath of Office was administered TO George
Washington by Chancellor Livingston, who
was also Grand Master Of Free and Accepted
Masons in the State of New York. IN those
days the Bibles in general use were not so elab-
orately gotten up as those of the present time.
That on which the first President placed his
hand while taking the oath of office was a
quarto volume printed in the peculiar type of
the period, and embellished with o number of
what would be considered now very rude en-
cravings, many Of them made to fold up with
20 the leaves OF the book. The binding was
also of coarse leather, intended more for
strength than ornament, and differing widely
from the embossed gilt covers, which now are
to be found on the larger Bibles used on affairs
on the pulpit desks.
Afteritne Inauguration ceremonies OF 1889, as
there was then no Historical Society in exist
ence, or other safe place where such a relic
could be kept, the only MASONIC lodge then in
this city, known under the name of st. Johns
Lodge, No. l, TOOK possession of the volume as
not only Chancellor Livingston but also George
Washington himself belonged to the Ma
sonic fraternity. This volume was for some
time used at the meetings Of the lodge; but as
time advanced it was thought judicious to pre-
serve it from constant use, and another Bible
was substituted, the relic being deposited in a
safe place under the control of the lodge, only
to bo used on important occasions, such as
when the lodge meeting fell on Washington's
birthday or other national event.
1t having been decided by those having
charge Of the dedication Of the Washington
monument that the Masonic ceremonies usual
ly carried out on such occasions should form
part of the programme, an invitation was sent
to the Grand Master OF the District of Colum-
bia Tor the Masonic fraternity to participate
therein The invitation was accepted and in
order to make the event national, Most Wor-
shipfll Brother Myron M. Parker, Grand Mas
ter of Masons in the District Of Columbia, in
vited the grand officers of all the Grand
Lodges in the United States to be present.
Among others, Most Worshipful Brother Will
liam A, Brodie, Grand Master of tide State OF
New York has been requested to Join those
who are to perform the Masonic service, and
through him St. Johns Lodge, No. /, which
antedates the Revolution by many years has
also been asked to take part in the proceed
ings. Worshiptul Brother William H. Nc
Dougall, Master of st. Johns Lodge, consents
ed to the proposition, and 1t has been decided
to take the long-presefved sacred volume to
the national capital, 80 that it may be used on
this all important occasion
The ancient Bible will be undar a ouard of
grand officers from the time it leaves the iron
safe in which it is nov kept, until it returns to
its depository in the Masonic Temple of New
YORK. Between 100 and 200 members of the
Masonic fraternity OF New York have agreed
TO accompany the Bible as an escort, and will
act under the directions OF the Master of st.
Johns Lodge.
According to the programme now laid down,
the masonic ceremonies at the dedication will
". uAUoA sitS ShaEge oi tne Grand Lodge OF the
DISTRICT OF Columbia, and will be held on Sat-
urday next, February 81, st noon. The re-
sponse OF the Masonic fraternity from all over
the country has been 80 general that It is be-
lieved every one Of the Grand Lodges will be
represented ;thcse jurisdictions which are near
est to the national capital sending also some OF
their oldest lodges. An answer has already
been received from the loCge in Alexandra.
Va, Of which George Washington was at one
time the Master, that large number of breth-
rem will be present to participate In the oere-
monies