The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1899-12-15
/. in MEMORIAM..
Masons Commemorate Death OF
George Washington.
A Parade This Afternoon, Followed by
Appropriate Exercises at the
Opera House.

FIRST in war, the first In peace ana
the first in the hearts OF his
countrymen, the first president of the
United States and the father of his
county, died Dec. 14th 1899, after an
Hines of little over day. In many
parts of the country memorial services
were held today in commemoration OF
this sad event, by the Masonic order, of
which Gen w ashington was a member.
Among these, the Masons OF Mankato
and Blue Earth county Joined to do
honor to the memory of the great chief
tain, whose deeds in war and peace
will ever be held in the deepest rever-
ence. ..
The procession started at 2:15 p. m.
from Masonic hall and marched up Sec
ond street to Cherry, down Cherry to
Front, down Front to Main, up Main
to. Second, and thence to the opera
house. The Concordia band headed
the column, and was closely followed
by Mankato commandery No.4, Knights
Templar, as an escort. The members OF
the commandery were brilliant in their
tasty uniforms. The Master Masons
followed, all of the lodges in the county
being represented. The number in line
was unusually large, and the pro-
cessiOn undoubtedly eclipsed any
procession of the order yet held
in Mankato. At the opera
house, the commandery opened ranks
and the Masons marched through, tax
ing the parquet, which was nearly
filled by them. ... ....
The stage of the opera house con-
tanned a large likeness of General
Washington, surrounded by United
States flag, and with the Masonic en-
blems underneath. Worshipful Mas
ter P. L, Vranizan presided, and those
participating in the program had seats
on the stage. -..
The program was very affecting
one, and was as follows: .,.-..
Invocation-Bro John W. Powell.
Music-Concordia Band
aSduluS W @ANA
dress" Bro. VIM. N. Plymat nesn'
Double Quartet Bros Geo E. Brett,
A o. Eberhart. c. E Musser, John
r. Thomas, Evan Hughes, l. N
Griffith, and Messrs. Ed. Swan and
Thos. F. Hughes.
Reading of the Historic Account of the
Illness and Death Of Bro. Geo.
Washington, by D. g. M, Bro. j.
A. Flittie
Music oncordia Band.
Oration-'Life and Character of Bro.
Geo. Washington. by Bro. Gen.
Jas H. Baker.
Benediction-Bro. John w. Powell.
Gen Baker was suffering from the
effects of his illness. as was clearly
apparent when he began to speak. He
found it necessary to ask Mr.. PIymat
to read the balance of the paper. The
following are extracts from his excel
lent address,: . -
This distinguished assembly has met
TO commemorate the most illustrlous OF
all Americans. There was but one
Washington, as there is but one lumi
nous sun in our solar system. There is
no competitor for the purity of his
fame, and no rival in the affections of
the people. He possessed the valor of
Achilles, the wisdom of Nestor, and the
justice of Aristides; he was our Fabius
in war, and our Cincinnatus for imam
bilious devotion to country. Time can
not wither his abundant laurels, nor
centuries diminish the white splendor
of his renown. Do you seek for his
memorials? a
Isl Monumentum quaeris, circum
spice. His cenotaph is the nations
heart, and his glory our noblest ma
tional inheritance. Amid all our con-
tentions and dangers, the universal
heart of America turns with affection
ate reverence to the tomb of Wash
ington.
Gen. Baker then presented a number
OF interesting observations on Free
Masonry, referring to its origin, tradi
lions and doctrines, uand continuing
said:
A novitiate is required by the very
terms and conditions of his obligations,
always to obey the moral law. A
Christian and Jew, the Brahmin and
the Buddhist and the Moslem, can all be
masons It is not to be denied that
since the advent of Christianity, a
christian element more direct has grad
aally infused itself into the Masonic
system The grand lodges of both Ohio
and Illinois, have passed resolution,
declaring their belief in the Sacred
Scriptures, and made it necessary
qualification for initiation in those
states. But the Order at large requires
only belief in God. in the Immortality
of the soul, and faith in general re
surrection. Thus. while Masonry is
not Christian institution, it is hand
maid to Christianity. Remember that
we claim some knowledge Of these
grand principles of faith, preceding the
advent of Christianity. They are
among the Mysteries which came down
to us through the mists of ages. There