Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1901-08-02


ka.i Hth
The following taken from the Mi
ti0naT Tribune, is of interest to our
readers, especially members OF the
Masonic fraternity:
At the outbreak of the Revolution
Masonic Lodges In America We're few
and feeble The oldest of them mad
existed less than half a centuly and
the membership was exceedingly
small But what was lacking in mum
Der was more than supplied in quail
ity. The Freemasons of that period
included the flower of Colonial friend
ship, and their very fewness, was a
source of strength. In small lodge
all could know and trust each other;
all felt the need of absolute secrecy
in deliberation, of solidarity in action.
Hence it is not strange that some of
these Colonial lodges became the cen
ters of Revolutionary propaganda.
IN THE LODGE ROOM.
Foremost among these was the
lodge Of st. Andrew, at Boston.
Founded in 175G, and chartered by the
| Grand Lodge of Scotland in 1850, 1t
began its career Independent of Eng
lish influence and just in time to
share in the opening scenes of the
war for independence. Joseph War
rem was its Master; Paul Revere one
of its early initiates and secretaries,
and later it's Master, and on its rolls
were the names OF nearly all who are
now recognized as The leading char
actors of that eventful epoch. And al
most every important movement in
the patriotic cause in Boston, preced-
ing and precipitating the revolution,
may be traced back directly or indi-
rectly to st. Andrews Lodge.
The famous "Sons of Liberty" or
ganized in 1765 to resist the enforce
ment of the Stamp Act, were but an
offshoot of this lodge, as was also
tho North End Caucus" to which
was committed the execution of some
of the most daring plans of the pat
riots. Both of these organizations
met at the Green Dragon Tavern,
which was owned and occupied by St.
Andrews Lodge, and the members of
the latter were leaders in the former.
1t was at this, tavern that the historic
Boston Tea Party was planned by
Warren, Revere and other members
of st. Andrews.
The records of the lodge disclose
that on the evening after the tea-lad-
en- ships arrived in Boston harbor the
lodge adjourned on account of small
attendance, and the secretary adds
the significant note that "consignees
of tea took the brcthren's time" The
minutes of Dec. 16, 1773, the date of
the tea party, show that the lodge
again adjourned until the next eve
ming. Its members were among the
band of enthusiasts who had boarded
the ships and were rapidly hoisting
the obnoxious tea into the waters OF
Boston harbor.
In the stirring days which followed
it was Paul Revere, of St. Andrews
Lodge, who earned the title of "the
Patriot Mercury" or "the Messenger
of the Revolution" Thousands of
miles he rode on horseback, spreading
the news of the destruction of the tea
bearing dispatches to other Colonists,
to New York and Philadelphia, to pro-
vincial and continental congresses
And on that memorable night before
the battle of Lexington it was by or
der of the Master of st. Andrews, Jo-
seph Warren, that, Paul Revere set
out upon his famous ride to Concord
to warn his countrymen of the foes
apnr6aoh. ll.
And when at last the storm which
had been gathering burst in all its
Jury, it was s.. Andrews Lodge which
furnished the first great martyr to
American liberty. Joseph Warren
Major-General in the Continental Ar
my ltll ul duu Inub Int
lodge which had almost initiated the
war gave up its Master in the battle
which determined forever the suprem-
acy of the American arms in Massa-
chusetts. No other organization, civ.
ic or military, of its numbers, can be
compared to st. Andrews Lodge in
the extent of it's contributions to tho
American cause. The title, Cradle OF
Liberty" which has been applied tc
! Fanouil Hall, rightfully belongs tt
= The Green DragonTavern. where gath
a cred that little band of Masons who
: precipltnted the American Revolution
But there were other lodges which
rendered valuable services in the wal
= for Independence. St. Johns proVln
v cial grand lodge at Boston, the oldel
i' rival of St. Andrews, furnished in tn,
person OF its Deputy Grand Mastej
Ridley thei on pinpaI, yUho. nlaunod itl,