The National tribune., 1901-07-25

was captured by Il band OF Indians whose
chief was the celebrated Joseph Brand,
also Mason. In accordance with savage
custom, the prisoner was bound to 4 stake,
faggots were piled about him, and the
torch was about to be applied. when he
gave to Chief Brant the sign which Ma
sons know the world around-the grand
hailing sign OF distress. Indian though
he was, the chief recognized the sign and
ordered the torture to cease, and be and
his captor became fast friends for the rest
Of their lives.
Again, in 1779, Joseph Buruhan, Ma
son, who was held by the British as a pris-
oner OF war in New York City, escaped and
sought shelter in the Green Bay Tree Tav-
ern, kept by another Mason named Hop
klns, which served as a meeting place for
St Johns Lodge, hich was composed most
ly Of British officers. The fugitive was Sc
creted in the tavern garret, which was
just above the lodge room, and while he
was reclining at night on the planks which
formed the 8aTret floor, these gave way
and prseipitated the unfortunate guest
into the center Of the lodge in the very
midst of its deliberations. The landlord,
who was also the tyler, was called upon
for an explanation, and he, like a good
Mason, made a clean breast Of the whole
affair. Whereupon the members of the
lodge took up contribution for the fugi-
tive brother, and, though his enemy in
war, assisted him to reach the American
lines across the Hudson River.
Another instance of Masonic magnan-
unity occurred when the brave Baron De
Kalb, our German ally, was slain at the
battle of Camden in 1850. Although he
had crossed the Atlantic to take part in a
quarrel that was not his, against the Brit
ish, he was buried by them with both Ma
sonic and military honors.
These are Illustrations which, thanks to
Masonic teaching, reveal the foe in a bet
ter light than we are wont to think of
him. Let us notice some expressions of
the same spirit on the American side
Lodge Unity, No. 16S, was a Scottish mil
itary lodge in the 18th foot of the Brit
ish army. In 1779, while the regiment
was engaged in a skirmiSh, the constitu-
ton and jewels of the lodge wsre lost,
but were returned to it by Col. Parsons of
American Union Lodge in the opposing
army. A more striking instance occurred
when the Masonic chest Of the 10th Brit
ish Infantry was captured by the Ameri-
cans. When Gen. Washington heard of it
he ordered the chest and other articles of
value returned to the owners, accompan-
led by a guard of honor. The London
Freemasoa's Magazine, commenting on
the circumstances from an English stand
point, says:
"The surprise, the feelings of both Off
perceived the flag of truce that announced
this elegant compliment from their noble
opponent, but still more noble brother.
The guard of honor, their flutes pIaying q
sacred march, the chest containing the con-
stltuton and implements of the craft
borne aloft like another Ark of the Cove
nant, equally by EngEshmen and Ameri-
cans, who, lately engaged in the strife of
war, now marched through the enfladed
ranks Of the gallant regiment, that, with
presented arms and colors, hailed the gIor-
ious act by cheers which the sentiment
rendered sacred as the hallelujahs of an
angels song"
But perhaps the most significant illus
tration of the effect of Masonry on the
war is the action taken by the Grand
Lodge Of Scotland. 1t is well known that
the war was unpopular in many parts Of
Great Britain, but some of the subordinate
Scottish lodges, urged perhaps by Govern
ment officials, had offered bounties for re-
cruits to the army. When the Grand
Lodge met it condemned this practice in
unmIstakable terms, and in its instructions
declared:
Masonry is an order Of peace and it
looks on all mankind to be brethren and
Masons, whether they be at peace or at
war with each other as subjects of con-
tending countries"
Thus, above the storm and stress of
armed strife the soothing spirit of Masonic
fellowship brooded like a bird OF calm.
If Masons precipitsted and promoted the
struggle for Independence, they likewise
mitigated its horrors and made possible
the disclosure OF the noblest traits in both
American and Briton. 1t is the proudest
heritage Of Revolutionary Masons on both
sides that the fraternal tie was one which
not even the shock OF arms could sever,
and that amid the fiercest passions engen-
dered by war they never quite forgot that
they were brethren. The record of this
forms the fairest, brightest page in the
history Of the Revolution