The National tribune., 1901-07-25
LODGESOF THE REVOLUTION
Freemas0ns Who Helped TO Gain the In
dependence of the Colonies.
BY CHAS. SUMNER LoBINGIER, GRAND
ORATOR OF THE GRAND LODGE OF
NEBRASKA.

BY CHAS. SUMNER LoBINGIER, GRAND
ORATOR OF THE GRAND LODGE OF
NEBRASKA.
At the outbreak of the Revolution Ma
sonic Lodges in America were few and
feeble. The Oldest OF them had existed
less than half q century. and the member
ship was exceedingly small. But what was
lacking in number was more than supplied
In quality. The Fresmasons of that period
included the flower of Colonial friendship,
and their very fswness WAS q source OF
strength. In a small lodge all could know
and trust each other; all felt the need Of
absolute secrecy in deIiberation, OF solid
arity in action. Hence it is not strange
that some Of these Colonial lodges be-
came the centsrs of revolutionary propa-
ganda.
IN THE LODGE ROOM.
Foremost among these was the lodge Of
st. Andrew, at Boston. Founded in 1855,
and chartered by the Grand Lodge Of
Scotland in 1850. it began its career in
dependent OF English influence and just
in time to share in the opening scenes of
the war for Independence. Joseph Warren
was its Master; Paul Revere one of its
early initiates and secretaries, and later
its Master, and on its rolls were the names
of nearly all who are now recognized as
the leading characters Of that eventful
epoch. And almost every important move
ment in the patriotic cause In Boston, pre-
ceding and precipitating the revolution,
may be traced back directly or indirectly
to st. Andrews Lodge.
The famous Sons Of Liberty" organ
lied in 1865 to resist the enforcement of
the Stamp Act, were but an offshoot of this
lodge, as was also the North End
Caucus" to which was committed the
execution of some of the most daring plans
OF the patriots. Both of these organiza-
tions 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-laden ships
arrived in Boston harbor the lodge ad-
Journed on account of small attendance,
and the secretary adds the significant note
that "consignees Of tea took the brethren's
time" The minutes of Dec. 16, 1713, the
date of the tea party, show that the lodge
again adjourned until the next evening
Its members were among the band OF en-
thusiasts who had boarded the ships and
were rapidly hosting 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 Mer-
curry, or the Messenger of the ReVolu-
tion.' Thousands of miles he rode on
horseback, spreading the news Of the de-
struction of the tea, bearing dispatCh hes to
other COlonists, to New York and Phila-
delphia, to provincial and continental con-
crosses. And On that memorable night
no he hoff In - 1 ,t l..
order 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 approach.
And when at last the storm which had
been gathering burst in all its fury, it was
st. Andrews Lodge which furnished the
first great martyr to American liberty
Joseph Warren, Major General In the
Continental Army, fell ut Bunker Hill;
and thus the lodge which had almost initi-
ated the war gave up its Master in the
battle which determined forever the su-
premacy Of the American arms in Mass
achusetts. No other organization, civic or
military, of its numbers, can be compared
to st. Andrews Lodge in the extent of its
contributions to the American cause. The
title, Cradle of Liberty" which has been
applied to Faneuil Hall, rightfully belongs
to the Green Dragon Tavern, where gath
cred that little band OF Masons who pre-
cipitated the American Revolution
But there were other lodges which rem
dered valuable services in the war for in
dependence. st. Johns provincial grand
lodge at Boston, the older rival OF ST. And
rews, furnished, in the person of its Dep
uty Grand Master Ridley, the engineer
who planned the American fortifcations
at Bunker Hill.
st. Georges Lodge, at Schenectady, N.
u, where many Revolutionary officers
were made Masons, honored itself and the
order by appropriating lodge funds for the
support of the families OF its members who
had been taken prisoners by the British.
The Intimate connection between Mason
ry and the patriotic movements is also
shown by the growth of the order at
this time. Masters Lodge alone, at AL
bany, received eighty-three new members
during the historic year 1778.
on THE FIELD OF BATTLE.
But the most important service, after
the revolution was fairly launched, was
rendered by the lodges formed in the Con-
tinental Army. There were 10 of these
lodges; they were scattered among the
camps from Massachusetts to North Caro-
lima, and their growth was fostered and
encouraged by the Commander-in-C Chief.
Washington himself attended their com
frequently-now as a visitor,
%hNNtihS ocAAiCl pltluItI q leNpl, anu
now as Master, sitting in the oriental chair
and bringing candidate to Masonic light. |
1t was in one of these lodges-American
Union, at Morristown, n. J.-that La
fayette is believed to have received his de-
grees.
Lodge meetings were sometimes held in |
officers tents and sometimes, as in the |
case or the army encamped on the Hudson. |
In a permanent building specially erected |
for that purpose. And so active were
these military Masons that a movement
was started, and several conventions held
at Morristown, with a view to establish
ing an American general grand lodge and
making Washington Grand Master of the
United States.
1t Is difficult to overestimate the strate-
sic value of these army lodges. In the
hrst place they promoted fellowship and
solidarity in the ranks and sympathy be-
tween officers and men. In an army where
The humblest private might sit in lodge on
4 level with the Commander-in-C Chief there
arose spirit of self-sacrifice, mutual help
fulness and devotion-an esprit du corps
which no hireling soldiery could have
Where the distinctions of rank were lost
n the ties of brotherhood, even the suffer
nss of that terrible Winter at Valley
Forge might be made endurable Again,
the prevalence of Masonry in the patriotic
army insured secrecy in the plans of cam
Dalgn and fidelity in their execution. Coun-
lls OF war, it is said, were frequently held
n the lodge room, where their deliberations
were under the dOuble seal of NJoGonry