Evening journal., 1901-02-22
PATRIOTS SONS
dine TONIGHT
In HOHOr of theNObIe George
Washington
HOLIDAY QUIETLY OBSERVED
Offices, Schools, Banks and Court
Closed, But Industry HUNS as
Usual
HOLIDAY QUIETLY OBSERVED

bankers, brokers', Federal, county
and city officials, the courts,
and the children of the schools
are observing this day as
the 169th anniversary of Washington's
birth. Otherwise business is going
on as usual. NO public exercise in
honor Of Washington is to be held, but
many private celebrations are ON the
program for this evening.
Principal of them will be the dinner
TO be given by the Delaware Society
Sons Of the American Revolution. An
address will be delivered by the Hon.
John Whitehead, Of New Jersey.
The Ladies' Aid Society of East Lake
Methodist Episcopal Church will hold
tts annual celebration in the church
corner Thirtieth and Tatnall streets
TO which all are invited. There will
be a literary and musical program.
Admission will be free
musicale will be given by Miss
Plerce's elccution class in the w. c..
T. U. building, No. 100 West Eighth
street. The proceeds will be for the
benefit OF the circulating library fund.
Lenape Tribe, No. 8, Improved Order
Of Red Men, has accepted an invita-
ton to visit MecOpenacka Tribe, No.
266, of Upland, Chester.
The Epworth League of Union NJ.
E. Church win have a supper in the
church. The league hopes that all
persons will consider themselves in
vited to go there for supper.
There will be an open house at the
Y. NJ. G. A. this afternoon, but no pro-
gram has been arranged for the occa-
eion.
WASHINGTON, THE MASON.
Washington the man, Washington
the general, Washington the president
are familiar to us, but Washington, the
Mason, we know very little about. Yet
the relations OF the father Of his coun-
try to the Masonic fraternity were OF
the closest kind.
In 1880 movement swept through
the grand lodges in existence in the
States of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts,
and Virginia, trending to the appoint
ment Of His Excellency General
Georges Washington" as general grand
master of Masons throughout the Uni
ted States Of America. This was nevel
carried into eHect, but it was so well
known that Washington held the in.
at the time Of his death even many
Masons believed him to have held this
official rank.
1t is narrated that during the strug
gle for independence there we're Ma
sonic lodges connected with the Brit
ish army, and that on one occasion
whine encampsd in New Jersey a party
of American troops who were sent ou
on a foraging expedition, fell in with
number Of British troops who wer'
guarding some baggage and took then
prisoners. In the baggage were 1Ount
a templars sash and a Masters apron
which were Immediately carried t.
Washington, who gave instructions a
once that the greatest care should b
taken of them, that their owner shoull
be sought, and that when found h
wished to confer with him.
This interesting record is that tn
owner proved to be Sergeant Kelly, 0
the British army, whom Washingto
received very kindly, and soon after
ward sent home to England on parole
Throughout long life Kelly preserve
tna sas-l and apron as valuable beyon
price, and when dying he called
brother Mason 10 his side and directe
him to forward these articles to Wash
of the kindness and fraternal regar
of George washington toward an hum
bic brother and a stranger, and as
testimonial that the memory Of tn
just is blessed and shall live an
flourish like a green bay tree. Thes
relics were presented to MontgOmer
Louge in 1898, and are still preserve
On the occasion Of Washingtons il
auguratiOn the marshal of the da
was General Jacob Merton, master {
>St. Johns, the oldest lodge in Ne
York. From the altar of this lcdg
General Morton brought a bible res
ing on a cushion Of crimson velve
Upon this Washington took the oat
Of office, administered by Robert ]
Livingstone, grand master Of II
Grand Lodge of New York State.
leaf of the sacred volume was trrnt
down to mark the place where Wasl
ington reverently pressed his lips, an
subsequently a memorial inscriptiC
was beautifully engrossed upon Il
cover, accompanied by a miniature lik
ness of the president, engraved
This bible. still preserved in S
Johns Lodge. LEFT its repository on II
occasion of public proceedings held
the city of New York, on December 8
1893. to express sorrow at the death
Washington. The Masonic fraterni
was assigned the place of chbaf mour'
en-, and the bible was borne before Il
grand master in procession to
Paul's Church, where an Grafton WI
delivered Dy Gouveneur Morris.
Masonic rites marked Washington
funeral, the fraternal and militai
escort arriving at Mount Vernon fro
Alexandria at noon on December
Three Of the four officiating ministe