New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-02
ROOSEVELT TO BE THERE.
AT THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTIETH
ANNIVERSARY OF WASHINGTON'S
INITIATION As A FREE MASON.


November viii be n red letter day in Ma
sonic annals. ON that date the President of the
United States, who is "a Master Mason to-
gether with many other noted Masons from all
parts of the nation NIL celebrate at the Ma
sonic Temple in Philadelphia under the
spices Of the Grand Lodge Of Pennsylvania.
Edgar II. Tennis, Right Worshipful Grand Mas
ter The initiation into the ancient order Of Free
Masonry. just one hundred and fifty years ago,
Of Washington. Extensive preparations for the
celebration under way.
A feature Of the event which VIII be of gen
eral interest viii be the display in the library
OF the Masonic Temple from November until
the md Of the month Of a collection of Washing
tona In this collection viii be the Masonic
kpron embroidered by the Marquise de Lafay-
cite and presented to Washington 10y her hus-
band, the original Of a letter from Washington
To the Grand Lodge Of Pennsylvania in reply to
an address from the Grand Lodge, an apron
worn at the funeral honors for Washington in
Philadelphia in 1900 the minutes Of King Solo
mon Lodge OF New-York. with Washingtons
as visitor; letters manuscripts, books and
rare portraits.
The apron presented 10y Lafayette was brought
10y the marquis when he visited this country in
1854 1t is of satin with numerous Masonic
gII.Iments worked in coo-ed silks
This. with other Masonic emblems, in
cl.,--d in a handsomely finished rosewood box,
all embellished with Masonic symbols The
apron remained at Mount Vernon for some time
after its owners death but was finally pre-
sented to the Washington Benevolent Society.
by whom in it given TO the Pennsyl-
wanna Grand Lodge. The box became the prop
erty of Alexandria Lodge.
Another historic apron was presented 10
Washington on August 10, 49, by Watson &
Cassoul a Franco-American mercantile firm
doing business in France. The apron and
Masonic sash made at the firms order by
some nuns at Nantes and are Of satin, wrought
with gold and silver tissues, and having the
hags Of the United States and France mingled
with various Masonic symbols. The latter is
nov n the possession Of Alexandria Wash
ington Lodge and is kept in the box in which
thu Lafayette apron was originally placed. The
Lafayette apron is worked in silk, and has upon
tn. front the masters circle and secret letters
with A beehive "a a mark in the centre.
NJ phase of Washington's character is more
interesting than his career as a Mason. From
l752 tin the time of his death q period of
fort,-seven years. ne was a prominent and in
fueutiaI member, and held many important Of
fees He was consistent in his adherence TO
,b .,pets of the order, and assisted in many
publ,c Masonic demonstrations. Whenever he
w,,s ,oncerned in the laying of a cornerstone or
tn. dedication Of new building he always in
sisted on the use of the Masonic ritual, and it is
a, Interesting fact to note that when the corner
stone If the old Philadelphia Mint in seventh
= .as laid Washington ofiiciated in fun Ma
Sonic regala, and it was dedicated with the full
ceremonies OF the order
Washington's connection with the Masonic
order began on November =, 1132, at Fredericks-
burg Va when he was installed into the local
iodE. As Entered Apprentice on March D l'"o
he passed 70 the second degree, and was maze d
Master Mason on August 1, l1''5.
A.-xandria- Washington Lodge No. % was
chartered on April IS l7SS With Washington as
a charter member. and he was made Worship
fuI Master on May % 17ss. The lodge has still
in as possession as priceless relic this original
charter. bearing the signature Of Washington
ss ane Of 3 founders.