Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-18


letters. setting forth the date and place of
birth and of death of Mr. Singleton. the
Office which he held in the Grand Lodge
and that the monument is erected by his
brethren. The monument stands about
nine feet in height, and was designed and
executed by L. S. J. Dunbar Of this city
| 1t is artistic in both conception and execu-
ton. and in every way a lifting tribute to
his memory by his brethren of the Masonic
fraternity.
The late grand secretary was a Master
Mason for more than sixty years, and
grand secretary for more than Quarter
of a century. He was native of Virginia,
born at Norfolk in 1878 He made his home
in this city from just before the war In
addition to his duties as grand secretary
he for years conducted the fraternal CORE
spondence of the Grand Lodge and Grand
Chapter for this jurisdiction, and was wide
ly known throughout the Masonic world for
his experience and erudition. He WAS OF
the most genial personality and highly
teemed. both in and ont of the fraternity.
Grand Secretary Singleton senior
grand deacon of the Grand Lodge of Mis-
souri IN 1872 and 1913 and charter mem
Der of Pentalpha Lodge. No. %. of this
city. He was Royal Arch Mason for
more than siXty-two years. and the first
nigh priest of Mount Horeb Royal Arch
Chapter of this city.
In his report announcing the death of
Mr.. Singleton the grand master said
His remains Were escorted to Oak Hill
cemetery by his lodge, chapter. command
cry delegations from other Masonic bodies,
ana large concourse of friends. and in
TERED with Masonic honors by the Grand
Lodge. Paint me | am said Crom-
well, when the artist suggested the elimi-
nation of a facial blenish. No higher
tribute can he paid to the memory of
Brother Singleton than to portray him as
he was. We have no need to ascribc to
him imaginary virtues no occasion for the
effacement of bemishes. His character
was as near perfection as can be attained
by finite man Masonry his life long
study, and his later years We're given en-
trely to the service OF the craft Pro
foundry Learned in biblical and Masonic
| archaeology, he traced the history of the
craft from the building of the first temple
down through the ancient mysteries, the
| Essences and the guilds of the middle ages
to the formation of the first Grand Lodge,
and the evolution from operative to specu-
lative Masonry. Landmarks. symbols,
rites, traditions, law and precedent, Gus
tom and usage, were to him household
words At fourscore, with sixty years of
Masonic life behind him he often remarked
L am still learning Masonry His contri-
buttons to Masonic literature gave him
worldwide fame and placed him among
the leading writer's and thinkers of the
craft.
Great talents and achievements set men
apart We view them as on a pedestal,
admire them from afar. but know little of
their personal life, habits and Characters
tics. But Brother Singleton was one among
us, and his noble life was an open book to
the t,VD Nl3SOnS Oh our JuTlSulcllOn, VINO
shared in his joys and sorrows. and to
whom his death is a personal loss. He
knew no rank or distinction in his inter
course with his brethren, but his office was
accessible to all, and his sympathetic dis
position, kindly humor. cordial greeting,
and every ready response to calls for coun-
sell won the love and generation of all. His
charities were limited only by his means.
but were known only when spoken of by
the beneficiaries. Possessing strong reli-
giuus convictions. he was ever considerate
of the views of others. In his broad nature
there was boundl"ss love for his fellow
men, but no room for bigotry or intoler-
ance.
Columbia Commandery. No. 3 Knights
Temnlar now has 80 members and has for
some wears been the largest commandery
numerically in the District. This COM
mandery has the following surviving past
commanders: c. w. Hancock. 1870; F. NJ.
Marshall 1915; NJ. NJ Parker. 1879 1880
1889: ]. NJ. Yznaga, 1857; f. c. Elmore
1855 George Gibson. 1890: ]. X. Robinson.
| 1891: Edwin b. Hay, 1892: S. H. Merrill.
A Allen. 1897: J. H. Small, jr.. 1898; W. H.
| Klopfer. 1899: w. b. Pettus, 1907 j. ].
Narrower. 1891; Alexander Grant. 1902.
Columbia Commandery will be thirty
eight years old on the 7th of September
having been chartered September Z, 1863
Its first commander was Benjamin Perley
Poore Columbia Commandery was the pio-
ueer of communicates in conforming to the
| regulations of the Grand Encampment in re-
gard to the new regalia, and the first
uniformed Commandery to appear upon the
! streets. which it did visit to Maryland
| Institute, Baltimore, October .. 1868. This
was before it had a charter. as it was then
| acting under dispensatiOn. 1t was also the
! first uniformed commandery to appear upon
| the streets of Philadelphia, June "a. 1854
Columbia COmmandery made the first visit
| of any commandery to the Grand Encamp-
ment at its triennial cOnclave at Columbus
| Ohio. in September, 1865. 1t also escorted
nfnc Of prno 1apt To (S0, n
from Washington to Cleveland in 1882 and
| acted as personal escort of the most emil
| rent grand master upon the triennial pill
| grimage to Pittsburg. which is considered
| The greatest honor that can be conferred
| upon a subordinate commandery. Column