Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-25
WASHINGTON kSMASON
RECORD KEPT BY LODGE NO. 4,
FREDERICKSBURG, VA.


Special Correspondence of The Star.
FREDERICKSBURG, Va.
February 90, 1907.
The one hundred and seventy fifth ami
versary of the birth of Gen. George WASH
ington was celebrated in an appropriate
| manner by the Masonic Lodge, No. 4, in
which lodge Washington was made
| Mason The exercises consisted of vocal
| music by local talent, addresses by men,
bers Of the lodge and the grand chaplain
| and grand master of the Grand Lodge of
| Virginia. The address by Rev. George H.
| Ray, DID,, chaplain of the Grand Lodge of
| this state, was regarded as very instructive.
| Grand Master Quinn's discourse was on
| Washington as citizen and Mason. He
stated that Washington was the only Mason
| of whom he had ever known who became a
| Mason before he reached his majority
| The only way this could be accounted for
he said. was that in those days the name
| of q friend who desired to become a men,
| Der of that lodge was presented orally by
4 a brother Mason. His manly appearance
| being equal to that of any member present
and his business ability far superior, no
| one thought of questioning his age. but
| accepted the application and conferred the
| degree.
| He was initiated the 4th day of Novem-
| Der. 1852, the building in which he took his
| degrees have long since been torn down.
| A modern store now stands on the Site No
| unusual display was made at his initiation.
| and the only relics of the occasion handed
| down to this lodge are the records the
| Bible on which he took the oath, the GER
| tificate or check for two pounds and three
| shillings, fee for entrance, and the punch
| bowl which figured so conspicuously at the
/ repaSt following the degree work
These relics are highly valued by this
| lodge and are kept in the vaults of the
| Conway-GOrdon and Garrett National Bank
in this city. The Bible is in perfect state
| Of preservation, except for slight dis
coloration of the leaves by age. They
| can be seen by visitors who apply to the
| master of the lodge.
Removed but Once.
Only on one occasion were they ever
| taken out of this city or state, that occa-
| sion being the one hundredth and fiftieth
anniversary Of Washingtons initiation
| into Masonry. They were taken then to
| Philadelphia, where they were displayed
| to the members of Meridian Sun Lodge. No
| 15S. They were in charge of delegation
| from this Lodge The minutes Of the lodge
| speak Of the occasion in a most casual
way, the secretary noting "Washington's
| presence but not that he had received a
| degree
On the occasion of his receiving the Sec
| ond degree the secretary noted it in his
| minutes in a more elaborate style than on
| the occasion of his first degree. This de-
gree was conferred the following year,
1773. The minutes on no occasion except
| when he took a degree mentioned his pres
ence. August 4, 1903, the third degree was
| conferred on him. on which occasion the
| minutes not only give record of the bust
ness of the evening. but also named those
| present and their official designation.
| In 1777, when the Grand Lodge of this
| state was organized Washington was ten
dered the exalted position Of grand master
of Masons of Virginia, the higest honor
| that could be bestowed upon him. He had
| the honor also of being the first master Of
| Alexandria Washington Lodge, No. %, over
| which lodge he presided at the time of his
| death.
| At the close Of the program Friday last
| the assembled Masons and their lady es-
| corts repaired to the dining room, where
| they partook Of a sumptuOus banquet