The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-09-13
A MASONIC TRIBUTE
To Memory of Capt. S. J. Quinn.

Then what a glorious thing it, is my
brethren, to know that these bodies oil
ours are immortal; that they shall come
forth in the resurrection morn, and the
complete man, soul and body reunited.
shall live forever in the paradise OF
God"
When in the Grand Lodge of Virginia
in February, 1908, Grand Master ). j.
Quinn uttered these words, no one
present dreamed that he would be so
soon called upon to drop the sprlg OF
evergreen in the grave of the amiable,
distinguished and exemplary man and
Mason; this friend and brother whose
life was blessed with the esteem and
affection of his brethren, the admira-
ton and respect of all those with whom
he came in contact, and which has now
in the fullness of time been crowned
with the benedictions of Almighty God.
Whether as a gallant follower Of Lee
and Jackson Of blessed memory, who
have crossed over the river to rest un-
the shade Of the tree, or as loyal,
valiant soldier of the cross, Capt. Quinn
was faithful unto death. His concep-
ton of the position of Grand Master of
MasOns was that he should at all times
"hold himself not so subservient as
not to be able 10 rebuke the loftiest
when necessary, nor so exalted as not
to be able to whisper loving counsel
and cheer in the ear Of the humblest
brother" Upholding at all times the
dignity and honor of his office, his hand
was ever ready and willing to sustain
the falling brother. whisper good coun-
sci in his ear and if possible aid refor-
nation.
At the summit Of the Blue Ridge,
marking the junction point of four
counties, Clarke, Warren, Fauquier
and Loudoun, there stood for so long a
period that the memory of the Oldest
inhabitant runneth not back to the con-
trary. an immense poplar tree. IL was
TO the people of that section a land
mark, an altar and shrine. On one
side of the mountain is the beautiful
valley of Virginia, with the Shenan-
doah river cleaning like silver thread
as through wood ard meadow it goes
singing to the sea; on the other lie the
green fields and peaceful valleys Of in
comparable Fauquier and Loudoun.
Sitting in its shade one afternoon Tor
rest and refreshment, | was struck
with one peculiarity of this mighty
monarch of the forest. | noticed that
all of its greatest limbs and branches,
like mighty arms, were outstretched
toward the east as If to extend silent
greeting t. the rising sun as it kisses
into light and warmth and beauty the
hills and valleys at the mountains foot.
And so, it seems to me, it was with the
life of this pillar of Israel. His faith
firmly grounded upon the summit of
eternal truth, the impregnable rock of
Holy Scripture, he stood ever calm and
serene, unmoved by the winds of temp
tations, undaunted by the waves Of ad-
versity, ever ready and willing to give
rest and shelter and protection TO all
distressed brother Master Mas0ns,
their widows and orphans, wheresoever
dispersed, ever watching and waiting
with arms outstretched TO greet the Sun
Of Righteousness when He should arise
with healing in his wings to translate
him from this imperfect 70 that all per-
feet, glorious and celestial lodge above,
where the Supreme Architect of the
universe in His glory presides. 1t may
be that no granite mausoleum may
contain his ashes. no marble monument
be erected to his memory, no magnifi-
cent pipe organ or memorial window
may speak to the silent worshiper OF
his many virtues, but as long as life
shall last and memory be faithful To
her trust, there will be enshrined in
the hearts of the Masons of Virginia
the name of Silvanus Jackson Quinn.
W. j. Phillips.