The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-03-30
Mr.. W. W. MoUNTiOY
Writes Of Washington Masonic Me-
mortal Temple for Fredericksburg.

The following letter, written by
Mr.. w. w. Mountioy. formerly of
King George, now prosperous and
prominent citizen OF New York. was
published In The Masonic Standard,
the Masonic organ of New York, in
It's issue of March %, 1911.
Mr. Mountjoy has visited Lodge
No. 4, of this city, a number Of
times and is personally known to a
large number OF its members.
I The letter will be read with in
terest by Masons generally. and es-
pecially appreciated by the Masons
of this ely
New York. March 20.
Editor Masonic Standard:
At this time when temples. halls
and other Masonic ediflces aud me-
MORALS OF various kinds are being
projected and brought into existence
all over the country, winning for Ma
sons more aptly than ever before
their appellation OF builders" II
may be OF some interest to your
readers to know that the movement
in this line in our Southland Is quite
as strong and active as in other
parts OF the country.
Indeed. II seems quite probable.
and to many as absolutely certain,
that the first Masonic Lodge in
America was instituted in the South
and bore the name OF our first Most
Excellent Grand Master. Solomon.
The Commonwealth OF Virginia.
the cradle of American civilization
and Christianity. followed closely be-
hind the Commonwealth OF Massa-
chusetts In the establishment Of Ma
sOnry. and contributed TO the mem
bership OF the order a majority OF
her most distinguished citizens. Her
first Lodge was organized almost
within call of the spot on which
British rule In America WAS born,
and equally as near TO that
on which II was buried. so that Lib
erty, Religion and Masonry In the
New World first took root in the
South. and Virginia. dubbed the
"Old Dominion" in recognition OF
her loyalty 10 her British Sovereign,
has since retained that lovable so
briQuet on account OF her devotion
and steadfast adherence to the basic
principles OF our order
The disparity OF wealth and popu-
lation between the magnificent iuris F.
diction of New York and the mod
dest Jurisdiction OF Virginia, is so
great that OF course no comparison
is permissible. but the growth and
progress OF Masonry in the latter
Is so healthy and encouraging that
we refer to IL with delight
Within the last year or two n
Lodge comprised largely Of the
descendants OF Washlngton's rela-
tives and neighbors has been estab-
lished in Westmoreland county.
within a few miles OF his birthplace
and very close to the spot where
James Monroe was born.
Fredericksburg Lodge No. 4, prot
ably the most remarkable and dis
Lodge in America, II not
in the world. is we'll advanced on
plan to build a Memorial Temple to
Washington at fredericksburg which
will Be much less pretentious but
more practical than the Alexandra
undertaking. and for which the pro-
moters already have In hand about
one-half OF the necessary funds, and
are nearly ready TO begin construc-
ton. Washington retained active
In Fredericksburg
Lodge for forty-seven years. repre-
sentlng his entire Masonic life. Gen.
LAFAYETTE was an honorary member
and his autograph Is boldly inscrib-
cd on its records.
That good old Lodge contributed
six Grand Masters to the State OF
virginia. the COmmander-ln-Chief
and five Generals to the Revolution
ary Army. and a goodly contingent
OF soldiers TO the War OF 1912 ana
the War With Mexico. Its entire
membership to the Civil War ana
aided In forming one OF the flrst
volunteer companies at the outbreak
Of the spanish-Amerlcan War
fredericksburg Lodge No. was
the only Lodge In Virginia. and
probably the only one in the history
Of the Civil War. that was sacked
and utterly annihilated by the IN
yading army. but be 1t said 10 the
honor OF Masonry no member OF the
fraternity is known to have gwen
the slightest aid or counsel 10 'ne
40
Thus. Mr.. Editor. down In the
tranquil little section OF virginia
where the first American ms
tory was made. where the shibboieln
Of the mother tongue has been 50
well preserved that Charles Dickens
declared It the purest English spok.
on in America, Masonry Is moy ,,pS
with long and steady strides
Fraternally yours.
w. w. Mountjoy,
PDD.GM.. Fourth Masonic DIS
trict
Tuncr Wun chNN0T VOTE