Evening star., 1923-10-14
BY HAMILTON Nj. WRIGHT.


corner stone of a great memorial
building dedicated to George Wash
iDgton, the man and the Mason.
The memorial, a superb, outstand-
ing edif1ce, will be of permanent in
terest and value, not only to every
member Of the Masonic orders in the
United States and in the world, but
also will be regarded with sympa-
thetic love and affection by every
citizen of America and in every land
where the love of liberty is cherished.
For 1t will house a priceless collec-
tion of relics of the nations first
President. Its halls will abound with
memories of the life of the Masons'
grandest master, George Washington,
father of his country, and with tra-
ditions of that epochal period when
America, under his guidance. formed
the charter of her Independence by
which her dCStines will be directed
for all time.
The laying of the corner stone will
be an imposing and significant event.
Members of blue lodges from every
state in the Union will attend by
thousands. The ceremony Will be in
the charge of Charles II. Callahan,
deputy grand master of Virginia, and
he will be assisted by Chief Justice
Taft, former Vice President Marshall
and others. The trowei used by
Washington in laying the corner
stone of the National Capitol at
Washington will be used, and a
replica of 1T will be employed by
those assisting the grand master in
the ceremony.
har INN afar-TD INF q Z Or nd
of those exercises in the fascinating.
little-known anecdotes of George
Washington's life as revealed by the
many priceless mementos cherished
by the Masonic orders, and IN the
growth of the movement to place
these relics in a suitable memorial
TO Washington.
All of these events blend into a
single consecutive narrative. The
story begins as far back as Wash
tngton's boyhood. when his mother,
molding the character of the future
statesman. gave him for good conduct
a penknife which is today contained
among the Masonic memorabilia of
Washington. 1t includes Washing
tons recruiting of his first command,
his career as a soldier. his induction
No. 80, of which he was a first or
charter member. his administration
as President, his later years and
finally his death.
1t was, indeed, but a few seconds
after his death on the night of De-
cember II. 1899. that DR.. Elisha Gull
len Dick, Washington's lifelong
friend and physician and master of
Alexandria Washington Lodge, No.
80 (today No. 22), cut the pendulum
OF the old clock that stood in WASH
Ington's bedchamber. Its hands still
point to the minute and hour, 1920
pm, that marked the close of that
inspiring life. This clock was sub
sequently presented tc the lodge or
which Washington had been be-
loved and devoted member. 1t
formed the nucleus of Alexandria
Lodges collection of mementos of
the great statesmen which was to
result in the imposing George Wash
jngton Masonic National Memorial
edifice whose corner stone will be laid
November l.
a FTER Washington's death the
"A numerous relics. many of which
have been associated with his Masonic
life, passed into possession of the
lodge to which he belonged. Such
was his Masonic apron, worn by the
general when master and at the lay
ing of the corner stone of the ma
tion's Capitol. 1t Is heavily fringed
and embroidered in gold, of cream
coIored satin, with the French and
American flags intertwined. bee
hive and fairies adorn the center.
The apron was presented to the lodge
in 1912 by Lawrence Lewis. nephew
of the general and husband of his
adopted daughter. Nellie Custis.
During the laying Of the corner
stone President Washington delivered
TO the grand master pro tempore a
silver plate bearing the following in
scriptiou, which was laid upon and
sealed with the corner stone:
This southeast corner stones of the
CAPITOL of the United States of Amer
ica, in the City of Washington, was
laid on the 18th day of September,
1893, in the thirteenth year of Ameri-
can independence, in the first year of
the second term of the presidency
of George Washington, whose virtues
In the civil administration of his
country have been as conspicuous
and beneficial as his military vaior
and prudence have been useful in
establishing her liberties, and in the
wear of Masonry 5793, by the Presi-
dent of the United States. in concert
with the Grand Lodge of Maryland.
several lodges under its jurisdiction
and Lodge No. % from Alexandria,
Va, Thomas Johnson, David Steuart
and Daniel Carroll, commissioners,
Joseph Clark, R. w. G. NJ. pro tenn
pore. James Hoban and Stephen Hal
late. architects. Collin Williamson,
master mason"
The Masonic apron, the old clock.
silver trowel and many other memo
rabilia were carefully treasured by
the lodge and constituted the begin
ming of the collection which helped
to keep alive many intimate anec-
dotes of the life Of the great admins
traitor.
More than fourteen years ago the
sentiments surrounding the preserva-
tion of these memorabilia and aris-
ing from the peculiarly intimate
nature of the traditions Of Washing
ton in this region where he had
passed SO large a part OF his youth
permanent memorial.
While the idea has now grown be-
Sond the housing of the collection
and the construction of the great
monument, still there will be incor-
porated in the George Washington
Masonic National Memorial building