New Britain herald., 1929-02-25
WASHINGTON CRITIC HIT BY CLERGYMAN
Rev. Simud \. Fiske Addresses
 HisoN in Berlin

Quoting . description of great man. which he explained was given him by | friend, as "One who seea aa idea, sees into an idee and sees through an idea" Rev. Samuel A. Fiske of the Berlin Congregational church last evening told approxi- mateiy 500 Masons and members of affiliated organizations that critics Of George Washington are men of the stature "who cannot see an idea, much less see into it or through it." The remark was accepted as being a reference to the attack made on the life of George Washington by Irving G. Smith of Meriden at the meeting of the Exchange club last Tuesday. Rev. MT. Fiske is . member of the club, but was not present when Mir. Smith spoke.
 MT. Fiske spoke last evening in his own church at the annual Wash- ington's birthday address to mem- bers of Harmony and Centennial lodge, Giddings chapter, Doric coun- cil, Rainbow Girls. DeMolay Boys, Eastern Star and Order of Anna ranth. The church. which holds al- most 500 persons. was filed to its capacity.
 In opening his address, MT. Fiske called attention to the fact that Harmony lodge was organized in Berlin more than a century ago. He mentioned the fact that it was born in the Fuller tavern. now the resi- dence of Bryan H. Atwater and his sister, Miss Mary Atwater. on Ber- lin road. It was at this house where Washington stopped for breakfast on his way from Hartford to New Haven by stage coach. November 10. 11S9. The house was erected in 1769 and was occupied as tavern by MT. Fuller.
 Leaving the Fuller tavern Wash inKton entered the story of his trip in his diary. The diary many years later fell into the hands of the poetess, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, whose husband Robert Wilcox. was a friend of the Atwater family. Know ing that the Fuller house had come into the possession of the Atwater family. MT. Wilcox had the pages of the diary photographed and sent to Berlin. where for time they re- posed in the town library. They were borrowed from MT. Atwater last evening.
 Rev. Mir. Fiske's address to the Masons follows:
 Tn behalf of the people of this church, extend to visiting Masons, members of affiliated organizations and friends a most cordial welcome. We are sincerely happy to have you home coming. Most every prodigal returns home sooner or later. Har- mony Lodge of Master Masons was organized in Berlin, but after a while listened to the siren calls of the far country. yielded to its in sidious blandishments, left us and went and identified itself with the fortunes of the budding metropolis of New Britain. But we forgive you and with parental rejoicing take you, once more. to our hearts and bid you share in the best we have to offer.
 You are doubtless familiar with that lovely poem of Sam Walter Toss. The House by the Side of the Road Precisely such a house as the poet describes and rich in the finest traditions of friendship, stands by the side of the road here in Ber- lin. Within the shelter of its wealth cred timbers the first Masonic lodge in this vicinity was brought into being. The magic symbolism is still to be found on its walls. In fact. I have had the honor of sleeping just under them-and needless to add my dreams were most sweet.
 ''To this same hospitable house, a most distinguished gentleman. the first president of the United States. came, seeking rest and refreshment, on the morning of November 10. 17S9. He came on horseback with
 
 breakfasted at this house. then the property of one Fullar. now owned by Bryan H. Atwater. A photo- graphed copy of Washington's diary of that date contains this entry:
 Tuesday-1Oth. Left Hartford about ! o'clock & took the Middle Road Gnstead of the one through Middletown which l wass)-Break- lasted at Warrington in the Town ship of Berlin, at the House of one Fullar-Bated at Smiths on the plains of Wallfngford, 13 miles from Fullar's, which is the distance Full lars is from Hartford and got into New Haven about half an hour be- fore Sun Down. At this place I met MT. Gerry in the stage from New York who gave me the first certain account of the health of Mrs. Wash ington.'
 50 it happens that two streams oi human interest, flowing from this friendly Old House, converge ir our minds tonight and are suggcs- tive to our thought. One of these little streams is symbolic of the great wave of FraternaIis,n in OH, country; while the other suggests tho fountainsource of the swelling tids of patriotic devotion. On the one hand, brotherhood; on the othel patriotism. Let this occasion, then be 10 use the evidence of a serious forth-r right intention to blend tn' two streams into one mighty river o