St. John The Evangelist Day - 235 Years ago Today When you read the story below, there are some points to remember. A Brother asked me in lodge, How come Washington and the Army just turned their backs on England in regard to their Masonic obligations? Doesnt sound very Masonic. Seems that the channels of communication were totally down and, as Washington said, We are not at war with each other but our countries are at war. (Or something close to that.) There are at least two and maybe more times when trunks of regalia were captured by the Americans from British Military lodges and returned by Washingtons orders.) A neat thing about this - and most Masonic records - is how well the lodge records were kept and how it reads like todays work. ------------------------------------------------------- St. John Day, 27 December 1779 with the American Union Lodge #1 in Morristown, NJ - Transcribed by R. W. Gary L. Heinmiller, Director, Onondaga & Oswego Masonic Districts Historical Societies omdhs.syracusemasons ------- “The Brethren then proceeded to the Meeting-house, where a very ‘polite’ discourse, adapted to the occasion, was delivered by the Rev. Doct. Baldwin, of the Connecticut Line. After service, the Brethren returned by the same order to the Lodge room, where a collation was served, &c., &c., which being over, the following business was transacted. Voted unanimously, that the thanks of the Lodge be presented to the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, for the polite address delivered by him this day in public. “Voted unanimously, that the Secretary wait on the Rev. Dr. Baldwin, with a copy of the minutes, and a request that he will favor the Lodge with a copy of the address, and permission to have it published. A petition was read, representing the present state of Freemasonry to the several Deputy Grand Masters in the United States of America, desiring them to adopt some measures for appointing a Grand Master over said States, of which the following is a copy : “PETITION. “To the Most Worshipful, the present Provincial Grand Masters in each of the respective United States of America: “The petitioners, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons in the several Lines of the Army of these United States, assembled on the Festival of St. John the Evangelist, at Morristown, Dec. 27th, 1779, to you, as the patrons and safeguard of the Craft of America, beg leave to prefer their humble address. With sincere regret we contemplate the misfortunes of war, which have unhappily separated us from the Grand Lodge in Europe and deprived us from the benefits arising therefrom, so essentially necessary for the well-being of Masonry, and which has, in many instances, been subversive of the very institution of the Order. At the same time we lament that political disputes and national quarrels should influence the exercise of charity and benevolence, and their several virtues, so necessary for our present and future happiness. Yet, considering the present situation of our Lodges and Masonry in general, the necessity, for the honor of the Craft, and the importance of enjoying the benefits of so valuable an institution, that some exertions are made for checking the present irregularities, restoring peace and harmony to the Lodges, for opening a way to the enjoyment of the fruits of benevolence, charity and brotherly love, and for the re-establishment of the Order on the ancient respectable foundation; which we conceive can never be done more effectually than by the appointment of a Grand Master in and over the United States of America. “We therefore most earnestly request that the present Provincial Grand Masters in the respective said United States would take some measures for the appointment of a Grand Master in and over the said Thirteen United States of America, either by nominating a person proper for that office, whose abilities and rank in life shall answer the importance of that conspicuous and elevated station, and transmitted such nomination to our Mother Lodge in Britain, that the appointment may be made, or in such other manner as shall to them appear most eligible. And we further beg leave to express our wishes that the several provincial Grand Masters in these States would, in the intermediate time, enter into unanimous and vigorous measures for checking the growing irregularities in the Society, cementing the different branches, erasing the distinction between Ancient and Modern in these States, that the Craft may be established in unanimity, the established principles of its institutions more universally extended, and that our conduct may not only be the admiration of men in this world, but receive the final applause of the Grand Architect of the Universe in the other, where there is nothing but light and love.’ “Voted, That the foregoing petition be circulated through the different Lines in the Army. “Voted, That a committee be appointed from the different Lodges in the Army, from each Line, and from the Staff of the Army, to convene on the first Monday of February next, at Morristown, to take the foregoing petition into consideration. “Voted, That when the dividend of the expense of this day shall be paid, each Brother will put into the hands of the Treasurer or Secretary what he shall see fit, for the use of the poor of this town. “Voted, That the money so collected be transmitted to Bro. Kinney, to appropriate to the necessities, first of the widows and orphans of Masons, next to soldiers’ wives and children in distressed circumstances; if any shall remain, he will apply it to those poor persons in this town whom he shall judge stand most in need thereof. “Lodge closed till called together by the Master’s order.” ----------------------------------------------------------------- Between the three Grand Lodges in America – Massachusetts, Virginia and Pennsylvania - still “in business” - there was no agreement. Sure Washington was the choice if there were to be a Grand Master of America, but the idea of just one Grand Master - and probably His Excellencys lack of desire to be this Grand Master - caused the idea to be vetoed for the present time.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 13:59:09 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015