He passed the vsrious grades and filled the several offices of the lodge; and was tried, proved and accepted in them all. And whether we contemplate him as exalted to the chair of Solomon, to instruct and govern; or returning to the level of his brethren to partake their toils and share their duties; we have equal occasion to admire the dignity and humility of his character, the noble elevation and amiable condescension of his manners.* So, when raised to the highest military and civil honours his grateful country could bestow, even, when filling the rank of PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES he deemed it no derogation of his distinguished eminence and station to be considered as a Masont. In short, his love for the order, his zeal in promoting its interests, and his testimoni * In the course of the revolutionary war, this exalted hero frequently visited a Lodge where a Sarjeant presided as Master. †This is proved by his answers to the various complimentary addresses of most of the Grand Lodges in America. His reply to one from King David's Lodge in New port (R. I.) contains this declaration : " Being persuaded that a just application of the principles on which the Masonic Fraternity is founded, must be promotive of private virtue and public prosperity, I shall always be happy to advance the interests of the society, and to be considered by them as a deserving brother." als in its favour, have not only revived its. pristine credit, but given it new consequence and reputation in the world. THE honour thus conferred upon us has been peculiarly serviceable at the present day, when the most unfounded prejudices have been harboured against Free Masonry, and the most calumnious impeachment brought forward to destroy it. But our opposers blushed for their censures when we reminded them that WASHINGTON loved and patronized the institution. WHEN the order was persecuted by religious fanaticism and political jealousy, his unsullied virtue was its apology, and his irreproachable life its pledge. He advocated its principles, because he had found them to be pure; and commended its designs because he knew them to be generous. WHAT an irreparable loss, to be deprived of such a patron at such a time! Ages, perhaps, will pass away, before our Fraternity may boast at its head a character so great. YET let not our enemies suppose they may triumph now that he lives not to confute their aspersions. The superior lustre of his name will out-shine the flashes of their resentment, and reflect a glory upon Masonry which can never fade. HAPPY in its original value and grateful for its augmented fame, let us resolve never to forfeit nor lesson the present high respectability of the craft. Let our lives be adorned with those social and moral virtues which become us as the sons of light, and the brothers of WASHINGTON. We shall honour him by honouring the institution of his early attachment, and latest veneration. His virtues illustrated its principles, and his benevolence explained its tendencies. O might .our virtuous actions and benevolent purposes, formed by the same discipline and excited by the same motives, emulate his! And, though they fall, at last, far, far behind in merit and effect; it will be to their praise that they were modelled after those that were sublime and perfect. ILLUSTRIOUS WASHINGTON! We lament thee as mortal by nature, but we celebrate thee as immortal by virtue! We mourn thy departure from earth, but rejoice at thy arrival in heaven! Having been faithful in all thy course, thou art now raised to the sublime degree of LIGHT INEFFABLE. Taught by thy example worthily to pass the probationary grades of time, we will hope to follow thee to the Grand Lodge of kindred spirits. FAREWELL, till the grand summons: then brother, we will rise and meet thee! THE EXTEMPORANEOUS DIRGE, WHICH WAS SUNG ON THE OCCASION. WHILE all our nation, whelm'd in grief, In mystic rites our Lodge displays And spreads fresh garlands round the tomb, Look to the East; its splendours fail ! |