THE BUILDER SEPTEMBER 1916

THE STORY OF "OLD GLORY" -- THE OLDEST FLAG
BY BRO. JNO. W. BARRY, IOWA

PART III

Again Dec. 27, 1779, at Morristown, N. J., St. John, the
Evangelist's Day is celebrated. This meeting held in Arnold Tavern
pictured in Fig. 24 where the secretary records 104 present with
"Bro." Washington's name (40) at the head of the "visitors" but
unfortunately only the last name of each is given, which makes
identification in a few cases uncertain, so instead of saying ALL
were officers in Washington's Army, 'tis best to say "nearly all."
From St. Andrew's Lodge to Lexington in 1775, working in unity and
celebrating St. John's Day Dec. 27, 1779, in a meeting attended by
Washington and nearly all his officers!--Truly, it is akin to the
unobserved power in an electric generator, actuating every move to
establish Old Glory in honor. In the usual history there are of
course only distant references to Masonry at this time, but enough
remains of lodge records to show the inner workings.

GENERAL GRAND MASTER PROPOSED

This meeting of Dec. 27, 1779, was the meeting that called the
first Masonic convention Lodge in America to arrange for a "General
Grand Master" in and over the said "Thirteen United States of
America." The Convention Lodge met the first Monday in February
following. Bro. Mordecai Gist was unanimously elected president.
Such an ardent patriot was he, that he named one of his sons
"Independence" and the other "States." Later he was G.M. of South
Carolina.

Bro. Otho Holland Williams, a bright, brave and brawny Mason, was
secretary. As to the Masonic Convention about the only result has
been a series of like meetings from time to time down even unto our
day--but there is no General Grand Master yet. But the meeting is
itself a proof that the thought of those brothers was active in
matters far beyond the scope of ordinary lodge meetings in time of
peace. They had a vision of a great, free country--and by their
effort the vision became the FACT.

AMERICAN UNION LODGE AND WASHINGTON LODGE NO. 10 JOINT HOSTS TO
OVER 500

In October, 1779, Washington Lodge No. 10, another military lodge,
was instituted with General John Patterson, Master; Col. Benjamin
Tupper and Major William Hull, wardens. It met in Starkean's Hall
at West Point. This curious lodge building is shown in No. 2541. On
June 24, 1782, (42) a joint celebration of St. John's Day was given
in honor of the birth of the dauphin of France. The event occurred
at West Point in the "Colonnade," a peculiar structure erected by
American Union and Washington Lodges for the purpose. It is shown
in Fig. 26. (43) Here came Gov. Clinton and other leading men and
women of New York and other states to this the only really
international celebration of St. John's Day on record. Here over
500 dined and after 13 toasts had been drunk, each announced by 13
guns, "Bro. John Brooks," later governor of Massachusetts, made an
able address (44) --and it wasn't devoted exclusively to Masonry
either.

What a striking proof of Masonry's part in establishing Old Glory--
not theory--not assertion--but the record of a joint meeting of
military lodges acting as hosts not alone to the military officers
but to civil officers as well in Masonically honoring France-- all
engaged in the same effort to establish the great symbol--Old
Glory.

THE TEMPLE OF VIRTUE

In 1782, the military lodges were very active in Washington's Army
at Newburgh, N. Y., and the need of a larger meeting place was
apparent. On Christmas, 1782, Washington in public orders approved
the plan of Israel Evans of American Union Lodge for a public
building and Benjamin Trupper of Washington Lodge No. 10 was made
superintendent of construction.

In No. 27 (45) is the picture of the "Public Building" as it was
called in official papers but known to the soldiers as "The Temple
of Virtue." The full record of "The Temple" is in newspapers of the
time now on file in The Newburgh Historical Society at Newburgh, N.
Y.

"The Temple of Virtue" was the meeting house of Washington's camp
at Newburgh in 1782-3. The original drawing is 7 feet long and 18
inches wide, showing the Temple of Virtue surrounded by the huts of
the soldiers. The original sketch, now owned by Luther Tarbell of
Boston, was made by William Tarbell of the Seventh Massachusetts
Regiment. The late Major E. C. Boynton of the Newburgh Historical
Society had a copy made which is now in the Washington's
Headquarters Building, Newburgh. The original is several sheets of
foolscap pasted together and for ink, the juice of butternuts was
used. "The Temple" is minutely described by Major General William
Heath giving the capacity and other details. (46) In 1891 the
Masons of Newburgh erected a monument there, shown in No. 28. It
commemorates a Masonic service never exceeded. The Masons of
Newburgh in 1891 joined with the Newburgh Revolutionary Association
in erecting the above monument on the site of the "Temple of
Virtue." The inscription on the granite tablet on the EAST side is
as follows: "This tablet is inserted by the Masonic Fraternity of
Newburgh in memory of Washington and his Masonic Compeers under
whose direction and plan the "Temple" was constructed and in which
communications of the Fraternity were held in 1783." On the "South"
the tablet there reads:--

"On this ground was erected the "Temple" or new public building by
the army of the Revolution 1782-83. The birthplace of the
Republic." (47)

This monument marks the last meeting place of American Union Lodge
as an Army Lodge, but as a regular lodge it is today No. 1 on the
register of Ohio. After the Revolution John Heart then its Master
with Rufus Putnam and others of the members settled at Marietta,
Ohio, and later revived this famous lodge and Rufus Putnam "made"
in it became first Grand Master of Ohio.

ANOTHER "WEST GATE" SCENE

Above all, this monument commemorates the very Keystone of Masonic
service in making Old Glory possible. The war had cost $123 per
capita, the exhausting effect of which will be better understood
when compared with $96 the cost per capita of the late Civil War.
(48) So in 1783, Congress found itself in so poor and penniless a
situation that it was utterly unable to pay the soldiers even the
small amounts long due them. A hat cost $400, a suit of clothes
$1600 and a year's pay of a captain would not buy a pair of shoes.
(49) Most of the soldiers were waiting and many were exceedingly
anxious to receive that which was due them and some of them were
determined to wait no longer. Someone in Gate's command circulated
unsigned letters among the officers urging that as the war was
over--if ever they were going to get their pay it should be "NOW"
before they laid down their arms and called a meeting in the
"Temple" for March 15, 1783. Here was the direct opportunity for a
military dictator--a king--a czar. It was a test of Washington's
sincerity of purpose in working eight years without pay for the
principle of liberty. What did he do?

As soon as Gates called the meeting to order Washington arose and
made what eminent historians agree is the most effective speech
ever made in America. He well knew for more than seven years they
had larbored, honestly toiling, encouraged and buoyed up by the
promise that when the war was over they should receive that for
which they wrought. And now he was asking them to wait longer and
to have an abiding faith in the justice of the republic they had
spent eight years to establish. There in the "Temple" where they
had met as Masons this address was received as if from the Master
of the Combined military lodges. Among many other things said, he
made them this vow:--

"For myself, a recollection of the cheerful assistance and prompt
obedience I have experienced from you under various vicissitudes of
fortune, and the sincere affection I feel for the army I have so
long had the honor to command will oblige me to declare in this
public and solemn manner that for the attainment of complete
justice for all your trials and danger, and the gratification of
every wish, so far as may be done consistently with the great duty
I owe my country and these powers we are bound to respect, you may
fully command my services to the utmost extent of my ability." (50)

It was in the course of this address that he stopped to read a
letter from Congress and excused himself for putting on his
glasses--saying "I have grown old in your service and now find
myself growing blind." (51) When he finished he withdrew to leave
them free to act and behold there could not be found even the
traditional three to persist in their murderous designs.

THE REAL WASHINGTON

This event showed the REAL Washington, and makes one desire to know
how the real man looked. There have been so many pictures of him
and so widely differing that it may be well to show the real
appearance of the man. By order of the legislature of Virginia,
Jean Antoine Houdon of Paris, France, the most noted sculptor of
his time, came to Mt. Vernon in 1785 and made a plaster cast of
Washington's face and head. This plaster cast is still preserved at
Mt. Vernon and is considered by competent judges to be the true
Washington. The statue itself is in the Capitol at Richmond.
Lafayette pronounced it "a facsimile of Washington's person."

A nearer view of the face shows the real Brother Washington as he
looked about the time he faced the "Roughians" in the "Temple," and
made that supreme effort in behalf of American liberty now
symbolized in Old Glory.

This must ever rank as the most important victory on American soil,
namely the converting of those officers and armed men to a full
belief in the proposition that

"Beneath the rule of men entirely great,
The pen is mightier than the sword."
From that day "Old Glory" became in very truth the symbol of
liberty.


THE FIRST FLAG CAPTURED TAKEN BY A BROTHER MASON

Masonry was not confined to Washington's immediate command. In Fig.
29 is shown a photograph of the first flag captured and that too by
Bro. Montgomery October 18, 1775, who a little later lost his life
that Old Glory might live. This flag is one of the most valued
trophies in the United States and is preserved with care in the
flag room at West Point.

THE GREATEST BAYONET CHARGE

In Fig. 30 is shown an event which brought Masonry conspicuously
before the world. It is Old Glory's first bayonet charge. European
commentators rank it as one of the greatest in the annals of war.

When Bro. Washington asked Mad Anthony Wayne if he thought he could
storm Stony Point, Irving says Wayne replied that "he could storm
hell if Washington would plan it." Washington did plan it and
arranged for the attack to be made as soon after "low twelve" as
possible. Here is Wayne's letter announcing the result:--

"Stony Point, 16th July, 1779, 2 o'clock A. M. 
Dear General:
The fort and garrison, with Colonel Johnson, are ours. OUR OFFICERS
AND MEN BEHAVED LIKE MEN DETERMINED TO BE FREE."

MASONRY PERPETUATES THE MEMORY OF THAT FAMOUS CHARGE

Famous as was this charge, yet it gave rise to a Masonic event
whose remembrance will be green even when the charge is forgotten,
for in it the constitution and warrant of an English military lodge
were captured. Wayne turned them over to Gen. Samuel Holden Parsons
at the time S. W. of American Union Lodge. Bro. Parsons returned
them under a flag of truce with the following letter:--

"West Jersey Highlands, July 23, 1779, (52)

"Brethren:--When the ambition of monarchs or jarring interests of
States call forth their subjects to war, as Masons we are disarmed
of that resentment which stimulates to undistinguished desolation;
and however our political sentiments may impel us in the public
dispute, we are still brethren and our professional duty apart
ought to promote the happiness and advance the weal of each other.

"Accept, therefore at the hands of a brother the Constitution of
the Lodge Unity No. 18, to be held in the Seventeenth British
Regiment, which your late misfortunes have put in my power to
return to you.

"I am. Your Brother and Obedient Servant.
Samuel H. Parsons. 

To Master and Wardens of Lodge Unity No. 18 upon the Registry of
England." (52)

LOYAL, PENNSYLVANIA WARRANTS AN ENGLISH LODGE

The astounding thing is not that Brother Masons returned the
warrant but the resulting discovery that the warrant of Unity Lodge
18 had been issued by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. It is only
recently that such act could be explained as no record was ever
made of it by the Grand Secretary. At the battle of Princeton Jan.
3, 1777, the warrant of this unity (169) 18 was captured and now
and ever since has been in possession of Union Lodge No. 5 A. F. &
A. M., Middletown, Delaware. (53) When the regiment occupied
Philadelphia, the Provincial Grand Lodge fell under Tory dominion
and a new warrant was issued to Unity Lodge, but changing from the
original number of 169 to 18, under which it worked until 1786 when
a warrant from Scotland was applied for, as evidenced by the long
letter sent from Shelsburne Barracks, Nova Scotia, March 28, 1786,
to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania from which the following
extracts are made:--

"Right Worshipful Brethren: We the Worshipful Master & Wardens of
Lodge Unity No. 18 held in this Brittanick Majesty's 17th Reg. of
Foot, & under Your Register--having heard a Report which is spread
through this Province of Our Warrant being by you Cancelled & that
one of the same Number has been granted to a Lodge in
Pennsylvania....

"We have taken this method of acquainting you that we have wrote to
Our Mother Grand Lodge in Scotland, willing to obtain a Duplicate
of Our Ancient Warrant No. 169 without as yet receiving any Answer,
& we not Expecting that Our said Warrant No. 18 would have been
Declared Void, till we might have Obtained the Duplicate of our
said antient Warrant.....

"We have further to Request you should do us the honor of
Communicating to our Worthy friend & Brother General Parsons, the
high sense we have of His Unexampled Goodness, in restoring to us
our Warrant which happy for us fell into his hands.... His Generous
Sentiments shall ever be Remembered by every Brother of No. 18 with
the Gratitude due to such benevolence of heart.

"Daniel Webb, Master."

"OLD GLORY" IN MASON'S CARE UPON THE SEA AS WELL AS ON THE LAND

When our brothers on Bunker Hill thrice repulsed the king's
hardened regulars fresh from the campaigns of Clive in India the
world stood on tiptoe asking what kind of men those Americans were.
But when in 1775 our "Navy" of 8 ships with 114 guns was sent to
cope with England's 112 battleships with 714 guns, the world was
too dazed for utterance.

It was a saying of Jones who first raised "Old Glory" on a ship of
war, that "Men mean more than guns in the rating of ships. (54) Nor
was the proof long in coming. Our "Navy" sailed in December, and in
March, 1776, 8 ships with 150 cannons and 130 barrels of powder
were captured. During the war, in 18 sea engagements, 17 were won
by Old Glory. The closing record stood thus: captured 785 British
ships, 15 war ships, 12500 prisoners--all by a force of only 3000
men. (55)

The most famous was the Bon Homme Richard against the Seraphis--a
victory of undying renown for Bro. John Paul Jones. In Fig. 31
(Color Plate) is shown the flag he then used, now revered as the
only existing flag of Bro. Jones and that UNWHIPPED American navy.

When, in 1906 the body of Bro. Jones was brought from Paris to
Annapolis for more decent interment, his Masonic petition was
published as was also the action of his Paris Masonic Lodge, where
he was so well known. This lodge after Jones' great victory had his
bust made by Jean Antoine Houdon--the most famous sculptor of his
time.

So when you read the entrancing story of our navy in the
Revolution, remember Masonry's part in its planning and in its
winning.

(40) Vide Grand Lodge Conn. V. 1, p. 37.
(41) Vide History of The Town of New Winsdor, p. 81.
(42) Vide Grand Lodge Conn. V. 1, p. 45 and 46.
(43) Vide Chas. A. Brockaway--American Union Lodge p. 14.
(44) Vide American Union Lodge, Grand Lodge Connecticut, V. 1, p.
46.
(45) Vide History of New Winsdor, p. 81. Also American Union Lodge
Charles A. Brockaway, p. 12.
(46) Vide History of New Winsdor, p. 81.
(47) Vide New Age 1908 Charles A Brockaway's article. Also History
of the Town of New Windsor, p. 81-3.
(48) Military Policy of the United States. Maj. Gen. Emory Upton,
Senate Document No. 499, p. 66.
(49) Vide same, p. 51.
(50) Vide Irving's Washington, V. 4, p. 55.
(51) Vide Journal of American History.
(52) Vide Old Lodges of Pennsylvania, Julius F. Sachse, p. 362.
Original letter and later correspondence now in possession of Pa.
Grand Lodge
(53) Vide Old Lodges of Pa., Julius F. Sachse, p. 388.
(54) Vide Paul Jones Commemoration U. S. Gov. Print.
(55) Vide Hamilton L. Carson, p. 135 Sq., VI Modern Eloquence.

MASONIC LIGHT

Sometimes within the shadows of the night,
There slips from out the hollow of my hand.
A concept of the True, Eternal Light
I do not understand.

Yet I despair not, and will always strive;
Putting behind me, failures that are past,
With Purity, to Think, and Act, and Live
Till I can hold it fast.

