Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1898 — WASHINGTON’S BURIAL. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WASHINGTON’S BURIAL.

Masonic Ceremony to Commemorate the Hundredth Anniversary. A grand Masonic memorial service is Kjjected to commemorate the death and rial of George Washington on the occasion of the centennial, December, 1899. The celebration will be under the immediate auspices of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia, but will be participated in by all the Grand Lodges of the United States, directly by those within a radius of miles to permit of personal attendance and by representation from afar. This celebration will take place at Mount Vernon and will revive as closely as possible the burial ceremony. The movement for a proper commemo-

ration of the one hundredth anniversary the burial of Washington had its inception about two years ago in the Grand Dodge of Colorado. Since then one after •Bother of the Grand Lodgea of the United States have appointed committees to take measures for a representation of their Masonic jurisdictions. This national movement, initiated by Masons, has extended to all patriotic and civic societies, m tbst In every city, town, village and bm islet a memorial service will be held, SB Dec. 18, 1899. There are cogent rea-

sons why this movement should appeal with peculinr force to Masons everywhere, for n review of the records of Washington's death and burial is beautifully suggestive of the high ideal of fraternal love and charity ever cherished by the Father of His Country. During his last illness “the General,” as his friends and neighbors called him, was attended by three physicians. The first was his old friend and companion-in-arms, Dr. James Crnik, surgeon general of the Continental Army, and in private life a member of the Masonic fraternity. The other physieiaiu from that neighborhood was Dr. Elisha Cullen Dick, then Master of Alexandria Lodge. Dr. Brown of Port Tobacco was also called into consultation. At the moment of Washington's death, Dr. Crnik stopped the pendulum aud hands of the clock that stood on the mantel of the room nnd which romnlns to-day in the snme condition ns it was ninetynine years ago. The clock has become the possession of Alexandrla-W&Bhington Lodge, No. 22, of Alexandria, Va., of which lodge Washington was first Master. In his dying hours the General communicated to his private secretary, Mr. Lear, his desire not to be buried until after three days had elapsed. His wishes were respected. At Washiagton’a death the Dcacous of the lodge were directed to have the orders elenned nnd prepared nnd to furuish spermaceti candles for them. To Alexnudria-Wnshlngton Lodge was given (he poet of honor in the Masonic detachment of the funeral procession. Masons of the District of Columbia were ulso in line. Of the three leaser lights that were borne intc/ Washington’* tomb two were held by imnnbers of Alexnndrin-Washlng-ton Lodge of Alexandria aud one by Brother Alexander McCormick of Georgetown aud Washington city. Two of these candles nrc preserved under lock and key by Alexandria-Washington Lodge, and the third is in chnrgc of Secretary Singleton of the Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia. This third light was carried, burning, at the laying of the corner stone of the Washington monument in Washington city, at the dedication of the same, and it will be lighted for the fourth and last time at the centennial celebration of Washington's - burial. As a Mason Washington had presided

vI - at the laying of the corner stone of the capitol in Washington, officiating, on Sept. 18,1793, as President of the United States and Masonic Past Master. On that occasion he wore his Master’s sash and the apron presented to him by Lafayette and which had been wrought with gold and silver tissue and beautifully adorned with Masonic emblems by the Marquise de Lafayette.

WASHINGTON IN MASONIC REGALIA.