Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
America.
Manchester ( England ) Guardian of the 20 th March last , and has since been extensively circulated , through the public journals , in this country and in Europe . Containing as it certainly does some errors of fact—unintentional of course , but , nevertheless , affecting a point of peculiar interest to every American Mason , —our readers will thank us for devoting a few pages to their correction : — " 'Interesting Masonic Relic . —A very interesting ceremony took place at a
mooting of the Lodge of Virtue , hold at the Albion Hotel , on "Wednesday evening last , when the copy of the Bible used on the occasion of the admission of General Washington to the Order of Masons , was exhibited to the Brethren assembled . After the ordinary business of the meeting , Bro . the Rev . P . C . Nicholson , B . D ., delivered the third of a course of lectures in connection with Freemasonry , and a procession was then formed , and the copy of the Bible received with due Masonic honours . There was a very largo attendance of Brethren , and the W . M . Thomas Chadwiek presided . We subjoin extracts from a correspondence , giving some particulars of tho history of this ( to Masons ) very interesting copy of the Scriptures , and the eirumstances under which it was exhibited on Wednesday evening . The first extract is from a letter from W . M . Thomas Chadwiek , to Bro . the Eev . P . C . Nicholson , B . D ., incumbent of Salford , and chaplain of the 46 th regiment : —
" ' Bev . and Dear Sir and Brother , —The very interesting fact of the volume of tho sacred law , upon which the great General Washington was obligated into the mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry , being in the possession of the Masonic officers of H . M . ' s 46 th regiment of infantry , having come to my knowledge , I shall esteem it a favour , if you , as the chaplain of the regiment here , accompanied by the chaplain of the Lodge over which I have the honour to preside , and of which you are a member , will do me the favour of presenting my fraternal regards to all the officers of the regiment who are Masons , and say what delight it will give to me , and the Brethren of tho Lodge of Virtue , if they will visit our Lodge on Tuesday evening next , and how much that delight will be increased by their bearing with them that sacred volume , to which must be attached reminiscences most dear to every Masonic heart . '
The following is an extract from Mr . Nicholson's reply : — " ' Dear Brother and W . M ., —According to your request I this day called at Salford Barracks , and was fortunate enough to meet with Capt . Child and Dr . Franklin , both Brothers , of the 46 th regiment . Capt . Child immediately produced the hallowed book , which he never permits to be far from his sight , it having been placed in his custody when the Lodge of the 46 th regiment was dissolved , some years ago , in Halifax , N . S . My eyes wore gladdened by the ancient and venerable appearance of the Bible , twice taken in war and earned off with the baggage of the 46 th imentby the enemy—once bGeneral
reg , , y Washington , in command of the American army , in 1777 ; and once by the French , at Dominica ; and each time honourably restored to the Lodge of the 46 th , with a military escort , colours flying , and music , borne aloft on the shoulders of the enemy , under a magnificent canopy . Capt . Child and some other Masonic Officers will attend our Lodge next Tuesday , and Capt . Child will bring the noble volume himself , and give the Brethren the privilege of viewing it . I doubt not , dear Brother , that under your Presidency , this book of books will be received with true Masonic honours , and a ceremonial solemnized worthy of so memorable an occasion . '
" While we duly appreciate the reverence in which our English Brethren hold the character , and the fondness with which they treasure up the living memorials of our beloved Washington , it is due to them and to ourselves , that the truth , which he so much loved , and which was the distinguishing virtue of his life , should in all things pertaining to his memory , he sacredly preserved in its integrity . We are happy to share with them the honour of Brotherhood , and to unite with them in rejoicing , that , like the sun of heaven , the benignant rays of his illustrious name and virtues shine
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
America.
Manchester ( England ) Guardian of the 20 th March last , and has since been extensively circulated , through the public journals , in this country and in Europe . Containing as it certainly does some errors of fact—unintentional of course , but , nevertheless , affecting a point of peculiar interest to every American Mason , —our readers will thank us for devoting a few pages to their correction : — " 'Interesting Masonic Relic . —A very interesting ceremony took place at a
mooting of the Lodge of Virtue , hold at the Albion Hotel , on "Wednesday evening last , when the copy of the Bible used on the occasion of the admission of General Washington to the Order of Masons , was exhibited to the Brethren assembled . After the ordinary business of the meeting , Bro . the Rev . P . C . Nicholson , B . D ., delivered the third of a course of lectures in connection with Freemasonry , and a procession was then formed , and the copy of the Bible received with due Masonic honours . There was a very largo attendance of Brethren , and the W . M . Thomas Chadwiek presided . We subjoin extracts from a correspondence , giving some particulars of tho history of this ( to Masons ) very interesting copy of the Scriptures , and the eirumstances under which it was exhibited on Wednesday evening . The first extract is from a letter from W . M . Thomas Chadwiek , to Bro . the Eev . P . C . Nicholson , B . D ., incumbent of Salford , and chaplain of the 46 th regiment : —
" ' Bev . and Dear Sir and Brother , —The very interesting fact of the volume of tho sacred law , upon which the great General Washington was obligated into the mysteries of Ancient Freemasonry , being in the possession of the Masonic officers of H . M . ' s 46 th regiment of infantry , having come to my knowledge , I shall esteem it a favour , if you , as the chaplain of the regiment here , accompanied by the chaplain of the Lodge over which I have the honour to preside , and of which you are a member , will do me the favour of presenting my fraternal regards to all the officers of the regiment who are Masons , and say what delight it will give to me , and the Brethren of tho Lodge of Virtue , if they will visit our Lodge on Tuesday evening next , and how much that delight will be increased by their bearing with them that sacred volume , to which must be attached reminiscences most dear to every Masonic heart . '
The following is an extract from Mr . Nicholson's reply : — " ' Dear Brother and W . M ., —According to your request I this day called at Salford Barracks , and was fortunate enough to meet with Capt . Child and Dr . Franklin , both Brothers , of the 46 th regiment . Capt . Child immediately produced the hallowed book , which he never permits to be far from his sight , it having been placed in his custody when the Lodge of the 46 th regiment was dissolved , some years ago , in Halifax , N . S . My eyes wore gladdened by the ancient and venerable appearance of the Bible , twice taken in war and earned off with the baggage of the 46 th imentby the enemy—once bGeneral
reg , , y Washington , in command of the American army , in 1777 ; and once by the French , at Dominica ; and each time honourably restored to the Lodge of the 46 th , with a military escort , colours flying , and music , borne aloft on the shoulders of the enemy , under a magnificent canopy . Capt . Child and some other Masonic Officers will attend our Lodge next Tuesday , and Capt . Child will bring the noble volume himself , and give the Brethren the privilege of viewing it . I doubt not , dear Brother , that under your Presidency , this book of books will be received with true Masonic honours , and a ceremonial solemnized worthy of so memorable an occasion . '
" While we duly appreciate the reverence in which our English Brethren hold the character , and the fondness with which they treasure up the living memorials of our beloved Washington , it is due to them and to ourselves , that the truth , which he so much loved , and which was the distinguishing virtue of his life , should in all things pertaining to his memory , he sacredly preserved in its integrity . We are happy to share with them the honour of Brotherhood , and to unite with them in rejoicing , that , like the sun of heaven , the benignant rays of his illustrious name and virtues shine