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  • Sept. 29, 1900
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The Freemason, Sept. 29, 1900: Page 10

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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Obituary.

Obituary .

FUNERAL OF BRO . ISSACHAR ZACHARIE , M . D ., P . GRAND SUPREME RULER OF THE ORDER OF THE SECRET MONITOR . We laid to rest on Thursday , the 20 th instant , in the beautiful cemetery at Highgate , the remains of one who will long be remembered both in social and Masonic circles in London . Bro . Dr . Issachar Zacharie , who died on Sunday , the 16 th instant , at his residence , So , Brook-street , Grosvenor-square , was born at Chatham , England , in the year 1827 , and after a lengthy professional career ,

which commenced with his appointment as a medical officer , while yet but a boy , in the U . S . Army of the West Californian region , and continued through the Civil War , when he was attached to the division under Grant , he settled in England , and quickly won both name and fame in the special department of surgery he had chosen to cultivate . While in California , which was then but thinly peopled , he practised our ancient and mystic rite , and was duly appointed the first Grand Master of the Craft in that region . When rooms were not available , the brethren

held their Iodge in secliffied valleys , stationing sentries on the summits of the neighbouring hills , or on'the tops of the hills themselves , under the open canopy of the sky . The remembrance of these stirring times have been a source of neverfailing interest to generations of those who have gathered round his hospitable table , where he has entertained not only many of the elite oi Masonry , but frequently many of the worthiest of England ' s nobility . Many are the social and State secrets that have been confided to his care , and numerous are the occasions when his astuteness , dexterity , and high diplomatic qualities have

been brought into play to patch up a social quarrel , or to restore harmony between high personages who have , unfortunately , become estranged . But his delight was to see himself surrounded by a circle of true Masonic friends , and on such occasions the natural exuberance of his heart was manifested . Under the influence of the cheery glass , the stores of his memory were unlocked , and the relation of some of the vicissitudes of his chequered career would afford the liveliest entertainment to his guests . He was the trusted friend of President Lincoln , and his shrewd ambassador on many delicate errands , including , in some

cases , the disbursal of large secret service State funds , necessary to effect certain operations arising during thc internecine conflict in which he took so distinguished a part . Hc had friends on both sides , and could gain a hearing from the leaders when their ears were closed to every other voice . He knew and shared the counsels of those Masons who , while the conflict was still pending , and while the brethren on each side were afraid to trust each othr-r , found in conclaves of Secret Monitors ( originally a Dutch Order of Masonry ) , after the lodges , a

means of meeting the difficulty arising from the freedom of access among Masons to each others'lodge . The lessons then learnt bore fruit later in the re-establishment , on this side of the water , in conjunction with the late Grand Secretary , Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Richard Eve , W . G . Lemon , alas ! al ] , alas ! already snatched from us by death , Judge F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Registrar , Jas . Lewis Thomas , F . S . A ,, and a lew others , the now flourishing Order of the Secret Monitor , of which

he was for so many years the beloved and honoured head . Since his serious illness some six years ago , Ihe rule of the Order has devolved upon the Earl of Warwick , Deputy Grand Master of the Craft , but no meeting of the Grand Council has ever seemed complete , and few have taken place , without the presence of thc venerable : and still active figure of its first chief . " The ' body lay in state during thc afternoon of Wednesday , and as it was his d ying wish that the solemn funeral service , characteristic of the Order , should be held

over his remains before they were consigned to their last resting place , which wish was respected by his family , a ;• -. . ¦ ¦ , uf the niembeis of Grand Council attended .-.: lhe huiiM' belore tin : funeral , and in the presence of his sorrowing friends , the tjc . iuiil ' ul ritu 1 ! ol the Order he loved , pi .-pared fur such occasions ' , was worked by Bro . W . J . Spratling , Grand Recordi .-i , assisted by Bros . j . Tickle , J . J . Thomas-, J . Kay , and I ' . K . Lemon , as Visiliii ;; Deacons ; Bru . W . | . Songhurst . as Guide ; and Brc . Harry Tipper , as Guarder . The service bcinj ; over , Bru . Tickle , Assist . ' . Deputy Ruler ol tlu- Order , pronounced a bhort oration tu the following effect : '

Obituary.

We have met here to-day on a very sad occasion—I say sad , because it is the last on which we can possibly meet to do honour to a dear friend . We mourn the loss not only of an old friend , but of an eminent citizen and a highly distinguished Mason . Born in England , but very shortly after his birth taken to the great country on the other side of the Atlantic , Bro . Zacharie was in his early career the trusted friend of the late President Lincoln , and rose to high distinction in the Masonic world , becoming in due course the Grand Master of Freemasonry in

California . Coming to England in 18 75 , with a great reputation gained in America , he rapidly rose to fame in his own special branch of surgical and medical science , and enjoyed the friendship and esteem of a large circle of illustrious patients , contributing also many articles of value to the medical press . It is now many years since a few Secret Monitors of distinction , hailing from distant parts of the world , accidentally discovered each other ' s Masonic identity in this Degree , and a subsequent meeting at his house led to the institution by Dr ,

Zacharie in this country of the Order in Masonry called by that name . Many of us remember with what enthusiasm the Order was received and adopted , and how it increased and multiplied under him as its first Grand Supreme Ruler . He was supported as such by the great ones of the Craft , and in due course of years was succeeded b y its present illustrious chief , the Earl of Warwick , Deputy Grand Ylaster of the Masons of England . We also remember with pride and pleasure how famous he became for the princely hospitality he dispensed at this his home in

Brook-street , Grosvenor-square . Bro . Zacharie can now be but a memory with us , for never again in this life , can we look into his genial face , or give him the hand-shake of good fellowship ; but he will still live in our memory , as we have so long known him—a kind and sincere friend—a cheerful companion , and a polished English gentleman . I feel that no mere words of mine can engrave his memory on your hearts more deeply than your own personal experience . I can

only , finally , record that by his death we have each lost a dear friend , and that an able and distinguished man has gone from amongst us , and is now at rest . To his widow and the other members ot his disconsolate family , we all of us offer our deepest sympathy , and trust that the recollection of his highly distinguished career , may be to them some consolation in their bereavement , and then Bro . Jas . Lewis Thomas , as one of the eldest friends of the family , almost overcome by grief , added a few words of love and respect before the coffin was borne to the

waiting hearse . VVe give the following apt quotations from the funeral service , which exemplify in some measure the tenets of the Order : _ " Non omnis moriar , multaque pars mei Vitabit Libitinam . Usque ego postera Crescam laude recens . "

Absint mam funere noenioe Luctusque turpss et querimonix Compesce clamorem , ac sepulcri Mitte supervacuos honores . " . . " Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this , to visit the fatherless antl widow in their affliction , and to keep one ' s self unspotted from the

world . " Arrived at the cemetery the Burial Service was read by the Rev . J . Gregory , M . A ., of Putney , in place of the Rev . Can Gray , an old and valued friend , who was on his holiday , and when the coffin had been lowered into the grave , and the brethren , including those named and Bros . C . L . Nelson , John Read , J . Joseph , and several others , had deposited their Masonic emblem upon thc remains , the Guarder breaking the weapon he had been using at the previous service , threw it upon the coffin , and thus concluded the solemn rite . The d'sP ^ J seldom

of beautiful wreaths spread out upon the grass was most striking , one sees so manv and such lovely floral tributes . The Grand Council of the uroer sent an emblematic wreath , and there were those sent by the Premier Loncuvc , and by the Royal Sussex , No . 10 , Brig hton . One wreath bore the legend ureav Grandpapa , " while others bore the names of intimate and distinguished private friends and relations . We are informed that a public ( Masonic ) "Conciav . eo mourning " is to be arranged at the headquarters of the Order—the Hote ILct -at an early date . Any Masonic friend ot the late Dr . Zacharie will be aoc 1 obtain a ticket of admission on application . The date , when fixed , win u announced in due course . .

“The Freemason: 1900-09-29, Page 10” Masonic Periodicals Online, Library and Museum of Freemasonry, 11 Sept. 2025, django:8000/periodicals/fvl/issues/fvl_29091900/page/10/.
  • List
  • Grid
Title Category Page
Untitled Article 1
THE FREEMASONS' CLUB, RICHMOND, SURREY, LIMITED. Article 1
PRESIDENTS OF THE U.S.A. WHO WERE FREEMASONS. Article 2
GRAND SECRETARY OF SCOTLAND. Article 2
Ireland. Article 2
Scotland. Article 3
Craft Masonry. Article 3
Untitled Ad 3
Science, Art, and the Drama. Article 4
PAINTERS IN THE REIGN OF ELIZABE TH. Article 4
ST. JAMES'S THEATRE. Article 4
STRAND THEATRE. Article 4
GENERAL NOTES. Article 4
Untitled Ad 4
THE CHARITY OF MASONRY. Article 5
Craft Masonry. Article 5
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 6
Untitled Ad 7
Untitled Ad 7
Untitled Ad 7
Untitled Ad 7
Untitled Article 7
Masonic Notes. Article 7
Correspondence. Article 8
THE GRAND TYLER OF ENGLAND. Article 8
Craft Masonry. Article 8
BRO. R. E. GARBUTT, BLOEMFONTEIN. Article 9
Instruction. Article 9
Obituary. Article 10
Untitled Ad 11
MASONIC MEETINGS (METROPOLITAN) Article 11
Masonic and General Tidings. Article 12
Instruction. Article 12
Untitled Ad 12
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.

Obituary.

Obituary .

FUNERAL OF BRO . ISSACHAR ZACHARIE , M . D ., P . GRAND SUPREME RULER OF THE ORDER OF THE SECRET MONITOR . We laid to rest on Thursday , the 20 th instant , in the beautiful cemetery at Highgate , the remains of one who will long be remembered both in social and Masonic circles in London . Bro . Dr . Issachar Zacharie , who died on Sunday , the 16 th instant , at his residence , So , Brook-street , Grosvenor-square , was born at Chatham , England , in the year 1827 , and after a lengthy professional career ,

which commenced with his appointment as a medical officer , while yet but a boy , in the U . S . Army of the West Californian region , and continued through the Civil War , when he was attached to the division under Grant , he settled in England , and quickly won both name and fame in the special department of surgery he had chosen to cultivate . While in California , which was then but thinly peopled , he practised our ancient and mystic rite , and was duly appointed the first Grand Master of the Craft in that region . When rooms were not available , the brethren

held their Iodge in secliffied valleys , stationing sentries on the summits of the neighbouring hills , or on'the tops of the hills themselves , under the open canopy of the sky . The remembrance of these stirring times have been a source of neverfailing interest to generations of those who have gathered round his hospitable table , where he has entertained not only many of the elite oi Masonry , but frequently many of the worthiest of England ' s nobility . Many are the social and State secrets that have been confided to his care , and numerous are the occasions when his astuteness , dexterity , and high diplomatic qualities have

been brought into play to patch up a social quarrel , or to restore harmony between high personages who have , unfortunately , become estranged . But his delight was to see himself surrounded by a circle of true Masonic friends , and on such occasions the natural exuberance of his heart was manifested . Under the influence of the cheery glass , the stores of his memory were unlocked , and the relation of some of the vicissitudes of his chequered career would afford the liveliest entertainment to his guests . He was the trusted friend of President Lincoln , and his shrewd ambassador on many delicate errands , including , in some

cases , the disbursal of large secret service State funds , necessary to effect certain operations arising during thc internecine conflict in which he took so distinguished a part . Hc had friends on both sides , and could gain a hearing from the leaders when their ears were closed to every other voice . He knew and shared the counsels of those Masons who , while the conflict was still pending , and while the brethren on each side were afraid to trust each othr-r , found in conclaves of Secret Monitors ( originally a Dutch Order of Masonry ) , after the lodges , a

means of meeting the difficulty arising from the freedom of access among Masons to each others'lodge . The lessons then learnt bore fruit later in the re-establishment , on this side of the water , in conjunction with the late Grand Secretary , Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Richard Eve , W . G . Lemon , alas ! al ] , alas ! already snatched from us by death , Judge F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , Grand Registrar , Jas . Lewis Thomas , F . S . A ,, and a lew others , the now flourishing Order of the Secret Monitor , of which

he was for so many years the beloved and honoured head . Since his serious illness some six years ago , Ihe rule of the Order has devolved upon the Earl of Warwick , Deputy Grand Master of the Craft , but no meeting of the Grand Council has ever seemed complete , and few have taken place , without the presence of thc venerable : and still active figure of its first chief . " The ' body lay in state during thc afternoon of Wednesday , and as it was his d ying wish that the solemn funeral service , characteristic of the Order , should be held

over his remains before they were consigned to their last resting place , which wish was respected by his family , a ;• -. . ¦ ¦ , uf the niembeis of Grand Council attended .-.: lhe huiiM' belore tin : funeral , and in the presence of his sorrowing friends , the tjc . iuiil ' ul ritu 1 ! ol the Order he loved , pi .-pared fur such occasions ' , was worked by Bro . W . J . Spratling , Grand Recordi .-i , assisted by Bros . j . Tickle , J . J . Thomas-, J . Kay , and I ' . K . Lemon , as Visiliii ;; Deacons ; Bru . W . | . Songhurst . as Guide ; and Brc . Harry Tipper , as Guarder . The service bcinj ; over , Bru . Tickle , Assist . ' . Deputy Ruler ol tlu- Order , pronounced a bhort oration tu the following effect : '

Obituary.

We have met here to-day on a very sad occasion—I say sad , because it is the last on which we can possibly meet to do honour to a dear friend . We mourn the loss not only of an old friend , but of an eminent citizen and a highly distinguished Mason . Born in England , but very shortly after his birth taken to the great country on the other side of the Atlantic , Bro . Zacharie was in his early career the trusted friend of the late President Lincoln , and rose to high distinction in the Masonic world , becoming in due course the Grand Master of Freemasonry in

California . Coming to England in 18 75 , with a great reputation gained in America , he rapidly rose to fame in his own special branch of surgical and medical science , and enjoyed the friendship and esteem of a large circle of illustrious patients , contributing also many articles of value to the medical press . It is now many years since a few Secret Monitors of distinction , hailing from distant parts of the world , accidentally discovered each other ' s Masonic identity in this Degree , and a subsequent meeting at his house led to the institution by Dr ,

Zacharie in this country of the Order in Masonry called by that name . Many of us remember with what enthusiasm the Order was received and adopted , and how it increased and multiplied under him as its first Grand Supreme Ruler . He was supported as such by the great ones of the Craft , and in due course of years was succeeded b y its present illustrious chief , the Earl of Warwick , Deputy Grand Ylaster of the Masons of England . We also remember with pride and pleasure how famous he became for the princely hospitality he dispensed at this his home in

Brook-street , Grosvenor-square . Bro . Zacharie can now be but a memory with us , for never again in this life , can we look into his genial face , or give him the hand-shake of good fellowship ; but he will still live in our memory , as we have so long known him—a kind and sincere friend—a cheerful companion , and a polished English gentleman . I feel that no mere words of mine can engrave his memory on your hearts more deeply than your own personal experience . I can

only , finally , record that by his death we have each lost a dear friend , and that an able and distinguished man has gone from amongst us , and is now at rest . To his widow and the other members ot his disconsolate family , we all of us offer our deepest sympathy , and trust that the recollection of his highly distinguished career , may be to them some consolation in their bereavement , and then Bro . Jas . Lewis Thomas , as one of the eldest friends of the family , almost overcome by grief , added a few words of love and respect before the coffin was borne to the

waiting hearse . VVe give the following apt quotations from the funeral service , which exemplify in some measure the tenets of the Order : _ " Non omnis moriar , multaque pars mei Vitabit Libitinam . Usque ego postera Crescam laude recens . "

Absint mam funere noenioe Luctusque turpss et querimonix Compesce clamorem , ac sepulcri Mitte supervacuos honores . " . . " Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this , to visit the fatherless antl widow in their affliction , and to keep one ' s self unspotted from the

world . " Arrived at the cemetery the Burial Service was read by the Rev . J . Gregory , M . A ., of Putney , in place of the Rev . Can Gray , an old and valued friend , who was on his holiday , and when the coffin had been lowered into the grave , and the brethren , including those named and Bros . C . L . Nelson , John Read , J . Joseph , and several others , had deposited their Masonic emblem upon thc remains , the Guarder breaking the weapon he had been using at the previous service , threw it upon the coffin , and thus concluded the solemn rite . The d'sP ^ J seldom

of beautiful wreaths spread out upon the grass was most striking , one sees so manv and such lovely floral tributes . The Grand Council of the uroer sent an emblematic wreath , and there were those sent by the Premier Loncuvc , and by the Royal Sussex , No . 10 , Brig hton . One wreath bore the legend ureav Grandpapa , " while others bore the names of intimate and distinguished private friends and relations . We are informed that a public ( Masonic ) "Conciav . eo mourning " is to be arranged at the headquarters of the Order—the Hote ILct -at an early date . Any Masonic friend ot the late Dr . Zacharie will be aoc 1 obtain a ticket of admission on application . The date , when fixed , win u announced in due course . .

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