THE

FRATERNAL TRIBUTE,

OF

RESPECT

PAID TO THE

MASONIC CHARACTER

OF

WASHINGTON,

IN THE

UNION LODGE,

IN

DORCHESTER,

January 7th, A. L. 5800.

INFORMATION.

AS soon as the members could conveniently be called together, after the mournful intelligence arrived of the death of their illustrious Brother GEORGE WASHINGTON, they assembled to pay their funeral honours to his memory.

THE hall, the furniture of the lodge, and the brethren, were all dressed in the badges of mourning and the apartment but dimly lighted.

THE following address was delivered: an occasional dirge was sung, and a well adapted anthem chanted, by the choir.

APPROPRIATE testimonials of respect closed the solemnities.

ADDRESS.

AH, my brethren, what a change do we perceive! Our lodge, the lightsome abode of joy, how darkened with the gloom of sorrow! Instead of the gay splendour with which it was irradiated, a pale sepulchral light dimly gleams in its recesses. The cheerful sa

lutation with which we were wont to hail the beloved member or welcome the accepted visitant, is now exchanged for the look of sadness and the condolence of sympathy. We forego the sprightly song for the solemn dirge, and the cup of pleasure for the chalice of woe. The regalia are all veiled in black, and every thing about us bears the tokens of the loss we have sustained in the death of WASHINGTON, the patron, the ornament, the pride of our Fraternity. We assemble to dwell in pensive recollection on his sublime virtues, to record his social worth, and to

give vent in privacy to our unaffected sorrows at his decease.

His modest and unambitious spirit, which shrunk from the pomp of life, and delighted rather in the silent satisfaction of doing well, than in the loud applauses of the world for having done so, would not disdain the humble honours we pay: though artless, yet cordial; though unostentatious, yet sincere.

It is not in our power to make a parade of funeral obsequies, nor to erect a pompous cenotaph to his fame; but what we can, we do; we inscribe his worth on our memories, and inshrine his virtues in our hearts.

WHEN We consider him as a General and a Statesman, we are filled with admiration. When we recognize in him the defender, deliverer, and father of his country, our bosoms glow with gratitude. But when we behold him in the less majestic but more engaging character of a brother, his memory is endeared to our affections and has a peculiar claim upon our love.

POSSESSING dispositions congenial with the genuine spirit of Free Masonry, he early became a member of the society. Habitually

desirous of enlarging the sphere of social happiness and of promoting the cause of philanthrophy, he discovered in our order means eminently conducive to these important purposes.* It gave a nobler expansion to his charity, a wider range to his benevolence. Accordingly, he engaged in the plans and assisted the labours of the lodge, with a high satisfastion which those only can feel whose hearts are warmed with the same disinterested love, and enlarged with the same good will.

WHEN harassed by the fatigues of war or the concerns of public life, he was fond of seeking the refreshment and enjoying the serenity always to be found within the peaceful walls of the lodge. There every perplexing anxiety subdued, and every tumultuous thought was calmed. There he obtained relief from his cares, or strength to rise above them. There his spirit was enlivened and his joys restored; every cloud dispersed, and a bright sunshine illuminated his prospects.

* See this most beautifully alluded to, and most happily expressed in his answer to the address of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts on their presenting him a copy of the Book of Constitutions.