Master's Message
February 2000

Dear Brother:

The month of February is celebrated as a month to recognize our dear, departed Brother, George Washington. As one reads about who should be the "Man of the Millennium," who better than Brother George to be granted this honor. My personal opinion is that without him, our country would not be in the same shape that it is today. Oh yes, there was Brother Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, but Brother Washington was the man who would hold things together using his Masonic background as his guide.

Of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1778, the following were Masons: William Hooper, Benjamin Franklin, Matthew Thornton, William Whipple, John Hancock, Phillip Livingston and Thomas Nelson. It was said at the time that with just four men out of the room, the assembly that remained was more than enough to hold a Masonic Lodge in the Third Degree! They could also have allowed in most of the army leaders including such men as Green, Marion, Sullivan, Rufus, Putnam, Edwards, Jackson, Gist, Baron Steuben, Baron de Kalb, the Marquis de Lafayette and George Washington himself.

When Washington was sworn into office as the first President of the Republic on April 30, 1789, it was by the Grand Master of New York and he took his oath on a Masonic Bible, which was the property of St. John's Lodge No. 1. On October 13, 1792, the anniversary of the crucifixion of Jacques de Maloy, Brother Washington laid the foundation stone of the White House. That same year the dollar was adopted as the unit of currency for the United States of America. Could it be that the "S" with a double vertical strike through it be a Masonic symbol of sorts? The "S" standing for Strength and the double vertical lines stand for "Boaz" and "Jachin" there is something to think about. Today, we have shortened the dollar sign to $ but those of us who are on the older side of life do remember the old dollar sign. On September 18, 1793, George Washington laid the cornerstone of the Capitol building in Washington, and he, along with other Masons who were present, were dressed in full Masonic regalia.

In his farewell address, George Washington stated: "Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all. Religion and morality enjoin this conduct and, can it be that good policy does not equally enjoin it? It will be worthy of a free, enlightened and, at no distant period, a great nation, to give to mankind the magnanimous and too novel example of a people always guided by an exalted justice and benevolence." These words confirm that Brother George was a lifelong Freemason. These words are also strangely reminiscent of the teachings of Jesus, talking of the importance of "freedom," "enlightenment," "peace," "good faith," "justice," and "benevolence" as well as aspiring to the building of a "great nation" and the binding together of religion and morality. These characteristics expressed by Brother Washington may sound to modern ears like the sort of words one would use on such an occasion, but at the time they were spoken, they were quite remarkable.

Brother George Washington was "the man." He was necessary for our young nation and so was Freemasonry. Without the morals and the thinking of our founding father's, this great nation of ours would not exist as we know it. Let us honor Brother George on his birthday, February 22 if you have a flag, please put it out in front of your home. Be proud of our country and be proud to be a Mason.

Fraternally,

John Lacki Jr.
Worshipful Master