which to them shall seem the most direct, plainest, easiest, and least liable to exception." In his first military campaign. he was careful to have religious services regularly performed in camp. It was through his urgent request that chaplains were appointed for the army in Virginia. He forbade vicious habits and profane swearing among his soldiers. He went so far as to inflict corporal punishment upon those who transgressed, ordering twentyfive lashes upon the back of the first soldier who was heard swearing. In one of his general orders he says: "Let vice and immorality of every kind be discouraged. Gaming of all sorts is expressly forbidden, as being the foundation of evil and the cause of many a brave and gallant officer's ruin." In another general order he wrote: The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary, but especially so in times of public distress and danger. The General hopes that every officer and man will endeavor to live and act as becomes a Christian soldier, defending the dearest rights and liberties of his country." At the close of hostilities he issued an order to the army which read, "The chaplains with the several brigades will render thanks to Almighty God for all his mercies, particularly for his over-ruling the wrath of man to his own glory, and causing the rage of war to cease among the nations." In speaking of the war he says, "The hand of Providence has been so conspicuous in it all that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith: and more than wicked that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations." Examples from his writings where he expressed faith and trust in God and God's providence might be multiplied. All that was accomplished during the Revolution be ascribed to the good providence of God. It was because God was on the side of the patriots that they won. He recognized God's over-ruling hand in all events. To the governor of his own State he wrote, "I now make my earnest prayer, that God would have you and the State over which you preside in his holy protection, and that he would be most graciously pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of the divine author of our blessed religion, and without an humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation." I have given these brief extracts in the very words of Washington himself, because they iliustrate the character of the man, and let us into the secret of his inner religious life, far better than anything that any one may say about him. These extracts need no comment. They prove conclusively that Washington was truly and sincerely a religious man. To say that he did not believe himself to be a Christian would be to impeach his sincerity and honesty. He was the very last man in the world to dissimulate and pretend. He was free from every taint of hypocrisy and cant. He As I have already said, he was a silent, thoughtful, reserved man. rarely spoke of himself. Still less did he speak of his inner religious life and experience. We know he was a man of faith and a man of prayer. A member of his own family said of him that he had private devotions in his library both morning and evening. This same person said he had himself seen Washington on his knees, with a Bible open before him, and he was sure that prayer was his daily practice. An incident of peculiar interest is given by one of the historians in connection with his life when stationed at Morristown, N. J. The house which he made his headquarters is still standing in that historic town. The army was in camp there, and he was comparatively free from the constant_dis. tractions of an active campaign. The Rev. Dr. Jones, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church at Morristown during the Revolution, gives the following interesting account of how Washington took the communion in that church: "On the previous week before the communion, Washington called on the pastor, and said, 'Doctor, I understand the Lord's Supper is to be celebrated with you next Sunday. I would learn if it accords with the canon of your Church to admit communicants of other denominations?' The Doctor replied, Most certainly. Ours is not the Presbyterian table, General, but the Lord's table; and we hence give our Lord's invitation to all his followers of whatever name.' The General replied, I am glad of it; that is as it ought to be; but as I was not quite sure of the fact, I thought I would ascertain it for myself, as I propose to join with you on that occasion. Though a member of the Church of England, I have no exclusive partialities. General Washington was present at that communion and partook of the sacrament with the others." Washington was inaugurated President of the United States in Wall Street in this city, where the Sub-treasury now stands. During the two terms in this high office, his moral and religious character were without blemish. He was an illustrious example of all that was good and true and virtuous and Christian. When he retired to the quiet of Mount Vernon, his life was that of the consistent Christian gentleman. And when he came to the end of his life upon earth, though suffering great physical distress, he was as calm and peaceful as he had ever been. He knew he was about to leave this world. He several times said to those about him, “I am not afraid to die." And when at last death came to him, this great and good man "fell asleep." "Asleep in Jesus! blessed sleep! All great men have seen in Washington the highest and noblest type of manhood. Theodore Parker said of him, "For a thousand years no king in Christendom has shown such greatness or given so high a type of manly virtue." Charles Francis Adams said of him, "More than all, and above all, Washington was master of himself. If there be one quality more than another in his character which may exercise a useful control over the men of this present hour, it is the total disregard of self when in the most elevated positions for influence and example.' Abraham Lincoln said of him, "To add brightness to the sun or glory to the name of Washington is alike impossible. Let none attempt it. In solemn awe pronounce the name, and in its naked, deathless splendor, leave it shining on!" And Robert C. Winthrop said of him, "Just honor to Washington can only be rendered by observing his precepts and imitating his example." And now, what are the lessons from this great and good life for us men here to-night? I name them briefly : Let us trust God as he trusted God. Let us sincerely repent of our sins and live a pure and upright life, such as he ever lived. Let us accept Christ by faith as our personal Saviour, and strive to honor him and walk in his footsteps as did this great and good man. Let us do good and live for others as he did. Let us be honest and upright, and true and noble, as he ever was. Men, we can get on in this world without a good many things; but we cannot get on and be happy and useful without Christ and his religion. Other things are good, but this is the chief good, the supreme good. Other things may help us here in this life; but this only can help us for the life to come, and give us eternal blessedness. When we have reached the final analysis in the study of the character of Washington, we will discover that it was his religion, his faith and trust in God, that made him what he was; and if he were here to-night he would be the first to admit this. His faith in Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour from sin gave him peace and joy in this world, and final victory over death and the grave. Washington is among the immortals. His fame is sure and can never be diminished. As the ages come and go, more and more honor will be added to that illustrious name. He being dead, yet speaketh." For a hundred years he has been with God. To use the words of his Masonic Brothers, at his death he was called to the "Celestial Lodge above." That Lodge has but one door, and he entered in through that door-even Christ. "I am the door," says Christ; "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." "And him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out." Men, women, children, let us all follow the example of Washington in his religious life and character, and at last we too shall be called to join him in that heavenly home-"the Celestial Lodge above." EIGHTH MASONIC DISTRICT. BOROUGHS OF MANHATTAN AND BRONX. Knickerbocker Lodge, No. 642; Daniel Carpenter Lodge, No. 643; Bunting Lodge, No. 655; Livingston Lodge, No. 657; Republic Lodge, No. 690; Ancient Lodge, No. 724; Charity Lodge, No. 727; Alma Lodge, No. 728; Bethel Lodge, No. 733; Veritas Lodge, No. 734; Radiant Lodge, No. 739; Star of Cuba Lodge, No. 742; Pentalpha Lodge, No. 744; Stuyvesant Lodge, No. 745; Roome Lodge, No. 746; Shakespeare Lodge, No. 750; Naphthali Lodge, No. 752; Justice Lodge, No. 753; Polar Star Lodge, No. 245. Union service. Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church. Sermon by Rev. W. D. Buchanan, D.D., pastor. Mt. Moriah Lodge, No. 27; True Craftsman's Lodge, No. 651; Maimonides Lodge, No. 743; Centennial Lodge, No. 763; Composite Lodge, No. 819. Union service. Temple Emanu-El, Forty-third Street and Fifth Avenue. The Rev. Dr. Joseph Silverman, Chaplain of Centennial Lodge, officiating, assisted by Brother the Rev. Dr. Rudolph Grossman, Past Grand Chaplain. Pelham Lodge, No. 712, City Island. Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. Brother the Rev. Isaac E. Smith, D.D., pastor, officiating. NINTH MASONIC DISTRICT. BOROUGHS OF BROOKLYN, BRONX, MANHATTAN, AND RICHMOND. Trinity Lodge, No. 12; German Union Lodge, No. 54; Pythagoras Lodge, No. 86; German Pilgrim Lodge, No. 179; Germania Lodge, No. 182; Harmony Lodge, No. 199; Zschokke Lodge, No. 202; Navigator Lodge, No. 232; Hermann Lodge, No. 268; King Solomon's Lodge, No. 279; Schiller Lodge, No. 304; United Brothers' Lodge, No. 356; Humboldt Lodge, No. 512; Copernicus Lodge, No. 545; Fessler Lodge, No. 576; Socrates Lodge, No. 595; Lessing Lodge, No. 608; Teutonia Lodge, No. 617; Goethe Lodge, No. 629; Beethoven Lodge, No. 661; Herder Lodge, No. 698; Wieland Lodge, No. 714; Uhland Lodge, No. 735; Allemania Lodge, No. 740; Lincoln Lodge, No. 748; Von Mensch Lodge, No. 765; Solon Lodge, No. 771. Union service. R.. W.. Frederick Prayer by W.. Samuel Oration by R.. W.. Music by the German Masonic Temple, 220 East 15th Street. Klopstock Lodge, No. 760. See Eleventh Masonic District. TENTH MASONIC DISTRICT. BOROUGHS OF BROOKLYN AND MANHATTAN. Garibaldi Lodge, No. 542; Italia Lodge, No. 786; Mazzini Lodge, No. 824. Union service. Doric room, Masonic Hall. W.. Luigi Cardani, Master Mazzini Lodge, officiating. ELEVENTH MASONIC DISTRICT. BOROUGH OF RICHMOND. Richmond Lodge, No. 66, Port Richmond; Beacon Light Lodge, No. 701, New Brighton. Union service. Grace Methodist Episcopal Church, Port Richmond. Brother the Rev. A. C. McCrea, Chaplain of Richmond Lodge, officiating. Huguenot Lodge, No. 381, Tottenville. St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church. Sermon by the Rev. R. B. Collins, pastor, Text, St. John, v. 35: "He was a burning and a shining light." Tompkins Lodge, No. 471; Klopstock Lodge, No. 760, Stapleton. Union service. Kingsley Methodist Episcopal Church. The Rev. James Clayton Howard, pastor, after reading a brief historical sketch of the life of Washington, delivered the following address : First, before observing the characteristics of the man himself, we wish briefly to note his relationship to Divine Providence. We believe that Washington was foreordained by Divine Providence to fill the great mission he so well filled in the history of this nation. As a proof that God, in the history of the world, has selected his men, let us briefly go back to a study of Old Testament history, and I call out single individuals here and there merely that you may capture the thought. In the antediluvian days, when moral degeneracy was on the increase in the world, God sought to stem the tide of this moral degeneracy. He selected a single individual for this purpose. God called Enoch into a special ministry that he might reduce the sin and depravity of the world. Enoch so favored God in the fulfillment of his work that God translated him without seeing death; for the Word says, "God took him, for he was not." When moral degeneracy had increased in the world again, so it was necessary to destroy the human race, he selected a single individual to perpetuate it in its purity, and he called out Noah, by whom the race of the earth was continued. After the fulfillment of this requirement of Divine Providence, a plan for the redemption of the world was set on foot and carried to its perfection. God called out for this work Abraham, and said unto him that in his seed should all the nations of the earth be blessed. When God thus became the father of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, reverses came to his people, famine came upon them, and there was danger of their national destruction. By romance and song, we read of one sold by his brother into slavery down in Egypt-Joseph-and of a race springing up in Egypt; we find God calling up, by his remarkable providence, Moses to be chieftain and lawgiver for his people, selecting and preparing him for his great mission of leading his people out of bondage, so, as the people were once again established and taken into the land of promise, here God ordained their judgment and established their king. And when, as if by periodical |