and advantage to his country. In institution, of which the craft on this 1774, he served under lord Dun-side the Atlantic have long felt the more, in the expedition against the Shawnee Towns; and being sent in with a flag, he received from the lips of the celebrated chief Logan, the speech, so much admired as a specimen of Indian eloquence. He believed that the speech as given want, as the only means of establishing a uniform mode of working, and perpetuating perfect unanimity the brethren; besides forming regular correspondences with among in Mr. Jefferson's Notes on Vir- the various grand lodges of foreign ginia, was an accurate copy of a lit-nations. eral translation which he delivered to lord Dunmore. General Gibson We rejoice to state, that all the passed through life with the reputa-information we have received on tion of a brave soldier, and an hon- the subject, from different parts of est man.-Phil. l. paper. 18401 A SUDDEN NAP. Two Oxford scholars slept in the same room at college. "John," says one, early in the morning, "are you asleep?"Why?" replied the other. "Because, if you are not, I want to borrow half a dollar of you." "Is that all? Then I am." MASONIC POSTSCRIPT CRAND LODGE OF THE UNITED STATES. The following document, with which we have been lately favour the United States, since the meeting at Washington, is highly favourable to the measure; and we flatter our selves, that the proposed assembly will be generally attended. MASONIC NOTICE. Those members of congress, who belong to the masonic fraternity, and those visiters of the city, who are or have been members of any state grand lodge, are respectfully invited to attend a meeting, to be held in the Senate Chamber, this evening, at seven o'clock, to take into consideration matters of general interest to the masonic institution. March 9, 1822. Pursuant to the above notice, published in the National Intelli ed, will be read with peculiar pleas-gencer, a number of members of the ure by the fraternity at large. It must be truly gratifying to every must be truly gratifying to every true hearted mason, to observe men of the first standing in our country, not only as masons, but as statesmen, and as the patrons of literature, uniting their exertions, to establish a national grand lodge; an society of freemasons, from various parts of the United States, composed of members of congress and strangers, assembled at the capitol, in the city of Washington, March 9, 1822. Brother THOMAS R. Ross, was appointed chairman, and brother WILLIAM DARLINGTON, member of congress, of Pennsylvania, secretary; and it was unanimously Resolved, That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is expedient, for the general interests of freemasonry, to constitute a general grand lodge of the United States. Resolved, That it be proposed to the several grand lodges in the United States, to take the subject into their serious consideration, at their next annual communications; and that, if they approve of the formation of a general grand lodge, it be recommended to them to appoint one or more delegates, to assemble in the city of Washington, on the second Monday of February next, to agree on the organization of such grand lodge. carry the aforesaid resolutions inte effect. The committee, in complying with the above resolutions, are aware, that a meeting of individual masons, however respectable in number and character, could delegate no regular authority in behalf of the masonic body; and, if they could, it was unnecessary. This paper will, therefore, be understood as it is intended, a proceeding, originating in the necessity of the case, to adopt some mode by which the general views of masons in the different states of the American Union may be ascertained. The history of the masonic institution shows that, though established among various nations, it was, in each country, confined to a comparatively small number. The ju risdiction exercised by grand lodges, like almost every exertion of power, or of moral influence, was concentrated in different capital cities. The subordinate lodges were few in Resolved, That if two-thirds of the grand lodges within the United States, concur in the propriety of establishing a general grand lodge, it be recommended to them to instruct their representatives to proceed to the formation of a constitution of a general grand lodge, to be subsequently submitted to the several grand lodges in the Union, for their ratification; and which, being rati-number, and their connexion with fied by a majority of them, shall be considered as thenceforth binding on all the grand lodges assenting thereto. the supreme head was very direct. Till within a recent period, it is believed, no great number of lodges have been united under a single The art of printing, The Resolved, That the most wor-jurisdiction. shipful John Marshall, of Virginia; and other causes, have produced Henry Clay, of Kentucky; William great changes in the condition of H. Winder, of Maryland; William the world; and these causes have S. Cardell, of New-York; Joel Ab- operated in their full proportion on bot, of Georgia; John Holmes, of the society of freemasons. Maine; Henry Baldwin, of Penn- sphere of civilization is greatly ensylvania; John H. Eaton, of Ten- larging its boundaries: intellectual nessee; William W. Seaton, of attainments, and the influence of Washington; Christopher Rankin, moral operations, are taking the of Mississippi; Thomas R. Ross, of place of brute force: known princiOhio; H. G. Burton, of North Car-ples and laws are recognized; and olina; and the Rev. Thaddeus M. Harris, D. D. of Massachusetts, be, and they hereby are, appointed a committee, to open a correspondence with the respective grand lodges within the United States, and to take such measures therein, as they may deem expedient to the advantages of cultivated reason are shared, by an increased proportion of mankind. Under these circumstances, masonry has been extended, and its lodges so multiplied, as to make their proper conduct a subject of much interest to the friends of the society. There are two points which at once present themselves, in connexion with the idea of establishing a general grand lodge of the United States. The first is to acquire, in a correspondence with foreign nations, an elevated stand for the masonry of this country; to unite with them in maintaining its general principles in their purity; and, secondly, to preserve, between our own states, that uniformity in work, and that active interchange of good offices, which would be difficult, if not impossible, by other means. responsibility. They will consider their institution as one of the great social causes, to allay low-minded jealousies between nations at peace; and in war to mitigate the horrors which it cannot avert. While they offer their gratitude to a Beneficent Providence for their own blessings, they will not be regardless of their obligations to their brethren through the world. These reflections, drawn from the external circumstances of masonry, are strengthened by the consideration of its intrinsic nature. Its foundation is fixed in the social feelings and the best principles of the human mind. Its maxims are the lessons of virtue, reduced to their practical application. It stands The committee do not presume to instruct their brethren in the nature of an institution in which they have a common interest. They are governed by a few plain considerations, known to all who have attend-opposed to sordidness; to a jealous ed to the subject. The antiquity of the masonic society, extending so far beyond all other human associations, seizes the attention, and the mind is naturally impressed with feelings of interest for an institution, transmitted to us through the long train of a hundred ages. Time, which destroys all perishable things, seems to have consolidated the pillars of this moral temple. We contemplate the long catalogue of excellent men, who have been equally the supporters of masonry, and the ornaments of human nature; and, we say, almost unconsciously, that the present generation, with all its lights, must not tarnish the name of an institution, consecrated by so many circumstances, calculated to endear it to the mind of a good man. or revengeful temper; to all the selfish and malevolent passions: it coincides with the highest motives of patriotism; the most expanded philanthropy, and concentrates all its precepts in reverence to a Divine Creator, and good will to man. The United States are supposed to contain near 80,000 freemasons. They are generally in the vigor of manhood, and capable of much active usefulness. Notwithstanding the abuses in some places, by the admission of unworthy members, they are, as a body, above medioc rity in character and talent. It becomes an interesting question, how the energies of this body can be best combined, to give effect to the benevolent design of their association. From causes which need no exWithout making invidious com-planation, the masonic jurisdiction parisons between the United States in this country has taken its form and other portions of the world, from the political divisions. The there are some great considerations modification which it has underof responsibility, which our intelli-gone, from the spirit of our civil ingent citizens, accustomed to reflect on the affairs of nations, cannot overlook. The masons of the United States, in character as such, have their full share of this moral stitutions, has its benefits, and its defects. Each of our state jurisdictions is supreme within itself. Whatever collisions may exist; whatever abuses; whatever depart It is requested that this letter may not be published in newspapers; but submitted to the several grand lodges, and distributed among masons, as a subject concerning the affairs of their own body. If the information furnished to the committee should render it expedient, perhaps another letter may be forwarded, giving a statement of such facts as may be interesting to be known, previous to a final decision on the course to be taken. An answer is requested, with a free expression of opinion on the subject of this communication. Such answer may be directed to any member of the committee, or, in ures from the correct standard, in principle, or in rites; whatever injury to the common cause; there is no mode assigned to obviate the wrongs which it is the interest of all to prevent. There is no provision for a systematic interchange of masonic intelligence. In one or two instances there are two or more grand lodges in the same state, each claiming superior jurisdiction, and with no acknowledged boundaries between them. Will not these evils increase as our population becomes more dense, unless means be seasonably used to guard against them? Is the difference which now prevails between different states an evil which calls for remedy? Eve-particular, to WILLIAM W. SEATON, ry good mason must wish chiefly Esq. Washington. for the harmony of the general institution for the society is so formed, that no particular part, however meritorious by itself, can continue to prosper, if the body at large is brought into disgrace. Is the masonry of our country at present a great arch without a key stone? Is it not in danger of falling? Are not many of the books which are published in the name of the masonic institution, derogatory to its character and interest? It is not the design of the committee to enter into arguments upon this subject; nor to lay down their own opinions as a guide for those better able to judge; but to proceed to the only duty required of them to perform. According to the preceding resolutions, the committee are to submit the question, whether it be expedient that a grand lodge of the United States be formed; and, secondly, to request those grand lodges which approve that object, to appoint delegates to meet at Washington, on the second Monday of February next, to take such measures as may be deemed most proper for the organization of such general grand Lodge. HENRY CLAY, WILLIAM H. WINDER, WILLIAM W SEATON, Since the above was prepared, we received companion Hunt's April number of the Masonic Miscellany, which contains the following judicious remarks on this very important subject: NATIONAL GRAND LODGE. We have long been of opinion, that some step ought to be taken, to produce a uniformity of work, and a union of feeling among the masonic lodges throughout the United States. The fact cannot be denied, and need not be concealed, that a difference, in details at least, if not in essentials, is often to be found in the workings of different lodges. It is time that a greater degree of uniformity was introduced: it is time that less jealousy existed in different parts of the country, respecting the forms adopted in their respective lodges. We are all brethren of the same fraternity if errors have in any instance crept in among us, we ought to be willing to listen to those who are able and willing to expose them to us, and teach us how to correct them. We ought to be anxious to adopt a uniform, correct, and systematic mode of work, and not be so blindly devoted to our own habits, as to mistake the errors and defects which have prevailed among us for ancient and essential landmarks of the order. We know no measure so well calculated to promote the important object to which we have alluded, and to cement the fraternity throughout this extensive republic, as the establishment of a common head, to which all might appeal and acknowledge a common -responsibility. The practicability and usefulness of such an institution has been proved, by the successful We establishment and favourable tendency of the general grand royal arch chapter, whose jurisdiction is co-extensive with the union. are aware that efforts have been made to establish a general grand lodge, and that various obstacles and impediments have hitherto rendered those efforts ineffectual. But we would not be thus easily discouraged. "Time, patience, and perseverance, may accomplish all things." A national grand lodge may and ought to be established, and whatever opposition may now be made to it, we are confident that when once it should be placed in successful operation, its utility and propriety would be universally admitted. It is hardly necessary at present to enter into the details of the plan we would recommend. The constitution of the general grand chap ter might serve as a model. The four principal officers of the grand lodge of each state, or their proxies, should constitute the members of the general grand lodge, and its meetings might be held in Washington city, or some other central and convenient place, as often as might be deemed expedient. We throw out these hints for the deliberate consideration of our brethren throughout the union, and we hope that every prejudice, local jealousy, and illiberal feeling, if any such can have a place in the breast of masons, will be dissipated and no longer furnish impediments to the adoption of a measure, fraught, as we believe, with the most fortunate results, and calculated, more, perhaps, than any other, to promote the permanent prosperity of the craft in these United States. |