Bro. James P. Hodges

As Master Masons, we have the special privilege of honoring and emulating
our dear departed Brother, George Washington.

The United States Senate, shortly after Washington’s death, issued this official statement: “Let his countrymen consecrate the memory of the Heroic General, the Patriotic Statesman and the Virtuous Sage. Let them teach their children never to forget that the fruits of his labor and example are their inheritance.”
As Master Masons, we have the special privilege of honoring and emulating our dearly departed Brother. The ideals of Freemasonry, which attracted him to the Craft, had a profound impact on his life. His exposure to Masonic philosophy helped frame his ideas of life, both personal and professional. He took Freemasonry’s teachings seriously, its apron and trowel, all its symbolism and ritual. Eventually, he would become the best known and respected Mason in America. He would bring to the Fraternity unparalleled dignity and prestige.

Several incidents from his illustrious career indicate the degree to which the Masonic principles of leadership, service to man, integrity, honesty, virtue, and resolve, shaped his life and influenced others. On December 4, 1779, in Morristown, New Jersey, a Masonic convention was held with more than 100 Masons from various Lodges in attendance. The establishment of a United Grand Lodge was proposed with George Washington as Grand Master. The idea was rejected by the spirit of localism among a number of regional Grand Lodges. Their action paralleled the earlier rejection of a strong, central government by prevailing political regionalism. Later, George Washington’s beliefs and attitudes of a strong, central union were instrumental in changing the local mindset of citizens to have them adopt the new Federal Constitution.

In the two-year interim between the victory at Yorktown in 1781 and the British evacuation of New York City in late November 1783, General Washington established his military headquarters at Newburgh, New York. The troops constructed a 20 ft. by 60 ft. building called the “Temple of Virtue” for the combined purposes of holding religious services and acting as a Lodge for the Masons. It was in this Temple on March 15, 1783, when George Washington, through his impassioned speech to the officers about their shared vision, saved America from the tyranny of a military dictatorship. Some officers had suffered without pay and allowances for up to six years and were incensed to the point of mutiny by the report that Congress was going to disband the army without pay. The fact that Washington was a Mason, most of his officers were Masons, and that they were assembled in the Temple of Virtue, no doubt, influenced them in over-whelmingly rejecting the mutinous plan to march on Congress and take over control of the civilian government in a coup d’etat.

And George Washington, as noted previously, in order to establish a strong, central government, was instrumental in calling for a Constitutional Convention. Of the 55 delegates to the Convention, 33 were Masons. Presiding as President, Washington took his responsibility so seriously that he never missed a single minute of the sessions. The delegates often looked at him for his nod of approval or frown of disapproval as they debated issues. No doubt, Masonic brotherhood within the ranks smoothed the path for compromise and agreement.

George Washington’s character and presence commanded the respect and confidence of both Americans and foreigners. Sol Bloom, in his Masons and the Constitution, stated that Washington had “imbibed the wisdom, strength and beauty of Masonry. It exerted a profound influence upon his career, from the time he was raised a Master Mason in 1753, through all the vicissitudes of war, peace, and nation building. In him the sublime truth of the order found practical expression in shaping the character of the United States of America.”

President William McKinley, a Brother Mason, said about Washington’s accomplishments on the centennial anniversary of his death in 1899: “The nation is his best eulogist and his noblest monument.” In the same year, William Duke, Grand Master of Virginia, praised Washington saying: “If we catch the inspiration of his great life, the dignity of his manhood, and the simplicity of his character, we can come to learn how man can achieve greatness without sacrificing himself to ambition.”

If Washington could be asked today, he would probably say that his greatest memorial would be in the lives of those citizens who sought to emulate in their daily lives those principles that guided his own life. I believe he would be most proud of us if we learned to spread brotherhood and tolerance.

James Parrish Hodges,
aka George Washington, is a Life Member of Benjamin B. French Lodge, #15, Washington, D.C. His colorful portrayal of Washington teaches leadership principles to enhance personal and professional goals. A student of American history for over 40 years and a professional speaker, Brother Hodges has written numerous articles and given presentations on many historical leaders. Contacts: 4901 Valerie Street, Bellaire, TX 77401; Tel. 713-666-1080; Cell (713) 703-5097;
james@leadershipbygeorge.com

Note: Reprinted with permission from the Messenger (vol. 9, No. 1), a publication of the George Washington Masonic National Monument, Alexandria, Virginia.