‘1784 St. John’s Day sermon at Morristown’

    

There is a short article in the December trestleboard from New Jersey’s research lodge that makes relevant today a page of local early Masonic history. I’ll just reproduce it here:

To Fear God:

The 1784 St. John’s Day Sermon 

On St. John the Evangelist Day 1784 at Morristown, The Rev. Uzal Ogden delivered a sermon before Lodge No. 10. As best I can determine, he was not a Freemason, but with the surname Ogden, it is easy to see he had family connections to the fraternity, most probably to Moses Ogden and others at St. John’s Lodge in Newark. As for Lodge No. 10, this is the mysterious lodge in Basking Ridge chartered by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. 

From the 1781 Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania Book of Proceedings. It’s a safe bet that this Dr. Blatchley is Bro. Ebenezer Blatchley, a Past Master of Lodge No. 10 who, in 1787, retroactively signed onto the formation of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey. Little is known about the lodge, except that it was chartered in 1767 by the Provincial Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania (Antients) and was empowered to meet within five miles of Basking Ridge.

The reverend, an Episcopalian, was known to preach at Trinity Church in Newark and at the more famous Trinity Church in Manhattan, as well as at St. John’s Church in Elizabethtown. He graduated from Princeton University at age 18, and was ordained in 1773 at 29. He was an experienced speaker by age 40 when he preached this sermon to the local Freemasons, and he did so without notes. The reason we have it today is the lodge requested a written copy for publication, causing the reverend to put quill to paper after the fact. Historically, we readers find ourselves one year after the Revolutionary War ended and almost two years before the founding of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey.

This sermon is far too long to reproduce here, so I will summarize one of its four key ideas: “to notice what it is to ‘fear God.’”

What is it to fear God? When the candidate for the degrees of Freemasonry seeks admission to any of New Jersey’s lodges, the Worshipful Master orders that he be in “the fear of the Lord” upon entering. It must be important because it’s in all three degrees. It is more specific than belief in a higher power. What does it mean?

To fear God, Ogden said, is to love or to serve Him. He illustrates this with multiple quotations of Scripture, including two attributed to King Solomon: “It shall be well with those who fear God.” (Ecclesiastes 8:12) And “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” (Proverbs 9:10)

By the fear of God, he continues, “we are to understand a due observance of religion, which it may be said, consists of three particulars: knowledge, faith, and practice.”

“The first principle of religious knowledge requisite we should be acquainted with,” Ogden says, “is that there exists some Being superior to ourselves, who gave excellence to Creation, who inhabits eternity, whose knowledge is infinite, whose presence fills all space, whose power preserves and sustains all nature, and who possesses all possible perfection.”

“Can we behold the heavens above or the earth beneath,” he adds, “without acknowledging the infinite power, wisdom, and goodness displayed by some, though to us, invisible Architect?” 

Faith, Ogden’s second particular in fearing God, also is the first of the principal rounds of the ladder—Faith, Hope, and Charity—reaching to Heaven that Freemasonry discusses in its First Degree. Ogden begins: “But it is to no purpose we are informed of these things unless we believe them. ‘Without faith,’ it is said, ‘it is impossible to please God, for he that comes to Him must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.’”

“To hope for the friendship of God,” he adds, “while we disclaim His authority…would be irrational, as futile, as it would be to…behold the light if deprived of the organs of vision!”

Of the third of his particulars—practice—Rev. Ogden is all about character. “Although it is most reasonable we should offer to our Almighty Creator and divine benefactor the oblation of our hearts; and though Christianity is calculated to deliver us from infamy and woe, and to exalt us to honor and happiness, how often are its benefits rejected?” he asks. “How many are there, even of those professing to revere this dispensation of mercy, who live regardless of its precepts, and who, in their actions with men are so far from ‘doing as they would be done unto,’ that no feelings of humanity, no sense of honor, nor any fear of divine vengeance, nor any thing but present punishment can divert them from acts of dishonesty, barbarity, and flagrant impiety?” 

While there is no obvious documentation of Rev. Uzal Ogden being a Freemason, it is clear that Lodge No. 10 chose its speaker for St. John the Evangelist Day wisely. He anticipated his audience and crafted his remarks accordingly, and we are fortunate the lodge opted to have his sermon printed so posterity may enjoy it.

     

‘Follow me: Freemasons walking tour’

     
I probably shouldn’t even post this—I learned of this New Jersey event just now, practically accidentally through social media, so I’m sorry for the too late notice. I believe registration was closed yesterday, although tickets seem to remain available still. I don’t know how, where, or if the lodge has publicized this at all, but here’s the word from the Morris County Tourism Bureau:

The Freemasons in Morristown

July 23, 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Masonic Lodge

Jacob Arnold’s Tavern on Morristown Green

George Washington was among 68 officers in attendance at a December 27, 1779 Masonic meeting held in Morristown at Jacob Arnold’s Tavern celebrating the Festival of St. John the Evangelist. The American Union Lodge was meeting locally to select a grand master, and General Washington was one of the choices. It is estimated that of the 10,000 officers who served during the Revolution, 2,000 were Masons.

The Freemasons formed their own local lodge, Cincinnati No. 3, in the early 1800s. Many of the most prominent residents throughout the town’s history have been members. Here’s a chance to tour their building (c. 1931) on Maple Avenue with Masons and view the displays and artifacts in their onsite museum and library which opened in 2015.

If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the “secret society” of the Masons, here’s your opportunity.

Saturday, July 23 at 1 p.m. The tour will be held at 39 Maple Avenue, Morristown. Tour size is limited to 30. Cost: $15. Metered parking is available on adjoining side streets.

The Summer 2016 Historical Walking Tour Series from the Morris County Tourism Bureau is being generously sponsored by AAA Northeast and Whole Foods Market, Morristown.

The Morris County Tourism Bureau is a Destination Marketing Organization that positively affects the economy of Morris County by promoting the area’s exceptional historic, cultural, and recreational opportunities by providing services to residents, business travelers, and tourists.
     

‘Mark Tabbert in Morristown’

     

Northern New Jersey Chapter of Rose Croix will host its next meeting in Morristown on Tuesday, November 13, when Most Wise Master Moises I. Gomez welcomes Ill. Mark A. Tabbert, 33° to the podium as our honored guest speaker.

Mark A. Tabbert

We’ll start out at Cincinnati Lodge No. 3 for a catered meal before heading around the corner to the historic Ford Mansion for Mark’s talk on the Masonic life and times of George Washington. As you know, Mark is the Director of Collections at the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Virginia, as well as the author of several thoughtful books on Freemasonry that you should have read by now.

This meeting commemorates the 260th anniversary of the Masonic raising of a young man named George Washington. Cincinnati Lodge is named for the Society of the Cincinnati, America’s oldest private society devoted to patriotic values. Founded in 1783 by American and French military officers of the American Revolution, it lives on today through its hereditary membership as a historical and educational foundation in the public service. The Ford Mansion is a mid-18th century residence that served as Gen. George Washington’s headquarters during the storied winter of 1779-80. It now is part of the National Parks Service.

So you see the theme here.

The program at Ford Mansion is open to Master Masons. Leave me a note (not for publication) with your e-mail address in the comments section if you want to attend, and I’ll get back to you.

     

Bro. Washington on St. John’s Day

    
Another Magpie Mason crosspost with the famous American Creation blog.


December 27 is the Feast Day of Saint John the Evangelist, and therefore is one of two major celebrations for Freemasonry (June 24, the Feast Day of Saint John the Baptist, is the other). On the 27th of December, 1779, while encamped at Morristown, New Jersey during the Revolution, the Masonic brethren serving under Gen. George Washington celebrated the Feast Day in the Masonic style of that period, with a church service, a lodge meeting, and a meal together.

From the records of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey:

“…the headquarters of Washington, at the close of the year 1779, were at Morristown, in this State. The American Union Lodge, which was an army Lodge, whose Warrant had been granted by Colonel Richard Gridley, Deputy Grand Master of Massachusetts, was at that time with the army under Washington at Morristown. At the festival meeting of this Lodge, held to celebrate the festival of St. John the Evangelist, December 27, 1779, the record shows the presence of sixty-eight brethren, one of whom was George Washington.”



One of Washington's aprons
is displayed in the museum
of the Grand Lodge
of Pennsylvania.

Considering the hardships faced by the Continental forces at Morristown (better informed historians know it was Morristown, not Valley Forge, that was the site of the most grueling, bitter winter for the troops during the war), it is not surprising that Masonic paraphernalia was not on hand for this celebration. The daunting feat of sending to Newark for the proper regalia was successful, and St. John’s Lodge No. 1 answered the call, providing the needed items. (St. John’s Lodge still exists, and will celebrate its 250th anniversary on May 14, 2011.)

It was at this meeting where a project was launched to bring some order and unity to the Masonic fraternity in the colonies by establishing a single grand lodge for America. Mordecai Gist, representing the Masons in the armed forces of Maryland, was made president of the committee that several months later would formally issue the call for this general grand lodge... with Gen. and Bro. George Washington as its Grand Master.

From this committee’s petition:

TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL,

The Grand Masters of the Several Lodges

in the Respective United States of America.

Union.    Force.     Love.

The subscribers, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons in convention, to you, as the patrons and protectors of the craft upon this continent, prefer their humble address.


Unhappily, the distinctions of interest, the political views, and national disputes subsisting between Great Britain and these United States have involved us, not only in the general calamites that disturb the tranquility which used to prevail in this once happy country, but in a peculiar manner affects our society, by separating us from the Grand Mother Lodge in Europe, by disturbing our connection with each other, impeding the progress, and preventing the perfection of Masonry in America.


We deplore the miseries of our countrymen, and particularly lament the distresses which many of our poor brethren must suffer, as well from the want of temporal relief, as for want of a source of LIGHT to govern their pursuits and illuminate the path of happiness. And we ardently desire to restore, if possible, that fountain of charity, from which, to the unspeakable benefit of mankind, flows benevolence and love. Considering with anxiety these disputes, and the many irregularities and improprieties committed by weak or wicked brethren, which too manifestly show the present dissipated and almost abandoned condition of our lodges in general, as well as the relaxation of virtue amongst individuals, we think it our duty, Right Worshipful Brothers and Seniors in the Craft, to solicit your immediate interposition to save us from the impending dangers of schisms and apostasy. To obtain security from those fatal evils, with affectionate humility, we beg leave to recommend the adopting and pursuing the most necessary measures for establishing one Grand Lodge in America, to preside over and govern all other lodges of whatsoever degree or denomination, licensed or to be licensed upon the continent, that the ancient principles and discipline of Masonry being restored, we may mutually and universally enjoy the advantages arising from frequent communion and social intercourse….”

While Washington was not named in this petition, it was made known that he was the choice of the brethren. Washington did not accept the position, and the general grand lodge in America never came to fruition.
  

‘Mozart in Mo-town’

    
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra will return to the Community Theatre in Morristown next week to perform a Mozart program in its new “Best of” series of performances. A quartet of concerts will take the NJSO to four venues between October 14 and 17. Click here for the schedule and for tickets.

Excellent seats still are available, even at the $18 level!

Click here for audio of the selections, and to view a two minute promotional video featuring Music Director Jacques Lacombe, in his inaugural season with the NJSO.


The repertoire:

Mozart The Magic Flute Overture, K. 620

Mozart Clarinet Concerto in A Major, K. 622
II. Adagio
Karl Herman: clarinet

Mozart Symphony No. 1 in E-flat Major, K. 16
III. Presto

Mozart Symphony No. 35 in D Major, K. 385, Haffner
Allegro con spirito
Andante
Menuetto
Presto

Tchaikovsky Suite No. 4, Op. 61, Mozartiana
III. Preghiera

Mozart Don Giovanni Overture, K. 527

Mozart Sinfonia Concertante for Flute, Oboe, Horn, and Bassoon,
K. 297b
II. Adagio
Bart Feller: flute
Robert Ingliss: oboe
Robert Wagner: bassoon
Lucinda Lewis: horn

Mozart Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551, Jupiter
IV. Molto allegro

Alex, get the Cincinnati boys together and get other there!
    

‘An everyday hero from long ago’

Before getting too far into 2010, The Magpie Mason aims to report on several recent events from last year, playing catch up by bringing you “The Best of the Rest.”

Freemasonry in the United States often draws upon our country’s Colonial and Revolutionary histories for inspiration, especially here in the Northeast. We’re criticized for it, and maybe justly too, because the love of history does trump the need for esoterica when it’s time to do the work of Masonry. But the reality is, our landscape is abundant with sites associated with America’s Founding, and this matters to many of us. We live here. At the Valley of Northern New Jersey, we find ourselves geographically almost exactly between West Point and Trenton, and somewhat equidistant from Newark in the east, and Morristown to the west. Very fertile ground for history buffs, a fact that does not escape Freemasons here.

(This was on full display on October 31, when New Jersey Consistory conferred the 20°, titled “Master ad Vitam.” This degree, set inside a Masonic lodge in 1780, dramatizes Brother Washington’s investigation into Bro. Benedict Arnold’s treason at West Point. You know the historical Arnold story well. The degree was worked at the appropriately named Loyalty Lodge No. 33, which previously had been Washington Lodge No. 33, located in the Township of Union. Its surrounding neighborhood consists of streets named for practically every famous patriot hero of the American Revolution, and in fact the area had been involved in the Battle of Springfield, which was waged only about two weeks before Arnold’s treason. Loyalty Lodge was not chosen to be the location of the degree for these reasons. It just worked out that way.)

The December 1 meeting of Northern New Jersey Lodge of Perfection featured the visit of a historical figure who is both common soldier and somewhat of an immortal hero. Joseph Plumb Martin fought in the Revolution from its earliest days through the final battle in 1783. Not a general, but an enlisted man and later a sergeant in the Continental Army who was eyewitness to history, Martin traveled for many years after the war, giving lectures to citizens eager to hear “what it was really like” from one who knows firsthand. He participated in the battles of Brooklyn, White Plains, and Monmouth, among others. He was at Valley Forge, which he was quick to point out was not nearly as grueling as the winter of 1779-80 that he spent encamped at Morristown, where the snow reached eye level, and food was rarely provided. He also was at Tappan to see Major John André escorted to his execution for his role in the Arnold affair. Even this event has its Masonic connection, as Magpie readers know.

Martin’s wartime diary has been in print for generations, sometimes under the title “Yankee Doodle Boy,” and relates his first-hand accounts of a soldier’s life. He died in 1850, at age 89.

Well, let me begin at the beginning. Of course there is no necromancy in Freemasonry. Our guest lecturer was Mr. Eric Olsen, Park Ranger and historian at Jockey Hollow National Park in Morristown, who brought Martin to us for the evening. Speaking in detail about life in an army that suffered deprivation, desertion, and desperation, Martin told a lengthy story of both harrowing experiences and stretches of tedium, but also related a number of anecdotes revealing the lighter side of a soldier’s life during the Revolution. On the frightening side was the Battle of Mud Island. Located in the Delaware River between Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Mud Island’s Fort Mifflin and New Jersey’s Fort Mercer were crucial strategic points for cutting off the British who occupied Philadelphia. In October of 1777, British and Hessian forces that outnumbered the Colonial troops by 3:1 attacked. They lost. Where the Americans suffered 37 killed or wounded, the British-Hessian forces lost nearly nine times that, plus an additional 60 captured, and their commanding general died of his wounds. So soon after the loss of Philadelphia, this victory was a great boost to the Continental Army’s morale.

It has been all but forgotten by history, a development Martin attributes to the absence of any famous generals.

Attired in period garb, Martin explained the manufacture of his clothing and the purpose of his equipment, going as far as demonstrating the superiority of the bayonet over a sword in close combat... against the wife of one of our Past Masters. He explained how a soldier evaded punishment for playing cards by explaining to his superior officer that a deck of cards can be read symbolically as a prayer book or other aid for spiritual observance.

The ace represents the One True God. The deuce recalls the division of the Bible into two parts: Old and New Testaments. The three denotes the Holy Trinity. Four? The four evangelists of the Gospels, &c., &c.

The Magpie Mason, always looking for a Masonic angle to historical matters and knowing how American-Union Lodge was active at Morristown and elsewhere in Martin’s travels, asked Sgt. Martin if he had the chance to join a lodge.

“Oh, no. I know nothing of your arts and mysteries,” he replied, illustrating with his hands what he thought a grip might look like. In his experience, only the officers were initiated into the fraternity, he explained, adding that he was aware of the celebration on December 27, 1779 of the Feast of St. John the Evangelist at Morristown with General Washington in attendance. Martin surprised me with his knowledge of the affair, saying that he had learned that the traveling military lodge had sent to a lodge in Newark for the necessary Masonic paraphernalia for the lodge meeting. And in fact, in the annals of New Jersey Masonic history it is recorded that St. John’s Lodge No. 1, Ancient York Masons, in Newark had sent officers regalia and other lodge items to the encampment at Morristown for the occasion.


There is a lot more “Best of the Rest” of 2009, including the rededication of the Daniel D. Tompkins gravesite in New York City, and Fairless Hills Lodge’s banquet in Pennsylvania, both from November; and other memorable events, like the famous 1760 EA Degree from way back in September! I’ll try to get to them soon.